“Praying for Politicians” – David Robertson

Praying for Politicians by David Robertson | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org.

The final article to appear in the March Tabletalk and the final one I read yesterday is this one by pastor David Robertson (see biographical information below). I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly impressed with what Robertson wrote. Writing for the rubric “Beyond the Wicket Gate”, he begins by criticizing the way the church has often involved herself politically. But then, basing his thoughts on the call of I Tim.2:1-4, he shows how vital it is that the church use the means of prayer to address the needs of her political leaders and the needs of the church under these leaders.

I believe (based on my own limited experience and my own prayer life) that we are not following the charge of this Word of God very faithfully. We are quick to complain about the bad policies and wicked manueverings of evil men and women in government, but we are slow to bring these matters to the Lord. As God’s providence would have it, this morning’s devotional from the April issue of “TT” is based on Isaiah 37, where godly king Hezekiah takes the blasphemous letter of the Assyrian Rashekah, enters the temple, spreads the letter out before the Lord, and prays about it! I (we) need more of this attitude and action.

Here are a few of Robertson’s thoughts on this matter. You may read the full article at the Ligonier link above.

The church must be involved, but not in the way we so often have been. When the church seeks political power, the church inevitably ends up being corrupted. Creating or supporting particular political parties, policies, or philosophies is not the way of Christ. For the church to be identified with one political party is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

Does that mean we are doomed to be pious pietists, huddling in our small groups as the world rots, just waiting for the Lord to return? God forbid. The Bible gives us very clear instructions on how we are to participate in the political process—instructions that, if we followed them today, would make an enormous difference to the politics and government of our countries. These instructions are found in 1 Timothy 2:1–4: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness… (NIV).
 

…First, prayer is realistic because it recognizes our own weakness and causes us to humbly bow before God, conscious that we do not have the power to accomplish anything. With all our money, strategies, techniques, and human wisdom, there really is nothing we can do that will control or change the course of history. True prayer recognizes the sovereignty and agency of God. Prayer stops us relying on ourselves and thus stops the frustrations and panic when we and our political philosophies and strategies fail. It is important at this stage to note that prayer is not to be used as a political tool, as though by holding prayer meetings we are courting or forcing God’s vote. Prayer is not protest. It is petition, which realizes that even the hearts of President Obama or Prime Minister David Cameron are not out of God’s control. Proverbs 21:1 says: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord. He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (NLT).

 

Rev. David A. Robertson is minister of St. Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, Scotland. He is author of The Dawkins Letters: Answering Atheist Myths.

Obama Administration vs. the Law on Same Sex Marriage

Obama Administration vs. the Law on Same Sex Marriage.

From the Heritage Foundation (Feb.25, 2013) comes this important update on what our current administration is doing with regard to its determination to establish homosexuality with full legal rights in our land, including marriage rights. Of course, that also means you have to try and destroy God’s definition of marriage as the law of the land, which is exactly what it is attempting to do. Yet there are others who are fighting back. Read the full article at the link above.

President Obama has so many flip-flops in his policy positions that it’s hard to keep track. After running for President supporting traditional marriage, he “evolved” to support same-sex marriage—and now his Justice Department has officially urged the Supreme Court to overthrow the law of the land.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defining marriage as one man and one woman for the purposes of federal law passed Congress with an overwhelming bipartisan majority and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. It is the subject of a court challenge that the Supreme Court will hear on March 27. Last Friday, the Obama Justice Department filed a brief with the high court stating the Administration’s position that DOMA is unconstitutional.

Normally, it is the Justice Department’s job to enforce the nation’s laws. But as Heritage’s Hans von Spakovsky has noted, Obama’s Administration is different:

But now we have a Justice Department so politicized that it is actually arguing against federal statutes in court, and doing so not based upon the dictates of the law…but based on the apparent policy preferences and political ideology of this administration. So much for taking care that the laws be faithfully executed.

The Supreme Court will also hear arguments against Proposition 8, California’s state constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman, which was passed by popular vote of the citizens of that state. The March 26 arguments will come the day before the DOMA arguments. Several organizations, led by the National Organization for Marriage, are holding a March for Marriage in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

Dr. B.Carson Speech at 2013 National Prayer Breakfast

Dr. Carson Speaks about Fiscal Responsibilty at National Prayer Breakfast.

The Heritage Foundation also reported on the amazing speech Dr. Benjamin Carson gave at the recent National Prayer Breakfast held Feb.7, 2013. I referenced this Christian doctor before in a post and this talk he gave is worthy of being noted as well. While the “HF” focuses on the remarks he made about our debt crisis in this country, Dr. Carson also spoke openly about the moral decay crisis in our land. I can understand why our President, who was seated just to his right, squirmed throughout the speech.

