Abundant Grace Fellowship
A Christian Worldview - Parts 1-7
A Christian Worldview, Part 1
By Pastor J.D. Link
Luke 6:46-49 says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
We are, and have been, engaged in a second civil war in this nation. This war is a war of world views. We often just look at single issues like pro life or pro abortion; traditional or homosexual marriage; Republican or Democrat; Free market or Socialist. But in reality, these are not just isolated issues. They all stem from a particular worldview. The two main worldviews we see in the U.S. are the Biblical/Christian worldview, and the Secular Humanist world view, which would include Marxism/Leninism and the New Age movement. Some would say you could classify these two views as religious and non-religious. However, that would not be true. Both views are religious. The only difference is in what god they serve – and how they serve him. One worships The Creator, the other worships creation (man, his intellect, and/or living organisms). One believes in the beginning “God”; the other believes in the beginning “dirt” or ?????????.
While we are on this subject, may I say this: the theory of evolution is incompatible with a Christian worldview. Why? Because at the core of the theory is the belief that life came from non life. This totally contradicts the Bible. The Bible says that life came from Life. Jesus is creator and Jesus is life (Jn 1:1-4). All things were made by Him. That is the Biblical/Christian worldview. Many Christians have bought into the secular humanist invention of evolution, and deny the clear teaching of Holy Scripture. Jesus said, “Why call me Lord (Master, ruler, chief, etc.), and not believe and do the things that I say? Is He really your Lord? God asked in Mal. 1:6, “If I'm your Father, where is my honor? If I'm your master, where is my fear?” Don't think because you call Him Lord, that He is your Lord (Mt 7:21-23).
Instead of the church influencing this secular humanist society, we have ourselves been polluted with humanist ideology. God's house is full of supposed “believers” who actually have secular humanist worldviews. This is why the church is so split. Christians ought to be in unity when it concerns our worldview – but too often we are on opposite ends of the issue. God's Word should influence every area of our life if we call Jesus Lord. The Bible has something to say concerning every area of our life, so we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and let Him exalt us. We are to take every thought – every thought – captive to the obedience of Christ. This means there are no issues that should be “off limits” to God. We are to cast down vain imaginations (thoughts contrary to God's Word), and everything that exalts itself above the knowledge of God. There is no knowledge higher than God, but there is earthly knowledge that likes to “exalt itself” above God's knowledge.
To think Christian is to think Bible. Since Jesus is The Living Word, if you don't know God's Word – then you don't know God. If God is His Word, how can you say you know Him, and not know His Word? Think about that. Some of the areas the Bible has something to say about are: Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Politics, Economics, and History. These issues are not to be left floating haphazardly around our brains until we come up with some vain opinion about them. No, the Bible addresses all of these issues for us. We just need to read it, accept it, and live it. God, and His wisdom, have been around from everlasting to everlasting. You have been around, perhaps, for a few decades. I think I'll go with God's wisdom. I think you should, too.
Over the next few weeks, we will look at these issues more closely. The days we live in are evil and full of confusion. Christians, God's covenant children, need to know what the Bible teaches. We need to know what the Bible says about any given issue. We don't have to know how to give a thesis on every subject – but we need to know the basics of what we believe, and how to communicate it to others. I believe these teachings are timely and necessary for the church in the world it finds itself in right now. I pray you will as well. Until next time, rejoice in the Lord!
A Christian Worldview Part 2
By Pastor J.D. Link
2Cor 10:3-5 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Last week we began to look at a Christian worldview, and what that means. I pray that Christians everywhere wake up to the Humanist/Marxist ideology that has been changing our society for decades. That we would recognize it for what it is (a godless system of thought); and that we would stand against it. That we would know what we believe, and why we believe – and then be salt and light in this dark world. It's been said that on the darkest night, you can see the stars the best. Let's be those stars.
The three areas I would like to cover today is Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics. The views Humanist/Marxist have on these issues are diametrically opposed to the Christian worldview. Therefore, it should be common sense that a Christian not be in agreement with Humanist/Marxist. Before we proceed, I would like to say that much of the information gathered for this series is from the book “Understanding The Times” by David Noebel. Parents, next to the Bible, I would make this book required reading for your kids if you want them to be truly educated Christians (in my opinion). Throughout the book, Noebel actually quotes Humanist and Marxist scholars and writings, which helps avoid the accusation that he is slandering or being biased. You can't say someone is lying when they quote your own statements from your own publications.
