America – Page 2 – Dobra Family Ministry

Wield the Sword: Vote

“… I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Encouraging all to vote if you haven’t already. God is our highest affection and our greatest love. Salvation comes from God alone and Christ is King! We have been given the ministry of discipleship (Matt. 28:19-20) and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) and should wield the sword well (Eph. 6:17) for God’s glory and our neighbors highest and best good.

Wield the sword – download your sample ballot and apply the Scriptures, then go vote:

Civil duty – “As the pillar and buttress of truth” 1 Tim. 3:15
Life – Jeremiah 7:31, Numbers 35:33
Sexual Morality – Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28
Marriage – Matthew 19:4-6
The Church – 1 Timothy 2:1-2
Israel – Zechariah 2:8
Economics – Prov. 20:10, Deut. 25:15, Ex. 20:17, 23:2-3, Lev. 19:15

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:19-20 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.28.19-20.LSB

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/2co.5.18-19.LSB

“also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.6.17.LSB

Civil Duty

“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Life

“They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, and it did not come upon My heart.” Jeremiah 7:31 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/jer.7.31.LSB

“So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land, and no propitiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.” Numbers 35:33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/num.35.33.LSB

Sexual Morality

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness… Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them… For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural… And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper,” Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.1.18-28.LSB

Marriage

“Haven’t you read,” [Jesus] replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus quotes from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24) Matthew 19:4-6 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.19.4-6.LSB

Israel

“For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which have taken you as spoil, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/zec.2.8.LSB

The Church

“First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.2.1-2.LSB

Economics

“Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are an abomination to Yahweh.” Proverbs 20:10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/pro.20.10.LSB

“You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly, is an abomination to Yahweh your God.” Deuteronomy 25:15-16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/deu.25.15-16.LSB

“¶“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”” Exodus 20:17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/exo.20.17.LSB

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.” Leviticus 19:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/lev.19.15.LSB

Objective Christian principles to consider when choosing a party or candidate to vote for. https://ministry.family.blog/2024/07/13/civic-duty-principles-2024-07/

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

Household Prayer: Fall Fellowship Prayer

Prayer:

““Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the families here tonight and all those that have come together in a unity of the faith and mission to disciple and teach our children diligently to know You our God and make You known.

May we build each other up and encourage one another in our fellowship.

God I pray for continued civil favor in Illinois. Many tyrannical voices are speaking of their desire to overreach their God ordained civil role and encroach on the governance of the family and parents. May Your people be informed and active in sharing Your truth. May justice and the rule of constitutional law prevail. Heavenly Father be our advocate and fight for Your people.

May Your will, God, be our desire. Bless everyone here and especially the children.

In Jesus Christs Name I pray – amen

Scripture and supporting notes:

Unity “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the good oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.” Psalm 133:1-2 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.133.1-2.LSB

Mission “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/deu.6.7.LSB

Mission “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/eph.6.4.ESV

Mission “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mrk.16.15.LSB

Encourage “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.4.29.LSB

Encourage “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/heb.3.13.LSB

Civil role “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:3-4 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.13.4.LSB

Civil overreach “God’s law makes it clear that parents are to rule and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Any man who does not take care of his family is worse than a pagan (1 Tim. 5:8)… Governments that incentivize single parenting and then take on the role of absentee father, providing income and shelter, are wicked. The moment civil government inserts itself in such ways, it has moved beyond the overlap of influence and entered into overreach.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Civil duty “As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15), the local church is to have a prophetic voice in various spheres of society, promoting biblical truth… how else can magistrates be held accountable to that message except from the prophetic voice of the church? In this way, Christians, especially ministers ordained to gospel ministry, ought to engage in this governmental sphere prophetically… John the Baptist serves as a prophetic example… Mark 6:17-18.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Why Does HSLDA Get Involved in Fourth Amendment Cases? https://hslda.org/post/why-does-hslda-get-involved-in-fourth-amendment-cases

