Warning to the American Church with Eric Metaxas

Episode Overview:

In this powerful and inspiring episode of "It is Time To Stand," host Misty Phillip welcomes Eric Metaxas, a renowned author, speaker, and public intellectual, to delve into the urgent need for courage and conviction in today's challenging times. With a blend of historical insight and contemporary relevance, Metaxas shares his perspective on standing firm in one’s beliefs, the importance of faith in guiding actions, and the role of individuals in shaping the future.

Eric shares how his upbringing, particularly hearing his parents' experiences with Nazi Germany and communism, shaped his deep appreciation for freedom and faith. He explains the parallels he sees between the church's failure to stand up in Germany in the 1930s and the current state of the American church. Emphasizing the critical importance of the church's role in preserving liberty and standing against injustice, Eric urges listeners to take action and seek guidance from God in these pivotal times. Get ready to be challenged and inspired to make a difference as Misty and Eric delve into this pressing topic on Spark Influence.

Bio:

Eric Metaxas is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, and many other books, including Is Atheism Dead?, Martin Luther, Amazing Grace, and Letter to the American Church. He has written more than thirty children’s books, including the bestsellers Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving and It’s Time to Sleep, My Love, illustrated by Nancy Tillman. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. He is the host of Socrates in the City and the nationally syndicated Eric Metaxas Radio Show — “The Show about Everything!” — which also airs as a weekly television program on TBN. Metaxas has conducted interviews with an eclectic mix of guests including film director Ron Howard, Mel Gibson, and Morgan Freeman,  as well as such figures as Peter Thiel. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and many other publications.

Eric Metaxas was born and raised in New York City by parents who had fled communism in Greece. Their experiences with communism and their love for America instilled in him a deep appreciation for freedom and faith. At the age of 25, he became serious about his faith and eventually wrote a biography of William Wilberforce called "Amazing Grace". This led him to pursue a career in writing biographies, sharing the stories of impactful and influential individuals. His upbringing and faith continue to influence his work and his passion for freedom and God.

Key Takeaways:

The Church's Role in the Present Hour: Eric Metaxas emphasizes the critical importance of the church standing up in the current era. He draws parallels between the failures of the German church in the 1930s and the need for the American church to actively engage in societal and moral issues of our time.
The Urgency of Action: Metaxas unequivocally imparts the message that now is the time for action, not complacency. He challenges the church to understand its biblical mandate to engage with the world, emphasizing the transformative power of individual contributions to collective change.
Embracing God's Call with Hope, Not Despair: While sobering in his analysis of the current state, Eric Metaxas instills hope, urging believers to seek God's guidance, setting aside despair and apathy. He reminds us that every person's contribution can be the tipping point for positive change, and inaction only aids the advance of evil.

Highlights:

Introduction to Eric Metaxas: Misty Phillip introduces Eric Metaxas, highlighting his contributions to literature, public discourse, and his commitment to faith and freedom.
The Call to Stand Firm: Eric Metaxas discusses the critical importance of standing firm in one's convictions, especially in an era where cultural and societal pressures often challenge traditional values and beliefs.
Faith as a Guiding Light: Metaxas emphasizes the role of faith not only as a personal anchor but also as a compass for societal engagement and leadership.
Historical Lessons for Contemporary Challenges: Drawing from historical examples, Metaxas illustrates how lessons from the past can inform and inspire current and future generations to act with courage and integrity.
The Power of Individual Action: Both Metaxas and Phillip discuss the significant impact individuals can make when they choose to stand up for their beliefs, despite the odds or opposition they may face.
Engagement and Dialogue: The conversation also covers the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogue with others, even those with differing viewpoints, to foster understanding and positive change.
Closing Thoughts: Eric Metaxas shares inspiring final thoughts on hope, resilience, and the call to action for listeners to be agents of change in their communities and beyond.

Quotes from this Episode

 "It is time to stand up in this day, in this hour for Christendom.”

— Misty Phillip [00:00:22 → 00:00:25]

Rise and Fall of Nations:

"This is where America is headed if we are not careful."

