The Administrative State Vs. The American Democratic Republic

 

... and to the Republic for which it stands.  The Pledge of Allegiance has been something that every American has recited in school, during some event or gathering in their lifetime.  But, do most Americans recognize the word "Republic?" It may come as a surprise to many, especially millennials (who have not been taught American history), that we are not a democracy but rather we are a "Democratic Republic." Just exactly what is that?  Why is it important? And is it worth preserving?  In this brief article, we will try to explore and answer these questions.     

                                                                                 

    A few years ago, I was invited to attend The Delaware Family Policy Counsels annual gathering. The special speaker was Sebastian Gorka - a British born Hungarian-American military and intelligence analyst, who served as a deputy assistant to President Trump. During his talk, he referenced that America was a democratic republic.  Toward the end of the session, time was given to take questions.  I stood up and went to the mike and asked him, "Do You Think Most Americans, even here, in this room full of Christians, understand what a democratic republic is?" He responded, of "course they do!"  At that moment, I thought how could he even think that Americans knew this. I didn't.  The only time I even remember some type of teaching on how our government functioned was in seventh grade in 1970.  Like many other Americans, I was educated in the public school system, and in my mind, it is the government's job to educate young people about our history, our form of government, our economic system (based on Adam Smith's free economic theory or John Keynes, Keynesian Economic theory which espouses the need for governmental regulation of the free markets).  These two theories have been with us since the Great Depression and taught in our universities. Both have created a tension in our economic system between the ideas of a self-regulated system vs. a government perspective to make the system accountable.  Neither is Marxist.

    While in seminary in 1988, I took a course in Liberation Theology where I was introduced to Marxism as an economic theory which the professor claim was needed to deal with the unchristian "Greed" built into our American economic system. My professor proposed that until we could find a more "Christianly" economic theory, we should abandon "capitalism," and move our nation to marxism until we could find a better system that would be more favorable to discipling people to resist the "spirit of greed" in our culture. My only problem with his presentation was Communism was embedded with the same greed he was denouncing just as much as capitalism has. Why? Because it's a part of the human condition.  We call it sin. For those who grew up without any experience or view of Marxism as practiced in the 20th century, it's important to note that every Marxist country was based on atheism. Totalitarianism, Dictatorship, or an Oligarchy form of government.  

Let's define a few terms:

• Totalitarianism is a concept for a form of government or political system that prohibits opposition parties, restricts individual opposition to the state and its claims, and exercises an extremely high degree of control over public and private life.
• An Oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people. These people may be distinguished by nobility, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.
• Marxism advocates socialism in forms both similar and in stark contrast to Marx and Friedrich Engels' conception of socialism, advocating some form of collective ownership over large-scale production.
• Democracy is based on the rule of the majority of the population and is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.
• A Democratic Republic is a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections; and exercises power according to the "Rule Of Law" under a constitution, including separation of powers with an elected head of state. It is often referred to as a constitutional republic or representative democracy.

    As a nation, our government is based on a Democratic Republic form of government developed under the contributing works Algernon Sidney's, "Discourses Concerning Government," John Locke's' "Two Tracts On Government" based on the idea of separation of powers, The Political Writings Of William Penn, and Quaker Constitutionalism and the political thought Of JohnDickinson. In Fact, many scholars remain in ignorance that America as we know it was originally invented by the Quakers - It was called, "The Holy Experiment," later referred to as "The American Experiment."  Although this is not a comprehensive history of the country's formation, I have referenced some very important foundational sources largely neglected by mainstream historians and their understanding of why "Philadelphia is the righteous root" and foundation for our nation's democratic republic. Let me state clearly, without these foundations America doesn't work well which is why we are faced with the huge political divide. If you don't understand Quakerism you will not understand why this form of government is so vastly different from other forms of government throughout the world. Too many American's think that the European models offered today is something we should embrace. I would argue that what our founding leadership gave us is a unique gift that needs to be re-explored, discussed, and taught again.

