Unto Us a Child is Born

It is the Christmas season again, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!  We get busy with our holiday preparations, trying to give those we love a blessed and happy time, and we may get stressed out.  It can seem like there is never enough – money, time, energy, or whatever.  Don’t let it drown out your joy.  It’s Jesus’ birthday!  Like the song says, “Don’t worry, be happy.”  God is good … all the time … and we can enjoy Christmas no matter what our circumstances may be – if we reflect on who Jesus is. 

Consider that about 700 years before the birth of Christ a prophet named Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, His life, His sacrifice for us, and His Kingdom, in terms that unmistakably describe Jesus.  How remarkable.  How miraculous.  Please reflect on it and believe.

 

Isaiah 53

(New Living Translation)

 

Who has believed our message?

To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?

My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot,

like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,

nothing to attract us to him.

He was despised and rejected—

a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.

He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;

it was our sorrows that weighed him down.

And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,

a punishment for his own sins!

But he was pierced for our rebellion,

crushed for our sins.

He was beaten so we could be whole.

He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.

We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Yet the LORD laid on him

the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly,

yet he never said a word.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.

And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

Unjustly condemned,

he was led away.

No one cared that he died without descendants,

that his life was cut short in midstream.

But he was struck down

for the rebellion of my people.

He had done no wrong

and had never deceived anyone.

But he was buried like a criminal;

he was put in a rich man’s grave.

But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him

and cause him grief.

Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,

he will have many descendants.

He will enjoy a long life,

and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,

he will be satisfied.

And because of his experience,

my righteous servant will make it possible

for many to be counted righteous,

for he will bear all their sins.

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,

because he exposed himself to death.

He was counted among the rebels.

He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/nlt/isaiah/53.htm

 

 

Past Behavior Predicts Future Behavior

It would take a book to do an in-depth analysis of the multiple variables that are contributing to a pattern of Russia’s military aggression against its neighbors.  The historical observations here are provided  for perspective, but what I am offering is an actions/outcomes description.  The conclusions are opinion, but the opinions of informed persons are information for decision making. 

Historically Russia has consistently pursued three goals.  Russia needs warm water ports (like Sevastopol in Crimea) for trade and military purposes.  They need ports that remain ice free all year long.  The French under Napoleon and the Germans under Hitler invaded Russia from the West, and Russia was nearly conquered.  Russia wants a buffer zone of client states between itself and Western Europe in which to stop invasions before they reach the motherland.  Since the time of Peter the Great, the Russians have worked to develop and modernize their industrial base. 

Following the Soviet acquisition of nuclear weapons in 1949, the Soviet Union rapidly developed into a nuclear power.  More recent Russian national goals have included becoming a military and economic superpower that has the ability to project power on a worldwide scale.  To further those ends, they have also sought to develop a network of friendly countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America as a market for their goods, a location for their military bases, a source of raw materials, and as potential allies against the United States and other NATO nations. 

Beginning with the destruction of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Soviet Union gradually began to fall apart, and by 1992 it ceased to exist.  During the Soviet Era, Russia controlled the other Soviet Socialist Republics and the nations that made up the Warsaw Pact (Eastern Bloc).  The fall of the Soviet Union was a major setback for Russia.  The countries she had formerly dominated and oppressed declared independence. 

Russia’s currency was worthless.  The transition from a centrally directed economy to a market driven economy initially resulted in economic chiaos. 

Great numbers of Russians took advantage of the relaxed controls on emigration and left the country.  They often joined Russian speaking minority populations in the Baltic States and former Soviet Socialist Republics. 

Eventually, Russia began to recover economically, with the help of aid and expertise provided by the United States and other industrialized nations.  After the election of Vladimir Putin as prime minister in 1999, Russia has regained its position as a major military power and a provider of raw materials for European energy production. 

Historically, the Russian economy has been based on exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.  Real prosperity has eluded them due to economic mismanagement under the czars and communists, lack of diversified industrial development, and the nature of their foreign trade.  In the last 20 years, Mr. Putin and a collection of industrialists known as “oligarchs” have brought prosperity to Russia’s urban areas by exporting energy products, but the rural areas have remained poor. Due to this prosperity, Mr. Putin has enjoyed high job approval and personal popularity among the Russian people. 

