Jumpstarter 7 of 10

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Question 7

Bercot calls Cromwell’s “it’s all of God” language “counterfeit faith,” arguing that faith is unmasked when believers take “the exact same steps as would a non-believer” and then claim God did it; where do you see that pattern in Christian activism today, and what would “non-counterfeit” faith look like in political or cultural conflict?

Another way to ask: Bercot says it’s “fake faith” to act the same way a non-Christian would and then say, “God did it.” Where do you see that in Christian activism today, and what would real faith look like during political or culture fights?

Direct Answer Based on Bercot’s critique, “counterfeit faith” is using ordinary power tactics and then crediting God for the outcome; the transcript doesn’t name modern examples, but it implies real faith wouldn’t rely on the same worldly methods and then spiritualize the results.

Support from Transcript:

Cromwell writes after victories, “Does you see what the Lord has wrought for us? Can any creature ascribed anything to Himself?” and urges giving God all glory.
Bercot responds: “They do things through human methods and then…say, ‘Oh, it’s all of God. I had nothing to do with it.’”
He notes early in the war the Puritans lost when “they truly needed his help,” but later won after building a “professional army trained by experts.”
He concludes: “This is nothing more than counterfeit faith.”
Key line: faith is unmasked when a Christian takes “the exact same steps as would a non-believer” and then says success required God.

Discussion Follow-ups If we apply Bercot’s test, what “human methods” do we lean on most (money, PR, political force)? What would it look like to refuse those methods even if it costs us influence?

Jumpstarter 7 of 10