Dr. David Noebel on What Is Right with America
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In this issue: More at summit.org » pg. 2 From the president’s desk: » The latest Five Reasons I Know Evil Will Not announcements and the Prevail news » pg. 5 Doc’s recent readings on Christian refugees in Iraq » Find us on Facebook summitSummer 2015 » pg. 7 Summit spotlight: » Check our Twitter Concilliar Post: An Interview Volume 15 Issue 6 feed: @summitmn What Is Right With America The following is adapted from “What Is Right With America,” a lecture given by Dr. David Noebel at the 2014 Summit Adult Conference. Winston Churchill defined “right” this way: The “common conception of what is right and decent is a marked regard for fair play, especially to the weak and the poor, a stern sentiment of impartial justice, and a love of personal freedom.” Number one: America’s founding was right. How did a country of 3.9 million peo- ple huddled mostly along the Atlantic Coast of North America become a giant nation of 315 million, spanning a North American continent and extending to the Pacific Ocean, in little more than 200 years? How did a country with a popula- tion of more than 90 percent farmers Plato, so Bradford divided out the land. eight became U.S. District Judges, five become the prosperous, productive, Each family got a portion to take care of, became delegates to the Constitutional inventive people it is today? America to be responsible for. That’s where the Convention, three became U.S. Supreme started with only a limited military — history of the country starts: with the Court Justices, three became Attorney how did this nation become the world’s pilgrims choosing private property over Generals, two became Foreign Minis- dominant superpower? socialism. ters, one became Secretary of State, one William Bradford wrote the book Let’s move forward 100 years, to one became Vice President, and one, James History of Plymouth Plantation, a beauti- individual. You ask, “What can one Madison, became President. ful read that shows how America got on individual do?” Well, this one individual You tell me: What can one individual do? the right track early. When the pilgrims was a Scottish preacher named John How about the Reverend George came, they originally planned to estab- Witherspoon. In his life, he had approxi- Whitefield? Reverend George White- lish the colony at Plymouth as a social- mately 450 students. You know what he field, he preached to thousands, and he istic colony, following after Plato and did? He founded Princeton University befriended one person who changed this the Republic. This was quite an experi- — that’s no small thing. And out of his country to a great extent. That person’s ment. How long did it take the pilgrims mere 450 students, 114 became minis- name was Benjamin Franklin. Frank- to figure out this wasn’t the way to go? ters, 49 became U.S. Representatives, 28 lin loved Whitefield. He didn’t believe Three years! After the third year, William became U.S. Senators, 26 became State hardly anything Whitefield said, but he Bradford said, I’ve come to this conclu- Judges, 17 became members of their liked the way he said it. George White- sion: God is smarter than Plato. Isn’t that State Constitutional Conventions, 40 be- field had a great influence on Benjamin a neat expression? God is smarter than came delegates to the State Conventions Franklin. Today on the campus of the Plato. William Bradford learned by ex- that ratified the constitution, 12 became University of Pennsylvania, there are two perience that God was a lot smarter than members of the Continental Congress, See right with america page 3 from the president’s desk a word from dr. jeff myers Five Reasons I Know Evil Will Not Prevail The Supreme Court’s decision to al- He’s committed to raising a generation create a safe place for them to over- low same-sex marriage did not come as to stand for truth. come the barriers to living lives fully a surprise to those who understand the Our other instructors are just as committed to Jesus. From Jen Honken times. Perhaps you have also seen the extraordinary. Josh McDowell speaks and Allison Smith, our program direc- videos of Planned Parenthood’s leaders all over the world but loves spending tors, to staffers like Nate who take a negotiating the sale of aborted baby’s time with our students, letting them break from college to joyfully wash organs. I’m appalled at the brazen cal- pore over his valuable biblical scrolls dishes, these young men and women lousness of these “leaders.” I’m guess- and artifacts. Brett Kunkle is a mis- rise to the challenge every day. I wish I ing you are too. sionary who leads groups of young had half their energy. Sometimes I despair and need a adults to share their faith at Berkeley I’m blessed to hear from the alumni bracing reminder that America is still and Boulder and shares his tactics of our summer, Oxford, Semester, and worth fighting for. That’s what this with our students. J. Warner Wallace, adult programs. They’re living changed issue of The Journal is about. From my the famous cold-case detective, comes lives in business, the military, the desk at Summit, where founder David every session to share compelling pastorate, the mission field, medicine, Noebel once penned the words to stories about why we should trust the education, and so much more. They all this cover story, I sense both a grow- Bible’s truth. Frank Turek, who has have one thing in common: They are ing urgency and a growing commit- debated nearly every leading atheist, daily standing for truth and fighting ment from believers. Those who have reveals the evidence behind his claim against evil. wormed their way into power may be that he doesn’t have enough faith to Reason #3: This generation of wicked, but we must never give up on be an atheist. Every speaker at Summit Christian parents refuses to give the idea of America. More importantly, is a home-run hitter. You can’t spend up. Every two weeks I have the great no matter what, we must never give in two weeks with these folks and not be honor to talk with parents who have to evil. changed. sacrificed financially to send their Having just trained 1,700 young Plus, students learn from John Ston- children to Summit. I see parents leaders this summer, and watching estreet, a protégé of Chuck Colson like the Smiths in Phoenix, who have them join the ranks of hundreds of whose daily and weekly radio shows quietly raised a family of faithful men thousands who have not yet bowed the and women who love the Lord with knee, I can see five reasons why evil all their hearts. I see the light bursting won’t win the day: “I know the rest from parents who’ve chosen inten- Reason #1: The best minds of of the story. tional, relational parenting that rests our generation are fully commit- ” on God’s promises. ted to training up godly leaders. Dr. Jeff Myers Reason #4: Committed believers When students come to Summit, they are putting their time and resources are mentored by some of the bravest to good use. Hands down, Christian people I’ve ever met. Our scholar in inspire millions. John is a hero to our believers are the most generous, self- residence, Mike Adams, spends every students. He believes in them, and sacrificing people on earth. It’s hum- day with students and staff. When they know it. When he speaks the hard bling to know so many Summit friends August rolls around, Dr. Adams packs truth, they listen and change. Alto- who have generously invested in this his belongings and heads back to the gether, we have around 75 dedicated ministry. They tell us, “Don’t give up!” lion’s den at the university where he instructors who are giants of the faith. and they know we never will. I hate to is a professor, the University of North Reason #2: Deeply committed confess it, but I’m often in tears as I see Carolina Wilmington. They hate him young adults are intentionally dis- the major investments our friends are there. They’ve sued him. They’ve tried cipling their peers. I’ve watched our making so that we can continue to pur- to fire him. None of this fazes Mike. tireless and fun staff love students and See five reasons page 4 Page 2 Summer 2015 right with america continued from page 1 statues. Franklin founded the Univer- American. if it wasn’t for the United States, that sity of Pennsylvania. Do you know Who said that “those who have never would have happened.) To this what statue he wanted alongside his? come under the influence of Evangeli- day, when famine, natural disaster, The preacher, George Whitefield; and cal Christianity form the backbone of civil wars, and ethnic cleansing ravage on George Whitefield’s statue, it says, philanthropic, social interest, social foreign populations, the United States “The Reverend George Whitefield, reform, and popular education ... is invariably the first and often the Bachelor of Arts 1736, Pembroke they embody and express the spirit only nation to bring help. Remember College, Oxford, Humble Disciple of of kindly goodwill toward classes the big tsunami that hit Indonesia? We Jesus Christ, Eloquent Preacher of the which are at economic disadvantage”? turned the whole navy group around Gospel.” Remember what Winston Churchill and had them head there.