Introduction:   While, in this day and age, it is difficult to see the United States as a nation under God, it was once commonplace for politicians to consult their Bibles, for children to pray openly in schools, for the Bible to be taught in public schools, and for the court system to reference the Bible for guidance.[1]

These times have passed. The 1960s brought rampant change to American society, and years since have struck even heavier blows to our nation’s Christian heritage. Something integral to our nation has been lost, and it must be found again if America is to endure as its founders envisioned. This discourse will primarily focus on the United State’s Christian roots by examining the beliefs and practices of its founding fathers, namely George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, among others.

By examining the claims of Thomas Jefferson, in particular, we hope to shed some light on common misconceptions about the meaning of the phrase, “separation of church and state,” and its modern day implications. We will also look at the various ways our nation has fallen from its Christian heritage and how Christians can make a difference.

Things just get stranger as the year goes on. This weekend is the July 4th holiday, celebrating the American Colonies declaring independence from Britain. Their actions acknowledge our Creator, His law, our equal nature, His endowing man with certain natural rights, and government’s purpose in securing those rights. Read More

Deception is the act of misleading someone using falsehoods—that is, using lies. This subject underlies many of the articles I’ve written over the last seven years. Deception put forth by those in our government, media, academics, and sometimes even the church. The purpose has been to expose the lies, present some facts supporting that position, and offer some solutions. Read More

I know. If you’re like me just seeing the question grates against my nature. America is great because it is good. But given the age we live in and this year’s events, we should at least stop and reflect upon the question.[1] Read More

As mentioned last time, God designated two spheres of power where man exercises dominion, and therefore stewardship. They are religion and governance. We previously focused on today’s governance corruption and failure. But seldom is only one sphere corrupted. Today’s article turns to the church. Not attacking it, but examining where we are versus where we should be. Understanding where correction is needed—and how to go about it. Read More

God designated two spheres of power where man is to exercise dominion. They are God’s through His act of creation and not man’s. He provides their basis so both require stewardship. They are religion and governance. The first teaches people what is right and good. The second enacts justice when someone acts unjustly. Our natural rights to assemble and communicate give us the opportunity to learn and practice doing good as individuals and a society. This occurs through the customs, behavioral expectations and standards we create through our choices. Read More

Today wraps up the discussion about the stewardship we have for relationships, and relating those to current events. Last time we applied our natural rights to procreate and assemble. Today we’ll use the natural rights to communicate and receive justice.[1] These wrap up what it means to be a people which then leads to governance. This last item touches on leadership, the next article’s focus. Read More

This article examines the link between leadership and fear, using our reactions to current events. The flu occurs every year, with different strains and virility. Past methods for controlling it include; isolation, quarantine, good hygiene, disinfectants, and restricting public gatherings. These limit transmission. They are common sense and should be voluntarily observed in a free society. Read More

This week’s events display some of modern liberalism’s fruit. I’m speaking specifically about the impeachment process underway in Washington, and Virginia Governor Northam’s actions surrounding the recent lobby day on the Martin Luther King holiday. Both events reveal the liberal perversion of principles such as stewardship. Stewardship is important for a number of reasons, and this short series explores that topic.

But first we need to define what stewardship is—and is not. Then draw its relevance to the events just mentioned. We’ll see stewardship not only concerns the use of material things, but relationships as well.

Stewardship

Stewardship’s basis lies in dominion, and dominion is concerned with authority. Sovereign authority rests with a ruler, but some of that authority can be granted to another to exercise. That is a republic’s governing basis. Authority rests in the people who in turn grant some authority in specific areas to those they select to govern in their stead. We see this idea present in the Israelites of the Old Testament and the Christian people’s election of their political and religious leaders in the early Middle Ages after Rome’s collapse.

Someone exercising a ruler’s authority in their place incurs a moral duty of stewardship, the responsibility of caring for whatever has been entrusted to them. In other words, as delegated authority is not theirs by right, they have a duty to use it well—to do good. If they use it poorly that authority can be recalled by the source from whom it originated.

God, as creation’s creator, is its sovereign. God’s authority is moral through His act of creation, and His power over creation is absolute. Man, as part of creation, also lies under His authority. Yet God granted man dominion over His creation. With exercising God’s authority in this area comes the duty of stewardship, which includes not only due care over the things of creation, but also over our relationships with others. The basis and nature of this duty will be examined in future articles.

Modern Liberalism’s Basis …

But back to this week’s events mentioned earlier. It all originates with the ideas we hold. Everyone has faith, it is almost impossible to live well without it. It’s just some have faith in God and others in man. Those placing their faith in God try to recognize his authority and live in obedience. Even Read More

This upcoming year is likely to be a rough one. Our basic rights are under assault. This article is a repost of one written a year ago. We will likely see the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) passed by the legislature and signed by the governor this time. Like it or not, we are in a war—one of ideas. Legislation like the ERA represent one thread of ideas, a pagan thread. The other comes from Judeo-Christian principles derived from God’s word in the Bible. Read More

by Michael Giere

[Parts of this article were first published in 2015, and this Thanksgiving it seemed particularly relevant. MG]

Thanksgiving is the distinctive American holiday, born out of the triumph of faith over adversity; a day set aside to recall the blessings and bounty from God delivered to His faithful people.

President George Washington, a man who knew a thing or two about overcoming adversity and riding the Stallion of Faith to victory, issued the first Thanksgiving Day Proclamation for the new nation on October 14, 1789 from New York City. It acknowledged how bereft of merit the people were, yet how grateful they must be of the Almighty’s blessings, for they received those things that they could not provide for themselves;

“[to] acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”   Read More