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Romans 13 – Wait a Minute! Wasn’t that Written in Pre-Christian Rome?!

History as Your Context for Judging

“A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” Proverbs 25:26, KJV.

“How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” Psalm 82:2, KJV.

“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” Proverbs 28:4, KJV.

“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 17:15, KJV.

“He that saith unto the wicked, ‘Thou art righteous;’ him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:” Proverbs 24:24, KJV.

“Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?” Psalm 94:20, KJV.

Continue reading “Romans 13 – Wait a Minute! Wasn’t that Written in Pre-Christian Rome?!”

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America’s Established Religion is Polytheism

America’s Established Religion is Neither Secularism Nor Christianity

The U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the opening of monthly town meetings in Greece, NY with prayers by clergy is problematic because contrary to its stated intent, it does establish a religion for the civil sphere. The high court says they’re okay with the town meeting prayers, as long as the city invites other religions and not just the clergy of the Christian religion.

We in 20th century America are accustomed to the Christian religion being primary; however, for most of human history, the major religions of the world have not been the Christian religion. The religion of Rome, Greece, and many Continue reading “America’s Established Religion is Polytheism”

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Adding to the Law – As Bad as Subtracting

Adding to the Law

When he was president, I was thinking about what I would have said to President Barack O’Bama. You know how you think when you think you’re smarter than everybody else. I would like to explain the danger of politics. One of the dangers is the contrast with faith. Faith seeks to be right with God, and He will give power to that faithful one. Politics is the attainment of power without any need to be right with God. When you’re poor and weak and God gives you power, you know you’re on the right track, not perfect, but on the right track. But with politics, how do you know you’re using power rightly? Do you need faith? Do you help the poor? Who are the poor? Is it those without means, or is it those who are pursued for their means? I mean, can you vote the largesse of those with means so that you can enjoy the product of their work? Does “Thou shalt not steal” not apply as long as a majority says it’s okay? Can you steal by using the ballot box?

Continue reading “Adding to the Law – As Bad as Subtracting”

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Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius PIlate 2

It was about competence to rule

Download the pdf:  Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius Pilate

As explained in Post 1 on this topic, Jesus’ kingdom being sourced from another place and not of this world does not reduce His authority in this world, it expands it.  Pilate didn’t understand, as he shows later in the conversation.  But Jesus was teaching compassionately even when he spoke with his enemies, even when rebuking them.  Jesus explains that His Kingdom is so powerful that His followers don’t need to fight to defend Him.  His Kingdom doesn’t depend on physical weapons for it to be successful in history and eternity.  It is not based on the physical requirements of a kingdom of this earth, which involve force and coercion.  

  Continue reading “Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius PIlate 2”

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Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius Pilate – Post 1

It wasn’t just about separation of church & state

The conversation between Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate that is recorded in John 18 has been used since time immemorial to justify a radical separation between God’s law and the state.  Here is the passage, which records what occurred after Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin and when He was first introduced to Pilate:

  Continue reading “Jesus’ Not So Subtle But Gentle Rebuke of Pontius Pilate – Post 1”

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The Dangers of Hermetically-Sealed, 2-Box, Church-State Jurisdiction

Church vs State Jurisdiction

The Church’s jurisdiction is broader than that of the State. The Church’s jurisdiction is limited as to what forms of punishment it may impose. For example, it is denied the use of “the sword,” which is the God-endorsed tool of the State. However, the Church can discipline any sin and assign the punishment appropriate to that sin. It must have such broad jurisdiction because God’s kingdom has total jurisdiction over all things, all men, all women, the Church, the State, the Family, the grass, the animals, the dust of the earth, the stars of the heavens; God rules over all and has given all authority to His Son, who is the Head of the Church.

Continue reading “The Dangers of Hermetically-Sealed, 2-Box, Church-State Jurisdiction”

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Modern Idolatry – Courts as Kings, as Infallible

Modern Idolatry

Federal courts are constitutional entities authorized by God to determine and apply the law to the lives and businesses of Americans, equally and without partiality. According to Romans 13 and the rest of the bible, such authorities like the federal courts are to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. This is a godly function to be highly revered and obeyed. Your interpretation of the courts’ function can easily become godless. How?

First Commandment: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; you shall have no other gods before Me.” Second Commandment: Continue reading “Modern Idolatry – Courts as Kings, as Infallible”

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An Open Letter to Emperor Kennedy (Justice on the US Supreme Court)

Dear Emperor Kennedy:

I humbly beseech your Majesty for redress. On my knees, sir, I beseech thee. I have information that the lawyers representing four states in the same sex marriage case, Obergefell, and who argued in favor of states’ laws prohibiting same sex marriage were afraid to do things that they are legally allowed to do. In fact, they were so afraid of offending you and the rest of the Court that they didn’t even ask for the recusal of the two Justices who have officiated over same sex marriages. They were afraid that the Court might retaliate against them and attack their state laws out of some kind of petty meanness, as if you and your colleagues wouldn’t really look at the law. I apologize for that kind of attitude toward the Imperial Court. I know you couldn’t possibly want that. Should our justice system operate under such intimidation from the highest court that lawyers don’t even represent their clients zealously? But, really, are the other Justices that petty?

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Covenant Aspects to Leviticus 18:1-5 & Deuteronomy 1:13-18 – Post 2

Covenant Aspects to Leviticus & Deuteronomy

Ray Sutton in That You May Prosper claims the following: “So, That You May Prosper has two parts: covenant and dominion. My primary purpose in the ‘covenant’ section is to define the covenant. The Book of Deuteronomy is a model, a place where all of its parts can clearly be seen. Deuteronomy IS to the covenant what Romans is to systematic theology. But how do we know Deuteronomy is a covenant? Moses says, “He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments [Words]” (Deut. 4:13).

Continue reading “Covenant Aspects to Leviticus 18:1-5 & Deuteronomy 1:13-18 – Post 2”

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The Gift of Knowledge & Feeding the Sheep 2

The Church’s Responsibility – To Feed the Sheep, even Public Officials

 

Shepherd keeping the sheep

For example, in the twentieth century, the Protestant Churches of America (The Roman Catholic Church was subject to fewer problems in this area because of its governmental structure & approach to theology) saw a conflict arise to divide whole denominations – the liberal, higher criticism theologians & teachers, who denied major tenets of biblical faith. One of their major beliefs was in the church’s responsibility for social reform. Conservatives who opposed them thought they were entering into a realm that God had forbidden for the church to enter. Therefore, the conservative believers ended up with disdain for social reform, particularly after seeing the leftist political policies advocated by liberals of the church.  (And I’m not referring to a political position when I say “conservative” or “liberal” in this context. I’m referring to a belief in the fundamentals of the Christian faith.)  Piles of books have been written about the controversy. I want to focus on one aspect of the debate, & I’ll be taking conservatives to task for one of their positions.

Continue reading “The Gift of Knowledge & Feeding the Sheep 2”