Is Western civilization in an accelerating decline? And if it continues will it eventually weaken and cause us to come to the end of cultured civilization as we now know it? "Yes," says David Jeremiah, and in his book, I Never Thought I'd See the Day! he details numerous signs of this cultural decay including:
America held hostage by Iran Marriage becoming obsolete Creeping socialism The invisibility of culture's enemies Increase in "spiritual warfare" America turning its back on Israel Atheist attack on religion
Can this downward spiral be reversed? Yes, but only if one person at a time returns to God with our heart, our manner of life, our dedication to genuine worship of God, in serving God by helping others, in our giving, and in prayer.
Dr. David Jeremiah, founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, felt God’s calling on his life at a very early age. Born February 13, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Jeremiah was raised in a family deeply committed to ministry. At the age of eleven, Dr. Jeremiah and his family moved to Dayton, Ohio where his father, Dr. James T. Jeremiah, was the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and in 1953 became the President of Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio.
As Dr. Jeremiah was sensitive to God’s leading in his life, he followed in his father’s footsteps. In 1963, Dr. Jeremiah received a Bachelor of Arts from Cedarville College. In that same year, Dr. Jeremiah married his college sweetheart, Donna Thompson who also was attending Cedarville College as a business major. He went on to earn a Masters degree in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1967. He completed additional graduate work at Grace University and was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from Cedarville College in 1981.
In 1969, Dr. Jeremiah began Blackhawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and developed a Christian school grades K through 12. In the 12 years he served as pastor, Blackhawk Baptist Church grew from 7 families to 1300 members. He also launched The Bible Hour television program.
Dr. Jeremiah heeded God’s call, and in 1981 he and his family moved to California where he became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, now Shadow Mountain Community Church.
Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego County. It is also the home of Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools.
As Dr. Jeremiah began his ministry at Shadow Mountain, he felt God’s calling to continue the broadcast ministry he started in Fort Wayne. In 1982, Turning Point Ministries became a reality.
Today, Turning Point's 30-minute radio program is heard nationally and internationally on over 1800 stations and translator/satellators. In recognition of Dr. Jeremiah’s commitment to teaching the Word of God, he received the Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1999 from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), in August 2002, received the Award of Merit from the Western Chapter of National Religious Broadcasters for Excellence in Broadcasting and Faithfulness in Service, and in 2006 Turning Point received the Best Radio Teaching Program Award. Dr. Jeremiah has served on the Board of Directors for the NRB since 1996.
Turning Point launched a television program in 1982 in San Diego and went nationwide in 2000. Now seen around the world through cable and satellite technology, as well as on terrestrial stations all across the United States, conservative estimates suggest that close to 200 million homes around the world have access to Dr. Jeremiah's Bible teaching each week. Turning Point Television offers a half-hour Bible study message and a full hour worship service with the same great preaching. Carried on several national and international networks such as TBN, ION, and INSP, Turning Point Television has most recently been added to Middle East TV Network and BET, the Black Entertainment Network.
Dr. Jeremiah is a sought-after conference speaker for organizations around the country. He frequently speaks at Cedarville College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Billy Graham Training Center, Phil Waldrep’s Senior Adult Celebrations and numerous NFL, NBA and Baseball chapels.
Along with his speaking schedule around the country, Dr. Jeremiah also finds time to fulfill another passion in his life, writing. His books are always gripping and right to the point. Some of his books include Escape the Coming Night, The Power of Encouragement, What the Bible Says About Angels, Prayer The Great Adventure, which brought him The Gold Medallion Award in 1998, God In You, Gifts from God
I am 56 years old and I have heard a number of different people young and old say “I never thought I’d see the day,” for a number of different reasons – but all relating to some major change or changes that have occurred in our society, in our culture, and the way we live as well as treat one another.
In his compelling book, Dr. David Jeremiah, senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California and New York Times bestselling author, hits the proverbial “nail on the head” when it comes to being on point in regards to the fact that our culture in America and the world has changed in many distinctive ways – and not all for the better.
