The Certainty of God in An Uncertain Year

If you live in the higher latitudes where seasonal changes occur, you have likely been blessed and encouraged by the beautiful days of autumn we have had in 2020.  This prolonged period without widespread killing frosts in our area have allowed Abby and I to enjoy the fruits of our landscaping efforts this year.  We are also enjoying hikes in some of our favorite Ohio natural areas.  In this article, we decided to share some photos showing the beauty of our landscape and to remind us all of God’s faithfulness which has affirmed our faith during this unusual year, 2020.

Outdoor Answers to 2020 Anxiety

For many of us, this outdoor blessing couldn’t have come at a better time.  This past weekend, Abby and I were blessed to hike in Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve, one of our wonderful natural areas in Wayne County.  Johnson Woods is one of Ohio’s largest stands of old growth forest where visitors can enjoy towering oaks, hickories, American beech, and sugar maple.  This 155-acre tract invites hikers to traverse the entire 1.4-mile boardwalk through both upland forest and swampland or take a shorter, less rigorous route.   Johnson Woods is actually changing through ecological succession from an oak-hickory forest to a beech-maple forest.  The latter tree species are among several species which are shade tolerant and thus able to establish their populations in the shade of the oaks and hickories which are less able to reproduce themselves in their own shade.

We also enjoyed our visit to Secrest Arboretum on the campus of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) one sunny afternoon.  This arboretum has both horticultural plantings and landscapes of native plant communities which are botanically diverse, beautiful, and inviting any season of the year.

Another inviting local forest tract, located a few miles west of the City of Wooster, is Wooster Memorial Park.  This 422-acre park differs from Johnson Woods, particularly because of its rolling topography which is dissected by steep ravines.  Wooster Memorial Park is an inviting treasure for botanists and birdwatchers in any season.

When Abby and I drove into the parking lots of the two natural areas, we were struck by the large number of cars.  At Wooster Memorial Park, we could barely get a parking place. 
“What is going on,” we asked? 
We had never seen such a large number of cars.   We soon realized that this large number of visitors was due, not only to the warm, sunny weather, but also by the increasing appeal of the outdoors as a place of safety and respite from virus-prone crowds.

Submitting Our Confusion to a Covenant-Keeping God

The year 2020 has given us many challenges.  We have faced a pandemic, the economic lockdown, limited access to routine health care, separation of families due to health and travel restrictions, alteration of classroom education, limited sports, online worship services, and a presidential election with an uncertain outcome. 

Meanwhile, most of us, and especially our children and grandchildren, depend on a sense of order, predictability, and security in their lives.  Yet 2020 has failed to deliver on these important needs, at least humanly speaking.  That is why we adults who live in higher latitudes of the northern and southern hemispheres can be encouraged as we witness the predictable change of seasons.  And, we are wise to direct the attention of our children and grandchildren to God’s creation where we can observe, as the hymnwriter of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”  expresses so well,

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Of course, the weather is changeable and our climate is also changing.  But for those of us who believe in the Divine Providence of God, the regular, predictable, annual change of seasons is a tribute to God’s faithfulness. 

God is indeed faithful, and our faith in Him is not only self-reassuring in these difficult days, but can bring a wellspring of reassurance as we reach out to lonely people who are isolated from family and friends during this pandemic.

We conclude with a wonderful reminder from the Old Testament in which God assures His people of just how committed He is to His covenant with those who have put their trust in His plan of Salvation.  At the time Jeremiah wrote these words, God’s plan had yet to unfold.   Centuries later, it came to fruition through “the Son of David,” Jesus Christ, who died and rose again.  Those who put their trust in Jesus for salvation from our fallen nature will always be able to point to Him as Satan would accuse us, or when we stand before God as our Judge (emphasis mine):

Thus says the LORD,
‘If you can break My covenant for the day
 and My covenant for the night,
so that day and night will not be at their appointed time,
then My covenant may also be broken
with David My servant so that he
will not have a son to reign on his throne…
                                                     – Jeremiah 33: 20-21

How Do You Respond to the Seasons?
What is your favorite season?  
What activities have you enjoyed in that season?
What Scripture have your found assuring during this uncertain year? 
Or, if you live in low or tropical latitudes, how do you enjoy a more constant seasonal change?  If this article touches a familiar chord in your experience and in your faith, we’d love to receive your “Comments” whether written below, by e-mail (silviusj@gmail.com), or through face-to-face conversations.  Thank you for reading.

Acknowledgement
Thanks are in order to our friends, Chris and Lynsa Knickerbocker.  During my phone conversation with Chris earlier this year, and as I was expressing some concern over the politics of the pandemic, Chris remarked how much comfort and solace he and his family receive from observing the evidence of God’s faithfulness in the changing seasons.  Chris appreciates the annual regularity revealed in each plant species as it emerges and progresses through its growing season.  I thank you, Chris, for interpreting God’s revelation in this encouraging way.

A Pope and a President in a Divine Plan

While Americans await the outcome of this week’s presidential election, many of us are realizing that our hopes and expectations rest in an uncertain future.  Some believe that events are governed by random chance occurrences, like successive tosses of a coin.  In this view of life, there is little or no “purpose” among the happenings governing our lives.  However, many historians, philosophers, scientists, and people of faith, make a strong case for the role of Divine Providence working through human free will and “laws of nature” to bring about His purposeful ends. 

Benjamin Franklin’s challenge to a deadlocked Constitutional Convention (1787) reflects the belief of many of our Founding Fathers in the role of Divine Providence in the rise of nations:

… God governs in the affairs of men.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.”

And the prophet Daniel wrote,
He removes kings and sets up kings… - Daniel 2:21

In his book, The American Miracle: Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic, Michael Medved presents clear evidence of the hand of God in the rise of “the American experiment.”  [See book review HERE.]

As the prophet stated, if God can “set up kingdoms,” He can also “remove kingdoms.” New York Times bestselling author, Paul Kengor, and award-winning writer/filmmaker, Robert Orlando make a very strong case for Divine Providence in ending the Cold War and the tyrannical rule of Soviet Russia, in 1991.  Together, Kengor and Orlando have written The Divine Plan (ISI Books, 2019) which features the lives of two unlikely characters and several supporting actors whom they believe were used to bring about the providential release of millions of people from the tyranny of Communism.

The climax of The Divine Plan is the fall of the Iron Curtain.  However, most of the book is a riveting account of how the Hand of Providence individually equipped and brought together the two principal characters in this unfolding drama. 

The first unlikely character was a Hollywood actor, governor of California, and eventually president of the United States, named Ronald Reagan.  The second character was Karol Wojtyla, an ordained Catholic priest (1946), then bishop (1958), archbishop (1964), cardinal (1967), and, in 1978, elected Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in 400 years.

Reagan:  “Rendezvous with Destiny”
The first chapter takes us into Ronald Reagan’s living room, in June, 1979, three years after he was narrowly defeated by President Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination to face challenger Jimmy Carter.  Reagan and his large conservative base had become even more convinced that the 1980 presidential election was Reagan’s to win.  Within the next year and a half, Reagan would win the presidency and soon become known as “the Great Communicator.”

But now, while Reagan and Richard Allen his future national security advisor sit together, they turn on the TV to watch the news.  There, filling the TV screen was a crowd of 2 million Poles who had gathered in Victory Square in Warsaw, Poland, behind the Iron Curtain!  This mass of oppressed humanity had gathered to celebrate their fellow countryman, Karol Wojtyla, now their new pope, John Paul II.  Ronald Reagan is struck by this groundswell of evidence that this Polish pope is so highly regarded and apparently a powerful communicator.

As Cardinal Timothy Dolan recounts this event, Pope John Paul II, without mentioning, without using any political partisan vocabulary, without mentioning Russia, without mentioning marks, without mentioning Communism, when he could bring two million people to chant for 11 minutes non-stop, “We want God,” that's an actor who is such a person of integrity that you are able to bring out what is best in your audience.  And boy, they [Reagan and John Paul II] did it with great gusto.

According to the authors of The Divine Plan, Richard Allen recalled that Reagan quietly watched “the massive crowd celebrate the Pope. He is astonished to see such a massive outpouring of emotion behind the Iron Curtain.  Alan glances over at Reagan and notices something unusual and unexpected-- a tear in his eye.”

“’Dick, that's it,’ Reagan suddenly announces.  ‘That's it.  The pope is the key!  We've got to find a way to reach out to this Pope and the Vatican to make them in an ally.’”

Kengor and Orlando’s The Divine Plan uncovers the fascinating development of how Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II each came to understand how Divine Providence interacts with human free will.  That evening’s TV newscast in Reagan’s living room was an important step, but only one of many in a long succession of events far down the line from the origin of the Divine Plan in Reagan’s vision. 

Reagan’s Faith: Rooted in Divine Purpose
The authors reveal that Reagan’s faith in God was nurtured by his mother Nelle.  Both mother and son internalized the words of the Apostle Paul:  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8: 28).  Nelle Reagan, a committed Christian, “taught her boy over and over that everything that happens in life, good or bad, does so according to a divine plan by a loving God.  According to James Rosebush, deputy assistant to Reagan, Reagan might well have gone to seminary instead of majoring in history at Eureka College.  Many in his congregation expected him to become a pastor.  Rosebush notes that if Reagan had become a pastor, he might have ministered to thousands, but as president, “he became an evangelist for freedom” and was used by Divine Providence to bring freedom to millions.

When Reagan became the 40^th president of the U.S., most leaders in the free world were satisfied that the Soviet Union would remain a powerful and perpetual nuclear power and political threat—an unfortunate reality.  However, Reagan saw Soviet tyranny from a different worldview.  In a speech at Notre Dame University, in 1981, Reagan articulated the basis for his notion of the Divine Plan:

For the West, for America, the time has come to dare to show to the world that our civilized ideas, our traditions, our values are not-- like the ideology and war machine of totalitarian societies--just a facade for strength.  It is time for the world to know our intellectual and spiritual values are rooted in the source of all strength, a belief in a Supreme Being, and a law higher than our own.

That Supreme Power is believed by many of us to have orchestrated the bonding of Reagan and John Paul II in a miraculous way when, within a few weeks of his inauguration, President Reagan narrowly escaped assassination by John Hinkley, in March, 1981.  The Divine Plan details how Reagan recovered from near death within a few weeks, and then reached out to John Paul II when he too was nearly killed by an assassin, in May, 1981.  The two men began a rich correspondence, and when they met for the first time, “they confided to each other a shared conviction: that God had spared their lives for a reason.  That reason?  To defeat Communism.”

Karol Wojtyla and Supporting Characters
Readers of The Divine Plan will discover how Karol Wojtyla, long before he became Pope John Paul II, had many unusual experiences that paralleled Reagan’s life.  Both men were introduced as young men to a personal relationship with the God of Heaven and to the evil of tyrannical powers on Earth.  Reagan’s life was threatened by Communist infiltrators of the Hollywood Screen Actors Guild while he led the organization in the 1940’s.  Wojtyla lived through both Nazi and Communist occupation of Poland, and his life was miraculously spared when his nearly lifeless body was rescued from a roadside during World War II.  But there were also “co-stars” who played important roles in the Divine Plan.

There was Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of Great Britain, who became a personal friend and political ally of Ronald Reagan.  And, after a succession of cold and ruthless Soviet premier’s, a man named Mikhail Gorbachev came into power.  As unlikely as Karol Wojtyla was to become pope from behind the Iron Curtain was Gorbachev to become a Soviet premier.  Yet, Kengor and Orlando relate how Gorbachev’s mother, two grandmothers, and a grandfather were devout Orthodox Christians and had read the Bible to young Mikhail.   As a relatively young man, Gorbachev was the Soviet Politburo’s choice of their premier who could “go toe-to-toe with Reagan.  The two leaders met in nuclear summits four times and learned to trust each other in spite of Reagan’s firm resolve to bring an end to Communist domination.

Reagan:  People "Desire to Know God"
I conclude my review of The Divine Plan with the authors’ quote of a response President Reagan gave to James Rosebush when asked, “Mr. President, what do you think will really bring down Soviet-style Communism and Eastern Bloc totalitarianism?” to which Reagan replied, “…that’s only going to happen because of the people’s desire to know God.”  Rosebush understood, and added,

…Reagan saw this, he knew this.  Here he’s telling me that the only way that we’re going to bring down these systems that keep people from knowing God is to replace the worship of the state with the worship of God.

On this Presidential Election Day in America, there appears to be a choice, naturally between two imperfect presidential tickets, Trump-Pence versus Biden-Harris.  Voters are deciding the future path of America.  I believe this election will decide whether or not America will have another chance to continue forming “a more perfect union” under liberties granted by Divine Providence.  Or, will a relatively few in power will fashion a man-centered, authoritarian government which dispenses rights as deemed necessary to supposedly assure economic and social equality and justice for all—except those few in power.  Whatever the outcome of this week’s election, Christ-followers can trust in the Divine Plan, and in the God who removes kings and sets up kings (Daniel 2:21).

