Enemy of Our Souls
By: Ellsworth E. McIntyre
Recently a pastor telephoned from Texas to say, "A friend sent me a copy of your book, How to Become A Millionaire in Christian Education. and it sat on my desk for three weeks--that title bothered me too much to pick it up--but on the other hand, I just couldn't ignore it either. So finally I read it and I am really surprised. It is a very good book!” I know this pastor is sincere, because he is planning to start a day care/school using his family as co-workers. In his words, “I never realized a Christian could glorify God and get rich at the same time."
R. J. Rushdoony has written numerous books and articles against Manichaeism or the doctrine that material things corrupt. Manichaeism is an evil doctrine that has convinced generations of Christians that poverty equals holiness. As a result, we have been robbed of our full reward in Christ Jesus (II John 8). St. Augustine also wrote against this heresy, but every generation needs a teacher like Rushdoony to call us back to our mission in this world(Gen. 1:28) to own and control this world to the glory of God.
The enemy of our souls distorts and deceives the simple into fleeing from riches, but the Scripture is plain. It is unlawful riches that we are not to seek but lawful riches gained while pursuing the dominion of Christ are to be sought with all of our heart. The Apostle Paul wrote in II Tim. 4,"Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown (reward) of righteousness ...and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Our faith is the enemy of all liberal democratic or socialist or communist schemes that undermine the law of God. Socialism is based on the envy of the Lord's anointed. For this reason, both Jews and Christians will never be loved by the world because we Christians are God's favorites. God intends to bless His chosen people--the new Israel the church. Old Israel still enjoys blessing, because the Lord has taken the wealth that belongs to us and given it to our enemies to provoke Christians to repent of the error of seeking poverty, chastity, and obedience to laws contrary to the law-word of God. The new Israel or the church will only be blessed when obedient.
Our task as parents/teachers is to teach our children that the chosen race of God is from all the races, kindred and tribes on earth (Rev. ). Wemust teach our children "to seek first the kingdom of God and Hisrighteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you (Matt 6:33).Our churches, Christian schools and Christian families too often have cursed our posterity with poverty, sickness, and premature death by lack of knowledge (ref.)
As R. J. Rushdoony points out in Romans & Galatians. pg. 189,
"Paul (the apostle) does not speak of his concern for the Jews but forIsrael." It is crucial to a proper understanding of Scripture to know thatIsrael refers to covenant keepers of all races and kindred on earth. Jews, on the other hand, is a race and no race is to be preferred by God over Israel.From the beginning with Abraham, hundreds of unrelated people who worked forAbraham were circumcised and brought into the covenant. These employees,slaves, or household members had no genetic relation to Abraham, becauseIsrael means those called to keep the covenant, not those born into a particular race or family. The family tree of the Lord Jesus Christ includes people from other races, but does not include covenant breakers. Our common heritage is spiritual, not racial. Those who say, "chosen race" and mean genes are racist and not Biblical. It is a profound error to say any physical race is chosen in place of Israel.
When I was thirty years old and newborn in Christ, I rushed tofather's house to witness to my mother and father. My father looked at me in horror and said, "Ellsworth, you can't believe that. The church is for children and old women in high buttoned shoes. No real man canabide that nonsense." I had a real problem convincing my father that my faith was not to submit to this evil world but to conquer this world forChrist. For to seek peace by submission is feminine but to own and control this world to the glory of God is genuine Christianity.
Slowly and carefully, he followed my witness from afar until he was convinced that I was trying to escape from this world; then he embraced the faith wholeheartedly. The remarkable thing is that our family never began a meal without my father giving a prayer for thanksgiving and blessing, but he seldom attended church except for weddings and funerals.I believe it is so for many men. The church stripped of its masculinity is a stench in the nostrils of those with testosterone higher than the feminine, the young, and the very old.
The fault is not the men; it is pastors, teachers, parents, who have tuned a deaf ear to teachers like St. Augustine and Rushdoony, who continually call us back to our task of warfare against all that is against the law-word of God. You can be a millionaire to the glory of God. In fact, if being a millionaire is your calling, you had better do it if you know what's good for you. The Lord calls weak and false teachers "dumb dogs who don't know how to bark." Well, I chose the title of my book, How to Become a Millionaire in Christian Education, because that title is my bark. Please, I beseech you by the mercies of God to hear my call (Rom. 12:1,2).
