Choices for Troubled Times – 8. Platform over Personality

Presidential Election 2020 offers voters a stark contrast between the two tickets, Trump-Pence (R) and Biden-Harris (D).  Supporters of each ticket have criticized the personality, rhetoric, and behavior of the opposing ticket while noting that “he doesn’t seem very presidential” or “he doesn’t seem up to the demands of the office.”   But many Americans are realizing that they must weigh concerns about rhetoric, personality, and leadership style against the stark difference in governing philosophy and vision for America between the two tickets.

Party Platforms Matter
I have been looking into the actual differences between the two presidential tickets by comparing the 2020 Democratic Party Platform with the 2016-2020 Republican Party Platform. The notion that party platforms are good predictors of future actions by the candidates is supported by a recent The Gospel Coalition article which states:

While the platform is not binding on the presidential nominee or any other politicians, political scientists have found that over the past 30 years lawmakers in Congress tend to vote in line with their party’s platform: 89 percent of the time for Republicans, and 79 percent of the time for Democrats. For this reason, we should be aware of what is proposed in these documents and how they may affect the welfare of our nation (Jeremiah 29:7).

If party platforms are good predictors, then it is clear that the upcoming election will have a major influence on the future of our nation.  I’m a registered Republican, but I personally know supporters of both the Democrat and Republican platforms who are people of solid character, politically informed, and sincere in the belief that their candidates have what America needs most.  Therefore, let’s lay aside judgment of the personalities of the candidates and of their supporters.  Let us forget about our party affiliation and pressures from family and friends.  Then, let us examine the differences in party platforms which are rooted in two fundamentally different views of the natural world and of human nature—i.e. two different worldviews. 

Two Different Worldviews
First, let’s define two different worldviews.  Then, we can consider how each worldview justifies the governing philosophy and resultant policy approaches promised in the respective platforms.  Finally, we will highlight ten (10) important differences in philosophy and platform policy that voters ought to consider as each of these are addressed by the two presidential tickets as a logical outgrowth of their respective worldviews and governing philosophies.

The conservative approach to governance which is evident in the Republican platform emphasizes “freedom, individuality, the sense of community, the sanctity of the family, the supremacy of the conscience, the spiritual view of life” (W.F. Buckley, Up from Liberalism, Pickle Partners Publ., 1959).  Conservatism is generally grounded in a spiritual worldview which recognizes the role of a Creator and His Divine Providence in American history. 

In his book, The Conscience of a Conservative (Victor Publishing Co., 1960), Arizona Senator, Barry Goldwater, explained that conservatives give priority to the “enhancement of man’s spiritual nature as the primary concern of political philosophy… foremost among the transcendent values is the individual’s use of his God-given free will, whence derives his right to be free from the restrictions of arbitrary force…” (Heritage Foundation).  Many historians attribute the amazing scientific, technological, economic, and cultural achievements of America to her virtuous work ethic, creativity, and entrepreneurship inspired within a free enterprise system in a society protected by law enforcement and due process in the courts.  For more elaboration, see Footnote 2, at the end of this blog entry.

The liberal or progressive approach which is evident in the Democrat Party platform is generally grounded in a naturalistic worldview which emphasizes the material dimension of mankind.  Knowledge essential to the betterment of society is obtained by scientific inquiry and human reason.  Instead of locating the value and identity of each person on the basis of Divine Providence, each individual is identified according to a community or class with particular needs.  It is the duty of government to act on behalf of each interest group to ensure equal opportunity and equality with respect to human rights and provision of material needs for all.  Emphasis upon “separation of church and state” has caused progressives to view religion and spirituality separately from the social contract between individual and government.  

Progressives generally favor expanded government regulation, government ownership property and means of production, taxation, and other means to redistribute wealth and opportunity necessary to level the playing field among the social classes.  Because our society and moral values are seen as evolving, progressives believe the U.S. Constitution is a “living document” which justifies “judicial activism” and “social justice” as a means to achieve human rights, equality, and opportunity.  In the name of empathy and compassion, emotions tend to weigh more prominently than human reason to justify a passion for social causes.  The Progressive approach is very evident in the Democrat Party platform.

Two Different Governing Philosophies
Conservative View of Freedom and Responsibility
Our Declaration of Independence proclaims certain …truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.  Our U.S. Constitution reflects the spirit of this Declaration and provides the foundation for our constitutional republic.   Table 1 lists ten (10) platform emphases or policies that are rooted in a Conservative governing philosophy.

Progressive View of Freedom and Responsibility
According to progressives, the U.S. Constitution as applied in its “original intent” by its framers is no longer adequate for the governance of the American people.  The promise of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” has not been fulfilled in America.  Instead, the majority of Americans are subjugated by the wishes of a powerful, wealthy ruling class.  If God exists, He has little influence upon the powerful although some progressives base their call for social justice on what amounts to God’s call for righteousness recorded in the Bible.  Again, please refer to Table 1 to see a point-for-point comparison of how a liberal-progressive worldview influences governing philosophy compared to conservatism.

Ten Considerations for Voters
Having described the two major worldviews and resultant governing philosophies of conservatism and liberal-progressivism, let’s consider the ten (10) political platform issues which distinguish the two presidential tickets.  Table 2 below elaborates on each of the ten (10) comparisons in Table 1.  We should note that not all Conservatives and Progressives would hold to all of the respective beliefs or policies attributed to their particular philosophy.  Nevertheless, as you compare how the two governing philosophies affect platform and promises for each of the ten (10) points, it should be evident that the Trump-Pence ticket aligns with the Conservative philosophy while Biden-Harris align with the Progressive view. 

The contrasts in Table 2 emphasize that the two party platforms and respective presidential tickets are quite different.  The stakes for the future of America are also high.  Regardless of our choice of presidential ticket, we ought to focus on the differences in governing philosophy and resultant vision for America rather than differences in personality and campaign style.

How Will You Respond?
While I have contrasted the party platforms, I have not argued about the differences in prior accomplishments of the two presidential candidates or differences in personal integrity, physical stamina, or work ethic.  All of these, in addition to differences in party platform are important considerations that must not be ignored.

May I invite you to respond using “Comments” (see below) if there are particular points you wish to add to what I have shared?   If you prefer a more private means of communication, please use my e-mail at silviusj@gmail.com. 

Footnotes:
¹ Comparisons are based on philosophies generally held by Conservatives and Progressives, respectively.  It is recognized that not all who consider themselves in one camp or the other will hold to all of the respective beliefs or policies attributed to their particular philosophy. 

² Perceived importance of religious faith, particularly Christian and Jewish faith, in our government seems to be diminishing as evidenced by Progressive support for removing the display of the Ten Commandments, the undermining of religious freedom and its two major components—the right to religious belief and the right to religious expression.  Two cases in point demonstrate that liberal justices of the Supreme Court favor restricting First Amendment freedoms:   First, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) questions Judge Amy Coney Barrett:  https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Feinstein-focus-on-Amy-Coney-Barrett-s-Catholic-15599868.php   Second, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) questions Judge Barrett and notes that, by a 5-4 Supreme Court decision in the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission barely preserved the First Amendment supporting our freedom of expression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPhOrVsrWKs

³ “The 1619 Project is an ongoing project developed by The New York Times Magazine in 2019 which "aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of [the United States'] national narrative" (Wikipedia).  Conservatives including President Trump point out that the 1619 Project curriculum for schools teaches critical race theory (or critical theory) which is based on socialist and Marxist ideology.

⁴ As quoted by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”  In other words, the "laws of nature and of nature's God" entitle the United States to independence. Men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." Congress appeals "to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions."  Here is a video of a Catholic priest speaking on behalf of the sanctity of human life and the inconsistent stand of Catholic political leaders including Joe Biden who do not advocate for human life.  Video, click HERE.

⁵ From the Preamble of the 2016-2020 Republican Platform: “We believe in the Constitution as our founding document. We believe the Constitution was written not as a flexible document, but as our enduring covenant.”  According to Barry Goldwater (The Conscience of a Conservative (Victor Publishing Co., 1960), “the Conservative looks upon politics as the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.” Therefore, “the practice of freedom requires the establishment of order.” That is, one man cannot be free if another man can deny him the exercise of his freedom.  To conservatives, the achievement of limited government and individual freedom under the law is achieved by strict interpretation of the original intent of the Constitution.

⁶ Conservatives oppose government policies that force Americans to violate conscience.  For example, use of tax-payer dollars to fund abortions; or, required payment of union dues that are used to support candidates they do not favor.

⁷ From the Republican Platform, “We believe that people are the ultimate resource— and that the people, not the government, are the best stewards of our country’s God-given natural resources.”  Ethically based free market behavior is the world’s most likely economic system to conserve resources as evidenced by comparing America to China, India, and many developing countries.  Membership in the Paris Accord is not justified both for practical and for political-economic reasons.

---

 [JS1]

Choices for Troubled Times – 7. God’s Unlikely Choices

But his citizens hated him
and sent a delegation after him, saying, 
'We do not want this man to reign over us.’
     -- Luke 19: 14, from a parable of Jesus

Jesus spoke the words of this parable only days before His own countrymen began to express their anger with loud shouts, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him! 

“We don’t want this man to reign over us!” These words are a commentary on the history of mankind.  Unfortunately, they are also a commentary on my life and yours.  However, we are so prone to blame others for our problems.  All of us have had the experience of working with people we can hardly stand--that parent, that spouse, that boss, that pastor, that governor, or that president. 

We Are All “Hard-to-Get-Along-With” People
But if we think our situation is bad, consider that throughout most of history and in many cultures even today, people don’t have the freedom to choose their spouse, or boss, or spiritual leader, or political leader.  We Americans who reside in a democratic republic can’t imagine what it is like to live under a tyrant without representation and without our Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Yet throughout much of human history, three things have existed:

1) people in authority,
2) people who resist and despise authority,
3) and God above all who has given us this principle:
    “Honor my Authority over you,
      and exercise dominion and stewardship
      over the Earth (Genesis 1: 26-31; 2: 15-17).”   

Sadly, it didn’t take long for the first humans to question and then disobey God’s authority.   Human sin led to the curse upon creation and it set in motion God’s loving, redemptive plan to reconcile humans to Himself through Jesus Christ.  Although creation changed under the curse of sin, the three constants—people in authority, people rebelling, and God’s Authority remained.  In fact, during the Roman era of tyrannical emperors like Nero, the Apostle Paul wrote this astounding command: 

All of you must obey those who rule over you.
There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen.
Those who now rule have been chosen by God (Romans 13: 1).  

Paul goes on in vv. 2-7 to explain that obeying our rulers means that we obey laws, pay our taxes, and honor and respect our leaders.   How incredible, you say!

But God’s plan for mankind gets even more amazing!  Not only are we to honor and respect all authorities, but we are to realize that God has allowed all of these to be in office, even the worst rulers.  Let’s hear from some of the people God has chosen as leaders if they could summarize their resumes.

Some Unlikely People God Has Chosen
I was extremely wealthy, but I was a liar. I married a beautiful woman, but when she could not give me a son, I chose to have sex with another woman who gave me a son—and many headaches along with him.  But God patiently nurtured my faith in Him.  By His mercy and grace, God gave me another son through whom I became the “father of many nations” through my descendant, Jesus Christ (Genesis 12, 16, 21).  – Abraham

I was a trickster from birth, stole the inheritance from my twin brother, cheated my employer, and wrestled with God through most of my life.  Then, one night I literally wrestled with God until finally my hip was dislocated and I have walked with a limp ever since.  But by God’s mercy, I became humble and obedient, and He gave me a new name.  (Genesis 25, 27, 32)
 – Israel (formerly Jacob, “the deceiver.”) 

I was a prince, but also a murderer, a coward, a short-tempered man, and one who could not speak well, especially in crowds (Exodus 2, 3).  But God used me to lead a nation of several million out of slavery in Egypt.   – Moses

I was a prostitute who unknowingly welcomed some men into my home, but they only propositioned me for information.  By faith in the God of Israel, I risked my life to help them.  Then, I hung out a red ribbon which became my salvation when God’s army came to destroy my city (Joshua 2, 6).  By God’s grace and mercy, I became the great grandmother of Jesse, the father of King David.   -- Rahab

I was a shepherd, a musician, a writer, a warrior, and a king.  But I became proud of my accomplishments and stole a man’s wife, then killed him to cover up my affair.  Yet, by His rich mercy, God sent a prophet to confront me about my sin.  I repented and was forgiven (Psalm 51).  God remembered His covenant throughout my royal line until, centuries later, my descendant named Jesus was born, “King of the Jews.”  -- David

I was a heathen king of the Empire of Babylon.  I erected an idyllic image of myself and commanded the people to worship me with the threat that I would cremate anyone alive who refused—and I carried out this wicked threat.  But when I became so proud, God humbled me to the point that I became as a wild beast, my body covered with hair, my fingernails as bird claws.  I ate grass like the cattle and was humbled until God in His mercy, restored me to authority where I proclaimed that He only is the righteous Creator to whom all honor is due (Daniel 4: 34-37). –King Nebuchadnezzar

I was a despised tax collector for the Romans, named Levi.  I padded my life with stolen and undeserved excesses in monies extracted from my poor countrymen and women.  Jesus, knowing all about me, came to my tax office and said, “Follow Me.”  I got up and followed Him.  Later, God allowed me to use my gifts under the inspiration of His Holy Spirit to write what became the first gospel in the New Testament.   -- Matthew

Watch video of the call of Jesus to Matthew – Click HERE

I was a Jewish leader (a Pharisee), a scholar and religious teacher.  But when I learned that an itinerant preacher had started a peaceful ‘revolution’ of sorts, I began to round up His followers, called “Christians,” and imprison them.  I even held the coats of my countrymen while they stoned to his death a Christ-follower named Stephen.  But God, “being rich in mercy,” although I was dead in my sin, made me alive with Christ and used me to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the Roman Empire.  My message: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I am the worst of them (1 Timothy 1: 15)!”  – the Apostle Paul (formerly, Saul)

I was born and raised on a family farm.  My parents introduced me to God by taking my sister, brother, and I to church every Sunday.  For years, I wondered how I could be good enough to please God.  Meanwhile, I broke each one of the Ten Commandments, in thought if not in action.  Then, I was introduced to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ who died for my sin.  I still face the challenge of sin and temptation, but God has given me the power and victory over my sin nature, the grace and forgiveness I need through Christ’s shed blood when I confess my failings, and a loving family and church to encourage me along the way.  – John Silvius

Now It’s Your Turn
Now that you have read brief accounts of several men and women whom God chose, how do you view their sinful and greatly flawed life story with yours?  Why not take a few minutes, as I have above, to write your brief story of how God has chosen you or is still calling you by His wonderful grace?   Please click on “Comments” below to share your story online, or write to me at silviusj@gmail.com.

Our Responsibility to God’s Unlikely Choices
Meanwhile, is there someone in your life who causes you think like the person in Jesus’s parable: ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’  You may even question why God’s Providence chose to bring this person to your life.  Is God really good considering He gave you your spouse-- or your boss at work, or your pastor, or your president?  Do you find it hard to follow God’s command-- Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God (Ephesians 5: 21)?  The Apostle Paul expands on this command in his letter to young Pastor Timothy (emphasis mine):

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time… Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.  – 1 Timothy 2: 1-8

Notice that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  God’s grace is at work in each of our lives and in our spouse, our friends, our boss, our pastor.  Where are you and the people God has placed in your life along the trajectory of “coming to the knowledge of the truth?”  Remember where Abraham, Moses, and Paul began.  Our work as God’s imperfect children is clear:
Can’t stand your spouse?   Pray for him or her.
Wondering why God hasn’t given you a better pastor?  Pray for him and encourage him.
Don’t want your boss to “rule over you?”   Ask God to help you know how to encourage him.
Despise your president, or his opponents?   Pray for God’s work in his or their lives.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.  – 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

Will You Share Your Story?
How about your life story? 
Do you believe God has chosen you be a Christ-following disciple?   
Do you believe you are worthy of being chosen?   
How do you explain that God would choose you? 
For what purpose(s) has God chosen you?
What would God have you do now?

Please click on “Comments” below to share your story online, or write to me at silviusj@gmail.com.

No Such Thing as Private Property – Absolutely?

Five years ago, I presented a brief critique of Socialism in contrast to Capitalism in a blog entitled, “There’s No Such Thing as Private Property” which is available HERE.  Now, Presidential Election 2020 offers us the clearest choice ever between Conservative and Liberal-Socialist visions for the future of America.  What follows are some additional challenges based on two helpful articles, one from each approach to bringing justice to the poor and disenfranchised.  

I am often saddened at my own personal shortcomings and sin.  I also observe how others fall short and miss the mark in their words and actions.  But I am not the standard of righteousness that condemns others—God and His Word is the only Standard.  Neither is it the role of government or social activists to condemn and preach “a gospel of guilt and disdain” toward others they judge to be the “rich and powerful.”  Meanwhile, their hearts are deceived by the sin of envy, covetousness, and greed for power.

Do Americans Need a Scolding?
Here’s a case in point:  Recently, Jennifer Siebe-Newsom, wife (or, “first partner”) of California Gov. Gavin Newsom,  produced a documentary: “The Great American Lie.”  In it, according to Patricia Jay writing for The Federalist, Siebe-Newsom “scolds the United States for being greedy and uncaring.”  She scolds Americans in spite of “the American people’s astounding charitable donations.”

No one denies that there are vast differences in wealth among the people residing within the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”  Social justice advocates are pressing for an end to poverty through redistribution of wealth.  However, Patricia Jay reminds us HERE that “since the War on Poverty began in 1964, the U.S. government has redistributed trillions of dollars to combat poverty.”  She also notes how California, a state governed by liberal Democrats for over 20 years, “currently leads the nation in poverty, homelessness, and unaffordable housing and energy costs (See HERE). 

Why Wealth Redistribution Fails
It seems that we have lost the “war on poverty.”  I believe one reason for this failure is that government does not have a rightful role in the redistribution of wealth.  In order to establish the truth of this claim in objective terms (not by subjective human reasoning), we have to decide whether or not we give credence to, in Jefferson’s words, “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God.”  If we acknowledge the Truth claims of God’s revealed Word in Scripture, and if we respect the self-evident truths inherent in the Natural Order of creation, we will come to realize that Progressive and Socialist philosophy which denies private ownership of property while calling for wholesale wealth redistribution to produce equal outcomes is contrary to both special revelation in Scripture (e.g. “Thou shall not steal.”) and to the natural revelation (created order) which reveals the spirit of dignity, creativity, and aspiration toward achievement that God implanted within the DNA of human beings.

Bible Defends Absolute Right to Private Property
For readers who prefer the so-called enlightened reasoning of man, it may be pointless to read further.  Instead, they ought to think carefully about the terrible fate of nations that have bought into the socialist and communist promise (lie) of utopian life on earth.  For readers who acknowledge the authority of Scripture and of the Natural Order, I recommend that you read an excellent article, authored by Cody Libolt, Co-Founder of The Christian Intellectual, entitled, “The Woke Religionists Are All Wrong on Individual Rights,” available HERE.  

Libolt provides abundant Scripture and sound reasoning to make the case that “government’s only role is to punish the evildoer and to praise the righteous man— that is, to judge between the man who has violated the right of another and the man who has not, and to use force to punish the rights-violator.  …thus, the government, the agent of force, should manage the legal system, the police, and the military.”  Government is not given the role of extracting material wealth from its citizens in order to create equal distribution of wealth for all.

Many of us are stirred with compassion toward the poor, the homeless, and the seemingly disenfranchised.  It is right and Christ-like to have a righteous desire to help the needy; but to do so based on the message of the Gospel and the example of Christ.  Christ-followers are called to love our neighbor compassionately, willingly, and generously because God loves us (1 John 4: 19).  Historically, Bible-preaching, Christ-following churches and parachurch organizations have served our nation through spiritual and physical help to individuals and families.  This is in part because many Christians recognize the shallow inadequacy of simply providing money, food, and housing without providing spiritual help to the needy.  (Read more HERE.) 

In the name of social justice through wealth redistribution, progressives and socialists will at the same time steal private property and destroy the soul and dignity of individuals, families, and communities by a thousand cuts of the knife through welfare programs.  Like feeding wildlife in a national park turns wild animals into something other than their Creator intends, welfare demeans willing workers and promotes irresponsibility that wrecks families by stealing dignity and purpose, leading to hopelessness, divorce, and addictions (See elaboration HERE.).  Surely, once prosperous states like California and New York are lessons in the futility of liberal Progressive “experiments.”  Only fools make the same mistake repeatedly.

Let Me Hear You--Think and Respond.
As you ponder the claims of Conservative and Progressive leaders, represented in the two presidential tickets for Election 2020, I would encourage you read the articles cited in this blog, especially Cody Libolt’s article, “The Woke Religionists Are All Wrong on Individual Rights,” available HERE.  

Americans are at a crossroads and called to choose whether we will retain our God-given freedom to love our neighbor compassionately, willingly, and generously because God loves us; or, whether we will surrender our absolute rights of private property to a socialist government motivated by power-hungry bureaucrats who are blinded by selfishness, envy, and covetousness?  Please express your thoughts and questions at the “Comments” link below.  Thank you for reading.