Facebook Posted Thoughts: Thoughts on Memorial Weekend

The best memory I can share is when I was a 6th grade teacher and my dad, Marine, would come to my classroom to present. He would dress in a suit with his medals in a case ready to tell the most amazing stories. To me heart wrenching stories of survival of young men just trying to live through a war. The kids would listen and then pelt him with all kinds of questions. The kids would then ask me when he would be returning. It has always been a special time of remembrance of those he honored through the stories he told eager young kids willing to listen who would make thank you cards I would deliver to him. Brightly colored patriotic drawings and words scrawled on construction paper. The most beautiful cards I could ever have given myself. I always wonder if those kids still remember him when Memorial Weekend comes around each year. 

“Soldiers and authorities are described as God’s servants who bear the sword to keep peace, maintain justice, and protect the innocent” (Romans 12: 3-4).

Did you know that Psalm 91 is called the “Soldier’s Psalm” because it is uniquely tied to military history and personal protection.

Why it was called the “Soldier’s Psalm”:

-the 91st brigade during World War I, the U.S. Army 91st Infantry Division 

-the brigade commander, a devout Christian, gave every soldier a small pocket card printed with Psalm 91

-the entire unit agreed to recite the “Soldier’s Psalm” together daily

-the miracle according to the account shared by veterans is that other neighboring units faced up to 90% casualty rates, but this specific brigade did not suffer a singe death (historians note this can be disputed, but the story is cemented in the psalm’s military legacy)

-the text is filled with combat imagery that specifically mentions military threats, such as the “arrow that flies by day” and “deadly pestilence”

-there is a “band of brothers” connection where troops throughout history have carried printed copies of Psalm 91 in their pockets or helmets as a physical reminder of safety

 

There are key verses of protection:

Verse 2: “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Verse 4: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Verse 7: “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand to your right hand, but it will not come near you.”

Verses 11-12: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

The miracle of Dunkirk (World War II):

-during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, 300,000 Allied troops were stranded on French beaches, entirely vulnerable to German air attacks

-according to testimonies archived by groups like Kinship Radio, a young chaplain on the beach recalled that large pockets of stranded British soldiers began shouting Psalm 91 at the top of their lungs as bullets rained down

-all the sudden, unusual dense fog rolled in to ground the German Luftwaffe, and the waters of the English Channel became miraculously calm, allowing hundreds of civilian boats to successfully rescue the troops

Pocket Bibles and Personal Shields:

-beyond entire units, individual service members have carried the psalm as a literal and spiritual shield

-Jimmy Stewart, the famous actor, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a bomber pilot in WWII. His father famously wrote him a letter enclosing a copy of Psalm 91, which Steward carried on every dangerous flight.

-The “Bullet-Stopping” Bible is a military lore involving a soldier being shot in the chest, only to survive because his pocket Bible absorbed the impact. In a famous account shared by Kenneth Copeland Ministries, a lieutenant’s life was saved when a bullet wedged into his pocket Bible–stopping precisely at Psalm 91:7: “A thousand may fall at your side….but it will not come near you.”

Modern Conflict (the Iraq War):

-May 23, 2017 Chaplain Hardie Higgins testimony 

-Army Chaplain Hardie Higgins utilized the psalm for convoy operations

-he ordered thousands of Psalm 91 cards and physically placed one inside the windshield of every single military vehicle before they went out on patrol

-his brigade completed its deployment with zero casualties

-even surviving an RPG strike directly to a command vehicle tail light that miraculously failed to detonate into the cabin

These are just some special stories during this time of remembrance. Here is the whole Psalm 91. As you read it, try to envision it through the eyes of a soldier. Let us lift our prayers to those serving today. Let us be thankful for all who have served. May we honor those who have given their lives for our freedom.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Danny Gokey has a tribute song called “My America.” Just beautiful

Danny Gokey - My America (Official Music Video)

When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square by Natasha Crain Chapter 4

 Chapter 4: Should Christians Impose their Views on Others?

Objections to public Christian influence 

-key principles on the nature of government and some relevant historical context are important foundation for thinking rightly about advocating for the common good in the political realm 

-the Establishment Clause says nothing about how individuals should or should not use their religious beliefs to inform their participation in the political process

-Christians aren’t in a special category of people who can’t or shouldn’t participate in the political process just because their views are religiously motivated

***Our country isn’t committed to the authority of a particular religion, but individuals who are have very right to bring their views into the public square and vote accordingly

Christian objections to political involvement:

-Christians shouldn’t impose their views on others

-Christians shouldn’t seek power

-Getting involved in politics harms our witness

-Political divisions disrupt unity in the church

-Christians shouldn’t be partisan

Responding to Objections:

1-Christians shouldn’t impose their views on others

-culture regularly tells us that one of the highest virtues is tolerance and that separation of church and state is central to our democracy

Ex. “I’m firmly pro-life, but I don’t think I should impose my views on other people.”

