Applying God's Word to Politics
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As the dust settles following the recent election, I would like to share a history of how we arrived at where we are as the context for discussing where we ought to go from here.
How We Got Here: A Summary
After declaring independence from England in 1776, winning it in the Revolutionary War and defending it in the War of 1812, slavery caused the Civil War in 1860 and then struggles for equality and the right for all citizens to vote threatened our unity. In the 1900s, dictators attacked freedom, provoking World War I in 1914, WWII in 1940 and the Korean War in 1950. Then the high cost and eventual loss of both the Vietnam War in 1973 and the War on Islamic Terrorists from 9-11-91 until 2019 divided and damaged our country. Today (2022) our nation that began as a republic established by the U.S. Constitution appears to be in danger of becoming an authoritarian socialist state.
While the history of wars against threats to our liberty is fairly well known, what is only recently becoming apparent is the threat our disunity will end in socialism, which now governs most of the world and almost every aspect of our society–education, entertainment, news, social media, banking and monopolistic businesses–corrupting politicians and elections. The main cause of this corruption is that following WWII America allowed subversive educators to infiltrate universities, including Herbert Marcuse and Marxist Saul Alinsky, whose book Rules for Radicals was dedicated to Satan and whose rules included deception and violence (the end justifies the means). The teachings of such radical professors has influenced many college students (including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama) to favor socialist policies. (See The War for America’s Soul by Gorka, p. 59-65.) Many Americans are oblivious to the slow disintegration of the Constitutional consensus, because the owners of most news media were similarly educated and sympathetic.
A main financier of the socialist movement has been George Soros, who became a billionaire, established a network called the Open Society Foundation to promote a global government, and since 2003 has been financing numerous socialist groups in the U.S. (See The Shadow Party by Horowitz & Poe, p. 78-95 & 177-82.) Another leader of the globalist cabal or “new world order” is Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum in 1971, which meets annually in Davos, Switzerland. He envisions a technological revolution that transforms the world (including America), converting humans who freely worship God into drones coerced by a fascist-communist state as in China. A prominent American participant in the WEF is Bill Gates. (See The Great Reset by A. Jones, p. 4-7, 28 & 95.)
The globalists began to conspire with communist China (the CCP) in 1978, when the Trilateral Commission befriended Chinese leaders and sought a New International Economic Order. Since then the CCP has pursued a clever strategy that has steadily weakened the U.S. as China gained power, currently on display as its military buildup, the COVID-19 pandemic, aggression against Taiwan and the “One Road One Belt” policy. It aims to surpass the U.S. and dominate Eurasia by the year 2049. (See Reset, p. 40-44 & War, p. 136.)
Recently the authoritative Biden administration dictates weakened the U.S. and attempted to banish conservative Constitutionalist opposition. Much of the news media fail to report this truth, so that many people remained ignorant of the dissolution of the American dream of liberty for all (like frogs being boiled alive because the water temperature is raised slowly).
Now that Trump has been reelected, the question becomes: Where should we go from here?
How We Got Here: A Summary
After declaring independence from England in 1776, winning it in the Revolutionary War and defending it in the War of 1812, slavery caused the Civil War in 1860 and then struggles for equality and the right for all citizens to vote threatened our unity. In the 1900s, dictators attacked freedom, provoking World War I in 1914, WWII in 1940 and the Korean War in 1950. Then the high cost and eventual loss of both the Vietnam War in 1973 and the War on Islamic Terrorists from 9-11-91 until 2019 divided and damaged our country. Today (2022) our nation that began as a republic established by the U.S. Constitution appears to be in danger of becoming an authoritarian socialist state.
While the history of wars against threats to our liberty is fairly well known, what is only recently becoming apparent is the threat our disunity will end in socialism, which now governs most of the world and almost every aspect of our society–education, entertainment, news, social media, banking and monopolistic businesses–corrupting politicians and elections. The main cause of this corruption is that following WWII America allowed subversive educators to infiltrate universities, including Herbert Marcuse and Marxist Saul Alinsky, whose book Rules for Radicals was dedicated to Satan and whose rules included deception and violence (the end justifies the means). The teachings of such radical professors has influenced many college students (including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama) to favor socialist policies. (See The War for America’s Soul by Gorka, p. 59-65.) Many Americans are oblivious to the slow disintegration of the Constitutional consensus, because the owners of most news media were similarly educated and sympathetic.