At first, Adolph Hitler brought prosperity to the German people, and they loved him for it.  Later, he enhanced his popularity with the people by successfully dominating Austria and Czechoslovakia.  He squandered the prosperity of his people, and his political capital, by engaging in foreign military adventures that ended in failure and Germany’s destruction.  Will the same be true for Vladimir Putin? 

As long as Joseph Stalin was the dictator, everyone was afraid to dissent.  After Stalin died in 1953, unrest among the Eastern Bloc nations that were oppressed and controlled by the Soviet Union began to surface.  It began in Poland in 1956 when a workers’ strike was suppressed by the Polish Army.  In subsequent negotiations, however, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) agreed to withdraw its troops from Poland. 

Some feel this emboldened the resistance movement in Hungary, and a rebellion began.  It was crushed by the Soviet military, and those rebels who were not killed in the fighting were executed.  I was eight years old when television newscasts of the fighting were aired in the United States.  I will never forget how I was affected by the scenes of Hungarians beating their fists on Russian tanks.  Their only antitank weapons were Molotov cocktails, but they still fought and died for freedom. 

I was 20 years old in 1968 when the Soviet Army led troops from the other Warsaw Pact countries into Czechoslovakia to suppress efforts to liberalize the communist government there and achieve greater independence from the USSR.  Nobody came to Czechoslovakia’s defense. 

It was my Junior year in college, and I was taking a Military Science class taught by an Infantry Lt. Colonel.  We asked him if he thought we would be going to war to help the Czechs.  He said didn’t think so, and that he hoped we wouldn’t have to fight “Ivan” any time soon.  He thought we could win, but he was aware of the price we would have to pay. 

With Russian support and encouragement, the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia declared independence from the Republic of Georgia in 2008.  In response to shelling by separatist forces, the Georgians attacked.  Russia entered the conflict and defeated the Georgians.  Although defeated militarily, the Republic of Georgia has continued to seek closer ties with the West. 

There was very little response from the nations of Western Europe, who just called for a ceasefire.  The Obama Administration was in the process of trying to “reset” relations with Russia, after what they thought was ham-handed and offensive treatment of them by George W. Bush.  So they did nothing.  It is generally believed that these mild reactions caused the Russians to believe they could do what they pleased with the former Soviet Socialist Republics in Eastern Europe.  Some think it emboldened Vladimir Putin to start trouble in the Donbas Region of Ukraine and to annex Crimea.  I recall saying at the time that if we did not help Georgia, Russia would continue its aggression elsewhere. 

One way of looking at the war between Russia and Ukraine is by thinking of it as one long and sporadic conflict that began in 2014 and continues to this day.  As in the case of Georgia, the excuse for beginning hostilities was alleged mistreatment of Russian speaking minorities in Crimea and Ukraine’s Donbas Region.  Militias that were organized and trained by Russia entered into conflict with the Ukrainian Army, which continued fairly steadily until Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.  It has been open warfare ever since. 

In a 2014 election, “supervised” by Russian paramilitary operatives, Crimean voters opted for Crimea to be annexed by Russia.  The Crimean plebiscite is not regarded as a free and fair election.  Ukraine is attempting to return Crimea to Ukrainian control as part of its war effort to expel the Russian invaders. 

In this Blog, and in emails and letters, I have repeatedly called upon the US Government to provide Ukraine with greater assistance, short of committing US troops to the conflict.  I urge every American to contact their US Senators and Representatives urging them to give Ukraine everything they need to win. 

Why? Because in the last 67 years, Russia has repeatedly used military force to thwart their neighbors’ desire for freedom, independence, economic ties with the European Union, and NATO membership.  It is generally recognized that past behavior may be predictive of future behavior.  If Vladimir Putin and his supporters among the “hardliners” and oligarchs in Russia are not stopped – if they are allowed to succeed in Ukraine – it will only be a matter of time before they strike somewhere else.  Then the cost in lives and treasure for ending their aggression will be far, far greater.

Question Everything?

Lamp in a Corner is focused on Jesus Christ, the doctrines of orthodox Christianity, and providing a conservative Christian look at current events.  Consequently, I try to avoid explaining other religions and philosophies.  I like to leave that to their devotees.  No attempt is being made here to describe Philosophical Skepticism.  I am sure I could not do it justice.  By comparing and contrasting a few of the ideas of Philosophical Skepticism with Christianity, I hope to show how the Christian way of salvation depends on faith. 