Civil justice, our King! “¶Arise, O Yahweh; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. ¶Yahweh is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land. O Yahweh, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will cause Your ear to give heed To give justice to the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.” Psalm 10:12, 16-18 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.10.12-18.LSB

God’s will, our desire “‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.6.10.LSB

Household Prayer: Acts 7 – God’s Political Providence

““But as the time of the promise was drawing near which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose over Egypt who did not know about Joseph. It was he who deceitfully took advantage of our family and mistreated our fathers to set their infants outside so that they would not survive…” Acts 7:17-20, 34 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/act.7.17-34.LSB

God’s Political Providence

Brothers, meditating on Stephen’s proclaiming of God’s providence in Acts 7. Praying specifically that we trust in God in times of political change and hardship. Even when “another king”arises and takes “advantage of our family” we know God is working for his glory and our good. I pray we act, vote, and proclaim “As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15),” but always trusting in God that His will be done even if it doesn’t seem to be going our way. John Quincy Adams said, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”

“As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15), the local church is to have a prophetic voice in various spheres of society, promoting biblical truth… how else can magistrates be held accountable to that message except from the prophetic voice of the church? In this way, Christians, especially ministers ordained to gospel ministry, ought to engage in this governmental sphere prophetically… John the Baptist serves as a prophetic example… Mark 6:17-18.” From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Pastoral Negligence – Pulpit Malpractice

“It is difficult to fathom that our local leaders and representatives would practice their authority in legislation and administration righteously when the church remains silent as to how they are to serve their constituents righteously… Acceding to the common evangelical mantra to keep politics out of the pulpit is not an option if one is to preach the whole counsel of God… for the preacher to say nothing would be nothing less than pulpit malpractice.” From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

“If [a gospel minister] shall speak straight out & boldly, fearless of man, & only fearful lest he should grieve his God, he will stir the kennels of hell, & make all the hounds of Satan howl at his heels.” Charles Spurgeon

Judgement for Government Negligence

“A government not willing to protect its citizens from vandalism, rioting, looting, theft, [illegal migrant invasion], and all sorts of criminal activities, including physical violence, is in severe danger. This danger stems from the fact that they will incur the wrath of God for abdicating their primary role tasked by God himself.” https://ministry.family.blog/2024/07/13/civic-duty-principles-2024-07/

““But as the time of the promise was drawing near which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until another king arose over Egypt who did not know about Joseph. It was he who deceitfully took advantage of our family and mistreated our fathers to set their infants outside so that they would not survive. It was at this time that Moses was born, and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home… I have surely seen the oppression of My people in Egypt and have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them; come now, and I will send you to Egypt.’” Acts 7:17-20, 34 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/act.7.17-34.LSB

“And a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and it be in the event of war, that they also join themselves to those who hate us and fight against us and go up from the land.”” Exodus 1:8-10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/exo.1.8-10.LSB

Civic Duty Principles 2024-07

“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Civic Duty Principles

Objective Principles

Objective principles to consider when choosing a party or candidate to vote for.

Cannot support a party or candidate that supports the culture of death (abortion, euthanasia, etc…).

Cannot support a party or candidate that is a champion for or affirms the wrath of God as displayed in the LGBTQ+ movement.

Cannot support a party or candidate that does not honor marriage as God has defined it between one man and one woman.

Before any governments or churches, God ordained the family!

The Scriptures start with a marriage, God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Adam and Eve, Genesis 1:28), and they end with a marriage, ”Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”“ (Revelation 19:7 LSB)

Marriage is a reflection of the gospel!

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless… This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-27, 32 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.5.25-32.LSB

Learn from the example of Saint Valentine (Valentinus 269 A.D), he defied the Roman Emperor unto death for the gospel and God’s institution of marriage. Marriage is greater than any earthly empire!

Cannot support a party or candidate that is an enemy of Israel.

Cannot support a party or candidate that is not a friend to the Church.

Lessons from Romans 13:1-7

From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Abuse of Romans 13

“Romans 13 has been abused… Romans 13 does not primarily address to what extent or how much a Christian should obey the government but rather how they should not disrupt the current government by private revolution… Paul is not demanding unquestioning obedience to one’s government, even if that government has righteous foundations… Rather, it necessitates an attitude of respect and honor to one’s duly ordained civil magistrates, and it prohibits private revolution against that magistrate… If this is an institute ordained by God, then that institute carries with it a deserved respect and honor. However, if we skip to verse 7, we can see that fear/respect is due to the government when they act honorably and respectably.”

Civil authorities have God ordained duties to fulfill.

“The prescriptive interpretation [of verses 3-4] holds that Paul is teaching what duties a government must fulfill, being tasked by God. If they fail to carry out what God prescribes for them, then there are systems created by God within the institution of human government itself, mainly in the further delegation of power to the lesser magistrate. This would also be used to explain when resistance is required on the part of a citizen.”

Judgement for Government Negligence

The Church, Christians and ministers as public figures, has a duty to be the prophetic voice for truth.

Pastoral Negligence – Pulpit Malpractice

“If [a gospel minister] shall speak straight out & boldly, fearless of man, & only fearful lest he should grieve his God, he will stir the kennels of hell, & make all the hounds of Satan howl at his heels.” Charles Spurgeon

When resistance is required.

“If the civil magistrate does not uphold what is prescribed to him in Romans 13:3-4 and the church’s prophetic voice has been ignored, then at that point the Christian finds it his duty to resist those who act dishonorably and out of alignment with the prescriptions of Scripture (esp. Rom. 13:3-4).”

“If error or tyranny exists in the civil magistrate, built within the God-created sphere is a means of correction… God has equipped this sphere with it’s own ability to correct itself through what is often referred to as superior and lesser magistrates. If either the superior magistrate or lower magistrate has erred in the making or enforcing of laws (or lack thereof), correction begins within the sphere of the magistrate. That means the lesser magistrate is to correct the higher magistrate and, if need be, interpose itself between its citizens and their superior magistrate… Matt Trewhella’s fine book The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates [2013] defines the doctrine in this way: ‘When the superior or higher civil authority makes unjust/immoral laws or decrees, the lesser or lower ranking civil authority has both a right and duty to refuse obedience to that superior authority. If necessary, the lesser authorities even have the right and obligation to actively resist the superior authority.’ … The pastors of Magdeburg [1550 AD] … defined the doctrine as follows: ‘Whenever a superior magistrate persecutes his subjects, then, by the law of nature, by divine law, and by the true religion and worship of God, the inferior magistrate ought by God’s mandate to resist him.’ This was similar to [John] Calvin’s [1536 AD] description that the ‘popular [lesser] magistrates have been appointed to curb the tyranny of kings… By the ordinance of God, they are its appointed guardians.’”

“The basic principle of Christian resistance is to overcome evil with good. This means good laws, good wars, good magistrates, good criminal penalties, but also good worship, good families, good business, good suffering, and good death. Duty is the right good at the right time.” Toby Sumpter https://x.com/tjsumpter/status/1819754040777191912?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

Romans 13:1-7

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists that authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:1-7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.13.1-7.LSB

For Further Reading or Viewing:

Really good conversation about A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants. We need to pray for our church leaders to re-learn these old and very costly won theologies. https://youtu.be/0cxGEjKbJn0?si=GDDORCCMkN6a7Yq_

A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by Matthew J. Trewhella https://a.co/aVQzfiR

“The Magdeburg Confession: 13th of April 1550 AD by Pastors of Magdeburg” https://a.co/5X7W9us

Slaying Leviathan: Limited Government and Resistance in the Christian Tradition https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan

By What Standard? God’s World…God’s Rules https://press.founders.org/shop/by-what-standard-gods-world-gods-rules/