How Will You Respond?
I hope you will find inspiration and hope as I have if you choose to read The Divine Plan.  How appropriate in our current state of turmoil and dividedness as a nation to look back in world history to see clear evidence of God’s sovereign intervention working in mysterious direction of human free will.  If you enjoyed Michael Medved’s The American Miracle: Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic (See review HERE.), you will enjoy The Divine Plan.  Co-author Robert Orlando has also produced The Divine Plan Documentary which is available on Amazon Prime and other platforms.  As always, I appreciate your comments whether written below, or by e-mail (silviusj@gmail.com), or through face-to-face conversations.  Thank you for reading.

 

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. 

Choices for Troubled Times – 6. Who to Follow

Can you remember making what you would consider the “big choice” of your life?  For me, the “big choice” was the lady I would marry—a choice I made in September, 1968, almost exactly 52 years ago.  Of course, my choice and marriage proposal rested on whether Alvadell “Abby” Moser would say “Yes!”  Thankfully, she did.  That choice led to other “big choices,” especially my choice to surrender to God’s call to repentance and surrender to follow Him.  My saying “Yes” to God saved my life, physically and spiritually, and gave me meaning and purpose in spite of my slow-learning tendency.

Recently, my attention was drawn to another man who made a big choice.  But first, let me give you some background on an exciting filmmaking project.

Remember “The Chosen?”
As readers may remember, Abby and I have been excited about the filmmaking project known as “The Chosen” which portrays the amazing life and ministry of Jesus Christ based on Bible accounts. We were deeply moved and impressed by the eight episodes of Season 1, and now we are among many others who are “paying it forward” to assist writer/director Dallas Jenkins and VidAngel in the completion of all eight episodes for Season 2.

As subscribers to the YouTube channel of “The Chosen,” we regularly receive updates on the progress toward completion of Season 2.  This weekend, we were treated to a sneak peek of the scene in which Jesus extends His call to “Follow Me” to a despised tax collector named Levi (Matthew 9: 9; Mark 2: 14; Luke 5: 27).  Levi, who came to be known as Matthew, is the man who would later receive the inspiration from God’s Spirit to write what we now call the “Gospel according to Matthew,” the first book of the New Testament of the Bible.  According to the biblical accounts of the “four gospels,” Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we know that Jesus had already called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their fishing nets and become “fishers of men” (Matthew 4: 19; Mark 1: 17).   But Jesus’s call of Levi (Matthew) to become one of His disciples was much more striking and radical.

"Matthew, Follow Me.”
Matthew was a despised tax collector, an employee of the Roman Empire!  During the time of Christ, the Romans were harshly ruling the nation of Israel as one of its Roman colonies.  Jews who had chosen to serve Rome as tax collectors were naturally despised by their Jewish countrymen.  Therefore, Matthew was hated as one of those who profited from extracting hard-earned money from his Jewish brethren and had gotten rich doing so.  It is likely that Matthew lived a life of luxury from his allotted share of the taxes he collected, plus any additional monies he may have illegally taken for himself.  And, never mind—Matthew was protected by Roman soldiers stationed not far from his “collecting booth.”

Many years later, Matthew remembered Jesus’s abrupt and brief call, perhaps a wonderful memory to him, like it happened only yesterday.  From his account, Matthew’s response was nothing short of decisive, and almost spontaneous:

And as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office; and He said to him, “Follow Me!”  And he arose, and followed Him (Matthew 9: 9).”

Before you watch how “The Chosen” film portrays this scene, realize that this was Matthew the tax collector’s “big choice.”  His decisiveness seems almost unbelievable.  Breathtaking!  Inspiring!  Matthew’s choice to follow would be costly from the moment he arose and walked out of his secure, lucrative tax office. 

Consider for example, the reaction of Peter, Andrew, James, and John.  These former fishermen had left their fishing boats, possibly with the fresh memory of having been taxed many times by Matthew.  Imagine their surprise and disgust at seeing this despised tax collector being invited by their new Teacher to join them!  How did Matthew feel at that moment?

Portrayal of the Call of Matthew
So abrupt and decisive is this account that we wonder if Jesus had already had an ongoing impact on Matthew in times past.  Indeed, the life of Matthew as portrayed in “The Chosen” during the eight episodes of Season 1 reveal a fascinating relationship between Matthew, the Romans, and the Jews.  The historical fiction account presents a Matthew that is increasingly stirred by the Spirit of God while he watches from a distance the ministry of this unusual Jewish rabbi, Jesus.  “Followers” of “The Chosen” who have watched Season 1 will be greatly impacted by the sneak peek of the scene in which Jesus calls Matthew.

