Now think about it, which statement is true:
There is no such thing as truth.
OR
There is such a thing as truth.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Moral Excellence and Freedom
The late Chuck Colson was in the process of getting out the message that without virtue, freedom cannot stand. Just weeks before he passed away I heard him on the radio making the case articulately, as he was so capable of doing.
I have in the past shared my conviction that without Christianity's moral excellence, our American brand of freedom cannot survive. Our Founders trumpeted this as well. For instance:
The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.-- John Adams
History will also afford the frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public; the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the mischiefs of superstition, &c. and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern. -- Benjamin Franklin
(Wallbuilders.com is an excellent resource for more...)
It is becoming painfully obvious that moral excellence is the foundation upon which all other pursuits of excellence rest. Can you think of any other great or significant achievement that cannot be undone by moral lapse? Remember Pete Rose? Barry Bonds? What about our own economic debacle? At the heart of this crisis is a core of moral decay: Government officials sought to buy votes by mandating loans to their constituent communities. Then the institutions that were forced to make the loans manufactured products that would allow them to hide these "sub-prime" loans and sell them to anyone who would buy them. Moral corruption is at the heart. The politicians forcing banks to loan money to people who could not repay is larceny. Then the bank refusing to take the loss themselves, sold faulty products to other institutions. This is fraud. Thus began the financial crisis we are now in. Our economic system is at risk of collapse. At the core of this crisis is moral corruption. Will we learn from this? American excellence is at stake and the stability of the world rides on American success.
We cannot experience any other form of excellence without a revival of our traditional Christian Morality.
It is not just about rules friends. Christian Morality is not just about rules that rock. The Moral Law Giver of this moral system is in the business of giving life and liberty to those who come to know Him personally. It is about a life of excellence that is guided by an incredible moral framework that leads to an abundant life.
I will live to my dying day believing that Americans, because of our unique life experience as a free people, will want the excellence at the heart of all other forms. We know inherently that greatness springs from goodness. Without an understanding of what is good, we will never taste of lasting greatness again.
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
I have in the past shared my conviction that without Christianity's moral excellence, our American brand of freedom cannot survive. Our Founders trumpeted this as well. For instance:
The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If "Thou shalt not covet," and "Thou shalt not steal," were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.-- John Adams
History will also afford the frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public; the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the mischiefs of superstition, &c. and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern. -- Benjamin Franklin
(Wallbuilders.com is an excellent resource for more...)
It is becoming painfully obvious that moral excellence is the foundation upon which all other pursuits of excellence rest. Can you think of any other great or significant achievement that cannot be undone by moral lapse? Remember Pete Rose? Barry Bonds? What about our own economic debacle? At the heart of this crisis is a core of moral decay: Government officials sought to buy votes by mandating loans to their constituent communities. Then the institutions that were forced to make the loans manufactured products that would allow them to hide these "sub-prime" loans and sell them to anyone who would buy them. Moral corruption is at the heart. The politicians forcing banks to loan money to people who could not repay is larceny. Then the bank refusing to take the loss themselves, sold faulty products to other institutions. This is fraud. Thus began the financial crisis we are now in. Our economic system is at risk of collapse. At the core of this crisis is moral corruption. Will we learn from this? American excellence is at stake and the stability of the world rides on American success.
We cannot experience any other form of excellence without a revival of our traditional Christian Morality.
It is not just about rules friends. Christian Morality is not just about rules that rock. The Moral Law Giver of this moral system is in the business of giving life and liberty to those who come to know Him personally. It is about a life of excellence that is guided by an incredible moral framework that leads to an abundant life.
I will live to my dying day believing that Americans, because of our unique life experience as a free people, will want the excellence at the heart of all other forms. We know inherently that greatness springs from goodness. Without an understanding of what is good, we will never taste of lasting greatness again.
Pro 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Aggravation with Atheists
Christians are often accused of being hypocritical. It's true sometimes we are. But when we take a hypocritical stand and we are confronted, we are forced to repent and make it right. Atheists, on the other hand, are unrepentant about their hypocrisy and continue to press their cause.
Atheist deny that God exists, the primary prerequisite for being an Atheist. If there is no God then there is no ultimate authority on right or wrong, no Moral Law. If there is no moral law then why do they continue to make moral judgements at all, including judgements against Christians?
They know and take every advantage of a freedom they inherited from Believers who understood that freedom is a moral ideal that can be realized only through blood and sacrifice. Believers know inherently that freedom is good. If it were left to Atheism, would freedom exist in America and subsequently in the world? Remember, Atheism denies any transcendent Moral Law or "good".
