Not only was Adams himself prone to common human failings such as self-doubt and pride, he also faced the same kind of personal attacks that remain the norm in politics today. Opponents attacked his character, lied about his positions, slandered his good name, and even went after his family. Yet Adams recognized an important truth: no matter how aggravating these attacks may be, most of them stemmed not from personal animosity, but simply from the nature of politics. In 1824, when Adams, Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, and Henry Clay were each vying for the presidency, it was only natural that they would use whatever tools they had to diminish their political rivals.

Keep that in mind when you face similar slanders today. In many cases, those attacking you aren’t doing so because what they say is true—indeed, such attacks are often full of lies and half-truths—nor because you’ve made some sort of mistake, but simply because you’re an obstacle to their political goals.

Still, it can be demoralizing to have your name dragged through the mud. The Bible tells the story of David, whose first appearance on the national stage was single-handedly defeating the giant Goliath in battle. From that moment on, he was set (against his will) on a collision course with Saul, King of Israel. It was only natural that his popularity would make enemies, and those enemies would use any means at their disposal to attack David and damage his reputation.

In Psalm 35, David laments his persecution and begs God to deliver and vindicate him:

Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me of things that I do not know.
They repay me evil for good;
my soul is bereft.

But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;
they gathered together against me;
wretches whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing;
like profane mockers at a feast,
they gnash at me with their teeth.

Psalm 35:11-12, 15-17 ESV

Yet such vindication is not always immediately apparent. Solomon, David’s son and successor, wrote in Ecclesiastes of how “evil” it is that judgment does not always come swiftly to the wicked:

It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all.

Ecclesiastes 9:2-3a ESV

Our Lord Jesus Christ took this observation a step further in the Sermon on the Mount:

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Matthew 5:43-46 ESV

While it is understandably frustrating to see your name maligned, and those who lie and slander seemingly get away with it, we must trust the Supreme Judge of the Earth to do what is right. Stay focused, don’t get dragged into slap fights with petty people, and keep moving forward with your mission.

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 ESV

The Idaho Wine Commission (IWC) touts itself as the unified advocate for the state’s winemakers and growers, but a deeper examination of its financial structure reveals a troubling reality—it is largely propped up by taxpayer dollars rather than industry-driven revenue.

To understand why this is a problem, it’s important to recognize what a commission actually is. A commission is a government-established entity tasked with overseeing, promoting, or regulating a specific industry. While commissions may appear independent, they are ultimately quasi-governmental organizations with board members typically appointed by the Governor of Idaho and much of their funding coming from public sources. This means that, rather than being a truly self-sufficient industry group, the IWC functions more as an extension of state policy—operating with taxpayer dollars while benefiting private businesses.

This dependence on government support is especially apparent when examining the IWC’s financial structure. While the commission portrays itself as an advocate for Idaho’s wine industry, the reality is that a majority of its funding does not come from the businesses it represents. More than 55% of its budget comes from Idaho State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grants, meaning a majority of its operations rely on federal tax dollars funneled through the state. By comparison, the wine excise tax—the most direct way for the industry to finance its own promotional efforts—accounts for only 29%, voluntary industry assessments contribute just 4%, and its flagship event, Savor Idaho, generates only 10%. These figures expose an industry that thrives not through market viability but through government intervention.

Yet, despite this heavy reliance on taxpayer dollars, the IWC claims that Idaho produces some of the best wines in the nation. If that were truly the case, then the market would reflect that success, and the industry would be able to sustain itself without subsidies. If Idaho wines were truly competitive at a national level, wineries would have no trouble marketing and expanding through private investment, direct sales, and industry-driven promotional efforts. Instead, the commission continues to seek government support, suggesting that Idaho’s wine industry may not be as self-sustaining as it claims.

This raises a fundamental question: If the Idaho Wine Commission believes in the strength and quality of the industry it represents, why does it need taxpayer subsidies at all? Either the product speaks for itself, or it requires government intervention to remain viable. The fact that the IWC lobbies for continued public funding contradicts its own rhetoric and signals that, without subsidies, the industry may not be as strong as they claim.

Since 2022, the IWC has secured nearly $1 million in taxpayer-backed grants: $310,000 for education and $676,850 for marketing. These grants often fund projects of questionable necessity, such as a $150,000 vineyard soil study at the University of Idaho and $100,000 in COVID-era education grants spent on industry workshops and strategic planning. The current grant cycle includes $60,000 for field trips, speaker sessions, and executive programs—activities that shift financial responsibility onto taxpayers while insulating the industry from self-sufficiency.

This overreliance on taxpayer funding is further underscored by the commission’s push for additional subsidies. While testifying before the House Agricultural Affairs Committee, the IWC repeatedly championed the creation of a viniculture program at the University of Idaho, arguing that the financial burden should be shouldered by taxpayers. Instead of exploring private funding avenues or leveraging industry resources—such as establishing the program through a mix of self-funded initiatives, grants, or scholarships—the commission continues to advocate for more government support, shifting the financial responsibility away from the businesses that directly benefit.

The current system appears designed to favor the politically connected and those who can navigate the often complex bureaucratic maze to secure these grants, rather than rewarding truly viable market strategies. Instead of embodying honest capitalism, this model has devolved into a form of favoritism, where success is determined not by innovation or market demand but by access to political influence and the ability to game the system at the expense of taxpayers.

If a relatively small entity like the IWC can operate as a quasi-governmental body reliant on public subsidies, it raises broader concerns about wasteful spending across Idaho’s government-funded commissions. Rather than using taxpayer dollars to sustain industries that should be self-sufficient, these commissions should be required to transition into independent non-governmental organizations or industry-funded associations. The IWC may only be the tip of the iceberg, suggesting that similar practices are occurring on a much larger scale, with taxpayer funds being diverted into private interests under the guise of economic development.

Idaho often touts its fiscal responsibility, but when every federal tax dollar sent out returns as $1.25 in spending, the state functions more like a welfare system for favored interests, and select industries than a model of market-driven economics. Taxpayers deserve better—it’s time to end these subsidies, hold commissions accountable, and restore a system where success is determined by market forces rather than government favoritism.

David Leavitt is an Idaho State Representative. Born and raised in the Magic Valley, he served twelve years in the US Army, including three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ambrose overcome an early deficit to eke out a tough win. The boys were very aggressive on the floor, but hopefully the spirit of sportsmanship prevailed. There is rarely a moral component to an athletic contest, as both teams are playing under the same rules and conditions. While it is entirely appropriate for victorious players to give glory to God in the end, I suspect that God is less concerned with the outcome of the game than He is with the spiritual condition of the players and spectators.

Politics is a different story. Many policy and legislative debates have moral components, but even issues outside the moral sphere are often framed as battles of good versus evil. I firmly believe that Christians are correct in viewing policies such as abortion and the protection of children as moral issues with clear biblical mandates. However, many other issues are far less clear. What does the Bible say about legislative salaries? The proper rate of taxation? The management of roads, water rights, or public education?

Good conservative Christians can disagree on these matters, where God's will is less certain. It is dangerous to assume that God is on your side in every political stance you take. Invoking His name in a debate over marginal tax rates, for example, risks making you seem like a blind zealot rather than a thoughtful, wise thinker.

The Third Commandment states:

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Exodus 20:7 ESV

Many Christians today assume this refers only to carelessly swearing by God’s name, but it also means not using His name to lend undue weight to personal opinions. I cringe every time I hear a political candidate claim that God told him or her to run for office. Maybe it’s true — perhaps God does sometimes personally call people to run — but I suspect it is often just a way to avoid responsibility for one’s own decisions while giving them a higher moral significance than they might otherwise have.

I suggest we apply the lessons of sports to the political arena. Perhaps — this is just my own speculation — God is less concerned with the exact rate of taxation than He is with the spiritual condition of elected officials and the people they represent. Perhaps, like the players on the court last week, our job is simply to go out and do our best while conducting ourselves in a morally upright fashion. If we win, then we win, and all glory to God. If we lose, then we lose, and may God’s will continue to be done.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 ESV

I see a hunger in society today for the adventure and glory we read about in history and in fiction. We imagine ourselves as warriors going to battle, or great thinkers engaging in high debates about philosophy and theology. We all want to add meaning to the banality of our usual routine.

Consider the real lives of our historical and fictional heroes. What was Napoleon doing when he wasn’t leading his troops to great victories? He was studying, conversing, scouting, and giving orders. And what did Jack Ryan do when he wasn’t exposing government corruption, fighting drug cartels, or matching wits with the Soviet Union? He was researching, writing, teaching, and filing paperwork. Reality is mundane, and that’s ok, because it’s the work we put into the boring times that pays off when things get exciting.

Consider the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before He walked into their lives and called them to follow Him, what were they doing? Many were fishing. Every day they would wake up, mend their nets, set sail, catch fish, and come back to do it again. It was the same thing over and over, the same sights, the same smells, the same results.

God never promised that our lives would be a series of thrilling adventures. Yet, when those adventures come, we are ready because we've done the work during the ordinary times. Star athletes spend thousands—tens of thousands—of hours in repetitive practice to make possible one shining moment of triumph. Yet we only see the triumph, and not all that went into it.

I remember many years ago when I was struggling to decide what to do with my life. Like many church kids my age I was waiting for some flash of inspiration in which I would finally understand the will of God. I listened to a talk by Reese Kauffman, then president of Child Evangelism Fellowship, who explained that God had already told us His will: read the Bible and follow its precepts. In doing that, you’ll be prepared for wherever you end up, whether in ministry, the workforce, politics, family, etc.

It took my a while to find my niche in the world, and I’m happy to be here doing what I was meant to do. However, everything leading up to this time was not a waste, because I learned many life lessons that have served me well as I grew into my roles as husband, father, and community leader. Even though I made many mistakes along the way, God in His mercy and wisdom still has use for me.

No matter where you are or what you’re doing, remember that you are valuable. Whether you're debating a bill on the Senate floor or cleaning restrooms, you play an important role in our society. Approach your work with excellence and a healthy sense of pride. Do the best you can with the situation God has given you and be ready for whatever comes next.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV

Feature image: J. & R. Lamb Studios, Designer. Design drawing for stained glass memorial window showing Fisher of Men with ship, nets, anchor, and fish/waves/net border. [Between 1950 and 1990] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016676828/>.

Though not a direct quotation of Scripture, the Serenity Prayer is something I tend to think about a lot. Originally written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, the prayer reminds us to know the difference between the things we can change and the things we cannot:

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

When the storms of life toss us and turn us and threaten our lives and prosperity, we should turn to God for help. Sometimes God, in His omnipotence, calms the storms, but often He calms our hearts, giving us the strength to carry on through adversity. Just because His answer to our prayer does not match our expectations doesn’t mean He’s not sovereign.

The disciples of Jesus Christ expected Him to throw off the Roman Empire and make Israel a sovereign state once again. His mission was not so provincial; He had come to save mankind rather than simply redraw political borders. Keep that in mind as we look for God’s guidance and help with regards to the political battles ahead. What seems of utmost importance to us might not be what God has in mind.

There are certain things about this world that we simply cannot change without miraculous Providence. None of us have the power to snap our fingers and undo a century of the growth of government bureaucracy overnight. That doesn’t mean we should give up on the endeavor, rather we must be smart, strategic, and most of all, patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will we make America (or Idaho) great again overnight. Thinking otherwise can cause us to waste time and energy that could be better served elsewhere.

On the other hand, we should never discount Providence. Our Founding Fathers faced improbable odds when they set themselves on the course of rebellion against one of the great empires of world history. They pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, and were blessed with victory in the end.

You should strike when the iron is hot, which means being ready to take opportunities that God places before us. How many people argued against Idaho’s trigger bill and heartbeat bill to ban abortion, saying they wouldn’t matter because Roe v. Wade would never be overturned? Suddenly, it was. Providence gave the people of Idaho a chance to save unborn lives, and thankfully our lawmakers capitalized on it.

What we all need, whether in our roles as citizens, voters, or lawmakers, is courage tempered by wisdom. We require serenity to accept the world as it is, the courage to take advantage of opportunities to change what we can, and the wisdom to know where and how to devote our finite resources.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Whatever happens on Tuesday and the days that follow we must remember that God is sovereign. That doesn’t mean everything will go the way we think it should — ask dissident Christians who lived through the Soviet Union or who are in hiding in Communist China today how things have gone for them. As you know, our Lord Jesus Christ never promised us peace and prosperity, but He did promise never to leave us.

If Donald Trump wins a landslide victory, if Proposition 1 goes down to a massive defeat, and if conservatives run the table in legislative and county elections, God is sovereign, and we must devote ourselves to the work of living out the gospel and promoting our values in Idaho.

If Donald Trump loses, or the election is “fortified” once more; if Proposition 1 wins and becomes the law of the land, and if conservatives come up short, then God is sovereign and we must devote ourselves to the work of living out the gospel and promoting our values in Idaho.

The story of Job has brought reassurance to the people of God for thousands of years. Job was a good man who was richly blessed with material wealth. The Accuser tells God that Job is only faithful because of such blessings; take them away and he would surely curse God instead. So God allows a lot of bad things to happen to Job to test his faith, basically everything except his own death. He loses his herds of animals, his children, and is even afflicted with painful sores across his whole body. Yet, contrary to the Accuser’s prediction, Job remains faithful.

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21 ESV

“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 2:10b

The lesson that Job eventually had to learn is that mankind is simply incapable of comprehending God. Trying to map current events to the infinite will of God is foolish and self defeating. Even some of the men who followed Jesus during His ministry could not comprehend how His death and resurrection fulfilled Scripture.

Like Lot, we can hope for mercy in the midst of a perverse society, but if God chooses judgment, then His will be done. God judged the people of Israel numerous times throughout their history, yet He always made an allowance for a remnant of the faithful. If, in God’s providence, the worst happens, may we remain that faithful remnant.

On the other hand, if things go well, our task does not change. We will thank God for his mercy, then resist the temptation to rest on our laurels and consider the job done. It never ends, and we were not put on this earth to relax.

Keep the Serenity Prayer in mind as you confront the tasks before you. Know the difference between things you can influence and control and the things you can’t. Do your best regarding the former and don’t let the latter get you down. No matter what happens, trust God and move forward with the task before you.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 ESV

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:18-19 ESV

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God.

James 4:6-7a ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 John 2:15-16 ESV

Nevertheless, pride is almost a prerequisite for entering the world of politics. For every statesman who is willing to do the work behind the scenes without credit there are surely many more who are there to advance their own names and reputations. In a representative republic, name recognition is necessary to advance to higher office. The question is, where is the line between self-promotion and sinful pride?

There is also another danger to which I believe conservatives are especially susceptible, that being the temptation to put ourselves at the top of a purity spiral. This often necessitates putting others down as well. “My friends and I are the only true conservatives in Idaho. Everyone else is a fake, a RINO, a sellout, you’ll see.” Again, self-promotion is a necessary part of politics, as is distinguishing yourself from your opponents. However, it is easy to go too far.

Our Lord Jesus Christ once told a parable about two men praying in the temple:

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 18:10-14 ESV

Is there room for true humility in politics, for figures who lead decisively yet avoid the trap of pride? Or does the system inherently corrupt anyone who enters it? If it’s there, it’s a delicate balance.

In the end, perhaps our best course is to pray for ourselves and for each other, that not our own wills but God’s be done.

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul did not compare Christians to a football team, but to a body — specifically, the body of Christ:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV

Note the seeming contradiction in this passage: We are all equal together in Christ, yet we are not all the same. God gave us different roles, different vocations, different purposes. The body is not served by us all trying to do the same job, just as a football team cannot succeed if everyone wants to be the quarterback.

The best football players understood their roles. Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest quarterback in NFL history, could have commanded unprecedented salaries on the free market, but he instead chose to sign for less than he was worth to allow his team the flexibility to pay for talent at other positions. The result was seven six Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots (and one more with Tampa Bay).

Imagine if Harrison Butker spent his time trying to be a quarterback or a running back rather than making himself the best placekicker he can be. Both he and his team would be less because of it.

When Seattle running back Shaun Alexander won the MVP award in 2005, he spent lavishly on gifts for his offensive line, since they were just as integral —perhaps more so —than his own talent. (The left side of the line that year, with Steve Hutchinson and Walter Jones, might have been the best ever.) Alexander got the glory, but it took a team to achieve it.

What is your role in the great project of life? Maybe it’s to be a front man, such as a pastor, an elected official, or a CEO. Maybe it’s to be part of the team that makes those front men successful, such as a volunteer, a faithful employee, or a supportive spouse. Whatever your position, you can take comfort in knowing that you are helping the whole team succeed.

Whatever team you are a part of — your family, your workplace, your political movement, or the body of Christ —find your niche and then do it to the best of your ability. All of us together make all of us better.

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

1 Corinthians 3:5-7 ESV

Why is heresy dangerous? Our forefathers had a different view of religion than we do today. We see religion as a set of personal beliefs, ideas that, while informing our lives, are entirely separate from the body politic. We are taught that religion is a personal decision, and that whether we are Protestant, Catholic, LDS, Islamic, Hindu, agnostic, or atheist, we can all coexist as Americans.