A main financier of the socialist movement has been George Soros, who became a billionaire, established a network called the Open Society Foundation to promote a global government, and since 2003 has been financing numerous socialist groups in the U.S. (See The Shadow Party by Horowitz & Poe, p. 78-95 & 177-82.) Another leader of the globalist cabal or “new world order” is Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum in 1971, which meets annually in Davos, Switzerland. He envisions a technological revolution that transforms the world (including America), converting humans who freely worship God into drones coerced by a fascist-communist state as in China. A prominent American participant in the WEF is Bill Gates. (See The Great Reset by A. Jones, p. 4-7, 28 & 95.)
The globalists began to conspire with communist China (the CCP) in 1978, when the Trilateral Commission befriended Chinese leaders and sought a New International Economic Order. Since then the CCP has pursued a clever strategy that has steadily weakened the U.S. as China gained power, currently on display as its military buildup, the COVID-19 pandemic, aggression against Taiwan and the “One Road One Belt” policy. It aims to surpass the U.S. and dominate Eurasia by the year 2049. (See Reset, p. 40-44 & War, p. 136.)
Recently the authoritative Biden administration dictates weakened the U.S. and attempted to banish conservative Constitutionalist opposition. Much of the news media fail to report this truth, so that many people remained ignorant of the dissolution of the American dream of liberty for all (like frogs being boiled alive because the water temperature is raised slowly).
Now that Trump has been reelected, the question becomes: Where should we go from here?
In order to answer the previous question, we need to identify Biblical values that are related to political issues. Below are the first four in a list I have compiled for your consideration and comment:
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- Genesis 1:27a: “God created humanity in his own image; in the image of God he created humans…”
- Genesis 1:27b and 2:24: “…male and female God created humanity… For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
- Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds the blood of man [murders], by man shall his blood be shed.”
- Exodus 3:7&10, 5:1 (condensed): “The Lord said, ‘I have seen the misery of my people because of their slavery’… So now, go to Pharaoh and say ‘Let my people go’”.
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Here is the remainder of my list.
5. Exodus 20:3-17 (the Ten Commandments, condensed): “You shall NOT: (a) have other gods before me, (b) worship idols, (c) disrespect God, (d) forget the Sabbath day, (e) dishonor your parents, (f) commit murder, (g) commit extra-marital sexual intercourse (fornication) or (h) theft, (i) lie or give false testimony, (j) covet someone else’s wife or possessions.”
Most applications of the Ten Commandments are obvious, but we can note that a-c reiterate 1a, that d indicates the need for rest and worship, and that e assumes parents are honorable or moral. Also, f may include abortion, g implies anything that advocates fornication (e.g., pornography), and h implicitly includes usury, slavery and regressive taxation. Finally, i is especially relevant for politicians who try to cover up corruption, and j connotes the sinfulness of wrong desires as well as of harmful actions. (A New Testament list of sins is found in RM 1:28-32, cf. GL 5:19-21.)
6. Deuteronomy 30:19: “…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him…”
This verse states the moral choice implied in 1b and clarifies that God desires our eternal life and joy. It indicates that the means of attaining heaven includes loving God, learning God’s Word and persevering in saving faith.
7. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (condensed): “If my people will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The case of Sodom and Gomorrah (in GN 18:20-20:29) indicates that a moral minority may save a nation from destruction, but the story of Noah (GN 6-8) and New Testament prophecies suggest that relatively few may be saved from an ultimate Armageddon (RV 16:16, MT 24:21-22, 1CR 15:51-52, 1THS 4:16-5:1). However earthly politics and history may culminate, our responsibility is to “keep watch” or “be ready” by being faithful stewards of God (MT 24:42-46, cf. 25:13) until the end (MT 10:22 & 24:13).
8. Job 8:3 & 21:7: “Does God pervert justice?… Why do the wicked live on, increasing in power?”
[To be continued?]