They rail against any Moral Law/Moral Law Giver while making moral judgements on anyone who would acknowledge the Moral Law Giver in the public square. Pure hypocrisy.
They rail against any Moral Law Giver yet expect everyone around them to act in accordance with a transcendent moral law; expecting their banker to know "Thou shalt not steal," and abide by it with their money; expecting their doctor to know "Thou shalt not bear false witness," and abide by it in caring for them...
I know and love a few people who call themselves Atheist. I suspect down deep in my heart they are not really Atheists. They are just angry, hurting individuals who are seeking to vent that anger at any Superior Being who could possibly have let something terrible happen to them or someone they love.
Another question to ask: If there is no ultimate Moral Law/ Moral Law Giver, how can they judge whether what has happened to them or their loved one as being bad (or evil)? They have eliminated the possibility of God's existence because evil has happened to them. How can a loving God allow suffering and misery? (I address this problem in The Message of Pain. See also Frank Turek's, crossexamined.org)
There is such a thing as Truth. You can know it. You can act on it. We can know what is good and what is evil. In most cases we already do because an Ultimate Moral Law Giver has written this Moral Law into our conscious. The guilt that rises involuntarily when we violate that Moral Law is evidence on the inside of this truth.
Atheist deny that God exists, the primary prerequisite for being an Atheist. If there is no God then there is no ultimate authority on right or wrong, no Moral Law. If there is no moral law then why do they continue to make moral judgements at all, including judgements against Christians?
They know and take every advantage of a freedom they inherited from Believers who understood that freedom is a moral ideal that can be realized only through blood and sacrifice. Believers know inherently that freedom is good. If it were left to Atheism, would freedom exist in America and subsequently in the world? Remember, Atheism denies any transcendent Moral Law or "good".
They rail against any Moral Law/Moral Law Giver while making moral judgements on anyone who would acknowledge the Moral Law Giver in the public square. Pure hypocrisy.
They rail against any Moral Law Giver yet expect everyone around them to act in accordance with a transcendent moral law; expecting their banker to know "Thou shalt not steal," and abide by it with their money; expecting their doctor to know "Thou shalt not bear false witness," and abide by it in caring for them...
I know and love a few people who call themselves Atheist. I suspect down deep in my heart they are not really Atheists. They are just angry, hurting individuals who are seeking to vent that anger at any Superior Being who could possibly have let something terrible happen to them or someone they love.
Another question to ask: If there is no ultimate Moral Law/ Moral Law Giver, how can they judge whether what has happened to them or their loved one as being bad (or evil)? They have eliminated the possibility of God's existence because evil has happened to them. How can a loving God allow suffering and misery? (I address this problem in The Message of Pain. See also Frank Turek's, crossexamined.org)
There is such a thing as Truth. You can know it. You can act on it. We can know what is good and what is evil. In most cases we already do because an Ultimate Moral Law Giver has written this Moral Law into our conscious. The guilt that rises involuntarily when we violate that Moral Law is evidence on the inside of this truth.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Presumtion of Dishonesty
It is chilling and enlightening to see the casual way liberals talk of deliberate dishonesty by their candidate. He can't run on what he really believes or wants to do, you see, and we are perfectly fine with it. As a matter of fact we only punish our candidate if he isn't convincing enough in the lie.
Hey, conservative candidates give that a try...right.
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/08/15/Maher-on-Pot-Obama-has-been-dismal-failure-and-a-liar
Hey, conservative candidates give that a try...right.
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2012/08/15/Maher-on-Pot-Obama-has-been-dismal-failure-and-a-liar
Friday, July 13, 2012
On Fast and Furious...
Just read Ann Coulter's page on Fast and Furious. As usual she has a gift for bringing things to a sharp point. Had to repost her summary. Check out the whole article here.
"Innocent people dying was the objective of Fast and Furious, not collateral damage.
It would be as if the Bush administration had implemented a covert operation to dump a dangerous abortifacient in Planned Parenthood clinics, resulting in hundreds of women dying -- just to give pro-lifers an argument about how dangerous abortion clinics are.
That's what Fast and Furious is about"
Just one more instance of the anti-American bent of the current administration.
"Innocent people dying was the objective of Fast and Furious, not collateral damage.
It would be as if the Bush administration had implemented a covert operation to dump a dangerous abortifacient in Planned Parenthood clinics, resulting in hundreds of women dying -- just to give pro-lifers an argument about how dangerous abortion clinics are.