Medieval societies were not like that at all. There was no separation of church and state. In such a time and place, heresy was a cancer that, if left untreated, could rapidly spread through a community, undermining its structure and ultimately leading to chaos.

According to Thomas Madden at Crisis Magazine, it was the secular leaders who cracked down the hardest on heresy. The original Inquisition was established to create an orderly process for evaluating accused heretics and, if possible, give them a route back into good graces:

Most people accused of heresy by the medieval Inquisition were either acquitted or their sentence suspended. Those found guilty of grave error were allowed to confess their sin, do penance, and be restored to the Body of Christ. The underlying assumption of the Inquisition was that, like lost sheep, heretics had simply strayed. If, however, an inquisitor determined that a particular sheep had purposely departed out of hostility to the flock, there was nothing more that could be done. Unrepentant or obstinate heretics were excommunicated and given over to the secular authorities. Despite popular myth, the Church did not burn heretics. It was the secular authorities that held heresy to be a capital offense. The simple fact is that the medieval Inquisition saved uncounted thousands of innocent (and even not-so-innocent) people who would otherwise have been roasted by secular lords or mob rule.

America today is a very different place. For most Protestant Christians, deciding which church to attend on Sunday morning is like picking which restaurant to visit on a Friday night — there are unlimited options. People pick and choose churches based on denomination, preaching, music, and even architectural style. This has made the concept of church discipline nearly meaningless, since if you’re excommunicated from 5th Street Baptist you can just head over to 6th Street Baptist with no problems.

Indeed, the seeker-sensitivity movement of the late 20th century made style more important than substance. What a congregation believed seemed less important than the sincerity with which they believed it. The very idea of “heresy” has become as old fashioned as the horse and buggy. In Protestant circles, nobody has any authority to declare this or that belief a heresy, since we all interpret the Bible for ourselves. Even Roman Catholics, despite having the Magisterium and the Pope, still disagree on many things.

Redeemed Zoomer, a young conservative Presbyterisn, recently made a good video laying out his opinion of what constitutes a heresy and what is simply a difference of opinion:

Many Protestant denominations have adopted unwritten heresies, such as your position on climate change, racism, the status of Israel, or who is allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Even though we look back on the Inquisition as a quirky anachronism at best, we still tend to judge a person’s Christian walk by these new esoteric positions. It seems to be human nature to seek out things that divide us, even when we are united on so many big issues.

I see that in politics too. Self proclaimed conservatives who agree on 95% of issues will dig into the remaining 5% to find reasons to excommunicate each other. The problem, as with Protestant Christians, is that there is no single authority to which to appeal, so we split into smaller and smaller groups, losing our power to put our principles into practice in the process.

As I wrote two weeks ago, you have to decide what are your own red lines. What determines whether someone is a fellow in the same denomination, a wayward brother in Christ, a situational ally, or an outright enemy?

The same applies to the political realm. Who is your ride or die politician? Who is a situational ally? Who is your irredeemable enemy? I continue to be struck by the irony that it was Cong. Mike Simpson, of whom I have been relentlessly critical, who put Lava Ridge on ice. It’s a good reminder that our goal in politics is policy, not people. No matter how much we love our conservative rock star legislators, we must remember that they are a means to an end. The people are tools to achieve policy, not ends in and of themselves.

And the same thing applies back to religion. Is the frame of your belief determined by celebrity pastors, or Christ? We tend to identify ourselves and our tribe by which leader we follow, but our faith should not be about John MacArthur or Doug Wilson or Pope Francis, but rather the Truth of the Gospel of Christ. I can’t put it any better than the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth:

…each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:12b-13 ESV

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

1 Corinthians 3:18-23 ESV

It’s no surprise, then, that denominational differences can lead to conflict. Today these mostly plays out in formal debates or arguments on social media, but once upon a time such conflict was much more dangerous. The Thirty Years War, waged between European states from 1618 to 1648, was one of most devastating wars in western history prior to the 20th century. The conflict began as a dispute between Catholics and Protestants over who would rule the Holy Roman Empire.

The Peace of Westphalia that concluded the war established the right of European princes to lead their people in the religion of their choice (that is, Catholic or Protestant) without risk that a neighboring kingdom would claim the right to topple them because of it. That treaty laid the foundation for the modern system of nation states, one which is now under the threat of totalitarian globalism.

During the war, a German theologian named Rupertus Meldunius said something profound about relations between Christians: “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things, charity.”

You can picture this hierarchy as a series of concentric circles, with the most important on the inside, as in this example from Crossway:

The point of this exercise is that you have to decide which ideas are worth arguing over, which are not, and most importantly, in which contexts. Which of your beliefs are absolute deal breakers? Which are worth fighting for? Which are worth dying for? Only you can answer those questions for yourself, based on your own convictions and denominational environment.

There’s no question that all areas of modern society have become extremely polarized. We have a tendency to put every single issue in the center circle, mark them as “essential”, and then vigorously debate anyone who disagrees. Churches that otherwise agree on major doctrinal issues end up splitting over differing views of Creation, of eschatology, or the style of music in a worship service. Like Monty Python’s People’s Front of Judea, we explicitly look for reasons to set ourselves apart from fellow Christians:

This obviously happens in politics too. I think we all have a temptation to put every single issue we care about into the “essentials” category and then fight those who disagree. Unfortunately, this inevitably leads to a constituency of one as we excommunicate potential allies one at a time. It’s easy to be united when you’re all by yourself. Don’t let unity be a self inflicted wound because you discarded liberty and forgot about charity.

There is a hierarchy in these issues. If your view of the end times is the hill on which you will die, what happens when it’s time to debate the nature of the incarnation of Christ? Same with politics — if you go scorched earth on a minor issue like a tax rate or one particular regulation, what energy and capital will you have left to defend the unborn or fight back against the next unconstitutional lockdown?