5. Exodus 20:3-17 (the Ten Commandments, condensed): “You shall NOT: (a) have other gods before me, (b) worship idols, (c) disrespect God, (d) forget the Sabbath day, (e) dishonor your parents, (f) commit murder, (g) commit extra-marital sexual intercourse (fornication) or (h) theft, (i) lie or give false testimony, (j) covet someone else’s wife or possessions.”
Most applications of the Ten Commandments are obvious, but we can note that a-c reiterate 1a, that d indicates the need for rest and worship, and that e assumes parents are honorable or moral. Also, f may include abortion, g implies anything that advocates fornication (e.g., pornography), and h implicitly includes usury, slavery and regressive taxation. Finally, i is especially relevant for politicians who try to cover up corruption, and j connotes the sinfulness of wrong desires as well as of harmful actions. (A New Testament list of sins is found in RM 1:28-32, cf. GL 5:19-21.)
6. Deuteronomy 30:19: “…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him…”
This verse states the moral choice implied in 1b and clarifies that God desires our eternal life and joy. It indicates that the means of attaining heaven includes loving God, learning God’s Word and persevering in saving faith.
7. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (condensed): “If my people will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The case of Sodom and Gomorrah (in GN 18:20-20:29) indicates that a moral minority may save a nation from destruction, but the story of Noah (GN 6-8) and New Testament prophecies suggest that relatively few may be saved from an ultimate Armageddon (RV 16:16, MT 24:21-22, 1CR 15:51-52, 1THS 4:16-5:1). However earthly politics and history may culminate, our responsibility is to “keep watch” or “be ready” by being faithful stewards of God (MT 24:42-46, cf. 25:13) until the end (MT 10:22 & 24:13).
8. Job 8:3 & 21:7: “Does God pervert justice?… Why do the wicked live on, increasing in power?”
[To be continued?]
Here are the last three in my list of Scripture that seems related to politics.
9. Psalms 2:1-2: Why do the nations rage… against the Lord’s Anointed One [Messiah]?”
Jesus answered this question (in JN 8:42-47) by saying that ungodly people serve Satan. Thus, political strife manifests spiritual struggle, stemming from the beginning belief and murder (GN 3:4-5 & 4:8) that will continue until the end (MT 24:6-14, RV 21:1-6). Thus, people may rage against God because the purpose of this life is that it is God’s test to allow souls to freely choose their ultimate destiny (cf. #6 & PS 81:7, HB 11:7 & 2CR 13:5).
10. Matthew 19:21 (part): “…Give to the poor…” and Ephesians 4:28 (part): “…He must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Although Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us (MT 26:11), the New Testament indicates that we should try to alleviate poverty in various ways such as by helping widows and orphans (JM 1:27). Hopefully, if the rich share their wealth, then poor people will not need to steal in order to survive.
The apostle Paul said (in 2THS 3:10) that “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” and again (in 1TM 5:8) that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” His desire (per 2CR 8:13) is that there might be “equality”, which in this context seems to mean an equal opportunity to earn a living rather than mandatory conformity to a communist system.
In summary, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity.
11. Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul also wrote (in ACTS 17:26a) that “From one man God made every nation of men.” Thus, we are all one human race, and racial discrimination is sinful. This principle can be applied to the issue of migration to realize that everyone should be free to travel and inhabit the earth as long as they do so peacefully. This implies that the rich should not hoard or monopolize Earth's resources.
9. Psalms 2:1-2: Why do the nations rage… against the Lord’s Anointed One [Messiah]?”
Jesus answered this question (in JN 8:42-47) by saying that ungodly people serve Satan. Thus, political strife manifests spiritual struggle, stemming from the beginning belief and murder (GN 3:4-5 & 4:8) that will continue until the end (MT 24:6-14, RV 21:1-6). Thus, people may rage against God because the purpose of this life is that it is God’s test to allow souls to freely choose their ultimate destiny (cf. #6 & PS 81:7, HB 11:7 & 2CR 13:5).
10. Matthew 19:21 (part): “…Give to the poor…” and Ephesians 4:28 (part): “…He must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
Although Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us (MT 26:11), the New Testament indicates that we should try to alleviate poverty in various ways such as by helping widows and orphans (JM 1:27). Hopefully, if the rich share their wealth, then poor people will not need to steal in order to survive.
