WHEN GOOD MEN ARE SILENT |
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan
Well friends, here it is the week of America's national elections. In a few days citizens of the United States will go to the polls to exercise the greatest right and privilege on earth-the freedom to vote for those who will rule over us. Yes, Election Day, the first Tuesday in November will decide the fate of this nation as it marches into the 21st century. However as a Christian broadcaster and commentator, I would like to gear today's message especially to this theme of election and voting.
Recently this past summer, a study conducted by the Pew Research
Center for People and the Press, discovered that evangelical Protestants
are "the most powerful religious force in politics today"
and "a powerful voting bloc."[1] Yet, the
truth of the matter is most Christians do not take seriously,
their sacred right and privilege to exercise this for God and
country. The most recent polls I was able to find, showed the
disgraceful rejection of this privilege by showing that only 38.5%
of eligible voters exercised their God-given freedom to vote on
national election day. Perhaps the reason for this is most American's
have lost confidence in the political system, or worse grown to
hate politics. As a result, many just simply stay away from the
voting booths to say, when things go bad, "it's not my fault,
I didn't vote for them." However, such an attitude is un-American
and ungodly as well. But before I speak to this issue and give
you some helpful hints as you go to the polls this Tuesday, let's
pause again and listen to this…
Sociologist James Q. Wilson recently said, that "before
the 1960's the federal government was much more limited. The few
tasks it did, it did well. American's took pride in their government."
But today, the federal government has changed by plunging into
every imaginable area of American life. Now by political call
and maneuvering, the government tries to control education, the
family and home, manage race relations, end sex and sexual preference
discrimination, even outlaw so-called hate crimes. In effect,
we have a government today that is wholly foreign to the founding
father's goal for governing the people of this nation. Government
trust today has dwindled to less that 30% of the overall public.[2]
Accordingly, people have become leery of the intrusive invasion
of government into the lives and responsibilities of the people
of these United States. However, such invasion is the direct result
of politicians who have seen their role in American government
as one of control and management of its people. Biblically and
Constitutionally speaking though, the true purpose of American
government was two fold: (1) to promote justice, and
(2) to restrain evil. The first was its positive task
of promoting harmony among people so they could live together
in peace and tranquillity. Governments are ordained of God to
work out procedural rules to maintain public decency and order.
But since mankind is a fallen race, God also deemed the role of
government was to restrain what God says, is evil. Yes, public
order must be maintained by constraint.
In Romans chapter 13, we find that God gave every government the
power of the sword to incarcerate or destroy evil doers. And,
apart from this God's Word never gave government the right to
intrude in the area of its people's right to live responsibly
and accountably before God and man. Herein is the problem and
solution election time brings. We as the people of this nation
have the right and privilege to place in office those who understand
and uphold this principle of governing, that was the basis of
the foundation of American culture, law and life. You see the
basic difference today between the political parties is this idea
of governing.
The Democratic party as a whole, stands for the idea that government
must be the ruling entity of the people's lives with their complete
submission to every area of its control and care. Since Congress
has been in the hands of the Democratic party for more than 40
years of our societal past, we've seen government increasingly
reaching out to take control of American life in every facet of
its existence. National government since then kept reaching deeper
ands deeper into societal and moral issues that God deemed were
the province of His church, individual families and even local
communities. Today our government with the mindset of the Democratic
party increasingly rejects any inherent limits.
On the other hand, the major opposition to this idea of "big"
government that controls the people, is the Republican party that
as a whole believes and practices the concept that government
must retreat from its role of being god to the masses, and give
back the right of the people to be personally responsible for
life and living. No lest you misunderstand me, I'm not advocating
the righteousness of the Republicans over the Democrats. Both
parties are run and filled by fallen human beings. Both parties
have corruption within, and if unrestrained would eventually take
over the nation and become tyrants to the people.
However, today the issue at election time is clear. Do we want
the American way of life and its government to be in control of
every facet of our lives and existence? If you answer no, then
it is your duty, to vote for candidates that are dedicated to
reducing the size of government and its role in American life.
This may be hard to embrace for some, because for the past 25
years today's young people have been fed the lie that government
is actually capable of creating the good life and the good society.
Through children's textbooks of the past few decades, our young
voters have come to believe the nonsense that big government is
the way to help make their lives rich and full. However the Bible
says such teaching and beliefs are nothing less than idolatry,
for to believe this way and work towards such a goal is to make
the state one's god.
And, what a paltry god American secularized government is. Why
it cannot even manage its own checkbook. We are trillions of dollars
in debt, and the Democrats are asking for four more years of power
to control, manage and dip further into your checkbook. As it
stands today, our government through the voting of a democratic
congress through the past 40 years, has given us massive controls
over education. Yet, in so doing we have produced the most illiterate
and ill equipped godless people who are struggling to find out
who they are, let along what they are to be and do. No, government
was never meant to be our god. For there is one God alone who
is over all. It is the God of the Bible revealed in the Person
of Jesus Christ.