Dr. Jeremiah looks at our “culture at the crossroads” from a solidly faith based perspective. That point needs to be made and understood from the beginning. He begins his book with the famous line from the Wizard of Oz, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and goes on from there to share his own reflection that “Toto, we’re not in America anymore.” He does state that he is exaggerating by making his statement; however, the point he is making is that we are not in the America that we were in 50, 40 or even 20 years ago. Slowly things have changed…slowly people have changed and what was once thought to be inconceivable or unimaginable is now a part of our everyday existence and we have become so numbed and dumbed by the constant barrage of the news of terrible things happening, that we don’t even react anymore. And that is heartbreaking to say the least.
In Chapter 1 of his book he writes about the current state and angry mood of as he refers to them “the New Atheists – referring to atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and others. Dr. Jeremiah writes, “Today’s vocal crop of atheists has ramped up the volume, if not the substance, of the modern attack on religion that we see going on in several quarters.” In other words, “The New Atheists” are now more vocal and vitriolic than they have ever been with their attacks against Christianity and religion and Dr. Jeremiah as well as countless others never thought he would see such a day as we are seeing today.
In the other chapters of his book author Jeremiah takes on such issues as “When Jesus Would Be So Profaned,” “When Marriage Would Be Obsolete,” "When Morality Would Be In Free Fall;” all tragic signs of the times – that is the dramatic change in how people think and act today; but the chapter “When the Church Would Be Irrelevant” really speaks to and breaks my heart because all of the issues that he writes about in his book…it is because of the fact that the church, the body of Christ, in large part has made ourselves irrelevant for our times that we are experiencing what we are.
There used to be any old saying that someone was so “heavenly minded that they were of no earthly good,” however; I fear today that far too many professing “Christians” are so earthly minded that they are of no “heavenly” good. There is something terribly unsettling and wrong with that picture.
But the book does end with bad news leaving the reader wondering and worrying about the future and what to do about it. Quite the contrary is true. Dr. Jeremiah clearly and boldly writes how that despite all that is happening in our day…much of it not being good…that there is a reason to still have hope. And the reason to have hope is that through the experience of a radically changed mind and heart a person’s life and soul can be saved and that person can experience as Jesus promised “an abundant life” now and embrace the hope of eternal life…in an unfathomably glorious life in a place called Heaven for all eternity. And THAT is truly good news for such a day as we are living in.
To learn more about the book or to order your own copy, visit the website of Faith Words Books.
I have received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Faith Words Books, an Imprint of the Hachette Book Group, for reviewing it.
This is a very well written book. Because of the vast amount of detail and information in this book, I do not recommend that people purchase the audiobook version, until you have read this book. There is so much information you will get easily bored and lost listening to an audio book. In this book Dr. Jeremiah addresses nine issues, which he believes, have significant implications on the church and the culture. The chapters in this book are as follows.
1. When Atheists would be Angry 2. When Christians wouldn't know they are in a war 3. When Jesus name would be so profaned 4. When Marriage would be obsolete 5. When morality will reach a freefall 6. When the Bible would be marginalized 7. When the Church would-be irrelevant 8. When a Muslim state could intimidate the world 9. When America would turn her back on Israel 10. When changing your mind could save your life!
The chapters are all filled with culture quotes, bible verses, explanations written for the average Christian in mind and not just the seminary education, and powerful illustrations. Dr. Jeremiah writes his chapters so well you will not want to put this book down! Each chapter was very exciting to me and I did a bit of highlighting and marking. The book would be worthless if those that read it, put it down after completing and do not think of what the book is all about. But this is something I could not do with this book, and very often did I take quotes from the book and post on my FaceBook wall. I also wrote a letter to an official of a government whom ignored my letter, but if everyone that read this book took the initiative to write their officials, maybe they will hear us out and change their ways. In the 9th chapter Dr. Jeremiah speaks a bit about Israel and highlights Gen 12:3 which says that God will bless those that bless Israel, and curse those that curse Israel. America has been blessed because of its support of Israel, but Dr. Jeremiah argues that America will soon be cursed because she is starting to turn her back on Israel. In another book, "Is God on Americas Side" Dr. Lutzer argues that America will be cursed because of her ungodliness, immorality, wickedness, etc.. I am not sure if support of Israel is all that is required for a blessing, but rather believe that there is more to the equation than just blessing Israel as Dr. Jeremiah argues later in the chapter. In the final chapter Dr. Jeremiah argues that Christians must be transformed by the Word of God, rather than conform to the culture. Sadly, most Christians are conformed to the world, rather than transformed by the scriptures. This is why its all the important to be in the word of God daily, to be active in church, reading good Christian books (like this one), be in prayer, and be devoted to carrying out the great commission and preaching the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Christian get this book it will touch your heart, and inspire you to reach the culture for Christ.
