BY THIS STANDARD-Greg L. Bahnsen

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

yes, it takes the land into consideration with a Sabbath rest, it takes care for the poor and the animals, it give a chance for restitution, cities of refuge for manslaughter, makes negligence a crime, sets the death penalty for the most grievous of sins. God's law are just.

Even the tithes were awesome because the people came together to eat them in a festival/celebration. and the animal sacrifices covered sins, and also were eaten by the community.

So very true.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I also find it rather interesting that God forbade the Levites from having an inheritance in the land, leaving them vulnerable like the poor and needy. This was intended to keep them from being blinded by greed, and keep them sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable of their society.

They received the tithe, like the poor and needy, because they were communal servants within their regions who didn't own land as did the other individual Israelites.

To own land, amass an inheritance, and draw a tithe from the people would be reprehensible.

This is a fact . . .

and one often (that should be ALWAYS) ignored by the tithe teaching preachers.

And not to drag up old bones Aquila, but I'm glad to see that your wounds are healing nicely.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

This is a fact . . .

and one often (that should be ALWAYS) ignored by the tithe teaching preachers.

And not to drag up old bones Aquila, but I'm glad to see that your wounds are healing nicely.

Thank you. I know in whom I have believed. lol

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

yes, it takes the land into consideration with a Sabbath rest, it takes care for the poor and the animals, it give a chance for restitution, cities of refuge for manslaughter, makes negligence a crime, sets the death penalty for the most grievous of sins. God's law are just.

Even the tithes were awesome because the people came together to eat them in a festival/celebration. and the animal sacrifices covered sins, and also were eaten by the community.

You made a true observation. God's Law established:

- Rest.
- Established standards for the care of the poor and needy.
- Regard for animals, their well being, and survival.
- Allowed for restitution.
- Gave the accused asylum.
- Held parties involved in negligence accountable.
- Set the death penalty for threats to society.
- Protected the poor from predatory lending.
- Established the right to self-defense.
- Ensured that servitude was only temporary.
- Prevented the nations' wealth from becoming aggregated in the hands of a plutocracy.

… and I'm sure the list could go on.

My question is... what would a modern political philosophy look like if it based its approach on these principles... without trying to impose them according to the letter?

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Aquila

You made a true observation. God's Law established:

- Rest.
- Established standards for the care of the poor and needy.
- Regard for animals, their well being, and survival.
- Allowed for restitution.
- Gave the accused asylum.
- Held parties involved in negligence accountable.
- Set the death penalty for threats to society.
- Protected the poor from predatory lending.
- Established the right to self-defense.
- Ensured that servitude was only temporary.
- Prevented the nations' wealth from becoming aggregated in the hands of a plutocracy.

… and I'm sure the list could go on.

My question is... what would a modern political philosophy look like if it based its approach on these principles... without trying to impose them according to the letter?

I would have to think about this, most theonomists have been thinking about this since Bahnsen wrote his book in 1985, and they are still hammering it out, and I have not even finished the book yet.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I would have to think about this, most theonomists have been thinking about this since Bahnsen wrote his book in 1985, and they are still hammering it out, and I have not even finished the book yet.

I willing to wager that their conclusions will fit nicely in the Republican Party.

Every since the Moral Majority, there has been an effort within the Republican Party to corner and lock in the Christian vote. Even non-religious Republicans felt it in the party's best interests. Essentially, they envisioned churches becoming for the Republican Party what unions are to the Democratic Party. I see it as a tool to use religion to lock in a voting block.

When I was with GOPUSA and helping with President George W. Bush's campaign, I made a statement like, "If we elect Bush, maybe we can resolve this mess with abortion and the gay rights movement." One of the precinct leaders looked at me and laughed. He said, "Oh God no. Why would we want that? Those two issues bring out more voters for us than any others. We need those issues alive and well for every election." I was stunned. Of course, it makes sense if one is dealing with political strategies. How do we know this whole "Christian Reconstructionism" thing isn't just an illusion to keep religious voters voting primarily Republican with the false hope of establishing a "Christian" republic?

They play so many games, I don't trust it.