He does not hide his Christian faith or his love for the Lord (though we may differ with some of the things he says) – in fact, he begins this speech by quoting four Bible passages – and he is openly critical of the “thought police” and politically-correct crowd in this country. Dr.Carson speaks with praise of his godly mother and the Christian upbringing he received in his dirt-poor home. Of special note is the fact that he says his mother would not let him and his siblings watch much TV but instead encouraged them to read, with books from the Detroit Public Library.

Here is how the Heritage Foundation introduces Dr.Carson’s speech, and the reference he made to his reading. Be sure to listen to the speech by means of the video provided (about a half hour in length).

Yesterday, world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson presented the keynote address at the 61st Annual National Prayer Breakfast. With President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other national leaders in attendance, Dr. Carson spoke plainly about the great challenges America faces today: “moral decay and fiscal irresponsibility.”

Growing up in dire poverty, Dr. Carson tells of taking responsibility for his own decisions thanks to “a mother who believed in me, who would never allow herself to be a victim no matter what happened—she never made excuses, and she never accepted excuses from us.”

Carson says his mother paved the way for a better life by insisting he and his brother read rather than watch television:

After awhile, I actually began to enjoy reading those books. I read about people of great accomplishment.

As I read those stories, I began to see a connecting thread: the person who has the most to do with what happens to you in life is you. You make decisions, and you decide how much energy you put behind those decisions. At that point I didn’t hate poverty anymore, because I knew it was only temporary: I could change that.

The Story of the Sequester, in the Style of Dr. Seuss

The Story of the Sequester, in the Style of Dr. Seuss.

Yesterday for their daily “Morning Bell” feature the people at the Heritage Foundation published this rather clever summary of the upcoming automatic budget cuts (the sequester scheduled for March 1), titled “Obama and the Seuss-quester” (written by Amy Payne), complete with a Dr.Seuss style drawing.

I have linked the full “story” above, but give you a taste of it here. I intend no disrespect toward our President. This form simply conveys how silly (in a really sad way!) this manner of dealing with our serious debt problem really is.

On Pennsylvania Avenue, right near the end, there lived a President who wanted to spend.

He knew spending meant power, so hour by hour, he thought up more spends from his Washington tower.

“I’ll spend without limits; I’ll spend without blame! Raising taxes to pay—that’s the name of the game.”

Down the street, though, a House filled with thriftier folk had a budget to pass, or the country’d go broke. “We can’t spend all day; we’ve got bills to pay! Let’s keep deficits and higher taxes away.”

The Senate next door to the House just refused. “We don’t like your budget. We’ve got some bad news: The President says we can spend all we want, and we’ll simply raise taxes whenever we choose.”

So they spent and they spent and they borrowed some more. And when all that was spent, they spent same as before.

But not everyone thought the spending was nice. In the House and the Senate, some spenders thought twice. “We’ll cut down on spending. We have a bad feeling…” then—SMACK!—right on schedule, they hit the debt ceiling.

Then the President’s office, confronted with debt: “If it’s cuts they want now, then it’s cuts they shall get. We’ll threaten such cuts that NO one would take, and show them that cuts are not smart to make.”

“This will make Congress move. We’ll just float out a tester… broad, haphazard cuts that we’ll call the sequester.”

“Freedom to Work” in Michigan – Gov.R.Snyder

Snyder – “Freedom to Work” and Creating More and Better Jobs in Michigan.

The great state of Michigan, currently governed by Republican Rick Snyder, is making great strides in recovering economically from the disastrous policies of our previous administration. All of our economic indicators are up and much of this has to do with the sound and simple principles our new Governor has put into place. Our state is also considering bills to make Michigan a “right-to-work” state, legislation that our Governor supports. He prefers to call it “workplace fairness and equality” protections, and I believe this is good policy for Michigan.

But, this type of legislation is hated by unions, and they are working hard to fight it in our state capitol. Just this past week union supporters staged a typical union protest in the capitol building – shouting out their pet slogans and interrupting people’s business. But our governor is standing strong, saying that he will sign this legislation if it comes to his desk.

In the latest missive from his office (Dec. 7, 2012), Gov.Snyder gave his reasons in print and on video for supporting the “right-to-work” bills for Michigan. I have linked you to this above.

As Christians in the workplace, our principles for supporting such positive work legislation are different than the world. We do not and must not favor such “right-to-work” bills for selfish reasons or purely economic ones. We do so and must do so because such laws better reflect our Lord’s will for labor as revealed in Scripture. After all, ours is not the “right” to work but the responsibility to work. The Lord is our supreme Master and we serve Him in all our labor (Gen.2:15; Eph.6:5-9; Col.3:22-25).

In Election 2012′s Aftermath, Biblical Christians Will Become Increasingly Marginalized – Forbes

In Election 2012′s Aftermath, Biblical Christians Will Become Increasingly Marginalized – Forbes.

