This article addresses the long-term significance of the Ron Paul phenomenon from the point of view of his Christian supporters. It points out the need for specifically Christian support of the movement. by Lou Poumakis
(libertarian)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The primary thrust of Ron Paul campaign is for personal freedom for all Americans. His methodology for realizing that freedom is to reestablish the Constitution as the law of the land. That will lead to fiscal responsibility, the cessation of imperialism and the demise of the welfare state. It would free us all from the tyranny we are already feeling and the far worse tyranny that is in the offing. It is a noble goal and well worth supporting with all the energy we can muster. The question I must ask at this point though, is whether or not the American people are really ready for such a freedom. I direct this question especially to the Christian segment of Ron Paul supporters and to Christians as a whole. As a Christian myself, I believe we should go to God's word to see what it has to say about freedom:
"Christ said you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Freedom, says Christ, is a consequence of knowledge, specifically a knowledge of the truth. What truth you ask? Well, Christ also said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). So then, it is the knowledge of Christ who is the truth that makes a person free. This freedom is, first of all, a freedom from bondage to sin. But it is also the freedom the early American colonists enjoyed when they established a God fearing government on these shores. That government, ultimately expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, provided more freedom than the world had ever seen before. Here for the first time in all of history was a nation governed by the population at large, without a ruling class and without the kinds of restrictions that were typically placed on citizens. Alexis De Tocqueville, early 19th century author of "Democracy in America," was amazed at the absence of the hand of government in public life. People, it seemed to him, were free to do almost whatever they pleased without fear of recrimination. He couldn't understand how this was possible. How could people be so free and yet remain an orderly society? In his native France and all through Europe, it was an impossibility. It took him a while but he finally discovered the secret:
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there. In the fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there. In her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits, aflame with righteousness, did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
The "greatness and genius of America" De Tocqueville refers to here was a direct consequence of the freedom of action people were able to exercise while yet remaining orderly and law-abiding. It was the churches of America that reflected the faith of the people that made all this possible. Without that faith, the disorder introduced by the criminal element, and it doesn't take very many, would have brought freedom to an end. No society can tolerate disorder. It must react with an increase of government controls, to whatever level is required to reestablish the peace, and then everyone's freedom is compromised. As John Winthrop said:
"Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet."
The conclusions these men came to apply as much today as they did in early America. So how does this bear on the Ron Paul movement and what does it say to those of us that are Christians? It says first of all that every true, believing Christian ought to be a Ron Paul supporter. We, of all people, who have been charged by the Lord to be the salt of the earth, should be at the forefront of this movement. It is our responsibility as salt to resist the evil powers that are attempting to confine and ultimately destroy every last remnant of freedom, and with it the Christian faith, in this land.
Secondly, it says we have a responsibility that goes well beyond getting Ron Paul into the White House. We must be light as well as salt. The light of God's truth must be brought to penetrate into the darkness many of our Libertarian friends are trapped in. In many respects, they mean well and we can join with them in this campaign but we must take a longer view and we must remember that we are not our own but have been bought with a price and have God's work to do. Restoring America to a Constitutional government would be a great first step but it's not our ultimate purpose. It is the establishment of the crown rights of Jesus Christ in the hearts of the American people, and eventually all people, that we seek.
Too many Christians, the great majority I would say, do not understand this responsibility. They have been deceived by charlatans like Carter or Bush or Huckabee who make a great show about being men of faith but who, whether in ignorance or not, are doing the Devil's work. The Pharisees of old were condemned by the Lord for their superficial show of faith and their lack of obedience to God's commandments. We can thank God that Ron Paul is a Christian but in many respects, we would be better off with atheists in office than some of these wolves in sheep's clothing. Because they are working toward a more godly social order, many of today's atheistic Libertarians are more Christian than many Christians. I am personally ashamed to see that this is the case but we must consider that we Christians have been very misled by our churches. We have been directed to focus on things above to such an extent that we have miserably failed to be the salt and light Christ commanded us to be. God's kingdom is not of this world but it includes this world and as Christ's body, our responsibilities are here where we live.
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As a fellow writer here, I just gave you my thumbs up. :) Your article is very well written and IMHO much needed.
My comments are not without a slight caution, however. You say:
"Restoring America to a Constitutional government would be a great first step but it's not our ultimate purpose. It is the establishment of the crown rights of Jesus Christ in the hearts of the American people, and eventually all people, that we seek."
