In the previous post, I pointed out that sloth is based on fear, which is based on unbelief in all that Christ has done for us. When we do not believe that Jesus Christ has died for all our sins and wishes to save us and blesses in this life as well as the next, we operate under condemnation, thinking and believing that we have to earn what God so freely gives.
Another key element in Proverbs points to fear as the primary reason why people do not go out and work. Why does the slothful man say "a lion"?
These passages will explain what a lion represents, or more specifically a "roaring lion":
"Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." (Isaiah 5: 25)
and
"For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him." (Hosea 5: 14)
and
"I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them." (Hosea 13: 8)
In the Book of First Kings, God sent a lion to devour a man of God who refused to obey His commands to the fullest. Here is the final scene:
"And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. 25And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt." (1 Kings 13: 24-25)
A lion roaring is a sign of judgment, an omen of condemnation to punish wrongdoing.
In Christ, we need never fear punishment for any wrongdoing:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
This condemnation, the fear of God and His wrath, is the greatest fear in our lives:
"There is no fear in
love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that
feareth is not made perfect in love. " (1 John 4:18)
What is the cause of sloth? Fear. Instead of shaming people for not working, for not getting out there to make the most of it, every person needs to be reminded of all the grace that God has given them, that in Christ no weapon formed against them will ever prosper.
If there is any roaring, if it sounds as if some lion is out there rearing up to tear us up, we need to know who is really out there:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5: 8)
How are we supposed to be "sober and vigilant"? Peter explains in the previous verses:
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you
in due time: 7Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
Slothful people are full of cares, like the man in the Proverb who fears the lion in the streets. Casting all our cares on Jesus, who is our rest, enables us to brush off the roaring tremors of Satan and step forth into the blessings and rest of all the good things that God the Father has prepared for us.
Know who you are in Christ, for He is your life (Colossians 3: 4) rest in His Finished Work, and then as He labors within you (Philippians 2: 13; Colossians 1: 29), get out there and be the blessing which God has made you to be!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Sloth: It's Cause and the Solution
"The slothful
man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the
streets." (Proverbs 26: 13)
Every scripture must be read in light of the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. Christ and Him Crucified, He is the central theme of all Scripture.
First of all, let us point out that a lazy person, a slothful person, makes excuses out of fear, out of getting hurt.
One commentary informed me that this fear, like all other fears, is irrational, since there are no lions in the streets or in the public square of a city.
The principle of First Mention can give us greater insight into this passage.
"Slothful" is first mentioned in the Book of Judges:
"And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land." (Judges 18: 9)
Just as in Proverbs 26: 13, it is fear which causes people to be slothful.
This fear is based on unbelief, for unbelief prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land the first time:
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." (Hebrews 4: 1)
and then
"9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 9-11)
This passage refers to the Promised Land, which for every believer today is the Sabbath Rest of Jesus Christ living in us because by His death and resurrection on the Cross, He put away our sins and gave us His righteous standing.
Jesus Christ is our Sabbath Rest:
"Come unto me, all
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
The original Greek reads: "And I will rest you." He gives us Himself, and through Him we have this rest.
Rest is more than physical rest, but the rest from trying to earn God's grace and righteousness and peace in our lives. We do not work for our salvation, but receive it by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
In fact, the one work that Jesus wants us to do is to believe on Him:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
Sloth is a result of unbelief, that we do not believe that Jesus Christ has saved us from death and wishes to bless us all the more.
Every scripture must be read in light of the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. Christ and Him Crucified, He is the central theme of all Scripture.
First of all, let us point out that a lazy person, a slothful person, makes excuses out of fear, out of getting hurt.
One commentary informed me that this fear, like all other fears, is irrational, since there are no lions in the streets or in the public square of a city.
The principle of First Mention can give us greater insight into this passage.
"Slothful" is first mentioned in the Book of Judges:
"And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land." (Judges 18: 9)
Just as in Proverbs 26: 13, it is fear which causes people to be slothful.
This fear is based on unbelief, for unbelief prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land the first time:
"Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." (Hebrews 4: 1)
and then
"9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 9-11)
This passage refers to the Promised Land, which for every believer today is the Sabbath Rest of Jesus Christ living in us because by His death and resurrection on the Cross, He put away our sins and gave us His righteous standing.
Jesus Christ is our Sabbath Rest:
The original Greek reads: "And I will rest you." He gives us Himself, and through Him we have this rest.
Rest is more than physical rest, but the rest from trying to earn God's grace and righteousness and peace in our lives. We do not work for our salvation, but receive it by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
In fact, the one work that Jesus wants us to do is to believe on Him:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
Sloth is a result of unbelief, that we do not believe that Jesus Christ has saved us from death and wishes to bless us all the more.
Bush with Hispanics: Good
George W. Bush is enjoying a brief renaissance.
People have blamed him for the sorry state of the economy.
They blame him for our failed policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The GOP loves him because he helped bring 40% of the Hispanic vote to the GOP in 2004.