This hard-hitting but realistic piece by Bill Flax at Forbes was posted this past Tuesday, Nov.20, 2012. Flax rather bluntly comments on what this last election reveals about our country and the results it holds for Christians who take the Bible seriously. This will not come as big news to us, but it was striking how open and honest this man was about the future prospects for Christianity in our land. But then, if this makes you fearful, pay attention to his final paragraph.

In the election’s aftermath, the culture war looks like a rout. Few ever relished this fight; most preferred simply to be left alone. We aren’t community organizers. Sadly, neutrality was not realistic. No, being Switzerland was never an option. By not defending America’s heritage of limited government, free markets and biblical morality, we’re being overrun a la Belgium.

Powerful forces array. Christians consider this battle in spiritual terms. Conservatives sense a political donnybrook. Others deplore eroding standards of conduct and lost liberty. The Left vies for our children’s hearts, souls and minds. While no majority, progressives dominate the dissemination of thought. The mainstream media, entertainment industries, education system and much of government skew very far left.

…The political landscape looks bleak for Biblical Christians. The president espoused same-sex “marriage” yet prevailed. The homosexual agenda overcame ballot measures in four states. Obama holds extreme positions on abortion, surpassing even Planned Parenthood’s. Democrats have repudiated our Forefathers. Both the Bible and limited constitutional government have effectively been discarded.

Caesar invaded God’s realm to disavow freedom of conscience over contraception. In Democrats divide and conquer strategy, declining to finance others’ infidelity translates into “war on women.” But making taxpayers who favor life foot the bill for death is as offensive as forcing liberals to furnish free firearms for the indigent. From a City on a Hill we’ve slipped into Sodom and Gomorrah.

…God’s Word has not changed. Short of spiritual renewal, as America scurries down its merry leftward path, Biblical Christians will become increasingly marginalized. But rest easy, salvation does not come via government.

Five Christian Responses to the 2012 Election – Reformation21

Five Christian Responses to the 2012 Election – Reformation21.

This past week Presbyterian pastor Richard Phillips had a good follow-up post to this past Tuesday’s national election in the U.S. on the “Reformation21″ website. Besides calling us to take firm stands on the gospel and its moral implications for ourselves and our society, he also reminded us to pray for our government leaders, something which we can find hard to do in these times. But this too is our duty before God toward those over us (1 Tim.2:1-6). Below are a couple of points which he made as part of his “five Christian responses”. You may find the rest of his points at the “ref21″ link above.

For many conservative Christians, the electoral defeat of 2012 will urge a reevaluation of political strategy. The problem with this approach is that the moral degeneracy of America did not happen in the voting booth but in the living room, the classroom, and the marketplace. I would urge that alarm over the moral catastrophe of this recent election should be expressed not in the Christian political posture but in the way actual Christians relate to the culture and to non-Christian people we know. In this vein, let me propose five constructive Christian responses to the moral debasement revealed in yesterday’s election, which by working outside the formal political process may with God’s blessing have the most positive effect on the cultural and political landscape in years to come.

2. Refuse to compromise on Christians standards even at the cost of persecution. Christian employers must refuse to purchase abortion-providing health care plans, even at the cost of their livelihoods. Christian military officers must refuse to promote homosexual behavior to their soldiers, even at the risk of courts martial. Christian campus groups must refuse to adopt tyrannical non-discrimination codes when it comes to Christian values and doctrines, even at the risk of being kicked off campus. Christian pulpits must speak with a bold prophetic voice as to the moral consequences of a degenerate America, even at the risk of imprisonment for “hate speech.”  In short, if we want America to take Christian truth seriously, we must take a costly stand for Christian truth and morality in a way with which the world will have to reckon.

3. Speak more pointedly to the true moral and spiritual issues at work destroying America.  Challenge people to care about the millions of children growing up without two parents because of the scourge of “sexual liberation.” Say uncomfortable truths about babies who are bloodily butchered a day before their mother goes into labor. Argue against the indignity inflicted on young women as schools promote contraceptives and urge people to consider the dignity of self-control and the beauty of chastity. Point out the goodness of God as he forgives our sins in Christ and blesses those who walk in his ways. Be willing to receive scorn for these statements, but present reasonable arguments without anger or venom, trusting God to awaken the sleeping conscience in the hearts of people you know.