Professors often urge college students to “question everything.”  It is not something new.  The ancient Greek philosophers Euripides and Socrates taught their students to question everything.  More recently, Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying that we should question everything.  Skepticism seeks to verify claims of knowledge about things with evidence. 

In the popular culture, questioning everything has come to mean a skeptical approach to conventional wisdom and what is commonly accepted as truth.  However, some skeptics believe that the human mind is too limited to grasp the absolute truth about anything, and therefore all ideas about the nature of things should be questioned. 

Some writers say that The Apostle Paul advocated questioning everything when he wrote: 

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil. (1Thessalonians 5:19-22 ESV) 

However, in context he seems be referring to the exercise of the spiritual gift of prophetic utterances (1Corinthians 12:10) spoken by someone in a church meeting. 

In fact, Paul cautions against following worldly philosophical traditions.  Rather, the Apostle directs us to rely on the all sufficiency of Christ: 

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  (Colossians 2:8-10 ESV) 

Christianity does not ask the believer to abandon all critical thought or spiritual discernment, and some of what people say is Christian teaching cannot be supported with scripture.  However, ultimately the very nature of the Christian way of salvation depends on accepting Jesus Christ by faith.  The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write: 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2: 4-10 ESV) (emphasis added) 

Compassion International explains grace like this: “God’s grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given..." [1] 

The Holy Bible explains itself, and in it faith is described as follows: 

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.  For by it the people of old gained approval. 

By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible.  (Hebrews 11:1-3 NAS) (see also John 1:1-3 for the role of the Living Word – Jesus Christ - in creation) 

Jesus made it clear that salvation comes by believing in Him: 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 ESV) 

After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to His disciples, but Thomas was not present.  Later, when they told Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, Thomas refused to believe, and he said these fateful, skeptical words: 

Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.  (John 20:25 ESV) 

I understand that Thomas was grieving, disappointed, and embittered, but I never read these words without being stricken by their hardheartedness.  Thomas was with Jesus during His earthly ministry for about three years.  He touched Him, heard His words, and witnessed His miracles.  Ten of Thomas’ trusted friends told him they had seen their risen Lord.  Yet he would not believe.  Indeed, he went so far as to say that unless he could violate the sanctity of Jesus’ resurrected body by placing his fingers and hands in the very wounds Jesus suffered to save his soul – he would never believe. 

Then, Jesus appeared again to His disciples eight days later, and this time Thomas was with them.  In loving patience, He gave Thomas what he needed to believe. 

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28 ESV) 

Again, the words of Thomas thunder down through history, “MY LORD AND MY GOD.”  What a complete change of heart.  Jesus saved Thomas.  He worked on me for years with the same loving persistence, and He saved me.  He has already given His life to save you.  All you need to do is to believe it and receive it. 

Jesus then spoke, not only to Thomas, but to all who would come after him: 

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 ESV) 

Fundamental to Christianity is the faith to believe in things that are not tangible.  Like Thomas, there are those who have difficulty with believing by faith.  In the 19^th century some scholars advocated for what was called “higher criticism” of the claims in the Bible.  They disputed its inerrancy primarily because, at that time, they could not find sources outside the Bible that supported its claims.  Although subsequent investigation has found archeological evidence, and references in secular writings of the Biblical period that support what is in the Bible, higher criticism still has many adherents today. 

The Apostle Paul wrote: 

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. (Romans 1:19-20 ESV) 

Those who demand tangible evidence often ignore the obvious.  For example, estimates vary, but one commonly occurring approximation is that it would take over 90 billion years to travel across the known universe at the speed of light.  Could anything that big have happened by accident?  Writing for the Journal of Theoretical Biology, Hubert P. Yockey has calculated that the probability of the spontaneous biogenesis of life described by Charles Darwin to be one occurrence in 10⁹ years.[2]  That number is large enough to show that life could not have occurred by chance.  Shouldn’t even one of these facts cause us to believe in a Creator?  Life comes through Jesus Christ. (John 1:4, 14:6; 1John 5:11-12)  Who are we – mere specks of protoplasm on the face of a tiny planet – to question so great a God? 