The Republicans need that kind of draw once again.
They also need his resolve to cut taxes and appoint conservative justices.
If the GOP wants his help to bring in the bigger Hispanic vote, then fine.
We do not need his help when it comes to spending, government intervention, or the growth of American prominence in the Middle East.
Hispanics, like every other person in this country, deserve respect and opportunity to achieve.
As long as the governments insists on picking winners and losers, more people will lose out on opportunities to do better.
People have blamed him for the sorry state of the economy.
They blame him for our failed policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The GOP loves him because he helped bring 40% of the Hispanic vote to the GOP in 2004.
The Republicans need that kind of draw once again.
They also need his resolve to cut taxes and appoint conservative justices.
If the GOP wants his help to bring in the bigger Hispanic vote, then fine.
We do not need his help when it comes to spending, government intervention, or the growth of American prominence in the Middle East.
Hispanics, like every other person in this country, deserve respect and opportunity to achieve.
As long as the governments insists on picking winners and losers, more people will lose out on opportunities to do better.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
See Jesus Christ in the Word
"If only I had lived during the time of Jesus Christ's ministry on earth," many Christians lament.
John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus, who witnessed the Holy Spirit descend on the Son of Man, the same forerunner for Christ Jesus, he doubted:
"Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11: 2-3)
John heard of the miracles that Jesus had done, as well, but even then John sent his disciples to ask for sure.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11: 4-6)
Luke's Gospel is more direct, since Jesus healed people in front of John's disciples that very hour (Luke 7: 18-23)
Jesus did not stop there. He then quoted the Word of God to the disciples:
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
"Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35: 5-6)
God wants us to see His Son in His Word, for His Word is eternal and will never pass away "(Mark 13: 31). Our senses can deceive us, and our minds are limited to what we perceive with our senses. Even when we receive God's Word, we are called to renew our minds to the Truth (Romans 12: 2), growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 2: 18)
Jesus in His resurrected body stood before His disciples, not everyone believed:
"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." (Matthew 28: 17)
Sometimes, we will not even believe our senses because of the glory of what we are witnessing.
How does Jesus want us to see Him? In His Word.
The final chapter in the Gospel of Luke provides for us three key instances following His resurrection, in which His disciples believed on Him because of what He said, not what He did in front of them.
At the beginning of Luke 24, a number of disciples came to the sepulchre to a pay their respects. They saw the open tomb, they also saw the angel, and they were afraid. He told them not to be afraid, and then:
"6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24: 6-7)
The angel reminded them of what Jesus said.
"And they remembered his words, 9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest." (Luke 24: 8-9)
When they remembered what Jesus said, they remembered what He said about Himself: that He would die, and in three days He would rise again, then they believed. Not the empty tomb, not the angel, not even what the angel said, but what Jesus said: Jesus' words caused them to believe.
In the next scene, Cleopas and most likely his wife are walking to Emmaus, then Jesus comes up alongside to ask them why they are sad. When they shared their sorrow and disappointment about the death of Jesus, a mighty "prophet" whom they believed would redeem Israel, Jesus rebukes them:
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24: 25-26)
He chided them for not believing all that the prophets had spoken about Himself. They saw Jesus as a prophet, when He is the Son of God and the Savior who would save Israel and all men from their sins and bring them into righteous standing before God. The Scriptures, from the five books of Moses to Malachi, testify of Jesus Christ, not just Israel, not just the fate of the nations, and more than the kind of life that we may choose to live. More than ideas, more than hopes, more than suggestions, the Word of God testifies of the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ:
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. " (Luke 24: 27)
When Jesus came in to dine with Cleopas and his wife for the evening, He was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread, where they recognized that Jesus was in their midst, alive and resurrected, having fulfilled all the things that were written about Him, that He would die for man to make Him the righteousness of God in Christ.
When they believed, their eyes being opened, He became invisible yet present still, abiding in their hearts by faith.
The disciples at the sepulchre, Cleopas and his wife, they all told the other disciples that they had seen the Lord:
"36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." (Luke 24: 36-37)
Just as the sight of the angel in the tomb scared the disciples whom came to visit them, so too Jesus' appearance before them scared them. God understand that we are flesh, and the sudden glory of Christ resurrected may either inspire doubt or fear, neither of which bolsters our faith in Him.
"38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them."
John discusses that Jesus is alive and real, in a real body, divine and eternal. "That which we have heard, which we have seem, which we have handled. . " John writes at the beginning of his first general epistle, refuting once and for all the ancient heresies of modern thinkers and old fools who disputed that God came in the flesh, died in the flesh, and was resurrected on the third day in a new body.
Jesus spoke to them, touched the, ate in front of them, too, but He did not stop there:
"44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things." ( Luke 24: 44-48)
Jesus reminded them of what He told them, just as the angel had remained the first group of disciples at the tomb. He then "opened their understanding" by showing them Himself in the Scriptures, just as He had done for Cleopas and wife on the road to Emmaus. This grand Bible study was more than an exercise to describe Himself, for Jesus then told them what He has done for all us: repentance and remission of sins.
