Category: Politics & Government

Opinions on contemporary political happenings and the workings of civil government.

Principle: Christian Character (Part III)

  

The Bible is replete with examples of godly character. I’m particularly drawn to those examples that show a person maintaining godly character while serving in public office. For instance, when the prophet Samuel steps down as judge over Israel, he challenges the people by stating, “Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose… Read more »

Where's the Arrogance?

  

In one of his European speeches last week, President Obama commented that the United States had sometimes been arrogant in its relations to other nations, and that we had not appreciated the Europeans. To be fair, he also noted that Europeans had spouted anti-Americanism as well, but the emphasis seemed to be on America’s arrogance. Every nation displays arrogance at times, but has that been the hallmark of American interactions with others? Think back to WWII for a moment: we… Read more »

Pull Out of Politics?

  

A recent article by commentator Kathleen Parker is entitled “Christians at the Gate.” The thesis is that the Christian Right has failed in its endeavor to influence politics. The culture war has been lost. She then quotes some Christian leaders who say that we instead need to model the character of Christ rather than press for political change. Please do read it and feel free to comment. The main problem I see with the article is that it seems to… Read more »

A Misplaced Faith

  

I continue to think about the similarities between the Great Depression and the economic situtation today. First, too much can be made of the comparison. Some people would have us believe that it has never been as bad as it is now. They have forgotten Jimmy Carter. We don’t have the “stagflation” that occurred during his years. Neither do we have the 20%-plus unemployment of the Depression. There are valid comparisons, though. One is the government’s role in each, particularly the… Read more »

The Tipping Point

  

I finished reading the book I recommended a few days ago—The Forgotten Man by Amity Shlaes. It was as good as I thought it would be. Even though I thought I knew a lot about the Great Depression, it opened my eyes to the extent of the reach of the government at that time. For a while, it seemed as if all private business was at a standstill due to the desire to have the government control everything. For instance,… Read more »

Principle: A Biblical Form of Government (Part III)

  

Representation, separation of powers, and a federal system: these are the components of a Biblical form of government. They also comprise the elements of what America set up in the Constitution. What we have been handed by the Founders is consistent with the Biblical pattern for how government should operate. But that’s merely the external structure. What makes this structure work properly is the internal: believing in the value of the individual made in God’s image; taking the responsibility of self-government; understanding… Read more »

Principle: A Biblical Form of Government (Part II)

  

As Samuel the prophet was stepping down from his role as judge in Israel, the people demanded a change in the government’s structure. They didn’t trust Samuel’s sons to judge righteously, so they asked instead for a king. We’re told of this episode in I Samuel 8:4-22, and it is quite a remarkable account of how to destroy a God-given governmental system. The elders of Israel came to Samuel and said, “Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all… Read more »