DO WE NEED THE CONSTITUTION?

There has been much talk lately about whether we even need a Constitution or whether the Constitution just “gets in the way of progress” as posited by Georgetown Law Professor, Michael Seidman, in his essay recently published by the New York Times called “Let’s Give Up on the Constitution.”

It’s important for people of faith, and people who love liberty, to understand the unseen force driving Seidman’s line of thinking.

Seidman argues that our Constitution was written by privileged white men of another era whose thoughts and opinions have little to do with contemporary American life, therefore we should discard their work, and make up our own as we go.

His argument highlights a basic perspective typical of the secular left, rooted in Darwinian evolution. The thinking is, “We have evolved to a higher order, so we no longer need, or are well served by the thoughts of an inferior generation.”

Seidman and his ilk believe the highest authority is the contemporary mind of man. Therefore any document, rule or principle must submit to the interpretive authority of the modern man who reads it, and then It means whatever he says it means. This was clearly demonstrated by Chief  Justice, Charles Evan Hughes,  who said the Constitution means whatever the judge says it means. He couldn’t be more clear.

The conservative mind is a bit more humble, believing that there is a wisdom in the mind and heart of God that is superior to that of any man of any era. Our Constitution was an attempt to codify unchanging Biblical principles to establish a sense of “ordered liberty.” The principles set forth in the Constitution serve as an objective standard, an anchor keeping us moored to unchanging Judeo-Christian principles to guarantee continued peace, liberty and prosperity through generations. Our Constitution is the “how” to secure those inalienable rights put forward in our Declaration of Independence.

If we break away from the moorings of the Constitution we become susceptible to the whims of human nature which history has proven is capable of justifying unimaginable cruelty and even genocide in the name of “progress.”

If the Constitution can mean anything, whatever an “evolved” man thinks it should mean, then it will mean nothing, and we will regress to totalitarianism and barbarism already evidenced in baby-killing abortion, and the acceptance of hedonistic homosexuality. World history indicates that these are not progressive but rather regressive in human culture.

Do we need a Constitution? Absolutely, or be set adrift and ultimately condemn future generations to experience man’s inhumanity to man and social regression.

What President Obama's Inauguration Speech tells Us.

As I listened to the President’s inaugural speech today, I couldn’t help but feel grieved for my country. At a time when we could be celebrating equality and unity, I heard nothing but divisiveness, and a determination to push through an agenda rooted in liberation theology with the clear intent of getting reparations for the injustices of the previous two centuries of” white colonial” rule.  Obama clearly sees his challenge as defeating his opposition, and he is ready to fight to see his new Socialist America displace traditional America. This is why I continue to see him as the first “un-American” American President. He is determined to fundamentally change our nation to resemble a socialist utopia that has never existed, a fantasy of the liberal left.

By stating his endorsement of gay rights he displays his total disregard for the Bibles upon which he took his oath, and by that disregard he will bring judgment on our nation. It was the father of our country, George Washington who warned us:

“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained”

So it becomes apparent that the next four years will see a decline in the quality of life in America on every front, political, cultural, economic and civil unless we see a genuine spiritual revival.

The Church is the only bulwark against a godless onslaught that is intent on “knocking us down to size” until we are like the other nations of the world. As Billy Graham reminded us, if God lets us get away with this, he’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. And I don’t think He’s about to do that.

It’s time for preachers to preach, teachers to teach and citizens to engage in the governing process, praying like it all depends on God and working like it all depends on us to see this nation turn back to God, to see His favor shed on us once again. Rise up, O Church! America, bless God!

 

 

STRATEGIES FOR VICTORY IN 2013

As we head into 2013 and four more years of an Obama presidency, and its consequences, Christians and all freedom-loving Americans need to be clear on a plan moving forward. Let me propose three specific strategies that represent a different course than the failed course we have followed until now.

1.        

        1. RECAPTURE LANGUAGE

Whoever defines the debate gains a winning advantage. We have allowed the left to define the terms of the debate, and they are winning. I’m talking about such issues as abortion, and same-sex marriage.

When was the last time you heard anyone in a legitimate debate call abortion “baby murder?” Yet, that is exactly what abortion is. We’ve been too concerned with offending or even hurting others, so we have softened the language by calling it a “woman’s choice” or even “termination of a life.” It’s time we call it what it is, “baby murder.”  We must say it repeatedly until truth sinks into the collective social psyche.

A homosexual marriage is a “sodomite” relationship and an “abomination.” It is “perversion” of human sexuality, and not a marriage at all. Yet we are afraid to use such words as “sodomite” or “perversion” because we don’t want to come off as “right-wing radicals” So we soften the language and the left wins.

It’s time to redefine the debate. Let’s talk about baby murder, and sodomite or perverted human relationships, an abomination in a country that still proclaims “in God We Trust.”

2.     

              2. ADVANCE FOUNDATIONAL GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

Our national mottos bring to a salient point the essential principles required for liberty, peace and prosperity: “In God We Trust” and “One Nation Under God.”

We must have a national conversation about the meaning of these foundational principles and how they are to influence public policy.

3.        

