Some may ask why those of us who are heavenly minded should
care what worldly minded Joe Biden has to say. I answer it is because the words
of the President reveal the Deus ex machina, the real philosophy behind
the words. The apparent purpose of his 9/1 speech was to demonize his political
opponents whom he vaguely characterized as MAGA Republicans. This term, which
he used a half dozen times in his short address, has been adopted by the
Democrats to refer to people who supported President Trump’s “Make America
Great Again” campaign. Biden said, “Donald Trump and the MAGA
Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our
republic.”
In an attempt to identify the philosophy which he considered
such a threat, Biden said, “It’s not just Trump; it’s the entire philosophy
that underpins the [MAGA Republicans] – I’m going to say something: it’s like
semi-fascism.” Merriam-Webster
defines fascism as “a political philosophy, movement, or regime… that
exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a
centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader,
severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of
opposition.” The only part of that definition that fits Trump is “exalts
nation.” No one can deny that Trump exalted America; he wanted to make it great
again. He was not a racist as some have tried to claim (minorities did better
under Trump than any recent administration.) Unlike the Democrats, Trump clearly
placed individuals and individual effort at the center of his plan to make
America great.
Ironically, the rest of the definition of fascist applies
quite nicely to the Democrat philosophy rather than Trump’s and the MAGA
Republicans’. Few Presidents have been more “dictatorial” than Biden and Obama.
The “severe economic and social regimentation” boiling out of Washington under
Democrat administrations is undeniable. As for “forcible suppression of
opposition,” just consider the recent weaponization of the IRS (87,000 new,
armed agents) and FBI (Mar-a-Lago?), the hijacking of the election system, and
the overreach of other non-elected government bodies. The irony of Biden demonizing
conservative Americans who want to see Constitutional rights upheld and traditional
values embraced is beyond belief. Yet he apparently believes that returning
America to its former glory “threatens the very foundation of our republic.”
(Reminder to self: tell the reader why heaven matters in
this.)
Among the MAGA Republicans Biden warns against are many conservative
Christians who believe the foundation of our republic was laid by men who recognized
that our rights and responsibilities were endowed by our Creator God, not a
dictatorial government. Those rights and responsibilities were enshrined in our
founding documents, particularly the Constitution. Constitutional government as
originally conceived was intended to reflect Judeo-Christian values, biblical
values. Here we return to the idea that politics and religion are two parts of
one whole.
The question becomes how to view our political situation
from a heavenly vantage point. In Jesus’
high priestly prayer, He commented that when He returned to His Father, His
followers would be left in the world, but they would not be of
the world. The Apostle
John cautioned against loving the things of the world. Paul
insisted that believers must not be conformed to this world if they would
be pleasing to God.
James went so far as to say we become God’s enemy if we form a friendship
with the world.
Jesus also warned His disciples that the world would hate them just as it
had demonstrated hate for Him.
It is my contention that the attitude, the philosophy behind
President Biden’s 9/1 speech represents the worldly hatred Jesus predicted. I
am not conflating MAGA Republicans with the Body of Christ. However, as I have
said before, the political aims of the Republicans follow the
Judeo-Christian underpinnings of the founding fathers, whereas the Democrat
platform embraces many unbiblical themes. If Biden were calling for debate,
that would reflect the attitude envisioned by our political traditions.
Instead, Biden has called his opponents fascist terrorists intent on
destruction.
The irony, the hypocrisy of Biden’s position is unbelievable.
The sanctity of life, law and order, and individual freedom are under attack,
but it is not MAGA Republicans on the offensive. As believers, we are pilgrims
from another world sent as ambassadors to a foreign country. The language of the
New Testament pictures believers as emissaries from a distant king who has
taken over the land. As I wrote in “Bringing
the Kingdom,” our responsibility as Christians is to represent the values
and proclaim the authority of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Even though Jesus defeated our enemies on the Cross of
Calvary, we are warned that the enemy still roams about “looking for someone to devour.” The kingdom of Heaven has been initiated, but we are still required to
announce and defend its principles until the day of final victory when Jesus
returns. We do that work in the world; for that work we will be hated. In
America we have enjoyed a great deal of freedom to work in the past. Those days
may be behind us. As I have said
before, the only way to fight against political evil is to exercise our right
to vote. My philosophy says that is our political and religious duty.
I am not suggesting that Joe Biden is the anti-Christ, nor
am I predicting Armageddon. What I am suggesting is that just as John
warned first century believers, “even now many antichrists have arisen.” We
who serve the Risen King who was cradled in Bethlehem twenty centuries ago must
do whatever we can to stand against the rough beast that slouches toward Bethlehem
to be born. Its coming is inevitable, as is our victory. But we cannot be idle.
Paul
commends us to action: “Wake up, sleeper, and rise from the dead, and
Christ will shine on you. Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as
unwise but as wise, making the most of the time because the days are evil.”
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