There's Something Happening Here...

It’s called a Color Revolution. We’re in one now. It was and is an idea and method used by the United States to cause political change in other countries. It is what amounts to the standard technique for promoting “regime change” in targeted nations that are a direct threat to the United States or one of our allies. It is no longer relegated to second or third world countries. It is currently being used here in the United States.

There are two primary organizations that disseminate the funds to various Regime Change projects: The International Republican Institute, affiliated with the Republican Party, and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, affiliated with the Democrats. Both organizations carry out the same type of activities. In truth it accentuates the fact that on matters of changing the political dynamic of the rest of the world, there is a lot more bipartisanship in the US than people are inclined to think. It is interesting though to realize that an entity with political ideologies has essentially turned it on the United States itself to try and bring down conservativism and any other political ideology that now stands in its way of their ‘ideal’ 'woke' republic. I will note that although there is no specific evidence indicating that democrats are directly funding civil unrest it is clear they have not denounced them outright or in some cases denied they were even happening (Jerry Nadler). 

Actions once shared between Democrats and Republicans to achieve political ends in other countries for American interests are now been turned like weapons inward in a form of cannibalizing democracy on its own representatives and citizens (Matthew 7:1-2). Progressives fail to understand (especially from the lesson of the French Revolution) that the revolt will not stop with the intended victims. It will spread system-wide and engulf them also just as it did to Maximilien Robespierre in the FrenchRevolution in 1794.

Other non-government organizations (NGO) such as the Open Society Foundations invariably pump money into the latest Color Revolutions, for reasons that are often more commercial than strictly political.  We need only follow the money. After 9/11 regime change fever swept the foreign policy establishment or both Bush's and Obama's administrations, and anyone who even looked sideways at the US became a target. By the later portions of 2010s this had grown to include the conservative and libertarians in the US Government. By default, their supporters fell under that umbrella. This of course is still being supported by those that have a vested interest in the success of the Progressive political platform.

As a way to quickly brief one’s self on what a Color Revolution is I will refer you to Revolution techniques used on a large scale in the former Soviet Union in the 2003 Rose Revolution in Georgia or the 2005 Orange Revolution in Ukraine. Hence the moniker ‘Color’. Color revolution movements generally became associated with a specific color as their symbol. Another resistance movement not identified by a color but using similar stratagems to cause regime change was the Arab Spring in the early 2010’s which led to, among other things, the Syrian Civil War.

Participants in a color revolution mostly use nonviolent resistance, also called civil resistance or disobedience. These of course always have the potential of escalating to violence or even death. In the case of BLM, it has done just that with the help of Antifa. Such methods as demonstrations, strikes and interventions have aimed to protest governments or organizations like police forces and paramilitary forces seen as corrupt and/or authoritarian. These protests are done under the guise of advocating for democracy even though they use socialist and fascist subterfuge. They built up strong socio-political pressure for change. In so doing they create or foment dissent. The color revolutions are notable for the important role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs: Open Society Foundations) and particularly student activists in organizing creative non-violent resistance.

The commonly understood pattern of a Color Revolution was outlined by Michael McFaul a Stanford academic who served as Ambassador to Russia in the Obama Administration. He identified these seven stages of successful Color Revolutions.

1) A semi-autocratic rather than fully autocratic regime

2) An unpopular incumbent

3) A united and organized opposition

4) Ability quickly to drive home the point voting results were false

5) Enough media to inform citizens about the claimed falsified vote

6) A political opposition capable of mobilizing tens of thousands or more demonstrators to protest electoral fraud

7) Divisions among the regime’s coercive forces.

In most but not all cases, massive street-protests follow disputed elections or requests for fair elections and led to the resignation or overthrow of leaders regarded by their opponents as authoritarian or totalitarian. In truth the color revolutions tactics are Machiavellian. The irony is that most of the rest of the world recognized it was the United States that stirred this unrest. Now it is being used against us and the Chinese and Russians are aiding its spread through social media propaganda. Especially interference in elections. Just as the CIA has been complicit in overseas operations. The United States electorate is already in question and this will be a pretext to violence.

We should recognize that this is what is taking place in the United States as I type this on the eve of the 2020 election. There is more on the line here than who becomes the next president. Organizations like BLM and Antifa are keeping the unrest going until the election for reason. It is the reason the COVID-19 crisis was overhyped without the data to back it up. They know the media has a large swathe of people convinced that Trump will handedly lose to Biden. There is almost universal denial of the fact that rally after rally of pro-Trump supporters are turning out en masse just as they did in 2016. It again is being ignored by most media and the narrative that Trump is in a two-digit hole are being broadcast. All the polls show this.

Yet, there is a poll from the Cato Institute showing that large portions of the electorate are being coy and silent about who they will vote for (the silent majority) because they fear reprisal if the tell the truth. Unofficial polling and much of my own research leads me to conclude that this is shaping up to be similar to the 1968 election when Richard Nixon won on a campaign of 'law and order' after the late 1960’s erupted into a mass of protests and civil unrest. The same as we see now. Same as we saw in 2016. 

Amos 5:13 ~ "Therefore, the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil."

Yet this is not the 1960’s. People are far more radicalized. Some of the radicals of the 1960’s and 1970’s are involved with current unrest too like domestic terrorist Susan Rosenberg. She’s on the on the board of a company Thousand Currents group, which handles the intake of donations made to Black Lives Matter. Furthermore, Alicia Garza, one of three co-founders of the Black Lives Matter national organization, has repeatedly talked about how convicted cop killer and wanted domestic terrorist Joanne Chesimard, also known as Assata Shakur, is one of her main inspirations. This is the organization calling for defunding the police. One would think that this would be a blatant bias and immoral conflict of interests.

But we don’t care about the past in the United States do we?

As we’ve seen in the media, those protesting have an ideological agenda and might have college degrees, but it is clear they are far less educated. An even smaller percentage of them understand history and are aware enough to grasp what history teaches about violence. What it teaches about Revolution like that of the French and Maximilien Robespierre. I fear that because most have not been taught proper history many will zealously repeat it. The irony being that not once will they realize they are repeating history since they didn’t understand and study what it must teach them to begin with…or they wouldn’t have even revolted. All the signs for Revolution are manifesting themselves right now in society.

Proverbs 24:21-22 ~ Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

Man's heart is inclined to violence (Mark 7:21). History has shown this ad nauseam. Every new generation thinks it's better than the last and believe this time will be different. This time they’ll get it right. It is that exact denial, arrogance and ignorance that propels the revolution. The only difference between many of the second and third world countries Color Revolutions and the United States is the people. Specifically, a heavily armed people. The sheer volume of arms at the disposal of the American Citizens that wish only to live in peace as the Constitution promises them. The ‘silent majority’ is also the ‘well-armed majority'.

That ‘well-armed majority' are now seeing radicalized politicians (political organizations) attempting to deny them their Constitutional rights. They see a large contingent of youth and radicalized educated elites/academics leading those youth into a fight against ‘the man’ or ‘the system’ that is ‘oppressing’ them. They view any that would support that law-abiding populace or any within that ‘law and order’ system to be their enemy. That includes the ‘silent well-armed majority’.