Theology – Secular Humanist – Atheism. Paul Kurtz, well known humanist who wrote the 2nd Humanist Manifesto in 1973, said, “The term Humanist cannot apply to one who believes in God”. Carl Sagan said, “The gods (God) did not create man, but man created the gods (God)”. Marxism is Atheistic. Karl Marx, the founder of modern day Socialism/Communism, was a devout atheist who hated all things “God”. V.I. Lenin agreed and said that every idea of God is “unutterable vileness”.
Christianity is of course, theistic. The Apostles creed sums up our core beliefs quite well. The Bible says that the very beginning of knowledge, wisdom, & understanding is the fear of The Lord (Job 28:28, Ps 111:10, Prv 1:7, 9:10). Since this is true, why would Christians want to listen to anything that Humanist/Marxist have to say? They do not fear the Lord, or even believe in Him. Therefore, they are fools in God's eyes (Ps 14:1). Since every belief of theirs stems from the core belief that there is no God, should Christians be buying into any of their ideology? Think about that.
Philosophy – Secular Humanist – Naturalism. There is no supernatural. God, satan, heaven, hell, mind, spirit, soul, angels, demons, etc. are all fantasy. All things are natural. Even thoughts are simply “chemical firings of synapses in the brain”. Marxism philosophy is Dialectical Materialism. It, like naturalism, also denies the supernatural. However, the emphasis is on struggle. Survival of the fittest. Natural selection. Darwinism applied to social science.
Christian philosophy is “In Him (Jesus) we live and move and have our being” (Act 17:28). It is that Jesus is the Word of God. Jn 1:1-4 teaches mind before matter, design before creation, and life from life. Jesus is eternal, the creator of all things, and the source of all truth.
Ethics – Secular Humanist – ethical relativism, situation ethics, new morality, etc. Ethics of man, by man, and for man. Man writes his own ethical code. Marxism – Communist or class morality. The ends justify the means. Anything is ethical, as long as it is advancing the socialist cause of a classless society. Raping and killing someone infected with the concept of God and Free market ideology is no different than a farmer killing a cow infected with Anthrax. Just like with Nazism, if it advances the cause – it's O.K.
Christian Ethics says God is absolute and unchanging, and so our His morals. God hates the evil and loves the good. The Bible is the absolute source of knowledge of what is evil or good. We have a general knowledge of right and wrong by our conscience. However, The Word of God, specifically the life of Christ, leaves us no doubt as to what is right and wrong. God expects us to discern between good and evil (Heb 5:14), and to choose the good and avoid the evil (Rom 12:9). Doing what is right does not depend on our circumstances, but on God's Word on the subject. Sin is not O.K. On Saturday night, and then wrong on Sunday morning. It's always wrong.
Next week we will look at three more areas that make up our world view, so that we will be gentle as doves – yet wise as serpents. The Bible says God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Let's not be destroyed. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!
A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW, PART 3
By Pastor J.D. Link
Genesis 1:1 & 26 says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over .....all the earth ..". We have of late been studying what a Christian worldview is, and why we need it. It is embarrassing and counter productive for those that claim the title “Christian”, to go through life thinking like a Marxist/Humanist. If you believe the Bible is God's Word (and I don't see how you couldn't, and still claim to be a Christian), then you need to read it, study it, speak it, live it, and obey it. We have covered the areas of Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics; and now we are on to Biology. Although I would like to cover three areas a week, I have found that's not possible. So let's get in to God's Truth.
Biology is simply the study of living organisms. We will look at other branches of science as well in this study, but biology is the most broad. As we have already learned, Secular Humanist and Marxist do not believe in God, or anything supernatural. In a nutshell, they believe billions of years ago, all the matter in the universe squished into a tiny dot and then exploded and made everything. Then millions of years of rain and lightning somehow caused a simple living organism. It then grew more complex, eventually going on to become fish, reptiles, mammals, monkeys, then us. This is called evolution.
