abstract: Does media attention and fuss destroy message of NRA? Does this activism represent an abandonment of NRA history?

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by Jeffrey Ziegler

As the National Reform Association continues to take on a greater visibility, more and more questions are being asked about our vision, theology, and practical plans for the future. In the body of the current article, I will address some of the more common issues that have been raised, and thus hope to instill even greater understanding and support for our critical work.

Q: Through "Operation Potomac" it would seem the NRA is drawing a great deal of media attention. Is this wise? Won't their biased liberal views undermine the NRA? And wouldn't it be prudent to wait for more opportune times before the NRA increases its visibility?

A: Good questions, and ones that are often asked. The NRA's task is to proclaim the Crown Rights of Jesus Christ in the realm of civil government. This includes a practical reformation that would exhibit a confession of Christ in our founding documents, the conversion and discipleship of existing civil magistrates into the faith, development of new explicitly Christian candidates, and the comporting of laws and policy to the principles of biblical law as revealed in both the Old and New Testaments. Now taken as a whole, such ambitions require reformation on a large scale. Such undertakings are impossible without visibility. In fact, the NRA is working to create the more "opportune times" rather than waiting for them. Our mission statement compels us to do so.

To be sure, the liberal media bias will distort our purposes, partly because of their agenda, and, more importantly, due to their overall theological ignorance. Yet, even when a liberal media organ such as "Americans United for Separation of Church and State" prints articles about our organization, their distortions and selective compression serve only to excite their core constituency which would never support our views in the first place.

On the other hand the benefits for such exposure are multifaceted. First, other media outlets pick up on such stories and contact us for our views. This results in more articles and more exposure. Secondly, many conservatives will automatically give the NRA a heroic nod and expressions of appreciation if we are attacked by the same organizations which are also opposed to their agendas. This opens effective doors for dialogue, alliance building, and, most importantly, conversions!

In just the past year, the NRA has been featured on various radio talk shows: "The Derry Brownfield Show" syndicated out of Missouri; "Power Talk" with Carey Coleman; "Direct Source" with Erica Stevens and Jim Carney Jr.; NRA board member Larry Pratt's program, and our own "Christian Statesman Radio." Additionally, we've made television appearances on FOX8 News and WEWS Newschannel 5 (ABC), both in Cleveland. Finally, articles have been written about the NRA in The Christian Observer, Church & State, The News-Herald, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Cleveland Free Press, and an exhaustive article will appear in The Columbus Dispatch sometime in early February.

In conclusion, the NRA is called to define the battlefield in terms of message and tactics. We're not interested in neo-conservatives or other semi-religious organizations defining political social theory for us. That has happened before, and all that was left for us to do was to criticize what the other regimes were doing wrong, or to show how they lacked the proper theology. While we were right to point out their deficiencies, it is a far better thing to lead, to set an example, and to begin to leaven the other politically active and friendly organizations to our way of thinking.

Q: It would seem the NRA has given itself over to reactionary fundamentalist activism and has abandoned a covenantal approach to cultural and civil reform. Are you not concerned with compromising the original intent of the organization?

A: This question exhibits numerous false antithesis and presuppositions. First, the NRA was founded as an activist organization to further National Confessionalism which in practical application is a distinctly political and constitutional issue. Secondly, our activism, in keeping with the Great Commission, is proactive, and is not flailing away in a reactionary motif. Too, we hold to a long term covenantal vision of obedient generations achieving dominion in time and history. This is not antithetical to action.

The covenant, and the theology of the covenant are alive and well at the NRA. Presumption, cowardice, and evasion of responsibility are not. The NRA will continue to be visible and press our mission statement while others wallow in conspiratorial shadows, introspective perfectionism, and studied irrelevance.

We encourage you, dear reader, to stand with us in prayer, finances, and volunteering for our various outreaches. This would include the writing of articles, involvement in state chapters or NRA study groups, and participation in "Operation Potomac." We welcome you to join our grand crusade.

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