Posted in theology

1967’s ‘Summer of Love’; or was it the summer of hate?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

City Lights Books in San Francisco was the epicenter for the Beat Generation of the 1950s and helped spark the cultural earthquake that was the hippie movement of the ’60s. EPrata photo

It happened 59 years ago. It was summer, flower children ‘hippies’ were on the rise, the Viet Nam war had become full blown, and an entire subculture was born. It was dubbed the “Summer of Love”.

The generation born Post-WWII in the late 1940s and 1950s and their parents experienced economic prosperity, technological advances, and a feeling of hopefulness since the dark World War was ended.

As with any culture, the hopefulness evaporated as the Cold War entered. The cultural highs went to lows. Nuclear fears, Russia fears, and general feelings of concern with what rapid consumerism and technology was doing to the country sparked the now teenage and young adult Baby Boomer generation to “question authority” and reject the old way of living.

Then the Viet Nam war happened, and with it, the fairly new technology called television, showing its satellite images from jungles of death halfway around the world now added to the generation’s discontent. The newsman Walter Cronkite intoning at the end of every nightly newscast the number of dead and injured in the war added to the prevailing mood of uneasiness.

Cronkite, America’s ‘most trustworthy voice’ declared the war a stalemate in early 1968. In those days news broadcasters did not utter opinions due to the federal law Fairness Doctrine. His pronouncement of the war a stalemate crashed into public consciousness & altered the course of it.

The rejection of the way things were into a way the hippies wanted things to be, came together to ignite The Summer of Love.

The hippies were also called Flower Children. They advocated for peace and love, art and poetry, spiritual transcendence- usually drug induced- and community.

Sounds good, right?

Remember, anything obtained outside of God is vanity, empty, and vain.

The Summer of Love was an event where over 100,000 hippies converged on Haight-Ashbury neighborhood in San Francisco. These were kids seeking a new way of life, some were drifting runaways, and others just came for the drugs. But they came, did they ever. They wanted to re-structure civilization through peace and love. “To find a new way for humanity” as the gentleman says below. Could they even “restructure society”? For a while, yes, they did. We still feel the effects of that summer today, nearly 60 years later.

Screen shot from PBS’ The American Experience: The Summer of Love

Part of that new way for humanity was the hippies were taught to “question authority” and “turn on, tune in, drop out” by LSD drenched counterculture-man Timothy Leary. Leary was-

“One of the most influential icons in the counterculture movement which formed in the late 1960s out of opposition to the Vietnam War’s escalation, Leary gained influence among much of the youth by advocating the use of LSD as a way of mind expansion and the revelation of personal truth.” (Source).

The truth of it is, the entire movement was demonic. The youth did drop out, of society, of college, from families. They wandered, spiritually and physically, into new realms. Realms of depravity such as experimenting with homosexuality and lesbianism. Realms of mind-altering drugs. Realms of different living situations such as polygamy or ‘free love’ communes.

It’s easy to write off the hippie movement as essentially unserious. Most of them were young; few of them were sober; they said things like “groovy” and “far out.” And in part, the hippies were animated by psychic impulses that weren’t new: the youthful rejection of the apparent mundanity of adulthood, and good old hedonism.

But lurking beneath the shallow motifs – flowers in the hair, acid [LSD] on the tongue – was a serious philosophical protest. “At the deepest level,” writes W. J. Rorabaugh, in one of the few good histories of the movement, the hippies expressed “a crisis of belief.”

Source above, essay “The Terrible Optimism of the Hippies” published in The Independent (UK) 2019.

The Preacher in Ecclesiastes teaches us something about the pointless search for meaning and a satisfying lifestyle that are apart from God.

