As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“Is there any possibility of getting the super Welfare State’s honey and avoiding the sting? Let us make no mistake about the sting. The Swedish sadness is only a foretaste. To live his life in his own way, to call his house his castle, to enjoy the fruits of his own labour, to educate his children as his conscience directs, to save for their prosperity after his death—these are wishes deeply ingrained in civilised man.
“My objection to Wallis was and is that he teaches and many of his followers repeat that support of socialist redistribution policies is synonymous with obedience to the call of Christ to care for the ‘least of these.”’ CPost
I saw it again the other day, a bumper sticker that said, “Question Authority.” That’s the prevailing mood of our day, perpetual skepticism towards human authority and the notion that we should question and challenge it at every opportunity. This is hardly surprising given the rebellious nature of humanity, but it’s puzzling to see many Christians join the chorus.
In our adamic depravity we all have a natural distaste for authority. Resistance can run the gamut from mild to intense, but this basic sentiment lurks in the shadows of every human heart, “Ain’t nobody gonna tell me what to do!” Rugged individualism can digress into sinful anti-authoritarianism almost imperceptibly.
Personal independence is lauded in movies, television, and popular songs. Frank Sinatra sang, “I did it my way.” Society makes heroes of those who defy authority, whether parental, ecclesiastical, political, or economic.
“The expansionist spirit of the Great Society made Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s and the progressive era initiatives of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson of early 20th century appear relatively modest by comparison.” AC
“ ‘Proposed Bill Would Expand Parents’ Rights, but Critics Say It Goes Too Far’ … In the case of this story from Fort Worth, Texas… ‘critics’ think parents shouldn’t have the right to know what their children are doing at school.” NRO
What a surprise! Few anticipated the results from the recent national election. Marti and I stayed up much later than we planned, but we found it difficult to go to bed before the results were announced. Donald Trump defied expectations and won decisively. Hillary Clinton was reportedly left in tears at her unanticipated loss.
Nearly all the opinion polls were wrong. A politically inexperienced, brash playboy businessman has become the forty-fifth president of these United States.
Who, but God Almighty knew what was in store? The main-stream media, who were undisguised in their support for Clinton, are left with pie on their faces, and a whole lot of explaining to do.
“So, no, America is not executing black men or white men for petty offenses, but by multiplying those petty offenses America is placing its police and its citizens at increased risk for tension, confusion, anger, and — ultimately — death.” NationalReview
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
Discussion