8 Conservative Principles (Part II)

In this post I will continue to share principles which identify a conservative worldview.  

Principle #5. Economic Freedom- Free markets are morally & pragmatically desirable

Economic freedom allows people to pursue their skills, gifts and talents to the fullest ability.  Repressive economic policies (including excessive taxation) reduce people to a lower state of existence in society; people become slaves to and for the State as well as forces a subsistence condition on them.  In this condition, people are forced to become dependent on the State, which simply enables the cycle to continue.  Conservatives understand that ‘central planning’ leads to oppressive governments and policies and true liberty cannot exist in such a situation.  Conservatives know that income taxes are an immoral overreach of oppressive government systems to further control the economics of a society, taking money away from producers and redistributing it as they see fit, most often to line the pockets of bureaucrats or doled out to those who refuse to contribute to society.  On the whole, free market States are healthier States.

Principle #6. Pro-Family- Healthy families as the basis for healthy society  

The traditional family unit is the building block of all society.  Statistics show that single parent homes, especially fatherless homes, produce children with higher likelihood of societal problems (trouble with the law; substance abuse).  As the concept of family is redefined, society itself must be redefined, usually with negative results.  Abortion, abuse and euthanasia are evidences of unhealthy families and thus an unhealthy society.  Liberal social commentators bemoan the conditions in our communities but they are crying about the effects of the causes they themselves have put in place and support!  Under this heading comes the rationale for the defense of traditional marriage.  The issue is not one of homophobia or some supposed ‘hatred’, as it is certain that many same sex partnerships exhibit the same care and love as traditional family units.  The issue at hand is a morally and spiritually based rejection of the assumed authority of modern governments to define and redefine fundamental human ‘institutions’ which have existed for thousands of years.  Conservatives welcome the discussion of contemporary issues and allow people freedom of conscience whereas social liberals demand strict adherence to the new societal forces.     

Principle #7. Evolutionary Social Change- Lasting social change is a gradual not radical process

This is one area where we might say that ‘evolution’ is positive.  Real change takes time.  Revolutions rarely accomplish the lasting change they hope for.  The barbarous French Revolution of 1789, intended to sweep away monarchy and rule by the few, gave way to the rise of the dictator Napoleon and, after his defeat, a return to the very monarchical system it revolted against.  The fledgling United States could not retain the principles of independence it had won and abandoned the Articles of Confederation for a return to a strong centralized government, similar in ways to that which it had revolted against.  William Wilberforce labored for decades to outlaw the slave trade before his work saw success.  True Conservatives seek to win hearts and minds to ideals while leftists and statists seek immediate change through legislation, coercion and force.  These will never bring true change. 

Principle #8. Historical-Social Skepticism- Realistic appraisal of intentions and results

Because people are sinful, even the purest motives or intentions are tainted.  Conservatives, whether Christian or not, listen to the promises of politicians and corporations with a wary ear, understanding that these are in no way pure or even sincere.  Cure-alls and quick fixes tend to create more problems than they solve, as the long term fallout from FDR’s ‘New Deal’ or LBJ’s ‘Great Society’ have demonstrated in the burdensome welfare state and the insolvency of Social Security.  The aims may have seemed noble, but unrealistic as solutions.  The desire for universal healthcare is good in its aims; but an oppressive, unwieldy, cumbersome centralized government is not realistically able to make that desire an effective reality.  A friend of mine (who is likely reading this post) once told me of a certain Washington insider who, when discussing comprehensive reform, said something to the effect of “we in Washington don’t do ‘comprehensive’ very well.”  Conservatives know that no product of the human mind can ever be perfect, even if the intentions and motives are of the highest quality.     

So then, considering the current field, is there any Republican candidate who can truly be called ‘conservative’? 

Which now begs the question, should conservatives vote their conscience, even if we lose an election; or toe a party line, even if it means forfeiting our convictions? 

That’s a different topic for someday…

Be blessed

8 Conservative Principles (Part I)

The race for the party nominations for President is well under way and on both sides we are hearing debate over which candidate truly represents the principles of their party.  For the Republican field this is the question of who is the ‘true conservative’.

