What Point Did John Boehner Miss?

Those on the Left, as well as those who are simply selfish, constantly harp on the idea that America was never founded on Christian principles, let alone established a 'Christian Nation.'

They are myopic and selective in their view of history. They assume the designator "Christian Nation" means we adopted some sort of Theocracy, when all it really means is we based our laws, government and social institutions on biblical principles.

Was it a Christian thing to just take land away from Native Americans, even though they insisted the land belonged to no one?

Was it a Christian thing to annex Texas, simply because there were so many non-Mexicans living there and the Mexican government was corrupt?

Was it a Christian thing to institute a National Income Tax? Or a National Social Security Administration? Or the Keynesian economic policy that allowed FDR to create the Works Project Administration? Or a Federal Education System, based on the ideas and goals of a Humanistic Psychologist who wanted to indoctrinate our children with anti-Christian, anti-God concepts? Or taking us off the gold standard so the value of money could be floated to meet whatever need might arise?

Was it a Christian thing to take this country to war without the approval of Congress, not once, but five (5) times -- conservatively speaking -- ? Or to create, out of thin air, all sorts of agencies and 'czars' to make sure the pet goals of one President or another might be met? Or to flaunt the laws of the land for political gain?

NO! But men are prone to wanting their own way and often find ways to circumvent law in order to accomplish it. The shame is on those who let them do it.

Those who seek to restore America to her biblical roots are not trying to establish a rigid Theocracy. We simply want to restore the values, principles and laws upon which this nation was built and by which she became the strongest and most productive nation the world has ever seen.

The forces of evil in this world want to destroy The Family, Our Children, The Moral Fiber of our citizens, Our Laws and our Economic Base. Just look at what gets funded or supported and what gets pushed to the side and ridiculed.

The Budget Negotiations of the last week, in Congress, spells it all out.
We can't touch Planned Parenthood -- the poster child for abortion
We can't touch Obamacare -- the Socialist Agenda
We can't touch The Welfare Program -- the Short-track to Guaranteed Poverty
We can't touch the EPA -- the Short-track to destruction of the Middle Class
And we can't touch the deficit -- the Short-track to Globalism
Even if it means the financial ruin of the entire country!

Politics and Religion. They are intertwined at the core level. It's not the State v. the Church, it's Evil v. Righteousness.

Abortion, Marriage, Liberty, Justice, Oppressive Government, Private Property, a Just Weight and Measure, National Security, Rights of every sort and more.

The principle enshrined in our Founding Documents had been preached in our churches for more than 100 years before the Liberty Bell rang. That's why there are so many references to God and to His Favor.

The Republican Leadership in Washington could take a Lesson!

What's In It For Me? The Result of Four Generations of Self

If I'm a young person in America:

I have tremendous financial freedom: I don't have to work all day, just to eat
I have constant sensual stimulation: Music, Internet, Facebook, Youtube, etc.
I have a world of opportunity: I'm not limited in what I do or where I do it.
I have time for entertainment and relaxation: leisure time; time for Me

What I don't have is a stable, secure and constructive family life.
I don't have the pressure of survival to make me strong.
I don't have to live with the character building consequences of my actions.
I don't have to get along with people.
I don't have to take an active part in my community. I can hone my selfishness.
I don't have to learn from history. My success is not dependent upon it.

In the end, I am over-stimulated, sensually and under-motivated, spiritually. Everything about life is physical or social, not about strengthening the 'inner man.'

Of course, none of this is new! However, in recent years, it has reached new heights due to the invasion of destructive philosophies, largely in our own homes!

Home used to be a safe haven. We protected our children from outside influences. Now, if I try shielding my children from the destructive images of decadence and profanity dominating the media, I'm "The Problem!"

We've had several generations of people who have adopted the greedy, self-centered worldview offered up 24 hours a day, by every digital delivery system known to mankind. Now we're surprised at the suicide rate among young people [which is higher than any other demographic].

Or...the destructive nature of their 'play?' Something the Bible calls 'uncleanness.'
Or...the failure of so many to "launch?"
Or...the dismal way they handle their finances or raise their children?

