The biography reads that he is a "revivalist and founder of Holy Fire Ministries, and has authored several books with an emphasis on helping to restore the true spirit of Christianity in the Church today." The true spirit of Christianity in the church today. A noble self-statement from Bert Farias, who is a regular contributor to the cesspool of false teaching and prophecy that is Charisma News. He recently decided to wade into the waters on the NFL protest kerfuffle and in doing so revealed several issues wrong with the way political hacks disguised as Christians have been handling this ongoing social dilemma. The article is linked above so let us reason together beloved and see exactly what kind of spirit Mr. Farias represents and is trying to impose upon the church.
"My parents immigrated to America in 1966 when I was just 7 years of age. One of the reasons my father told me he moved here was for my brother and I to have a better opportunity and future. This is just one reason why I love my country. I have always stood for the National Anthem. I love what our flag represents. I honor those who have fought for our nation's freedom. I am a proud American." -- Bert Farias
That pride will become even more evident as we read on but it reveals a major disconnect as a Christian. The Bible makes it very clear that we are but sojourners and pilgrims through this life. Our citizenship and allegiance is in heaven, not to any country on this mortal coil. Now, we certainly should try to be responsible people within the culture that we find ourselves in because we are ambassadors for Christ according to the Bible. That is not what Mr. Farias is stating here. He is an idol worshipper and this country is his idol. Worse than that however is that he only worships HIS view of this country and dismisses any other experience as somehow not being accurate or even worthy of consideration. He presents his familial experience but is completely dismissive of that fact that other people might have different familial experiences and value this country for other reasons. Many come here for the opportunity that Farias reflects here but others value this country for the chance to be free to express themselves. Many come from regimes and countries where that freedom did not exist. He also makes an arrogant conclusion that you can only love this country if you stand for the National Anthem. He also condescendingly concludes that because he chooses to directly correlate the flag and anthem to the military that everyone else must as well. Some are simply not as myopic. The flag represents everything this country stands for.
The real problem however is what exactly does this have to do with the church of Jesus Christ and the answer is absolutely nothing. What spirit is he emphasizing here for the church? Unbridled arrogance? Militaristic dominance? This will be the prevailing problem throughout this article. Remember this is a self-marketed "revivalist" writing for a "Christian" website. It would be bad enough on a secular website but to wrap Jesus Christ up in this is simply irresponsible when we are supposed to act with wisdom towards the lost redeeming the time. If your message is not the Gospel and you proclaim Christ for a living it is a secular spirit you are trying to promote to the church. Farias would continue:
"The protest of some of our NFL athletes has nothing to do with racism. It is not a black-and-white issue. That is only a smokescreen for another part of the leftist agenda. There are many black people across our nation that feel the same way about America that I and so many others do. They are true patriots and love what our nation was founded on and represents.
There are many millions of people who love our nation's history and monuments and are disgusted by the display of hatred for our flag and nation and the protest and removal of our historic structures." -- Bert Farias
Coming from a white man, this statement surpasses the arrogance of the opening. No offense Bert but exactly who are you again to decide what is and what is not about racism? The fact that he claims there are black people who worship this country like he does is akin to people saying they are not racist because "they know a lot of black people." It is a hollow argument that will only divide people further. As will referencing the recent removal of racist monuments. Yes Bert, that is what they were. The majority of the confederate monuments were not erected following the Civil War but by Woodrow Wilson and then some more 70 years after that. The Civil War was a rebellion against this country Bert. The people who were on the side of the South were traitors to this country committing treason over their right to own slaves. I used to teach US History and the attempts by many to change what is widely accepted history is simply disgusting. Can the monuments have a proper place in a historical museum? Sure but not in the public square. We should not be celebrating insurrection. Odd considering you worship the country as much as you clearly do. Now Farias dives off the deep end of the true spirit of rage inside of him:
