The Truth Project, Week 9 ~ "The State"
The tour began with a definition of the word "politics" as found in the 1828 edition of Webster's Dictionary:
"The science of government; that part of ethics which has to do with the regulation and government of a nation or state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals."Interesting how the definition has been altered in today's version:
"the art or science of government; the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy; the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government"No mention of ethics, safety, peace, prosperity, rights, strength, resources. Also missing is any mention of morals. Somehow this does not surprise me. Writing that makes me sad.
In this current climate of "all politics, all the time" last night's lesson was even more relevant and timely. Dr. Tackett called it "The Rise of the State." When "government" or "the State" no longer recognizes the Sovereignty of God and decides that God, with His ethics, gets in the way and must be removed. I'm sure we can all come up with a multitude of examples...
"Without God, truth, or any higher moral standard, people are increasingly looking to the state as savior and the supplier of every human need. In the face of this trend, Bible-believing Christians must have the courage to resist "The Rise of the State" - to stand firm, draw a line in the sand, and say, "This far and no more."As Christians, we need to remember WHO it is that goes before us. And it is not our government.
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8Pray for our nation, pray for our leaders. Just pray.
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5 comments:
Gigi,
In reading the definition of 'politics', I was reminded of two things.
First,
Abraham Lincoln, while practicing law, was to be prosecutor in the morning and defense council in the afternoon while in public service to Illonois.
He had a case in which he argued to prosecute and have the accused penalyzed to the fullest extent. He was successful in his prosecution of this case.
In the afternoon, he had to defend the accused of charges that were very similar to the case he prosecuted before the same judge earlier that same day. Abraham Lincoln opened in defense of this man by saying, "Your honor. In the case (of which he prosecuted)earlier this morning, I believe I may have been mistaken".
The second thought I had:
The law is for the purpose of protecting the interest of each citizen and the state. That would mean to be fare. That is in the best interest of all parties.
For Government to begin to think that it is supposed to master and rule Government aside from the interest of the individual and of the state. It is certainly further away of what is fare is a far cry from where we once were in the signing of the Declaration of Indepenence and our constitutional rights.
I have been on your site for the last hour or so. Today has been a stressful day. But now, I am at peace and I can go to bed and sleep.
All I can say is Thank you...
James - GREAT story about Abraham Lincoln! I had never heard that before...such a humble man who did great things for our country.
Dr. Tackett called God the great delegator and said that if you wanted to learn how to delegate authority, you need only gaze upon the face of God for example. He further said that the "purpose" of Civil Authority is 1) to punish evil and 2) to condone good. Seems that the goal had exceeded the boundaries...You're very right in saying that we've strayed far, far from our beginnings.
PT ~ stressful days are the pits! I'm glad you visited and are now able to get some rest...to God be the glory!!
I had to comment here as well. The difference between definitions is very telling. Thanks for bringing this to light.
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