Stretched

S-T-R-E-T-C-H-E-D

The last time I read the bible through, these verses below struck me as something more than just biblical metaphor. Many of the verses refer to 'stretched' or 'spread', that is, in the past tense. The bible verses below are biblical evidence for the expansion of the universe.

D. Russell Humphreys in his book, "Starlight and Time" (Master Books, Inc., Green Forest, AR, 1994), elaberates on this expansion of the expanse. Dr. Humphreys, explains that the expansion could be as a "white hole". This involves higher Physics including Einstein's theory of general relativity. In this theory, which has been scientically tested, matter, time, gravity, and space are related. So, by expansion (rapid expansion) of space, vast eons of time are also created. This effect, called, "gravitational time dilation", explains why a distant star's light takes billions of light years to arrive to earth, yet earth may be only thousands of years old. Dr. Humphreys goes into more details such as 'event horizons' and a 'fourth dimension' of space. Very heady stuff.

But when one gets to the gist of creation, the Creator of light isn't limited by the speed of light or anything. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." (Jer 32:17)

Job 9:8:

"He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea."

Job 26:7:

"He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing."

Job 37:18:

"can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?"

Psalm 102:25:

"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands."

Psalm 104:2:

"He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent"

Isaiah 40:12:

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?"

Isaiah 40:22:

"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."

Isaiah 40:26:

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

Isaiah 42:5:

"This is what God the LORD says? he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it"

Isaiah 44:24:

"This is what the LORD says? your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,"

Isaiah 45:12:

"It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts."

Isaiah 48:13:

"My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together."

Isaiah 51:13:

"that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?"

Jeremiah 10:12:

"But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding."

Jeremiah 51:15:

"He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding."

Zechariah 12:1:

"This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares:"

Copyright ? 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The Politics of Human Nature

The Politics of Human Nature

The Politics of Human Nature: Christians are being molded by the world and its culture. Christianity for ages has believed that man is basically sinful. However, politics and popular opinion works from the assumption that man is basically good. Even political conservatives work with this assumption when they call for less government, and more freedom. Unfortunately, that sometimes means less regulation, and more corruption, waste, fraud, and scandals.

It seems to me that political right, though they are opposed to secular humanism, seem to agree with it anyway. They seem want less government and regulation, and more privitization. In all this, the individual is upheld as righteous and the government is demonized. Yet, if one is evangelical, then the government is being used by God (Rom 13), and the individual is not without sin. So, the religious right is in conflict with the political right. Just like the humanists, the political right say that education can be a solution in the case of morals. Instead of more regulation, they say (Michael Medved) competition will weed out the bad guys. For a picture of life without government regulation imagine driving without traffic signals. Most people believe that would be more freedom, like driving with only green lights. No, it's like driving around during a power outage, and every intersection is a four-way stop.

Romans 13:1-6 (NLT)
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved

In political discourse, the political right puts their faith in the individual, hoping that man is basically good. The political left are the ones who want regulation to protect the public from greed and fraud. Yet, they are often one who are pictured as the humanists, who believe in man being basically good. Here we have each side acting against their type.

Thom Hartmann has said,

"The conservative world view is essentially hierarchical, paternalistic, top-down, follow-the leader. This comes out of their belief that people are essentially evil (original sin, etc.) and that the purpose of leaders and institutions like government and church are there to constrain the evil impulses of people. Thus when a good person leader is found, they want to lead".

Yet, it seems like some conservatives are inconsistent with this view. They want less government, less regulation. This is a paradox.

While promoting his book, The 5 Big Lies About American Business, Michael Medved called for less government regulation of business. He said that since human beings were created in God's image, and God is creative, government shouldn't curb that urge. By stifling creativity, Medved said, government is lessening the prosperity of capitalism, and jobs.