As you move forward with your project in life, remember Rupertus Meldunius and his formulation. Think seriously about what are your absolute essentials, and resist the urge to put everything in that center circle. Eventually we’re going to have to work together.

I don’t remember where I first saw it, I think I read it in a book somewhere. There’s no real right answer, but it’s a good conversation starter regarding the difference between words and actions.

One of the core beliefs of Protestantism is sola fide, salvation comes by faith alone:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

Roman Catholics, who believe that some sort of works are necessary to be saved, will counter with the book of James:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

James 2:14-20 ESV

Many Protestants see Catholic works as empty rituals, while many Catholics see the Protestant doctrine of sola fide as empty words. I believe both are right, in a way. James said that faith without works is dead, but works without faith are equally dead. As a Protestant, I believe that we are saved by faith alone, but real faith expresses itself through actions. It’s a sort of paradox, isn’t it?

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:22-25 ESV

This idea applies to everything in life. Talk is cheap, but actions can change the world. As someone who is trying to make a living by writing, I am acutely aware of the insufficiency of mere words. I do my best to use my words to inspire others to action — to give readers the tools to accomplish true change.

Talk is cheap because it carries little risk. There are plenty of armchair quarterbacks in the world who can tell you exactly what this or that person should have done, how a situation should have been handled, and how things should generally be in our state and our country. It’s much harder, and more risky, to step out and try to fix things, because in doing so you might fail, and find yourself a target of mockery and ridicule.

Theodore Roosevelt understood this distinction well. Few men who have ever held our highest office were such men of action. At a young age, he had already overcome asthma, graduated from Harvard, written a masterful history of the U.S. Navy, and become police commissioner of New York City. Yet that was not enough. He had to go west, while it was still wild, to experience life as a lawman and bounty hunter.

Later, as assistant secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt couldn't let the Spanish-American War conclude without participating himself. He appointed himself a colonel in the U.S. Army and led one of the most courageous assaults on a fortified position in American history. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

After serving as vice president and president, Roosevelt retired in 1908 but did not give up the strenuous life. He joined a big game safari in Africa, toured Europe, and prepared for a trek through the Amazon in South America. Politics called to him, though, and this man of action couldn't stay on the sidelines. He ran for president again in 1912 on a third-party ticket. Though he lost (and split the Republican vote, enabling the disastrous administration of Woodrow Wilson), he gave a strong showing. During a campaign stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt was shot before a speaking engagement but gave the speech anyway before seeking medical attention.

None of us will ever live up to a man like Teddy Roosevelt, but he can be an example of what people of action can accomplish:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

God did not create us to be spectators in life. Let’s step into the arena and put our words into action.

Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, much less in the next four months. Our country stands on the brink of… something. These really are the times that try men’s souls.

But aren’t they all? None of us really knows what will happen in the next hour. Tragedy or triumph, catastrophe or euphoria, every moment is a surprise, and every day is a gift. How then shall we live?

Nations are made of communities, communities of families, and families of individuals. Your circle of influence extends outward from yourself, so if you want to change the world you have to start with what is closest to you. Take care of your body and mind, and work to become the best version of yourself you can be. Figure out your mission in life, and then focus on what helps you achieve it.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV

God put us on this earth, in this moment in time, for a purpose. The same Providence that turned Donald Trump’s head a few inches in Pennsylvania has a plan for you too. To accomplish that plan means being the best you can be — the best employee, the best boss, the best husband, the best wife, the best father, the best son, the best mother, the best daughter.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

There is not much at the global or national level that you and I can directly control. We are at the whim of forces greater than ourselves, yet our God is greater than them all. Do your best with what you can control, and you’ll be well positioned to survive and thrive no matter what tomorrow brings.

Washington had two horses shot out from under him during the fighting and bullet holes pierced his coat and hat, but the man himself escaped unscathed. Washington would go on to lead the Continental Army to victory in the War for Independence, preside over the Constitutional Convention, and serve as the first President of the United States of America.

It’s an obvious truth that things happen. Had one of those bullets at the Monongahela been an inch to the right or to the left, the name of Washington would have been lost to history, and everything after would have played out very differently. How many stray bullets have ended the lives of men who might otherwise have become great movers of history? We can never know. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that God moves the levers of history for His own purposes.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

Yesterday, Donald Trump was shot while speaking in Butler, Pennsylvania, a mere 30 miles from where Washington survived the Battle of the Monogahela. Whether it was a bullet that pierced his ear or a piece of shrapnel, either way Trump escaped death by inches. Call it happenstance, call it luck, call it what you will, but if you believe in a living God who cares about the affairs of this world, then you can’t deny that divine providence was at work yesterday.

Our God is living and eternal. He is the same God who created the world from nothing, who called Abraham away from the pagan nations, who saved David from the lion, the bear, and the Philistine giant. Ours is the same God who judged His people, and then restored them, the same God who sent His Son to die and rise again to save all who follow Him. He is the same God who stood with the martyrs throughout history, who moved men throughout the ages to great feats of courage and piety, who wasn’t done with George Washington in 1755.

God is not done with Donald Trump and America either. There are no guarantees in life, and only God knows the future, but it’s up to each of us to play our parts in the grand story.

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 54:17 ESV

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And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV

I think we all face the temptation to make the gospel different, to fit it into our preconceived notions, to make it a tool of our social or political project. The Jesus who was and is the incarnate Son of God and Son of Man did not fit the paradigm that human beings were expecting. He was neither a warlord who restored the kingdom of Israel, nor an inoffensive philosopher with no expectations about how you should live your life.:

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 ESV

The 1st century A.D. was a time of great philosophical ideas but also a period of mysticism and superstition. The world was a big, scary, unknown place, but people were starting to make good sense of things. Yet here was a Man who did not fit either the superstition of the day nor the philosophical frameworks that were being developed. This same Man, Jesus Christ, still challenges us today to accept Him for who He is.