The Essential Church https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.aa4a63f3-44a5-499c-8846-06d00c6d0c56&territory=US&ref_=share_ios_movie&r=web more here: https://essentialchurchmovie.com/

Household Prayer: Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God https://ministry.family.blog/2024/02/15/household-prayer-resistance-to-tyrants-is-obedience-to-god/

Just War / Just Cause Theory https://ministry.family.blog/2020/01/29/just-war-just-cause-theory/

Household Prayer: A Culture Building Strategy

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.5.14-16.LSB

Brothers, today I’m thinking about strategy. Are we being pushed and pulled by life, or do we have a strategy to lead our families through life. As the worldly culture around us becomes wicked and hostile, I pray we rely on God’s word to develop a strategy. I pray we are actively building a Godly culture. I pray it starts in our homes and extends into our churches and communities. I pray that we leave an inheritance of Godly culture for our children’s children (Jeremiah 29:5-7, Matthew 5:14-16).

A Puritan Strategy: “A Model of Christian Charity”

Let’s learn from Puritan John Winthrop in their covenant “A Model of Christian Charity” that was the foundation of one of the American Colonies that would become the United States of America.

“In 1630, the Puritans [came to America], with their leader John Winthrop setting forth the terms of their covenant in “A Model of Christian Charity,” which he wrote while sailing across the Atlantic on the ship Arabella. It explained:

Herein are four things to be propounded: first, the persons; secondly, the work; thirdly, the end; fourthly, the means…’” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

First: The Persons

First, for the persons. We are a company professing ourselves fellow members of Christ…

We are each heads of households, church members, and community members and are called to lead, serve, and influence each of those spheres God has placed us in.

Second: The Work

Secondly, for the work… [It is] to seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship [fellowship] under a due form of government, both civil and ecclesiastical…

What is important when the church (we believers) is a despised minority, when the culture around us is increasingly wicked and hostile?

A culture in which we can cultivate Christian households, churches, and communities that are flourishing, faith centered, and independent communities shining a light to the world!

Unwavering worship and affection to Yahweh, community and hospitality among believers, independence from the hostile systems, and holding firm, confident, hopeful, and joyful to the convictions of the faith.

It may be tempting to feel defeated and retreat, but even in exile God’s people are called to be hopeful and joyful as they seek fruitfulness, expansion, and dominion by building houses, planting gardens, getting married, and having children (Jer. 29:5-7).

If we find ourselves longing for the ideal culture of yesterday, then we need to be building the culture we long for among ourselves.

Third: The End

Thirdly, the end is to improve our lives to do more service to the Lord, the comfort and increase of the body of Christ (whereof we are members), that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruptions of this evil world to serve the Lord, and work out our salvation under the power and purity of His holy ordinances.

The type of culture and community worth loving and fighting for! A culture and community like a city on a hill whose light shines before men, pointing to Jesus! (Matt. 5:14-16, John 8:12)

The Spartan’s were far from God, but there is “nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9-10), so when an unbelieving people have a good idea or philosophy it can often be found to originate, knowingly or unknowingly, from the wisdom of God. Such as, “[The Spartans] loved what they were fighting for… They weren’t fueled by hatred for what they were fighting, but rather fueled by love of what they were fighting for–their culture, their family, their homeland [Neh. 4:13-23]. This is why some would say that the opposite of fear is love.” Warrior Poet Profile | The Spartan Warriors https://warriorpoetsupplyco.com/blog/warrior-poet-profile-the-spartan-warriors/

“that I had men stand in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I had the people stand by families with their swords, spears, and bows. Then I saw their fear. And I arose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and fearsome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:13-14 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.4.13-14.LSB

Fourth: The Means

Fourthly, for the means… We must love brotherly without dissimulation [Rom 12:9], we must love one another with a pure heart fervently [1 Pet 1:22]. We must bear one another’s burdens [Gal 6:2]. We must not look only on our own things but also on the things of our brethren [Phil 2:4]… We are entered into covenant with Him for this work-we have taken out a commission. The Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles… but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles… the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, be revenged of such a [sinful] people, and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant. Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck and to provide for our posterity is to follow the counsel of Micah to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God [Mic 6:8]… For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill [Matt 5:14]. The eyes of all people are upon us so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world [Deut 28:37]…’

“arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God.”

