Neil Gorsuch and the Spirit of Lawlessness
This month in my morning devotions I finished reading the book of Deuteronomy. Eugene Peterson calls it the world’s longest sermon by the world’s oldest preacher.
I love Deuteronomy because it clearly lays out the landscape of the moral world. This fifth book of Moses is really an “Instruction Manual for Wise Living” from ancient times. The main idea is still relevant. When we love God and obey his commands, great blessings flow. But when we turn away from God’s blueprints for living, all hell can break loose because right and wrong have consequences.
By Friday the US Senate will confirm Neil Gorsuch as an associate justice on the United States Supreme Court. Gorsuch probably shares my opinion on Deuteronomy. It was the most widely quoted book during the Constitutional Convention.
Neil Gorsuch is a Constitutionalist.
Will God use his appointment to help stop the tide of lawlessness in our nation?
The Bible is pretty clear that in the last days, (prior to Christ’s Return), lawlessness will increase. People won’t obey God’s laws for living and will cut themselves loose from his commands.
Notice the Apostle Paul’s prophetic words in two New Testament passages:
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10).
To highlight a few items:
- The first list of “bad behavior” comes from loving self and pleasure instead of loving God i.e. turning away from his standards.
- This involves a breakdown of “self control” including family disintegration.
- All these ugly and selfish actions come from a spirit of lawlessness.
- The ultimate immoral mind behind the lawless one (Anti-Christ) is Satan.
- Many folks will be deceived by the lawless spirit and reject God’s truth and salvation.
Sounds pretty bad to me. Lawlessness brings disobedience, godlessness and chaos. This philosophy comes from the pit of hell where Satan and his demons try to add human beings to their rebellion.
They operate out of a spirit (mind-set) of lawlessness.
On the other side, godly people love the order and beauty of law (Psalm 119). They know that societies that love, respect, and keep good laws are more peaceful and blessed.
Which brings us to the present. Have you noticed the growth of lawlessness in the Western World (Judeo-Christian based culture) in the past six decades? Do you lament the acceleration of that spirit of lawlessness in the past few years?
Here’s a brief overview of the growth in lawlessness (20th century):
1. The 1960s saw a wholesale revulsion of God’s precepts when millions of teenagers rejected their parents’ authority and moral standards and began to rebel, smoke dope, and sleep around. I know because I was there. It was a time of casting off inner restraints (self control) for pleasure -oriented hedonism.
2. In subsequent decades we tossed the Bible and prayer out of the public schools and even decided we would re-define murder to exclude killing your own baby (abortion). Lawless people changed God’s laws to cover up their rebellion and sin.
3. During this same period, we threw away God’s laws on debt and sound money–running up a staggering twenty trillion dollars in government IOUs (plus trillions more in personal debt). I noticed reading Deuteronomy that when you obey God’s principles, you become the lender, not the borrower (Deuteronomy 15:6). In two generations the United States went from being the world’s largest lender (think the Marshall Plan), to become the world’s greatest debtor. Tragic.
4. An incredible breakdown of the American family highlights the past few decades of lawlessness. The American two-parent home was once the bedrock of our society. Today, nearly 40% of American children have been ripped away from father or mother, and in some cities, single-parent homes are up to 70%. We’ve forgotten the good laws make families stable and great.
5. Did you notice that from 1960 to today we lost most of our wars–Korean, Vietnam, and now conflicts in the Middle East? Deuteronomy details that consequence of lawlessness: “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms on earth” (Deuteronomy 28:25).
Now let’s examine the 21st century acceleration of the lawless spirit:
1. The Obama Administration greatly advanced the rejection of biblical laws and mores by re-defining marriage, promoting gender confusion, and using the US presidency to govern by fiat. In eight years, the US Congress passed no budgets (a Harry Reed tactic). They simply operated by Continuing Resolutions that bypassed Congress and doubled the national debt in eight years.
7. Groups like Black Lives Matter, emboldened by the Justice Department, started a lawless war against police in large American cities. Dozens of cops have been mowed down during this season of anarchy. Occupy Wall Street made violent protest normal across the land.