That's what Fast and Furious is about"
Just one more instance of the anti-American bent of the current administration.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Obamacare vs. Freedom
A great deal has changed in the US since I last posted. The upholding of Obamacare by the Supreme Court being the major change. Astonished by the court's ruling, I hardly know where to start. I have to say a few very pointed statements.
John Roberts whiffed his opportunity to defend the intent and spirit of the Constitution and its authors.
As power concentrates freedom evaporates. This bill and the way it is instituted constitute the largest power consolidation in the history of the US, a direct affront to the Constitution itself which is designed to limit the power of government. The Democrats in Washington have pulled off the greatest loss of freedom in one piece of legislation ever in the US.
While we are readying ourselves for retribution at the poles in November they are doing everything they can to lessen the impact of the reaction by insuring that no state successfully reforms their election laws to insure elections are fair. Every voter ID law in the US is currently under legal attack from Eric Holder's Justice Department. Yes, fast and furious Eric Holder.
In contrast to the current administration I happen to believe that freedom works. It not only works, it is a creative force that defies explanation. Our Founders believed this by faith because they had never seen it instituted and protected any time or place before in history. Their faith was wise and well placed.
We are now watching an assault on the self evident truths they articulated in the American founding. We are seeing what Democrats do when trusted with power, they grab more. Apparently, personal freedom is a foolish pipe dream to them.
I'll sign off with 2 things you can do to fight this and do what John Roberts did not have the courage to do.
Call you local Congress person and tell them to pass election reforms NOW.
Call your Federal Congress person and tell them Eric Holder needs to go NOW.
John Roberts whiffed his opportunity to defend the intent and spirit of the Constitution and its authors.
As power concentrates freedom evaporates. This bill and the way it is instituted constitute the largest power consolidation in the history of the US, a direct affront to the Constitution itself which is designed to limit the power of government. The Democrats in Washington have pulled off the greatest loss of freedom in one piece of legislation ever in the US.
While we are readying ourselves for retribution at the poles in November they are doing everything they can to lessen the impact of the reaction by insuring that no state successfully reforms their election laws to insure elections are fair. Every voter ID law in the US is currently under legal attack from Eric Holder's Justice Department. Yes, fast and furious Eric Holder.
In contrast to the current administration I happen to believe that freedom works. It not only works, it is a creative force that defies explanation. Our Founders believed this by faith because they had never seen it instituted and protected any time or place before in history. Their faith was wise and well placed.
We are now watching an assault on the self evident truths they articulated in the American founding. We are seeing what Democrats do when trusted with power, they grab more. Apparently, personal freedom is a foolish pipe dream to them.
I'll sign off with 2 things you can do to fight this and do what John Roberts did not have the courage to do.
Call you local Congress person and tell them to pass election reforms NOW.
Call your Federal Congress person and tell them Eric Holder needs to go NOW.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Freedom??? (Yawn)
I have written several times about the unique nature of American freedom. History has shown us that the conception of the American experiment emerged from Christianity. I offer Original Intent by Barton and The Light and the Glory by Marshall and Manuel as my well documented supports for this statement. These two works let the Founders themselves tell of the philosophies and beliefs that inspired them.
With this kind of a conception, birthing and rearing (Christian), the U.S. launched on its way to an incredible future that included saving various peoples and the world from tyranny on several different occasions. Yes, the kind of freedom that comes from God (as defined in the Declaration) is that empowering.
Our Founders sought to establish a government "of the people, by the people and for the people" so that no one person could force their narrow views on the rest of us by fiat. All citizens including those elected to public office are to be governed by laws. It was their intent to establish the "rule of law" to prevent any one person from assuming dictatorial power.
In the past our Christian upbringing kept us vigilant against any threat to this system where we acknowledge that all men were created equal and the laws kept the playing field unbiased for all to have the same opportunity for improvement.
Since we have lost our Christian moorings, even shunned them, do we really love, admire, respect, covet, cherish our freedom? Do we appreciate the cost it came with? Do we understand how fleeting it is or how rare?
I hear one gigantic national yawn.
We have a president with the allegiance of his party that has begun the business of ruling your life through running your health care, being the sole dispenser of student loans, prosecuting only the laws they as an administration agree with (not prosecuting charges of voter fraud when they are brought by white citizens, not enforcing the DOMA legislation, by-passing immigration rules, making recess appointments while congress is not in recess...), regulating the banking system out of making loans to you, executing a monetary policy that is destroying the value of your savings, pension, salary, wages, life insurance... anything else measured in dollars, proposing legislation and policy that forces one to violate their conscience (not just the recent push for Catholic hospitals to provide contraception and abortion but also the forcing of Christian Pharmacists to dispense abortifacient drugs, the forcing of Christian public officials to write marriage licenses to gay couples, forcing Christian orphanages to place children with gay couples...) The list is ongoing and extensive.