While I agree (as a fellow-Christian) that it is the Christian's goal to honor and spread the message of Christ, this goal will never be shared by every American. We must be cautious not to mix goals and messages, especially at this critical time in history, because the "average American" is terrified of any hint of the possibility of a theocracy, and even as a Christian I share that concern!
My reasons for having that concern probably deserve an entire article; for the purposes of this comment, suffice it to say that I believe that the Liberty once again available in an America that would limit government to the most strictly minimalist role possible will ultimately provide the greatest opportunity for the proclamation of a free and full Gospel both here and around the world.
Thanks again for your fine article, and may I be the first to invite you to the Nolan Chart Columnists Lounge? :)
It's a great article Lou, but I echo creators caution. It may be construed that you are advocating a Christian Theocracy, which could open the door to vicious unwarranted criticism. It happens. As you know, your enemies are abundant, and won't hesitate to ambush you.
I whole heartedly support the points in this article. Organized religion has been under attack for the last two centuries by idea salesmen - and throughout this period the new ideas that wanted to replace religion caused much damage to the world, the societies and their fabric. Religions have shown that they are resilient and time tested and it is high time that their increased role in society reemerge and create a more humane and morally uplifting world. The danger of course is the conflict between religions which needs to be managed with increasing dialogue and live and let live attitude. True freedom for the practice of religion is always better than suppression of religion in the name of secularism, specially if it is imposed by big brother govt. or think tank intellectuals, solutions must come from the heart of living and breathing people and their communities, not from the brains of out of touch intellectuals.
"It is the establishment of the crown rights of jesus christ in the hearts of the American people, and eventually all people, that we seek."
What gives you the "right" to assimilate the population? Some book, written by man, plagerized by a dozen or more ancient religions (Horus, Attis, Krishna, Dionysus, Mithra, the list could go on and on), the ever present need to feel good about yourself? It's kinda scary dude. People should search for God on their own terms.
Thanks for the endorsement but if that is your agenda then you may wish to stay in the huckabee crowd. We need tolerance and to set a good example and through these actions many will follow.
Loved the article, thanks. One theme I've noted among some of my fellow Christians and why they aren't more involved is a belief that they'll be raptured before any real tribulation. And we're in the 'last days' so why concern ourselves?
They may be right, but I agree with your perspective. -cmw
Excellent article. The critical comments are not deserved because you said you were speaking to Christians, and everyone should know that Christians are required by the Bible to spread their faith. In Ron Paul's America Churches will be allowed to help the poor instead of every American forced to through taxes. And non-believers will be free to not be converted.
The hearts of people are won through reasoning, not government force. Christianity is a religion of peace. Jesus never advocated spreading the gospel through violence. But throughout its history Christianity has repeatedly been hijacked by violent and power hungry men.
Unfortunately, many who rightly reject religious bureaucracy and organized religion mistakenly think they’re rejecting Christianity. On the contrary, Jesus came to set people free from collectivist religion by enlightening, empowering, and equipping the individual.
Excellent article! People who shout 'tolerance' should show some tolerance themselves.
Ron Paul's view of government calls for families and churches to do what God has ordained them to do. Unfortunately, so many Christians want the state to do the work of the Spirit that at present they aren't all that inclined to take up the responsibilities that God gives them. That's something that needs to change, and it will only come about as America's pastors cease being statists as well.
Posted By: John Armstrong
Date: 2008-01-16 23:24:21
Lou,
Welcome to the chart. Well written and reasoned article. Much less pointed, and thus likely more effective, than my trips down this "narrow path."
I think the comments posted below are ironically humorous since they follow your comments about the darkness Libertarians are trapped in.
The exclusivity of the Libertarian party as it now stands is baffling to me. It should be the most inclusive party ever since it should allow people to believe whatever they wish to believe as long as they believe in freedom, but it seems to be "if you don't adhere to every principle that the party believes in, you're not one of us." Sound familiar to anyone, non war supporting Republicans?
Great article! Thank you for beginning to address the concerns of the Christian community, whom I have found is reluctant to support Ron Paul. Yes, Christians of all people should understand liberty, being joined to the Author of liberty Himself. Yet, I continue to be baffled that many of my Christian brethren think Ron Paul's message is "too radical". He is so conservative, people think he's a liberal!