This is going to get ugly after the election (if not before). A Biden victory emboldens the radicalized elements because they've already received little reprisal or punishment for the rioting and violence we've already seen (Ecclesiastes 8:11). A Trump win reaffirms what the radicalized already believe about an authoritarian regime ruling over them which will be further aggravated by a belief the electorate was compromised. Either way, this is leading to a conflict. Just how bad remains to be seen. As a liberal friend said to me today, “Hopefully our better angels prevail.” I hope so too but the road we are on is a path to violence and war.

There’s something happening here…and what it is…is unfortunately perfectly clear. For whatever that's worth. What a Christian needs to take away from this is simple. God is sovereign. All things work out according to His overall plan.

Genesis 50:20 ~ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

God providentially guided all the events of Joseph’s life and everyone else’s also. There are no stray events or rogue agents in God’s overall plan. Joseph chose not to respond in-kind or violently to his brother’s past events which had been intended to harm him but responded with tact and kindness like a true leader. The sequence of deceptions that causes this family so much suffering finally comes to an end when Joseph chooses not to take revenge on his brothers (lex talionis). In this short passage we are left with three takeaways leading into stormy November elections.  

(1) We need to leave all the righting of one's wrongs to God as best we can (Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonian. 5:15; 1 Peter 4:19). 

(2) We need to see even in man’s malice that through God’s providence HE can even use violence to a righteous end. We need to do our best to not repay evil with evil but with forgiveness (Luke 6:27). 

(3) Not only should we attempt to forgive but we should show compassion when understanding is not possible. Ideally these are possible. Perhaps not probable but we should at least try to limit damage done. Retaliation or defense should be a means of last resort. See link below for may own local electorate being called into question.

(1) Memory Sticks Used to Program Philadelphia Voting Machines Were Stolen from Elections Warehouse-The Morning Call, Allentown PA

Spiritual Bellwether: Leading A Horse to Living Water

It is rather noteworthy that the creation was designed in such a way so that the beasts of burden specifically a horse can teach us so much about what it is to be human. To be a Christian human ruled of things innately that make us better people. Better leaders. Better husbands and fathers. Better wives and mothers. Better children. Better soldiers. Better workers. It should not be a surprise then that both a man and a horse are made by the same Creator. The Creator that left the same signature of His work in both. A God who would give man dominion over the horse yet man could still learn from them (Genesis 1:26). Lessons to be learned from horses include its judicious use of strength, ability to restrain or unleash that strength or most amazingly its ability to turn that power into wordless grace. The latter being strikingly human in its characteristic. Characteristics that of late are completely absent in society and are sorely needed in it.

Wild Horses around the world, and even domestic horses to a more limited extent, have a structured herd hierarchy. This hierarchy is vital to the herd for survival, social cohesiveness, and successful rearing of the young. The structure is somewhat simple and has been in place for thousands of years. It is instinctual social structure, that even domesticated horses in small groups who are pastured together adhere to. There are many things man can learn when studying these beautiful creatures.

A typical wild horse herd consists of an Alpha stallion, Alpha mare, Beta mares and perhaps a Beta or Omega stallion (remembering that wild male horses are not neutered naturally), Omega mares, and lastly the very young, whose status has not yet been defined. Strikingly like a Biblical human hierarchy. A hierarchy created to fulfill certain roles for the good of the community. For the continuity and completeness of the community (Titus 2:1-15).

The Alpha stallion “owns” the herd is the herd’s guardian and protector. It is a born leader. Naturally inclined towards aggressive traits to fulfill its role as the Alpha male, a protector, defender and sentinel. His herd usually consists of 2 to 21 mares and their young. He protects the members of his herd from being “stolen” by other stallions or other threats and will move his herd while keeping them together. We see cohesive family unity. A protective father. A nurturing mother. Dependent but obedient children. The Alpha stallion typically sires the foals and must constantly fight to maintain his position of Alpha. His reign (forgive the pun) lasts for approximately of 2 to 10 years. Eventually, he will age, tire and be replaced by a younger, stronger stallion. Just as there is a generational changing of the guard in humanity (Joshua 1:1-18, 2 Timothy 3:10-17).

Here also we see that there are multiple alpha males as there are also beta males. The beta males are not leaders. It is expected that the younger will eventually take up the mantle and responsibility of the aging elder sentinel. Just as Moses to Joshua and from Paul to Timothy. Betas become Alphas and Alphas become betas. A dynamic but structured system of renewal. The competing stallion may be from another herd and wants to steal the Alpha’s mares, or he may be from a herd of bachelor males. Fights between stallions are very aggressive and can lead to horrific injuries or even death. Although brutal, this challenge is for the good of the herd. Once and Alpha male can no longer fulfill his role as protector and sire though strength, vitality, and intelligence, he must and will be replaced. In a way the same happens in humanity. When a elder becomes too infirm they should retire and allow those better able to lead the ability to lead. This also includes if a person discredits of disqualifies themselves through poor or unethical behavior.

In humanity we see a similar dynamic. Minus the unbiblical connotation of polygamy inherent in a comparison of a stallion and multiple mares there is still a lot of biblical principles taking place about structure, family and roles. Again, this shouldn’t surprise us as God created both the man and the beast to function similarly. If only for horses to teach humanity proper societal and family roles. Roles that are slowly disappearing from the modern world because of redefinition of community, family, gender, etc. In addition we now we have fatherless homes and a society encouraging men to be effeminate. Not a state of renewal but dismantling or disfiguring. 

The Alpha mare is typically an older and wiser mare. Not a female given over to impulsiveness and thoughtlessness that would endanger itself or the herd carelessly. A stable mature female capable of fulfilling the role apportioned to it by God. The role of the Alpha is to lead her herd to water and good pasture (Psalm 23:2) and to keep order among the other mares and young. The human female in the home and in society does the same. She helps provide the physical and spiritual subsistence necessary for not only herself but also cognizant of the society at-large (the herd) (Proverbs 31). She also determines when the herd should move to drink.

Drinking at a water source makes the herd vulnerable so her decision when to drink is important. She is not only a nurturer, protector but also a leader. While the Alpha stallion will more likely move his herd by herding them, the Alpha female moves them by simply leading by example. When she moves off, the others will follow her. In this way she is a bellwether. Like a human female she is the good influence on her family which would therefore extend into society at large as community is the sum total of its constituent parts...families. She moves them through quiet example, the stallion through power and might or countenance / bearing. Again, we see the male and female role common in both species. Same ends, different means. They are to complement one another not necessarily compete. Humans could learn a needed lesson here physically and spiritually.

The Beta mares and Omega mares make up the bulk of the herd. They give birth to and raise the young. Beta and Omega mares keep a vigilant eye out for danger and will alert the herd of any threat. Although they appear as a disparate and aloof herd in a field the reality is they’re a loosely knit community of similaer mind. Together but still free to move individually and express themselves as God made them all unique...like people. Conversely, they will band together to protect the young by putting themselves between the threat and the foals.  They will fight to the death if necessary to do so. A village. A tribe. A herd. Call it what you wish. Different names but very same things.