Evolution is not only unbiblical and foolish – it is also dangerous, as history has proven. Evolution brings down man to the level a common animal, instead of a superior creation made in the image of God. Charles Darwin's book, “The Origin of Species” was racist, as the title proves. Here is the full title published Nov. 1859 “On the Origins of the Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life”. Hitler was a big Darwin and Nietzsche fan, and his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle) was based on natural selection ideology. Now you know how Hitler could murder millions of innocent people. In his mind, he was simply preserving the favored race in this struggle called life.
Mussolini was also a Darwin/Nietzsche fan as well. Marx & Lenin, the Communist revolutionists, were ardent evolutionists. J. Stalin read Darwin while in Christian School, and became an atheist – and we know how he turned out. He murdered over 20 million of his own people. Tens of millions were imprisoned and/or tortured by Stalin, the evolutionist. In his mind, Russia had evolved into a socialist society, so you either evolve or you died. It's simple survival of the fittest.
Evolution mocks Jesus Christ, the creator of all things (Col 1:13-17, Eph 3:9, 1Cor 8:6, Jn 1:3, 10). It says all the incredible galaxies and creatures of the earth are simply here by random chance. This is anti Bible, and anti Christ. Evolution also teaches only the strong have value. The aged, the retarded, the unborn, the handicapped, certain races – they are not “fit” to live. A Biblical worldview values life, because man is created in God's image. Now, I don't believe every evolutionist is a mass murderer by any means. However, the evolutionary thinking behind the actions of Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Marx, Lenin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc. is undeniable.
A Christian does not have to fear science. In fact, true science is an ally to Christians. We have no facts to fear from evolutionary teaching. Many facts disprove it already. Here are some: The Second Law of Thermodynamics; The Anthropic Principle; No proof of intermediate lifeforms – living or in fossils; The impossibility of Spontaneous Generation (this was proven by Louis Pasteur in 1861); No evidence for mutations resulting in other species (Gregor Mendel, 1865); Teleology, or intelligent design obvious in the extreme complexity of a single cell, and the orderliness of the universe; The silliness of Punctuated Equilibrium, also known as the “Hopeful Monster” theory, which states that millions of years can go by with no change and then “BLAM”, an alligator lays an egg, and a bird flies out (I'm serious).
The really big one is DNA. Francis Crick, an evolutionist and Nobel prize winner , co founded DNA. Afterward, he said evolution is impossible. He then came up with the equally ridiculous “Directed Panspermia” theory. DNA is miraculous. Walter Brown, Jr. said, “If all the DNA in your body was put end to end, it would stretch to the moon 100,000 times! If it was put in typewritten form, it would fill the Grand Canyon 40 times! Yet, all of your DNA would not fill 2 teaspoons.” Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14).
All of creation points to the Creator. A building, a watch, a car: they are all evidence of a designer. No one would think the space shuttle “just happened”. It's obvious someone designed it and built it. However, it's been proven by molecular biologist that the simplest bacterial cells are much more complex than any man-made machine on the face of the earth! And you're going to believe they “just happened”? I hope that would insult your intelligence. Folks, God made us. God made the stars, the planets, the galaxies. He made the earth, the sun, the water, the moon. He made the rocks, the trees, and everything else. And He spoke it into existence out of nothing. God is eternal. He has always been. This is what the Bible teaches. This is what a Christian believes. Know what your Bible says. Stand for what it says. Serving Christ is about being popular with God, not with man. Do you care about what God thinks, or what man thinks? Until next time, rejoice in the Lord!
A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW, PT. 4
By Pastor J.D. Link
Prov. 1:5, 7, 20-23 says, "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."
Today, as we continue our study on a Christian worldview, we will be covering what The Bible has to say about psychology. We have already covered the different views concerning Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, and Biology. We will immediately see the flaws in Secular humanist/Marxist psychology; mainly because they deny the supernatural, and by definition, psychology is the study of the soul. In all reality, is an atheist psychologist equipped to help a person – seeing he doesn't even believe man is a three part being (1Thess 5:23), consisting of a spirit, soul, & body? If your a Christian, then the Biblical answer is “No”. You cannot rightly address the issues of a man without knowing what a man is.