Yet, Medved has missed the part about that image being tarnished by sin. Fallen human nature still allows for creativity, some good and some bad. Creativity comes from such masters as Divinci, Bach, and Bernie Madoff. Yes, ponzi schemes, derivitives, hacking, malware, software viruses, they all require creativity and intellect. Unless business can effectively police themselves, government needs to do its justice for society.

Conservative politicians' call for less government seems to have a humanist sound. Sarah Palin, for example, says, "only limited government can expand prosperity and opportunity for all and that freedom is a God given right and it is worth fighting for". It sounds like the 'freedom' she is talking about is similar to Medved's unstifled creativity. It sounds like she is saying man is basically good but government is a bad influence. I know this conflicts with her religious views.

In many towns and other governments, scales are licenced and checked periodically for accuracy, in order to protect the public from businesses that might cheat. In the bible, there are verses which call out the practice of using 'dishonest' weights and measures. Though, the bible supports free enterprise and property rights, it also supports regulation of business.

Bible verses on dishonest weights and measures (NLT)

Deut 25:14-16
14 and you must use full and honest measures. 15 Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 16 All who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the Lord your God.

Prov 20:10
False weights and unequal measures -
the Lord detests double standards of every kind.

Amos 8:4-6
4 Listen to this, you who rob the poor
and trample down the needy!
5 You can't wait for the Sabbath day to be over
and the religious festivals to end
so you can get back to cheating the helpless.
You measure out grain with dishonest measures
and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales.
6 And you mix the grain you sell
with chaff swept from the floor.
Then you enslave poor people
for one piece of silver or a pair of sandals.

Micah 6:10-11
10 What shall I say about the homes of the wicked
filled with treasures gained by cheating?
What about the disgusting practice
of measuring out grain with dishonest measures?
11 How can I tolerate your merchants
who use dishonest scales and weights?

Most churches teach about original sin, that mankind is of fallen nature, and no one is without sin. Yet, on the campaign trail, it is not politically correct to call the electorate 'sinners', 'depraved', or anything else perceived as derogatory. Yet, that is what conservative or evangelical politicians hear when they go to their churches. Remember the 2008 presidential campaign when the candidates' preacher's sermons were the subject. The self-critical, introspective message to the congregation seems appropriate. But broadcast that message to the general public, and it seems wildly offensive. A politician should ingratiate him/herself with the voter in the civil world, whereas, the church-goers are responsible to God. The difference in church, is they're talking about God, and they have a 'scapegoat' in Jesus. However, on the campaign trail (which can be year round nowadays) the scapegoat is government, 'those people', or the other party/side.

The progressives don't seem to think that mankind is without sin either, though they tend to have business corruption (and corrupt government) as sins. At least they see government as having a purpose, for the general welfare of the people, and not looking the other way when injustice happens. In some ways, the progressives are the ones who are trying to get government to correct unjust ways, and conservatives are the ones who are relying on the 'goodness' of human nature.

Thom Hartmann: Cracking the Code

Michael Medved: Lemonade Stands

One factor in political selection is the emotions, and the American popular culture. In the movies, people have been conditioned to see things in black and white, good and evil - with good always winning. People want to be optimistic and believe the world to be like this. Sentimentality reigns. The rugged individual and the inherent goodness of the individual are American values (or myths) brought out in movies. Self interest and materialism come from this individualism. No wonder that someone like Ronald Reagan could project those values into the political area.

Those of faith tend to fuse these American values with their Christianity. In the book, Eyes Wide Open, William D. Romanowski states that 83 percent of Americans believe man is basically good, with 77 percent of born-again Christians agreeing. This is interpreted to mean that Americans are essentually good at heart in a world where others tend to be more evil. This is a case where Christians are being molded by their culture. This is not the way Christianity is suppose to work.

Weeds and Reasons

Weeds and Reasons

Weeding For Self

This story happened while I was preparing my yard for new landscaping. I had cleared out the debris, weeds, and then, rototilled and leveled the area. Once planting started, I looked down the street and saw weeds along each side. I did not need weed seeds blowing into my clean yard and planting themselves.