A Beta or Omega mare may foster the foal of another mare if she succumbs to illness or death (widows and orphans). Together the mares will form tight groups in the winter or other foul weather to keep the herd warm, rotating and necessary so no one must remain on the outside of the protective group to take the brunt of the cold. If the situation arises, a Beta mare may temporarily take up the mantle of Alpha mare if the Alpha mare cannot perform her role at the time.

The Beta mares will always test the Alpha mare for her fitness to maintain status. Just as iron sharpens iron a woman should always test the spirit with not only strangers as a protective measure for her family but also those in her immediate community. Her home. Her church. Women and mares are not to be doormats. They need to be sentinels of the sentinels. They need to come alongside the Alpha males and assist (Ephesians 5). The need to come along other females and teach (Titus 2). Leadership is not some lone endeavor. It is a community function that assumes the leader will lead others. A true communal social dynamic.

The mare challenges are not brutal like the fights between stallions. They are more of a test of personality dominance. Although they may bite and kick, the goal is not to grievously injure the other mare because mares are vital to the survival of the herd. The Omega mares or young stallions are often newcomers to the herd or lack the endurance or personality to lead. Just as young human males pose particularly thorny issues when put in leadership roles too soon. They may eventually rise through the ranks in time or they may remain in this status. Their role is just as important to the health and the integrity of the herd. Omegas may be bullied a bit by the higher-ranking horses. 

They will not be the first to drink or eat and will not lead, or be followed by the herd. It is interesting to note though that with the loss of herd members or division, it is not uncommon to see an Omega rise to be a Beta or Alpha quickly. Repeatedly we see structured proper roles illustrated ad nauseum in the herd. I wish I could say the same of human society, human community, and human church. It is the sad fact that many in human society are either abdicating roles or usurping proper roles. We are really beginning to see the negative impacts of this jockeying of the proper community/communal order on the nation (and world). Our broken communities are starting to reflect the broken families that undergird the current failing system. A system in rebellion or revolt against itself if a form of spiritual suicide.

Male foals (colts) will often be driven from the herd by the Alpha stallion upon reaching young maturity. Just as young humans must eventually take on the roles of an adult and put away the things of their youth (1 Corinthians 13:11-12). This is important to prevent inbreeding. These young males will often leave the herd and form bachelor herds. As they finish maturing, they may attempt to start a herd of their own by stealing mares from an Alpha stallion or obtaining young mares who have left their mother herd to start a new herd. If bold enough, a member of the bachelor herd may challenge the Alpha stallion for dominance over an entire herd. Some may become a herd member as a lower ranking horse if he does not challenge the Alpha stallion or try to dominate his mares. Some stallions may stay in bachelor herds for life.

Female foals (fillies) may stay with their herd throughout their life but often will leave their mother herd to join a different herd or start a new herd with a bachelor stallion. Again, this is important to prevent inbreeding and may give her a better chance at achieving a higher rank. It is interesting to note that the rank of the herd members can quickly change depending on circumstance. If a higher-ranking member is lost, another will quickly assume the higher role. If the herd is divided, the herd will quickly rearrange ranks so that the Alpha, Beta and Omega roles are fulfilled. It is vital to maintain the hierarchy. The herd is at risk both physically and mentally if the roles are not defined and maintained. Therein lies the biggest lesson for humanity. Unity of purpose, rules/laws, roles and hierarchy need to be maintained from the smallest social unit to the largest.

This includes the individual companionship of two in a friendship or marriage. It includes the family unit or the father, the mother, and the children. It is communities the sum total of properly structured families. All are given a role and a place on a hierarchy (Ephesians 5:21-Ephesians 6:4). This includes all the potential interactions in society/community. There is a place for each in a hierarchy and unified structure. There is a role we all must fulfill and that can change throughout one’s lifetime based on circumstance just as the herd. To some will be allotted a leadership role. To others a subordinate role. To some will be allotted the role of protector, warrior, or sentinel and to others to be protected so they can heal, to teach and to nurture. Some will even be given gifts or gifted for certain tasks. (Acts 6, Romans 13, Ephesians 4, Ephesians 6, 1 Cor.12, etc.). 

It makes sense then that neither the herd nor society will wish to manifest things destructive to their well-being like criminality, anarchy, wanton violence and chaos unless absolutely necessary. We live in a structured world under a God of order that gave us law. When that order is rearranged, the laws ignored or society is thrown into chaos it is not of God. We could learn a good commonsense lesson by merely leaning over the rails of a pasture and watching the horses.

In truth this isn’t brain surgery. It’s commonsense. It’s horse sense. Look to the horse you of a godless generation. Consider its ways and be wise! Just as a I can lead a horse to water I can show you how it all fits together perfectly with Scripture but until you drink of living water (John 4:14) yourself you're only going along for a joyride.

[Thank you to R. Tudor for the knowledge of horses in this post. This was a collaboration.]

Alpha Males Aren't Misogynists

It’s not misogynistic to be an alpha male. Nor is it misogynistic to believe men are created to fulfill certain roles that only a male could and women are created to fulfill roles only women could. Men’s roles that are specifically geared towards strength, aggression, protection, etc. Women’s roles that are specifically geared towards childbirth, nurturing, stylistics, aesthetics, etc. It’s not misogynistic…its Biblical. Read Proverbs 31, 1 Corinthians 11, 1 Timothy, Ephesians 5.

I feel compelled to throw this post out there because of the chatter I’m getting through comments and private messenger telling me I’m being ‘unloving’ in my delivery. That I am showing no impression of Christ or the Spirit in my life. The same allegations that have been haunting and lingering near me since coming into the faith 20 years ago. The same denunciations that are leveled against some of my brethren who are very Godly men that speak of God and from Scripture with authority and conviction. What Bible are you good folks reading? Not the one I’m reading apparently.

Statement: As of right now I'm not a pastor. Many misunderstand the purpose for many of my posts and this blog in general. I do not believe most understand the majority of my satirical Facebook comments either (tongue-in-cheek). What my intent was when I started this blog 10 years ago is the same as when I post zingers in Facebook today.

(1) Address an unbiblical issue.

(2) Provoke people to engage the Scriptures.

(3) Allow them to see why its unbiblical.

(4) Educate how the issue or they themselves are not aligned to Scripture.

(5) Show in Scripture what the correction is.

(6) Let the Scripture test their constitution.

(7) Teach that the uneasy feeling they have isn’t me. It's the Spirit convicting them of sin.

(8) Explain the need to repent.

(9) No matter what, provoke thought.

(10) Occasionally a residual effect is that I annoy people with my tone/words. Admittedly, I am a flawed sinner. Things don’t always come out right the way I intended. Oh well.