Life, for the average young person, is artificial. Nothing about it is real. It's a house of cards just waiting for a stiff breeze to blow it down.

So, what are WE doing to counter this destructive cultural pattern? Sadly, with the majority of Americans under the age of 50, we are like 'Pogo.' A Cartoon character who once opined: "we have met the enemy, and he is us!"

What Do You Know...And What Difference Does It Make?

It is said that young people know everything and get dumber as they age. By the time they are 50 years of age, they know far less than they did at 20.

But, how do you know what you know? You aren't born with knowledge of anything! That means everything you know, you've learned...somehow. Does that mean our understanding of life is the sum-total of all we've learned or been exposed to? As they say in Minnesota: You Betcha!

Politicians are solidly behind the idea that lower taxes mean more production and wealth --- or is it higher taxes mean greater opportunity to extend possibilities and thereby expand wealth for everyone?

It can't be both! But people line up on one side or the other, often with strident opinions which are expressed in absolute terms!

What makes for these differences? The simple answer is: exposure to information and circumstances. It's education, experience and conditioning. For some, it's opportunism, but that's another discussion.

Underneath, however, it's really spiritual. We call it our 'Worldview' and all worldviews are rooted in religious beliefs.

Dr. Al Mohler [albertmohler.com] reminds us of what Carl F. Henry wrote: "Divine revelation is the source of all truth, the truth of Christianity included; reason is the instrument for recognizing it; Scripture is its verifying principle; logical consistency is a negative test for truth and coherence a subordinate test. The task of Christian Theology is to exhibit the content of biblical revelation as an orderly whole."

Heard any biblical content, recently? I mean, by that, any preaching which featured divine revelation, offered in a Theological context, connected to the flow of biblical revelation.

The truth is, most of what we hear from the Big Name Preachers is fluff! Fundamentalists want everyone to be saved. Evangelicals want everyone to have the tools for living a better life. Charismatics want everyone to feel good and be wealthy. Liberals want to feed the world and save the dolphins. And the Contemporary crowd just wants everyone to feel good!

Sprinkled in among all of this are occultic techniques, Eastern meditation and the power of positive thinking (or confession).

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, thrives on the knowledge of God: His holiness, mercy, justice, grace and love. The Bible is a Treasure Trove of significant and practical doctrinal instruction. It is the knowledge of God that informs the rest of our life.

Telling us how to relate to our mates or raise our children or overcome fears may serve a practical purpose, but without the doctrinal foundation all the knowledge you have is one-dimensional. You may have a lot of it, but it's standing alone.

Maybe this is why so many of us don't really have a biblical worldview. Abortion, stem-cell research, homosexual unions, economics, law, politics, education, global warming and a host of lessor issues are held captive to our perspectives.

Remember: Whatever it is that forms your knowledge and understanding, forms the way you perceive life and how you make decisions.

So....what do you know about God?

Liberty And Equality?

There is a Not-So-Subtle Tension Between Liberty & Equality. The issue is framed by current events:

Leftists, Libertarians, Progressives and any number of Social Architects seemed fixated on making sure all people groups are treated equally.

Conservatives, Strict Constitutionists and Traditionalists favor Liberty which, by its very nature, tends to limit equality.

The reality is: the more liberty a person has, the greater are the inequalities. When people are free to be and to do what they can, the differences in people become more pronounced.

This is seen as unfair and destructive to those who do not have the same capacities. So, compassionate people step up to limit the highly imaginative and productive people, in order to make the playing field more equal. In so doing, they infringe on the rights and liberties of the creative group.

The framers of our Constitutional Republic understood this tension. They crafted a societal structure which rewarded creativity and industry while fostering and encouraging Christian values. We see it in every State Constitution, in the way our law is structured, in the place given to public prayer and expressions of the Christian religion, as well as the Scripture verses and sentiments carved into just about every government building.

What they knew was: unless people had a God-consciousness, the tendency would be to run rough-shod over those who could not (or would not) compete in this arena. It is only in the Judeo-Christian ethic that we find the selflessness and deference so necessary to a strong society.