There is a spiritual and physical aspect. Like King David’s message to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:19, “David urges Solomon, ‘set your heart and your mind to seek the Lord your God’ and to ‘arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God.’ David’s message still hits home today, urging us to dedicate ourselves to seeking God and advancing His kingdom.” John G. “Jay” Johnston, D.Min, National Prayer Director and Chaplain, Family Research Council Prayer Post, June 25, 2024

Leading ourselves in seeking God. (Mark 12:29-30, Matt. 6:33)

Leading our households as an independent governing sphere under God (Mark 10:6-9, Jeremiah 29:5-7, Eph. 5:1-6:9, 1 Timothy 3:4-5).

Leading our families into the household of households, the local church, to worship Yahweh (Acts 10:2, Heb. 10:25, Acts 2:42).

Leading our households in intentional community fellowship and hospitality (1 Peter 2:9-10,4:9, Romans 12:10,13).

Leading with firm confidence and joy in the convictions of the faith (Matt. 5:14-16, Eph. 5:1-21, 1 Peter 1:13-16).

By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) Rule yourself well, rule your household well, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” – Amen

“Our Forefathers forged a covenant; our Founders laid the foundation. Christ has ever been the True Cornerstone, for it is from Him that our freedom flows. Those who have followed have built upon those values, many wisely, some foolishly, but thankfully a glorious nation emerged. Its people have climbed that mountain and lit a beacon of freedom that has shone brightly for lo these many generations. For ourselves, and for posterity, with all the eyes of the world upon us, let us not stumble now. We cannot, must not, and will not let that light go out.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Household Prayer: Give thanks, repent, reprove, rejoice

“¶Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him… ¶Your land is desolate; Your cities are burned with fire; Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.” Isaiah 1:4, 7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.1.4-7.LSB

Brothers, couple prayer thoughts as I start Isaiah in my reading. First, a nation under God’s judgment will face many woes and food scarcity is one of them (Is. 1:4, 7; 5:5-7). Second, His people need to be repentant, faithful, and bold in the truth (Is. 1:16-17). I pray we have faith, repent of sin, rejoice in our salvation, and praise God and declare His great works to others (Is. 12:2-4).

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name!

““Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not dread; For Yah—Yahweh Himself—is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.”” Isaiah 12:2-4 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.12.2-4.LSB

Reprove the ruthless…

With love, correct and disapprove of the merciless, cruel, and hard-hearted. Reenchant the world with God’s truth.

“¶“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Execute justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.1.17.LSB

A land under judgement

““So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall, and it will become trampled ground. “I will lay it waste; It will not be pruned or hoed, But briars and thorns will come up. I will also command the clouds to rain no rain on it.” ¶For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He hoped for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.” Isaiah 5:5-7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.5.5-7.LSB

Food scarcity and supporting local producers

I’m watching The Tavern on Warrior Poet Society with Rick Green interviewing Texas Slim about The Beef Initiative. The Beef Initiative – The Tavern EP35 on Warrior Poet Society http://www.watchwpsn.com/videos/the-beef-initiative-the-tavern-ep35 (Subscription required)

The Beef Initiative https://beefinitiative.com

Rick Green of Patriot Academy https://www.patriotacademy.com/

Household Prayer: Gardening https://ministry.family.blog/2023/03/07/household-prayer-gardening/

FARMLAND LOST IS FARMLAND LOST FOREVER https://americanpolicy.org/2023/07/10/farmland-lost-is-farmland-lost-forever/

Power shortages, start planning

“Mike Shelby here, and here’s what’s on my radar… I just posted Power Shortages: 2025-2032 to YouTube because this is critical information for Americans to understand… Start planning for the panic buying, food and fuel rationing, supply chain disruption, blocked financial transactions, and other society-stopping conditions now. You have to reduce your dependency on fragile and failing systems if you want to navigate future gray zone conditions.” https://youtu.be/Qu91WpzBHmQ?si=GbFIgUy3UBQJm-lE

Trust in God and not dread!