I need to clarify. I am what is considered a New Testament prophet, not a pastor per se. I identify the problems by comparing them to the Bible then point to where the Bible solves them. At times in a biting way to make an indelible mark in someone’s mind just as John the Baptist did. The New Testament prophetic voice is not like the Old Testament prophet in which I foretell the future because God revealed it to me. I am not a soothsayer nor would I ever claim something so ridiculous. Instead I teach by pointing to the problem and then pointing to God. Prophets and pastors can be teachers, but prophets aren’t necessarily pastoral, and pastors aren’t necessarily prophetic.

It took me a long time to understand this about myself and what I was supposed to do with it. It took men greater than I in the faith to show this to me. It took a while to accept. It took even more time to learn how to use the prophetic toolbox. The tools in it were nothing like I had seen before. There weren’t a lot of great examples to study or emulate. I literally needed to make straight the paths alone with God. I don’t wish this on anyone. It’s a heavy burden to carry. Like the burdens of the Old Testament prophets but with half the insight and even less respect than they received. 

I see the sin. I speak the truth but few listen to what I tell them Scripture says. The only two times people have really heard has been recently as the world spins into the void or when people are dying. The true path of the prophet. Alienated and always convicted. I'm always about 10 degrees out of phase with the rest of the world. But I digress…

I identify the problems provocatively. I state things bluntly. At times it is aggressive…challenging (but not angry or deliberately antagonistic). If I cannot get you to realize you’re not aligned with Scripture, then I cannot show how you’re missing the mark of holiness. If you don’t acknowledge you’ve gone astray you’re condemned. I am not telling you that you are wrong because the Bible will do that on its own through the Spirit. Without conviction there will be no compulsion to correct or seek repentance. You’ll remain in sin. I therefore failed in my job as a NT prophet. The nasty feeling you get when you hear the truth of Scripture aren’t my words, you are being convicted of your sin. Please stop confusing the two. I always end up getting a bad rap because of this. I’m actually a nice guy. A bit strange at times, but nice.

As for the 'unloving' label I've been charged with I'll say this. I leave no stone unturned. I've occasionally been told my post were antagonistic and showed no love of Christ whatsoever. My response is usually, “So allowing people to live in their error and sin, condemning them is loving?”

Always bludgeoned for my ‘unloving’ delivery. It is this desire for beta-male cardboard cutout behavior that has been coming out of the church for the last 20 years. It is the spineless approach to the world that has allowed the culture to believe it can steamroll and disrespect the church. As if I am ‘unloving’ I am somehow less Christian and embodying Christ. This is the very same approach to perceived ‘proper’ behavior that has effeminized the Church into having no courage to confront the world instead of conforming to it. A castrated male badgered into submission by its female congregants and wives. The very people who are not obeying their roles in the complementarian view of church authority and letting men be men. I have no time for that dissimulation in the church. Just teach the Scripture and you will have a vastly different image of the male role. 

I do not subscribe to the 'unloving' statements. It's just the Devil with a foothold in the church working through quasi-feminists to silence the Gospel when delivered with conviction. Conviction is nearly always misunderstood as anger nowadays. Yet it is the surest sign in a biblical church that the preacher is being driven of the Spirit. The irony is not lost on me either . People would've never survived the sermons of people like Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, B.B. Warfield, etc. The conviction these men would’ve instilled in todays listeners would’ve gutted the modern-day listener and had them running for the doors screaming. They didn’t water down the Gospel or the harshness of the message of the cross and sin. 

Nor do I. 

In truth those saying these types of things are trying to silence the speech that is causing the conviction that they feel. People don’t like being told they’re wrong. They do not like the feeling the conviction of sin gives them. So instead of accepting the truth and message of Scripture they attempt to silence the messenger. That is exactly what they did to Jesus Christ to the point of nailing him to a cross.

Nearly 100% of the time the people that are telling me I am not delivering the message ‘in love’ are female or beta, effeminized men. In truth they are not reading 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 properly. The roles of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 are being flipped on their head. This sounds misogynistic but that would accuse the Scriptures of being misogynistic. Far be it for me to do that. In 1 Corinthians it specifically shows different roles and encourages a complementarian view of gender. It does not show a mixing or merging of them. Men are not meant to be weak, they’re to be meek. Weak means I can’t. Meek means I can but choose not to. There is a difference between angry and emphatic. Men can be nurturing but it is better if they take an alpha leadership role as it fits their nature better. Men aren’t maternal. They’re paternal. I protect. I tell the hard truth. I provide. I hunt. I feed. I give knowledge. I raise boys to be men. I don’t expect women to understand because they’re women. Frankly, I don’t expect men lulled into the culture's castrating effects to understand either. The roles are clearly outlined in Scripture. 

I knew my recent posts were going to tear a scab off a wound. Little did I expect many would criticize me as robustly. Unlike 10 years ago when I said things like this and acquiesced due to uncertainty when confronted…I now stand staunchly against attempts to undermine and silence the Biblical view. I know I am standing on hallowed Biblical ground. I will not fold like a house of cards to try and appease a church that has fallen away from Scripture. A church that has swung its doors open to embrace the culture instead of sending the church into the world to be salt and light. The culture that is coming into the church is not only godless, it is in absolute chaos due to a lack of knowledge. Ignorant because of a lack of Godly leadership just as in government. A culture where men have abdicated their roles as leaders, providers and protectors and become patsies, victims or predators.

I'm done listening to unbiblical cultural dogma being rebroadcast by an apostate church. A majority of which are now embracing heretical theologies like Social Justice Theology, Liberation Theology, Feminist Theology, New Age Gnosticism, Universalism, etc. It has misled both men and women and scrambled the role of men and women. It's redefined complementarian roles in favor of egalitarianism or the belief that not only can women do anything men can do but men are to act like women. Nonsense. It’s not toxic masculinity its godless immorality. I am going back to the traditional ways where men were men and women were women.

If not God's (my) people will perish for lack of knowledge.

Cultus Politicus: Acolytes of Anarchy

The media and politicians are making monsters of heroes and making heroes monsters at every turn. I’ve had my fill of the lies. This started as a Facebook post but took on its own life. As I said, "The exact moment violence, looting, killing or vandalism breaks out they cease to be protesters and become terrorists, thieves, murderers and vandals." These rioters/vandals are merely the right arm of political ideas. A physical manifestation of the same malevolent spirit. If political leaders do nothing to stop the chaos then they are the chaos. They are of similar malignant spirit.

Start calling criminals criminal. We can't defeat and enemy if we can't identify it. The radicals are practicing what is called dissimulation in a time of war. It is done today by equivocating or deliberately mislabeling things or using alternate meanings to words that vary depending on political ideology. This goes farther than just words. Dissimulation is also now being done with images. Videos are being edited and whittled down to show only what the ideologues want you to see. Dissimulation is deliberate lying to conceal true motives, feelings, or beliefs or pull things completely out of original contexts. Dissimulation's goal is to confuse of the truth. It is malicious behavior meant to gain a tactical advantage. It can also mean hiding ideas under a false appearance in plain view; concealment by feigning. Pro-Choice. Planned Parenthood. Social Justice. What is being concealed? Truth. I also believe a hostile takeover of the United States or an attempt to bring it down.