        3.  BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE

Even as our founders pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor we can do no less. As Christians we must pray like it all depends on God, and as Americans we must work like it all depends on us. Both will be required.  This is no time for convenience Christianity or citizenship. We must be committed to the battle for the sake of coming generations.

I believe that if we adopt these three principles as strategies for spiritual and political engagement, we will stand a chance to turn the hearts of Americans back to God and to the principles that have provided the world the “Last Best Hope.”  It will be up to the people who know God to do it. It is wholly unreasonable to expect it from any other.

MY TAKE ON THE 2012 ELECTIONS

 

It’s been a week since the elections, and I have taken the entire week to pray, meditate and discern what lessons are to be gained from the events of November 6^th.

First of all, my heart breaks at the condition of the Church. Unfortunately, there is still much racism in the Church as evidenced by the many Black pastors who encouraged their congregations to elect a man who has proven to govern in ways that are plainly contrary to Scripture. I am encouraged, however, by the many Black pastors who have not bowed to the idol of skin color, but who have called the Democratic Party the “anti-Christian party” for the inclusion of same-sex marriage in their platform. It seems like rather than bringing us all together, President Barack Obama has caused more division even within his own race.

I still hear the mantra that Obama is for the poor and the underprivileged. This is nothing more than fanciful delusion.  Barack Obama is for Barack Obama.  What poor have been lifted to the middle class in the last four years? What under-privileged have gained more privileges? What widows and orphans have found greater support and security as a result of Obama’s policies?—None. That is the plain truth. Yet those who have been deluded by race will find that they are in fact, as Joe Biden said, allowing others to put them back into bondage—government bondage. An entire book can be written on this one subject, so let’s move on.

There were three non-negotiable issues at stake in this past election:  the pro-life issue, the definition of marriage and the issue of religious liberties threatened by Obamacare. No Christian—and certainly no pastor—should have voted for any candidate on any level who would not support these three fundamental moral issues.  But apparently many did, and so this tells me that the pulpits failed to preach and teach the Christian responsibility to be faithful stewards of the gift of liberty. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. America has chosen fear and bondage over faith and freedom, and the clergy have been silent when we should have been leading the nation to righteousness.

I believe the mistake we made was to ignore the most important issue impacting the peace and prosperity of our nation, and it is not the economy. It is the role that God plays in the life of our nation. No Republican candidate made a major issue of this “major issue.”  It is true for nations as well as individuals that if we seek first His Kingdom then all other things will be given to us. After all, what is our national motto? It isn’t “In the economy we trust.” or “In Congress we trust,” or even “In the People We Trust.” No. Our motto is “In God We Trust.” That’s where the debate must begin. For those who are afraid we’ll create a theocracy, we can take this opportunity to teach what it means to put our trust in the God of the Bible, and emphasize that it is our Bible-based faith that guarantees others the right to believe or not believe as they choose. Those who would remove the Bible from public discourse are cutting off the very branch they’re sitting on. They are unwittingly sowing the seeds of their own demise. All I am advocating is that we go back to timeless founding principles:

 “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor…” –George Washington

If America is to survive there must be open and public acknowledgement of our trust in God and the Holy Scriptures as the principle source of governing standards for individuals, and for a nation of individuals.  After all, the statement is still true: “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord”. (Psalm 33:12).

Now let's look at some of the specific areas that will be affected by this current election.

THE ECONOMY

The stock market has already begun to react negatively to Obama’s re-election. The more this administration executes its economic policies based on failing Keynesians philosophy, the more we will begin to look like Greece. There is no surprise here. Simply look at California. It is leading the way.

 FOREIGN POLICY

The simple fact that Obama was endorsed by the likes of Castro, Chavez and other Socialist leaders and tyrants is a clear indicator of where we stand on Foreign Policy. I’ve said before, and his policies continue to confirm that Barack Obama is the first “un-American” American president.

Now we have to be ever-vigilant that he doesn’t give away the store to the likes of our political foes like Putin, since after all, now after the elections he “can be more flexible.” God help us!

God help Israel who can no longer count on the United States to help protect them. After all, we can’t even protect our own people in the Middle-east. Remember Ben Ghazi?

 

CONCLUSION

America has chosen a leader who clearly has not ruled “in the fear of God,” and if he continues on the same course we will see a continuing degradation in America life on every front: the economy, foreign policy and in the moral atmosphere in which our children grow, as seen in the increasing coarseness and vulgarity on national bulletin boards like Facebook and Twitter..

In addition there will be increased domestic tensions as groups are pitted against one another for a larger piece of the shrinking government pie. Rather than becoming a more perfect “union” as our founders envisioned we will degrade into less perfect disunion. Rather than moving toward the ideal of being “one nation under God,” we will move in the direction of being many nations under government.

So what are we to do? Though I confess I was looking forward to a season of revival in our economy, in our standing in the world, and in the moral atmosphere of our nation, it appears that will not be the case. Apparently we will sink deeper as a nation, before we call out to God for help.