— Misty Phillip [00:00:57 → 00:01:00]

The Dangers of Communism: "He'd experienced communism in Greece because communists were trying to take over Greece after World War II. So they raised me to love America, to love freedom, without even trying to, just telling their stories of the profound wickedness of communism, of authoritarian government, how that's the antithesis of a system that worships God, honors God, and believes in freedom."

— Eric Metaxas [00:01:50 → 00:02:16]

Finding Inspiration for Biography Writing

Quote: "If I were to write another biography, probably it would have to be about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because my mother grew up during this time. My grandfather was killed in the war. And when you hear about a man in Germany, a man of God who spoke against the Nazis, who spoke up for the Jews because of his Christian faith. I said that is a story worth telling."

— Eric Metaxas [00:02:43 → 00:03:07]

The Power of Storytelling:

"Everybody needs to know that story. So I wrote my book, Bonhoeffer. It came out in 2010, and it is by far the biggest-selling book I've ever written."

— Eric Metaxas [00:03:07 → 00:03:19]

The Failure of the Church:

And so as the years passed, I began seeing it slowly happen. And in 2016, when all the powers of hell were unleashed against Donald Trump, I said, this is crazy. Look, you don't need to like Trump, but what is happening in America? Something is happening.

— Eric Metaxas [00:04:18 → 00:04:37]

The Threat to Liberty:

"The parallels to Nazi Germany, to what happened when the church laid down in the beginning of the 30s. This is long before anybody knew where Hitler was taking things. This was in the beginning when a few Christians had eyes to see, and they said, we need to stand up now because if we don't stand up now, this could be going in just a satanic direction."

— Eric Metaxas [00:06:29 → 00:06:49]

The Urgency of God's Message to the Church:

"I knew that this was God's message to his church."

— Eric Metaxas [00:07:33 → 00:07:36]

American Church and Hitler's Plan:

"If you keep sleeping a little while longer, I will get just enough laws in place, just enough power to crush you when you finally decide to speak up."

— Eric Metaxas [00:08:23 → 00:08:32]

The Role of Churches in Politics:

"So the reason I wrote the book is to convince people like, this is not about doing politics. This is about doing what God called you to do."

— Eric Metaxas [00:09:53 → 00:10:00]

"The Third Existential Crisis of Our History":

"Where America will go away is going away unless the people of God rise to the occasion, stand up, and do what God is calling them to do. If they had done it in Germany, there is no way the satanic evil of the Nazis would have been able to murder millions of innocents. It could not have happened if the church had stood up."

— Eric Metaxas [00:10:59 → 00:11:23]

Finding Purpose and Guidance:

"So I tell people, get in your word, stay in your word. Understand the times that you're living in. Pray, ask him, because if you ask God, what do you want me to do? He will tell you, yes, He will tell you, but you have to be listening and you have to be actively seeking Him."

— Misty Phillip [00:12:12 → 00:12:29]

The Power of Taking Action:

Empowerment of Christians in America:

"It is Time for Christians to rise up and to do the thing God's called them to do."

— Misty Phillip [00:13:39 → 00:13:43]

Get Involved:

Give or serve in the organizations of our cast members.
Become a member at a local church.
If you are in a church aligned with cultural Marxism, Get out.
Know what your child is being taught in public school.
Homeschool your children if possible.
Run for local office & support candidates who reflect your values.
Know your local school board, city council, and mayor.
Attend & speak at school board and city council meetings.
Talk to others in your community about what is happening.

Links and Resources:

To learn more about Eric Metaxas and his work, visit Eric Metaxas's website. Letters to the American Church https://lettertotheamericanchurch.com/
For more episodes of "It is Time To Stand," including conversations with other influential figures, check out ItisTimetoStandUp.com

Conclusion:

Misty Phillip wraps up the episode by thanking Eric Metaxas for his insights and contributions. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and the importance of standing firm in them, regardless of external pressures. This episode serves as a call to action for individuals to embody courage and faith in their daily lives and to make a difference in the world around them.

Listen, reflect, and be inspired to boldly stand for your convictions with courage and faith. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a call to action for all who believe in the power of standing firm in truth and love.