The manipulation have been institutionalized in media to sow misinformation and reap fruits of chaos. Republicans can use the stratagem but it's the stock-and-trade of Progressives in governments and academia. People believe they’re reforming the system. In reality they’re tearing it down. The reason I type this is because it mimics something particularly religious. Specifically, a doctrine in Islam called al-Taqiyya. It is this similarity I examine because of what it tells us about Progressive Liberalism and others of their ilk. In fact, it will show how it is also used by BLM, Antifa and organizations like SPLC and Planned Parenthood. All of which radically departed morality and Judeo-Christian ethics years ago. I'll show you how all these groups have turned into de facto religious entities, specifically…cults.

There’s a difference in Islam between ease of prayer (darura) and necessity of it in the Qu’ran (called tayseer). Sharia has a dualistic principle when it comes to being under jihad and needing to lie or use dissimulation (al-Taqiyya). When Islam cannot practice Sharia for fear of persecution/death, Islam allows itself to relax its demands. It is called ‘darura’ which means “to make easy”. When environments do not allow sharia to be used Muslims are not obligated to pray five times a day and can eat pork. In other words, on a whim, Muslims can decide that which is required can be become optional without fault, apparent contradiction or hypocrisy (in their eyes). It is institutionalized deception approved by an authority figure to gain a political end. Even if that end is death for their cause.

We see similar methods of Progressives. They use a double-mindedness (James 1:8) when applying rules and laws to those that do not align to their political ideology. Yet, they do not apply the same rules to themselves. Progressives see themselves as being on some form of quasi-religious social mission but they don’t see the religious aspect of it. They view themselves as acting on higher moral and ethical authority, just as Islam does. Instead of Allah as their god it is the State. The same applies to Black Lives Matter. Same as Antifa. Same as SPLC. There are believers (of progressivism in all its forms) and then there are the political kafir/infidel who they view as opposing them. These 'infidels' are often conservatives and/or Christians. Also stereotyped and referred to as the ‘good old boy network’ or old rich white dudes. 

Most agnostic/atheistic democrats would never admit that they pursue their ideologies with religious fervor. What else do you call it when someone acts in emotion, absent corroborated or even relevant facts? They often act solely on what they believe? Acting solely on how they feel things should be? Personally, I call it emotive religion. When these beliefs turn deadly in the form of violence…I call it cultic. A cult being a social group defined by unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal.

When you try to institute philosophical non-Christian beliefs into institutionalized law of a nation (lex terrae) what you do is canonize sin. Immorality turns into canonized murder in the form of legal abortion. Sexual immorality canonized in the law becomes legal adultery, same-sex marriage or polygamy. When you try to canonize normalized sexual acts with a child it becomes legal pedophilia. When you try to institute Islam into the Constitutional law within the United State…it becomes Sharia and a Caliphate. You see where I am going with this. Sin not only becomes normalize...it is applauded. We literally worship a Golden Calf.

We see similar tactics when it comes to the BLM organization and Social Justice. You cannot speak out against it. The tide of public opinion will turn on you viciously. Having no challenger it becomes emboldened as a sort of de-facto law of public opinion. No dissent is tolerated. This is literally the definition of a dogmatic cult. In fact, it's the same type of actions used when Catholicism was instituted as nationalistic religion by Constantine. It is the same mindset we saw with Jim Jones in Jonestown, Guyana. The acolytes in media exacerbate this problem supporting only one view…the radical one. There is no balance. The illusion of choice is feigned to pacify the masses into believing they have any control. These are the tactics that Islam uses when pushing Islam and the same tactics used when BLM pushes radical Social Justice.

BLM comes as a duality. They protest/riot for racial justice but the underlying political philosophy is what steers the ship. In Islam the religious Islam is steered by political Sharia. With BLM and other Social Justice organizations like the SPLC the religious face is based on 'Social Justice' but the cultic underbelly is Marxism. What is worse is that there is a secondary religious element of Liberation Theology embedded in the Marxist BLM. A theory they gleaned from Central and South America. The founders even acknowledged their links to these Marxist Liberation Theology underpinnings.

Just as Sharia lays out the strategy for assimilation of a infidel nation like America. So too the Marxist philosophies in BLM. Here is where Antifa enters the picture. What BLM lacks in political sway Antifa propagates via violence and intimidation. Antifa uses the same types of Fascist and Marxist tactics they claim to hate. Again, we see dissimulation. These groups work together as strange bedfellows as they seek the same end which is cult-like obedience to tearing down the system and rebuilding a new world order. 

They don’t care if they are practicing a form or agnostic/atheistic al-Taqiyya. They don’t care if they are seen as hypocrites. They don’t care if people die. That is because they believe religiously (cult-like) in 'the cause' and that the cause is morally superior. All other worldviews be damned. That is nearly an exact definition of a supremacist. All facts be damned. A belief their actions are justified is all that matters. All means are acceptable if they can achieve their ends. Just like BLM. Just like Islam. Just like the Progressive Liberalism. 

The Progressives, BLM, Antifa and Islam all claim they want freedoms according to the 1st Amendment. The truth is they only want these things for themselves. The rules only apply in one direct. Those whom believe they view as morally and intellectually inferior. Most religions and organizations are basically live and let live…but not the aforementioned groups. Once their views are institutionalize in the Lex Terrae, they will stifle all dissent. They don't wish to have a conversation. They only want to silence dissidents.

We’ve seen it in every land Islam becomes a majority in for 1500 years. The land is subjugated to Sharia. We’ve seen it in every country Social Justice has taken hold in: Venezuela, Cuba, etc. BLM is just another name for this Social Justice. Critical Race Theory becomes the rally cry but underneath Marxist Liberation Theology rules supreme. We’ve seen every city Antifa infiltrates becomes bedlam: Portland, Seattle, New York, etc. We’ve seen the social fabric unwind in every city Progressives take charge off: San Francisco, Chicago, Washington DC, New York City, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, etc. Failed philosophies entrenched in power. They’re like a tick that burrowed so deeply that you risk other infections unless you take some of the surrounding tissue. If not the disease spreads.

If you resist you're labelled bigot, racist, homophobe, misogynist or Islamophobe. By not meeting this head-on and fighting back they we accommodating the radicals instead of fixing the problem. In reality we’re letting the parasite poison its host slowly killing it and draining its life. In reality Islam views you as dhimmi. BLM view you as a form of racial dhimmi. The democrats view you as a political dhimmi. Merely religious or political tools to gain them control. It is parasitic.

Those that appease believe they’ll be able to reform and bring them around to their point of view. The appeasers are being used as a means to an end. If appeasement actually worked Islam would’ve assimilated into Western civilization over a millennium ago. Marxist Liberation Theology would’ve been assimilated into the orthodox church and politically everyone would’ve become agreeable centrists. That’s not what happens. Everything drifts to rebellion. Just as man does against God. These systems not founded in Biblical underpinnings inevitably fail. They give way to poverty, injustices and an elite ruling class. An aristocracy (Progressive Liberals) …or a kleptocracy if you prefer (Republican). We’re being ruled by lunatics and thieves. The Republicans are no better when they make a career of politics and line pockets with gold. In truth the very same religio-political dogmatism can easily be conducted by ‘conservatives’ and often is. One needs only to research ‘The Family’ and Douglas Coe. Meanwhile the middle-class dies and only two classes remain. The Proletariat and the Bourgeoise. A preclude to a revolt.