8. Both in Europe and America, politicians laughed at sovereignty laws and proclaimed lawless “Open Borders” for many immigrants. Some European cities are powder kegs of rape and Muslim terrorism. In the United States, millions of illegal criminals are welcome in “Sanctuary Cities” in direct violation of federal law. We even changed the wording from “illegal aliens” to “undocumented workers.” Clever and lawless. Signs at many rallies say that “No One is Illegal.” Really?
9. A large scandal envelops our national security agencies as documents leak, intelligence laws loosen, and recent evidence points to one administration using the powers of government to collect information on their political opponents. This is unheard of lawlessness in American high places.
10. The Democratic Party knows it can’t win with its ideas at the ballot box (losing 1200 seats nationwide in eight years), so it resorts to pushing its agenda through the courts. Harry Reid changed 200 years of Senate protocol in 2013 by eliminating a 60 vote norm for approving federal justices. He did so to allow the Obama administration to pack the federal courts with lawless judges–those who do not respect the Constitution. They want to force a lawless secular agenda upon the people of the US.
We arrived at the 2016 election with a lawless spirit exploding on many fronts. Though Donald Trump was an unusual candidate, millions of Americans realized he needed their vote to help reverse the tide of lawlessness.
A major battlefield? The US Supreme Court.
Constitutionalist (lover of law) Antonin Scalia had died suddenly. The Court was grid-locked with four anti-law justices (Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan) along with four generally law-respecting jurists (Kennedy, Thomas, Alito and Roberts).
The American people realized that generations of lawlessness–and maybe disaster–could sweep the United States if Hillary Clinton won and nominated another lawless judge. And then another. And maybe another.
America might not survive a lawlessly tilted Supreme Court.
So people turned out en masse to vote. One of the goals was to elect a president who would appoint a law-loving judge who could put his finger in the crumbling dike of American law and culture and help stop the explosion.
Donald Trump did the right thing and appointed Neil Gorsuch.
The Democrats are now screaming against an eminently qualified judge while threatening to filibuster a US Supreme Court nominee for the first time in history. They know that the only way governmental lawlessness can continue unabated is through SCOTUS overriding the will of the people.
But they won’t prevail on this one. Neil Gorsuch will win confirmation.
Here’s Gorsuch’s view of the law:
“I respect, too, the fact that in our legal order it is for Congress and not the courts to write new laws. It is the role of judges to apply, not alter, the work of the people’s representatives.”
“Standing here in a house of history, and acutely aware of my own imperfections, I pledge that if I am confirmed I will do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the Constitution and laws of this great country.”
I believe Neil Gorsuch will do his part.
Will you do yours to combat the spirit of lawlessness?
Healthcare: If At First You Don’t Succeed…
I watched with great concern as the proposed repeal and replacement of Obamacare went down in flames last week. It was a sad day for all Americans. An imploding, top-heavy healthcare system still hangs around our individual necks like a surgical noose.
I went back and forth about the merits of the Ryan bill. On one hand, I thought it might be a good first step forward (though not great) and give President Trump a win and some momentum. On the other hand, I knew there was a better way that many were championing with their “no” votes.
Then the bill was pulled and we careened back to this truth:
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Here are my thoughts and gradebook on the most recent healthcare debacle.
It’s easy for me to think of grades right now because of teaching at Faith International University. Besides my YWAM projects and responsibilities, this Spring Quarter I will be teaching fourteen courses at FIU (most on-line) and grading papers most days.
Right now I live in the land of A through F–so let’s apply those letters to the various players in the healthcare saga. Before we go there and suggest the way ahead, I’d like to analyze why the American healthcare system debate is important. I will do it in question and answer form to make the ideas clearer.
1. Why is healthcare such an important issue in today’s world?
The main answer is the cost due to advances in modern medicine. MM keeps us alive with antibiotics, prolongs our lifespan through major surgeries, and even extends quality of life via cancer treatments and the like. All of the these medicines and procedures cost large sums of money to research, develop and provide.
The benefits and costs of medical care were not an issue prior to 1900. Before the 20th century you simply lived, fought various diseases in natural or primitive ways, and died. Today there are vast (and often expensive) ways to extend both quantity and quality of life.
My wife recently had major female surgery from which she has received a great outcome. Even with the bloated costs of care that exist in today’s system, her surgery cost thousands of dollars that we wouldn’t have been able to pay without insurance.