See Jesus Christ in the Word, and your understanding will be enlightened, and you will grow in grace and knowledge of Him who loved you, who died for you, and lives in you to transform you from glory to glory, for:
"As he is, so are we in this world. " (1 John 4: 17)
John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus, who witnessed the Holy Spirit descend on the Son of Man, the same forerunner for Christ Jesus, he doubted:
"Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11: 2-3)
John heard of the miracles that Jesus had done, as well, but even then John sent his disciples to ask for sure.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Matthew 11: 4-6)
Luke's Gospel is more direct, since Jesus healed people in front of John's disciples that very hour (Luke 7: 18-23)
Jesus did not stop there. He then quoted the Word of God to the disciples:
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
"Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35: 5-6)
God wants us to see His Son in His Word, for His Word is eternal and will never pass away "(Mark 13: 31). Our senses can deceive us, and our minds are limited to what we perceive with our senses. Even when we receive God's Word, we are called to renew our minds to the Truth (Romans 12: 2), growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 2: 18)
Jesus in His resurrected body stood before His disciples, not everyone believed:
"And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." (Matthew 28: 17)
Sometimes, we will not even believe our senses because of the glory of what we are witnessing.
How does Jesus want us to see Him? In His Word.
The final chapter in the Gospel of Luke provides for us three key instances following His resurrection, in which His disciples believed on Him because of what He said, not what He did in front of them.
At the beginning of Luke 24, a number of disciples came to the sepulchre to a pay their respects. They saw the open tomb, they also saw the angel, and they were afraid. He told them not to be afraid, and then:
"6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24: 6-7)
The angel reminded them of what Jesus said.
"And they remembered his words, 9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest." (Luke 24: 8-9)
When they remembered what Jesus said, they remembered what He said about Himself: that He would die, and in three days He would rise again, then they believed. Not the empty tomb, not the angel, not even what the angel said, but what Jesus said: Jesus' words caused them to believe.
In the next scene, Cleopas and most likely his wife are walking to Emmaus, then Jesus comes up alongside to ask them why they are sad. When they shared their sorrow and disappointment about the death of Jesus, a mighty "prophet" whom they believed would redeem Israel, Jesus rebukes them:
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24: 25-26)
He chided them for not believing all that the prophets had spoken about Himself. They saw Jesus as a prophet, when He is the Son of God and the Savior who would save Israel and all men from their sins and bring them into righteous standing before God. The Scriptures, from the five books of Moses to Malachi, testify of Jesus Christ, not just Israel, not just the fate of the nations, and more than the kind of life that we may choose to live. More than ideas, more than hopes, more than suggestions, the Word of God testifies of the Word made Flesh, Jesus Christ:
"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. " (Luke 24: 27)
When Jesus came in to dine with Cleopas and his wife for the evening, He was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread, where they recognized that Jesus was in their midst, alive and resurrected, having fulfilled all the things that were written about Him, that He would die for man to make Him the righteousness of God in Christ.
When they believed, their eyes being opened, He became invisible yet present still, abiding in their hearts by faith.
The disciples at the sepulchre, Cleopas and his wife, they all told the other disciples that they had seen the Lord:
"36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." (Luke 24: 36-37)
Just as the sight of the angel in the tomb scared the disciples whom came to visit them, so too Jesus' appearance before them scared them. God understand that we are flesh, and the sudden glory of Christ resurrected may either inspire doubt or fear, neither of which bolsters our faith in Him.
"38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them."
John discusses that Jesus is alive and real, in a real body, divine and eternal. "That which we have heard, which we have seem, which we have handled. . " John writes at the beginning of his first general epistle, refuting once and for all the ancient heresies of modern thinkers and old fools who disputed that God came in the flesh, died in the flesh, and was resurrected on the third day in a new body.
Jesus spoke to them, touched the, ate in front of them, too, but He did not stop there:
"44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things." ( Luke 24: 44-48)
Jesus reminded them of what He told them, just as the angel had remained the first group of disciples at the tomb. He then "opened their understanding" by showing them Himself in the Scriptures, just as He had done for Cleopas and wife on the road to Emmaus. This grand Bible study was more than an exercise to describe Himself, for Jesus then told them what He has done for all us: repentance and remission of sins.
See Jesus Christ in the Word, and your understanding will be enlightened, and you will grow in grace and knowledge of Him who loved you, who died for you, and lives in you to transform you from glory to glory, for:
"As he is, so are we in this world. " (1 John 4: 17)
Monday, December 24, 2012
Response to Eshman's "Don't Cry, Mr. President"
Reacting to the Newtown Connecticut massacre, Eshman correctly pointed out that guns alone are not the problem. Mayor Michael Bloomberg epitomized this uninformed, dangerous gun-control hysteria by indicting some “epidemic of gun violence” in America.