I will spare you the lengthy words and definitions for Humanist/Marxist psychology, and just give the basics of what they believe. While there are some differences between them, they both agree on this: 1. Man is inherently good. 2. Society is mostly to blame for man doing evil things. This is where they disagree: Sec. Humanist believe that an individual can achieve mental health by getting in touch with his “real self”; or by becoming “self actualized”. Marxist believe that language can affect the mind to basically inspire revolution (evolution in society), and when we all live in the perfect Socialist/Communist new world order – then man will be capable of perfect mental health, and is free to “be all that he can be”. To the Marxist, as long as inferior and failed systems like Capitalism and Christianity exist – then there will always be “mental illness”.
Now, once again, we should expect the lost world to believe these things. However, what we should not expect, is for those that call themselves Christians to believe these things. They are unbiblical, anti-God ways of thinking. Anyone who names the Name of Christ, (and in my opinion, anyone with common sense) should know that man is not inherently good. Why laws, police, courts, judges, jails, & prisons? Why locks, bolts, bars, chains, guns, combinations, & vaults? Why rapes, incest, thefts, beatings, murders, adultery, drunkenness, drug abuse, lying, dishonor, unthankfulness, unfaithfulness, & unholiness? Why? Why? Why!
Here's why: There is none righteous – no, not one. All have sinned and come short of God's glory. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Man is abominable and filthy, and drinks iniquity like water. Unsaved men are children of wrath – dead in trespasses and sin (Rom 3:10, 23; Jer 17:9, Job 15:16, Eph 2:1-3). I could go on, but it's obvious man is not good. He needs a savior. As we have seen, atheistic psychology would blame society for this problem. The Bible teaches personal accountability and responsibility. We must confess we are sinners. We must confess we are guilty before a perfect and holy God. They are not just unwarranted “guilt feelings”. There is a feeling of guilt because there is true guilt that needs to be admitted. When we submit to God's Word and authority, we will become better individuals – and thereby affect our society for the better.
We are to affect society - not blame it for our sinfulness. Jesus said to be salt and light in this dark world, not conform to it. This takes individual choice. Choose life or death, blessing or cursing. I believe much of what is called mental illness nowadays is just sinful people trying to make excuses for themselves to live sinfully. I believe a lot of people need to get off their pharmaceutical ,“personality in a pill” drug habit, and get right with God. When you get in touch with your “true self”, you don't find out how good you are; You find out you're a sinful, lost person who desperately needs a savior.
Many Secular Humanist/Marxist psychologist think Christianity is a mental illness, when in actuality, it's the only true and drug free deliverance from it. Do you want real mental health? Then follow these steps: Acknowledge & confess your sin, and turn from it (repent). Receive forgiveness through faith alone in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, Be obedient to God's Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to do His sanctifying work in your life. As a repentant Christian, you must know and comprehend that God loves you and accepts you – even when you fail. His Spirit abides in you. You are His temple. This motivates our hearts to love and serve Him – but also gives us confidence and assurance when we come short of His perfection in our daily lives. We are always accepted by God in the Beloved (Jesus). He who sanctifies (Jesus), and those who are sanctified (Christians), are all of one Spirit. He will never leave us nor forsake us. All of these promises are yes and amen for the Believer.
I do understand that there are truly organic mental problems that are not the result of sinful living, true guilt, or denial. I hope you understand that that is not the issue I am dealing with in this article. That is an entirely different subject.
God knows man, because He created man. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, made man – spirit, soul, & body. The Bible is the text book on man, and I believe the sum of biblical psychology can be seen in this verse, “Who the Son (Jesus) makes free, is free indeed.” Until next time, rejoice in he Lord!
A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW PT. 5
By Pastor J.D. Link
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,.... But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:... For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.... And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Eph 1:22, 4:15, 5:23, Col 1:18). These verses make clear that Jesus Christ is the head – the leader- of the church. The body is worthless and dead without the head. So it is with the church. We must acknowledge our complete dependance on Jesus Christ, and cheerfully submit ourselves to His authority. We must have a Christian worldview – for that's what our Head demands. A Christian worldview is based on The Holy Bible, The Word of God; and Jesus is one with His Word (Jn 1:1).
