Know You Cannot

A man once said, "A man's got to know his limitations!"

Those who are in control of our Federal and State Governments would do well to take his advice. Those who ascribe to the Liberal political philosophy amount to about 20% of the U.S. population, yet they have managed to take control of our education system, our media and more importantly our governmental policies.

They are convinced that, even though what they propose has never worked, it will work for them because they are sincere, their heart is in the right place and they are smarter than any generation to come before.

What they do not know is what they cannot do....

In 1916, a minister and outspoken advocate for liberty, William J. H. Boetcker, published a pamphlet he entitled: "The Ten Cannots"

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character & courage by removing man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they are unwilling to do for themselves.

A Century later, too many Americans are utterly ignorant of these principles...to their peril.

How Do You Define Racism?

We watched and listened, last week, to pundits and pols, as they wiggled and squirmed around the issue of racism. Sparked by the Professor Gates issue and our President's response. The question is, however, what constitutes racism?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, racism is: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. But how can that be possible when all human beings are of the same "Race?"

Ah, here's the problem: we have re-defined the word racism to suit our circumstance and perhaps to exaggerate something which is completely normal. People groups DO exhibit unique traits and characteristics. But, maybe we're really looking at something else and simply calling it racism.

What about bigotry? Merriam-Webster defines a bigot as: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.

So, what's the difference? Well, one is a political "club" used to beat people over the head for fun or profit. The other is immoral. But we can't talk about morality because everyone's morality is different. What's right for you may not be right for me, according to the post-modern, secularist.

So, we're stuck with "racism." This idea is more social than moral and we can drag it out whenever we need it in order to defend poor behavior or attack our enemies.

Professor Gates exhibited bigotry. He assumed that because the men at his door were police officers that they were simply out to give him a hard time or intimidate him because he was black. Isn't that what all police officers do?

The fact that he and another man used their shoulder to break down a door, in order to gain access, then showed a Harvard University ID, which did not have the address of that house on it was not apparently a suspicious enough event, in the mind of this PhD. When the officer wanted more information and to come inside, to make sure everything was as it was being presented, Professor Gates shouted "Racist!" He also began insulting the officer and making a ruckus on the lawn, constituting a Public Disturbance [as opposed to a disturbance in his own home].

That should have worked. It usually does. Al Sharpton thought it was sufficient. Even the president of the United States weighed in on Professor Gates' side.

But, alas, the facts were on the officer's side. What a surprise! You mean not all men and women in blue are bigoted? You mean we can no longer paint them all with the same brush?

What, then, are we to do when the police catch us in suspicious circumstances?

We could try cooperating, like ordinary citizens instead of expressing a bigoted attitude. That would be the Christian thing to do. And, if you're not a Christian, it would be the polite thing to do.

We may even start getting along.

Hate Speech

Jim Wallis is CEO of Sojourners, a "Progressive Evangelical" organization with the purpose of articulating "the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world." [http://www.sojo.net]

Jim Wallis believes it was "hate speech" that contributed to the recent murder of Dr. Tiller, in Kansas, and the Security Guard at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.

He suggests Christians "shun" those who "propagate the hate speech that provides the framework of justification for these heinous acts. It is time to publically (sic) walk away from those who are committing these kinds of social sins and encourage others to do the same."

What he's talking about are those Christians, and others, who say abortion is murder. You see it's this kind of narrow, judgmental opinion that feeds the hate we see expressed in these murders and elsewhere...Wallis says.

Jim Wallis is an ordained minister of the Gospel. He is President Obama's spiritual advisor. He is invited to speak in Churches and at religious meetings and Christian colleges and seminaries. Jim Wallis is the darling of the political Left.

Jim Wallis is also an admitted Socialist and Communist. He was part of the radical Students for a Democratic Society, in the 1960's. He preaches that Christians should drop the typical conservative issues of abortion and same-sex marriage, and embrace poverty, AIDS and global warming.

The evangelicalism Jim Wallis envisions is indistinguishable from the secular Left. And he actively challenges Christians of all traditions to transform the culture through social activism and progressive policy. Jim Wallis does not understand The Word of God!

Problem? The Bible challenges Christians to transform the culture by means of the Gospel, not conform to it. We are not to embrace it. We are not to bring it into our churches, let alone our homes.

Who's winning? Look around. On the immediate side, the Jim Wallis' of this world are gaining in popularity and power. Dominion Theology, Kingdom Now Theology, popular Evangelicalsim, Replacement Theology, the Contemporary Christian Movement and a host of lessor philosophies are pushing The Church toward capturing the culture for Christ.

Problem? The Bible says, very clearly, that sin will reign on earth until Jesus comes. His coming is as The King of Kings! No political or social construct can or will succeed until Jesus destroys the current structure and establishes His Kingdom on earth.

Until then, those of us who actually believe The Bible will come under increasing pressure to keep quiet, get in line and stop preaching an exclusive Gospel message.

Will you sign up for this?