The apostle Paul said (in 2THS 3:10) that “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” and again (in 1TM 5:8) that “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” His desire (per 2CR 8:13) is that there might be “equality”, which in this context seems to mean an equal opportunity to earn a living rather than mandatory conformity to a communist system.
In summary, we can discern that the will of God is for people who are able to work to seek employment, so that earning a fair wage will provide at least the basic necessities plus something (a tithe per Malachi 3:8-10) left over for charity.
11. Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Paul also wrote (in ACTS 17:26a) that “From one man God made every nation of men.” Thus, we are all one human race, and racial discrimination is sinful. This principle can be applied to the issue of migration to realize that everyone should be free to travel and inhabit the earth as long as they do so peacefully. This implies that the rich should not hoard or monopolize Earth's resources.
Here is an issue related to church/denominational politics more than to the moral arena.
Those who view the biblical canon as inspired by God disagree about what this means. Some people speak as though God dictated every word of the Bible to the human writers, which causes many atheists to be confused, because they do not realize that the dictation theory has several caveats, such as that it refers to the original manuscripts (which we do not have), which must be correctly interpreted. And the key to correct interpretation is NOT viewing the Bible as a modern science or history textbook, but rather as concerned with communicating God’s will to humanity regarding His requirement for salvation: THAT is what is inerrant!
The salvationist view of inspiration seems more logical than the dictationist view according to the following logic: Suppose God Himself wrote the inerrant message to humanity: “Thou shalt not lie, steal, murder or fornicate.” Suppose the first manuscript copier accidentally left out the comma between lie and steal. Would that invalidate God’s commandment? No, but it is still a mistake and no longer perfectly inerrant.
Now suppose an evil copier intentionally changed the word fornicate to fumigate. Would that invalidate God’s commandment? Not all of it; only the changed word. How could we know which word or words were correct and not changed? We would need to compare the commandment with other statements purported to be inspired by God in order to see what is the overall or consistent message, so that we can acquire sufficient evidence to have reasonable belief that the word fumigate should be discounted.
Finally, suppose that no one changed God’s original commandment. How could we know absolutely or infallibly that it was inerrant? We could not; we walk by faith. We would still need to compare it with the totality of truth in order to discover whether there were any inconsistencies. Thus, a completely inerrant Bible is not needed, as long as there is sufficient consistency in God’s messages to humanity via the creation (TOJ #4), the scriptures (TOJ #3), the incarnate word (TOJ #186) and logic (TOJ #182) for souls to discern God’s requirement for salvation.
Those who view the biblical canon as inspired by God disagree about what this means. Some people speak as though God dictated every word of the Bible to the human writers, which causes many atheists to be confused, because they do not realize that the dictation theory has several caveats, such as that it refers to the original manuscripts (which we do not have), which must be correctly interpreted. And the key to correct interpretation is NOT viewing the Bible as a modern science or history textbook, but rather as concerned with communicating God’s will to humanity regarding His requirement for salvation: THAT is what is inerrant!
The salvationist view of inspiration seems more logical than the dictationist view according to the following logic: Suppose God Himself wrote the inerrant message to humanity: “Thou shalt not lie, steal, murder or fornicate.” Suppose the first manuscript copier accidentally left out the comma between lie and steal. Would that invalidate God’s commandment? No, but it is still a mistake and no longer perfectly inerrant.
Now suppose an evil copier intentionally changed the word fornicate to fumigate. Would that invalidate God’s commandment? Not all of it; only the changed word. How could we know which word or words were correct and not changed? We would need to compare the commandment with other statements purported to be inspired by God in order to see what is the overall or consistent message, so that we can acquire sufficient evidence to have reasonable belief that the word fumigate should be discounted.
Finally, suppose that no one changed God’s original commandment. How could we know absolutely or infallibly that it was inerrant? We could not; we walk by faith. We would still need to compare it with the totality of truth in order to discover whether there were any inconsistencies. Thus, a completely inerrant Bible is not needed, as long as there is sufficient consistency in God’s messages to humanity via the creation (TOJ #4), the scriptures (TOJ #3), the incarnate word (TOJ #186) and logic (TOJ #182) for souls to discern God’s requirement for salvation.