We have so far contrasted the worldview of Christianity with those of Secular Humanists and Marxists on the issues of Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, Biology, and Psychology. Today we will cover Sociology, or the study of society and social institutions. Before we get started, I would like to remind Christian readers of this: If you call yourself a Christian, yet you consistently find yourself thinking like a Humanist/Marxist – you are a walking contradiction. You are terribly confused, and you need to: 1. Get born again (for real) 2. Get to reading your Bible 3. Study real history (not revisionism) 4. Learn who Humanist and Marxist are and what they stand for – and quit listening to them. They openly deny the existence of God and the divinity of Jesus Christ. Why would you, Christian, agree with what they have to say? Think about that.
As we learned in Humanist Psychology, they believe man is inherently good, and that society is to blame for mans evil deeds. In their opinion, our society is broken and needs to be changed, so that man can continue to evolve upward, and reach his full potential. So, they must become social reformers. The old capitalist, Christian, traditional family, constitutional, conservative ways of thinking must be done away with. It is hindering mankind's potential to reach a non-traditional world state ethical society. Or, in more simple terms, a man made utopia. Do you wonder why there seems to be a constant attack on traditional marriage, free market enterprise, the Constitution, and Christianity? Wonder no more.
Marxist go a step further. Because they believe in societal evolution, they seek to ultimately abolish the home, the church – and yes – even the state. They claim a new world order of communism is inevitable, and once it is fully established, it will be the golden age of humanity. Man will act responsibly at all times. There won't even have to be a government anymore. Greed, selfishness, theft, envy, etc. will disappear once private property is abolished. Traditional morality will be done away with. The church will be consigned to the dung hill of history. The community will raise the children, so the traditional family won't be necessary. Does all of this sound scary to you? Well it should. Every time it's been attempted, it has miserably failed and cost millions of people their lives.
One particular thing that Marxist and Humanist have in common is their high regard for the classroom. For them, the schoolhouse is their sanctuary, the classroom their pulpit, and the teacher their minister. They strongly support separation of church and state, because it allows Secular Humanist and Marxist ideology in – and keeps Christianity out. Humanist Paul Blanshard once said that government education is the most important factor in creating a secular society. He also said, even if Johnny can't read when he graduates, at least much “religious superstition” will have been eliminated.
What does the Bible say? Man's heart is desperately wicked. He is not good by nature, therefore a man made utopia is a hopeless – yes impossible – dream. As individuals get right with God, they make better citizens; and therefore make a better society. God created Home (Marriage & Family), Church, and State – He did not call to abolish them. They are good and Godly when carried out under God's direction. God gave directions for marriage and child-raising in His Word (Gen. 2:22-24, Mt 19:4-6, Rom 7:2, Eph 6:1-4, Prov 22:6, Deut. 11:18-21). These are just a few Scriptures, but they're enough to get you started. God gave directions for government in His Word, as well (Rom 13:1-7, 1Pt 2:13-16, 1Tim 1:8-10, Act 5:29).
Government is ordained by God – but obedience to God comes first. And all good government is submitted to God. God also ordained the Church. Jesus builds it, is the head of it, and nourishes it (Mt 16:18, Eph 1:22, 5:29). It is a place for the saved to be fed, prayed for, to sing praises to God, to bring offerings to God, to receive communion, and to settle differences (Act 2:47, 20:28, Jam 5:14, Heb 2:12, 1Cor 16:1-2, 11:22, & 6:4). The church is to be run as a family, and is to be the pillar of truth in this world (1Tim 3:5, 15). Jesus said the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. No matter how hard Secular Humanist and Marxist try, they will never abolish the Church. Why? Because Jesus is the Head of it, and you'll never get rid of Jesus!
When does a society function best? When it knows The Word of God, and every citizen seeks to live it out. Can you imagine a society where every person was a practicing Christian, who sought to love Jesus and live by His precepts everyday? There is your heaven on earth. There is your utopia. You see folks, the problem is not the Bible. The problem is not the family, church, or state. The problem is ungodly mankind wanting to bypass God, and make their own way to “Happiness”. Ultimately, Humanists and Marxists want heaven – they just don't want to have to deal with Jesus to get it. Unfortunately for them, Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Until next time – rejoice in The Lord!