The honest scholarship that has been done to prove the accuracy of the Bible is greatly appreciated.  It has helped many to believe and to remain strong in their faith.  When it comes down to choices, however, one must make what has come to be called “a leap of faith.”  You believe, or you don’t.  Without belief, the faith in Jesus that is fundamental to salvation may be shaken by every new scrap of information that comes down the pike. 

Some skeptics say that pure, absolute truth is unknowable with certainty.  Jesus said: 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV) 

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31-32 ESV) 

How do we find saving faith? In accord with John 8:31-32, the Apostle Paul tells us: 

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV) 

Pray for guidance, earnestly seek God in the Holy Bible, and He will give you the faith to believe … if you will accept it.  Believe in Jesus.  He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever.  

Acknowledgement: 

All of the Bible verses quoted were copied from https://biblehub.com/

 

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[1] https://www.compassion.com/christian-faith/bible-verses-about-grace.htm 

[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022519377900443

Thanksgiving 2023

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

(Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) [1]

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[1] https://biblehub.com/esv/1_thessalonians/5.htm

Rep. Rashida Talib's Censure

The US House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Rashida Talib (D-MI) on   7 November 2023.  The stated reasons for the censure were: 

The censure resolution introduced by Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick condemns the Michigan Democrat for "promoting false narratives" around the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel and "calling for the destruction of the state of Israel." [1] 

According to one report: 

Tlaib posted a video Friday that included footage of protesters in Michigan chanting part of a rallying cry — "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" — that the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish groups view as calling for the destruction of Israel and consider to be antisemitic. Tlaib defended the use of the slogan as "an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate." [2] 

There are those who believe that, by censuring her, Rep. Talib’s peers were trying to interfere with her First Amendment right to freedom of speech: 

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said Tuesday the censure vote will show who "believes in the freedom of speech, even the speech they hate." He argued that those who vote to censure Tlaib "want to impose a new political straitjacket of cancel culture" on the country. [3] 

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), who sponsored the resolution, countered that it was evidence that a majority in the US House of Representatives do not share Rep. Talib’s opinions, and its passage was an exercise of their freedom of speech. [4]  Rep. McCormic has had to temporarily close his office, due to security concerns following his introduction of the resolution. [5] 

How we see things often depends on whose side we support.  I hope we can agree in principle, however, that the constitutional rights of all US citizens must be respected and protected.  I hope that we can also agree that the exercise of our constitutional rights must be done in ways that do not deny others their rights, including the right to life and safety. 

I believe that in most cases the common good is best served by common sense.  Like it or not, the exercise of our constitutional rights is qualified. 

Examples include: 

Americans have the right to free speech - I may disagree with what some people say.  I may even find it nauseating - but I will fight for their right to say it.  Nevertheless, Americans may not expect their speech to be protected if it incites others to violence against individuals or people groups, if it advocates the violent overthrow of the government, if it gives aid and comfort to our enemies in time of war, if it conspires to commit crimes, and so forth.  By way of illustration: you will get into serious trouble if you make jokes about a bomb in your luggage while boarding a commercial airplane. 

Citizens of the United States have the right to keep and bear arms.  I am a staunch and steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment.  However, I worked in the criminal justice system for over 20 years, and it is my firm conviction that the right of persons who have been convicted of a felony to own or possess firearms should be permanently forfeited (subject to clemency from a governor or the president).  I support laws that provide for enhanced sentences for those who use deadly weapons in the commission of a crime.  It is necessary and prudent for society to prevent persons who are determined by a court to be a danger to self or others, due to mental illness, from having any form of access to a firearm. 

A free press is necessary for a free country.  One cannot exist without the other.  Yet, it is necessary, particularly in time of war, for the government to protect the national interest by delaying the reporting of sensitive news stories.  The safety of our military personnel must not be jeopardized by news accounts.  The government should have the right to protect the identities of intelligence agents and their assets, and military covert operatives.  Classified information must not be published without an independent review by the courts to determine if the need for classification outweighs the public’s right to know. 

These commonsense limitations benefit us all.  Remember that the courts are available to rule on any unjust or illegal infringement of our constitutional rights. 