Moreover, Eshman respectfully shared outrage because President Obama shed tears, yet we need an executive who delivers “action”. However, after four years of Obama ignoring opposition to the Affordable Care Act and repeatedly refusing to meet with Congressional leaders to compromise and cut deals on taxes and spending, no one should be surprised that the President offers very little beyond tears to shed.
Finally, one element remains missing from Eshman’s proposed speech and the “gun violence” debate. For all the laws, regulations, and good intentions of our leaders, there is no changing the human heart. In this fallen world full of fallen people, we must accept this sobering truth: “The heart is wicked above all things. Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17: 9).
NRA President Wayne LaPierre declared “tear free”: “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” LaPierre is right. No President can end gun violence, but we can act decisively to diminish it.
The Two Genealogies of Jesus
The Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke delineated the lineage of Jesus Christ, establishing that He is the Son of David, the Messiah, the Savior of the World.
The two genealogies differ from David up to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.
Scholars, readers, pastors have advanced a number of explanations, all of which glorify Jesus.
Matthew was writing his account to the Jews so that they would know and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He began with Abraham, connecting Jesus to the Patriarchs, then Matthew listed the Kings of Israel, followed by the leaders and private citizens of the Israelite captivity when they returned from Babylon and later Persia.
Matthew's account focuses on Christ the King, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Luke's account was precisely for a Gentile audience, an account which mentions the unclean "ravens" in the Sermon on the Mount, while Matthew's account left out that reference. Luke's account presents Gentiles in a more prominent light, including the Centurion with great faith. Luke's account takes into account the common man, including the thief who asked Jesus to remember him when He entered into His Kingdom.
The genealogy in Luke's account diverges from David on down, referencing Nathan, who was David's third son by Bathsheba, who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Luke's account is more exhaustive, connecting Jesus the son of Joseph, the son of David, all the way to Adam, proving that Jesus is the Savior of the whole world, not just of the Jews.
The Lucan genealogy honors the line according to Mary, who was of humble birth, yet also a descendant of David. The LORD had prophesied:
"Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." (Jeremiahs 22: 30)
The LORD cursed the wicked King Jeconiah, yet this king does appear in the lineage of Matthew's Gospel, once again promoting the grace of God which triumphs over the sin of men.
Yet the LORD honored this curse in that the lineage of His Beloved Son also descended through another line.
The new revelation explaining this difference touches on the humble origins of Mary, not just her distinction from the royal line. Jesus is the savior of the world, not just elites or "noble persons" by the world's standards. I believe that another reason why Luke's genealogy diverges from David through Nathan instead of Solomon is that Luke wanted to present another truth about Jesus: that he was of humble origins as well as divine and royal stature. Jesus is not merely an imperious, untouchable monarch, but He is also the Son of Man who understands all that we endure.
Because of Luke's emphasis on Jesus as "Son of Man", Jesus is also our high priest:
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)
The connection of "Son of Man" and "High Priest" is supported further since Luke references Zechariah the High Priest, who received the prophecy from the archangel Gabriel about a son, John.
Another beautiful revelation about Jesus emerges in this divergence of genealogies. David had these two sons with Bathsheba, whose presence in Matthew's lineage right away glorifies God, whose grace is greater than man's sin, as Bathsheba had committed adultery with David, who then had her lawful husband Uriah killed on the field of battle.
The two sons are Nathan, which means "Giver" and "Solomon", which means "Peace".
God the Father wants us to see His Son as "Giver":
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
And also, Paul writes:
"And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9: 14-15)
"Grace" is the gift unspeakable which Paul mentions, yet Jesus is "Grace", God's unmerited favor personified in our lives, too.
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
God the Father also wants us to see His Son as "Peace":
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Romans 5: 1)
Paul also writes:
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (Ephesians 2: 14)
Jesus is Grace, God's Gift to the world, and He is our peace, and the two genealogies establish this wonderful picture for us, members of His Body.
The two genealogies differ from David up to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.
Scholars, readers, pastors have advanced a number of explanations, all of which glorify Jesus.
Matthew was writing his account to the Jews so that they would know and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He began with Abraham, connecting Jesus to the Patriarchs, then Matthew listed the Kings of Israel, followed by the leaders and private citizens of the Israelite captivity when they returned from Babylon and later Persia.
Matthew's account focuses on Christ the King, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Luke's account was precisely for a Gentile audience, an account which mentions the unclean "ravens" in the Sermon on the Mount, while Matthew's account left out that reference. Luke's account presents Gentiles in a more prominent light, including the Centurion with great faith. Luke's account takes into account the common man, including the thief who asked Jesus to remember him when He entered into His Kingdom.
The genealogy in Luke's account diverges from David on down, referencing Nathan, who was David's third son by Bathsheba, who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Luke's account is more exhaustive, connecting Jesus the son of Joseph, the son of David, all the way to Adam, proving that Jesus is the Savior of the whole world, not just of the Jews.
