Category: Faith and Culture

Obey God rather than men

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

Romans 13 is used by “Christians” like Speaker Mike Johnson to silence dissent against the current administration. In this scripture, Apostle Paul said that everyone should submit to governing authorities because God established their authority.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:1

Paul’s statement assumes that governing authorities will do God’s will because God gave them authority. But what if they aren’t doing God’s will?

Paul made a blanket statement about submitting to authority that does not cover every situation. Most importantly, he did not address whether we should obey authorities who are not doing God’s will.

Questions should be asked.

Do government authorities act lawfully, upholding the laws established by the government they are supposed to represent? Are they acting ethically? Do they oppress the poor or mistreat the foreigners among us? Are they acting justly? Do they suppress free speech? Do they deny the right to due process of the law?

Are they doing God will?

If you look at Paul’s ministry, he clearly did not believe that a follower of Christ should blindly submit to government authority without question. Paul was accused of advocating customs that were unlawful for Romans. He was accused of teaching against the Roman people and laws. Yet he chose to defy the authorities by continuing to preach. He was imprisoned for not submitting to their authority.

Peter also said that you should submit to government authorities “for the Lord’s sake.”

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

1 Peter 2: 13-14

But look at what Peter said when he was brought before the Sanhedrin to face the accusation of teaching in Christ’s name:

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Acts 5:28

We must obey God rather than man.

God is sovereign. He is the ultimate authority. His laws are supreme.

When Paul was jailed for spreading the gospel, the Lord said to him, “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” The Lord wanted him to continue spreading the gospel.

I am a law-abiding citizen, but I question governing authorities, especially when those authorities have no respect for the law or for what is right and just.

Does Donald J Trump act legally, following the laws established by the government? No. He is a man of lawlessness.

Does he act ethically? No. He is corrupt and amoral.

Does he oppress the poor? Yes. His economic policies further enrich the wealthy, taking funds from those who need it most.

Does he mistreat immigrants? Yes. He lies about them to spread fear and resentment. He sends them to detention centers where they are kept in poor conditions without medical care. He separates families and traumatizes children!

Does he act justly? No. He makes false accusations against his political opponents and seeks vengeance while pardoning criminals. He denies immigrants due process.

Does he deny people the right to speak? Yes. He silences the press, suing the media for perceived damages. He calls the press treasonous for speaking the truth.

Is Donakd Trump doing God will? Absolutely not!

God’s will is that we love one another.

God’s will is that we live in peace.

God’s will is truth.

God’s will is justice.

God’s will is mercy.

God’s will is that we leave vengeance to him.

God’s will is that we serve others with humility.

Human laws and human authority are never above God’s laws and God’s authority. If something goes against God’s will, it’s time to disobey. If Jesus tells you to testify to the truth, it’s time to speak.

Staying sane in a crazy world

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

I think the United States has gone nuts. Seventy-seven million people decided that a convicted felon, a malignant narcissist, was fit to hold the nation’s highest office. They decided that personal character is irrelevant.

I’ve heard the word “unprecedented” used more in the last decade than I did in the previous five. These are crazy, upside down times.

Every day brings news that should be shocking but isn’t. Every day, the president says or does something that would have ended the career of a normal person. But he is not normal. He is amoral. His party exalts and protects him. So, with the support of his enablers, he continues to get away with corruption and lawlessness.

How do I keep from losing my mind when so many disturbing things are happening? How do I find contentment?

First and foremost, faith in God keeps me grounded. No matter what happens, God’s presence gives me comfort and peace. He is sufficient for all my needs.

My faith helps me keep current events in perspective. He is not the first man to do evil in the sight of the Lord. Although I want justice and accountability now, the wicked will not escape God’s justice. I also believe that God is working behind the scenes and that he has a plan.

Second, I am fortunate to live in a beautiful area. Spending time in nature brings me peace and a sense of wonder and joy. I go for walks and stop to look at wildflowers and enjoy the view. I pause to listen to birds singing or squirrels chattering.

No matter how messed up the world is, nature stays the same. The birds stick to their migration patterns. The flowers keep on blooming, and the birds keep on singing.

Third, I am not alone in my distress. I have found many like-minded people who care about truth, justice, and the well-being of others. I am not the only one who sees the foolishness in this administration’s disregard for the environment. I am not the only one who believes that immigrants deserve to be treated with compassion and dignity. I am not the only one who sees the government ignoring the needs of the poor and middle-class while further enriching millionaires.