    

Recently, social critic, Os Guinness has written another important book on the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789.  Os' insightful work explains why our current American political crisis has its footing in both revolutions and that we need to decide which direction we are going as a nation together.  My claim is that his work is an important contribution, however, without understanding Algernon Sidney's, "Discourses Concerning Government," and John Locke's' "Two Tracts On Government" we are about to lose what "The American Experiment is all about and find ourselves with a form of government being imposed on us by an Elitist Oligarchy.  A few years ago, Through a word that The Holy Spirit spoke to me, and through my reading of these materials I have referenced, I concluded that our democratic-republic was formed for the church to flourish and carry the gospel to the ends of the earth without freedom of an oppressive government.  Most Americans, not only do not know their American History but have no idea about European history and why so many Christians left Europe to come to a new land and develop a new nation.  They did not come here to start a plantation system based on enslavement.  That was brought in by secular commercial interests and had nothing to do with the calling to spreading the gospel in North America. We'll save this thought for another time.  William Penn's "Seed Of A Nation" is the vision and mission is the foundation of why America. It's time to dust off the books and go research this for yourselves instead of having to be spoon-fed by someone else what to believe about these things.  Despite the vision, remember America's founders and contributors were just as flawed as we are.  Romans 3:23 is still true, "For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our national sin historically is slavery, and just as our world had to become sensitive to the Jewish holocaust and its post-traumatic after effects, we need to confront ourselves, repent as a nation for our national sin of slavery, address dehumanization, make reparations, and assist tow people groups - Native American and the African American communities toward healing the effects and trauma that both communities are still having difficulty overcoming. Enough said.          

                                                                                  

    Now turning to our current political situation, regardless of our national election outcomes, the iniquity of our land is not just going away and we are going to make huge mistakes based on poor decision-making processes. Proverbs 24:4 states that "We make wise decisions by keeping abreast of all the facts." We need to stop being lazy and believing what other people tell us. We need to sit down, make time in our schedule to get to know God's word first, read our own history as a nation, and make choices on our own without depending on so-called "prophets" who declare this is what God is saying, or politicians who tell us what right and wrong is, and preachers who have no idea what they are talking about. I'd like to know why the American church has not judged "prophecy as they are called to do. Why is it a practice to just accept someone else's word for it?  Prophecy is to be judge. There are false prophets, false apostles, and false teachers. I John 4:1 says, "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world."  Where is the discernment? Where is the accountability? Who is responsible to reprimand and discipline those who mislead the Body Of Christ with their false prophecies, teachings, or divisiveness? Proverbs 27:5 states, "Better an open reprimand than concealed love."

    So, where are we now?  During the election cycle of 2016, I felt and came to the opinion that God raised up President Donald Trump to preserve our democratic republic. At the time I had no idea how my thoughts and promptings from the Holy Spirit would turn out so accurately. Here we are right now caught between two confusing ideas; An American idea based on "A democratic republic" model and a European socialism model that is threatening our very foundation and cultural existence." Our president's work has uncovered how deeply flawed our administrative wing of the government is failing. Recently, several commentators have said that the greatest threat to our nation is the perils of an administrative state who want to move us to a form of oligarchy.  Our current election was not a choice between two presidential candidates as some suppose but a choice between William Penn's Holy Experiment and an administrative state ruled by an oligarchy. This is why as the Body Of Christ we have to educate, teach, and pray for the restoration of our democratic republic.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians. 6:12"

Kingdom Culture Vs. Cancel Culture

Over the last few years, we have been, increasing, encountering a culture both within and outside     The Christian faith with people not being able to get along.  Diverse opinions, theologies or political dissent has divided friends, family, workplaces and churches. Too often these day, dialogues become dialogues. Honor, respect and diversity of views have become reasons for ending relationships. As you may know, it's now referred to as the cancel culture. People just don't seem to know how to have a relationship with one another. I can understand when those who do not know Christ sever their relationships with one another; however, I don't understand Christians who think its okay to divorce, to separate and divide themselves from each other, and then write off their relationships with one another and then just say God told me to do it. In other words, without scriptural foundation they end relationships blaming God told me. Who can argue with that mindset?  Well, let me start out by saying two things: (1) God never instructs his people to do things contrary to his word; and (2) God never told you that regardless of your feelings, emotions, or thoughts. God does not advocate the cancel culture. It's contrary to the Word Of God.  

