An American Vision in Guatemala

William Ochoa is a pastor in Guatemala and joins Gary on the podcast today. William has been using Gary’s and American Vision’s materials to minister and train pastors in Guatemala.

Developing a biblical worldview can never be separated from Jesus’ saving work. If men and women do not turn to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, they will turn to themselves, to another individual, an idea, an ideological movement, or the State. Our choice of “savior” determines the basis of our trust and reason for living.

For many, the Bible merely imparts “spiritual” truth with little to say about “secular” matters (things pertaining to this age). It is important to understand that the Bible does not divide life between sacred and secular, or spiritual and material levels of reality in an ethical way. Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) and “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (28:18). The Apostle Paul tells us that material things are not evil, and those who despise material things because material things are of this world, misunderstand the nature of evil: “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against indulgence” (Colossians 2:20-23).

A real division exists between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), obedience and disobedience (2 Corinthians 10:5-6), faith and faithlessness (Matthew 21:21). Viewing the world dualistically forces the Christian to abandon society and its institutions (because they are material and earthly), thus the effects of the gospel message are internalized and made irrelevant to the society in which the saved person lives. A biblical worldview takes the things of this world and uses them for God’s glory. Music, art, gold, silver, land, factories, homes, schools, and every other material thing can be used for good or evil. The word of God shows us how they are to be used.

The message that God “so loved the world” (John 3:16), shows that salvation includes far more than isolated individuals or a single aspect of the individual (e. g., the soul or body). God’s view of salvation includes man in all his relationships, i.e. man and the world. Salvation affects family affairs (Ephesians 5:22; 6:4), personal economic matters (Romans 13:8), personal relationships (Galatians 5:18, 24), sinful habits (Ephesians 5:25, 32), judicial decisions (1 Corinthians 6:1, 11), eating and drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31), business dealings (1 Thessalonians 4:6), church discipline (Matthew 18:15, 20), education (Ephesians 6:4), civil affairs (Romans 13:1, 7; 1 Peter 2:13, 17), etc. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19); Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), “the Savior of the world” (4:42), and “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (1:29); and finally, “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and forever” (Revelation 11:15).

God and Government

With a fresh new look, more images, an extensive subject and scripture index, and an updated bibliography, God and Government is ready to prepare a whole new generation to take on the political and religious battles confronting Christians today. May it be used in a new awakening of Christians in America—not just to inform minds, but to stimulate action and secure a better tomorrow for our posterity.

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William Ochoa is a pastor in Guatemala and joins Gary on the podcast today. William has been using Gary’s and American Vision’s materials to minister and train pastors in Guatemala. William explains how impactful the information and biblical worldview materials have been on him and his family and how he is using them to teach and disciple others in Central America.

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American Vision’s mission is to Restore America to its Biblical Foundation—from Genesis to Revelation. American Vision (AV) has been at the heart of worldview study since 1978, providing resources to exhort Christian families and individuals to live by a Biblically based worldview. Visit www.AmericanVision.org for more information, content and resources