Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other.
The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both.
Benjamin Franklin
'Obamacare:' What does the Constitution have to say?
Is a federal government takeover of the health care system constitutional?
Some argue that under the Constitution, Congress is not authorized to regulate or subsidize health care.
Michael Boldin, founder of The Tenth Amendment Center, told WND that if citizens want to understand whether health care is constitutional,
they must first understand the function of the Constitution.
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How do we loose it all?
American Liberty and Freedom are the envy of the world. Our Flag, our Constitution, our Liberty and our Freedom were purchased with the blood of many patriotic American men and women.
Some of them were your fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, children and many of them were my family members. I have served my country in and out of military service. Because I have seen much of the
rest of the world I realize just how precious our freedom is. Many Americans have been to other nations as tourists and think America is no better. They think this way because they saw just what they
were meant to see, areas intended for tourists. When an individual goes on the economy of these nations the pretty picture isn’t so pretty anymore.
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The American Revolution Revisited
Let's be honest, America is facing the same legal, moral and ethical questions that our Founding generation did, especially regarding the issue of
"Who Is Sovereign in the United States." For our Founders, they fought, bled and died on the principles that no man or government has the right to rule over others
contrary to their agreement (i.e. compact, constitution) and contrary to the principles of natural law as revealed in the Creation of God; that all men are born in
nature with the power to govern themselves; and that no Sovereign government, established lawfully by the consent of we the people, can be usurped and controlled by
any other entity. Thus, today in America, the question once again comes down to "Who is Sovereign in the United States?"
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Obama's regulatory chief pushes new 'bill of rights'
A government that is constitutionally required to offer each citizen a "useful" job in the farms or industries of the nation.
A country whose leadership intercedes to ensure every farmer can sell his product for a good return.
A nation that has the power to act against "unfair competition" and monopolies in business.
This is not a description of Cuba, communist China or the old USSR. It's the vision of the future of the U.S, as mandated by a radical new "bill of rights" drawn up and pushed by
President Obama's newly confirmed regulatory czar, Cass Sunstein. Until now, Sunstein's proposal has received little scrutiny.
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The Last Fourth of July?
America is my home. As such all Americans are my brothers and sisters and I care about them. They are not black, white or brown, they are my family. Our family is not Democrat or Republican it is American. For many years the Democrat and Republican parties have used party politics to divide us. These modern politicians know that in order to maintain power over us they must keep us at odds with one another. I beg of all my American family to understand that Government is not our friend.]
Americans must reject these power hungry people and regain control of our nation our Constitution our freedom and liberty. Never before has our government abused our Constitution and robbed us of our rights and freedom as it has in the past 18 years. Now the federal government is in the process of tightening the noose around our necks in an effort to remove all freedom and rule us like a herd of sheep. I can only warn of these things and beg each and every American to wake up and stop the tyranny.
Let this government know, in no uncertain terms that “We The People” own this country, not those we elected with our trust and were betrayed. The people of Minnesota were cheated by the election of Al Franken. No state would knowingly have elected a man with such low moral character and glaring lack of intelligence. The Democrat and Republican parties are no longer separate entities. These organizations, along with groups like ACORN, have joined forces to take the electorate process away from us and fire the final shot that will kill our Constitution and freedom.
Most Americans have replaced loyalty to each other and their country with party loyalty. This is exactly what the power mongers wanted and it will be the death of freedom if it continues any longer. We must all do what is best for the country and to hell with the politicians and their parties. I, for one, will not be ruled by any man or group of men. You may trust that I will lay down my life before I will lay down my freedom. I wonder how many of my American family will be at my side.
Remember, government must have your money to maintain power over you. Americans must pay attention to what is happening in the congress and senate, we are being betrayed. Global warming is a creation not reality. It was created so that “Cap and Trade” could be passed on your fear. This single legislation will take away most discretionary every American has and place it in the hands of a corrupt congress. When this is followed by Health Reform congressmen and senators WILL have control of every aspect of your and your families lives. However, you will never know what they are doing because they are in the process of controlling what may and may not be broadcast over the airways.
When this legislature passes all the bills they are in the process of there will be nothing you can do because you will have NO privacy from the government, no rights and no freedom. I WILL FIGHT FOR US ALL, will you? I will not live in THE UNITED SOCIALISTS STATES OF AMERICA!!