Post-Election Perspective: God Still Reigns & Christ Will Return

By now you are aware of the results of the 2012 election in the United States. President Barack Obama won re-election handily (states and electoral college, though the popular vote was somewhat close), and to me somewhat surprisingly. After seeing how Pres.Obama sought to “fundamentally change” America, and the decline we experienced on nearly every front (nationally, militarily, morally, and economically), I fully expected my fellow citizens to reject Obama’s agenda and give Gov.M.Romney a chance to take us in a different direction. But they did not – not in my own state of Michigan either. Personally I am disappointed and discouraged. But I probably should not be surprised. For many reasons, which I will not elaborate. For now these things must help us as Christians to maintain our perspective and keep our trust in our Lord:

• Pres.Obama may still be the leader of our nation, but our sovereign God through His Son Jesus Christ sits on the throne of the U.S. and the entire world (Ps.93; Rom.13; Rev.19). Our earthly president receives his right to office and his power to rule from the Lord of heaven and earth, and he can do nothing to unseat Him or undo His plan and purpose in history. In this God lies our trust, and this is our comfort and peace.
• The Lord has a specific plan and purpose in putting Pres.Obama in office for another four years in this country. I will not be so bold or presumptuous to say I know what that is. But according to the Word of God we may say in general that that purpose is the judgment of the wicked, the chastisement of His people, the coming of His kingdom, and the salvation of His church (these broad lines of God’s purpose in history are laid out plainly throughout the Scriptures).
• Specifically, we may also state that God’s purpose is the end of this world and the return of His Son. That, after all, is where God is leading all of history (all of Revelation). That means that this election too serves the purpose of the rise of antichrist and the widespread persecution of the church, about which God’s Word speaks plainly (Matt.24; 2 Thess.2; Rev.13), including here in the land of “freedom”. But it also means that this election serves the ultimate purpose of the personal return of our Savior, the revelation of His total triumph over sin and evil, and the entrance of the perfect state in the new heavens and earth (2 Pet.3). This is where our hope lies. For this we pray: “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly”. For this we will suffer, even the loss of all things here and now.
• The re-election of Pres.Obama does not change our duty toward those placed in office over us. It is well-summarized in 1 Pet.2:13-17:

¹³Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁷Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

As we face the days and years ahead, may our Lord find us hopeful in the right things, prayerful in all things, and obedient to His charge to us pilgrim people.

Voting with Biblical Lens

Today, here in the United States, we will vote for our national, state, and local leaders. In our constitutional republic (we are not truly a “democracy”) this is a tremendous gift. It is a wonderful privilege that many in other parts of the world do not have. We can so easily forget this and take it for granted. And, we believe this gift and privilege are from God, not men (Rom.13). And therefore, with this gift and privilege also come a high calling and a deep responsibility. As Reformed Christians we are not free to vote as we wish, nor according to the whims of our fallen society and depraved fellow citizens. We are called to exercise our constitutional right to vote according to the will of God, as revealed in holy Scripture. We are to vote with hearts and minds informed and inflamed by God’s Word.

In other words, we are called to vote today with our Biblical lens on (Ps.119:105). It was John Calvin who gave us that idea (and expression) that all of life is to be seen and lived through the “spectacles (eyeglasses) of holy Scripture”. Doing so will remind us, first of all, that no matter who is elected into office, no matter who is given power to rule, no matter who governs our land and lands, God is the supreme and sovereign Ruler. His sovereign will will be done today and His sovereign purpose for all things will be carried out through whomever is set in office nationally and locally.

And then secondly, with our Biblical lens on we will be sure to vote out of Biblical principle and not political or personal expediency (“the doing or consideration of what is of selfish use or advantage rather than of what is right or just; self-interest” – Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Which means that the most important thing today is not the economy (though the issue of stewardship and debt are important), or even one particular moral issue, but this consideration: what person best honors God in the office (even if only outwardly), which one best upholds the moral standards of God’s Word, and which candidate best serves the church and kingdom of God at this time in history.

So, by all means, get out and vote today! Exercise your gift and privilege! And do so understanding your calling from God. Be guided by His Word and truth. Get your Biblical lens on, and keep them straight on your face.

Election 2012: Keeping Perspective

These words from pastor Mike Dever will help give us perspective as we exercise our calling and privilege to vote for our leaders today, at whatever level that is:

As Americans, it’s often helpful to be reminded that the epicenter of Christ’s kingdom is not located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And the purposes of God have never been thwarted at the hands of men—a streak that’s not about to end on November 6. Such a recognition isn’t quietism or escapism—just biblical Christianity.
President Obama and Governor Romney are, like you and me, feeble creatures of dust. They’re worthy of our honor (Eccl. 10:20; 1 Pet.2:17), but never our hope.
…
So pay your taxes, choose your candidate, and cast your vote (politics does matter, after all), but do so as one whose trust is anchored in another world. As citizens of “a better country” (Heb. 11:16; cf. Phil. 3:20), we the people of the risen King await “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13).

Whatever comes of our quadrennial sojourn to the ballot box, we can rest in the sovereign goodness of a Father who sits enthroned in the heavens and, with majesty and mystery, does whatever he pleases.”

~Taken from a sermon by Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington D.C.