The current administration and his party are actively destroying what is left of our Christian influence. In its wake will be a nation of government-dependent sheep seeking to avoid the rail car to the processing plant.
Moral conviction is what comes from an experience with a righteous God, a God who values human life to a degree we can hardly understand, a God who ascribes meaning and purpose to all of human experience. But I digress...
The conception of this country and what she would represent to the world was the culmination of Christian philosophy working in men who dreamed of a free nation on earth... because men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights and that AMONG these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Friends this is a Christian moral concept. Without Christianity this flavor of freedom dies.
If this administration is how it ends, well, it was our own doing.
It has been a long a glorious ride for the United States as a Christian nation. We understood and pursued good as a nation (with some missteps no doubt) with grand effect. We have delivered a world relatively free and certainly with an experience of freedom that has changed the course of human events.
Friends, Christianity will not die, but Its stalwart champion among nations may. We are in grave danger.
Seek God. Seek freedom through His truth. Seek a return to pursuing good with His guidance as a nation.
Shun those who know nothing of what is morally good. Call evil for what it is, evil. Evil is the spiritual way of saying something is harmful. It's not that hard. When you embrace something harmful, it will bring your pain. When you know something is harmful, yet compromise with it, you guarantee someone will be harmed.
With this kind of a conception, birthing and rearing (Christian), the U.S. launched on its way to an incredible future that included saving various peoples and the world from tyranny on several different occasions. Yes, the kind of freedom that comes from God (as defined in the Declaration) is that empowering.
Our Founders sought to establish a government "of the people, by the people and for the people" so that no one person could force their narrow views on the rest of us by fiat. All citizens including those elected to public office are to be governed by laws. It was their intent to establish the "rule of law" to prevent any one person from assuming dictatorial power.
In the past our Christian upbringing kept us vigilant against any threat to this system where we acknowledge that all men were created equal and the laws kept the playing field unbiased for all to have the same opportunity for improvement.
Since we have lost our Christian moorings, even shunned them, do we really love, admire, respect, covet, cherish our freedom? Do we appreciate the cost it came with? Do we understand how fleeting it is or how rare?
I hear one gigantic national yawn.
We have a president with the allegiance of his party that has begun the business of ruling your life through running your health care, being the sole dispenser of student loans, prosecuting only the laws they as an administration agree with (not prosecuting charges of voter fraud when they are brought by white citizens, not enforcing the DOMA legislation, by-passing immigration rules, making recess appointments while congress is not in recess...), regulating the banking system out of making loans to you, executing a monetary policy that is destroying the value of your savings, pension, salary, wages, life insurance... anything else measured in dollars, proposing legislation and policy that forces one to violate their conscience (not just the recent push for Catholic hospitals to provide contraception and abortion but also the forcing of Christian Pharmacists to dispense abortifacient drugs, the forcing of Christian public officials to write marriage licenses to gay couples, forcing Christian orphanages to place children with gay couples...) The list is ongoing and extensive.
The current administration and his party are actively destroying what is left of our Christian influence. In its wake will be a nation of government-dependent sheep seeking to avoid the rail car to the processing plant.
Moral conviction is what comes from an experience with a righteous God, a God who values human life to a degree we can hardly understand, a God who ascribes meaning and purpose to all of human experience. But I digress...
The conception of this country and what she would represent to the world was the culmination of Christian philosophy working in men who dreamed of a free nation on earth... because men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights and that AMONG these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Friends this is a Christian moral concept. Without Christianity this flavor of freedom dies.
If this administration is how it ends, well, it was our own doing.
It has been a long a glorious ride for the United States as a Christian nation. We understood and pursued good as a nation (with some missteps no doubt) with grand effect. We have delivered a world relatively free and certainly with an experience of freedom that has changed the course of human events.
Friends, Christianity will not die, but Its stalwart champion among nations may. We are in grave danger.
Seek God. Seek freedom through His truth. Seek a return to pursuing good with His guidance as a nation.
Shun those who know nothing of what is morally good. Call evil for what it is, evil. Evil is the spiritual way of saying something is harmful. It's not that hard. When you embrace something harmful, it will bring your pain. When you know something is harmful, yet compromise with it, you guarantee someone will be harmed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)