“¶Arise, O Yahweh; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to Yahweh; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” Psalm 3:7-8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.3.7-8.LSB

Household Prayer: gardens, working, keeping, protecting

”… I had men stand in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I had the people stand by families with their swords, spears, and bows. Then I saw their fear. And I arose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and fearsome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”“ Nehemiah 4:13-14 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.4.13-14.LSB

Brothers, I’ve been out of commission for a bit. How is it April already? Makes me think of the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15) and 4/19/1775 at Lexington and Concord (Gen. 14, Neh. 4). I also do a family safety stand down. I pray we are preparing our gardens, working and keeping, cultivating and protecting (Gen. 2:15).

”Then Yahweh God took the man and set him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.“ Genesis 2:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/gen.2.15.LSB

”So Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, and he led out his trained men, born in his house, 318 in number, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.“ Genesis 14:14 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/gen.14.14.LSB

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: Pastor Jonas Clark and Lexington’s Law of Liberty

“This day, April 19, should be forever marked in the American mind as the day a few Americans stood their ground, refusing to surrender their God-given rights in the face of British tyranny… Many of the militiamen were members of Pastor Jonas Clark’s church. Clark stood close by on the road, along with forty to one hundred spectators, watching the events that morning as church member Captain John Parker (for whom the Minuteman Statue was dedicated in 1900 at the 125th anniversary) modeled the principles he had been taught from the Scriptures. Captain John Parker of the Lexington militia was a deacon in Pastor Clark’s church. In addition to being a believer submitted to the Bible, his militia was under the Continental Congress. The Americans were not rebels, for the vast majority of those who resisted British tyranny had been taught the Biblical doctrine of interposition by their pastors. Simply put, it meant the only lawful way to resist tyranny is to do so under duly constituted authority. They understood that direct resistance is rebellion and had been taught that only a defensive war in a just cause can be blessed by God. That is why Parker’s orders, engraved on the Lexington militia line marker, are so significant: Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here. After Revere alerted Hancock and Adams at Pastor Clark’s home that the British regulars were coming, Clark was asked, “Are your men ready?” He replied, “I have trained them for twenty years for this hour.” … Jonas Clark taught from the Bible that true liberty was a result of covenanting with God under the rule of law-God’s law. Why is the “shot that was heard ’round the world” so important? It is important for Americans to remember that our War for Independence was both lawful and just. It was a defensive war fought in a lawful manner consistent with Biblical principles. It was not a rebellion nor was it lawless. Where did the many militia units get such teaching, and why would they adhere to such Biblical principles? It was taught almost universally by the “Black-Robed Regiment”-the patriotic pastors who led the Revolution behind the scenes as well as taking up arms themselves.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Rights

President John F. Kennedy in where human rights come from “ …the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe-the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution… proud of our ancient heritage and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. “ President John F. Kennedy, 1961 Inaugural Address, The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

”¶But You, O Yahweh, abide forever, And the remembrance of Your name from generation to generation… So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh And all the kings of the earth Your glory… “The children of Your slaves will dwell securely, And their seed will be established before You.”“ Psalm 102:12, 15, 28 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.102.12-28.LSB

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

Household Prayer: culture building faith

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.6.9-10.NKJV

Culture building

Brothers, when we pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10), what does that look like? Our faith has real world consequences as God works in and through us. I pray we have faith to pray for God’s will in our lives and families today and faith to walk in His will. I pray we live out a Christian culture in this world (Matt. 5:14-16, I Peter 2:12), and I pray we disciple and pass the faith and culture on to our children to do the same. I pray reformation and Christian culture begin in our homes.