Further, in W. J. Rorabaugh’s retrospective book, American Hippies (Cambridge Essential Histories) we read of the,

“massive upheavals of the 1960s, which included civil rights, Black Power, feminism, and gay liberation, as well as looser sexual mores, the end of censorship, street protests, political radicalism, and environmentalism. Collectively, these movements profoundly changed the United States. Second, the hippie counterculture was large. Hundreds of thousands of young Americans were, at least for a time, hippies, and millions adopted some if not all hippie beliefs and practices. The numbers mattered. Third, hippie values represented a generational break with traditional middle-class culture. When hordes of people concentrated in a single youth generation simultaneously adopted new thoughts and behaviors, mainstream culture was forced to pay attention. In the long run, hippies played a significant role in transforming American society.”

A LOT was going on in the 1960s! That ‘Summer of Love’ was a startling and visible opening to this upheaval. A crisis of belief. A yearning for something missing from American life. A seeking of a new way.

Don’t all of those reflect back to Ecclesiastes? King Solomon wrote of the yearning of the human heart and its vain seeking, apart from God. God defines love. Disaffected youths do not define love.

Swami Satchidananda giving the opening talk at the Woodstock Festival of 1969. By Mark Goff – my own collection, Public Domain

What is love? The hippies thought they had unlocked the secret to spiritual fulfillment. They believed, with the help of LSD and mushrooms, that they could access the transcendent divine, and become one with the universe, in love. Many turned to Eastern religions and their music sounded forth with flutes and zithers.

However, God defined love through His word. His is the only and the final word on the subject. The hippies, mainly middle-class white Americans, really did have it good. Two parent households with a mom and a dad, two car homes with garage, creature comforts, church-going, sexual normalcy, and clean living. Rejecting all that for a mystical union with a drug induced divine was for a time, unrestrained disorder nationwide.

What IS love?

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; … But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a, 13).

God is love, and those who love Him know love, for God IS love.

The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. (John 14:21).

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18).

I can’t overstate the rapidity with which the hippies’ concepts and philosophies changed America for the worse. Sadly, many of the hippies descended into homelessness and drug addiction. Others came up with sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Others discovered that free love meant their loved one moved on to the next partner without a thought, leaving broken hearts and disillusionment in their wake. Free love, apparently, wasn’t free.

When humans define love it always misses the mark. As is natural with the natural man, the hippie culture descended quickly to depravity and a worship of self. Self-evolution, the divine within, freedom of self-expression, and a self-involved love were at the core, and thus, destined to fail.

The hippies’ counter-culture movement was historically a new approach. Not blind ambition of the Caesar era. Not Machiavellian scheming of the feudal lords. Not evil malevolence of the dictator times. This time, satan tried a gentle naivete that rushed the love culture into the American summer. For a while, it worked.

The Flower Power photograph by Bernie Boston, taken during the March on the Pentagon, October 21, 1967.
Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37905458

The Preacher said in Ecclesiastes 12:1a, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,“… and Ecclesiastes 12:13-14,

Only God can change a culture for the good. Let’s conclude with the Preacher’s conclusion-

The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Posted in discernment, theology

Testing the “God Told Me” Claim; Part 2

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Yesterday in part 1 I’d examined the fact that women for generations now have been taught from so-called Bible teachers, book authors, and podcasters that we hear directly from God. Whether these revelations or direct contacts are in the form of whispers, prompts, visions, impressions on our heart, ‘told me,’ or audibly, we’ve been taught that it’s supposed to be normal to have a relationship with full of lively, direct two-way communication.

I’d said no, that is not the normal method of communication from God, He speaks from the Bible and the Bible alone.

Continue reading “Testing the “God Told Me” Claim; Part 2” →
Posted in discernment, theology

Testing the “God Told Me” Claim; Part 1

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Can we detect whether a prompt from the Holy Spirit is legitimate or if it’s your own imagination? Many lady ministries focus on this, offering in their videos, essays, and books, certain steps to determine how to sort out whether internal promptings, whispers, or allegedly divine conversations are from the Spirit. Do these steps work? No.

Continue reading “Testing the “God Told Me” Claim; Part 1″ →
Posted in theology

When should a pastor retire? Copeland v. MacArthur

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Most jobs are jobs we retire from and think nothing of it. It’s the natural course that we retire from long haul trucking, bricklaying, nursing, teaching. I’m going to be 66 soon and I’m thinking about retiring from my school job.

But when a man is called to be a pastor, and he goes through training (usually seminary), and walks up to his pulpit for the first time, for these men it’s a lifetime commitment. To them, the responsibility is so heavy, they care for their flock so much, the call feels permanent. He stays at the pulpit, unless the Lord takes him home or he falls under reproach and disqualifies himself.

Not that pastors can’t or shouldn’t retire. The Levites were to serve in the tabernacle until age 50. But in today’s times, the Bible does not give a standard for when a man should step down. The qualification is that he should be “able to teach”. (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24). There are other considerations, too.

Continue reading “When should a pastor retire? Copeland v. MacArthur” →
Posted in theology

To all those who are sick

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’m getting old. I’m officially in my senior phase now. The next phase is ‘elderly,’ and after that, death and translation to heaven. It’s remarkable how fast this life went. It really is a vapor. Things I remember clearly like ‘that new show Hawaii 5-0 reboot’ started 16 years ago. The movie Jaws which startled me so much is 50 years old. When I think of movies being that old I think of old black and whites like It’s a Wonderful Life. But that one is now 80 years old! Metropolis, that old masterpiece, is almost 100 years old. Yes, time flies.

With senior seasons of life come health challenges. It seems like a lot of people are having health challenges now. This summer I had some things pop up for which I needed to see a doctor. This was unusual for me. Normally I only go once a year for my annual checkup and that’s that.

So, in addition to being reminded every day that “life is a vapor” (James 4:14), aging also reminds me that this flesh is but flesh, transient, subject to the curse, and not meant to last. Only our glorified bodies will last, but we have to wait for those. The flesh is just a body of death waiting to break down until we die.

A while ago I made an order at Chapel Library. One of the pamphlets I’d ordered was called Christ and Lazarus: Comfort in Sickness and Death, By Robert Murray McCheyne. When I ordered this I did not know I’d need a doctor this summer, but the Lord did. I find the pamphlet a comfort. Here are some excerpts. You can order this for free to be sent to you in hard copy (or download yourself, or read online)

“Of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha” (v. 1).

Bethany is a sweet, retired village, about two miles from Jerusalem, in a ravine at the back of the Mount of Olives. It is at this day embosomed in fig trees, and almond trees, and pomegranates. But it had a greater loveliness still in the eyes of Christ—it was the town of Mary and Martha. Probably the worldly people in Jerusalem knew Bethany by its being the town of some rich Pharisee who had his country villa there—or some luxurious noble who called the lands after his own name; but Jesus knew it only as “the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Probably they lived in a humble cottage, under the shade of a fig tree; but that cottage was dear to Christ. Often, as He came over the Mount of Olives and drew near, the light in that cottage window gladdened His heart. Often He sat beneath their fig tree telling them the things of the kingdom of God. His Father loved that dwelling, for these were justified ones. And angels knew it well, for night and day they ministered there to three heirs of salvation. No wonder He called the place “the town of Mary and her sister Martha.”

After that introduction, McCheyne spends a bit of time explaining why Christ sends sickness. I’ll post only the headings but be assured he explained more fully with verses:

The reasons why God sends sickness are various:

1. In some it is sent for the conversion of the soul.
2. Sometimes it is for the conversion of friends.
3. Sometimes it is a frown of judgment.
4. Another case is now before us: that of a child of God sick, (Lazarus) that Christ might be glorified in him.

“Lazarus was evidently a child of God, and yet Lazarus was sick. How he had come by his grace we are not told.“

Not how McCheyne calls illness “a grace”. This belief is hard for unbelievers to understand but it is true. A friend of mine is a paraplegic, made so in a high school football game. He said it is a grace and he would not trade it. He said he has seen and received much grace due to his condition.

But when illness comes “Learn not to judge others because of affliction.” And, “God’s children should not doubt His love when He afflicts.”