The Lucan genealogy honors the line according to Mary, who was of humble birth, yet also a descendant of David. The LORD had prophesied:
"Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." (Jeremiahs 22: 30)
The LORD cursed the wicked King Jeconiah, yet this king does appear in the lineage of Matthew's Gospel, once again promoting the grace of God which triumphs over the sin of men.
Yet the LORD honored this curse in that the lineage of His Beloved Son also descended through another line.
The new revelation explaining this difference touches on the humble origins of Mary, not just her distinction from the royal line. Jesus is the savior of the world, not just elites or "noble persons" by the world's standards. I believe that another reason why Luke's genealogy diverges from David through Nathan instead of Solomon is that Luke wanted to present another truth about Jesus: that he was of humble origins as well as divine and royal stature. Jesus is not merely an imperious, untouchable monarch, but He is also the Son of Man who understands all that we endure.
Because of Luke's emphasis on Jesus as "Son of Man", Jesus is also our high priest:
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4: 15)
The connection of "Son of Man" and "High Priest" is supported further since Luke references Zechariah the High Priest, who received the prophecy from the archangel Gabriel about a son, John.
Another beautiful revelation about Jesus emerges in this divergence of genealogies. David had these two sons with Bathsheba, whose presence in Matthew's lineage right away glorifies God, whose grace is greater than man's sin, as Bathsheba had committed adultery with David, who then had her lawful husband Uriah killed on the field of battle.
The two sons are Nathan, which means "Giver" and "Solomon", which means "Peace".
God the Father wants us to see His Son as "Giver":
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
And also, Paul writes:
"And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9: 14-15)
"Grace" is the gift unspeakable which Paul mentions, yet Jesus is "Grace", God's unmerited favor personified in our lives, too.
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
God the Father also wants us to see His Son as "Peace":
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Romans 5: 1)
Paul also writes:
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (Ephesians 2: 14)
Jesus is Grace, God's Gift to the world, and He is our peace, and the two genealogies establish this wonderful picture for us, members of His Body.
King Uzziah Wanted to Be a Priest -- In Christ we are Both
"5And he [Uzziah] sought
God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and
as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." (2 Chronicles 26: 5)
Uzziah, king of Judah was a great king, one of the longest reigns in the History of the Southern Kingdom: fifty-two years.
The account of King Uzziah is quite impressive:
He subdued the Philistines, the Amorites, the Arabs. He was quite a champion, as long as he drew his strength from the LORD. His name means "Jah is strength".
"And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly." (2 Chronicles 26: 8)
"Himself" is in italics, because it was the LORD who strengthened the king, not the king himself.
Uzziah built towers, he digged wells, he established a renowned fighting force in his kingdom. He also invented machines of war to help protect his kingdom.
With all the things he made, with all the victories which he accomplished, he grew puffed up:
"But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense." (2 Chronicles 26: 16)
Uzziah, king of Judah, wanted to be a priest as well as a king. Under the Old Covenant, only a settled group, the Levites, could be priests.
For all the things that Uzziah accomplished, he was not satisfied. He wanted to be close to God, but he wanted to be close to God based on his terms, on his choices. God does not work that way. He defines us, he drives us, and He defends us. His ways are not our ways, and His ways are based on grace, not works.
Uzziah wanted to serve the LORD, when the LORD wants to serve us, and by His strength we serve others. Here follows the remainder of the account in Second Chronicles:
"17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: 18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God." (2 Chronicles 26: 17-18)
The ministry of the altar did not belong to the king, but the priests. Eighty priests resisted Uzziah's attempted usurpation of the priestly duties. When we try to serve God, there is no honor for Him. We have no right or reason to presume on our capacities to serve God. We need Him to strengthen us, just as Uzziah was prosperous as long as He sought the LORD.
"19Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. 20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. 21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land." (2 Chronicles 26: 19-21)
In his attempt to draw closer to God through his own efforts, Uzziah was struck with uncleanness, leprosy, and then sequestered into a separate house, set apart from everyone else. The more that we try to get closer to God, to earn His presence, to strive for His blessings, the more we end up driving ourselves away from God, because He operates in our lives by grace, which we receive by faith. Grace is unmerited favor, and faith is the gift from God which permits us to receive all things with Him.
What Uzziah tried to get through his efforts, every believer in the Body of Christ receives in Him:
"9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2: 9-10)
In Christ, we are made kings and priests. We receive this dual commission not by our efforts, but by the mercy accorded to us through Jesus' death and resurrection.
Uzziah, king of Judah was a great king, one of the longest reigns in the History of the Southern Kingdom: fifty-two years.
The account of King Uzziah is quite impressive:
He subdued the Philistines, the Amorites, the Arabs. He was quite a champion, as long as he drew his strength from the LORD. His name means "Jah is strength".
