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Will Voting for Donald Trump Ruin the Evangelical Witness?

10/18/2016

 
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The most common objection I've received from my recent article on why I'm voting for Trump (reluctantly and grudgingly though it may be), is that I'm told if evangelicals vote for Trump it ruins the witness of the church to the watching world.
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I'm told that when believers vote for Trump they're discrediting Christ and His church and creating stumbling blocks for unbelievers to trust in Christ.
While good-intentioned as these arguments may be, I reject them for at least the following reasons: (1) The political atmosphere is only a byproduct of the cultural war, which we evangelicals as a whole have given up on long ago. If we're to worry about tainting our witness to the world, it must start first and foremost with the cultural war, (2) We have a solid history in Scripture where our fellow-saints were able to live in good conscience, given the circumstances around them, with supporting immoral people in office (or a position of political power) and even helping them attain such a position. The situation we face today is similar. And we would do well to follow their example. (3) Seeking the world's approval should be the furthest thing from us - even when it comes to politics.
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This Means You Too, Pastors...

10/9/2016

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​​I recently posted that I will be voting for Trump, on the principle of what is often referred to as the "Lesser of Two Evils." [And no, I'm not jealous for that term.] And though there are many who disagree with me on that, I argued from what I see as a Biblical approach to voting in our modern situation based on Biblical principles.

​We disagree. And that's fine.

​In that post, and even now, I would not counsel anyone to vote against their conscience (Rom. 14:22-23). The only thing I encourage all of us to do now, and until we're glorified, is that we try as best we can, in the Spirit of God, to ensure our conscience is informed by the Word of God (Ps. 119:11). As I said before, consciences can be led astray (1 Tim. 4:2).
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Picture credit to wrathandgrace.com
What probably didn't come across in my last post as much as I should have stressed, is that either of these options (Trump or Hilary) is a judgment from God (Prv. 16:4; cf. 1 Sam. 8:7-8, 9-18).

I did say it in the last post, but I probably didn't stress it enough.

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Voting While Gritting My Teeth #Election2016

9/29/2016

 
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​In less than 40 days our nation will choose the next President of the United States. I hate the two-party system; but, like it or not, either Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton will be the next POTUS.

I'm not going to tell you to vote for Trump; I'm not going to tell you to vote for a third party candidate; I'm not going to tell you to abstain from voting.
And I'm certainly not going to tell you to vote for Hilary. What I am going to do is write down the principles I believe we have in Scripture when our nation is faced with such a choice as is before us today, and what I plan to do in light of them.

But before I do that, let's go in reverse order as to why I'm not going to tell you to [fill in the blank]:
​

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The Repentance of a Nation Starts at Home #MakeAmericaGreatAgain

7/18/2016

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We all know how true the proverbs ring to our ears - especially in 2016:

"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."
-Proverbs 29:2

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
-Proverbs 14:34

We also know that in Scripture God has and does judge entire nations and peoples based on their collective sinfulness (Gen. 18:20, cf. Gen. 19:24-25 // Gen. 15:14, 15, cf. Ex. 14:29, 30; Deut. 20:16-18 // Lev. 20:22, 23, cf. 2 Kgs. 21:10-15).
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And often enough (and what I believe we've experienced) He installs wicked rulers, in part, as a judgment for the sinful acts of a nation (Prv. 16:4; cf. Judg. 2:11-15). Of course, thankfully, in His mercy He relents from judgment when a nation collectively repents (Jon. 1:2, 3:10; cf. 2 Chron. 7:14; Dan. 9:1-19). That's something to which we ought to pay great attention in our lives today!

Repentance is still an option; and a viable one at that!

​But what of what kind of repentance are we speaking? And how do we go about doing it?

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Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils...

3/12/2016

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It's that time again...for whom do we vote if none of the candidates are the ones we would want to see in office? Or do we vote at all?

What, ethically, is the responsibility of the Christian in all of this? Should we even concern ourselves with the politics of this world, when, after all, our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20)?

Or are we to take an active interest in politics, if nothing else for the good of our family and our posterity (1 Tim. 2:1-2, 5:8)?
Obviously, like in any area of life, we need to take into consideration what the whole Bible says about a situation, and not just limit ourselves to pet proof texts. Yes, our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20), yet our marching orders from the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given, are to disciple all nations of the world (Mt. 28:18-20). Discipling includes applying His Lordship to every area of life - even the politics of this world (Rom. 11:36, 13:1-7; 2 Cor. 10:5).