I read an article about young Americans being inspired by Osama Bin Laden’s letter to America and one recommended antidote is to build and live out a distinctly Christian culture as a light to the world (Matt. 5:14-16, I Peter 2:12).

Take dominion. Make disciples. By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

Rule yourself well, rule your household well, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” – Amen

“Duty is ours, results are God’s” – John Quincy Adams

What Does Osama bin Laden’s Viral Moment on TikTok Mean for America? “A hyper focus on criticizing the West ignores the positive developments that have come out of the West. Christian ethics are foundational to Western civilization, and the order, justice, and understanding of human rights that Western civilization brought to much of the world is a very good thing. Many (particularly younger) Americans refuse to see this. Thus, we may be left with a society that hates itself. Such a society-wide suicidal inclination is exceedingly dangerous… The antidote to the allure… is to create a culture that teaches, values, and lives by the Christian ethics and …American values that have contributed to this country’s flourishing.” https://washingtonstand.com/commentary/what-does-osama-bin-ladens-viral-moment-on-tiktok-mean-for-america

“Osama Bin Laden Viral TikTok Letter — THIS is What Gen-Z Doesn’t Know. In this episode of ‘Ideas Have Consequences,’ we will examine the reasons why Gen-Z is connecting with this letter and explain why their ideology is flawed in doing so” https://x.com/larrytaunton/status/1729500391434301860?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.14-16.NKJV

“having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” I Peter 2:12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.2.12.NKJV

“The Church has a lot of motion — reading and talking about dominion online. This feels like action but it is NOT. – read and obey your Bible – pick up heavy things often – don’t eat trash – love your wife – discipline your kids – develop mastery in one thing – invest – repeat” https://x.com/thespearing/status/1729473324449759442?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

“John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), sixth president of the United States stated: The first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention is the Bible. I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you, Search the Scriptures! The Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions of human life; not to be read once or twice or thrice through, and then laid aside, but to be read in small portions of one or two chapters every day, and never to be intermitted, unless by some overruling necessity.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Household Prayer: thanksgiving for undeserved grace

“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” Luke 4:18-21 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.4.18-21.NKJV

Thanksgiving

Brothers, meditating on Luke 4:18-21 and Isaiah 61. It is shocking what Christ has done for us, undeserving as we are. It is double shocking that there is a double portion reward awaiting. Much to be thankful for. I give thanks for all of you and the homeschool community. Rejoice and give thanks!

““The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”” Luke 4:18-21 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.4.18-21.NKJV

“But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.” Isaiah 61:6-8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.61.6-8.NKJV

“Whittaker Chambers, an American writer and editor who had formerly been a Soviet communist spy before he recanted and defected to the West, stated: Freedom is a need of the soul, and nothing else. It is in striving toward God that the soul strives continually after a condition of freedom. God alone is the inciter and guarantor of freedom. He is the only guarantor. External freedom is only an aspect of interior freedom. Political freedom, as the Western world has known it, is only a political reading of the Bible. Religion and freedom are indivisible. Without freedom, the soul dies. Without the soul, there is no justification for freedom.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Fire Pit Friday: the sins of secularism and silence

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV

Fire Pit Fridays – first three Fridays of November 6pm – watch No Quarter November blog post, have a drink if desired, and some theological and applicational discussion. https://noquarternovember.com

Love in unity of the essentials.
Love in discussion of the practical lived out faith.
Love in rejoicing together in our Savior.
Love in growing in the faith.