America's hope and future is not in electing more politicians
who want to tax and spend to bring us the good life. For in the
end nothing changes except the people get poorer. More money invested
in government programs is not the answer to America's needs. God
is the answer. For we must get back to the realization that this
nation, yes this nation, was born as a Biblical nation.
What I mean is that our founding fathers saw the role of government
as an extension ministry of God, nothing more. It was to be subservient
to His Word, and a servant of His people. Now for the past decade
all I ever hear is that this nation was not a Christian nation,
rather it was a secular pluralistic nation that honored all peoples
and religions. This is partially true. You see our nation was
indeed not a Christian nation in the sense that every founding
father professed Christ. We know that Benjamin Franklin and Thomas
Jefferson to name a few, were not Christians and had a disdain
for the claims of Christ. Yet, they were all agreed that the Judeo-Christian
morals, and ethics of the Bible were still the only basis for
American life.
Our nation or any nation for that matter, must be run by a moral
system or code of ethics. All ethics are religious, even so-called
secular ones. Many young people today are told that America must
jettison from its law and society, any and all Christian thinking
and morality to be neutral. Our government schools today pride
themselves on being neutral, by throwing out ever facet of Christian
principle and thought. Yet there is nothing neutral. If God and
His word are thrown out, the vacuum sucks in another ideology.
That ideology today is atheistic humanism. It is a religion and
faith just like Christianity. So you have a choice. It will be
the god of atheism that will rule our society, or the God of Christianity.
Our founding fathers saw this choice and chose the biblical world
view.
Yes, our American forefathers chose the morals and principles
of the bible as the source of law and societal living. So when
election time comes around you must ask yourself. Which candidate
upholds the historic American way of maintaining the Judeo-Christian
principles of governing and law? Which one do not. I suggest you
vote for the one who promises to maintain the historic Christian
way.
Now this is precisely the means by which we can today evaluate
political issues before us regardless of which party or candidate
proposes them. The first essential begins with a proper understanding
of God. The Bible says God is sovereign over nations, and He demands
to be recognized as the higher law of any land, for God alone
is the blesser of every soul, not any government. This is why
we must elect officials that are committed to limited government,
and judicial appointees who are strict constructionists.
Today's Supreme Court justices follow an alien thought as to American law. Rather than upholding the Constitution as it was written, they feel law is to be decided by the elite of the day. Hence, our Constitution must be reinterpreted to reflect the ideology of the present elite in control of the government. Men like senators Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Paul Wellstone of Minnesota and a host of other wild liberals think the goal of this nation is to overturn historic American law and our Biblical world view, and substitute the godless one for today. Now the Biblical world view can be seen in politics by a what Robert Dugan, director of the Office of Public Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals says is: "(1) pre-eminence of religious liberty, (2) profession of public faith in God, (3) protection of life as sacred, (4) provision for justice for all, (5) preservation of the traditional family, and (6) promotion of Judeo-Christian values in all education and legislation." [3] So ask yourself, where does any particular candidate, regardless of party affiliation, stand on these issues. If their stand and promises are geared to destroy or even weaken these principles- its your duty not to vote for them!
Secondly, when it comes to electing those who will best uphold
the historic American way we must look for candidates who see
the role of government is to promote "personal responsibility,"
not to take it away. Yet today, whenever there is a want or wrong,
some politicians invent a crisis. They bring the crisis to the
public and call for power and control of government to intervene.
Yet, every time we turn over more of our personal responsibilities
to the government to control, we lose our God-given freedoms and
rights to be personally accountable. Paul the apostle writes in
the Word of God,
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) "For we
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each
one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the
body, whether good or bad."
We do not need government directing every facet of our lives.
Seat belts are good, but laws to make people wear them are not.
Gun control is good, but it must first be in the hands of an individual.
If one abuses the right to bear arms, he must be punished swiftly
and severely. To centralize power and take away personal responsibility
and freedoms is not God's vision for government, for it gives
fallen sinful humanity great power which history shows in every
case corrupts. Government's role again, I reiterate, must be limited
due to the pervasiveness of human sin.
Lastly, in evaluating candidates for election we must above all
expect any leader to be a moral example to the people they wish
to govern. In the last national election the phrase "it's
the economy stupid," won the election for Clinton. But the
real truth is, it is not the economy that's at issue it's morality!
Long ago God gave the best advice for selecting those who will
lead a nation. Moses was told by God,
Exodus 18:21 (NIV) "… select
capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy
men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over
thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens."
