The Fundamentals: Part one

Returning to fundamentals is a principle that is prevalent in most, if not all, disciplines.  It is useful when the complexity of a hypothesis, theory or idea exacerbates any attempt at a solution.  "Going back to the drawing board" is an opportunity to step back from a problem, clear the clutter from the mind and focus on things that are known to be true.  This often provides a different perspective and allows one to see potential errors or mistakes more clearly.  In other cases, such as sports, a frequent fault, failure or inability to achieve certain objectives can be a sign that a fundamental or fundamentals that are not being utilized or followed.

In the Christian walk a similar impasse is often experienced, which is almost certainly an indication that a fundamental has been neglected.  Commonly this shows up when their is discord or a lack of peace in our lives.  Typically the distress we are facing is a result of a bad or incorrect belief, namely that God is good and His plans are good, and that He is to be trusted.  This particular trail is one that I am rather familiar with.  Yet most recently God has, through various means, has brought to my mind two critical fundamentals that I have been neglecting.  Neither of these are novel or profound, which I think is why they are so often neglected in one form or another.  For whatever reason complexity and profundity are attractive, and those things that seem simple are deemed inferior.  But the reality is that for the Christian these things are very necessary to the health of our souls and are relationship to God and to people (Matt 22:37).  I thought it might be worth posting for the benefit of others.

The first of these is fundamental of digging into God's truth, His word, which has been handed down to us in Scripture.  The Bible offers us God's story and how he has interacted with His people throughout history.  We are told II Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."  The phrase "inspired by God" is important to note.  It is the Greek word θεόπνευστος from God (θεὸς) and Breathed (πνεῖν).  So the intention here is that, however the Word of Scripture has come, it has its Origin in God.  It is in its essence, its purpose and its subject the words of God in a very literal sense.  The Word of Scripture is inerrant, that is without error, in terms of its composition in the original languages.  I took the time to bore you with this point because it is of immense importance.  Because if we have handed down to us to very words of God that he wished for us to have in order that, through it, we might be taught the truth, rebuked  of our own sin, corrected in our theology, trained in reflecting the righteousness of God so that we might come to look more and more like his son, then we ought to spend time reading these words and do so daily. 

The Shorter Catechism of Westminster states that the chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.  Scripture is the primary way in which the Holy Spirit, the "counselor" that Jesus promised (John 14:26), instructs us about the nature of God, His will and how we are to conduct ourselves as His children.  The point is that God has revealed Himself through prophets in varying times and ways and ultimately in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2).  This revelation is recorded in Scripture.  If we would Know God and have a Relationship with him to such an extent that we, through Christ, are able to fulfill His will of Looking like Jesus then we must read His word.  It is essential for the success and spiritual well being of those who are called by Him in His Son Jesus.

I hope that you have enjoyed this, and I welcome any comments or questions.  My prayer is that this will be beneficial also.  This is the first of two parts.  The next one will be on Prayer.  Until then God bless!

A new direction

OK, it has been way to long since I have posted something.  A lot of things have happened since then.  So allow me this brief, shall we say, personal note.  For some time I have felt that God has been calling me to write.   There may be some who know me that might scoff at this statement, but their opinion no longer concerns me.  To be honest there have been some who purposefully or I perceived as trying perceptively dissuaded me from writing.  But this Blog, in truth, is an act of faithfulness for me.  It is also a forum for me to discover what I enjoy writing about, to practice writing and get feedback and hopefully also generate positive discussion.  It is a very new and somewhat unfamiliar thing for me, which is the cause for this note.  I tend to formulate ideas as I go revising, changing or updating them “on the fly” when necessary.

Now most recently I have felt call to a general direction for the subjects I should write about, or to put it more correctly, what I should not write about.  I feel that where I am being led as far as subject matter will be more beneficial for you, whoever you are, and more beneficial for me as well.  I hope that your numbers will increase, and with that increase that there will be greater interaction between you and me.  So thanks in advance for your patience.

The Ground Zero Mosque

Much has been made in recent days about the proposed mosque some two blocks from Ground Zero (The site of the September, 11^th attacks).  The proposal by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf has struck a chord with the American public.  And rightfully so!  However, we must be certain that it is striking the right chord.

