Filter by Categories
9-11 and American Decadence
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughOn 9/11, nearly three thousand people of all ages and ethnicities lost their lives in a horrific act of terrorism that continues to be avenged by American troops in Afghanistan. September 11, 2001, was a terrible day for the United States of America, its impact still resonating through the nation. Most of the masterminds behind the attack, including Osama bin Laden, the head of al Qaeda, remain at large, hiding in the remote, mountainous wilderness of Afghanistan or Pakistan despite an relentless manhunt. While most place the blame on bin Laden and his fellow radical Muslims, a significant minority believes the attack was an inside job by the U.S. government to justify war for oil and to suppress freedoms. Islamic terrorists have targeted U.S. assets, citizens, and allies worldwide for decades, escalating their attacks whenever possible. Controversy arises when it is suggested that Americans may have played a role in bringing these attacks upon themselves. There is ample blame to distribute for the disaster of September 11, 2001, with the Islamists who committed it bearing the primary responsibility, yet it must also be acknowledged that American culture is far from righteous.
September 11 One Year On
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe tragedy of September 11, 2001, marked a profound moment for the nation, as four airplane crashes altered the way Americans view the world. Initially, the response was one of shock, grief, anger, and a surge of patriotism, with many rallying to help through blood donations, care packages to New York City, and support for soldiers in Afghanistan. However, despite these efforts, the nation has largely returned to normalcy, with only tightened airport security and reduced freedoms as lasting changes. God, in Amos 3:6, questions if calamity strikes a city, has not the LORD done it, especially among a people who claim closeness to Him. This suggests that disasters like September 11 are divine warnings meant to inspire repentance and a return to true worship. Yet, a poll by the Barna Research Group indicates that 90% of Americans admit the attacks have had no lasting impact on their religious beliefs, reflecting a deep spiritual complacency. God's call in Amos 5:6 to seek good and not evil remains the path to align with Him, even if the broader nation fails to heed this warning.
Freedom and Security?
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the tension between individual freedom and national security has become a glaring issue for this nation. Government agencies have faced harsh criticism for failing to predict and prevent the attacks, yet when steps are taken to enhance national security, civil libertarians decry the emergence of an Orwellian society. The same voices that blame the government for intelligence failures protest loudly when efforts are made to gather the intelligence necessary to protect the nation. This ongoing debate reveals a deep divide, as both government and citizens engage in blamestorming over the balance of freedom and security. The crisis faced by the United States cannot be resolved by measures like arming the population or racial profiling, as these solutions fail to address the underlying issues. Instead, the weaknesses in this form of government have been exposed by enemies, making the dream of maintaining both individual freedom and national security seem increasingly obscure.
Divine Warning
Article by John W. RitenbaughThe terrorist attacks of September 11 were a divine warning, especially to God's church, to return speedily to a right relationship with Him.
Sowing and Reaping (2003)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the days after 9-11, a few brave souls linked the tragedy to America's increasingly immoral lifestyle, but many of these people were shouted down.
Innocent Victims?
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughIn the aftermath of disasters, we hear about innocents suffering. But is anybody truly innocent? Has God not been patient when He could exact the death penalty?
Lost Perspective
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughIn many ways, we have lost our perspective since those moments of clarity in the weeks following September 11, 2001.
Power
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeDuring Amos' day, people were busy making money, being entertained, and practicing their religion. But God was also busy—sending famines, droughts, and epidemics.
The .45, the GSF, and One-World Government
'WorldWatch' by Charles WhitakerNews, events, and trends highlighting Bible prophecy for February 2005.
Divine Warning
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughOn 9/11, the political and spiritual leadership of America absolved itself from any culpability, refusing to acknowledge our national collective sins.
Connecting the Dots
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat has changed in America so that we are no longer safe walking our own streets? Why has terror come to our soil? What can the individual do to stop it?
Waving the White Flag
Commentary by Joseph B. BaityThe radical Islamic forces, like hungry sharks, are circling America and the West, smelling blood in the water and the scent of fear from a defeated nation.
Is God to Blame?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe 9/11 bombings were tragic and terrible. Some have since asked, 'Was God involved? Is He to blame?' These tough questions have challenging answers.
Christian Reaction to Terror
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughEvents of this nature should be a wake up call to repent to all who survive! We should focus on our own guilt, our failure to live up to God's standards.
Conspiracy Theory
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat can we do about these conspiracies? We only have control over the big, Satanic one. The other plots and schemes are distractions and time-wasters.
Interesting Times
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughAn ancient Chinese curse says, 'May you live in interesting times,' and so we do. Over the past week, we have witnessed at least two important events.
Peaceful Is as Peaceful Does
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThose of us in the West are beginning to learn more about the Muslim mind. This is the best we can do; we can never hope to understand it because it is alien.
Bin Laden's Death and Our Reaction
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughRather than rejoice that he is dead, we should thank God that He has allowed justice to be done and beseech Him to deliver His people from further wicked acts.
The World's Need for Atonement
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughAccording to the liberal media, all we have to do is get world leaders in one room, and after a few handshakes and a couple of beers—voila! World peace!

The Time of Jacob's Trouble
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are warning shots over moral decay and national sins. Jacob's trouble will force a total reliance on God.
Jihad in Our Streets
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe spirit of jihad has jumped its bounds, eagerly infecting a generation of deluded, mis-educated American youth to take to the streets in a new holy war.
So There Has Been Another Terror Strike
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughOur fight is not the kind the government wages against terrorists, but the martial spirit is no less necessary in our fight against sin, Satan and the world.
Christian Reaction to Terror
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughAsaph's godly and humane reaction to the attack on Judah contrasts greatly with America's more self-righteous and vindictive approach.
March 12, 2005: One Year Later
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeOn March 12, 2005, Terry Ratzmann entered a church meeting room and opened fire. After 22 rounds had been fired, four people were wounded, and eight lay dead.
Evil Is Real (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughLiberalism rarely considers actual outcomes—that is, it often promotes a course of action without studying how such actions has worked out in the past.
The Handwriting Is on the Wall (2002)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe prophecy of Deuteronomy 28:42-49 concerns the curse of the stranger rising higher and higher above us, displacing our Israelitish culture with foreign one.