Thomas hits nail on the head

Thomas hits nail on the head!

by Steve Fair

Cal Thomas is a journalist.  He writes a weekly op/ed for USA Today and his column is carried  by some 300 plus newspapers across America.  But on Sunday at a large Baptist church in Tampa, he sounded more like a preacher.  “Our problem in America is a moral and spiritual problem,” he said.  “Until God changes a man’s heart, we are only changing the external.”  Lynn Windel, former 4 term Oklahoma National Committeeman  from Ardmore and I traveled more than an hour from the Oklahoma delegation hotel to hear Thomas speak.  It was well worth it and Thomas’ remarks will define how I view this convention.

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Thomas briefly mentioned his time with the Moral Majority and how that organization’s plan to ‘reform’ America failed.  He cited the late Dr. D. James Kennedy who founded Reclaiming America and how that premise failed to accomplish it’s goal.  “The motive is right, but the tatic is wrong- only God can change America- one heart at a time,” Thomas said.  I couldn’t agree more.  Electing a more conservative President and Congress is a worthy goal and may slow down the moral decline in America, but until we understand the only hope America has is the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are doomed to fail.

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I was somewhat surprised that Thomas spoke so boldly on the subject of the depravity of man.  Total Depravity is something few journalist know anything about and embrace.  Mr. Thomas cited Romans 8:8 that states all of fallen mankind, are capable of externally good acts (acts that are good for society), but we cannot do anything really good, i.e., pleasing to God because God sees our heart. And from his ultimate standpoint, fallen man has no goodness, in thought, word, or deed. 

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Total depravity is the fallen state of man as a result of original sin. The doctrine of total depravity asserts that people are by nature not inclined or even able to love God wholly with heart, mind, and strength, but rather all are inclined by nature to serve their own will and desires and to reject the rule of God.  It is the first tenet in the five so-called doctrines of Calvinism.  Many don’t teach it because they are afraid it is too negative and places man in a hopeless, helpless situation.  They instead teach man is inherently good, born innocent with a spark of divinity.

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Charles Spurgeon, the so-called prince of preachers, said, “I am bound to the doctrine of the depravity of the human heart, because I find myself depraved in heart, and have daily proofs that there dwelleth in my flesh no good thing.”

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“Some believe that man has a spark of divinity and all we have to do is find that spark and fan it,”  Thomas said.  “That can’t be found in the Bible.”  Indeed it can’t be.  Throughout the scripture it is clear that mankind has inherited a corrupted, depraved nature.

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Thomas’ point was that no amount of political activism will result in any meaningful change until God changes men’s hearts.  “This doesn’t mean we don’t get involved or stay engaged in the political process.  We are told to be the Salt and Light of this world so it is very important Christians are involved,”  Thomas said, “but we must recognize that we cannot by activism alone bring about the change America needs.”

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I was surprised that a man whose columns I have read for years was saying exactly what I have contended for years; America’s problems are not political- they are spiritual.

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I brought one of Cal’s books, Common Ground, one he authored with Democrat strategist and Fox News host Bob Beckel.  I got it signed and got my photograph taken with Thomas.  I then had the opportunity to talk with him briefly and when I told him I appreciated his ‘Calvinist’ message, he laughed.  We agreed that American Christians involved in the political process must stop focusing on behavior modification, but understand we cannot change the heart of man- only God can.

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Cal Thomas’ message is one that is fundamental if we truly want to change our country.  The secret to restoring America’s greatness is to recognize our country has a sin problem and it is rooted in our hearts.  We will never have the blessings of God on our country until we see man as he is before a holy God.  No keynote address at the convention will deliver a more needed message to America than Cal’s.