One more reason for healthcare’s importance: It amounts to nearly one-fifth of the American economy. Getting it right or wrong affects literally trillions of dollars.
2. Why is there such a rift between Democrats and Republicans on healthcare?
It’s the great American divide–between the secular view of life and the biblical one. The secular Democrats believe that government is the answer to most problems (a God substitute). They don’t care about people’s behavior or the cost of things. In the name of compassion (whether honest or pretended), they want all citizens to be taken care of–with the government in charge.
Republicans hold to the traditional Judeo-Christian view that individual responsibility (under God), free markets, and church-centered compassion make for the best combination of health care in society. They believe this view retards bad behavior, gives everyone a sense of stewardship, encourages good works and philanthropy and lowers costs through competition.
3. Why did Obamacare (ACA) pass eight years ago and the AHCA fail?
Obamacare wasn’t easy to ram through Congress (it was a 2700 page bill), but at the time, the Dems controlled all branches of government including the critical 60 votes needed in the Senate. Democrats are also more united in their secular philosophy (liberalism/progressivism) than the Republicans. They are a small tent party–either be Far Left or get out! Do you know of many national Democrats who are moderates or conservatives?
Republicans are the Big Tent party of the 21st century. Their roots are in conservative (biblical) philosophy of government (Freedom Caucus and others), but they possess a strong moderate faction (Paul Ryan, John McCain, Lindsey Graham etc.) and even some liberals (e.g. Susan Collins and Linda Murkowski). In 2017, they don’t hold a 60 vote margin in the Senate. This makes their task much more difficult–a harder needle to thread.
Plus, they’re not used to governing (they have a lot to learn) and, as mentioned above, aren’t as united as the Dems.
4. Why did the Republicans keep many governmental aspects in the AHCA bill and not vote on a free market solution?
This is one of the “dirty little secrets” of the health care debate. Republicans know (and Dems depend on the fact) that a sizable portion of 21st century Americans like free stuff. The American populace is so addicted to government hand-outs and re-distribution of wealth that it is very difficult for the Republicans to rescind Obamacare. That’s why the moderates clung to Medicaid expansion and defected. They knew some of their constituents have Democrat appetites for government aid.
5. Did this dependency make Obamacare easier to pass?
Yes. Another dirty little secret is that Obamacare was really a 10 million person expansion of Medicaid— expanding the definition of poverty to anybody with an irresponsible lifestyle including drug users and indigent folks–while making everybody else pay for them. It was a step toward fully socialized medicine or single payer insurance (government controlled).
I learned about single payer when I had hip surgery a few years ago. One of my fellow patients, from Canada, had been a chain smoker. The government paid $250,000 for lung transplant surgery (which was his fault), which then impacted his hips (his body reacting to anti-rejection drugs). They paid for that too ($30,000). Quite a gravy train with no personal responsibility.
Single payer takes from the responsible and gives to the irresponsible. I believe in caring for the truly needy, but not subsidizing poor choices.
So what are the grades for last week? (from good to worst):
1. Freedom loving, responsible Americans = A for praying and caring about their health.
2. President Trump = A- (half a grade off for naively trusting House leaders). Beyond that, he did a yeoman’s job of listening and negoiating with everybody. In fact, it was refreshing to see our government at work again.
3. Freedom Caucus = A on first two weeks (holding out for a good bill) and a C in the last week (loyalty to the party). Average = B. These House members must learn to be principled team players.
4. Paul Ryan & Allies = B for effort but D for delivery (should have gotten consensus beforehand). This reverts to a C.
5. Barack Obama and Dem Party = D- (will give half a grade for “compassion” but terrible policy). Plus, not one of them would have voted for this better bill.
6. Justice John Roberts = D- for horrible Supreme Court verdict (he should have stopped this mess).
7. And “F” to the demonic forces who are behind destroying America though inspiring irresponsible behavior, economic collapse, and bad leadership. Don’t forget the unseen realm. They are our true enemy.
What’s a solution going forward?
Here’s the simplest idea.
