Ben... On Point!

 

In the goold ole' US of A we are routinely subjected to the propaganda of both political parties: On the left we hear, "People need help and it is the government's job to give it!" On the right we hear, "The government needs to back off and the market will fix itself!" While we hear this whine virtually every day, it reaches a feverish pitch during a presidential campaign.

 

Since the early 1900s the Democrats have been agitating for socialized medicine. (Every election year they make the status quo out to be a virtual crisis...) Since the 1980s Republicans have argued that the outsourcing of jobs overseas is good for our economy. Do I come across as jaded? Perhaps I am. But anyway...

 

I realize that in this country when one "expert" says something with which we disagree we simply try to trump that person by quoting a different "expert" who agrees with our own position. So I'm not going to pretend that I'll convince all my readers. In fact, I don't want to try. I simply want to ask a question and then encourage you to sit back and puff on your pipe while you reflect for a while.

 

Historically, Christians have argued that God has given us government (rulers, authorities, etc...) for a few reasons. Two of which are to restrain wickedness and promote good. These purposes are built upon an understanding of the reality of sin. Of course, since all humans are sinful then it follows that all human institutions are tainted by it as well, and this includes the very governments that are ordained by God as his ministers to maintain social order.

 

In fulfillment of these purposes, governments inact laws and pass legislation that are more or less just in nature. Some of these laws and bits of legislation serve primarily to restrain wickedness - that is, they protect me from you, and you from me. Others focus on promoting good - such as building bridges and roads. Of course, many laws do both simultaneously.

 

Most of us love the free market of our capitalistic system. In a fallen world where people are motivated by greed - they won't work hard unless they know their work will get them ahead of others - capitalism works. Beyond that, I think that in most cases it is just: The idea of hard work getting you ahead while sluggardliness leads to destruction is asserted time and again in Scripture.

But at what point does a free market become dangerous?

 

Now, I'm conservative. Theologically,morally, socially, I'm as conservative as you can be. And so are most of the people with whom I interact. And I know that many of these people can hardly conceive of the free market being dangerous. Indeed, back when gas was a mere $1.36 a gallon I had a conversation with a friend in which I was complaining about the price of fuel. He told me that under no circumstances should the government get involved with price regulation and that $5.00 a gallon (that was his hypothetical price) would be a "victory" for capitalism.

 

Well, maybe or maybe not. I'll let others debate that point.

 

Here's my contention: My Christian conservative friends buy hook line and sinker into the line about the market fixing our economic problems by itself, and all that other jazz. They seem to think and act that businesses (and the impersonal market) are free from the effects of sin. Now, of course, when you actually put it to them they'll readily grant that since all individuals are sinful then any organization of humans is likewise contaminated with sin. But in discourse they sound an awful lot like they think the "free market" and business always work towards our best interest. But as a responsible - conservative - theologian I can't grant that.

 

This leads me back to my point about the purposes of government: If governments exist to restrain evil and promote good, and if organizations and corporations - like individuals - are sinful, or at least are tainted by sin, then what must a just government do to protect its people from being taken advantage of or harmed by those organizations?

 

If you say, "Nothing! Let people take responsibility for themselves," then I hope you're consistent and argue that the government - acting through its agents (the police) - has no obligation to protect you from individuals.

 

If the government has an obligation to restrain evil (and it does) and promote good (and it does), then what does this look like in relation to the "free market" and business?

 

What if to protect its people and promote good the government has to limit (!) the free market or business? In other words, what is the higher priority: the government's divinely appointed purpose that transcends every epoch and culture or the "free market" upon which this nation operates?

 

Just some things to consider...

 

Until later,

 

Ben

 

 

God, in His grace, has lavished us with the creative power to find spiritual object lessons in nearly every facet of life. Below is one such lesson. It is a poem written by Johann Sebastian Bach which chronicles the kind of introspective pondering that seems to come naturally while puffing on a pipe. Enjoy!

 

 

I talk with a lot of folks who are hurting. Usually their life is in shambles due to the consequences of bad decision making.

 

But there are many times when the person sitting across from me has been betrayed by someone they love – a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or friend – and they’re left picking up the pieces.

 

Has that happened to you? Maybe you’ve invested your life in your children and now that they’re grown they’ve abandoned you. Perhaps a parent has not taken care of you, leaving you with one relative or another as he/she does his/her own thing. Maybe a friend whom you thought was tried and true has turned against you. Has your spouse abandoned, abused, or committed adultery against you?

 

Chances are each and every one of us has either been betrayed by someone close to us or we are in relationship with someone who has experienced this.

 

I want to encourage those who are still smarting from the pain of betrayal. You may not feel it or think it, but God is there. God, who is an ever present help in times of trouble, is there… God, who hears the cries of the afflicted, is there… God, who vindicates the innocent and punishes the guilty, is there… God, who rescues us from the abyss, is there… God, who renews our strength, is there!

 

Have you been betrayed? I urge you to turn to Jesus. He is able to relate to your experience. Did you know that he too was betrayed? He was sold out by his close friend Judas Iscariot… He was disowned – three times! – by his even closer friend Peter. He knows about being left high and dry.

 

So, Christian, turn to Jesus and He will send the Spirit to comfort and to mend. Allow God to minister to you through His people. Receive the Lord’s Supper as a sign and seal of the Triune God’s love for you and of the fact that you are now in covenant with the One who will never leave nor forsake you.

 

It will take time to recover from the effects of human betrayal, but with the grace of God recovery can take place.

 

Until later,

 

Ben

 

Things have been very stressful at work. We tried to get away as a family for the 4th of July weekend, but alas, a suicide in my unit compelled us to cut short our weekend getaway.

 

This past weekend I took a 4-day pass (think vacation that doesn't count against my accrued days... yeah, there are some perks to this Army gig). We got someone to watch our kids, house, and dog (thanks Andrea!) so that we could head up to Asheville, NC.

 

Why go to Asheville? Because we wanted to see the Biltmore Estate! That place, built by George Vanderbilt, is astounding. If you ever get the chance to visit the place, trust me... you'll be amazed. After visiting the winery on the Estate, we purchased what is my new favorite wine: Cabernet Franc. It tastes pretty much like the Cabernet Sauvignon with which you may be familiar, but it is much more smooth.

 

We had a good time at our Bed & Breakfast as well. This may interest some of you: Our final morning there, as we were having breakfast, who should come sit at our little table but the WWE wrestler known as Edge. I had no idea who he was. (In fact, none of us at the table did.) He wasn't boastful or anything. We had a good breakfast and a good conversation.

 

Our vacation is now over and I'm back at work. I've included a few pics for your enjoyment.

 

Until later,

 

Ben