Many people are shining a spotlight on the corruption and abuses of power. Independent media has been relentless in exposing the truth. Politicians are leaving the Republican party and speaking out against the behavior it supports and condones. Attorneys are filing lawsuits to uphold the laws. Pastors are speaking out about how un-Christ like evangelical “Christians” have become.

Finally, I have a life to live. It’s an ordinary life, but a good life. I have much to be grateful for – a good husband, family, friends, my health, and a home.

I have things to do that make a difference in the lives of others. I have things to say that may make a difference.

Finding the courage to use my voice…again

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

When I started blogging many years ago, I was an introvert trying to find my voice. Speaking spontaneously is not my strong suit. For years, I kept my mouth shut because I didn’t want to sound stupid. My introverted mind needs time to process my thoughts before I speak. Writing allows me to compose my thoughts and to express myself thoughtfully.

Unfortunately, something besides introversion is now keeping me from freely speaking my mind.

I live in a country that is extremely divided by politics and religious nationalism. Truth has been thrown to the ground. Evil is now called Good. Anyone who speaks out against the Trump regime risks being ridiculed, condemned, alienated, and even threatened.

These days, I often zip my lip to avoid antagonizing Trump supporters. It’s hard because silence in the face of evil is acquiescence at best. Some would say it is complicity.

Building a wall to protect myself

Several months ago, I put MAGA family members on a restricted friends list on Facebook. Restricted friends only see what I choose to make public, which primarily consists of pictures of nature.

I also put friends from church on this list because I don’t know whom I can trust. I have learned that many people who claim to be Christians are easily triggered by any criticisms of Trump.

Church is too often the most risky place to be spiritually honest.

Pete Enns, Author

Why restrict this subset of friends from seeing valid criticisms of Trump and the Republicans who enable him? I know that I will lose friends if I share my opposition to Trump. By building a wall, relationships have remained intact, but the friendships are not deep or genuine.

Ardent Trump supporters only see what they want to see and only hear what they want to hear. Their minds are closed. If I share posts that are critical of the Trump regime, I am unlikely to influence them. They have been misled by the media and by false teachers for years.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

I suspect that many MAGA Christians experience cognitive dissonance – the psychological tension caused when a person’s actions are not consistent with their beliefs. For example, if you believe that sexual assault is morally wrong, but you support an adjudicated rapist, your conscience should be troubled. You should feel uncomfortable. If you believe that judging people by the color of their skin is wrong but you support a racist, you should feel ashamed of yourself.

I used to think that when presented with facts, reasonable people would change their minds. I was wrong. Cognitive dissonance causes people to avoid sources of information that increase dissonance and seek sources, including conspiracy theories, that reduce dissonance.

Why is it so hard for Trump’s supporters to admit they are wrong about him? Why do they lie to themselves?

Because most people see themselves as good, smart, ethical and kind, when confronted with evidence that they did something bad, foolish, immoral or cruel, they tend to reduce dissonance not by changing their positive self-concept but by justifying their behavior.

Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson, Brandeis Magazine

Social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliit Aronson say that “[s]elf-justification is the most common way of reducing dissonance whenever the self-concept is threatened.” When a person is emotionally invested in a movement or cause, they convince themselves that their actions are justified.

Little old me has no hope of getting through to MAGA friends and family. I feel like I have no choice but to separate myself from them. I pray that God will open up their eyes to the truth.

Finding allies

I still occasionally share political or religious posts on social media because I can’t pretend that these are normal times. Since I don’t knowingly share content with ardent Trump supporters anymore, I may be preaching to the choir.

Because there is so much opposition to Trump, I know that I am not alone. Two of my former pastors now speak out against Trump. I ran into a few people from church at the No Kings protests.

I admire the bravery of Christians who speak out frequently, like Amy Hawk, Paul Kahnke, and Jason Chukwuma. Others understanably choose to post anonymously, like a man who calls himself A Country Pastor.

Why do I want to speak out? What are my objectives?

  • demonstrate what it really means to follow Jesus
  • expose religious nationalism as heresy
  • protest against authoritarianism
  • expose corruption and abuses of power

Introversion no longer keeps me from sharing my thoughts. The problem now is that it feels like no one wants to listen. At this point, I lack the courage to risk losing more relationships. Ultimately, I have to be faithful to Christ, so I may eventually need to let these relationships go. I believe that God wants me to use my voice to speak the truth, not just about what I believe, but more importantly, about who He is.

