God and liberty

Today, many who confess Christ as Lord and claim to follow Him are advocates of mandatory human government: the state.

Others are so turned off by government and the two choices (which are mostly what people see) for Massa and other offices that they refuse to participate in the charade. The Christian Post last week announced that a Barna pool and study claimed that as many as 104 million “people of faith” including 32 million “self-identified” christians who “attend church regularly” do not plan to vote in 2024.

All lovers of liberty have a lot of concerns over the accuracy of polls and studies by academic institutions, regardless of their claimed affiliation. At the same time, we understand the reluctance to get involved in political matters of governments.

Both the biblical community and the overall “christian” community seem torn regarding their participation in government. Outside of the so-called mainstream denominations (including Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy), at least. (By Biblical community, we refer to those who attempt to follow only the Bible – particularly the New Testament – in their teaching and practices. The overall community would be anyone who claims to “confess Christ as Lord” whether practicing or not.

Kammie’s response to someone calling out “Jesus is Lord” at a Wisconsin rally has been contested by various media, as an MSN story discusses. WFAA and some other sources claim that Harris’ response to this and a cry that “abortion is a sacrament of Satan” was indeed “oh, you guys are at the wrong rally” and that she later said, apparently in response as well, that they needed to go to the “smaller rally down the street.” Perhaps referring to a Trump rally.

Whatever the truth of Harris’ quip, the key thing for those who identify as christians is that Harris like her Uncle Joe and seemingly most Regressives is that abortion is considered an essential freedom. That abortion is not only acceptable but must be expanded, embraced, and praised. This is a big change from previous ideas that abortion was inherently bad but must be accepted and tolerated.

Many christians believe that abortion is homicide, and frequently premeditated murder of another human being. A human temporarily in residence, true, in another human’s body (through no fault at all of the child). Whether illegal or legal, whether paid for by stolen taxpayer money or not.

We understand this is an “extreme” position and that many libertarians reject this. But those who have this understanding – as both followers of God and lovers of liberty believe that both Scripture and science show that the fetus is as human as you or I writing and reading this. As human as the quadriplegic and the mentally retarded and mentally ill and bedridden elderly people and babies in cribs and cradle boards.

In libertarian terms, they see abortion as aggression against another human. And therefore a violation of the fundamental principle of libertarian philosophy.

However, many who call themselves christians are willing to compromise with government on this (and many other) issues.

One reason for this is a misunderstanding of the Bible and what is written about government. This interpretation (not the actual words in either the original Hebrew and Greek, and in most English translations) claim that human government is a “third institution” which was/is “created and established by God.” (The family and the church/kingdom being the other two.)

Many libertarians reject christianity because of this idea – even they accept the existence of God.

But the Bible does not teach that at all – even if some translators have twisted scripture more than once to try and give that impression.

Rather the Bible teaches that mandatory human government is nothing but rebellion against God. He tolerates and uses it for His purposes and establishes standards for it (just as He did for divorce and slavery in the Old Law though both were against both God’s intent). But that is not the same as “establishing it” and making it an “acceptable” institution like the family and the Kingdom/church (saints both before and after His sacrifice on the cross for thousands of years of sins rolled forward as well as for all who believe and obey Him since).

If believers refuse to take action (even campaigning and voting) against some evil – evil carried out against others – then is that not a sin? An act of omission, not commission, in theological terms?

And some christians also will support yet another reason to participate in political matters, including voting on both people and issues, is to be ambassadors and speak boldly His Gospel – in word and deed. They point out that God uses those who follow Him both to proclaim His Word and to defend His Word and His people – just as He does use us to defend our physical family: even more so our spiritual family.

Despite those who claim that even offensive words can be aggressions, this seems to be truly defensive in nature: a response to counter those who otherwise would do harm to our families and our community. And have a record of doing so: the massive decline of civility in society is not driven by so-called liberals (regressives) alone, but much can be laid at their feet. For many, that is a strong justification to participate in the election process. But each person, as always, must decide for themselves.

Clearly each of these people must, as at least some believe, answer to their Creator for their deeds. Those who believe that liberty is one of God’s gifts to humankind see that as the natural (or supernatural) conclusion.

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Source: https://freedombunker.com/2024/10/27/god-and-liberty/