"And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly." (2 Chronicles 26: 8)
"Himself" is in italics, because it was the LORD who strengthened the king, not the king himself.
Uzziah built towers, he digged wells, he established a renowned fighting force in his kingdom. He also invented machines of war to help protect his kingdom.
With all the things he made, with all the victories which he accomplished, he grew puffed up:
"But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense." (2 Chronicles 26: 16)
Uzziah, king of Judah, wanted to be a priest as well as a king. Under the Old Covenant, only a settled group, the Levites, could be priests.
For all the things that Uzziah accomplished, he was not satisfied. He wanted to be close to God, but he wanted to be close to God based on his terms, on his choices. God does not work that way. He defines us, he drives us, and He defends us. His ways are not our ways, and His ways are based on grace, not works.
Uzziah wanted to serve the LORD, when the LORD wants to serve us, and by His strength we serve others. Here follows the remainder of the account in Second Chronicles:
"17And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: 18And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God." (2 Chronicles 26: 17-18)
The ministry of the altar did not belong to the king, but the priests. Eighty priests resisted Uzziah's attempted usurpation of the priestly duties. When we try to serve God, there is no honor for Him. We have no right or reason to presume on our capacities to serve God. We need Him to strengthen us, just as Uzziah was prosperous as long as He sought the LORD.
"19Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. 20And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. 21And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land." (2 Chronicles 26: 19-21)
In his attempt to draw closer to God through his own efforts, Uzziah was struck with uncleanness, leprosy, and then sequestered into a separate house, set apart from everyone else. The more that we try to get closer to God, to earn His presence, to strive for His blessings, the more we end up driving ourselves away from God, because He operates in our lives by grace, which we receive by faith. Grace is unmerited favor, and faith is the gift from God which permits us to receive all things with Him.
What Uzziah tried to get through his efforts, every believer in the Body of Christ receives in Him:
"9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Peter 2: 9-10)
In Christ, we are made kings and priests. We receive this dual commission not by our efforts, but by the mercy accorded to us through Jesus' death and resurrection.
Democrats WON. . .Because They Did Nothing
Grover Norquist: "The Senate got reelected because they never voted on anything, it was the only way they were able to get reelected."
Norquist was a unique guest on the latest edition of "This Week With George Stephanopoulos". It was first time on a national media talk-show. Despite some slight unease, he introduced serious issues into the discussion, including the Obamacare taxes which will hit middle and working class Americans on January 2, 2013.
Katrina Vanden Heuvel, the editor for the debt-laden "The Nation", struck a combative blow right after Norquist answered the first question. She refused to let go of the empty liberal canard of the rich who must pay "their fair share".
The biggest whopper out of Vanden Heuvel's mouth: "the military is the greatest source of waste and fraud."
The "entitlements" are the greatest source of waste, fraud, debt, and deficits in this country. The Cato Institute has articulated a block-grant reform which would end the waste and fraud in transfer from the federal government to the states. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) provided a program which aggressively staunches the rampant rape and pillaging of these programs while requiring recipients to pay a little more.
Norquist's greatest insight, besides reminding everyone that the House Republican majority passed a budget twice, probed the real reason that the Senate remained in Democratic hands: "they did nothing"
That's right, they did nothing. They have not passed a budget, they have not crossed the aisle to cobble together spending cuts, entitlements, or budget reforms of any kind. The majority leader has refused to deal on anything. The Republicans offered the STEM Jobs act for immigration reform, and the bill lingers in the Senate.
The Democrats won in Washington because they did nothing.
Norquist was a unique guest on the latest edition of "This Week With George Stephanopoulos". It was first time on a national media talk-show. Despite some slight unease, he introduced serious issues into the discussion, including the Obamacare taxes which will hit middle and working class Americans on January 2, 2013.
Katrina Vanden Heuvel, the editor for the debt-laden "The Nation", struck a combative blow right after Norquist answered the first question. She refused to let go of the empty liberal canard of the rich who must pay "their fair share".
The biggest whopper out of Vanden Heuvel's mouth: "the military is the greatest source of waste and fraud."
The "entitlements" are the greatest source of waste, fraud, debt, and deficits in this country. The Cato Institute has articulated a block-grant reform which would end the waste and fraud in transfer from the federal government to the states. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) provided a program which aggressively staunches the rampant rape and pillaging of these programs while requiring recipients to pay a little more.
Norquist's greatest insight, besides reminding everyone that the House Republican majority passed a budget twice, probed the real reason that the Senate remained in Democratic hands: "they did nothing"
That's right, they did nothing. They have not passed a budget, they have not crossed the aisle to cobble together spending cuts, entitlements, or budget reforms of any kind. The majority leader has refused to deal on anything. The Republicans offered the STEM Jobs act for immigration reform, and the bill lingers in the Senate.
