A very interesting essay and a critical question to explore. I see one glaring omission. In my mind you cannot talk about the development of classical liberalism, as it relates to the Western world, without addressing the role of the Bible/Christianity in that development. We just returned from Greece and Turkey where we visited sites at…
A very interesting essay and a critical question to explore. I see one glaring omission. In my mind you cannot talk about the development of classical liberalism, as it relates to the Western world, without addressing the role of the Bible/Christianity in that development. We just returned from Greece and Turkey where we visited sites at Phillippi, Athens, Thessalonica, Delphi, Ephesus and other places. The history is almost too much to get your head around. There is a lot that has come before us, the opportunity for learning from these ancient societies is nearly endless. I was struck with the brilliantamce of St. Paul in sailing nearly 800 miles to the tip of Europe where he was able to start a church in each location. The lessons of the Bible opened completely new frontiers, for instance Lydia, the seller of purple was the very first convert in Europe. We assume she was a single woman because she invited Paul and his companions to her house and not her husband, as would be the custom. The Bible brings the focus on individual rights, as seen in the teaching about slavery. Slaves are equally loved by God. It was this foundation that prepared the soil for Adam Smith and the development of western civilization as we know it in modern America. Liberal democracy requires citizens with clear morality and clear ethics. Western civilization has walked away from this foundation that made it possible for 1 in every 7 peoples alive to want to come to America. Until we return to the foundation we cannot regain what has been lost.
American Evangelicalism made the idolatrous mistake of equating ‘Americanism’ ‘Patriotism’ and the GOP with faithfulness to Jesus. I was under this spell for a long time... then God started smashing those idols out of my life. Now, I am truly His. Christ, alone.
Nothing wrong with noting or supporting someone who is in a position to further the presence of biblical truths in our nation and does so. God uses people and events as reminders we are fallen but there is a path to salvation.
True, but I have found very few true Christians in politics that did not bend away from true faith. I knew of one 'no appologies' Christian, that served as a state Senator... I was his researcher before he ran for public office. So, I knew his actual character.
Sorry about all the grammar and misplaced words. I had been up about 36 hours on top of 'Lyme brain’ issues. The words are there in my mind, but they don’t always translate to paper or computer intact.
That doesn’t mean don’t be 'American, Patriotic or vote GoP' (if you are inclined to)… it means don’t wrap the cross in the American (or any national) flag. God is I AM… He is ‘other'.
We need to be frank with pastors/ministers who give false messages. To your point, we hold no one person up as if he/she were even God-like. We are all His creatures and all in sin.
Yes, but more generally...a culture, political party or even a nation. If we are ‘In Christ’, we are one. In the letter to the Ephesian 2: 11-22 says it so perfectly "Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,d but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God bye the Spirit.” There is no longer any division or categorization… all are one, in Christ Jesus.
A very interesting essay and a critical question to explore. I see one glaring omission. In my mind you cannot talk about the development of classical liberalism, as it relates to the Western world, without addressing the role of the Bible/Christianity in that development. We just returned from Greece and Turkey where we visited sites at Phillippi, Athens, Thessalonica, Delphi, Ephesus and other places. The history is almost too much to get your head around. There is a lot that has come before us, the opportunity for learning from these ancient societies is nearly endless. I was struck with the brilliantamce of St. Paul in sailing nearly 800 miles to the tip of Europe where he was able to start a church in each location. The lessons of the Bible opened completely new frontiers, for instance Lydia, the seller of purple was the very first convert in Europe. We assume she was a single woman because she invited Paul and his companions to her house and not her husband, as would be the custom. The Bible brings the focus on individual rights, as seen in the teaching about slavery. Slaves are equally loved by God. It was this foundation that prepared the soil for Adam Smith and the development of western civilization as we know it in modern America. Liberal democracy requires citizens with clear morality and clear ethics. Western civilization has walked away from this foundation that made it possible for 1 in every 7 peoples alive to want to come to America. Until we return to the foundation we cannot regain what has been lost.
A beautiful way to explain the spiritual battle that has plague humankind throughout the ages Tony.
Humanity has become adept at peddling backwards. I hope that can be corrected.
We correct it in ourselves, in our churches and in focusing in on the Beattitudes, to draw others towards Christ... I believe.
We need to do a better jobs of correcting it in our churches. They have failed on a grand scale.
American Evangelicalism made the idolatrous mistake of equating ‘Americanism’ ‘Patriotism’ and the GOP with faithfulness to Jesus. I was under this spell for a long time... then God started smashing those idols out of my life. Now, I am truly His. Christ, alone.
Nothing wrong with noting or supporting someone who is in a position to further the presence of biblical truths in our nation and does so. God uses people and events as reminders we are fallen but there is a path to salvation.
True, but I have found very few true Christians in politics that did not bend away from true faith. I knew of one 'no appologies' Christian, that served as a state Senator... I was his researcher before he ran for public office. So, I knew his actual character.
Lip service when actions speak louder than words is actually required.
Sorry about all the grammar and misplaced words. I had been up about 36 hours on top of 'Lyme brain’ issues. The words are there in my mind, but they don’t always translate to paper or computer intact.
I did not see/read any of that LDT. I'm the one that leaves out words and misspells everything.
That doesn’t mean don’t be 'American, Patriotic or vote GoP' (if you are inclined to)… it means don’t wrap the cross in the American (or any national) flag. God is I AM… He is ‘other'.
We need to be frank with pastors/ministers who give false messages. To your point, we hold no one person up as if he/she were even God-like. We are all His creatures and all in sin.
Yes, but more generally...a culture, political party or even a nation. If we are ‘In Christ’, we are one. In the letter to the Ephesian 2: 11-22 says it so perfectly "Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,d but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God bye the Spirit.” There is no longer any division or categorization… all are one, in Christ Jesus.