Ex. “Women have to decide what’s best for them.”

Wrong:

-to impose means to force something to be accepted by someone else

-politically, we are talking about the legal force of policy decisions

***In every matter of policy, someone is imposing their view on  someone else

Ex. if we pass laws against speeding, we’re imposing the view that speeding is harmful on those who don’t think 

Ex. if we pass laws against theft, we’re imposing the view that theft is wrong on those who would like to shoplift consequence-free

Ex. if we pass laws against pedophilia, we’re imposing the view that pedophilia is wrong on those who believe it’s a natural and harmless orientation that should be fulfilled

**It is not unkind or intolerant when you advocate for laws that reflect your viewpoint

-That is the NATURE of PUBLIC POLICY

-doesn’t the Constitution prohibit imposing religious views on others?

-it depends on what you mean by imposing religious views

The First Amendment of the US Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

***the Establishment Clause ensure that the government will not establish state-supported church and will not force individuals to practice a specific religion

-it cannot “impose” religious views in that way

-we’re not committed to the authority of any particular religion in public life

2-Christians shouldn’t seek power:

***there is not a problem with power; the problem is those who abuse it 

-the word power has come to have a negative connotation today that it is used as a frequent objection to Christian political involvement

-when Christians seeks political positions or political influence they are accused of being power-hungry or power-worshipers like power is inherently bad

-power is just the authority and ability to execute a governing role

-government, by definition, is the body to which we give the power to make, enforce, and judge the laws of this country

-as long as we have government, someone will be in power, and those in power sought out that power

-power is necessary for public influence

***Christians should give power to those who will steward it well

By:

-promote what’s good and restrains evil

-be mindful of Christians who seek power for the wrong reasons or use power in ungodly ways

-careful when the church takes on a theological nature

Ex. Jesus gave up His power on the cross, so we should give up our power as well

This is problematic reasoning:

-it is not an accurate characterization of the cross

-Jesus willingly laid down His life for mankind

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again” (John 10:18).

-Jesus was not defeated by the cross

-Jesus atoning death and subsequent resurrection were the greatest victories of all time

-Jesus was and still is sovereign over all things 

“It’s the consistent witness of Scripture that God cares about the just and righteous functioning of societies–the godly application of power by the rulers God has sovereignly put in place.” 

3-Getting involved in politics harms our witness

-culture won’t  like us if we’re involved in the public square

-if they don’t like us, they won’t want to hear the gospel

-the gospel is of primary importance, we should avoid political subjects 

-if the church is focused on politics then they are not focused on Jesus

-culture dislikes Christians in politics if they have Conservative views

****culture indeed despises when Christians advocate for policies consistent with a biblical worldview and in opposition to the popular moral consensus 

-culture doesn’t like it when Christian advocate for what are typically considered to be conservative causes

***culture will accept Christians who advocate for what are typically considered to be

progressive causes 

-culture accepts politicians in government who identify as Christian and promote progressive causes 

-culture do not like Christians who advocate for politically unpopular positions out of concern for the gospel

-cultures do not like Christians to draw clear positions 

“If these positions logically follow from a biblical worldview, are we not downplaying the significance of the gospel itself by refusing to speak to how the gospel transforms our entire view of reality?” 

-people will be offended by the gospel alone

-people will be offended by the truths that flow from the implications of the gospel

***We cannot separate to minimize offense

-we cannot hide parts of the truth in hopes that people will like us enough to hear the rest is cowardly

-silent complicity with some of the greatest evils is the greatest evil

***We are to do what’s right and leave the results to God 

4-Political divisions disrupt unity in the church

-in an increasingly polarized culture, many Christians have experienced “disagreement fatigue”

-it is essential to have peace and unity within the church as followers of Jesus

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17: 20-23).

-we must acknowledge that unity is vital

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).

-the problem is when Christians  strive to pursue unity at all costs, including the cost of truth

-the Bible never suggests that we should sacrifice truth in order to achieve some kind of polite collective agreement in the vague name of unity

-the Bible teaches to divide from those who are not holding to truth

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17).

“They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit” (Jude 1:18-19).