People of faith must make a radical commitment to God and to the cause of the Gospel. We must repent of our complacency, and contrary to popular thought, we must courageously talk about the two things that most impact our families and friends: religion and politics. We have allowed those who came out of the closet to push us in. That is unacceptable.

We must pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on us, or we may very well sink to levels beyond recovery as a nation. If God didn’t spare the nation of Israel when they turned their backs on Him in the eighth century B.C., why should we think He would spare us from our rebellion?

We have seen genuine revivals in our nation’s history in the 1700s and again in the 1800s. People of faith must be determined to see a national revival again, and begin by first repenting of our own sin, and desperately calling out to God for a demonstration of His manifest presence among the people. The answers to our nation’s problems have never been political; they have always been spiritual at the core. And as long as there is a Christ, there is hope. That is the reason I am hopeful. We read the back of the book. We win. I just want to take as many with me as possible, especially those in my own family. I pray you will join me until we see once again, “America bless God!”

CLERGY MUST BE OUT FRONT IN SUPPORT OF CANDIDATES WHO SUPPORT BIBLICAL VALUES

There is no legitimate reason for clergy to remain silent at such a critical time in our nation’s history. IRS rules not withstanding, we must encourage Americans to vote for Romney for president and Wendy Long for U.S. Senate. In local races we must choose candidates who support three non-negotiable issues: the sanctity of life, the preservation of authentic marriage and religious freedoms (threatened by Obamacare). Candidates for Congress such as Nan Hayworth best represent those values. On a State level we must support people like Christine Bello running against a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage Skartados for NY Assembly. In Dutchess County we have people like Neil DiCarlo and David Byrne who deserve the Christian vote. The clergy must speak out. Don’t be muzzled by an unconstitutional rule. James Garfield, 20^th President of the U.S. and an ordained minister told us,

“The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities.”

We must demand these qualities, and be willing to put our names to it!

Come Out!

I just read an article reporting that a black bishop from Virginia is calling for an “exodus”  from the Democratic Party of those who call themselves Christians, particularly Black Christians. (The bishop objects to the label “African-American.” He says he is an American who happens to be black.) Bishop E.W. Jackson Sr. from Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Virginia. says the Democratic Party is practicing a “cult-like devotion” to abortion, and has become the “anti-Christian Party,” as demonstrated by their rejection of biblical values, most notably, the inclusion of same-sex marriage in the Democratic Party platform.

No longer can the two labels be claimed with any sense of intellectual honesty. You can’t be a Christian and a Democrat now that the two are diametrically opposed.  Christianity is for protecting  life; the Democratic platform is for taking life through abortion. Christianity is about upholding God’s order for marriage and family; the Democratic Party is for redefining marriage and sanctioning homosexuality.

We need more Christian leaders who will teach and preach the truths of God’s intention for our nation. I therefore whole-heartedly add my Hispanic voice to my Black brother’s in saying, “Come out from among them!”

SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VOTE FOR A MORMON AND A ROMAN CATHOLIC?

Now that we know who the Republican presidential candidates will be, Mitt Romney, a Mormon, and Paul Ryan, a Roman Catholic, I’m often posed the question, “Should I, as a Christian, vote for a Mormon and a Catholic?”

First of all, the question presumes neither one is a Christian. Roman Catholic doctrine subscribes to the Apostle’s Creed, the unifying creed for all expressions of Christianity. Whether or not one is, in fact, a Christian comes down to their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If they claim Him to be their personal Lord and Savior, and live to please Him, they are in the family. Many Roman Catholics do have a personal relationship with Christ, and are Christians. Mormonism is another issue.

But let’s look to the word of God as our authority for faith and practice to see how we should decide whether or not to vote for a Mormon and a Catholic. Does the Bible say we must vote for a Christian? If not, how should we vote?

The first evidence we have concerning choosing godly leaders is in the book of Exodus. Moses was trying to rule the nation of Israel all by himself.  Jethro, his father-in-law, told him to delegate to others, stipulating these requirements:

“But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” --Exodus 18:20-21 (NIV)

And later God speaks through King David telling us,
“The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.’“--2 Samuel 23:3 (NKJV)

So, we see here that the fundamental requirement is to rule “in the fear of God.” The New Testament, particularly in Paul’s Epistles, further develops and adds detail to this requirement, but suffice it to say that God’s requirements for civic  leaders calls for men (or women) who submit to God and His laws, whether they call themselves Christian or not.

Jesus tells of a father who had two sons. He asked one to go to the field to work. He said he would go but never went. The other son said he wouldn’t go, but then changed his mind and went. Jesus poses the question, “Which one did the father approve of?” (Matthew 12:28) Of course, the father approved of the one whose actions—not words—were worthy.

President Obama claims to be a Christian, but his actions illustrate otherwise. Romney and Ryan have a history of standing up for Biblical standards like the sanctity of life and traditional marriage. Their actions have demonstrated that they are men who are more likely to rule “in the fear of the Lord.”
Therefore, regardless of religious labels—remember, we’re choosing civic leaders, not pastors—we should vote for the man or women who is more likely to rule, “in the fear of the Lord.” In this case, that would be Romney and Ryan.

“…it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God,” –Abraham Lincoln