Community Bible Church at Integrity Hills - Our Statements of Faith |
Kevin Craig comments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bible We believe the Bible is the infallible word of God written by men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). It is truth (John 17:17), shows the way to salvation, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3: 15-16). It will never pass away (Isaiah 40:8, I Peter 1:25). It is the very word of God, which is flawless, and nothing is to be added to it nor taken away from what it says (Proverbs 30:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:2). The Old and New Testaments are the foundation of the faith and practice of this Church (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) |
I agree with this section
Bereans "search the Scriptures daily" to see if the teachings of church leaders are really true. |
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The Godhead We believe God is the eternal creator of the heavens and the earth (Deuteronomy 33:27, Genesis 1:1). He exists as one entity (Deuteronomy 6:4) in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) (John 10:30, John 4:24, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14) He, being the creator and sovereign ruler of everything (Psalms 103:19), and is not contained by things made by human means (Acts 17:24). |
I agree with this section.
I am a six-day Creationist. I am a three-point Trinitarian I am a five-point Calvinist, and a double predestinarian.
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Man We believe man was created in the image of God, male and female (Genesis 1:27). He was created to bring God glory, enjoy fellowship with Him, and rule the earth (Isaiah 43:7, Genesis 1:28). Man was created without sin and to live forever, but Adam sinned and through him all mankind was cursed, now fallen, and destined to die (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-14). Because of this, all men are dead in their sins and cannot help themselves (Romans 6:23, 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9). |
I agree with this section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jesus Christ We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory |
I agree with everything up to this point. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1Timothy 6:14,15;Titus 2:13) |
I believe the Bible says that Christ inaugurated His Kingdom at His first Advent ("Christmas"). His Ascension was His Enthronement. He came again in AD 70 to judge His executioners, destroy the temple-world of the Old Covenant, and inaugurate a New Heavens and New Earth. There is no prophecy in the Bible that He will come to earth again thousands of years after His incarnation and judgment in the first century of the New Covenant, to set up an earthly kingdom.
Do We Deny the "Second Coming?" | Yes. But no. Believe in a future "second coming" if you want to, but it's not in the Bible, and the idea shouldn't influence your life. What follows are the verses cited by the Integrity Hills Statement to support the idea of a future coming of Christ: |
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Matthew 1:22-2322 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, |
This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Isaiah 9:66 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. |
This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John 1:1-51 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. |
This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
John 14:10-30
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This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hebrews 4:14-15
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This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Romans 1:3-4
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This passage concerns Christ's first coming, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acts 1:9-11
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1 Timothy 6:14-15
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This passage concerns Christ's coming in judgment against His executioners and persecutors of His disciples, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future.
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Titus 2:1313 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; |
This passage concerns Christ's coming against Israel in the first century, and does not predict another coming two thousand or more years in the future. Paul and Titus properly expected this "glorious appearing" of Christ in their lifetimes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salvation We believe sin separates mankind from God, and to be reconciled to God, mankind needs salvation (Romans 3:23). Salvation is given to those men chosen by God and drawn to Christ by the Holy Spirit. Christ’s death on the cross set men free, and sin no longer has master over those who accept Him as Lord (Romans 8:2-5, John 3:16). Man must confess and believe the Jesus is Lord and salvation will be granted, not by what he does but by what has been done for him (Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9). When man is saved he is marked/sealed by the Holy Spirit guaranteeing his inheritance in the kingdom to live eternally, no longer destined to die and be separated for God eternally (Ephesians 1:13-14, I John 5:11-13, Hebrews 9:15). |
I agree with this section.