So, I went to action with my machete, going down the street and wacking off the weed flowers, before they went to seed. I was sure that the neighbors wouldn't mind; besides, they were on public property next to the street.

After I was done, the next door neighbor lady, wife of a pastor, expressed thanks for my deed. I tried to explain that I was really just interested in helping keep my yard free from weeds. She still expressed thanks.

Pondering My Motivation

This incident got me to thinking about my motivations for doing good deeds. Can one do good deeds for bad reasons? In the case of the weeds, I soon realized that my motivation was mainly selfish. It's true that the neighborhood was better looking without the weeds. However, my chief reason fore chopping down the weeds was to prevent them propagating and coming into my yard. The neighbor was gracious, though. Perhaps that's a picture of our gracious God. Certainly, God can overlook our sins because of grace, why not our bad motives?

Looking at my actions, in self examination, and also looking at the bible and examples from bible characters, I found out that motivations can be complex. Not only bad deeds, but also good ones can have underlining reasons such as fear, guilt, pride, hate, pleasure, and lust. Love seems to be the one good reason for actions.

Jonah is one character who seemed to have a mixture of hate and pride when he evangelized Ninevah, obeying God but with bad reasons. After he was done, he got depressed because Nineveh turned to God. He became so much concerned with the loss of shade from his gourd plant. God showed Jonah's concern for his comfort was selfish when compared with the lives of all the Ninevites.

While selfishness is bad, some concern with self is not bad. The problem is when people are more concerned with themselves than with God and others. God tells us to love ourselves, but the emphasis is loving others as much as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31: Love your neighbor as yourself). Paul, in Phil 2:4, says that we should be interested in the interests of others as well as our own interests.

As for myself, I realized that everything I did, upon self examination, was with mixed motives. Even good deeds done for others, while done with an intended motive of giving glory to God, also had some personal pride, even secretly. Like a pat on the back in my imagination, I felt good about what I did. While I did something in love for others, I enjoyed their appreciation, and I was puzzled by any lack of recognition. Fear, guilt, and other motivations mixed in with love and honoring God. Everything was tainted by mixed motives.

Question of the Week

One Sunday night, about five years later, after the weed incident, the topic was about motives. The pastor, very simply said that one should do anything with the wrong motive. A believer should refrain from doing anything for the wrong reason. I raised my hand afterward to ask a question. I realized that this subject was one which I had given much thought.

I said (more articulate here) that I had found out that everything I did had mixed motives. So, he (the pastor) was telling me to do nothing. Yet, if I do nothing, then that isn't any better because there are bad reasons for doing nothing, too. Reasons for doing nothing might include fear, pride (lack of humility), self (nothing in it for me), and others. Sins of ommission show up lack of concern and love for others. The motivation of personal purity can be very selfish.

Mixed Fruit

I have learned that God wants us to obey his commands. He wants to see us fruitful. He can cleanse the fruit later. Our motivations will change as we get going, following Jesus. Sanctification comes. Some self examination is helpful, but only to a certain extent. Just as with doing bad things (sin), doing good things with impure motives can be cleansed by Jesus blood. Dying to self happens time and time again with each forgiveness of God. But it is wise to let the fruit come by serving others, letting God take care of the personal purity. In Matt 5:48, Jesus says to his disciples, "Be perfect". It is so hard to do purity by oneself. Only those who wear the robe of righteousness will attend the wedding banquet in God's Kingdom (Matt 22:11-12).

Brilliant

Brilliant?

References:

Snopes - Urban Legends Website - Socialism Grade Averaging

Adrian Rogers quote under new light The Tale of the Economics Professor (unpacking the assumptions)

The following is a story or 'urban legend' that has been remanufactured from a story going back to 1944 (see the snopes link above). Despite the suppositions and assumptions, I show it here for critique.

Read this, it is brilliant

EXCELLENT! More teachers need to do this to teach the future generations.