The message of the cross is not reserved for only those who are wise, or credentialed, or with certain knowledge or experiences. In fact, our own wisdom is often a stumbling block in the way of our faith:

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ESV

Whatever your project in life, whether in politics, business, sports, manufacturing, or simply surviving each day and waking up the next, keep your focus on Jesus. If our efforts are not directed toward His plan, for His glory, then it’s all in vain in the end, and will be forgotten when we’re gone.

All the Bible study, denominational creeds, and theological treatises in the world mean nothing if you lose focus of the centrality of the Gospel. Keep your eyes on the destination.

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:30-31 ESV

By all accounts, Sobel was a tough taskmaster, but he proved less than capable of leading troops in the field. Tension grew, and eventually Sobel tried to make an example of Winters by disciplining him for not obeying an order he never received. Winters requested court martial, but the incident was eventually forgotten and Sobel reassigned. Winters took command of Company E during the Normandy invasion, winning a Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership at Brécourt Manor.

He was promoted to captain, and eventually major. The miniseries dramatized a moment at the end of the war in which Sobel, still a captain, encountered Major Winters and neglected to salute. Winters reminded his former commanding officer that “we salute the rank, not the man.” Sobel saluted and went about his way.

In the heat of political battles it is easy to engage in mockery, or even maliciousness, toward our ideological opponents. However, I often remind myself that these men and women with whom I disagree nevertheless occupy positions that demand a certain level of respect. I’m sure this comes across as old fashioned to some, but I believe that Major Winters’ logic applies here as well: We respect the position, not the man.

Remember the incident in the Book of Acts when Paul was on trial before the Sanhedrin?

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

Acts 23:1-5 ESV

The honor attached to high office can seem foreign to Americans, who proudly boast of fighting a war to not have a king. We nevertheless retain some affectations such as addressing judges as “Your Honor” and referring to members of Congress as “The Honorable so-and-so”. Clearly, there are and have always been members of Congress who were in fact quite dishonorable, but we should still respect the office in which they sit.

This concept was more easily understood by our European ancestors, who believed that kings were appointed by God. The King of England, for example, embodied his people, and thus the respect given him was symbolic of his role in representing them. However, with that respect came responsibility. Kings had no private lives to speak of. Their glories were shared with their people while their scandals were the shame of their kingdom. Even today, King Charles III has little say over his own life. Despite being a mere figurehead, he must continually act out the ceremonies that keep the English people connected to their traditions.

The respect we show elected officials in the United States is not only rooted in traditions and biblical mandates, but also in the fact that they are ultimately accountable to we the people. Expensive campaigns and mail-in ballots aside, every elected official in America must come before the voters for a referendum on his performance, like a CEO reporting to his board of directors. When an elected official enters office with a mandate of the people, then he is owed a certain amount of respect with regards to his office, even by those who did not vote for him.

Once again, however, that respect goes both ways. Elected leaders have a responsibility to listen to the people, hear their concerns, and address their grievances. They must live every moment of their lives as if they were on camera, without the comfort that relative anonymity brings a regular person. They must rise above the pettiness that is an unfortunate component of human nature. They must serve, eschewing personal gain.

Clearly, many elected officials fall short of these responsibilities, which is why we salute the rank, not the man. We can give the office its due respect while working within our republican system of government to elect leaders who are worthy of it. In the end, we get the leaders we deserve, so let us make ourselves a people worthy of honorable leadership.

You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

Exodus 22:28

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:7

Feature image by Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun.

Time to take a break.

It will have to be a short one, though. I have meetings on Tuesday, library board on Wednesday, and then district 14 will meet on Thursday.

Yet breaks are necessary to avoid burnout. Our God knew that, having created us, which is why the sabbath was an integral part of His commandments to His people. Everyone knows that going without sleep for extended periods of time is foolish, because it has detrimental effects on our physical and mental health. We need rest from our labors for the same reason. No matter what you do in your daily life, going without a break is a surefire way to become disenchanted and burnt out.

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Genesis 2:2 ESV

Those of you who have devoted yourselves to the fight these past months and years, take a break. Even if it’s only one day, take some time to reset and reflect. We need you at full strength for the battles ahead.

Even those of you who came away from the convention having opposed the resolutions, platform proposals, and officer candidates who won the day, get your rest as well. We need you in the fight too, to defeat ranked choice voting and the Democrat agenda. It’s time to unite, and I’ll have more to say about that this week.

I thank the good people of Kootenai County for hosting us this week. I had a lovely time at this great event. I wish safe travels for everyone else who joined us from throughout our great state. I’ll see you back in the trenches soon!

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV

Protestants generally affirm Sola Scriptura, that is, Scripture remains the highest authority. Nevertheless, take one look at the dozens of Protestant denominations and you’ll see that the interpretation of Scripture can vary wildly. A group of Christians can read the same Bible and come away believing that women shouldn’t be pastors (or that they should), that Jesus is definitely coming back prior to a seven year tribulation, and that the nation of Israel has a role to play in the end times (or not), or that baptism must definitely be by immersion (or maybe sprinkling is fine).

Roman Catholics think they can avoid that problem by retaining a central hierarchy in the Church, but I know too many Catholics to believe it’s that easy. Can Mass be in English or must it be in Latin? Is every utterance of the Pope doctrinal or just when he speaks ex cathedra? Did Vatican II bring much needed reforms, or did it lead the Church astray toward theological liberalism?