Now, it must be said that there is sufficient room for debate on the relativity of religious freedom these days.  And it may be pointed out also that the congregation and leadership of the Orthodox Church building that was destroyed on September 11^th have been caught up in the mire of bureaucratic      red tape.  And those who seem to be running to defend the right of Imam Rauf to construct his mosque haven’t said or done much to aid this church.  But I digress!  Much of the media, talking heads and politicians have spoken at length about the constitutionality of the situation.  This in my mind is somewhat surprising because scarcely anyone talks about the constitution nowadays, especially on the left, and it was likely quite a chore to find their respective copies or send an aid to buy a new one. But in reality this isn’t a question of whether the proposed mosque is constitutional!  To me that particular topic is meant only to mislead the public. 

As far as I am concerned the Imam has every right to build his mosque anywhere he desires provided that it meat the zoning codes and all the rest.  There is no legal issue at play here and no room for there to be any legal hindrance of the mosque.  Now before you go all crazy on me and start talking about the funding the intent and all of that, hear me out.  I am simply saying the government does not have a dog in this fight, at least for the present.  It is true that if we do indeed discover that funds linked to terrorist’s organizations or other entities that support them are being used to build this mosque then this becomes a different issue entirely.  However, while we are on the subject, the fact that the US State department is paying at least part of the expenses for Imam  Rauf to travel to the middle east to “foster ‘greater understanding’ about Islam and Muslim communities in the United States” is somewhat constitutional questionable.(http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/10/tax-dollars-to-build-mosques/)

What is at issue here is propriety.  If, as the Imam has said, the purpose of this mosque and cultural center is to build bridges and promote cultural diversity, then forcing the proposed mosque on a people who do not want it seems a strange way to go about encouraging peace and brotherhood.  For instance, if I wanted to do something for a friend to help them out in some way, but they vehemently reject my offer, then it doesn’t help the situation if I force them to take it against their will.  This in my mind is where the true debate lies.

We must look at the history and the possibility of more sinister motives behind the mosque.  Historically Muslims have had a long standing tradition of building mosques on sacred or important sights of those whom they have conquered. (http://www.hudson-ny.org/1496/mosques-on-sacred-sites-of-defeated-enemies)  The very name of the proposed Mosque, the “Cordoba House” suggests this.  After the Muslim conquest of Spain in 784 they destroyed a Visigoth Church and erected the Great Mosque or Mezquita.  Of course we are all aware of the Dome of the Rock which was built over the site of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.  There are many other occurrences of this sort throughout history.  And even though this idea may have nothing to do with Imam Rauf’s proposed mosque it will certainly be seen by many of the “Radical Muslims” as a symbol of victory.  They see themselves at war with the west, with the infidel (that’s me, and likely you).  Having a shinny new multi million dollar mosque near ground zero would mark the spot of their greatest triumph over the west thus far.

Yet the government has very little authority to stop this mosque from being built on the grounds of propriety, and neither do we.  At best we could attempt to persuade the Imam to consider another location, but such attempts so far have proved unsuccessful.  In my opinion the proposed mosque will move forward and be built.  So what then?  Well in either case we must have our eyes open.  We need to be aware of why it is that Imam Rauf is so determined to build the mosque on the site near the place where Muslim terrorist killed nearly 3000 innocent people especially when the vast majority of the people he is trying to reach out to appose the mosque.  What is the real intent and purpose for the mosque?  These questions are but a part of much larger questions about Islam in America (a topic for another time).  We must move forward with our eyes opened in this whatever the outcome of this particular case may be. 

To Caesar what is Caesar's

Taxes, it has ever been the bane of the American people.  This was true even before the American people were the American people.  Though it was not solely the catalyst for the American Revolution, it did play a major part in our breaking with the Brits.  Taxes are as certain as death it is said.  Indeed, in a manner of perspective, they are more certain than death.  But what is the effect that a government’s policy on Tax on the public and ultimately itself?

Well here’s the rub.  Higher taxes do not equal higher revenue for the government.  Sounds odd right?  Well think about it this way.  This is a diagram of a basic economic principle. 

What is shown here can pretty much be found in any elementary Economics textbook.  There is an optimum price, and X marks the spot, in this case.  Deviation from this point reduces revenue either by having too few buyers at a cost to make the optimum or having too low of a cost for the buyers to make the optimum.  The optimum point for revenue is where the price is set to maintain the most buyers, and therefore the highest revenue.  Basically this shows that raising prices doesn’t always increase yield of cost.  This works with taxes as well "lower taxes."  That is, by raising taxes you do not necessarily create higher revenue, nor does a lower tax mean lower revenue.  In fact, historically, the opposite is true.  President Ragan new this, even the Democrat of Democrats John F. Kennedy knew this.  Both were aware that lowering taxes, not only generated greater revenues for the government, but that it also stimulated a stalling economy, and their policies reflected this during times of economic woes, which are certain to come  And they are certain to go if the markets are allowed to regulate themselves.