A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW PART 6
By Pastor J.D. Link
Let us hear the words of Proverbs 4:17: “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, …... He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” These are truly wise words, and since the fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom, we need to go to God's Word to find true wisdom.
This is now our sixth week of teaching on a Christian Worldview, and I pray you have learned some valuable things about what The Bible has to say about important subjects in our day. The principles in God's Word are timeless, and apply to us today. This week, we are looking at the subjects of law and politics. Many people, even Christians, say religion and politics don't mix. They should have nothing to do with each other. Once again, ignorance of God's Word leads to these statements. God said, “When the righteous rule, the people rejoice” (Prv 29:2). How are the righteous ever going to rule, if no righteous people get involved in politics? Romans 13 says that God ordained the government. Now, if God ordained government, then He certainly ordained the art of governing – which is the definition of politics! Besides, if you don't think the beliefs of Secular Humanist and Marxist – which are based on atheism and evolution – are effecting their political decisions, then you're crazy. You see, almost everyone bases there politics on their religion. The only difference is, what religion you hold to. Do you worship man, or do you worship the true living God?
Now, God does not necessarily approve of every single individual government, nor their leaders. North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc. - are obviously not governments in submission God. How do we know this? Because in these governments, Bibles are outlawed, churches destroyed, and Christians murdered or imprisoned – just for being Christian. Wicked governments and leaders, like Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel, will sooner or later face King Jesus. God ordains government as a whole – as opposed to chaos and anarchy; However, not all governments are based on a reverence for God and His laws.
God has also laid down laws that transcend man. The Bible is the chief source of knowledge concerning what is right and wrong. God's moral law is unchanging and eternal. Now, ceremonial, dietary, and other such laws in the Bible must be understood in context – pertaining to certain people groups at certain times in history. Also, how these rules were enforced must be understood the same way. However, God's righteousness, morality, and justice are eternal. For instance, stoning a foul-mouthed child or an adulterer was the legal prescription under the Mosaic law. As Christians, we are not under the law of Moses – but God's moral law has not changed. He still wants a child to talk respectfully, and for both husband and wife to keep their marriage vows.
Secular Humanist/Marxist believe in legal positivism, or positive law. It says that the state is the ultimate authority in creating and enforcing law. Since it is rooted in atheism and evolution, there is no “Law of God” to follow. Whatever man (the state) says is right or wrong, is right or wrong. This is the opposite of Christian law, which says there are two laws: the Law of Nature and Nature's God (as stated in the Declaration of Independence). There is Natural law - the conscience of man and functions of creation (Rom 2); and there is Divine law, the written laws of God in the Scriptures (Isa 33:22). Individuals and governments are to obey them. If the state passes laws that are against God's laws – then the state is wrong (Acts 5:29). If God's law says thou shalt not murder, and the state says it's legal to murder the innocent unborn – then the state is wrong, and in rebellion against God.
Humanist politics focuses on bringing about Globalism, and Humanist are typically big supporters of and participants in the United Nations. This is why they constantly want to undermine the sovereignty of the U.S. Marxist politics focus on bringing about a Communist new world order through dictatorships – the perfect utopian golden age, when communism rules the world. Doesn't that sound like heaven on earth? God made His view of one world government clear in Genesis 11:1-9. He doesn't want it. We also see in Acts 17:26 that God has decreed the history and boundaries for all of the nations (see also Dt 32:8). God has given us the right to life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. The government is supposed to preserve that for us – not take it from us. When God says thou shalt not murder, kidnap, or steal – in protects the right to life, freedom, and property. The Christian's politics should always reflect his devotion to Jesus Christ and to His Word. Too often Christians vote for someone out of a personal gain they may receive, or they don't vote at all. Shame on them!
If you are a Christian of 18 years and up, you should be registered to vote. If you are not, you are failing your duty to be salt and light in this world – including government. The great commission is to ALL the world. If you think politics is “dirty”, it's because the righteous have abandoned ship. Shame on the Christian in this country who lets the wicked rule, and won't lift a finger to help put a righteous man into office! To whom much is given, much is required! If you're a Christian in North Korea, you have an excuse – but you don't have one here in the U.S.! Don't just hide and pray – do something in Jesus Name! Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!