Rescind Obamacare with one sentence, then immediately replace with the free market. Just like every other industry where prices have gone down, create more quality, competition and lower prices. (Here’s a good freedom-oriented proposal from the Heritage Foundation.)
- Make the 90% of able-bodied Americans buy anything they want or can afford. Let all policies be sold nation-wide and let all manner of associations pool their resources (to drive down costs).
- Make the poor and indigent have some skin in the game (small co-pays etc.) If you don’t pay, you won’t care about how you live.
- Let Medicaid be a state-based safety net solely for the diligent poor.
Bryan Fischer agrees:
“The solution to Obamacare is not to make it worse and grant it the government equivalent of eternal life. No, it is to get government out the health insurance business altogether and let insurance companies develop whatever plans Americans want and compete with each other for their insurance dollars. This will instantly lower costs and increase accessibility, which is the goal.”
“Overnight, policies will be crafted that will make health insurance accessible to everyone and affordable for every budget. Folks with limited incomes will be able to buy low-premium, high deductible plans that will protect them in cases of unforeseen but expensive health incidents like cancer.”
“What about those who still wind up with a stiff deductible and a large health care bill even with insurance? Well, that’s what families, friends, churches and charities are for. Christian America is the most spectacularly generous nation on earth and they will step up.”
I agree.
So, Congressional leaders, get back to work with perseverance and wisdom. We’re praying for and standing with you.
If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again.
Is America First a Good Idea?
There’s a lot happening in the U.S. this week with the Neil Gorsuch hearing, the historic vote on repealing Obamacare, and the London terrorist attack.
I’ve been thinking for quite some time about Donald Trump’s theme of “America First.” Is it a right focus for a nation to pursue? Or is it selfish, narrow, or even arrogant in its perspective?
Is America First a good idea?
Ive been thinking and praying about America First since Donald Trump began using the phrase. The words were shared again quite powerfully this week at President Trump’s Louisville, Kentucky rally–and people cheered wildly.
My question is, “What does God think about this emphasis and wording? Where is it right and where is it wrong?”
I don’t profess to speak for God on this subject, but here’s my prayerful perspective.
NEGATIVES
When I first heard the term America First, I didn’t like it for the following reasons:
1. God should always be first in our lives.
We are to “Love God will all of our heart, soul, mind and strength,” the Great Commandment tells us. Tomorrow, in my regular Bible devotions, I will read Deuteronomy 5 where the Ten Commandments are found.
The first command is essentially God First. He alone is worthy of all that we are. Our worship and obedience stands primary. So, in the broadest sense, our love and commitment to America (or any other nation) should never come before our supreme devotion to God. If if comes down to choosing flag or Jesus, that’s a no-brainer.
Jesus wins every time.
In the book of Acts, when the early disciples were forced to choose between the Jewish State (Sanhedrin) or preaching the Good News about Jesus, they said quite plainly “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
God First must be the normal default when faced with a wide range of choices.
2. Self-centeredness, even in nations, can be destructive.
It’s true that God created nation-states, loves the various “tribes” or the earth, and enjoys their unique gifts and cultures. It’s also true that all nations and cultures are not equal–some are more godly and biblical than others. In that regard, America is an exceptional nation due to its faith, revivals, laws and freedoms.
But that does not give license for America to center on its own welfare or put itself above other nations. God wants nations to bless and serve other peoples–not to shrivel away due to self focus.
3. We must pray for and love all people.
The reason God blesses nations is so they can be a blessing to others. The United States has welcomed more immigrants and oppressed people, given more financial resources, fought more wars to end tyranny, and blessed the world with more missionaries and humanitarian assistance than any nation in history.
If America First means praying less or not loving all the peoples of the world, then it is setting our sights too low. It is failing to be “America.” Count me out if America loses its global vision to bless others.
4. We should guard against pride–an easily besetting sin for a powerful nation.
America First could also be construed in a prideful way. Nah-nah-nah-NAH-nah! We’re better than you and will take care of ourselves, thank you!
That’s a bad attitude for a blessed nation. Pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 11:2). I want no part in that interpretation of America First.
5. The Kingdom of God is the only “nation” that will last.
Though I believe we should love and appreciate our nations or tribes, we need to remember we are citizens of the Kingdom of God which is the only “nation” that will last forever.