Now why not take a few minutes to watch the short clip from “The Chosen,” entitled “Jesus in Every Language?” This clip from Season 2 includes Jesus’s decisive call of Matthew, and Matthew’s resolute response.  Additional footage of the clip reveals its main purpose-- to showcase how writer-director Dallas Jenkins and staff are editing the “The Chosen” with dialogs in multiple languages?  

Please click HERE to watch, then come back for the remainder of this article.

 **          **          **           **          **          **          **           **          **

“Follow Me.”  Who, me?
Matthew, a despised tax gatherer, couldn’t believe Jesus was inviting him to be His disciple, meaning “a dedicated Christ-follower.” After all, wouldn’t Jesus rather invite “good people” like the Jewish religious leaders known as Pharisees?  Gospel writer Luke (Luke 18: 11) records how a “Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”  Surely, if this Pharisee knew the difference between despicable sinners and “the righteous,” wouldn’t Jesus know?  The answer is “Yes” according to Luke’s account of Jesus’s call of Matthew (Luke 5: 30-31).

Luke reveals that one of Matthew’s first actions as a Christ-follower was to invite his friends to come to his home to meet Jesus!  Can you imagine the drama of this scene in which some Pharisees also come and observe this odd mix of people?   Luke recorded the larger context of the call of Matthew (Levi):

After these things [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So, he left all, rose up, and followed Him.
Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.

Matthew heard the call of Jesus, “Follow Me.”   Soon he invites his friends to meet this Man who had shown love, compassion, and welcome to a lonely, despised tax collector.  Jesus is still calling needy sinners through His followers around the world in many different languages.

“Follow Me.”  Do You Hear Him?
“Follow Me.”
'Siga-me.'
'Sígame.'
'Следуйте за мной.'
"跟我来。
"اتبعني"
“Follow Me.”

The call of Jesus to “Follow Me” is becoming clearer to more and more people regardless of language, culture, or ethnic group.  If you watched the short clip from “The Chosen,” you met Luiz Laffey, International Language Manager with “The Chosen.”  According to Luiz, “When I heard about ‘The Chosen’ and its purpose to share an authentic Jesus Christ and His story in a way never seen before…it gave me chills.”  Luiz has not only answered the call of Christ to “Follow,” he has also committed to use his knowledge of language, culture, and audio technology to manage production of “The Chosen” in five foreign languages so far, with more coming.

Jesus’s invitation is a call to discipleship.  We saw in the Gospel accounts of Matthew’s decisive answer from within his collection booth to Jesus’s call, “Follow Me.”  He came out, locked up the booth as a symbol of his past life, gave the key to his Roman superior, and followed Jesus.  The following description of Christ’s call to discipleship is clear:

According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "through the call of Jesus, men become individuals." The necessity of this individualism is again the call of Christ to come apart from the world. He wants to be at the center of our world. The break with the world is 'identical with the acknowledgement of Christ as the Son of God, the Mediator'." When we receive the call of Jesus, we realize that our present physical world has been built on an illusion. When we receive His call, we realize that even in such relationship as Father and Son, husband and wife, stands Christ the Mediator, and no other relationship can be as important as the one with Christ the Mediator." (From: Shepherd's Notes-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship (1998)).

“Follow Me.” Your “Big Choice?”
As I said at the beginning of this blog post, my “big choice” in life was who I would marry.   Through my marriage to Abby, I have been humbled enough to be able to hear and respond to Christ’s call in my life.  Since then, through our marriage and devotion to Christ, my selfishness is regularly challenged and surrendered in the power of Christ’s love.

If you would like to know more about what it means to respond to Christ’s call, “Follow Me,” and to experience the life of an individual, filled with the Spirit of Christ Who comes to dwell in you, please check out the online booklet entitled, “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?” 

Maybe you have questions you’d like to ask, or comments you’d like to leave.  Please use “Comment” below if you believe other readers can benefit.  Or you can write to me at silviusj@gmail.com.   I would love to hear the story of your “big choice.”  Thank you for reading, and I welcome you to “Subscribe” and “Follow” Oikonomia if you haven’t already done so (see right sidebar).