We need to allow history to be a teacher here. Sharia cannot be reformed. Islam views the US Constitution as subordinate to the political authority of Sharia. The Democrats cannot be reformed. They’ve routinely viewed themselves as above the Constitution. They seek to rewrite the Constitution not interpret it. Even the deceased Progressive champion Ruth Bader Ginsberg often sought to overturn or reinterpret the Constitution rather than abide by it. The BLM Marxist and Antifa seek only to tear the system down completely and build it over in their image. The Republicans are content with the status quo because it fiscally benefits them. They too are progressive, just more subtle and patient about it. In truth Republicans are now Kennedy Democrats. Few of them wish to be or can be subservient to the Constitution. 

Let that sink in.

Article 6 of the US Constitution says that the Constitution is the highest law of the land and cannot be subjugated to any other legal code. It is the rudimentary claim of Sharia and these other worldviews that it will be the highest law of any land until all are converted, enslave or killed. The Democrats have repeatedly shown their desire to rewrite the Constitution and history. If we say or believe that Islam, Marxist BLM, Fascist Antifa or the postmodern philosophies of Progressive Liberalism is working within the framework of democracy…we deceive ourselves. They cannot coexist under the Constitution. We’d be a kingdom in conflict with ourselves. More specifically we’d be a divided nation. Which is exactly why we see horrible division in American society. The Bible tells us a house divided cannot stand. These philosophies are completely incompatible with the US Constitution.

The pseudo-religious behavior of the secular organizations is the most troubling. At least Christianity and Judaism is put in check by a divine authority. Secular organizations behaving as a cult-like entity have no internal restraints therefore all things could be permissible. That is the definition of anarchy. When they pursue their ideology in blind faith absent any firm substantiating facts this cult-like fervor leads to self-destructive pandemonium. The conservatives? They just seem to be going along for the ride. In the end, politics and religious zeal for a man-made system will not save the world. Not even the US Constitution. Neither can political activism pursued like crazed knights on a holy crusade. Only Christ can do this. Everything else is compromise and chaos. Smoke and mirrors.

Moving Forward Requires Going Backward

Micah 7:1-6 "…. I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave. The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire- they all conspire together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion. Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law- a man's enemies are the members of his own household."

Good men. Righteous men that fear God are scarce in this passage, just as today. On the whole the presence of God has disappeared causing confusion both in Israel and America. In the passage above, "The first ripe fruit." What is really found. "There is no cluster to eat" or no cluster of grapes is found. The picture of a good man is the opposite. The good man is merciful, actively good and benevolent to others. The good man is a positive influence. He upholds justice, checks corruptions, and testifies to God. When merciful men die or turn bad, uprightness leaves and cruelty appears in the land. When good leaves, immorality arrives. As it was in Micah’s time…so it is now. Corruption is prevalent in all levels of the society thus the foundations of morality are destroyed. Down is up and up is down. Good is evil and evil is good.

In the Book of Daniel we see mention of Babylon as the first in a line of empires that would impact the world from the time of the fall of Jerusalem to the end of the age in Revelation. Daniel found himself at the seat of the empire dealing with a succession of rulers beginning with Nebuchadnezzar. While explaining the king's dream, the prophet says that God "removes kings and raises up kings" (Daniel 2:21). Leap forward thousands of years we see the mention of Babylon again. It is important to understand this future Babylon is not literally Babylon but carries within it the ‘spirit’ of Babylon.

Revelation 18:9-10 Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

This ‘Babylonian’ system, will be a combination of religion and politics (social justice and democracy). It will control the world for a brief but significant time prior to the return of Christ. The world will be lulled into a false sense of security by this system that will come together in the guise of safety. While this system will impact the entire world, there are signs it will be weak in its foundation. Its very size will make it a complex system overbearing system. Many nations, ethnicities, cultures and languages will be in play. We see America. We see a nation that is currently ununified at even the most basic level. We cannot even meet together in the middle to have rational, peaceful conversation. We are at a crossroads.

Fundamental communication between two halves of the most powerful nation in the world is nearly impossible because of ideological incompatibility exacerbated by politically driven media propaganda. This discord is aided by technology we didn’t even have 20 years ago. Things are accelerating. Knowledge is increasing. Technology not fully understood by those who use it. Not understanding its real power. We are literally tying together a massive network of unregulated rebellion, sedition and chaos. A network that can even have anonymous third-party actors (Russia, China) seeking to bring both sides down via false information.

Nefarious elements will be able to propagate lies quicker and more efficiently. The lies and untruths will outpace the truth. No one will know what truth is because society has abandoned God, the only absolute measure of truth. All this will inevitably foment more violent discord and animus. It will be an unstable mixture that will quickly unravel. We’ve already begun to see exactly that volatile scenario unfold.

Furthermore…

Revelation 18:8 "Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her... For in one hour your judgment has come"

Consider recent events in the US and world economy and how they went from boom to bust when (1) governments intervened to purposely bring the economy to a halt through a supposed ‘plague’. The (2) Americans subsequently defaulted on loans. Thousands upon thousands of businesses went belly-up. The global economy is still trying to recover but we see just how fast empire can be brought to its knees. We see just how fast localized discord/distortion can lead to universalized lawless revolt. It is an object lesson in how quickly even small events can turn the world upside down in a demonic Butterfly Effect.

We have now witnessed nearly four months of unchecked civil unrest due to leaders completely abdicating their roles and not doing their jobs. As corruption and immorality is shown in Micah 7, we also see the leaders failing to lead while simultaneously building their petty kingdoms on the backs of the suffering of the poor in Amos 5.

Amos 5:7-13 There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground. He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn and darkens day into night, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land, the Lord is his name. With a blinding flash he destroys the stronghold and brings the fortified city to ruin. There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

I believe this describes the current situation in the United States succinctly. It’s of course written in the Book of Amos, a minor prophet of the Old Testament. Amos who was writing in approximately 750 BC making Amos likely the first prophetic book of the Bible to be written. A prophet warning of the inevitably of what was to come if a nation did not change their ways and turn back to God. Just as I do to you now. It is ironic that Amos’ major themes were of social justice and divine judgment. The Northern Kingdom of Israel who would, ironically be overrun but Assyria who itself would be taken over by none other than the Babylonians. A nation acting in the ‘spirit’ of Babylon would, because of its sin of immorality and violence succumb to Babylon. Just as we see today in the United States.