The title of this book captured my thoughts as I wondered what this pastor had to say about what is happening today. As a young pastor I wanted to read the thoughts of a pastor who has faithfully ministered for several decade to thousands of people.
This is not a book filled with ranting about the good old days from a person who longs to live in the past. Dr. Jeremiah walks us through Western civilization changes and how it is impacting marriages, families, and children today. He demonstrates with a wide range of reports and news articles from around the world just what is going on. In fact there are 10 major topics that are explored in this book with the desire intent of waking the reader up.
Many of the topics explored are hot topics in the news right now. If you have been considered about how to talk with co-workers and friends with biblical insights this book would be a great resource. Some of the topics include: Spiritual Warfare, New Atheism, Marriage today, Discerning what is right, Islam, and the American church.
I would recommend getting this book to help with understanding current trends through a biblical perspective.
This October 2011 release from radio and TV pastor Dr. David Jeremiah is a wake-up call for America. It's a natural companion and follow-up to Jeremiah's earlier release, "What in the World is Going On?" I had the privilege of interviewing the author following that title's publication.
In his latest trumpet call, Jeremiah goes behind the headlines to put the spotlight on angry atheists, indifferent Christians, a profaned Jesus, obsolete marriage, a morality in free fall, a marginalized Bible, an irrelevant church and an intimidating Muslim state. He saves his heaviest guns for the ninth chapter where Dr. Jeremiah lays out the perils of America turning her back on Israel.
As so many of Pastor David Jeremiah's previous works, this too is built around a preaching series he presented to his congregation at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. And this title too comes in an optional audio or DVD format along with a 128-page study guide.
If you haven't already read the last chapter in another best seller, the Bible, reading Jeremiah should give you some sleepless nights.
I am currently reading this book and it really shows you how far this country and the world has come and how we have changed gradually for the worse without even realizing it. The things that this country was founded on and what most people believed is now being attacked. Some of what has happened is due to christians being complacent and letting things happen without standing up for what is right. This country was founded upon the principles laid out in the bible and now the bible is treated to lightly. I would highly recommend this book and would hope that it opens peoples eyes to see what is going on around us and that we take action to keep the freedoms we hold.
Excellent book. Dr Jeremiah holds a mirror to America's current culture while providing a Biblical framework that allows each reader to reach their own conclusions. The entire book was riveting and perhaps the most eye opening description personally was the Biblical preference to the Jewish nation and the woe that has historically befallen nations who attempt to subjugate Israel. Dr Jeremiah then describes the United States gradual but distinct distancing from Israel beginning in 2008. Eye opening direct quote references from Barack Obama and other political leaders are shocking to me. Strongly recommend to all Christians.
The title says it all. There are so many things that I never thought would be happening here. A good, thought-provoking book about our culture today and the direction we're heading, from a biblical perspective. There were several chapters that really struck a chord with me; giving me new insight and understanding - into educating our children and into the battle in the Middle East. The book covers a lot of ground.
Biblical insight into nine areas where our world, our nation, our churches, and ourselves (ouch) are not where we should be according to the truth contained in God's Word.
But, don't worry, all can change if ... [no spoilers here]
Read the entire book, checking the Bible references as you go, and then take action based on the last chapter!!
Excellent insight into how we got here, and what each of us can do about it.
David Jeremiah is excellent. He has a well-researched (I'm one of those OCD-types who actually reads footnotes!), observer of popular culture and how its present state relates to Biblical principles in about 8 or 9 different arenas. However, this is not yet another "going to Hell in a handbasket" tomes. He does inject hope in this work and wraps it up by showing how this affects us personally.
There is a lot of information in this book and it took me longer than I anticipated to read and process Dr. Jeremiah's teachings in this fascinating read.
It truly is inspiring and uplifting and brings home a message taht we must be wary and vigilant in these turbulent times.
I learned a lot, especially about the Middle East, and will surely recommend this book.
Dr. Jeremiah reveals the extent of moral and ethical decline in America and, indeed, in the world today. He talks about the shift from moral, Biblical values to today's "anything goes" ethos.