May it be in love, fruitful, edifying, and a blessing. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” I Peter 3:8-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.3.9.NKJV

Nov. 17 NQN Fire Pit Friday 6pm – Man, no qualifications can sting! This issue reminded me of Isaiah 8. Calling us to ignore the “mediums and wizards”, or the voice of secularism and silence of the pulpits, and return to God’s word. So some questions for discussion, how do we live out our faith in a way to reject and cast down the secular “arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (II Cor. 10:4-5) How do we encourage our pastors to preach on the “untouchable” topics?

Video: https://youtu.be/9cPswFkQlgo?si=-50OAsMLtEjia-9R
Blog: https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2-2.html

“The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread… Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples… And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:13, 16, 19-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/isa.8.13-20.NKJV

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

“This last week, the voters of Ohio enshrined a right to abortion in their state constitution, in what might be called Ohio’s suicide note. In the heady days after the Jericho of Roe fell, this was the gut punch that we might call the first battle of Ai… The foundational issue is that our entire nation is riddled and shot through with the pox-ridden disease of secularism, and we have gone so far as to trick it out as some kind of a virtue… And this relates to a secondary disease in the pulpits of our land, one which absolutely refuses to confront this problem, or to name the sin in any way… Prophetic denunciation is right and proper, but our muddled and confused murmuring and fearful complaining is not the same thing as clear-headed prophetic denunciation. In a time when our nation has declared open war on the God of heaven, despising His law/word, we, ostensibly His people, have responded with a farrago of lame theological excuses… We have struck down Roe, and thank God for that. But have we received forgiveness for Roe? Has there been atonement? We still have the blood of innocents on our hands, up to the elbows. Doesn’t anybody realize we still need to seek forgiveness? We, in the name of a demented constitutionalism, have dashed out the brains of far more infants than Hamas could ever dream of… And so here we are. America is currently acting the part of Gollum falling backward into the crevasse, holding his ring, and savoring his moment of triumph. We laugh as though we had just proven that there is no such thing as judgment, and we do this while clutching at the judgment itself. The cackling is hard to listen to, but it is over soon enough… And so all of this has happened in a country that is the home to tens of millions of evangelical Christians. What has our response been? Well, we dither… The foundational disease is in our pulpits, which have gone largely silent when it comes to the Word of Jehovah on any of these subjects, or on any topic that seems remotely connected to them. It sounds noble to say that you want to stay focused on the gospel of Christ and Him crucified. It is less noble to refuse to mention any of the high-handed sins that made such a crucifixion necessary. The New Testament message of repent and believe has been transformed into believe if you would like. to. And so now all the godless have to do to get evangelicals to lay off is deck their rebellions out in the camouflage of public square neutrality… The lie of secularism is that we have the right to make decisions like the people of Ohio just did… So evangelicals believe in democracy, do they? So what did democracy do in Ohio last week? Can democracy sin? And, if democracy can sin, can democracy be forgiven? The only way to answer that question properly is to acknowledge the authority of the risen Lord Jesus Christ over the nations, including ours, and that would run the risk of being labeled a Christian nationalist by the cool kids. No, no! Anything but the disapproval of the cool kids. Ah, cool shame . . . thy name is craven evangelical… Secularism is the delusional pretense that there is no transcendent authority above us. It is the daydream that there is no divine voice that could ever tell the majority of the American people no. Faith in democracy amounts to the implicit claim that 55% have the right to vote on whether or not the 45% are persons. Faith in Christ amounts to the explicit claim that we have no right whatever to autonomous law. And by autonomous law, I mean bloody law. I mean murderous law. I mean anti-fertility law. I mean death-wish law… And this is why the evangelical sheepdogs didn’t bark. The intelligensia of the evangelical movement, some of them educated well beyond their intelligence, and many of them educated in such a way as did not erase their aching insecurities, are deathly afraid of being called out for their lack of sophisticated and/or sophistical academic cred. They try very hard to fix it.” https://dougwils.com/books-and-culture/s7-engaging-the-culture/a-pinch-of-incense-to-the-genius-of-democracy-2-2.html