Even if the affliction continues long and hard, do not lose hope. Christ’s love is in it completely. Though you may be in pain, or adjusting to a new life circumstance, or even seeing it in others, such as the sisters Mary and Martha watched their dear brother sink, don’t doubt the love of Jesus.

“And so with Christ; He bends His eye most tenderly over His own at the time He is afflicting them. Do not doubt the holy love of Jesus to your soul when He is laying a heavy hand upon you. Jesus did not love Lazarus less when He afflicted him.”

Van gogh, The Raising of Lazarus

Such afflictions, conditions, or illnesses spark the most fervent prayer in us. McCheyne-

Learn that urgency in prayer does not so much consist in vehement pleading as in vehement believing. He that believes most the love and power of Jesus will obtain most in prayer.”

Jesus sent word that the sickness of Lazarus is “not unto death”.

A word of promise: “This sickness is not unto death.” This was an immediate answer to prayer. He did not come; He did not heal. But He sent them a word enough to make them happy: “This sickness is not unto death.” Away the messenger ran, crossed Jordan, and before sunset perhaps he enters breathless the village of Bethany. Good news! “This sickness is not unto death.” Sweet promise! The hearts of the sisters are comforted, and no doubt they tell their joy to the dying man. But he gets weaker and weaker; and as they look through their tears at his pale cheek, they begin almost to waver in their faith. But Jesus said it, and Jesus cannot lie. If it were not so, He would have told us. “This sickness is not unto death.” At last Lazarus breaths his latest sigh beside his weeping sisters. His eye is dim, his cheek is cold, he is dead. And yet Jesus said: “Not unto death”! The friends assemble to carry the body to the rocky sepulcher; and as the sisters turn away from the tomb, their faith dies. Their hearts sink into utter gloom. What could he mean by saying, “not unto death”?

Are your hopes sinking: Is your faith weakening? Is your trust in Jesus wavering?

McCheyne: “Learn to trust Christ’s word whatever sight may say.“

Do not allow grief, pain, heartache, or affliction to prevent you from approaching Jesus. His throne is open to His children. Come often, come boldly, come believing. He may or may not heal, but the belief is in His power to do good to those who are called and love Him. The belief is in His sovereignty, that His will is perfect. That our flesh wastes away but “this sickness is not unto death”. That no matter the outcome, even amputation or paralytic or memory loss, we WILL be restored and that restoration in glory will be forever.

Or perhaps He will heal and you come out the other side saying, yes, I prayed, yes I believed, yes, it was a grace from our beautiful Savior to be so afflicted.

“Some trust Christ with their soul, but not with their body—with their salvation, but not with their health. He loves to be sent for in our smallest troubles”.-end M’Cheyne

Posted in exaltation

Jesus, the name high over all

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,a with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” (Matthew 17:1-8)

I was listening to Drive By Pneumatology , and in lecture 10 by Emilio Ramos, I was struck by some insights by the lecturer.

The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to point to Christ (John 16:13-14). Christ is the pre-eminent Person in all the universe (Colossians 1:18). Peter, in his boundless and sometimes unthinking enthusiasm, wanted to make a tabernacle for all three of the glorified beings he saw before him. One for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. In verse 4 Peter makes it clear, he says it twice, ‘three tents’ and then explains, ‘one for you and you and you…’

WHILE He was speaking, God interrupted Peter. Peter was off on the wrong track. We cannot put anything or any one equal to Jesus. He is preeminent.

 God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” God says it twice, ‘this is My Son,” and ‘listen to Him.’

Do we get the message?

Jesus is preeminent. He is counted to have more glory than Moses (Hebrews 3:3). he speaks with more authority than Elijah, the prophet, and all the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1-2).

My prayer for you is that you put Jesus at the highest exaltation point in your mind and heart. He is pre-eminent, better than our idols, our celebrities, our traditions, and better than any picture or shadow of anyone else in the bible.

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11).

Jesus, the Name High Over All, written by Charles Wesley