Yes, his positions sometimes challenge me. But this has lead me to seek truth on a deeper level than I ever have before. And in doing that, I sensed that true political liberty allows the Holy Spirit the most opportunity to reach men's souls. It's not just that believers are free to move about and preach the gospel. It's that when we try to legislate morality, it drives a wedge between unbelievers being able to see who Jesus really is.
Even so, I have seriously been asking myself: "Is America ready for this kind of freedom?" We are clearly not a righteous nation, and even among Christians, few fervently seek the Lord. Yet, this message of freedom still moves me to tears and touches a dream I have had in my heart for many years now...a dream of seeing America restored to spiritual and political liberty. I'm not sure if I'll get to see it, but that's where my faith and hope are set!
"Is America ready for this kind of freedom?" Christians have used their power to coerse government intervention in all of our lives.
Because of Christians, you can't even say the word "phuk" on TV. What a bunch of Selective freedom Statists. How can you call yourself libertarian?
To seek the so called "LORD" you have to be a linguini spined person willing to give up all that is good and promote the belief that Homosexuals are an abomination to god, which according to the great appostle Paul, they are. Even Lesbians are evil.
Posted By: Scott from Oregon
Date: 2008-01-17 13:46:58
Personally, the very idea of a "divine dictator" that can convict me of thought crimes and send me to someplace it calls "hell" is anathema to freedom and liberty. Devotion to a book riddled with silliness about whale bellies and floods and dead men being resurrected and walking willy nilly through a city does not equate to a liberated mind whatsoever.
It smacks of delusion or brainwashing or both.
True freedom and liberty arrive when one's mind is released from such atavistic and superstitious thinking.
When you simply contemplate the far reaching fingers of science in the last twenty years alone, devotion to old fairy tales and creation myths and "six thousand year old" earth beliefs simply melt away.
There is nothing "free" about believing in things for the sake of comfort in total disregard for fact and "truth".
A lie is a lie, a fictitious story is a fictitious story, and a devotion to either amounts to voluntary servitude.
Posted By: Darrell K. Whitfield
Date: 2008-01-17 18:01:54
This sabbath the seventh day (Friday evening beginning at sundown till the next sundown)this article should be read by every minister from the pulpit especially in South Carolina and Florida because the truth will surely set our nation free from the bondage of the establishment that says one thing and does another.
Why is it so hard to believe that some dead people could rise out of their graves at such a monumentous event as Christ's crusification? God dosen't want any to go to hell but all to repent and come to Jesus as savior. I liked this atricle because it showes the connection between liberty and personal responsibility
Posted By: William T. Patton, Jr.
Date: 2008-01-18 09:25:41
Representative Ron Paul is the only person in congress espousing a true respect for the United States Constitution. Paul knows that congress has the sole power to declare war under our constitution. He is not afraid to offer voters his philosophical opposition to the Iraqi occupation by questioning the disastrous CIA operations and failed foreign policies that caused our great nation to be despised around the world. Ron Paul has worked tirelessly to educate Americans about the dangers of borrowing $2 billion per day from foreign investors in order to spend $2 billion per day fighting people who live in caves.
In the Republican debates, Ron Paul has shown that only he has the intellect worthy of America’s best professors, statesmen, and philosophers, such as Chalmers H. Johnson, Senator Robert A. Taft, and even Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ron Paul opposes warrantless wiretapping, a nation I.D. card, and the Patriot Act because he knows that it is never worth sacrificing liberty for faux security form an incompetent and corrupt government.
For example, Dr. King was the victim of FBI interference because of his opposition to the Viet Nam War. King was a true believer in the philosophy of Jesus Christ who said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Before her death, Mrs. Coretta Scott King was asked what she would say to those who claim that her husband never had to deal with an Osama bin Laden. Mrs. King quickly replied that if the philosophies of Jesus or her late husband were practice by our government, “there would not be an Osama bin Laden.”
Dr. Ron Paul is one of the only members of congress, and surely the only conservative in congress, capable of understanding what Mrs. King meant by her answer. Dr. Paul does not buy into the “War on Terror” brought to us by the Military Industrial Congressional Complex and he offers the only hope in the Republican Primary of saving our country from its self destructive ways.
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