Message from a Vet
Shamefully, I feel that by publishing this message on the Internet I may become a hostile target of the incoming Obama administration and his lapdog media, just as Joe the Plumber did. But I'll be damned if I'll be silent. Come and get me.
My name is Steve Bussey (please spell it right in your propaganda). I am a veteran, the grandson of a veteran, the son of two veterans,
the son-in-law of a veteran, the brother of a veteran and the father of a veteran. As such I have no use for President-elect Obama, the media, entertainment or news,
or any Obama supporter. I never want to hear any of them utter the words, "I support our military," for I may lose my lunch and wind up in jail for manslaughter.
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Fairness Doctrine 'unconstitutional'
For the first time, a U.S. Supreme Court justice is offering some legal insight about the so-called Fairness Doctrine, suggesting
the off-the-books policy could be declared unconstitutional if it's revived and brought before the bench
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Obama's G20 plan kisses off Declaration of Independence
At the G20 meeting in London, President Obama agreed to create of an international board with authority to intervene
in U.S. corporations by dictating executive compensation and approving or disapproving business management decisions
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Romans 13 Revisited
It seems that every time someone such as myself attempts to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters to resist an unconstitutional or otherwise reprehensible government policy, we hear the retort, "What about Romans Chapter 13? We Christians must submit to government. Any government. Read your Bible, and leave me alone," or words to that effect.
No doubt, some who use this argument are sincere. They are only repeating what they have heard their pastor and other religious leaders say. On the other hand, let's be honest enough to admit that some who use this argument are just plain lazy, apathetic, and indifferent. And Romans 13 is their escape from responsibility. I suspect this is the much larger group, by the way.
Nevertheless, for the benefit of those who are sincere (but obviously misinformed), let's briefly examine Romans Chapter 13. I quote Romans Chapter 13, verses 1 through 7, from the Authorized King James text:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
Do our Christian friends who use these verses to teach that we should not oppose any political leader really believe that civil magistrates have unlimited authority to do anything they want without opposition? I doubt that they truly believe that.
For example, what if our President decided to resurrect the old monarchal custom of Jus Primae Noctis (Law of First Night)? That was the old medieval custom when the king claimed the right to sleep with a subject's bride on the first night of their marriage. Would our sincere Christian brethren sheepishly say, "Romans Chapter 13 says we must submit to the government"? I think not. And would any of us respect any man who would submit to such a law? I wouldn't.
So, there are limits to authority. A father has authority in his home, but does this give him power to abuse his wife and children? Of course not. An employer has authority on the job, but does this give him power to control the private lives of his employees? No. A pastor has overseer authority in the church, but does this give him power to tell employers in his church how to run their businesses? Of course not. All human authority is limited in nature. No man has unlimited authority over the lives of other men. Lordship and Sovereignty is the exclusive domain of Jesus Christ.
By the same token, a civil magistrate has authority in civil matters, but his authority is limited and defined. Observe that Romans Chapter 13 clearly limits the authority of civil government by strictly defining i ts purpose: "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil . . . For he is the minister of God to thee for good . . . for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."
Notice that civil government must not be a "terror to good works." It has no power or authority to terrorize good works or good people. God never gave it that authority. And any government that oversteps that divine boundary has no divine authority or protection.
Civil government is a "minister of God to thee for good." It is a not a minister of God for evil. Civil magistrates have a divine duty to "execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." They have no authority to execute wrath upon him that doeth good. None. Zilch. Zero. And anyone who says they do is lying. So, even in the midst of telling Christians to submit to civil authority, Romans Chapter 13 limits the power and reach of civil authority.
Did Moses violate God's principle of submission to authority when he killed the Egyptian taskmaster in defense of his fellow Hebrew? Did Elijah violate God's principle of submission to authority when he openly challenged Ahab and Jezebel? Did David violate God's principle of submission to authority when he refused to surrender to Saul's troops? Did Daniel violate God's principle of submission to authority when he disobeyed the king's law to not pray audibly to God? Did the three Hebrew children violate God's principle of submission to authority when they refused to bow to the image of the state? Did John the Baptist violate God's principle of submission to authority when he publicly scolded King Herod for his infidelity? Did Simon Peter and the other Apostles violate God's principle of submission to authority when they refused to stop preaching on the streets of Jerusalem? Did Paul violate God's principle of submission to authority when he refused to obey those authorities that demanded he abandon his missionary work? In fact, Paul spent almost as much time in jail as he did out of jail.