Today we must decide who will be elected in any office based on
three considerations. (1) Personality, (2) Political
philosophy, (3) Personal character. Ideally all candidates
for office should be judged by these requirements. Personality
is of minimum importance, political philosophy is of great importance,
but personal character I believe is of greatest importance. If
a man is immoral, dishonest, untrustworthy, unfaithful to his
commitments - what good is he? Such a man can promise a tax cut
to the middle class, and within days of office institute the largest
tax increase in American history. Such a man can talk about family
values, and turn around and grant rights to the immoral homosexuals
of our society and penalize traditional families lives and living.
Such a man can say he is for legal, safe and rare abortion, and
then veto a bill banning the most evil and cruel procedure that
violently murders and destroys human life in the process of birth.
Its not the economy stupid, it character and trust. Do we want
a man in office who is a man of integrity and has given his life
to public office, or a man who is a promise breaker, has questionable
integrity and has spent his life just running for president?
Voters this Tuesday will choose the next president of the United
States. It will essentially be between Clinton and Dole. I'm no
fan of Bob Dole exactly, but I am much less of our President Bill
Clinton who has made it clear that support for a biblical world
view for government and governing is not his goal for marching
into the 21st century.
I'm glad its not my decision alone. I will be one vote, and I
will vote for candidates based on the concepts I've shared with
you. Only those who best uphold the American way of a biblical
world view, of limited government, and upholding Christian morals
and character for those in leadership, will get my vote. I trust
the same will be said about you. However, I don't hold my breath.
Many Christians and other Americans will simply forget about election
day and pass by the polls. But in so doing, they will decide the
fate of this nation either way. For Edmond Burke, an outstanding
orator and leader in Great Britain coined these timeless words
when he said,
Is the United States heading the wrong way? For sure! Every discerning
Christian knows that unless we return to a Bible-based morality,
and governing of this nation, more and more unrighteousness and
evil will increase in the land. Perversion of morals, destruction
of traditional family life, loss of personal accountability and
freedoms, denial of God's right of presence in our systems of
education, and upholding of unrestrained godlessness- will bring
down the din of God's judgment. For the Bible warns us whether
it was the nation of Israel or the godless nations around them,
they were all accountable to God for their
governing and living. We read in,
Psalms 75:6-7 (NIV) "No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. 7 But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another."
Daniel 4:25 (NIV) "… the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."
Deuteronomy 18:9-12 (NIV) "When
you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn
to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. … 12
Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because
of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out
those nations before you."
The Old Testament is full of warnings that regardless of whether
a government acknowledges God or not, God is still sovereign and
in control of it. Scripture says God will hold every nation of
man accountable to Him. We see that the Gentile nations were judged
by God for general moral offenses such as the murder of the innocent,
unrestrained immorality, and even child sacrifice. Clearly, God
has standards of right and wrong, which He demands for all peoples.
May this election day coming show that "good men and women
will do something!" If the polls are correct evangelical
Christians are the most powerful religious force in the nation.
Let's show it to the nation this Tuesday as we vote, not for our
own personal advantage, but for that which best upholds the historic
American way. Moreover, let's put into office only those men and
women who have evidenced, personal integrity, moral character,
who strongly uphold the biblical philosophy our nation was founded
upon. Herein will we be blessed and find our greatest satisfaction
of life and living till our Lord comes in glory!
In retrospect, our Founder's own declarations say it all.
Samuel Adams Signer of the Declaration
of Independence wrote: "First of
all, I …rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ for pardon of
all my sins."
John Dickinson, Signer of the
US Constitution, wrote: "To my
Creator, I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and
in His mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity."
And, John Jay, Original Chief-Justice
of the US Supreme Court write: "I
render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited
blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by
His beloved Son … Blessed be His holy Name."
"Oh God, give us such men and women today who will
in like manner honor You and keep You as the center of their lives
and ministry in this nation. Lord give us more years of Thy great
blessings, that we might spend it in promoting godliness and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Deliver us this election day from the
hands and hearts of those who reject You and Your word, and may
Your glory be revealed in your church as it moves this election
day to restore righteousness in the land. I ask along with every
brother and sister in Christ and pray in Jesus name, Amen."
__________________________________________________
ENDNOTES & GENERAL REFERENCES:
[1]"Minnesota Christian Chronicle," Sept. 12, 1996, Editorial by Luis Palau, page 2.
[2] "What Americans Believe," The Barna Report, by George Barna, Page 162, Regal Books, Ventura CA. 1991.
[3] "Moody" Magazine, September-October
1996, "Evaluating Issues" by Robert Reynolds, page 25.
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures.A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request.These weekly radio commentaries can be heard in selected areas around the nation. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for 16 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of all messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please
write to our speaker, Dennis L.
Finnan(wwyfin@sparc.isl.net), or visit our webpage at [ http://www.isl.net/wwyweb.html
].