Yet in the midst of what President Obama has dubbed “the worst economic crisis since the great depression, a point that I might point out isn’t historically accurate either, the present administration sees fit to tax everything and everybody in sight?  For instance, when my company health insurance begins next month it will be a pre-tax payment.  That is I will pay my portion of the insurance before taxes are taken out.  At the beginning of next year, due to the wonderful healthcare legislation provided by Obama, Pelosi and Reed, it will be taxable.  In essence I am paying more for healthcare because a plan that was supposed to help with the cost of healthcare, and have less money in my pay-check.   But that is just me.  With the pending expiration of the “Bush” tax cuts, taxes will go up on Individual income tax, capital gains taxes, dividends and estate taxes generally speaking. 

This situation is a lot like burning the candle at both ends.  Besides the fact that some 47% of Americans do not pay taxes, and many of them received Tax credits from the IRS, there is a serious problem here "tax Credits".  While, however, the top 5% of earners account for around 60% of the tax revenue "tax the rich".  Now you might say, so what, they make more money they should pay more taxes.  Well fair enough.  But keep in mind that, though the top %5 percent of earners includes Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, many movie stars musicians and so on.  It also includes relatively small successful business owners making around 200k per year.  It is these that feel the greatest pinch when they a lumped together with the former.  On the individual side, if a person’s taxes increase, he or she will have less money to spend and likely be more tightly fisted with what they do have.  They buy fewer products, which decreases demand, lowers production quotas and profits for companies, who now have to lay people off to accommodate for falling profit margins.  Now there are less employed people to pay any income taxes that are now drawing unemployment!  Might we say “trickle up poverty?”  We have seen this in Europe where there are high income taxes and Value Added Taxes (VAT).  All this to support ever increasing entitlement programs, but that is a topic for another day.  On the other end you have the small business owner and the “wealthy elite.”  The small business owner has to pay more in taxes.  I know for a fact that a couple of self employed friends of mine have a nearly 30% tax on there business at present.  With the higher taxes there is less money for them to put towards growing there business, hiring new people etc.  The economy stagnates and we go the way of Greece. 

Alternatively, as History has shown, lowering taxes stimulates real grown.  Not the artificial kind that we saw with the New Home Buyers tax credit, Cash for Clunkers and other such programs that caused a momentary spike in the sales of their respective products.  No, real economic growth does not come from government meddling.  The government is the problem not the solution.  With lower taxes individuals have more money to spend, which they typically do.  The wealthier among us use this money to invest in the markets, business ventures, research, or their own small business.  All of which has been the cause for the vibrant, innovative and cutting edge economy that America is known for.  The answer is not the government placing higher regulations and taxes on those who truly support the economy and create jobs.  What the government needs to do is get out of the way, leave consumers and small business alone, and let them do what they do.

So we return to the question of why.  Well there are a few options I suppose.  One is simple ignorance.  Though this is somewhat of an amusing thought, it is likely not the case on most counts.  I find it hard to believe that so many individuals who have been elected can be ignorant of both basic economic principles and historical facts.  So that leaves us with two other options.    That is on the one hand, that they, that is that the Liberals, really truly believe that the government can solve these issues, this is called “statism.”  They seem to think that if they just throw enough money at a problem, then they can fix it.  So they create more bureaucracy, with more entitlement programs which cost more money and so on.  For my part it seems almost laughable that anyone with and mind for history could seriously entertain such notions for longer than a second or two considering that it has never worked.  The last and scariest possibility is that they aren’t ignorant, nor do they truly believe that big government is the answer.  But rather, it is a malevolent agenda to purposely retard the economy brining as many people under entitlement programs as possible that their hold over the government would likely see no end for a long time.  Though I have my own ideas about this to be sure, this, of course, is not my call to make.   

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[1] http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2003/08/The-Historical-Lessons-of-Lower-Tax-Rates

[2] http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/13/obama-tax-cut-refunds-those-who-dont-pay/

[3] http://www.heritage.org/budgetchartbook/top10-percent-income-earners

Deceiving the holy

Something that I have been thinking about for some time as I have observed the world around me, listen to the radio, watched TV, sat in church services and talked with people is that a great many of us have been deceived.  This deception has not come from Washington D.C. or Hollywood, though they have both helped it along.  The symptoms of the deceit manifest themselves in fear, doubt, anger, stress, anxiety and worry among other things.  I have seen these symptoms in myself in in others around me.  It seems to me that many have partially or fully believed a lie that hits at the very heart of our purpose. And why we are here.