My point is that wise people can disagree on what is true, however, once we know the truth we must be careful not to depart from it. The United Methodist Church recently changed its rules to allow LGBTQ+ pastors, having had female pastors for many decades now. It seems clear to me that once a church departs in one area from Scripture, at least the way it has been understood for many centuries, then it will eventually depart from others as well. Once you start discarding longstanding doctrines, it becomes easier to discard even more, until you’re left with nothing that resembles traditional beliefs and practices.

To truly understand our faith as Christians we must be able to articulate what we believe. That goes for the political side of things as well. Why are you a Republican? (Or not?) What does it mean to be a conservative? What is your role in your community?

All of us must have a “True North”, a set of principles that guide us as we navigate this mixed up world. We must separate principles from the strategies we employ to put those principles into practice. Some of us are in the trenches, playing smashmouth football against the opposing side. Some of us are drawing up plays on the sidelines. Some are contributing money to the cause to give others the tools to succeed. We all have our roles, but we need to figure them out and understand why we’re doing what we do.

To be most effective, first figure out your True North. What is the star that guides you, the foundational principles that form the basis for every cause you believe in? If you have not yet figured that out, then you will find yourself tossed to and fro from issue to issue, without understanding how they all fit together in the bigger picture.

Meg Basham has done valuable work over the past four years documenting how the federal bureaucracy deliberately laundered Covid lockdown propaganda through churches. Bad actors know that we implicitly trust our Christian leaders, and they took advantage of that trust. We must use the minds that God gave us to critically examine whatever we are told, whether it is from pastors, politicians, or scientists — no matter how much we want to believe it. Always be asking yourself two questions: Does this match my experience with reality? Does this line up with what I understand to be true and right?

Of course, we should always be questioning ourselves as well — maybe we're wrong about something. That's why it's so important to distill our beliefs into first principles, our True North. We won't recognize the crooked unless we first understand what is straight. Good cashiers know what real dollar bills feel like so they can immediately detect counterfeits. Can you recognize the truth when you see it?

In His Sermon on the Mount, Christ admonishes His followers to remain true to His teachings:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

Let us build our movement on the rock of Truth, so it may withstand whatever this world can throw at it.

• The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13

• Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

• For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

• In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4

• And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23

June marks the holiest month of the secular pagan religion that is all but official in America and the western world today. Businesses, government agencies, sports teams, and even Sesame Street are celebrating “Pride Month”. It’s not hyperbole to call this our national religion. Just a few days ago, officials in Spokane, Washington held a tearful press conference promising to bring to justice whomever defaced a pride flag crosswalk in their city. Burning the American flag is free speech, but burning a pride flag brings hate crime charges.

America was founded as a Christian nation, not based on a particular denomination but one in which everyone agreed with the basic moral tenets of the Christian faith. We discarded that idea in the second half of the 20th century, and now that vacuum has been filled by a new religion that is every bit as dogmatic. It has its priests (LGBTQ+ and DEI activists), devils (straight white Christians, with Donald Trump as chief), rituals (sensitivity trainings, struggle sessions), incantations (diversity is our strength, love is love), and of course, holy days:

This new religion has been established in America without a vote of the people, without even explaining what was truly happening. Nearly two years ago, I shared my observations after visiting Boise Pride Fest:

This new religion has inverted the traditional view of human nature. Christendom once considered lust, greed, wrath, sloth, envy, gluttony, and pride to be deadly sins; the new religion has made them into virtues.

I am convinced that most of the people involved do not think deeply about what pride represents - they just enjoy the bright colors, silly costumes, and the warm fuzzy feelings brought on by supporting tolerance, inclusion, diversity, and love.

But the truth is that those are only surface level feelings. The LGBTQ+ movement is leading millions of people down a path of depression, emptiness, hopelessness, and pain. We need to aggressively protect our children from this path, while at the same time engaging people with love and respect. I believe that we can have a respectful conversation, but queer advocates must know in no uncertain terms that we will protect our children from their agenda.

Above all, we need to proclaim the truth: the society we desire is one where all children grow up in healthy families with a father and a mother, and where they are shielded from those who would capture their minds in service of a sociopolitical agenda. The veneer of pride is like candy from a man in a windowless van: no matter how good it tastes, taking it is a very bad idea.

This morning I finished reading the book of Ezra to my children. Ezra the priest came to Jerusalem to shepherd the exiled remnant who had rebuilt the temple only to find them already compromising with sin. They were intermarrying with pagan tribes, bringing pagan worship into syncretism with the laws of Israel. Ezra admonished them and together they repented and asked God to renew the covenant with His people.

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in a fallen world. That means we must first look to ourselves. Are we walking with Christ, or are we compromising with sin? As the remnant of Christendom, we must make sure we are above reproach before we can call the rest of the world to repentance. Like the Christians of Ephesus, a city that took pride in the pagan cultic practices at the Temple of Artemis, we must hold the line in our own communities before we can change the rest of the culture.

Pride goes before the fall, and we must keep our families and our children safe from this pervasive ideology. That means being deliberate about how we ourselves live. Let us put away our own pride, humbling ourselves before our God and giving glory only where it is due.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:4-8 ESV

The immediate problem with this plan is that we are not the nation we were when the Constitution was ratified. The word “constitution” does not just mean a document, but the makeup of a body. We say a healthy person has a strong constitution. The people of our nation in the founding era are very different from the people today, and that is more important than the words. After all, many other countries, from Russia to Liberia, have written constitutions that resemble our own, but nobody would mistake these places for havens of freedom and liberty.

The 1790 census recorded a population of 3.9 million, including approximately 700,000 slaves. The four largest cities at the time —New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Charleston —had less than 100,000 people combined. Today, New York City alone has more than 8 million people, which is twice the population of the United States in 1790.

Does the Constitution scale to such a degree? Does a set of laws created for a nation of 4 million still work for one of 333 million that not only stretches from sea to shining sea, but maintains a massive global empire?