Focus on Me

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

These are troubling times. If you are not disturbed, you’re not paying attention.

As a follower of Christ, there have been many times that I have wished for God to speak to me in a way that left no doubt that it was him. I have asked to hear his voice audibly, like Samuel did.

If you aren’t going to speak to me outloud, God, could you at least make it really clear that it is your voice in my head and not my own??

I no longer watch mainstream news on TV, but I watch YouTube videos and read content on Substack. People are obsessed with covering everything that DJT says and does, and not without reason. The things he does, the things he gets away with, are disturbing to anyone who still has a working moral compass. We want to shout it from the rooftops, “This is not normal! This is not right!”

And yet….because we pay so much attention to him, DJT sucks up all the oxygen in the room. That’s exactly what he wants. He believes he is the center of the universe and that everyone should exalt him.

Last week, I noticed that there was incessant speculation about DJT’s absence from the public eye. Was he sick? Was he dead? He says he wants to get to heaven! Is he sincere? Wait, he’s fundraising off of it!

In the midst of this, I heard the words, focus on me. Three simple words. Focus on me.

I have been encouraged this year by the 23rd Psalm. I’ve memorized and prayed it in the middle of the night. The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. No matter what happens, I belong to him. He is sufficient.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. No matter how dark things get, even when it seems like evil is winning, I need not fear because God walks with me. His presence comforts me.

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflows. God provides everything I need. Even in the midst of adversity, even when the enemies of truth surround me, I rest in his protection.

Thank you, God, for reminding me that I need to keep my eyes on you and to listen for your voice. You are in control. You restore my soul.

The Parable of the Tenants

by Innermost Being, posted in Faith and Culture

Jesus often taught through parables. The lessons are still applicable today. Read them afresh and put yourself in the story. In my own words, this is how I apply The Parable of the Tenants to Christian life in the USA today (Luke 20:9-18).

A man built a vineyard and then rented it to some farmers. The owner went away for a long time. When it came time for the harvest, the owner sent a servant to the tenants to get some fruit from the vineyard. The tenants beat the servant and sent him away with nothing. So the man sent another servant. The tenants also treated him badly and sent him away empty-handed. The owner sent yet another servant to collect some fruit; that servant was also beaten by the tenants and thrown out.

The owner said to himself, “What shall I do now? Perhaps I’ll send my own son. Surely they will respect him.”

When the tenants saw the owner’s son coming, they talked it over. They decided to kill the son, thinking they would inherit the property.

Jesus asked the people, “What will happen to the tenants when they kill the owner’s son? The owner will kill them and give the vineyard to others.”

After Jesus told the parable, the people were skeptical, saying, “God forbid.” So Jesus asked them, “Then what is the meaning of this: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?’ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces.”

*******

God loved the world so much that he sent his son to redeem us. People rejected him then. People reject him now.

Those of us who accept Jesus as the son of God, as our Lord and Savior, call ourselves Christians. But I wonder how many people who call themselves Christians really accept Jesus, not just for who he is but for what he asks of us? If you believe that Jesus is the son of God, do you also accept his authority? Is he really the  Lord of your life?

Jesus came to the United States of America. He asked the people for a cup of mercy for immigrants. The people shouted, “No! America first!” They began chanting, “Trump! Trump! Trump!” Donald Trump walked up to Jesus, punched him in the face, and proclaimed, “These [brown] people are murderers and rapists! They’re poisoning the blood of our country! Only I can save them!” The people cheered. Franklin Graham lifted his hands and praised God for anointing Trump. As Jesus wept, Christians in red hats pummeled him with their fists, shouting, “DEPORT HIM!”

Jesus was not deterred by this rejection. He again came to the people of the USA and said, “Fill this basket with food for the hungry and medicine for the sick.” The people responded, “No! That’s a waste of our money! America first!” Elon Musk shouted, “Waste, fraud, and abuse! I will make this country efficient.” He kicked Jesus in the stomach. As Jesus bent over in pain, Christians punched him and said, “Your empathy is toxic!” They tossed him out empty-handed.

The stone the Christians rejected is the cornerstone.