The arguments will come, pointing to this religious philosophy or another, as equally good, but the proof is still in the pudding! Which country has out-shined all other societies for enshrining liberty, justice, enterprise, creativity and personal freedom? Which society is as generous and self-effacing? After WWII, America was the only country with the Atomic Bomb. We could have cowered any and all nations into subservience, creating a World Government for and about The U.S. We didn't! It took the atheistic, Communists, to try this.

Critics can find notable abuses in this or any society, but the over-arching testimony of The United States of America is one of industry, innovation and the desire for peace. English is the Trade Language of the world because of America. The dollar (so far) is the standard of currency for the world. People around the world risk their life and future to come to our shores. America is a Success Story never before told.

We have enjoyed this marvelous 'ride' not because our laws force us to be fair or require equality in every area, but because our ethic does. The Greatest Generation is so because of their selflessness. Reared in great deprivation, forced to set their personal life 'on hold' to fight a World War, coming home to a land without enough jobs or housing and dealing with the psychological issues that wars create, this generation set all that aside and simply went to work!

Multiculturalism, Rights advocates, Progressives and Socialists have sought to make us do what our grandparents did out of their own heart. They hate The God of The Bible. They are embarrassed by their own success. That success gives them time to consider something beyond survival. So they are trying to make people be and do what they believe is right and good. How's that working out?

Their goals may be good, but their tactics are abusive. To make sure everyone is treated equally requires laws which limit everyone's freedom.

A Living Hell

An email from a Moslem listener asks: Name a place if you can where Christianity has not left in it's wake a "living hell" for those who came in contact with it.

He is upset that I would characterize Islam as a religion that allows for violence in the defense of the faith as opposed to Christianity which advocates forgiveness, tolerance and turning the other cheek.

In answer to his challenge, I would name The United States of America. The "American Experiment" was decidedly Christian in it's underlying values. In harmony with this, we have allowed all sorts of religious beliefs to be established and flourish, unmolested. Some of these beliefs have run counter to what we stand for, but at no time were the adherents limited, much less persecuted.

Today, in Egypt the Coptic Church is under attack from Moslems. There is shooting in the streets and in their churches, buildings are being ransacked and burned, people are being persecuted for their beliefs.

In Turkey, the Sudan, Saudi Arabia, The Gaza Strip, Iran and Indonesia, Christianity is an outlaw religion. Non Moslems are finding themselves in a "living hell" simply because of what they believe. Not what they're doing. What they think.

The Founder of Christianity suffered at the hands of religious bigotry. He ultimately gave His life for those who would follow Him.

The Founder of Islam slaughtered those who would not convert to his new religion. And built into his system the concept of jihad: the overt, aggressive defense of the faith, up to and including murder.

Christians are responsible for hospitals, orphanages, schools, the Y.M.C.A. and later the Y.W.C.A., along with individual rights for citizens, the exaltation of women and protection for children.

In Great Britain, the Minister of Parliament who labored for 20 years to abolish slavery, was a committed Christian, acting on his beliefs that all men are created equal.

In America, the Abolitionist Movement was started by and undergirded by Christians.

Christians live according to conscience and faith.
Moslems live according to law and the threat of flogging, mutilation and death.

Christians serve their Heavenly Father. A Father Who loves His children.
Islam serves a Master who's will is not always known but must be accepted.

The Christian is charged with loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love others as they would themselves.

The Christian is commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations. He is not taught, nor required to force anyone to accept his offer.

And when the Christian is attacked, he is not taught to retaliate in kind. When insulted he is to "turn the other cheek." When persecuted he is not to persecute in response. And if your neighbor sins against you, forgive him.

Where in the Koran, do you find similar teachings?

It is argued that under Mosaic Law an eye is required for an eye. This is a legal prescription for settling disputes in Israel. It is not a universal principle. It did not apply to Gentiles. And Jesus changed that, in the Sermon on The Mount, teaching that the righteous demands of God required something more noble: love your enemies, do good to them that despitefully use you.

This is a "Living Hell" I can live with!