I look to see what issues directly effect me and my family. And I vote for what is in our best interests. We're middle class. I'd like a middle class tax cut. Sadly, that will mean someone higher up on the tax brackets will have to pay more. But they aren't living paycheck to paycheck. So, that's not my concern. I don't fault them for voting to gain more tax shelters, tax breaks, and subsidies (in regards to corporate interest). That's the way the game is played. But as for my family, we could use the relief. Our family has two kids. We need affordable medical insurance. So far, I'm not impressed with anything from the right, and Obamacare was a fiasco. After spending time in Canada, Amsterdam, and Brussels, and talking to other Americans working for American corporations that moved to these places, I'm convinced we can do what these other countries have done... and do it even better. And my pro-capitalist inclination likes to ask... why shoulder business with the burden of providing employee healthcare plans? Their job should be to make money, not spend an outrageous amount of revenue to provide health insurance. Having employer based insurance only bogs down the capitalist engine of our economy. Relieve business from that burden, and allow them to break out with a focus on profits. I'm big on solid wages that can be measured against the rising cost of living. Congress gives themselves repeated wages based on the cost of living, and they make more than we do! LOL

If an issue isn't going to directly effect me and my family, it is far lower on my list of priorities.

I don't disagree with everything on the right though. I support the 2nd Amendment. I can stomach more extensive background checks, but that's about it. I like how the right is big on defense. I'm sympathetic towards the prolife position, but I've come to realize that even if banned tomorrow, there would just be a mounted effort to overturn the ban. It's a war without end. And, as seen in other countries that have banned abortion, it doesn't always effect the abortion rate with any real significance. I found countries like Belgium impressive, they have some of the lowest abortion rates on earth. But they also have policies like paid maternity leave and universal healthcare so women in crisis pregnancies aren't instantly facing hardship. They want to remain prochoice, but reduce the abortion rate. They kinda put their money where their mouth is, and it works. I've become leery of public schools. I like homeschooling and charter schools, if only proper oversight exists to ensure that kids are indeed educated and not just passed forward to improve stats to attract more families, funding, and investors. The charter school I put my kids for kindergarten and first grade was a joke. Their scores were released and they had fallen abysmally. Sadly, when I put my kids in public schools, they were behind! I think charter schools can be a good deal, but at least in our state and system they need more accountability and oversight. And if at all possible, I think homeschooling rocks. I also hear that homeschooling is sweeping Canada by storm. I think it is a far more versatile and personalized approach that serves the exact needs and interests of our kids.

So, I'm not a total leftist. But... I do have my reservations about any melding of politics with religion. It can be turned into a tool to manipulate voters far too easily. Voters should be informed, studying both sides of every issue, and looking to see exactly what issues will directly effect their families.

[Aquila]

I'd like to see the church unleash the power of the Holy Ghost in our communities. We don't have many signs and miracles following us today. Imagine if prophets, seers, pastors, and laity were walking in the prophetic and demonstrating the supernatural power of God in their lives, work places, communities, and churches. Dreams, visions, healings, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, and miracles. I think we'd see what the early church saw... unprecedented interest, growth, and power.

No politics necessary. One's earthly notions of politics would be really secondary to advancing the Kingdom of God in the lives of people. Notice I said, in the lives of people. Not to be coopted by a political movement.

I'm concerned with the growing trend in Apostolic circles that minimizes the power of the gifts of the Spirit.

No Supreme Court could overrule such a revival.

[Aquila]

Also, as an Apostolic, I'm concerned with the ecumenicalism that would be necessary to unite Christians to accomplish the Reconstructionist vision. It would yoke us with Presbyterians and others in the quest to establish a "Christian" Republic. I think we do better as a spiritual Kingdom of strangers and pilgrims in this world.

[Aquila]

Also, they say, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." If lead by a "Christian" government... any major debacle would reflect badly on the entire faith. "It was the Christian leadership that brought us into this unjustified war!", kinda thing.

It opens Jesus up to a lot of bad press He really doesn't need.

[Amanah]

I vote for issues that align with the bible

I voted for Ron DeSantis this week because of his stance
• Anti cannabis
• Government can’t force businesses to pay for birth control
• Reduce taxes, curtail govt spending
• Opposes No Child left behind
• Opposed the Iran nuclear deal
• Opted not to receive his congressional pension
• Supports term limits for Congress
• Opposes gun control
• Is Sharply critical of the US Dept of Veterans Affairs