I never thought I’d see the day when so many Christians would worship a politician without a moral bone in his body.
I never thought I’d see the day when Empathy would be called toxic.
I never thought I’d see the day when cutting off aid to God‘s most vulnerable children would be enacted and applauded by people calling themselves Christians.
I never thought I’d see the day when Christians actively oppose studying Creation which has and will cause great suffering and death of innocent people.
The book hit the nail on the head. This is a good exposition on the state of the world. And I will dare say things are getting worse. More outrageous things have happened and are happening. Bible-believing Christians stand with mouth agape as the changes unfold. The days are indeed evil.
Written 14 years ago this book explores 9 aspects where the US society (and the world) has been going in the wrong direction, backed up by statistics and observation. And I think the decline has continued. The author the explores our possible reactions to this as Christians. Very thought provoking.
The United States is on the fast track toward destruction and most people don't even know it. " There is nothing more relevant to each and every soul in the universe than the good news of Jesus Christ. " So says the author with knowledgeable eloquence.
Excellent read. Jeremiah brings research and his profound Biblical knowledge to bear in addressing some of the concerns of the current age. Very enlightening.
departure from God’s standard, one forward two back, met the enemy he is us, screaming foolish atheists brights prideful, believers deeper wider grounded, ussr 6m abortions 40k to 1k churches, inquisition 2k 350 years, hitler mao stalin 100m, 137m atheists 2%, war of terror is fear intimidation, spiritual warfare Art of War know enemy and self, evil deceives divides ruins Job, battleground not a playground, infiltration as dead animal, lure of business social media debt good causes, Jefferson bible of love and service, Jesus to our image vs us to God’s image, breakdown marriage yes to love no to marriage, live on own terms non-binding not commitment, when happy happy, as designed by God for love and procreation, gamble UT HI, major sporting events and sex slavery, malice as mental murder, Dewey lack of education practices, as goes the church so goes the nation, radical iran verses prior leaders, 10% Christians Iran, Israel 70-1948 seat gone oldest nation, Solomon story of support on bill, learn to sacrifice, decision before emotional moment, transformed to will of God, to be salt and light, no drifting.
I read this book after my sister and mom. I think this book is mostly for younger people who don't understand how today's popular culture differs from the tenets of Christianity or for older people who don't understand the cultural drift away from the Christian nation they remember. As for my part, I never remember living in a culture supportive of Christianity. To me, choosing to be a Christian has always been counter-cultural, as well as a clear choice in opening oneself up to criticism. I still got a great deal out of the sections on the busyness of our times, on asking ourselves "Whose opinion counts?", on valuing the Bible we've been given, and on the methods churches use to reach others. The sections on understanding the Muslim states and Israel were also informative to me. The history of the divergence between Christianity and the nation as a whole was interesting, and included interesting facts and figures. I am giving a friend the section Dr. David Jeremiah wrote on searching for the will of God, since that was her topic at hand.
Nothing against David Jeremiah (he's actually the only TV preacher that seems to be solid in his theology, at least from what I've gleaned), but I've grown tired of the trumpets of doom. I don't deny that the Western is at a crisis point, but I'm starting to lean toward the idea that American civic religion is dead and that is a very good thing (now if only MTD would die). This is not to say that Jeremiah is using this book as a gloom and doom platform, but rather this book was started in my brief 'end times' interest and I've past it at this point.
I won this book from a Goodreads give away. I really tried to read it but just could not connect with it. I did pass the book along to my dad - who could and did connect with it. I think he could better identify with what David Jeremiah was trying to say. He was pleased with the book where I could not get through it. Maybe you need to be of the same generation as the author to identify with it.
I really liked the way this was book was written. It could easily have been a tale of gloom and doom but Dr. Jeremiah kept the focus where it belongs - on Jesus. This helped to see what the problems are and to see how they should be addressed in a biblical way.
A book every Christian should read. Dr Jeremiah does an excellent job of describing the cultural decline in nine areas of our lives. More important are the points made about we, as Christians, should respond to these changes.
Really enjoy this Book so much keeps brain working for hours our days is a great read you will Enjoy it. This novel had me hooked from the first time I set eyes on the title. It didn't disappoint from the first sentence. I could not put it down.
A very comprehensive read,on that should be on every Kingdom citizen's reading list. It's what's not being reported in the news, but what everyone should know.