-some divisions resulting the removal of error within the church is good

-do not divide on trivial issues not on doctrine

Ex. I believe Jesus rose from the dead, and I’ve accepted His forgiveness of sin. But I believe we should be able to kill whomever we want.

-do you think that Paul’s church would have allowed Drag Queen Story Hour

-we cannot delineate between doctrine and its applications 

-we can disagree on the particulars of a policy but not on the underlying doctrinal principles

-sinful pride can lead to division in the church

***division itself isn’t the problem

***wrongful division is the problem

-there must be clear biblical positions on political issues of great significance for the common good

-Biblical unity revolves around truth, not polite agreement where no agreement should be found

5-Christians shouldn’t be partisan

-people tend to express concerns of partisanship only when they think Christianity is associated with unpopular conservative positions

Christians are partisan to the world when:

-we do not put our political party before it’s placed in Jesus

-we support a given party that mostly reflects biblical positions

-we do not automatically support everything put forth by a party just because it’s the party we often vote for

-we do not think politicians associated with a given party are necessarily of better character

-we do not think the party we typically vote for has its own problems with blind spots or corruption

-we do not believe you aren’t saved if you vote for a different party

- we do not believe you are saved if you support the party Christians are typically associated with

***We recognize that it’s entirely possible b biblical positions will line up more with one party than the other. And if we appear to the world as politically one-sided then so be it. 

Politics: Christians involved in ending slavery

-universal agreement in Western cultures today is that slavery was a devastating and evil institution 

-thanks to abolitionists in 19th century America, slavery was eradicated in 1865 through the 13th amendment

-the process of passing an amendment was political in nature 

“No one objects to modern-day Christian political influence would claim that Christians should not have sought to end slavery just because it required involvement in the political process.”

-this is a great test case for the validity of popular objections to political involvement today

***when you encounter an objection, restate it using the preface, “Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because……”

1-Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because we shouldn’t have imposed our views on others

-Public Policy: one groups’ view was being imposed on another

-slavery is evil and we don’t want to live in a society where an evil institution is legal

-we recognize that people who do not see slavery as evil are objectively wrong

-in this matter it is important to impose the morally correct view on them

You wouldn’t say, “I’m antislavery, but I don’t want to impose my views on other people.”

**The question is what is the right moral position?

2-Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because that involved seeing the power to do so

-slavery was able to exist and thrive because it was legal in several states

-in order to abolish slavery, people in power–through the House of Representatives and the Senate–were able to pass the 13th amendment

-we don’t question their government power because we know that was the morally and politically correct position to take 

***Absurd to say “that because Jesus ‘gave up” His power by dying on the cross, we shouldn’t have used power to save millions of people from slavery.”

3-Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because getting involved with a political issue harmed our witness 

-slavery treated people as dehumanized property

-Christian abolitionists witness to the world was to boldly proclaim the objectively evil nature of slavery given that all people are image bearers of God 

-we mourn today that there were Christians who didn’t recognize the truth at the time

-just because pro-slavery Americans didn’t want to hear the truth about injustice of slavery didn’t stop anti-slavery Americans from eradicating slavery through their witness in society

-they proclaimed the gospel plus the advocacy for truths that flowed from the gospel

4-Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because it disrupted unity in the church

-historically, the issue of slavery disrupted unity within the church

-denominations permanently spit on the issue of slavery

-no one today would chastise the churches who continued to speak out against slavery

-freedom should have unified the church but even in the church there were pro-slavery stances 

**it was essential that we recognized the unity of antislavery and proslavery positions should have disrupted the church as one of these positions was in serious error

5-Christians shouldn’t have worked to end slavery because Christians shouldn’t have been partisan

-no one is concerned with whether the antislavery position resulted in Christians taking sides with one particular party or not

-we don’t accuse the abolitionist Christians of political idolatry for their one-sided involvement against slavery 

***we have to evaluate the issue itself: the morality of holding image bearers as property

-we see it through the lens of what the Bible teachers

-we took sides because we realized there was only one morally correct side to take

***Christians must take sides–but only through the lens of the Bible

Christian Political Engagement Facilitates the Common Good:

-some say “you can’t legislate morality”

-this is twisted because someone’s morality is always being legislated 

-some say “Christians shouldn’t impose their views on others”

-this is twisted as someone is always imposing their views on others

-some say “Christians shouldn’t seek power”

-this is twisted because we don’t seek human power but God’s power

-we seek humans who will steward the power well in this world

***we are called to be politically involved on issues of great moral significance for the common good

***take every opportunity to advocate for righteousness and against evil

***we have the responsibility of  doing so out of our love for others whether it’s an issue considered political or not

When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square by Natasha Crain Chapter 3

 Chapter 3: When the Common Good is Political 

Our calling will inevitably overlap with the political process in some way

-Christians are called to advocate for righteousness on behalf of the common good 

-Christians need a healthy view of what it can and should mean to be political

Clearing the Baggage:

-What do the words politics and politically really mean?