This teacher is truly a genius!

As the late Adrian Rogers said, "you cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."
This man is truly a genius!

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that. (Please pass this on)

Remember, there is a mid-term election in 2010!

Now, this story seem rather 'cut and dried', very simple and easy to decide which way is right. However, remember this verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 18:17:
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. Now, here's a story from the new testament told by Jesus.

Matthew 20 (vs. 1-16)
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.

"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.

"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'

"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'

"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Biblica.

Isn't this strange? The teacher in the first story is described as 'brillant' and a 'genius', and the second story is one told by Jesus in the bible. In both stories, the student and workers got upset, grumbled, and complained. The first story was a picture of socialism (or rather, communism), and the second story is a picture of the kingdom of God. In both stories, the inborne, God-given human trait of what is just is illustrated. The second story tells how human conceptions of what is just falls short of God's way.

I think the first story falls short because it makes it seem like the students are mainly in college for the grades. The workers in the second story do get paid, but they don't like God's (the landowner) generousity to those who work less. The bible gives no tomorrow for the second story. Would fallen human nature make the ones who worked all day the day before lazy on the next day?

In both cases, the students and workers need to be studying/working as to God and not as man pleasers. They need to be responsible for themselves to God, and not looking over their shoulders at others. The prodigal son's other brother also had this upset feeling about his brother getting undeserved celebration and honor. God doesn't give all people equal talents and wealth. Yet God tell the Israelites (Deuteronomy 15):

4 However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you,

7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

Sometimes we get too attached to the 'American Dream' rather than the Kingdom of God. Laissez Faire capitalism becomes more Darwinian than Christian. This Christianity runs our human nature the wrong way. Does this make sense?

I believe the theory of people getting lazy with hand outs, and losing the motivation to work or create is not at all the way things really are. Grace is getting something that is unearned and undeserved. Why would God in His wisdom call for believers to help other believers, and the poor and needy, if that only acts as a disincentive for individual initiative. Likewise, God's forgiveness and grace, and people's forgiveness and grace, might allow sinners to sin all the more, taking advantage of that forgiveness. However, Jesus tells Peter to forgive again and again. Yes, there are warnings for those believers who take advantage of God's grace and continue to sin, but that's not all the bible says.

What's missing from the professor's story is balance. A student or worker, if a believer, will be studying or working not just for pay, but for the glory of God, to please Him in all they do. Likewise, a believer who sins, knowing the fear of God, will feel sorrow for displeasing the loving Father. Human motivation is more complex than this simple illustration from the professor. God is complex, too. God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Certainly, God (the landowner in Jesus' story) is much more brilliant than this professor.

Jesus said, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Are You Good?

Are You Good? - Politics and 'Original Sin' by David Davis

 

Are You Good?

 

There is a great ambivalence in America, even among Christians as to whether one is good or not.  Most Christians believe that human nature is basically bad, that humans tend to sin by nature.  No matter how many good deeds and intentions there are, mankind is still stained by sin.  I would say that most church denominations believe in Original Sin, that everyone inherits the curse of sin from Adam and Eve, mankind's progenitors.  There are a few churches which believe that people don't inherit sins, but they can choose to sin.  Evangelicals believe that Christ's death on the cross at Calvary for all mankind made the only way for man to be good.

 

On New Year's Day 2012, Presidential Candidate Michele Bachmann spoke at Jubilee Family Church (Oskaloosa, IA).  Here is an excerpt (starting at 9:45):

 

 

 

 

  http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/Osk

 

 

"There is no difference, for all have sinned. [quote from Rom 3:23]

Now, let me ask you, 'Who in this room is good?'

No one wants to go in that column?

Maybe, after last night, no one wants to admit it, right? After last night ...

All have sinned, everyone has sinned, everyone the book says falls short of the glory of God".

 

 

Now, here is a politician that is articulate about what she believes.  Sometimes, those of faith in elective office can be embarrassing on how little they know about what they believe.  Rep. Bachmann really knows how to express her faith.