I would like to suggest the following principles by which one might identify a true conservative.  In the interest of full disclosure I would note that the categories are not original to me but I cannot remember where I first discovered them.  The commentary is mine.

In this post I offer the first four.

Principle #1. Judeo-Christian Theism- God’s existence is the basis for absolutes in truth & morality

A conservative recognizes that there are objective and absolute truths.  Truth is not the property of men and women who claim a right to reinterpret or define it as is convenient to them.  One does not necessarily need to be a ‘believer’ to be a conservative, but they will recognize that truth exists outside of them.  For the believer, there is a recognition that because the Triune God is the embodiment and epitome of Truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 45:19; 65:16; John 14:6; 16:13; 1 John 5:6) He alone is the source of our claims for truth.  If we are people who claim truth, there must be a source of that truth—that source is God.  A conservative seeks to align their life and beliefs with this objective truth, admitting their faults and inconsistencies as part of the process.

Principle #2. Biblical Individualism- Value of each human life based on their humanness

Every human is created in the image of God and therefore deserves and demands respect.  In contrast to the social-political left, conservatives believe that all lives matter.  Conservatives do not elevate one group over another; such a practice is a disgraceful leftist game which only further divides people from each other.  From the pre-born to the elderly; the mentally ill and the terminally ill; even the convict on death row- every life matters.  [I have developed this further in a post from August 2015 ‘Putting Political Correctness in its Place.’]

Principle #3. Anti-Communist- Communism is the enemy of human freedom & dignity

This is a continuation of the first and second principles.  The social-political left idolizes the communistic philosophy; but for those who are forced to live under such a system, the reality is far different.  It is estimated that just under 100 million people died in the 20^th century under communist regimes.(1)  Why is this so?  Communism by its nature rejects God and therefore defines its own truth, and it rejects the inherent worth of individuals, treating them instead as resources to be expended for the good of the State.  If they die in the process, they can be replaced.  In Western Europe in the Middle Ages this was called serfdom, and is decried by historians.  Communism is no different.  Communism keeps people from realizing their God-given potential and reduces them to numbers or categories; crushing individualism and creativity (read Ayn Rand’s Anthem).  Let’s not be fooled, the pseudo-democracies of the West are increasingly moving in this direction.  Any political system which views citizens as resources to be managed is a threat to all.  Conservatives understand that true liberty can never be realized when the very few decide what is best for the rest.

Principle #4. Anthropological & Political Realism- People are inherently sinful

Just as Christians do not harbor false ideals of the ‘goodness’ of man apart from the transforming power of God through Christ, so conservatives recognize that the natural-historical tendency of humanity is to dominate and oppress their fellow humans.  While most people, more often than not do good things, this does not make them inherently good and they will ultimately, when left to themselves, serve their own self interest.  In this matter the rule of law is essential.  Laws are not instituted to oppress the innocent, but to control those who determine to be the oppressor.  Conservatives recognize that laws are good things and need to be enforced, but also that no law can change the human heart.  Enforcement of law is valued and penalty for law breaking is necessary, but enacting more specific and stringent laws and constructing more detention facilities cannot solve the true problem.  Government programs and regulations are an impotent salve on an open wound.   

(End part I)

(1) John J. Walters, “Communism Killed 94M in 20th Century, Feels Need to Kill Again” reason.com Mar. 13, 2013 accessed Feb 26, 2016

Life Lessons from Looney Tunes (‘What are You Chasing?’ or ‘Standing on Thin Air’)

I love the old Warner Brothers ‘Looney Tunes’ characters such as Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester the ‘Puddy Tat’; and of course Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.

Someone has said, ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.’  You don’t need to watch too many Roadrunner cartoons to realize that Wile E. Coyote is insane!  He does the same things over and over again as if they are going to work.  Wile E. is constantly after Roadrunner; continually chasing what he thinks he wants.  His sense of self worth is completely tied to his pursuit of his worldly desires.  When he fails, which he does, over and over again, he walks away dejected and defeated.

In one episode, Zoom and Bored, the Coyote is up to his old tricks again.  At one point in the madness Wile E. seems to have caught up to Roadrunner and they come to a screeching halt in a cloud of dust.  Wile E. knows almost immediately that he has lost again.  The dust clears from around Wile E.’s feet to reveal him standing on thin air.  After a pitiful look at the viewer, he plummets to the ground; it’s a long fall with a painful ending.  As Wile E. falls, the dust clears from around Roadrunner’s feet to reveal him standing on a solid rock ledge. 