Virtually every apostle of Christ (except John, who survived being boiled in oil, according to historians) experienced martyrdom from hostile civil authorities. In addition, Christians throughout church history were imprisoned, tortured, or killed by civil authorities of all stripes for refusing to submit to their various laws and prohibitions. Did all of these Christian martyrs violate God's principle of submission to authority?
So, even the great prophets, apostles, and writers of the Bible (including the writer of Romans Chapter 13) understood that human authority--including civil authority--is limited.
Plus, Paul makes it clear that our submission to civil authority must be predicated on more than fear of governmental retaliation. Notice, he said, "Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." Meaning, our obedience to civil authority is more than just "because they said so." It is also a matter of conscience. This means we must think and reason for ourselves regarding the justness and rightness of our government's laws. Obedience is not automatic or robotic. It is a result of both rational deliberation and moral approbation.
Remember, too, that we are all subject to Natural Law. No human authority has the right to demand that men surrender their submission to God's law "written in their hearts." When any human authority attempts to do this, it becomes tyrannical, because, again, it challenges the Lordship and Sovereignty of man's Creator.
As William Blackstone (as studied and devoted a Christian scholar as there ever was) wrote, "This law of nature, being co-eval with mankind and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times: no human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them as are valid derive all their force, and all their authority, mediately or immediately, from this original." (Source: William Blackstone, "Of The Nature of Laws in General")
Therefore, there are times when civil authority must be resisted. Either governmental abuse of power or the violation of conscience (or both) could precipitate civil disobedience. Of course, how and when we decide to resist civil authority is an entirely separate issue. And I will reserve that discussion for another time.
Beyond that, we in the United States of America do not live under a monarchy. We have no king. There is no single governing official in this country. America's "supreme Law" does not rest with any man or any group of men. America's "supreme Law" does not rest with the President, the Congress, or even the Supreme Court. In America, the U.S. Constitution is the "supreme Law of the Land." Under our laws, every governing official publicly promises to submit to the Constitution of the United States. Do readers understand the significance of this distinction? I hope so.
This means that in America the "higher powers" are not the men who occupy elected office, they are the tenets and principles set forth in the U.S. Constitution. Under our laws and form of government, it is the duty of every citizen, including our elected officials, to obey the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, this is how Romans Chapter 13 reads to Christians in America:
"Let every soul be subject unto the [U.S. Constitution.] For there is no [Constitution] but of God: the [Constitution] that be [is] ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the [Constitution], resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For [the Constitution is] not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the [Constitution]? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For [the Constitution] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for [the Constitution] beareth not the sword in vain: for [the Constitution] is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for [the Constitution is] God's minister, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."
Dear Christian friend, the above is exactly the proper understanding of our responsibility to civil authority in these United States, per the teaching of Romans Chapter 13.
Furthermore, Christians, above all people, should desire that their elected representatives submit to the Constitution, because it is constitutional government that has done more to protect Christian liberty than any governing document ever devised by man. As I have noted before in this column, Biblical principles form the foundation of all three of America's founding documents: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
(See:http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2005/cbarchive_20050630.html )
In addition, if Christians (and others) had been properly obedient to the Constitution (and Romans 13), they would also have submitted to the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which recognizes the authority of the States in matters not specifically ceded to the federal government. In other words, the Constitution intended that the authority of the federal government be small and limited, with most authority residing within the States and among the people themselves.
As submission to the Constitution and Natural Law have provided a haven of peace and prosperity in these United States, Christians (for the most part) have not had to face the painful decision to "obey God rather than men" and defy their civil authorities. However, as it is obvious that a majority of our government leaders currently have almost no fidelity to their oaths to defend the U.S. Constitution, it is becoming more and more likely that we--like our forefathers--will need to rediscover Benjamin Franklin's declaration that "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." (Of course, this effort, too, must be accomplished within the scope of law, both divine and civil.)
The problem in America today is that we have allowed our political leaders to violate their oaths of office and to ignore, and blatantly disobey, the "supreme Law of the Land," the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, if we truly believe Romans Chapter 13, we will insist and demand that our civil magistrates submit to the U.S. Constitution.
Now, how many of us Christians are going to truly obey Romans Chapter 13?
P.S. I invite readers to listen to my interview with Dr. Greg Dixon regarding Romans Chapter 13 at: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/Interview_Dixon.html
This column is archived as http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090227.html