 

The problem for politicians is that in order to earn votes, they need to be political.  They need to like the potential voter, compliment them, say good things about them.  Gov. Romney needed to say he likes the cookies that supporters give him, not critique them.  Some people were offended at President Carter when he gave a speech criticizing American attitudes.  This might be more at home as preaching, but some only want to hear good about themselves.  Imagine a politician saying, "My fellow Americans, we are depraved". No, this only works politically in church, not on the stump.

 

An interesting thing is found in the Declaration of Independence:

 

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;

 

This is Thomas Jefferson naming the "good People" of the American colonies.  Now, perhaps he was acting as a good politician, giving complements to the public, as he similarly said of the people of the colony of Virginia.  But did you know that Thomas Jefferson was one of those who believe that mankind is basically good?

 

Jefferson and other American founders admired John Locke.  Locke was one who didn't believe the Christian belief of 'original sin'.  Locke believed that people were born without sin, and that careful training and laws could avoid sin.  Yet some authors say that Locke also believed only Jesus could deal with the sin of mankind.

 

It's good to get a balanced view of the founders.  Some were more orthodox in their beliefs such as Patrick Henry. Others were more liberal and unorthodox, such as Benjamin Franklin.  A few Christian authors take several quotes from men such as Washington and Jefferson to show they were biblical Christians.  Yet, there are other quotes which put them in an unorthodox light.  These same authors might also be selective with more current presidents, rather than get the whole story.

 

Publisher pulls Jefferson book over inaccuracies - TODAY Show

 

Early American Presidents were willing to confess sin on behalf of America.  Imagine that today, where apology is equated with being unpatriotic.

 

President Washington, during a thanksgiving proclamation, as if in prayer, asked that the people of the US would unite and "beseech Him [the great Lord and Ruler of Nations] to pardon our national and other transgressions".

 

President Adams, in a thanksgiving proclamation, asked God for "His infinite grace, through the Redeemer of the World, freely to remit all out offences, and to incline us by His Holy Spirit to that sincere repentance and reformation. He also asked Americans to seek God's help to "arrest the progress of that impiety and licentiousness".

 

Adams also believed that iniquity in America could cause adverse outcomes in war with the British.  He wrote, "I have seen all my life such selfishness and littleness even in New England, that I sometimes tremble to think that, although we are engaged in the best cause that ever employed the human heart, yet the prospect of success is doubtful not for want of power or wisdom but of virtue".  Adams, like Jefferson, did not believe in "original sin", but they saw sin as a moral problem.  Moral education was a solution.  To get God's favor, America needed to be moral.  Leaders needed to be moral.

 

Thomas Jefferson said that "the legitimate Power of civil Government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor".  Jefferson's "limited government" was because man in government can be sinful, or was it because man is not all that bad [because Jefferson's belief that man is basically good] to need regulation?

 

James Madison said, If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.  Madison used the term, 'checks and balances', to refer to one group's self-interests being counter balanced by another group's.  Each group is not completely unselfish, altruistic, and non-biased.  It is working with human nature, assuming it's not perfect.

 

There is a reaction among some to idealize the founders.  These people talk about 'original intent', that the constitution is sacred, and bringing America back to the Christian beginnings of many of the early settlers.  However, early settlers were also sinful, as the Presidents above mentioned.  Most of the early citizens were not church goers.  Many writers show that early American immigrants such as the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and other religious non-conformists were Christian.  Thus, America was founded as a Christian nation.  Yet, they talk about the tyranny from another Christian nation, England.  Which talks louder, one's heritage or one's actions?

 

Adam Smith's economic theories are another source of the ideal.  This ideal assumed that by reducing regulation in trade, economic prosperity would flourish.  Some people also mention that since man was made in the image of God, and man like God is creative, then man should be free to create, without restraint.  What they forget is that man's image of God is marred by sin.  The 'freedom' that those on the Right proclaim seems to assume man is good.  Freedom without restraint by another name could be called, "lawlessness".