-What preconceived notions come to mind when politics and faith intersect?

-Does the Bible teach it is love of country or love of God?

-Will it be too painful to have controversial topics?

-Do we have to choose between discipleship or political activism?

-Is there a difference between voting when an election arises to a Christian being political?

Politics: is defined “the way that people living in groups make decisions.”

-politics is the way people decide on the parameters of how they are going to live together

-if we are going live together in communities then we have to agree on the  parameters of how we are going to live together

-we have to define what life in common will look like

-this does include what we call formally the government

-we invest in the authority to make and enforce laws for a defined community 

“Christians who live in countries with the opportunity to influence the governing structure toward making and enforcing laws that promote the common good should embrace that opportunity out of a love for others.”

Applying faith in politics:

-Christians fear finding common ground on politics because they only view the negatives of it causes separation

-Christians should embrace positive engagement when applying faith to politics

Ex. you wouldn't avoid teaching a child how to ride a bike because cars may not see them on the road. You teach the child how to ride the bike strategically in traffic. You stay engaged with the child and how they navigate the road when riding that bike

What Christians shouldn’t do:

-put love of country above the love for God 

-nothing should be placed over truth (political or otherwise)

-never look to politics as your savior

-never engage in political discussions in uncharitable, ungracious ways

-do not disengage and treat all political positions as only state issues separated from the church

-do not be intellectually or spiritually lazy

What Christians should do:

-view all politics through the lens of Christ

-Christians should engage politically

-Christians use good conscience to bring their faith into the public square of the political realm

God’s purpose for government:

-the Bible gives very little specifics to how Christians should relate to and engage in influencing the governing structure under which we live

-this has led people to conclude that it’s forbidden, undesirable, or unimportant for Christians to be involved in the political sphere

***the Bible does teach about government or from an understanding of Jesus’s historical-political context

Where in the Bible:

Old Testament:

Genesis 9: 5-6 is considered civil government

-Noah and his family exit the ark 

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood shed, for God made man in his own image.”

-mankind is responsible for executing punishment for certain actions 

-God calls out nations for not practicing righteousness and justice

-there is an expectation that civil leaders are responsible for promoting what is good and restraining what is evil

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31: 8-9).

Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue” (Daniel 4: 27).

New Testament:

Roman 13: 1-7 point to 3 pivotal Biblical teachings on government that should shape our views today

1st: civil rulers receive their authority from God Himself, and as such His servants (vs. 1-4)

-this means that the institution of civil government is a good thing

-this doesn’t mean that everything government does is good

-this doesn’t mean Christians should be in limitless obedience to the government

-the Bible has many rulers doing evil in spite of their God-given role

-the role is good, but the execution of the role by sinful humans won’t always be

-the reality is we live in a fallen world

-there are examples in history where civil disobedience has been appropriate

***Especially when there’s a conflict between obedience to God and obedience to government

Scripture provides precedents:

-the apostles were commanded to stop preaching the gospel (Acts 4:18)

-there response: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

-the disciples knew their highest authority is God who called them to preach the gospel (Matthew 28: 16-20)

-when lower authorities contradicted that command, their allegiance was God first

-ex. the Hebrew midwives in Exodus 1 

-ex. Rahab in Joshua 2

-ex. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3

-ex. Daniel in Daniel 6

-ex. The wise men in Matthew 2

-civil rulers should be God’s servants for promoting good (Romans 13: 4)

-the term good is up for debate

ex. Should the government provide good healthcare for all? Or a good public education?

***there is a limit to what government can provide because financial resources are finite

-it’s a Biblical principle that civil governments should indeed promote the good

-Christians will disagree on how to prioritize individual goods their government should pursue

Civil rulers have the authority to bear the sword as avengers on God’s behalf (Romans 13: 4)

-God has given humans -through government-the authority to punish evil

-civil government has the role of restraining evil now until God’s return

-Christians sometimes point to Jesus when he stated to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)

-Jesus was talking about personal conduct not the role of government institutions

***when justice is necessary, civil rulers are God’s agents for carrying it out

Romans 13 provides a foundational framework:

-Christians are to advocate for government to function as God intended to promote good and restrain evil

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2: 13-14).