Initially it might be thought that this deception has indeed come from the outside, but I am wondering if the real attack is from within.  Make no mistake we have a cunning enemy who has made long practice of his craft.  Satan is subtle in his Art and will use the very words of God to his advantage if he may (see Matthew 4:1-11).  He masquerades as an angel of light (II Cor 11:14).  And so it is he has infiltrated even into The Church twisting truth to discourage and hinder the saints.  

What is this deception?  We have bought into lies about our purpose, what it means to be blessed and what is good. We have taken "blessing" to mean material wealth, success and so on, what is "good"  to be based on the fulfillment of personal desire, and our purpose to be very self centered.

One cause of this is that we have been given, through many outlets, snippets of scripture written ever so elegantly and well framed to hang on our walls, but completely without context or reference, such as Jeremiah 29:11.  You are likely familiar with it.  "'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Wonderful words of encouragement.  Yet one must take into account this was written to a people utterly devastated by the loss of their home, the destruction of the temple, the central focus point in their faith, a people in exile.  Who had been told earlier in the same chapter to, in essence, get comfortable you are going to be hear a while.  Jeremiah 29:11 is certainly true, but one must see it within the purpose it was written.  There are others of course but you get the idea.

Because of this lie we have developed the ridiculous notion that "If I follow God, Tithe, go to church, serve and so on, then God will grant me material wealth and success personally and professionally.  Because doing these things leads to blessing, and blessing is granting me the things I want, which is good right?  What about Luke 6:20 "Blessed are the poor, for your is the kingdom of God."  And do you know this?  Almost every time, if not every time the scriptures talk about trials or suffering it says when you face these things (James 1:2; Matthew 13:21)  As my pastor has said "Paul never faced persecution or the threat of jail or death until began professing Christ."  Jesus himself said "if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also (John 15:20)."  So how can we have the notion that following God equates to earthly success and wealth?

This is cause much stress and even crises of faith.  Think, if following God means that I will be blessed as it has been defined about, and someone who follows God experiences financial, social, professional, or relational hardships then either God's promises are not true or I am not doing what I should be.  We see the later in Job.  But the reality is that there isn't a causal relationship between what you do and what you get.  THANKS BE TO GOD!  For we who are his children have been given grace through Christ which we didn't deserve. 

These lies are are used by Satan in order to discourage and distract the saints and render them ineffective for God's kingdom.  On top of all this we have all the bovine scatology that the world throws at us.  Like, you must drive this car, have this house, this life, this investment portfolio, this career, this body and on and on in order to be "successful."  So we are being attacked from both ends.  On the one hand lies have crept into the very essential perspective we should have about ourselves and our purpose.  On the other hand the world is trying to push a purpose on us that we are not meant for.  We are Not here to consume and enjoy as the world would have us believe.  We are here to Love God, live lives according to His calling and Love others.  This is not to say that wealth in itself is bad nor success or any other form of it.  But when these things become idols to us, then the curses and warnings from the prophets will fall on us.  And we wonder why this country is tearing itself apart... 

My Faith

Before I move forward with this blog.  I want to present a statement of faith.  The reason for this is because my faith is central to my worldview.  It is therefore, at least hopefully, the driving force behind my perception of the world.  I am a Christian, and I claim the name of Christ fully aware that in many ways and at many times I have been a very poor reflection of that name.  But thank God for grace!  The Bible, being inspired by God, is where I go to find answers to life and life's questions.  I believe that it is truth.  It is not a truth.  I freely admit that there are, within its holy pages, mysteries that I cannot explain or understand.  Not least of which is why a holy, just and righteous God would care anything for me let alone be willing to sacrifice his son to be in a relationship with me.  Suffice it to say, I do not even pretend to have all the answers.  But I don't have to.  I know the one who does.
This grounding and faith explains my views on the world, politics, society, history and so on.  It is my hope that the ideas, opinions, viewpoints, conclusions and so on that will follow here will reflect this faith.  Feel free to hold me to this.

~F.

First post

Well... I have been thinking about posting for a while.  I am currently working on a book project so this may be somewhat of an outlet for that particular stream of creativity.  But, given my highly distractability and my diverse, often eclectic, interest who knows what you might find on here.  Likely anything from religion and politics to history and philosophy.  I am excited about this and hopefully it will be beneficial to me and at least entertaining to others.  However I hope that there might be some use beyond providing a sad excuse for a cure for boredom.



Stay tuned
~F.