 

Actually, Adam Smith believed business people were driven by greed and self interest.  But this self interest aided productivity and efficiency, like an "invisible hand" creating prosperity in the end.  This meant the inefficient would not last.  This also meant that the frauds could exist, but it is assumed they would be driven out of business when word got around.  Unfortunately, fly-by-nighters still come and go.  Bank frauds have recently had lasting ability over the years.

 

The bible does put such things as thrift, productiveness, and efficiency in a good light.  However, the bible says, "Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD" (Prov. 20:23).   Does this sound like God is against regulation of business?

 

Does wanting less regulation assume that man is not all that bad?  Those who are against government regulation say their opponents are for 'the nanny state', are meddling, and whistle blowers are as bad as tattlers.  It sounds like a bully's argument.

 

Well, is man basically good?  For clues, look at the Holocaust, terrorism, and crime.  For those who think man is evolving and progressing through education, then look at malware programs, and techno crime such as stolen IDs.  For those who pretend that man is basically good, how about leaving your doors unlocked?

 

The Holocaust is a stark example.  In spite of that example, Anne Frank, kept hope in mankind:

 

“I believe that even bad people are truly good at heart.”  (Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl)

 

“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.”

(Anne Frank)

 

To be positive and optimistic in the face of such danger and evil seems heroic.  Yet, though it's good to be forgiving, God's perspective is different.  On a horizontal, person to person level, one might affirm a good act of another.  However, God knows everything about everybody, and he gives only one hope for mankind - through the person of Jesus Christ.

 

 

No matter whether one is rich or poor, smart or unintelligent, cultural or unsophisticated, all people are sinful. Christians only derive goodness from God.  Though the bible mentions Noah, Job, and others as upright or righteous, this is not just because they were relatively good.  It was because they obeyed God, and their sin sacrifices covered their sins.  The cross symbolizes the sin sacrifice for believers today.

 

People assume that since the rich are blessed materially, they are more righteous.  So, they should be allowed the freedom to do as they please.  Their rewards have earned them the right of freedom.  It's the "honor system". Without oversight and accountability, human nature does create instances of license and sin.  Success doesn't necessarily come to only the moral.  There are worldly ways to success, and Christians can get caught up in that, too.

 

Actually, regulation can increase efficiency and prosperity.  One who has driven after a storm has hit may come on an intersection where the electricity is out, and the traffic lights aren't working.   This crossroads, then, becomes a four-way stop.  Traffic slows to a crawl as cars wait their turn.  Government regulation is like the traffic signal that lets traffic through most efficiently.  Regulation keeps competition honest and free, and they minimize abuse and corruption.

 

Not all government regulation is wise.  Some is not well thought out, not well planned.  Throwing money at a problem can still cause hardship.  But to listen to the conservative argument of less government, one hears only the stories of government being the problem.  Christian radio host and author, James Dobson, tells only of incidences where governments do strange things, and make stupid laws.  Listeners only learn that government is bad. Much of Christian commentary on government is anti-government.  Yet in Romans 13, Paul says to be submitted to the authority of government, because God put it there to punish wrong-doing.  At the time Paul wrote this, the Roman government was pagan, not Christian.

 

There is an impression from listening to the Christian conservatives, that they believe people are basically good, they don't need government regulations.  They project the evil influences onto government.  They actually say government regulation causes much of the immorality witnessed in the news, such as business fraud.  The government scapegoat for evil influences is actually anti-Christian.  Christ is the proper scapegoat for man's sin.

 

Steve Forbes, in his book, How Capitalism Will Save Us (pp. 44-46), says that more open markets are less corrupt than markets where there is more government regulation.  He sites more bribery in the less open countries.  However, isn't it true that with less laws and regulation there would be less lawbreaking?  Marketers would get away with all sorts of fraud, without laws to protect the public.  No, this doesn't increase freedom.  It's laws that protect freedom, not lawlessness.  The 'honor system' only works if everyone is moral.