John Adams said that the Constitution was made for a moral and religious people, and would serve no other. Are we still the moral and religious people we were in 1790? Even as late as 1953, the New York City skyline was lit up like a cross for Easter. Today, cities adorn themselves in the colors of the pride flag to celebrate homosexuality and transgenderism.

Author Aaron Renn says we live in a “negative world” where society is actively hostile to Christianity. You might not notice it in small towns or Christian communities, but our nation as a whole promotes a secular religion that is clearly hostile to traditional Christianity. Two or three generations ago, Christians accepted the premise that the public square should be neutral, but rather than remaining so, the vacuum was filled by a different worldview.

How does the Constitution apply to a completely different world?

We must go deeper, we must find the principles underneath the words. A republican system of government in which executive power is invested in a president, legislative power in a bicameral congress, and judicial in a supreme court of nine justices is not the principle, but a system our Founders created to protect the life, liberty, and property of the people.

Thomas Jefferson laid out the purpose of government in the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

The preamble to the Constitution explains the purpose of the document:

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

With that in mind, do we need to get back to the Constitution, or figure out a way to implement the principles of our Founding Fathers in a world that has radically changed in the past 250 years?

The Pharisees were the conservatives of Roman-era Judea. They believed in following the Law of Moses to the letter, returning to the covenant with God established at Mt. Sinai. They were not impressed when a Man claiming to be the Messiah went around contradicting their understanding of the Law and the nature of God.

After Jesus called him as a disciple, Matthew the tax collector invited his business associates to a banquet to meet his new master. The Pharisees were not happy:

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 5:30-32 ESV

The problem with the Pharisees was not their piety, but their adherence to form over substance. They were missing the forest for the trees, having become fixated on the letter of the law rather than its purpose. Like our Constitution, the Law of Moses was not an end unto itself, but a tool. In the case of the Constitution, it was to protect our liberty. In the case of the Law, it was to bring mankind close to God.

He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Luke 5:36-39 ESV

The Pharisees couldn’t understand that Christ came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it. In the same way, 21st century conservatives must be open to new ideas that fulfill the faith of our Founding Fathers without being too tethered to the tools they established to carry it out.

Rather than looking backward toward a strict adherence to the words of the Constitution, we must rediscover the principles it was designed to uphold. How do we apply those to a rapidly changing society? Natural Law and our God-given liberties are the substance, while the Constitution and the rest of our founding documents are the form. Don’t try to put new wine in old wineskins, and in doing so let the form blind you to the substance. Our goal, as Jefferson said, is to effect the safety and happiness of the people. How do we do that today so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy what we have so long taken for granted?

We all know what happened next. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles like fire and they began preaching to Jews from all nations in their native languages. The Church began on that day, and now more than a billion people claim to follow Christ. Christendom began with twelve frightened disciples and within a few centuries had reached every corner of the globe.

Christianity was a persecuted religion in the early days. First the Jews, then the Romans, tried to stamp out this new sect, but it only grew, appealing to the poor and oppressed in a world growing ever more decadent. Eventually Constantine converted to Christianity, and for the next 1,500 years the Church enjoyed both political and spiritual leadership in the western world.

When Paul wrote in Romans 13 that Christians should be obedient to political leaders, it was in the context of an empire that continuously persecuted the early church, even to the point of death in many cases. Yet the example of Peter and John defying the Sanhedrin when it ordered them to cease preaching Jesus Christ shows that there are limits to temporal authority. The question before us today is how to live as Christians in a democratic society, a modern world, and a culture that is increasingly hostile to our beliefs.

Our forefathers took a tremendous leap of faith when they rebelled against King George III and fought for American independence. There were surely many who believed that Scripture taught that rebellion against kings was rebellion against God. However, our Founders followed the philosophy of John Locke who said that people had the option, even the duty, of appealing to Heaven for the redress of their grievances against the king. Thomas Jefferson inscribed on his personal seal the phrase “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”

We might someday be required to make the same choice that our forefathers did when they took up arms against the government, but right now we have the ability to influence our society via both the soapbox and the ballot box. The Constitution begins with the phrase “we the people,” explicitly recognizing that supreme authority is vested in the people rather than kings, princes, or priests.

What does that mean in the context of Scripture? You and I share in the sovereignty of this nation, and of this state. You and I exercise that sovereign authority both by voting and by petitioning our representatives for a redress of grievances. We are not called upon to simply accept the decisions of our elected representatives, rather we have the authority to replace those representatives with ones who are more willing and able to implement our moral vision for society.

Today we see a push by the left against Christian participation in government. They dismiss any concept of Christians voting according to our moral beliefs as “Christian nationalism”. Even so-called Christians like David French want you to believe that moral issues have no place in political discourse; that we must simply accept the leftist redefinition of issues related to gender, sexuality, diversity, etc.

Do not listen to demands for surrender from bad faith actors like that.

Others dismiss voting as irrelevant, pointing to evidence of fraud or the way in which unelected bureaucrats wield more power than our elected representatives. This ignores the fact that the direction of local and state governments can turn on just a few votes. In 2022, Jeff Cornilles defeated Machele Hamilton by 74 votes, and Britt Raybould defeated Ron Nate by only 36.

The Launch Grant passed the House of Representatives by a single vote.

Do not listen to demands for surrender from those who have themselves already given up.

America was founded as a Christian nation, but today it is descending into a morass of paganism and secularism. That does not mean we hide away in our monasteries, rather it means we fight harder to preserve the legacy of our fathers. The battle is not hopeless, neither is it irrelevant. As a member of the sovereign “we the people” of the United States, it is your duty to shepherd our government back toward what it was meant to be: the guarantor of our God-given liberties.

Cast your votes on Tuesday for candidates who reflect the values and principles of our forefathers and who are willing to fight for them. Like the apostles on the morning of Pentecost, we have been given direction and power to achieve our mission.