Now because it’s a cartoon, and because he is enslaved to his worldly appetite, Wile E. gets back up and starts chasing Roadrunner again, usually ending up back in the same hole (remember that definition of insanity!)

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus urges His disciples to look past the desires and appetites of the world for things which are more substantive, more real.  ‘Don’t worry’, Jesus says, ‘about food, drink or clothes’.  In more modern terms He would say, ‘don’t worry about the iPhone, the X-Box or the Ferrari.’  ‘Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?’ (Matthew 6:25). 

We need food and drink to live, and we must trust God to provide these things for us.  We don’t need an iPhone or a Ferrari.  Sure there is nothing wrong with owning these things, but they aren’t the important things in life.

What are the important things in life?  Let’s think about Roadrunner.

Roadrunner knows that Wile E. is never going to catch him, so he lives with a sense of joy and exuberance in life.  Wile E. thinks he will be happy if only he can get the right gadget to work; if he can catch Roadrunner.  He needs what Roadrunner has- peace, joy, contentment, freedom

God wants us to have peace and joy in our lives.

Jesus said, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10).  To follow Jesus, to truly follow Jesus, is not a matter of keeping a bunch of rules and trying to make God love you.

God loves you as much as He can possibly love you—‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…’ (John 3:16).  There is nothing you can do to earn His love because He cannot love you any more than He does right now.  And He will never love you any less.  If you are in Christ, there is nothing you can ever do to lose God’s love

Trying to keep rules is the work of the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Living with a sense of peace that you belong to God and nothing will ever change that…that is getting on the road of living life to the fullest!

‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’ (Matthew 6:33).

In life, particularly in our spiritual life, we need to be sure we are chasing after the right things.  If we chase the wrong things for too long, we will find ourselves standing on thin air.  And if we chase the wrong things for our entire lives, we are in for a long fall and we will find there is no bouncing back.

What are you chasing today?

The Blessing of Partners

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work” (Ecclesiastes 4:9niv)

With Living Wisdom heading for final publication, I want to take this opportunity, as promised, to publicly thank those who came alongside me with financial support.  Your generosity has overwhelmed me and made what once seemed impossible into a reality. 

In alphabetical order:   

Anonymous

Roy Barclay

Sally Brochu

The Brown Family

Ron & Lura Cole

Cheyenne Fernald

Ken & Sharon Fernald

Todd Fernald

Emelia Hardy

Keystone Community Church

Jeff & Connie Lander

Corey & Sarah Sesin

‘2 Pats Fans’

Even more than your generosity is your belief in the value of this project and your faith in me to carry it out.  One of my personal ‘demons’ has always been a lingering sense of inadequacy; as if what I have to say matters to anyone.  I confided in one person after finishing the first edit of the book that I could feel the breath of the enemy on my neck as he whispered these lies in my ear.  My confidant remarked that this was good evidence that I was on to something important.   Your support gave me the energy and determination to see this project through.

I would also like to recognize those who have supported me in prayer and with through other forms of encouragement.

I pray the Lord’s blessings on all and look forward to your feedback on the book.

Deepest regards

C 

Afraid of Christmas

Why are people so afraid to wish others a Merry Christmas?  Why are public places wary of displaying a nativity scene among the other ‘holiday’ decorations and images?

The excuses they give vary from a separation of Church and State to a desire to be ‘inclusive’ or ‘non-offensive’.  None of the excuses really stand up to scrutiny- but that is another subject entirely.

I don’t get as bent out of shape as some do with the refrain of ‘happy holidays’ as the season does include Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and New Year.  What gets me is the apparent fear to specifically acknowledge Christmas as one of these annual winter celebrations.

I would propose that this ‘fear’ comes as the result of a different type of fear. 

We read in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”*

What does this have to do with Christmas?

Christmas is one of God’s expressions of ultimate, redeeming love; a love which is not a cause for fear but for faith and joy. 

When the angel appeared to Mary, his words were “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30).  When he appeared to Joseph he said, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife” (Matthew 1:20).  And to the shepherds he said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). 