All of this to say this…

Anyone that believes such a technically dependent and inherently unstructured and violent mass of people can continue to subsist without correction are sadly deceiving themselves. Too often we try to predict the future to no avail. We needn’t look to the future (Revelation) to try to figure out what happens next. We need to turn to the past to see where we are heading. The very same past that many seek to outrun, rewrite or erase completely. The clearest picture of where we are going to end up is to see the patterns of behavior and thought we are reenacting now as related to past events. The events like those of Northern Israel and Babylon. In looking back to those events, we can also see where those events led long dead empires. America is the ‘spirit’ of Northern Israel and Babylon so we should not be surprised if we end in the same manner. The Bible is clear, there is nothing new under the sun. History can and will repeat in exactly the same manner as it has before.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Empires behave like all complex adaptive systems allowed by God. They rise to power and function in apparent equilibrium for some indeterminate period. Then, unlike how they slowly rose to power, they corrupt and abruptly collapse under the weight. The weight of their own corruption which in itself is God’s justice judging the injustices within that Empire.

The key to our future survival requires we look to the past.

The Revolution Starts At My Firewall

A majority of the youth today look up to uneducated actors and athletes and take their words and thoughts as Gospel. Uninformed, many of these will be allowed to vote (athletes, actors and their idolizers). Ignorant of the past thinking they know everything they’ll repeat it showing how strikingly little they actually know…just as we see in the encouragement of BLM and defense of Antifa in the current unrest. In terms of intellect most of the idolizers can do little more than tie shoes and chew gum. Forget about thinking rationally and logically.

The same goes for those they idolize. The athletes and actors that spout their ideologically ignorant views. The only difference between the athletes/acts and those that idolize them being the size of their paychecks. Ironically those oversized paychecks will give activists athletes and actors the ability to insulate themselves from the frontlines of the war that their worshippers will be fighting on.

To those that will say that some of these elitist Marxists are educated, my question to you is: Educated in what? Are you sure they're not indoctrinated with the political ideologies and emotive brainwashing of their godless professors and teachers? The very same who themselves were indoctrinated by the amoral or immoral radicals of the Baby Boomer generation that flipped-off God in favor of naturalism and empiricism. They worship themselves; they worship others like them and despise God or any that would dare challenge their authority.

Then we wonder why those currently in charge pass laws that contradict one another. We wonder why our cities burn to the ground and people are senselessly killed. Killed for the same reasons people have been killed for centuries. We wonder why 90% of politicians are only interested in lining their own pockets or the pockets of their children. There is indeed a Revolution/Insurrection coming but not the one most think. The politicians are using their constituents like plastic soldiers in their own little miniature dirt wars and struggles for power.

There is an insurrection coming against the 'gods of self'. Against the abuses of those that worship the Creation rather than the Creator. Against, the lunacy of subjugation against ones' will. A revolution against the desire of tyrants to imprison and silence those that do not think or talk like them. Tyrants building an empire upon the backs of the poor. You build a kingdom upon the backs of the black man and/or other minorities yet lie directly to their face and tell them you're doing it for them. You're only doing it to maintain you're grip on power and your stacks of money. Deceptively you've masked your criminality under the guise of law and legislation while simultaneously removing all semblance of structure and fomenting anarchy.

The day of reckoning is nearly upon us and the only way people are going to be able to open their eyes and truly see is through tragic loss and unmitigated suffering. That is what history has clearly taught ad nauseum. There will need to be a painful punch in the face for people to snap out of their stupor and see the light. The truth is waiting...but it lies across a street that will run with blood.

The revolution / insurrection will be televised and broadcast by the media if only to recoup their financial losses. They'll need to make money to replace all the money they spent propagating and pushing their false narrative and their deadly propaganda. You fiends may have fooled many...but not everyone.

The lies will pervade every aspect of society and culture because the twisted propaganda will reach everyone no matter where they're at. The insurrectionists have access to everyone directly. The revolution/insurrection will be in our backyards and in our neighborhoods. Instead of a couple of riots and a few cities on fire there will be upheaval and arson in every small town and suburb. The revolution will reach everywhere that media can reach. We'll be fighting one another for every inch of ground that is worth fighting for. It has already effectively infiltrated our military, government, schools and churches. They have swept aside our parents and are coming for our children. The war is already turning daughters against mothers and sons against fathers. They're destroying the Church. It now seeks to neuter our police force and law and order in general. Thereby creating the chaos it seeks. We'll be fighting strangers and neighbors alike. But...

There appears to be a remnant in this modern electronic diaspora. There will be a Resistance to the strategies of radicals and the demonic. A group perfectly suited to exposing the truth. There will be no frontline but rather digital guerilla warfare on a million internet firewalls in individual homes. They'll be able to turn off the lies. They'll be able to discern the truth even through the multitude of multiplying deceptions. 

Their basis for reason and rational will be firmly rooted in Scripture. The resistance will repel the ungodliness by converting one heart at at time. Bringing light into the dark so the truth can be seen clearly. A letter, a key stroke like a bullet...one tap at a time. A sentence like the staccato of semi-automatic fire. This is my opening salvo. 

If not...in the collapse and end of the empire will begin the searing edge of hellfire.

What About Justice? Addendum on The Use of Force

I was asked a few valid questions by Christian friends that need to be addressed in this addendum. What about a justified use of force. A just war? What if, "an eye for an eye...", is absolute perfect justice and anything less mercy (or possibly injustice) and anything more an injustice? What about the death penalty? What about protection of your family and property from an intruder? 

I need to be clear here. I was in no way saying roll over and play dead in my last post. That is just stupid. I was not saying that Christians or others should make themselves targets or victims by doing nothing. I was not saying that using force to protect one’s self or others wellbeing is wrong. 

The idea of justice always come with the caveat or a footnote of needing to use force. That is essentially the questions / objections being raised to my previous non-violent post. To impose one’s will on another to correct a wrong or balance or injustice. Although it is always preferable to avoid that scenario….it is not always possible. Therefore, it becomes necessary to discuss the use of force to institute justice. 

In short: Jus Ad Bellum or the ‘Right to War’. It is a set of criteria that are to be reviewed or premeditated before engaging in conflict. Jus Ad Bellum is used in order to determine whether entering into conflict is advisable or even ethically permissible. Justice always raises the specter of force. As Christians we should most often opt for the 'Principle of Last Resort' that stipulates that all non-violent options must first be exhausted before the use of force can be justified to create communal justice or communal equilibrium.

Violence and force….? I was saying in my last post that it is not the optimal means to an end. It should be used as last recourse or defense, not the first action or in offense unless circumstances show that offensive force is justified or even needed. The Bible gives law and teaching to prevent sin, not encourage it. But we live in a fallen world and need to live with the consequences of that. One of my favorite sayings is that we’re Christians we’re not doormats. Yes, we’re to turn the other cheek and forgive the trespass…but sometimes that just isn’t possible. Sometimes the only thing to prevent evil from completely taking over is for good men to act…sometimes forcefully. Sometimes violently.