Justification I would call this section "Justification" rather than "salvation." I agree with everything in this section. As a "Calvinist," I deny Arminianism. But I also affirm "Justification by Allegiance" rather than "justification by mere belief." Salvation The New Testament promises that believers would be saved from Christ's judgment against "this generation" in AD 70. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for "salvation" means to be set in a wide open place, and is also translated "deliverance," "aid," "victory," "prosperity," "health," "help (-ing)," "welfare," and contains the thought of "security," "wholeness," and laissez-faire capitalism. Today, the government is our messianic savior, promising us salvation in this holistic Biblical sense, with a Department of Welfare, a Department of Security, and a Department of Health. In short, a Department of Salvation. Belief in messianic state socialism and salvation-by-government is idolatry. |
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The Holy Spirit We believe the Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily. (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18) |
I agree with this section, although I'm not entirely certain what is meant by "a spiritual gift." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Christian Life We believe Christians, those who follow Jesus Christ as Lord, are called to a holy life of service and testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. This service includes the propagation of the gospel message to the whole world. All believers are promised rewards in heaven for their faithfulness in service. (I Peter 1:15, 16; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 3:12-17; John 14:1-3) |
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However, this section and the one that precedes it are ambiguous concerning three very important issues in our day: Theonomy (Theocracy), Pacifism, and Anarchism. Theonomy When someone claims to be "led by the Spirit," can we objectively evaluate his actions? Or are we left silent in the face of his claim to be "spirit-filled?" All actions and claims must be judged by the Bible. The Bible is the Word of a Sovereign God. The Sovereign commands His vassals. God's Word is Law. This is called "Theonomy." God's Law is the blueprint for all human action in every area of life God's Law is also the blueprint for human social organization. This is "Theocracy." It is not the same thing as "ecclesiocracy" (government by clergy). Pacifism God's Law prohibits theft and violence. God's Law also prohibits vengeance against those who steal from us or injure us. Most people call this "pacifism." In the last 20 years, the federal government has killed millions of innocent non-combatant civilians, and stolen trillions of dollars. Christians say nothing. The federal government prohibits local public schools from teaching students that God says not to kill, and that God says not to steal. We live in a very violent Godless culture, where human beings are killed routinely by our "representatives." If you oppose theft, then you oppose taxation. If you oppose taxation then you oppose any institution which raises money by initiating force against others and threatening violence for non-compliance. If you are a true follower of Christ, then you are not an archist. The 20th century was the first universally secular century in the Christian era, and hundreds of millions of human beings were murdered, and trillions of dollars violently confiscated. Most Christians claim to be too "spiritual" to be concerned about all this. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," but too often, where there are "spirit-led" Christians, there is tyranny. Christians must work to rid the world of organized criminal syndicates like the Mafia and "the State." The whole concept of "the State" is unBiblical and evil. It is a massive engine of atheism, crime and immorality. This issue is HUGE. Most traditional interpretations rely almost entirely on Romans 13, which actually speaks of the empire in demonic terms. The text is reduced to a bumper sticker, a soundbite. We urgently need a Berean study of violence and institutions which rely upon and promote it. Before the first Christmas, human society was dominated by Empires and their Emperors, who claimed to be semi-divine mediators between men and gods. After Christ's Advent, we have seen human society move toward greater liberty as society becomes Christianized. Human beings were far more likely to die violent deaths in the centuries before Christ than since the first Christmas. We need to de-legitimize the entire concept of "the State" so that human society can be fully Christianized. |
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The Church We believe the church is composed of all believers. It is the body and bride of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and existing in two aspects, universal and local. The universal church is an elect company of believers, baptized by the Holy Spirit into one body. Its mission is to witness to its head, Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel among all nations. |
I agree with this section up to this point. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At the Rapture of the church, it will be caught up to meet the Lord, after which He will return to set up His Kingdom. |
Previously on the Kingdom:
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The local church is a group of believers voluntarily joined together in love to worship God with praise and thanksgiving, and to glorify Jesus Christ through an aggressive effort to disciple others by the preaching of the gospel, and the exercise of spiritual gifts. (Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:24-30; I Corinthians 12:4-13,27) | This describes a "Bible Study" or a "fellowship." I can agree with this, but there's usually a whole lot more to a "local church" than just this, which is why this webpage was created. When a Bible Study/Fellowship starts calling itself a "church," there is something quite different operating. Something dangerous, I believe. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinances We believe the Bible sets forth two ordinances, the Lord’s Supper and water baptism. The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated regularly in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross, and in expectation of His return. |
I don't believe in any "ordinances" or "sacraments."
