Lewiston pastor traces moral decline,
outlines future of U.S in new book

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 30, 2006

Armageddon is in the future for the world. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ when the world as we know it is remade is something the Rev. David E. Siriano has studied, taught and preached about in his 32 years as an Assembly of God minister.

“It’s been a long journey,” said the pastor of Lewiston Assembly of God Church on Creek Road. “About a year and a half ago, it started coming together, at least out of my head and onto paper.”

The result is the recently published “The Cultural Collapse of America.”

“In order to talk about how a society like America would collapse, I start in chapter one with the beginning of civilization and how life began, in regards to creation versus evolution,” Siriano said.

In the book, he looks at the history of the shift of super powers and how those shifts impact the world. Then, the reason for war, particularly the wars of the 20th century, is discussed, followed by terrorism and why it is centered in Iraq.

“Personally, I believe God hates war, but I believe he uses war,” Siriano said.

“God doesn’t encourage evil but he uses evil to bring about his plans for humanity. He hates and punishes sin, but many times works through sin and its evil intentions to accomplish His desire and will for the world.”

Siriano also writes about the various catastrophes that have occurred in the world. He covers the current “politically correct” phenomenon, such as First Amendment rights, the Constitutional crisis, flag burning, abortion, “Hollywoodism” and homosexuality. Finally, he compares history with the Bible and discusses the Second Coming of Christ.

Teresa Guglielmi of Lewiston is among Siriano’s parishioners who have read the book. She recommends it to anyone interested in the moral decline of the United States and anyone interested in knowing about the future, but adds that a strong faith is necessary to really understand it.

Much of what Siriano covers in the book has been part of his Sunday sermons, she said.

“It’s his specialty, what he has spent a good portion of his ministry learning about and preaching about,” she said. “He truly wrote this book with all his heart and with God’s spirit in him.”

While most reaction to the book has been positive, not everyone agrees with Siriano’s evangelical Christian views.

“Not all religious people agree with me either,” he said, noting that while some people believe the Bible’s Book of the Revelation is symbolism or what has happened in the past, he believes it is the future.”

Siriano has been the pastor of Lewiston Assembly of God for eight years. He also has worked in Syracuse and in the New England states. His very religious Italian parents were Catholic, but converted to Assemblies of God before he was born. He said he felt called to the ministry since he was a little boy. Today, Siriano and his wife, Elsa May, have been married 43 years, and have two children and eight grandchildren.

“The Cultural Collapse of America” is published by Xulon Press of Longwood, Fla., and can be purchased by calling (866) 909-2665, or log on to www.xulonpress.com/bookstore.php and open the ISBN arrow to Book Author, and type: Siriano.

Siriano already has held several book signings in the area. Another is being planned for January with Barnes & Noble. In the meantime, Siriano is willing to make arrangements with his readers to meet at his office to sign the book. Call 754-7736.