So…how to incorporate the whole Jesus 'turn the other cheek' thing? Even the sanctuary cities in Deuteronomy and lex talionis' 'eye for an eye' was an attempt in the Old Testament to limit damage or stop escalation of violence, not promote it. The Bible is not saying the use of force is forbidden. It's just not the optimal path. The action isn’t what should be focused on in this instance. It is the intent behind the actions. You should absolutely protect your family, even if it means/meant going to war to stop Hitler or Stalin. Hence the need of military and paramilitary forces. To stop external AND internal aggessors. 

We also need to consider that, sometimes, in order to love and protect those we love or our neighbor we need to use force to stop potential threats to them. When I say that justice will never be never be gained at the point of a sword, I mean it in an offensive manner...not defensive manner. Unfortunately, sometimes people are just crazy and need to be restrained from evil forcefully including a termination if necessary.

When conflict is unavoidable it is best to stay tightly aligned to Biblical ideologically. Violence, conflict or war should be avoided but not to the cost of comprising the Gospel or Scripture or careless loss of life that can be purposefully avoided. Stated frankly it is not always a sin to escalate the use of force to protect the innocent, weak or feeble (widows, orphans, handicap). It is expected that good Christians will protect these. If conflict is necessary the conflict must be as limited as possible to achieve stability and neutralize the evil. Again, in the context of justice we should seek to balance...not avenge. 

Second, the conflict needs to be waged for just cause, on account of some wrong that the attacked have committed. Lastly and probably most importantly, as with the last post on justice the combatants must have the right intent of the heart. That is namely to promote good and to stop an evil as defined in Scripture. As with everything else in the Bible, God is isn’t always interested in the actions or words themselves but rather…the intent of those actions.

A just conflict can be offensive and is often necessary in the context of self-defense against an entity or person(s) that has a history of escalating violence against another. If a known hostile entity has a history of malfeasance, offensive force is justified to put an end to the threat that entity poses.

Along similar lines, injustice should never be tolerated so as to avoid further conflict. In other words, not stopping an evil person like Hitler because it might be save lives in the immediate future is never a justification for not stopping him. We need only look at the example of Neville Chamberlain known for his appeasement of Hitler by signing the Munich Agreement in 1938 which only made World War II longer and more deadly. If deadly force is justified to self-defend it should only be used to the extent it is necessary. 

If the conflict is unjust those that win it under unjust premises have no right to rule over another. There is no justice served. If the conflict is just those that win it under just premises have every right to rule as their cause was just. This still leads back to the original intent of my last post. Who is the judge of whether a cause is just?

God. Get right with God and much of this can or could've been avoided. Be wrong with God and chaos and destruction ensue.

What About Justice?

Justice in Christian moral theology is a quality or habit which perfects the will and inclines it to render to each and to all what belongs to them…including God. The object of the virtue of justice is primarily concerned with the relationship with God first and secondarily the other person's rights, whether natural or bestowed by God or State.

So…what is justice? I think Thomas Aquinas has a good definition that we can start from. We have tended recently to think of justice as having our rights, as though it was a relation between things, between me and my right. But Aquinas says, no; it is a relation between three things, between two people in relation with each other and thirdly the goods and services that at least one of them needs. One way to put this is that rights are always correlative to obligations or responsibilities. The question of justice is the question of whether the person in need and I are related in such a way that I ought to meet the need. I further add to what Aquinas said and add in how God factors into the overall equation. I do so because the Bible says so. 

Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

God requires. Its not a request. It’s a de facto command. You’re expected to do so. Do what? Act justly to others in kindness AND walk humbly with your God. So immediately we see that the proper definition of justice is relational and is a three way relationship between you, another and God.

So why is God so intrinsic to an otherwise interpersonal relationship between two people? Two reasons. (1) God is ultimately the absolute measure or benchmark of what is right, righteous or holy. A benchmark in which all measured against him will fall short. This should, in turn compel us to be better and try harder to act justly towards others. (2) God will, being the ultimate measure of goodness and holiness also be the final judge and purveyor of justice as all justice flows out from His being like living water. Only he is worthy to judge. The judge of all great and small. Whether a man believes in God or not, they will all face the same judgment against the same exacting holy standard. Christ. The only One who could embody and therefore abrogate the Mosaic Law.

Revelation 20:11-12 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

Hebrew 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

But that...that is the end of all things. The final judgment. The hellfire and brimstone judgment or eternal salvation eschatology aspect. What do we do now? How do we reconcile the justice now on earth during such twisted upside-down times? How do I practically apply the idea of Biblical justice now to make the world a better place than it currently is?

What else do we learn in the Bible?

In serving the purposes of God I am therefore serving Christ. Christ came specifically to serve others, and he humbled himself to do so. So much so that he made Himself a slave to death and the grave until overcoming death. So, when we serve the purposes of God, we serve Christ who invariably served man and submitted to death so that man would ultimately conquer death. Paul says exactly this in Philippians 2.

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

In the ultimate act of submission to the will of the Father, Jesus served man by becoming a slave to death for three days in the grave. He allowed Himself to be crucified in the worst miscarriage or abortion of justice in history. In so doing the Father through the Spirit raised Christ to life the third day overcoming the injustice of death. Having been brought down to the lowest low in death, in utter humiliation, God lifted him because of His justness and perfection to the Law. So we see that part of justice is in living a life like and having in us a mind like that of Christ in the Cross. Jesus served those in need. So, I should emulate and do the same. So should you. Not because I told you to but because you want to.

The root of true justice involves us walking humbly with God. To walk humbly with God is to give God the initiative. He is putting us into the situations and the relationships in which justice is to be done and can be done. If we allow ourselves to be pliable in God’s hands we can be shaped to implement justice in whatever form He deems necessary or possible through us. That is true for the smallest child to the greatest leaders who ever lived. From an infant child in a manger or a lofty Pharoah over Egypt.

Justice is treating your neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. The word proximus in Latin from which we get the English word proximity is drawn from the Greek word plesion / πλησίον. It literally means ‘near to’, ‘next to’ or nearby. It is also translated and is a word used for neighbor in the Bible. It is the word neighbor in the Greek in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. God put the Samaritan traveler next to, proximate to, the wounded dying man lying by the side of the road. In this way, we as neighbors are used by God to give justice based on our proximity to the people that do not have it. By extension by being good neighbors and loving our neighbors (or others) we dispense God’s justice to those that do not have it. In so doing we balance the scales of justice in the way we show love and kindness to them.

That is exactly why true justice…can’t be gained through the point of a sword or the tip of a bullet by those seeking revenge. That is why those that chose to live by the sword eventually die by the sword. Justice through violence is totally contrary to the idea of justice put forth by Scripture. 

For man, God has providentially given us to those in need so we can serve the needs of other people. He as put us near and next to others as our neighbors to help balance the scales and seek justice for those neighbors or as in the case of the Good Samaritan…even complete strangers. To do any less is to be godless and away from God. Not in proximity to Him. The last I checked, the farther away from God you are, the more alienated from Him you become. The more alienated from justice you become. The more likely that the judgement befalls you as you become out of balance.

A man who truly loves God can’t not love his neighbor. That is justice. We are justice to others if we walk humbly with God and do unto others.