Thesis 74: Patriarchy and the “Sacraments”: “The Lord’s Table”“The Lord’s Supper,” the sacramental neomorphosis of Passover[1] in the “last days” of the Old Covenant[2] was properly celebrated in a home.[3] Jesus commanded this Passover to continue to be observed[4] until the world of the old sacral order came to a complete end[5] at His coming in A.D. 70.[6] |
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Water baptism is an outward testimony of a person’s belief in Christ. Immersion is the ideal means set forth in Scripture. (Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:12,36-38; 9:18; 10:47; I Corinthians 11:23-26) |
BaptismThesis 73: Patriarchy and the “Sacraments”: BaptismIn the “last days” of the Old Covenant (#92), the “sacraments” were properly administered by Families, as throughout the Old Covenant, most notably under the Patriarchs. |
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I have periodically attended Bible Studies with Aaron Boldman for over ten years. I would hate for our friendship to come to an end because that Bible Study became "a local church." |
The name "Vine & Fig Tree" comes from the fourth chapter of the prophet Micah, and is set forth here. You've probably heard Micah's words before -- we beat our "swords into plowshares" and everyone dwells safely under their own "Vine & Fig Tree."
America's Founding Fathers were familiar with this vision: "Vine & Fig Tree" is the worldview that made America "the greatest nation on God's green earth." |
George Washington's Diaries are available online at the Library of Congress. That website introduces those writings with these words:
The phrase occurs a number of times in Scripture. These references are visual reminders of the Hebrew word for salvation, which means The best place to see the Vine & Fig Tree ideal is in the book of Micah. |
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Let's look at Micah's prophecy (on the left) and ask a few questions (on the right): |
And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the House of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains And it will be raised above the hills |
Are we in the "last days?"
When did this establishment take place? |
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And the peoples will stream to it. And many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the House of the God of Jacob, |
Is Christianity doomed to minority status throughout history? Hasn't Christianity been growing since the first century? | |
That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the Law Even the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. |
What should be the Christian's attitude toward the Law? Isn't every Word of a "Lord" "Law?" | |
And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation And never again will they train for war. |
Are we commanded to beat our swords into plowshares today? Or do we wait for the Second Coming? Are Christians "pacifists?" |
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And each of them will sit under his | What about private property? | |
Vine and under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid. For the LORD of hosts has spoken. |
What about technology? What about the military? What is it that really brings "security?" | |
Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the Name of the LORD our God forever and ever. |
What if all the politicians, university professors, TV commentators, newspaper editors, rock stars, CEO's, athletes, authors, and think-tanks repudiate the Vine & Fig Tree vision and tell you not to believe it? | |
In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. |
Should we strive to be on top, or to help those on the bottom? Is God on the side of those who have accomplished much by their own power and initiative, or is He on the side of those who are willing to be used by God to accomplish much to His Glory? |
We hope there is a blue bar at the bottom of your browser window that says "Click to play all audio posts."
Clicking that button will initiate an hour-long audio "tour" of the Seven Vine & Fig Tree Themes.