In the case of Rep. Talib, it is clear that, given the volatility of the public demonstrations she has addressed, the totality of her angry and strident remarks has been irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous.  She deserved to be censured.  Her conduct has been unbecoming of a US Representative and a disgrace to the US House of Representatives. 

Jesus told us that we are to love our neighbor as we ourselves. (Matthew 19:19, 22:39; Luke 10:25-37)  To hate someone because of their race, skin color, ethnicity, people group – or because of their religion – is wrong.  It is disobedience to God.  Sometimes, we must defend ourselves against those who are trying to harm us or others.  Yet, we should never give way to hate, grudges, or vengefulness. (Leviticus 19:18)  It would be a good thing if we all take a moment to examine our consciences regarding this matter. 

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[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rashida-tlaib-censure-vote-rich-mccormick-marjorie-taylor-greene/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] https://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/news/u-s-rep-rich-mccormick-closes-congressional-district-office-following-threats/article_eacf67a7-151a-5c19-b1f0-20e28a945646.html?&p2=%5EEQ%5Ejul21%5E&prod=HP&cmpgn=jul21&locale=en_us&annot=false&sameTabLaunch=false&o=APN12175&installSource=direct&geo=us&browser=chrome&darkMode=false&ueid=f6ae51f1-89de-402f-a2d2-da052b71e17b&doi=2021-08-07

He Who Hesitates ...

President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have “suggested” that Israel “pause” in its offensive against Hamas in Gaza to allow aid into that area for the relief of the humanitarian crisis there.  Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wisely refused. 

The suggestion illustrates why America needs a new Commander in Chief.  It is ignorant, naïve, and stupid.  There is no disrespect to the President intended.  It is just the truth, and I can’t think of any other way to say it. 

In effect, a pause is a temporary ceasefire.  Suggesting a pause exposes Biden and Blinken’s ignorance of the basic principles of war.  Armies go on the offensive to find, fix, close with and destroy enemy forces.  Offensive operations provide the opportunity to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative (acting rather than reacting), get and keep momentum, and to keep the enemy off balance and on the defensive.  All of that is lost when there is a halt to remaining on the offensive. 

It is naïve to believe that Hamas would not use a pause to take the humanitarian aid for themselves.  They have done it before.  They are the ones who will not allow Palestinian civilian refugees to leave the country, and they are the ones who use civilians as human shields.  Does the Biden Administration really think a pause would cause Hamas to allow civilians to flee the fighting?  They have not stopped firing rockets and missiles into Israel for years.  Why would anyone believe Hamas would live up to an agreement to stop now?  Hamas will use any kind of pause to regroup and retrench, making an already hellish fight worse for the IDF. 

The naiveté is intensified by the futile hope that if we are just nice enough to the leaders of Iran and its proxies, then maybe they will like us and be nice to us.  It smacks of Barack Obama’s infamous apology tour.  They hate us because they regard us as infidels, and we support Israel while blocking their efforts to establish a worldwide Califate by force.  Further, they believe that our materialistic, hedonistic society lures Muslim youth away from a strict application of their religion to their style of living. No amount of weak-kneed accommodation is going to change that. 

The ”suggestion” of a pause puts Israel in the position of being compelled by the reality of their situation to refuse.  Thus, it detracts from the perceived legitimacy of Israel’s efforts to defend itself.  Consequently, it is stupid because it plays into the hands of Iran and its proxies who are sworn enemies of the United States.  Do you think they haven’t made themselves our enemies?  If they haven't, then why are they always shouting, “Death to America!”?  They mean it, and getting rid of Israel is just a prelude to the “death” of America that they so fervently desire. 

A pause may help to gain the release of at least some of the hostages, but it would also encourage terrorists around the world to take more hostages - in order to avoid the consequences of their heinous actions.  Again, it is stupid because, regrettably, it plays into the hands of those who would use terroristic violence to achieve their ends.  It puts thousands more people at risk, by increasing their vulnerability to being taken hostage. The Biden Administration and the Democrats are pandering to worldwide demonstrations in favor of the Palestinians, to positions being taken by the UN, and to a political base at home that includes intellectuals and students who support the Palestinians, and also includes most of the Muslim refugees and immigrants who have settled here. 

The United States cannot afford to act in ways that our enemies will perceive to be weakness.  We need a strong Commander in Chief. 