A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW, PT. 7
By Pastor J.D. Link
Acts 5:1-4 says, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession and kept back part of the price (his wife also being privy to it); and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Today we will finish our series on a Christian worldview by taking a look at Biblical economics. While there is no perfect economic system in place on the earth (simply because men are involved), there are certainly economic systems that are more Biblical than others. Our job is to find out what the Bible says about economics – and then practice the system which best represents it. Let's get into the Word.
In opening verses of Scripture, we see that Peter acknowledged that Ananias owned property, that he had the right to sell property, that he had the right to keep all of the money from selling his property. We see in the eighth & tenth commandments, thou shalt not steal or covet, that God endorsed private property. We see in Isaiah 65:21-21, that in the millennial kingdom, all will inhabit the houses they built, and enjoy the works of their own hands. We see that God gave the descendants of Abraham, Issac, & Jacob the land of Israel as an “everlasting” possession (Gen 17:8). We see in Ex 22:2-3, that if someone breaks in to rob you at night, then you can kill him. If it's during the day, you can't kill him – but he must restore what he has stolen, even if he has to sell himself into slavery. Why do I say all of this? Because we must understand this to understand the difference between Socialism/Communism and Capitalism.
Socialism is an economic system based on the abolition of private ownership of the means of production. Communism is an economic system based on socialism, in which no classes exist and everyone works according to his ability and receives according to his need. This might sound good in theory, but it never works practically – and it never will. Karl Marx said, “The theory of Communist may be summed up in a single sentence: the abolition of private property". Lenin said, “Communist society means that everything- the land and factories- is owned in common." Ludwig von Mises said under socialism "It is no longer the consumers, but the government who decides what should be produced and in what quantity and quality." Why did I quote all this? Because it violates God's Word as seen in the previous paragraph.
Capitalism, also known as free market or free enterprise, is based on private ownership of the means of production. It's based on an individual owning and controlling his own property. Biblical economics is more about freedom, dignity, and justice than it is about money. It's about sowing and reaping. It's about seed time and harvest. It's about God blessing what you put your hand to. It's about “You don't work – you don't eat” (2Thess 3:10-12). It's about “If any man does not provide for his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1Tim 5:8).
You see, a man's rumbling tummy will cause him to get off his blessed assurance and go work (Prv 16:26). Under socialism, the man that works is robbed by the central government of his reward through excessive taxes, and then his money is given to satisfy the belly of the sloth. Does this motivate the sloth to “work according to his ability”? No. It makes him worse. If he does anything at all, it will be to become a political activist, lobbying in favor of the party or system that will give him his free goodies. While the working man …... well, he's at work.
This is something socialist just don't get: once you have taxed the producers into poverty – who is left to work and provide for the lazy? Hmmmmm. You see, in a Biblical system, according as you have sown will you reap (2Cor 9:6). Diligence is rewarded, slackness is not (Prv 10:4). Labor is rewarded, idle talk is not (Prv 14:23). It is the laborer, the producer, who is worthy of his wages (Lk 10:7). Government is not to play favorites with the rich or the poor (Lev 19:15). The Bible agrees that all men are equal before God and should be before the law. However, this does not mean all men are equal in gifting, talents, abilities, education, income, etc. - and government is not to try and make it that way by force. That is called tyranny.
The Bible makes it clear that the truly poor – those who are totally not able to work – should be provided for by the free will offerings and benevolence of those who have an abundance (Ps 112, Eph 4:28, 1Tim 6:17-19). Even in the Old Testament, while the producers were commanded to leave behind some food for the poor – the poor still had to work to get it! (Lev 19:9-10). This entitlement mentality is a cursed thing in our nation. Biblical principles of economics is what works. When we stray from God's way, destruction is at the door – as we see right now.
As Christians, we should work as unto the Lord, honor God with our firstfruits, and give free will offerings when possible. We must study and understand the Bible so that we may develop a Christian worldview, and pass it on to our children and grandchildren. Perhaps then one day, we can return to being a truly free nation once again. Have a happy 4th of July Sunday, and I encourage you to spend time remembering our Christian roots – and making every effort to return to them. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!