Now that the 2024 election has concluded except where a couple of states have problematic policies, I suggest that one of the themes of this thread be discerning whether actions of the new government jibe with our biblical moral values.
For example, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswami will try to eliminate wasteful spending and bring the budget into balance, which will save our nation from bankruptcy and citizens from inflation that will help the poor.
Also, the new border czar will curtail the cartels that engage in trafficking people and smuggling drugs, which will save children from being abused, women from being sex slaves and people dying from fentanyl poisoning.
For example, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswami will try to eliminate wasteful spending and bring the budget into balance, which will save our nation from bankruptcy and citizens from inflation that will help the poor.
Also, the new border czar will curtail the cartels that engage in trafficking people and smuggling drugs, which will save children from being abused, women from being sex slaves and people dying from fentanyl poisoning.
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My thoughts on this subject which i mentioned to you earlier is that when we make that prayer, we are praying for God and HIS will to be done HERE just like it is in Heaven.
We are not praying for some random soul to BRING the Kingdom of Heaven here. We are praying for God Himself.
We cannot legislate Faith because it will turn into a dictatorship like communism and we would be violating the most important attribute that God has given us: Free Will.
So only God can sort out this fallen world, not us.
When we do our daily affairs here including politics we are doing them using our best judgment here and now, but not because they have anything to do with how God would run a society who HE will run perfectly in the New Jerusalem.
We are not praying for some random soul to BRING the Kingdom of Heaven here. We are praying for God Himself.
We cannot legislate Faith because it will turn into a dictatorship like communism and we would be violating the most important attribute that God has given us: Free Will.
So only God can sort out this fallen world, not us.
When we do our daily affairs here including politics we are doing them using our best judgment here and now, but not because they have anything to do with how God would run a society who HE will run perfectly in the New Jerusalem.
Eli,
God has used random souls throughout history to do His will on earth, so let us not reject the way God might want to answer our prayers.
While neither God will--nor governments can--force Faith, we can exercise faith to resist devils/dictators as much as divinely permissible, believing that God is sorting out this fallen world with our cooperation.
It is possible that an imperfect earthly society can reflect the heavenly Jerusalem to some better extent, although we should not expect to create a utopia.
Over...
God has used random souls throughout history to do His will on earth, so let us not reject the way God might want to answer our prayers.
While neither God will--nor governments can--force Faith, we can exercise faith to resist devils/dictators as much as divinely permissible, believing that God is sorting out this fallen world with our cooperation.
It is possible that an imperfect earthly society can reflect the heavenly Jerusalem to some better extent, although we should not expect to create a utopia.
Over...
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Yes i do not reject prophets, miracles and Jesus Christ Himeself throughout history.
But i don't confuse that with them preaching the Kingdom of God compared to a random year, at a random part of the world with a random politician. Hopefully you don't get so attached to this idea because not only it won't work but it will turn in the same thing as those people we condemn such as muslims.
So i see this activity here and now as team sports and i am not emotionally invested in any of them.
I have given my heart to Christ not to any politician.
But i don't confuse that with them preaching the Kingdom of God compared to a random year, at a random part of the world with a random politician. Hopefully you don't get so attached to this idea because not only it won't work but it will turn in the same thing as those people we condemn such as muslims.
So i see this activity here and now as team sports and i am not emotionally invested in any of them.
I have given my heart to Christ not to any politician.
Here is a news article about the Bibles issue:
Hundreds of Bibles Oklahoma has introduced into classrooms look to be the same version endorsed by Donald Trump.
The state's Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has been trying to get Bibles into classrooms across his state for months.
On Thursday, Walters posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Oklahoma had purchased more than 500 Bibles to be put into classrooms, which appear to be the same Bible Donald Trump endorsed earlier this year—the "God Bless the USA Bible," which includes the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Are you for or agin and why, per the Bible?
Hundreds of Bibles Oklahoma has introduced into classrooms look to be the same version endorsed by Donald Trump.
The state's Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has been trying to get Bibles into classrooms across his state for months.
On Thursday, Walters posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Oklahoma had purchased more than 500 Bibles to be put into classrooms, which appear to be the same Bible Donald Trump endorsed earlier this year—the "God Bless the USA Bible," which includes the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Are you for or agin and why, per the Bible?