       Most of the time, regardless of age, people who are arrested develop- mentally, both emotionally and spiritually have difficulty in their relationships because they were not properly taught by their parents how to properly relate to others.  This is certainly nothing new since the New Testament has a huge repertoire of how we should address offenses, unforgiveness, hurt, bitterness, division, conflicts, trust or I just don't need this. The scripture teaches us how to handle ALL of our relationships with God. Fundamentally, how you handle your relationship with others is a direct witness of how you see God, how you see yourself, and how you see others. Your mishandling of relationships in your life speaks volumes on what kind of person you are. If you really believe you are a Christian you just don't get an option just to opt out.  Relationships are designed to grind. ALL relationships are painful at times.  They are designed to reveal what's inside of us - those unhealed areas of our life that need to be taken to the Cross and brought to death within us. The scriptures are clear to those who believe that they are to be like Christ - who was mistreated, called names, spit upon, beaten, and crucified. Even while he was hanging on the cross the two thieves were hurling insults and mocking him. He took all that and then forgave ALL who participated in that effort to silence his voice from their lives. He rose above it all and provided a way for us to be transformed.  Ephesians  4:17-18 says: "So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things. They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of. because of their ignorance and stubbornness."  Being a part of the Cancel Culture is living like other people in the world. It is evidence of an antiChrist spirit in yourself.  

A cancel culture mindset is all about you and your lack of ability to examine how you're bad decisions impact others around you - especially when you get others to side with you without a due process. Just because you think it's God, you think your right, and you think it's okay doesn't mean you're right. The Apostle Paul makes it clear your mind is set on worthless things and your choices are based in ignorance and stubbornness (you're need to be right) What else is evident is when you drag others into your views to affirm and support you without working through the processes required in the Bible on how to handle difficulty in relationship. Matthew 18:15 states clearly, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. However, going to others and rehearsing your thoughts without doing this is a violation of the Word of God. You have now sown discord in the Body Of Christ.    Anytime conflict, resentment, fear, lack of trust, pain emerges within you and I - the things that trigger us, make us mad, overwhelmed, frustrated, and want to pull away, divorce, or sever a relationship we need to turn to the word of God and handle it properly.  It's not okay to be a part of a cancel culture and cut people off with a text, an email, or deleting them off your social media  without having a good  heartfelt conversation working through every piece of what it takes to reconcile your relationship with others. We will discuss this further by looking at a few scriptures.    You are not suppose to make your problem the problem of others, especially when they are mutual friends.  When you rehearse your "resentments, hurts, bitterness, etc. without going through with the one who has caused offense - alone first.   You doing nothing more than defiling the others around you. Who gets to challenge our mindset? Ephesian 4:17-22 states three things:  Put Off The Old Mindset, Be Renewed In The Spirit Of Your Mind, and Put On Christ.  Your life speaks clearly and reflects your choices especially when you're having inner conflicts. Conflicts are a part of life.  There is no way to ignore them, stick your head in the sand and hope they go away. You have to have that conversation. You have to obey the Word Of God. In John 2:3 says "If we say we know God but do not obey his commands, we are lying. The truth is not in us." Aren’t you glad Jesus isn’t a part of the cancel culture? If you are a real follower of Jesus you are a part of a kingdom culture not a cancel culture. Here's what Kingdom Culture people do:

Ephesians 4:29-32

"Don't say anything that would hurt another person,

Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed.

That way, what you say will help those who hear you.

Don't grieve the Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you...

He has put His seal on you for the day you will be set free from the world of sin.

Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing and hatred.

Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other 

as God has forgiven you through Christ

This is still true even in the face of a cancel culture. Friendship takes love, listening commitment, faith, time, perseverance, death to self and loyalty in the face of all odds and challenges you face in life. Real Christians who call themselves friends listen, counsel, pray and stay with you regardless of the challenge it takes to stay in relationships. It's not about you! It's always about staying a true to your friend. Just know that as your friend, I are committed to you and are praying for you regardless of the challenges you face in your life... because that’s the character and nature of the God we serve. ... while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. No greater love does a man have than to lay his life down for his friends (Jesus said this). Aren’t you glad he’s not a part of the cancel culture! What kind Of Friend do You want To Be? One that reflects the character and nature of God? or one who thinks a cancel culture is okay?

Romans 12:17

"Do your best to live at peace with everyone." 

Throughout Scripture Christians are told to love others. Love does no harm to its neighbor. We are not to hurt others physically or emotionally. Words do hurt people. Think before you say something to hurt someone’s feelings. Not only words said directly to the person, but words said when that person is not around. And think before you press that delete button!