Micah's Prophecy (Micah 4:1-7) audio |
Archetypes | Controversy | Comfort | |
1 | And it will come about in the last days [For the LORD of hosts has spoken.] That the mountain of the House of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains And it will be raised above the hills |
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"Last Days"
V&FT "impossible even for God." |
Predestinated tribulation? No. Vine & Fig Tree |
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2 | And the peoples will stream to it. And many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the House of the God of Jacob, |
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Conversion of the Gentiles
One religion is superior to the others One has caught our attention: jihadism blow-up vs. convert |
Peace is possible Peace is inevitable |
3 | That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the Law Even the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. |
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• The God who gave you life deserves your respect • Every Word this God speaks deserves your attention/obedience • Bible is not just for "private" religion, "down in your heart" • Also for public policy • Textbook for every area |
When Americans learned the Bible in public schools (and public schools were Bible schools), America was the most prosperous, most admired nation on earth. Now U.S. exports weapons and pornography. Laws of Nature and of Nature's God. "judgmental" vs. Hitler |
4 | [And each of them will sit under his Vine and under his fig tree,] |
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Male + Female Father + mother Family = "undemocratic" |
When families are functional, the State is unnecessary; Archism is suppressed Adams: mothers: |
5 | Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation And never again will they train for war.
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Myth:
Fact:
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6 | And each of them will sit under his Vine and under his Fig Tree, With no one to make them afraid. For the LORD of hosts has spoken. |
Agrarianism vs. technology | Garden of Eden / City of God
Wilderness vs. Garden |
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7 | Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the Name of the LORD our God forever and ever. In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. |
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social darwinism
immigration vs. "enumerated powers." |
works of mercy vs. focus on "winners," celebrities, power-brokers |
"Iron Sharpens Iron" |
Bereans, search scriptures "I'll have to think about this" "This is what I've always been looking for" |
Most people will describe the "Vine & Fig Tree" vision as "impractical," "utopian" and "unrealistic." Probably everyone in 2015 would describe those on board the Mayflower, leaving the Netherlands in 1620 in a rickety old boat (by today's standards) headed across the angry Atlantic Ocean for "the New World" as nut-case religious "extremists." But their "City upon a Hill" eventually worked. Better than anything in human history. In the last 50 years, however, the United States government has killed, crippled, or made homeless tens of millions of innocent non-combatant civilians in an attempt to impose "secular" (atheistic) "democracy" (corporate fascism) on the world. During the last 100 years, "secular" governments have killed an average of 10,000 born people each and every single day of the century. (The figure does not include "legal" killings of unborn people, which now take place 135,000 times a day around the world.) But government-approved, university-trained, media-whitewashed mass death is "responsible," "respectable," "practical," and "realistic," On this page is described how the "Vine & Fig Tree" vision could actually be implemented in "the real world." [note] Here is an excerpt: |
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A: Liberty Under God.
Liberty Under God
vs.
“Security” Under Archists
A Christian worldview:
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The Archist:
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In a nutshell:
Liberty Under God
Liberty Under God is the philosophy that made America
the most prosperous and most admired nation in history.
America is now bankrupt and despised even by former admirers
because we have abandoned Liberty Under God
in favor of "Security Under Man"
The modern idea of "Separation of Church and State" is an evil lie. While the modern Supreme Court declares that America is a "secular" nation, for the first 100 years after the Constitution was ratified, the Supreme Court frequently acknowledged that America was a Christian nation. And the more consistently America was Christian, the less archist America was.
On May 2, 1778, George Washington ordered the troops:
The Delaware Indian Chiefs came to Washington inquiring how they could leave their world of superstition and poverty, and become more like the Americans. On May 12, 1779, George Washington coached them:The commander-in-chief directs that divine service be performed every Sunday at eleven o'clock in those brigades [in] which there are chaplains; those which have none [are] to attend the places of worship nearest to them. It is expected that officers of all ranks will by their attendance set an example to their men. While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. The signal instances of providential goodness which we have experienced, and which have now almost crowned our labors with complete success, demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns of gratitude and piety to the Supreme Author of all good.
— George Washington, General Orders, May 2, 1778 The Writings of George Washington, JC Fitzpatrick, ed., Wash. DC: US Gov't Printing Office, 1932, Vol. XI:342-343.
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention.
The Writings of George Washington, JC Fitzpatrick, ed., Wash. DC: US Gov't Printing Office, 1932, Vol 15, p.55.