What God was doing to bring the Messiah into the world was an act of immeasurable and perfect love, and in this love there was no cause for fear.  Christmas is God’s declaration that He has opened a way out from under the fear of punishment, not by ignoring the offense of sin, but by taking it upon Himself through Jesus: “you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

When a person receives this blessing, fear of God’s judgment is lifted as they recognize that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  This release and relief comes as God’s love is “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). 

We who know Christ are not afraid to face God because we are confident that He has declared us guiltless of sin; that because of Jesus’ sacrifice we are now counted as “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This is such good news!  Who would wish to silence this message of God’s love?

If “perfect love casts out fear” then the obvious suspect would be someone who is cut off from this redeeming love of God.  Only such a person could be so afraid of Christmas that they would do anything to keep it silent. 

The culprit is no less than satan himself.  Through his own rebellion he has forfeited God’s love and for him only dreadful punishment remains, a fact which fills him with intense fear.

We read: “the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).  Jesus will ‘crush the head of the serpent’ (Genesis 3:15) and cast him into the Lake of Fire to be destroyed (Revelation 20:10).  Satan is deathly afraid because he knows what is coming his way.

Satan desperately wants for Christmas not to be true. 

Scripture tells us that apart from those saved through Jesus, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).  Satan expresses his own fear through those humans under his influence.  And so he ‘inspires’ ‘scholars’ and critics to declare Christmas a myth and a fable and would see Christmas silenced. 

If Jesus did not really exist, or if He was just a man born in the natural way; if the miracles associated with His birth are fables and if He died without rising back to life again, then there would be no reason to fear Christmas.  Christianity would be just one drop among many in the ocean of religion.  Perhaps he thinks if he can rid the world of Christmas he can escape or delay his punishment. 

But Christmas is true and because it is satan knows his days are numbered. 

For those who refuse to take the word ‘Christmas’ upon their lips and forbid it to be spoken publicly, perhaps they also, deep down, are afraid because Christmas is true.  And if it is, they must come face to face with the fact of sin and judgment.

So rather than get bent out of shape, Christians would do better to recognize the issue for what it is- a spiritual battle.  City councils, retail managers, school administrators are pawns in satan’s losing bid to forestall his own doom. 

Our task is not to fight for some ‘political’ victory in which a nativity scene may be displayed on public property, but to lay claim to spiritual ‘real estate’, taking every opportunity God presents to share the Good News in the hope that the love of God may fill the hearts of those around us and that they may no longer be afraid.

Merry Christmas!  

*Scripture quotes from the English Standard Version

This is the Day

As Jesus hung from a Roman execution stake, He endured the insults of the crowd gathered around Him.  Additionally Matthew’s Gospel records that He was verbally abused by the two criminals who had been pegged up on either side, who also “heaped insults on him” (Matthew 27:44).  But then something happened to one of those men.

 

As he watched Jesus endure the suffering, praying for persecutors, showing compassion for loved ones, the man was touched.  The reality of his own guilt and the innocence of Jesus pressed on him and his tongue fell silent as through his own pain he reflected on these things.  He could hear the man on the far side continuing to berate Jesus: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)  He raised his head and called out to his fellow criminal: “Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:40-41).  Then looking at Jesus he made a request: “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42)

Wracked with excruciating pain of His own, Jesus turned to him and answered: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Jesus’ comment has long been pondered and puzzled over. 

By one theological camp these words are put forth as definite evidence that when a believer dies they are ushered immediately into the presence of God.  The emphasis of the verse is “…today you will be with Me in paradise.”

According to other groups the words emphasize Jesus' truthfulness in that moment and the surety of a future promise.  They emphasize “I tell you the truth today…”

What if both miss the point? 

What if Jesus’ words have absolutely nothing to do with either ‘immediate ascension’ or ‘resurrection hope’?

In the course of my general reading I came across a thought which struck me as very profound, yet very simple.  What if Jesus was directing His thoughts to something from the past being fulfilled in the present moment?  What if Jesus was drawing attention to something about the event itself?