 

These Christian conservatives believe the Market (as in Mammon) is the final judge of character.  The modernist influence has molded their worldview.  Consumerism, materialism, and the American Way seems to be more important to them than The Way.  They are selective on what sin they want to regulate. Lust wins out to greed. Just as they are selective in what they want to remember about American history, they are also selective in what they remember biblically.

 

Deregulation, and privatization is the conservative ideal, with supposed increased freedom for Americans.  Experience has shown this is false.  The Enron scandal and hedge fund derivatives and the banking fiasco show how unregulated greed can be.  The conservatives ask for more freedom, put a historical and patriotic spin on it, and seem to imply that this more free America will be more moral.  Many of the founders thought the opposite: people need to be moral first.  Some of these founders sound like today's secular humanists, in emphasizing moral education.  Though this sounds good, it can also be a facade for those who believe mankind is not so bad, and for those who deny God in some way.  A moral people can be governed on the 'honor system', but who is 100% moral?

 

In case you are reading this and wonder how I get along with these Christians who think like this, I will say it takes love, discernment, discretion, forgiveness, and patience.  But I'm being outspoken to show that not all Christian believers are so wrong headed.  We are all accountable to God.  And I don't want Christians to be deluded by some of the rhetoric they hear on Christian radio and political campaigns.  Rather than just going along with the one-sided messages, only watching Fox, and being selective historically and biblically, these people need to think.  They need to check out what they read and hear, like the bereans biblically checked out what Paul said.

 

Books: more support for non-regulation, Christian Founders, etc.

 

How capitalism will save us : why free people and free markets are the best answer in today's economy / Steve Forbes and Elizabeth Ames

 

Faith & freedom : the Christian roots of American liberty / Benjamin Hart.

 

Saving freedom : we can stop America's slide into socialism / Jim DeMint

 

Defending the Declaration : how the Bible and Christianity influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence / Gary T. Amos.

 

Faith & freedom : the Christian roots of American liberty / Benjamin Hart

 

One Nation Under God: Ten things every Christian should know about the founding of America / David C. Gibbs, Jerry Newcombe

 

The American Myth of Religious Freedom / Kenneth R. Craycraft Jr. (about John Locke)

 

The Light In the City / Janet and Craig Parshall

 

Five Lies of the Century / David T. Moore

 

web site: http://www.lessgovisthebestgov.com/

 

 

Books: balanced views

 

Why You Think the Way You Do: The story of western worldview from Rome to home / Glenn S. Sunshine (p140-141, p152-153)

 

Quotations from Founding Faith: Steve Waldman, Random House, 2008 (p37, p70, pp163-165, p174)

 

 

Books: with more critique

 

What would Jefferson do? : a return to democracy / Thom Hartmann. [Man is basically good, but he behaves when accountable to each other like in tribal culture]

 

The Case for Big Government / Jeff Madrick

 

America declares independence / Alan Dershowitz [At least some of the founders weren't that Christian]

 

Everything must change : Jesus, global crises, and a revolution of hope / Brian D. McLaren.

 

Johnny Cash and the great American contradiction : Christianity and the battle for the soul of a nation / Rodney Clapp. (p92 - scapegoatting)

 

The Great Giveaway: Reclaiming the Mission of the Church From Big Business, Parachurch Organizations, Psychotherapy, Consumer Capitalism, and Other Modern Maladies (p153-179 - Justice - Capitalism) [Modernist influences on the church such as rapid church growth, worldly leadership techniques, consumerism and people-centered influences]

 

Books by Mark Ellingsen:

Blessed Are the Cynical (Brazos, 2003)

When Did Jesus Become A Republican? (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007)

Sin Bravely: A Joyful Alternative to a Purpose-Driven Life (Continuum, 2009)

 

 

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