“He who hesitates is lost.” *  It would be a strategic blunder for Israel to pause at this point in their offensive operations in Gaza.  They waited the better part of a month to begin it, in part to give the Palestinian civilians in Gaza a chance to leave, but Hamas would not let their human shields get away.  To survive, Israel must destroy Hamas; not submit to Joe Biden’s pressure to deescalate.

 

*This quote is sometimes credited to Cato, however, many sources say it is a paraphrase of a line spoken by the character, Cato, in Joseph Addison’s 1712 play, Cato, a Tragedy.

Anti-Christian Persecution

Congressman James Michael (Mike) Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker Of the House by his peers on 25 October 2023.  Beginning in 2016, he has been repeatedly elected to the US House of Representatives by the legally registered voters in the Fourth Congressional District (Louisiana) he represents.  One would hope that the results of these elections might be respected; at least until Congressman Johnson has had the opportunity to demonstrate his intent by his actions as Speaker.  That has not been the case. 

In his acceptance speech Speaker Johnson was open and honest about his Christian faith.  He also pointed out that the Holy Bible says that those who govern are in positions of leadership because God causes (or allows) them to be. (Romans 13:1-7, 1Peter 2:14-17)  He was not suggesting some sort of Christian theocracy.  He did not exclude those in positions of governmental authority who follow other religious traditions.  He was just being honest about his belief that our leaders need to work together in good faith to get the people’s business done; because that is what God put them there to do. 

Almost immediately, the liberals in the media, the liberal thinktanks, and in politics went on the attack.  There was an opening to throw a punch, and they threw it.  There is a lot of anti-Christian bias in secular society, and the liberals could not resist an opportunity to tap into it. 

There are other things about Speaker Johnson’s legal career and history of public service as a legislator that could have been the focus or their objections.  Instead, they chose to focus on his Christianity. 

For instance, he has only served in Congress for about six years, and he has less experience than other recent speakers. [1] As a lawyer, he represented groups that were against abortion and same-sex marriage. [2]  He has opposed continued funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.  He supports Donald Trump, and he helped to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election. [3] 

While his public life is consistent his Christian worldview, it is also consistent with the views of the more conservative wing of the Republican party.  Why has the primary focus been on his Christianity and not on his conservatism? 

The Speaker’s belief in Creationism has been a particular source of ridicule and derision.  Hey, secular world!  Lots of people believe that creation cannot be explained without a Creator.  We do not think that Creationism has been debunked by Evolutionary Theory or the so-called “Big Bang Theory.”  The operative word there is theory - which is an unproved speculation about reality.  In fact, Creationists are often informed people who simply believe in a different explanation of how we got here [4], and they should not be the subject of ridicule. 

We do not hear the religious beliefs of Independents like Tulsi Gabbard (Gudiya Vishnu Hindu) , or Republicans like Nikki Haley (Methodist from a Sikh background) and Vivek Ramaswami (Monotheistic Hindu) called into question with regard to their possible influence on policy making. 

The religious beliefs of Democrats Ilhan Omar (Muslim) and Rashida Talib (Muslim) have come under scrutiny, due to their support of the Palestinians and opposition to the Israelis.  Rather than their religion, however, the focus of most of the criticism has been on their opposition to much of American domestic and foreign policy, their alignment with Wokeism, and their membership in a group of left-wing Congressional Representatives called “The Squad.” 

The dust up over Speaker Johnson’s Christian beliefs begs the question, “Can a Christian who is candid about their faith hold a high office in today’s United States of America?”  Government officials, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens who take a stand for their Savior are called homophobes, racists, Islamophobes, haters, and fascists.  They are likened to the Ku Klux Klan and the theocratic rulers in Iran.  Christian politicians who support parents that object to the Wokeist indoctrination of their children in the schools about critical race theory and gender transition are accused of supporting “domestic terrorism.” 

The answer to the question is that the persecution of American Christians is not imminent.  It is already happening.  Be ready brothers and sisters in Christ.  Be ready. 

 

 

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[1] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/who-is-new-speaker-of-the-house-mike-johnson/

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/who-is-mike-johnson-new-republican-us-house-speaker-2023-10-25/

[4] See: the documentaries: Unlocking the Mystery of Life, The Privileged Planet, and Darwin’s Dilemma offered as a DVD collection by Ilustra Media.