The Democrats won in Washington because they did nothing.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Beach Cities, Gun Violence, Safe Schools,
The public schools in the South Bay are relatively safe. However, a recent shooting at Gardena High School should remind us that in the absolute sense of security, no one is safe. There are no safe neighborhoods, there are not safe schools. The fearful scenario of a criminal taking a gun and shooting up the school remains a remote possibility.
Politicians and leaders throughout the country are screaming about an “epidemic of gun violence.” This sick notion is a perverse ploy to expand state power at the expense of law-abiding citizens who can best protect themselves in the event of a shooting assailant. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg incorrectly denounces an “epidemic of gun violence.” The efforts of law enforcement diminish these tragedies. No matter how many reforms advanced in Washington or in Sacramento, whether in censoring violent media, expanding background checks, or heightening mental health evaluations, this world will remain a tragic world where bad people will commit bad deeds. Life is tragic, and terrible things happen.
Among forty states, Connecticut has enacted concealed carry laws, which permit licensed gun owners to arm themselves. Unfortunately, nationwide legislation has also designated our schools as “gun free zones”, which have turned them into “safety free”zones.
In an immediateconference following the Newtown, Connecticut massacre, NRA President Wayne LaPierre correctly argued : “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” An immediate reform to preempt this evil would permit one campus employee, a retired police officer or trained security guard, to possess a firearm. This reform must be a choice, not a mandate. Teachers should not have to arm themselves just to get through the day. Every school should have the choice of stationing an armed “good guy” on the campus.
Mayor Booker: The USA Needs a "Philosophical Debate"
The New Jersey GOP should breathe a sigh of relief (with the Democrats sighing with grief): Newark Mayor Cory Booker has declined to run against Governor Chris Christie in 2013. US Senator Frank Lautenberg may be stepping down in 2014, and Booker is thinking about stepping up to take his place in the Beltway.
Instead of running for governor, Mayor Booker wants to finish his work in Newark, whewrew he faces unprecedented challenges. Poverty, declining revenues, public work force layoffs tax increases: the mayor is facing a tight situation. He should also be commended for his outreach on education reform, so long a third rail of Democratic politics.
Yet his attitude about the national conflict in Washington over the fiscal cliff, and his dismissal of a "philosophical debate", commands no respect or integrity. On the December 23, 2012 edition of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos", Cory Booker joined with Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, "The Nation's" Katrian Vanden Heuvel, Wall Street Journal Columnist Peggy Noonan, and GOP strategist Matthew Dowd.
The fiscal cliff was the dominant topic among the five guest speakers. Noonan declared the obvious: President Obama is not interested in dealing with the spenidng in this country. He wants tax increases, which are inevitable, but the spending is the real problem.
Katrina Vanden Heuvel whipped up the same progressive tirade about the rich paying "their fair share." Matthew Dowd pounded his weekly talkinng points: both sides will not compromise, yet compromise is the only guide for toward the brighter side of the fiscal cliff.
Booker described the planned sequester (and expiration of Bush-era Tax Cuts) as an "incredible mallet to smash America". Then he targeted one source of funding that will be cut: "programs that support the poorest Americans."
Four years of Obama's policies have exacerbated the poverty in this country, from mixed signals tha discourage investment to failed leadership in Washington to exploding health insurancemandates, all buttressed by annual deficits and an exploding public debt. Booker then deigned to damn the entire discussion at the "Round Table as a "Ridiculous debate" which is ignoring "real American families in the lurch". One has to wonder: do our representatives go to Washington precisely to bicker and whine and get nothing done? This country has two parties for a reason, yet Booker seems to disdain this dynamic.
"President Obama could deal with Boehner, but he refuses to," remains the mantra of the conservative spokespeople on "This Week". Resorting to the nebulous terms, Vanden Heuvel mentioned "fair share ways to reduce the deficit." She was right to make a point about defense cuts, yet the more damaging waste and fraud eating away at this country still resides (and moreso) in the entitlement programs.
Norquist cut through the noise on "imagined" tax increases. On January 2, 2013 Obamacare taxes will go into effect, raising the costs of medical devices. The middle class is already getting hit hard with more taxes, but the President is content to discuss taxes on the wealthy. The poor whom Booker backs will be backed up further against a wall of unaffordable costs to get healthcare, yet Booker's laughable rebuttal to Norquist was a greater source of consternation (with weak agreement with Vanden Heuvel):
"The luxury of a debate here that Washington may have, folks on the ground like me cannot have. I have to balance budgets. I have had to cut 25% of my city's workforce, and I had to raise taxes."
Then he added:
"If you cut programs for the poor, you end up doing damage to yourself. It's easy to raise strong children than to heal broken men."
Mr. Booker frequently argued that arguing is a waste of time, one which ignores the "real people on the ground" who need help. On the contrary, the debate at the Round Table was not ridiculous. Not just our leaders, but our country needs to have a serious debate about the role of government. Like many liberal voices, Booker blindly assumes that it is the job of the government to "raise strong children" or "heal broken men." This progressive premise is the most regressive reason why government is in the gridlock of polarized politics and defeated debt. All the federal programs, the subsidies, and the conflict within each individual, thedynamic of "give me but I won't pay"-- all have created the sharply divided government and sharpening rhetoric in our nation.