Long after Babylon, Egypt, Germany, Canada, Liechtenstein (!) and China are gone, the Kingdom of God will reign as the only enduring “heavenly nation-state.” All other flags will be vanquished and all other loyalties will cease. Believers in God and His Christ are citizens of one ultimate nation.
Don’t forget your eternal address.
Now let’s look at the possible positive aspects of America First. I don’t believe it’s completely wrong if looked at in context and emphasis.
POSITIVES
1. It’s an important reversal of godless secularism (Globalization).
Donald Trump blew a prophetic trumpet that globalization was a nefarious trend leading o tyranny–quite possibly even a one world government. For decades, the elites of the world. fueled by European socialism and global trade, pointed us toward world governance.
That’s the goal of the United Nations. America not only pays half of the U.N.’s budget, but under the Obama administration, became the main cheerleader for globalism worldwide. Trump exposed this loss of American liberty and convinced enough people to put local sovereignty before global alliance.
In that sense, putting your country first is good. It slowed down the march of an evil world partnership.
2. Politicians have neglected working people (Economics).
One of Donald Trump’s insights was the realization that the political establishment in Washington, D.C. had stopped working for the common person. Through deficit spending, over-regulation, and global trade deals, the middle class was shrinking and the little guy sinking.
Trump won because he made it about the “Forgotten Man and Woman.” He was right. In that sense, the American people needed to reject the nanny state and global behemoth. When he committed to put them first (they are America), millions of people voted him to victory.
That included a promise to rebuild crumbling American infrastructure before re-building war-torn nations. Doesn’t a government have an obligation to build its own roads first before spending trillions of dollars overseas?
3. The first responsibility of government to protect its citizens (National Security).
Trump’s rise started with a strong stand on national borders and defeating Islamic jihad. “Build the Wall” resonated with the American people who not only watched illegal immigrants steal their jobs, but impacted their lives through spiraling crime.
The primary responsibility of government is to protect its people. Trump won the election because he sympathized with the security concerns of average Americans–not with terrorists and illegal immigrants. He rightly preached that the job of the American government was to put citizens ahead of foreigners.
4. The American heartland may be poised to bring renewal to America (Revival).
The 2016 election proved that secular-progressivism guides the west coast and northeast of the United States. In between lies the American heartland of Judeo-Christian values and a freedom loving people. Study the unprecedented thousands of folks at Trump rallies and you realize he struck a cord for the need of renewal in the American nation.
Revival usually begins at home-base and then goes to others. Think of the Early Church awakening in Jerusalem that spread to Judea, Samaria and around the world. America First called U.S. citizens to renew their own foundations–including religious liberty–before preaching to the world.
That’s a good definition of revival: God’s finger pointed at me.
Finally and maybe most importantly:
5. When the choice is family or others, family comes first (Family Tribe).
God designed our world through the creation of nations of people. He loves them deeply and respects their differences. Nation-states are really just large families of people who share common values, customs, and beliefs.
Here’s a certain truth about family: “If you don’t take care of your family you’re worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8).
I believe this is the most important meaning behind the America First slogan. Donald Trump tapped into the heart desire of many Americans that foreigners were being considered before them. That was wrong. Family comes first–not exclusively–just in order of priority.
Think of it this way. When there’s a natural disaster in a neighborhood, we naturally take care of family first–then assist others. That’s the natural flow of love, money, time and sacrifice. We can’t meet all needs–but we should begin with those in our immediate kin and go out from there.
That’s the design of God.
In the 2016 election, Trump saw the deep concerns of millions of American people who believed their government didn’t care for them anymore. They were “family” but the politicians weren’t concerned for their health, jobs, security, etc. They cared more for others including illegals, drug dealers, sexual deviants, terrorists and globalists.
Donald Trump saw the “American Family” and said no more. Family comes first. America First.
He has a point.
In summary, when all realms are on the table, our order of priorities in love and relationships comes down to: 1. God 2. Family. 3. Friends. 4. Nation. 5. Others (including other nations). If you practice those commitments, you will do well.
But when we’re looking at only the latter part of the list (which is the role of government), then our country becomes first priority–not selfishly, just practically.
Those are my thoughts about America First.
How about you?