“Jesus, having compassion on [the repentant criminal] said: ‘I say unto thee to-day,’ –this day, above all others, –this day, when my prospects for a kingdom are apparently blasted, even ‘to-day,’ – under these most trying circumstances, – ‘I say unto thee…thou shalt be with me in Paradise.’”*

What a different lens through which to view these things!  Jesus declares to the man that on ‘this day’ when all seems lost, salvation is secured!   

While Jesus most likely spoke these words in Aramaic, Luke utilizes the Greek adverb semeron which can mean ‘today’ or ‘this day’.  Where else do we find the day of Jesus’ crucifixion spoken of as ‘this day’? 

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.  This is Yahweh's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day that Yahweh has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:22-24)

In the Hebrew the phrase is zeh ha’yom (‘this the day’) and in the Greek Old Testament hautay hey haymera (‘this the day’) using the same root word as in Luke 23.

Rather than Jesus making a singular promise to one man, Jesus is making a declaration to all men: ‘This is the promised and long awaited Day!  God has ordained this day that through Me, the rejected stone, Paradise is reopened!  Rejoice and be glad!” 

What He said to the thief, He says to us all: “At this present hour, though all the evidence would witness to the contrary, I am the victor and you indeed will share in My victory when My Kingdom comes.”

The discussion will continue on those other theological points but no matter which side of that debate you are on, I hope that all of us can step back and read this passage with fresh eyes.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast out of Paradise with a mighty angel to bar the way back.  Now, because of the Day of the cross, Jesus has reopened Paradise that all who believe may enter in!  Rejoice and be glad!

Amen!

*McKinstry, M. The World’s Great Empires. Advent Christian Publications, Inc. & The Delmar Companies: Charlotte NC, 1973.  Print. p519

It’s About God

In 1636, amid the darkness of the Thirty Years' War, a German pastor, Martin Rinkart, is said to have buried five thousand of his parishioners in one year, an average of fifteen a day.  His parish was ravaged by war, death, and economic disaster.  In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside his window, he sat down and wrote this prayer for his children:

“Now thank we all, our God; with heart and hands and voices; Who wondrous things hath done; In whom His world rejoices.  Who, from our mother's arms; Hath led us on our way; with countless gifts of love; and still is ours today.”

As we approach our celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to reflect on one statement: My ability to give thanks is not conditioned by my circumstances; it is rooted in God’s character.  In other words, it’s not about how I feel; it’s about Who God is.

When we face trials in our lives, we naturally look at the circumstances surrounding us and feel overwhelmed.  The more we dwell on our situation the more our abilities to praise and thank God are diminished.

At sometime prior to 605bc God raised up a prophet named Habakkuk to speak to the Jewish people in the Kingdom of Judah, who had largely turned away from God.  As Habakkuk observed the wickedness of the people, he wondered about God’s justice.  How long could this evil go unpunished?  What would God do about it?

The answer was sobering: God informed Habakkuk that He was bringing the Babylonians to punish Judah.  If Habakkuk thought times were bad now, all he had to do was wait; things were about to get much worse.  Even more troubling was that the remnant of faithful people was likely to be caught up in the coming judgment.  Habakkuk had every reason to despair, but see how he responded:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in Yahweh, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 niv)

The situation can get as bad as it can possibly be, yet the prophet will “rejoice” in God.  The Hebrew word used for rejoice (alaz) means ‘to jump for joy’.  No matter how bad things are, Habakkuk will jump for joy because of Who God is; the Savior, the Source of strength, and the Victor; He is just and loving, faithful and merciful.  Habakkuk’s ability to give thanks was not conditioned by circumstances; it was rooted in God’s character. 

In writing the hymn, Now Thank We All Our God, Pastor Rinkart had it right!  This is what it is to know with certainty that thanksgiving comes from knowing Who God is, not from outward circumstances. 

Through Jesus Christ, a merciful and loving God has blessed us beyond all measure, we are saved from eternal destruction and have been made a part of His kingdom.  There is nothing that can happen, no situation or circumstance that is greater than that blessing.  It is only through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, that we may know what true thanksgiving is all about.

Christian, your ability to give thanks is not determined by circumstances; it is rooted in God’s character.  Whether you feel it or not, you are blessed.  Stop looking around and look up, because it’s not about how we feel, it’s about Who God is.

         

Be blessed.