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A Few Words on Kim Davis

9/7/2015

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I don't have much to add to the thousands of other voices that have been sounded in this issue. My particular favorites at this point have been the following:

Some Sober and Needful Thoughts on the Defiance of Clerks in Kentucky
by Matt Trewhella

Kim Davis and the call to all Christian officials
by Joel McDurmon

In Which I Paint With Some Bright Yellows
by Douglas Wilson
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All I wish to do is to call attention to the false dichotomy being imposed in the chant: "Do your job or resign." For one thing, Kim Davis, by neglecting to issue marriage licenses to homosexual couples, is doing her job. The State of Kentucky Constitution reads thus:

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God Bless Memorial Day

5/21/2015

 
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.
-John 15:13
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Unlike Veteran's Day, where we set apart some time to thank those who are serving or have served in the armed forces for the sake of protecting us and our nation, on Memorial Day we take special time to remember those who gave their lives for that protection.

This is no small thing. War is not simply "a part of life." And those who die in battle ought to be mourned. Indeed, David did this very thing when he heard of Saul and Jonathan. He lamented, "How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!" (2 Sam. 1:25). 
His lament was for both of them (2 Sam. 1:23): Jonathan, who was like a dear brother to him (2 Sam. 1:26), and also Saul (2 Sam. 1:24), who tried to kill him (1 Sam. 19:1, 20:33). David lamented and was grieved over both of their deaths that occurred as a result of the fallen-world calamity we call war.

People feel pain. The loss of loved ones and even the loss of past enemies can reduce the strongest of men to tears beyond counting. And I say again, this is no small thing. War is not a trivial matter. In the words of one of my good friends: "War is a hellish death machine, an unfortunate consequence of fallen man's condition."

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Christmas and the Civil Magistrates

12/22/2014

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I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, like men you shall die and fall like any prince."
-Psalm 82:6-7
Thus spoke God to wicked civil rulers.
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The Massacre of the Innocents at Bethlehem, by Matteo di Giovanni
God has appointed the civil magistrates. And while they bear the power of the sword, they must bear it only under His authority, punishing crimes as He has defined them (Deut. 4:8, 19:20-21) and protecting life as He has defined it (Ps. 139:13; Ex. 21:22-25), lest they bear the sword in vain (Rom. 13:3-5; Ps. 2:10-12).

Otherwise, they too will come into His judgment. They will "die and fall like any prince" (Ps. 82:7); they will "perish in the way" (Ps. 2:12).


Herod the Great is a prime example of an unjust ruler. It wasn't that his power was being threatened that spurred his unjust decree to kill all children two years of age or under (Mt. 2:16). It was that he thought of it as "his" power at all. He was in a role appointed by God to act under God's authority carrying out God's vengeance upon evildoers (Rom. 13:3-4). Ignoring that, he carried out his own vengeance on innocent lives.

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Seeking Justice In a Fallen World

9/30/2014

 
Almost two months ago now (here in my own town of Beavercreek, Ohio), two innocent lives were tragically ended.

Now as a Christian, obviously when I say "innocent" I don't mean they were without sin. For we are all born sinners (Ps. 51:5), and we are all sinners by practice (Rom. 3:10ff).
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Consequently, in the high court of God our only escape from His just judgment for our sins is for us to place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who - though He was sinless - laid down His own life for His sheep, so that those who believe in Him will have life eternal (Jn. 10:11, 20:30-31).

But regarding the court of humanity, the lives of John Crawford III and Angela Williams, were innocent and not deserving of death. And I think it is important to remember this fact that two innocent lives were ended in this tragedy.

The reason I regard this a tragedy is because they simply did not deserve to die. And yet one of them was shot and killed on sight, while the other, suffering from a heart condition aggravated by the events, died as a result of the shooting.

It is in times like these where we cannot simply dismiss the events as a tragic loss and move on with our lives. Innocent people were killed. The whole community, along with the families of John and Angela, are, or should be, crying out, "Where is justice?"

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America's Place in Bringing Peace to the Middle East

8/14/2014

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There is an answer to the atrocities occurring in the Middle East. There is a solution that will bring peace to that region of the world. The Bible has that answer. And would you believe that the United States of America has a role to play in that solution?

Of course, it is very unfortunate that the United States has also already had a role to play (a negative role, that is) in the current state of affairs. And we’ll get to that later. The important thing to understand right now is that, right now, citizens of the United States have, not just a role, but a moral duty to bring peace to the Middle East.
Gaza
Reuters
In order to avoid as much misunderstanding as I can, let me clarify what I just said. Firstly, citizens of the United States have a moral duty to bring peace to the Middle East. This does not, by necessity, mean the government (by use of military power) has a moral duty (or even a right) to bring peace to the Middle East (though it could be the case in certain circumstances). Secondly, we have a duty to bring peace to the Middle East. This does not, by necessity, mean our goal is to bring democracy.

So how do citizens of the U.S. bring peace to the Middle East?

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Understanding Our Independence

7/4/2014

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http://www.history.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/declaration-facts-wide.jpg
I am by no means an American history scholar. While I would like to spend more time understanding our colonial heritage (and have plans to do so), I still would not consider myself an able history buff in that area.