-the Bible is clear that civil government plays a vital and God-given role in our earthly communities

-civil leaders are to be in service to God

-the good they promote and the evil they restrain should be aligned with godly definitions of those terms

-we need to live in the historical-political context of the Bible

-we must use every opportunity to influence our government to promote good and restrain evil

-we should be advocating for government to function as God intended

Christians should not be involved in political influence is wrong:

-do not ignore Jesus’s historical-political context

-the day Jesus was born-the Roman Empire had ruled for 60 years

-the Jews desired political independence

***Look at the history-Jesus had reasons he didn’t specifically talk about the need for His disciples to influence government

-they had little opportunity to do so at the time

-Jesus was first the long awaited Messiah who would give his life as a ransom for all mankind (Mark 10:45)

-Jesus came for a purpose and his eyes stayed on his mission to die, rise from the dead, to give hope of eternal life to those who place their trust in Him for forgiveness of sins

-He had 3 short years for his public ministry (Luke 10:9)

-Jesus didn’t directly address subjects like racism, domestic violence, child abuse

***Don’t let his silence on a specific subject imply the subject is not forbidden, undesirable, or unimportant for Christians to care about and address today

-we have to consider the entirety of Scripture because all Scripture “is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16).

-the Bible, in its entirety, provides many relevant principles that indicate the vital role Christians should play in advocating for righteousness in the public square

***Both Old testament and New testament Biblical figures engaged with civil authorities and the broader implications of Jesus’s exhortation to be salt and light 

Politics in Light of Church History:

-1st 3 centuries after Jesus lived on Earth, both Jews and Christians were oppressed by the Roman Empire for refusing to acknowledge the divinity of the emperor

-Christianity was illegal, and Christians had to practice their faith in secret

-political theology of how best to influence government for the common good or for the restraint of evil wasn’t a priority

-people were subject to Roman rule: obeying the law, paying taxes, and fulfilling the basic duties of being a good Roman subject

-Christianity was not only legalized in AD 313, but was also made the official religion of the Roman Empire in AD 380

-the church had the power to have almost unlimited influence in governing a wide swath of society

-Christian theologians like Augustin to prominent medieval thinkers like Thomas Aquino, and William of Ockham  wrote expositions on natural law

-the next radical shift started when Martin Luther challenged the practices and teachings of the Catholic Church in 1517

-the time came to be known as the Protestant Reformation

-civil and religious (Catholic) authority had been intertwined and functioned closely together until the emergence of Protestantism

-the hierarchy of authority between church and state stated being questioned

-there was a split between the relationship between individual Christians and the state

***post-Reformation world was the degree to which Christians should expect to influence their societies now that the church and state were no longer interconnected in the same way

-Augustine and other post-Reformation thinkers were far more optimistic about the possibilities of Christian influence 

-Christians can change society

-Christian theological traditions has recognized that God established civil government for the purpose of promoting good and restraining evil

-Christians have a role in advocating for righteousness in society accordingly

-societal changes took place in Europe after the Reformation

-a new set of political questions arose as Protestants and Catholics had to learn to live side by side 

**now add atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, etc…

-worldview is at odds with now with the true Biblical worldview

America:

-we can’t say with any historical accuracy that we were always bound together by a steadfast commitment to the core doctrines of Christianity

-But, we can certainly say that for most of the history we were bound together by values rooted in the Christian worldview

***Americans are declining in beliefs consistent with the core truths of what the Bible teachers

-worldviews at fundamental odds with Christianity

-Christians sometimes consider politics to be an unnecessary distraction to the church, history  begs to differ

When the Common Good is Political:

-people today lament the political polarization we see as if it’s just a function of no one wanting to get along

-seismic split that has happened in people’s underlying views on the nature of reality

-Christin views of reality are not only wrong but are often destructive when taken to their natural conclusion in the political domain

-ex. Those who believe that a pre-born baby is just a clump of cells will want to enshrine the right to destroy those “cells” at will in law

-ex. Marriage and parental rights is socially constructed and an obstacle to human freedom will want to tear down the nuclear family

-ex. Those who believe children are sexual creatures will seek legal ways to introduce sexually explicit content to public school kids at a younger and younger ages

-ex. Those who believe that moral disagreement is hate will advocate for greater limits on freedom of speech and restrictions on religious liberty 

***We have an enormous and urgent opportunity we have to be light in this darkening culture

-the light we need to shine today often has nothing to do with politics

-we need to advocate for the common good

-we must be politically engaged

-many times the common good falls under the category of political

-take the opportunity seriously as we have to influence government in a godly way

**** “Not because we want to war with culture, but because we love God and because we love people.”