George Washington to New Hampshire Founding Father Meshech Weare, June 8, 1783:
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.
a Circular Letter of Farewell to the Continental Army, containing "my final blessing to that Country, in whose service I have spent the prime of my life."
Inscribed on a bronze tablet adjoining the Washington pew inSt. Paul's chapel in New York City.
Can we know for sure who is the Divine Author of our blessed Religion? Could it have been Muhammad? On July 9, 1812, President James Madison proclaimed a day of prayer,
to be set apart for the devout purposes of rendering the Sovereign of the Universe and the Benefactor of Mankind the public homage due to His holy attributes; of acknowledging the transgressions which might justly provoke the manifestations of His divine displeasure; of seeking His merciful forgiveness and His assistance in the great duties of repentance and amendment, that He would inspire all nations with a love of justice and of concord and with a reverence for the unerring precept of our holy religion to do to others as they would require that others should do to them.
"Our religion" is Christianity.
If elected I will follow James Madison's advice to vote against any bill which does not promote Christianity, the "true religion." In one of his most famous speeches, Madison, the "father of the Constitution," gave his reasons for opposing proposed legislation:
Because, the policy of the bill is adverse to the diffusion of the light of Christianity. The first wish of those who enjoy this precious gift, ought to be that it may be imparted to the whole race of mankind. Compare the number of those who have as yet received it with the number still remaining under the dominion of false Religions; and how small is the former! Does the policy of the Bill tend to lessen the disproportion? No; it at once discourages those who are strangers to the light of (revelation) from coming into the Region of it; and countenances, by example the nations who continue in darkness, in shutting out those who might convey it to them. Instead of levelling as far as possible, every obstacle to the victorious progress of truth, the Bill with an ignoble and unchristian timidity would circumscribe it, with a wall of defence, against the encroachments of error.
The Disciples were given a "Great Commission":
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make every nation a Christian nation, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: Matthew 28:18-20 |
During the first 100 years after the Constitution was ratified, courts -- including the Supreme Court of the United States -- repeated on numerous occasions that America was a Christian nation, including the notable 1892 case of Church of the Holy Trinity vs. United States. Only someone ignorant of the facts or with a secularist agenda would ever say that America was not originally a Christian nation.
But Washington D.C. does not always act consistently with "the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion" -- to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and to not be like "the kings of the Gentiles." America has never been 100% consistent with "the religion of Jesus Christ." Of all the political parties, I think the precepts of the True Religion are best reflected by the Pledge required of all members of the Libertarian Party:
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Beyond the initiation of force, the religion of Jesus Christ prohibits the return of force:
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We have been trained to think of "anarchy" as a situation where every man is his own god. But if Jesus is Lord, then we ought to obey His command not to be "archists." A world without archists is a world of peace, cooperation, harmony, and Free Markets, with everyone dwelling safely under his own "Vine & Fig Tree."
"Spiritual Exercises"This is not an easy website. Not only are there more than 1,000 webpages, some of them are very controversial. They really make you think. It's like being on an athletic team and the coach ordering you to do 1,000 push-ups. It's not like the coach thinks that at the big game this weekend the teams are going to decide the championship by seeing who can do the most push-ups. The coach just knows that it will be easier to hit a ball over the wall in deep centerfield if you do your exercises before the big game. You don't have to agree with everything on this website to benefit from it. Check everything you read here by the Scriptures; test the spirits (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). But if you stretch your spiritual muscles it will be easier to carry the Cross Christ asks you to carry. There's a lot of spiritual muscle-building here, and it's more entertaining than a Jane Fonda workout video. Examples:
Again, you don't have to agree that we're already in heaven, but if you work through those exercises, you'll find it a lot easier to believe what the Bible says, and you'll agree that after doing these exercises, you'll be strong enough to believe a lot more of what the Bible says than you could before. And isn't it your goal to believe as much of the Bible as you possibly can? That's our goal as well. |
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