However, I don't think one needs to be a scholar in order to understand the language found in our Declaration of Independence.
Even in my lay-level reading of the document it seems that a general survey of the Declaration of Independence will provide us with at least two things to consider during this time of year - and especially during this time of our own nation's history.

  1. What were the founding fathers declaring the states they represented to be independent from?
  2. By whose authority were they declaring that independence?

These two things will provide (what I believe to be) some thoughtful considerations of which to be mindful.

So it's the 4th of July - Independence Day! What really was it from which we were declaring our independence? And by what authority were we doing so?

Let's consider...

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Book Review: The Establishment and Limits of Civil Government: An Exposition of Romans 13:1-7

5/27/2014

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This was a very interesting read that I would recommend for anyone looking for a very thorough treatment of Romans 13:1-7 and its subsequent applications.

Admittedly the book took me places where I was unprepared to go and in which I found myself a little uncomfortable.

I was expecting the book to talk about the importance of the text in relating the civil magistrate to a minister of God. And it certainly did that.

What I was not expecting the book to speak to is how far we can (or should) allow the civil magistrate to go - outside its limits set by God - before submission to it is no longer a praiseworthy act of obedience to our Lord.
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Written in the mid nineteenth century, the style was noticeably different from modern expositors. It was engaging; but you really have to be paying attention the entire time (i.e. this book is not one of those you can read with a toddler running around being all cute and cuddly and handing you things - you'll need to be in your study, alone).

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Loving Our Neighbors in The Crimean Crisis

3/15/2014

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I still have not really figured out fully what is happening over there near the Black Sea.

In researching as much as I can with the small amount of time I have, it seems, I stress "seems," there are actually three separate political sovereigns immediately involved in the situation: Ukraine, Russia, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.(1)

Admittedly, I'm really very unclear as to how it all works.(2) But while I have no scientific evidence to back this up, I'm fairly confident that the majority of U.S. citizens are in the same boat.
Map of Ukraine in Europe
I'm okay with that though for the intended purposes of this post.(2) My point in all this is not to explain the relationship between those three political sovereigns (or two - again I'm still unclear on the details), but my point is simply to ask, from a Biblical perspective, how should the U.S. be involved?

Should the U.S. impose sanctions against Russia?
Should the U.S. send aid to Ukraine?

The answers to those questions will, in part, depend on how we define the U.S.

Should the U.S. (as in the U.S. government) impose sanctions against Russia?
Should the U.S. (as in private American citizens) send aid to Ukraine?

Here is where it gets a little more sticky.

But regardless of how we're defining the terms and how sticky the situation is, as Christians, we still need to think of it in terms of Christian ethics (that is, in terms of what we ought to do regarding the situation according to God's Word and the Lordship of Christ in our lives). And indeed, we ought to do something...

But what is it that we ought to do?

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Book Review: God and Politics: Four Views on the Reformation of Civil Government

2/18/2014

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A Great Read, but one of these is not like the others

This book might not be readily accepted by some who are looking for very divergent views. For instance by the title of the book I was thinking there would be a case for Christian-democratic-liberalism, Christian-republic-rhetoric(ism), Christian-libertarianism, and yes maybe Christian-theonomy.

While I think a book like that would be helpful, since there are at least professing believers in each of those camps, I was very delighted with what I actually found in this work.

According to the foreword, the book is comparing specifically “Reformed” views on Christian political theory. The subtitle “Four Views on the Reformation of Civil Government” then takes on a slightly more telling meaning.
Among those four views, with the exception of one (which will be explained later), they are all saying the same thing - the law of God is to be the very foundation from which all our modern laws are to be derived.

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Book Review: Theonomy and the Westminster Confession

1/28/2014

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Theonomy and the Westminster Confession
A Historic Defense of the Un-Heretical Heresy

This is not a Biblical defense of the theological orthodoxy of theonomy.(1) Instead, it is a historical defense that the theonomic viewpoint is not at all something new. This is a book of quotes from primary sources of men who either (a) were members of the Westminster Assembly, (b) gave theological influence to members of the Assembly, or (c) otherwise subscribed to the Confession when it was published.

While the school of thought known as Theonomy began to gain popularity in the late 20th century, it was sometimes summarily dismissed in Reformed circles as heresy by the "fact" that it contradicted the Westminster Standards:
To [Israel] also, as a body politic, he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people; not obliging any other now, further than the general equity thereof may require.
(Westminster Confession, Chapter XIX, Section IV)
What "the general equity thereof may require," of course, is something that needs to be understood in light of the historical, grammatical context in which the statement was written.

If the authors of the Westminster Standards truly believed that the penal sanctions of the civil aspect of the Mosaic Law had no abiding validity, then understood in today's English it would seem this statement invariably settles the matter.

But did they actually believe that?
And if not, what is meant by that statement?

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