This country needs to have this "philosophical debate". Norquist spoke up for "the poor", yet even then Booker snapped back, proving once again that Booker was pushing a political slant. He claims to balance budgets, that he needs to revitalize his city's workforce, yet he supports a President and a party which have failed to balance a budget at all, whose policies are slowing growth in this country.
This country needs to have a philosophical debate, Mayor Booker. It's time to figure out who we are as people: individuals who can flourish in free enterprise, or dependents who need a handout just to get by.
Norquist was right to highlight the creeping, crippling taxes from the Affordable Care Act. Booker is right to talk about getting things done, but it is both wrong and ridiculous, arrogant and ignorant, for Booker to dismiss the cultural and philosophical problems facing this country, both of which when properly established will outline comprehensive solutions to growing problems for Newark as well as the nation.
Instead of running for governor, Mayor Booker wants to finish his work in Newark, whewrew he faces unprecedented challenges. Poverty, declining revenues, public work force layoffs tax increases: the mayor is facing a tight situation. He should also be commended for his outreach on education reform, so long a third rail of Democratic politics.
Yet his attitude about the national conflict in Washington over the fiscal cliff, and his dismissal of a "philosophical debate", commands no respect or integrity. On the December 23, 2012 edition of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos", Cory Booker joined with Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, "The Nation's" Katrian Vanden Heuvel, Wall Street Journal Columnist Peggy Noonan, and GOP strategist Matthew Dowd.
The fiscal cliff was the dominant topic among the five guest speakers. Noonan declared the obvious: President Obama is not interested in dealing with the spenidng in this country. He wants tax increases, which are inevitable, but the spending is the real problem.
Katrina Vanden Heuvel whipped up the same progressive tirade about the rich paying "their fair share." Matthew Dowd pounded his weekly talkinng points: both sides will not compromise, yet compromise is the only guide for toward the brighter side of the fiscal cliff.
Booker described the planned sequester (and expiration of Bush-era Tax Cuts) as an "incredible mallet to smash America". Then he targeted one source of funding that will be cut: "programs that support the poorest Americans."
Four years of Obama's policies have exacerbated the poverty in this country, from mixed signals tha discourage investment to failed leadership in Washington to exploding health insurancemandates, all buttressed by annual deficits and an exploding public debt. Booker then deigned to damn the entire discussion at the "Round Table as a "Ridiculous debate" which is ignoring "real American families in the lurch". One has to wonder: do our representatives go to Washington precisely to bicker and whine and get nothing done? This country has two parties for a reason, yet Booker seems to disdain this dynamic.
"President Obama could deal with Boehner, but he refuses to," remains the mantra of the conservative spokespeople on "This Week". Resorting to the nebulous terms, Vanden Heuvel mentioned "fair share ways to reduce the deficit." She was right to make a point about defense cuts, yet the more damaging waste and fraud eating away at this country still resides (and moreso) in the entitlement programs.
Norquist cut through the noise on "imagined" tax increases. On January 2, 2013 Obamacare taxes will go into effect, raising the costs of medical devices. The middle class is already getting hit hard with more taxes, but the President is content to discuss taxes on the wealthy. The poor whom Booker backs will be backed up further against a wall of unaffordable costs to get healthcare, yet Booker's laughable rebuttal to Norquist was a greater source of consternation (with weak agreement with Vanden Heuvel):
"The luxury of a debate here that Washington may have, folks on the ground like me cannot have. I have to balance budgets. I have had to cut 25% of my city's workforce, and I had to raise taxes."
Then he added:
"If you cut programs for the poor, you end up doing damage to yourself. It's easy to raise strong children than to heal broken men."
Mr. Booker frequently argued that arguing is a waste of time, one which ignores the "real people on the ground" who need help. On the contrary, the debate at the Round Table was not ridiculous. Not just our leaders, but our country needs to have a serious debate about the role of government. Like many liberal voices, Booker blindly assumes that it is the job of the government to "raise strong children" or "heal broken men." This progressive premise is the most regressive reason why government is in the gridlock of polarized politics and defeated debt. All the federal programs, the subsidies, and the conflict within each individual, thedynamic of "give me but I won't pay"-- all have created the sharply divided government and sharpening rhetoric in our nation.
This country needs to have this "philosophical debate". Norquist spoke up for "the poor", yet even then Booker snapped back, proving once again that Booker was pushing a political slant. He claims to balance budgets, that he needs to revitalize his city's workforce, yet he supports a President and a party which have failed to balance a budget at all, whose policies are slowing growth in this country.
This country needs to have a philosophical debate, Mayor Booker. It's time to figure out who we are as people: individuals who can flourish in free enterprise, or dependents who need a handout just to get by.
Norquist was right to highlight the creeping, crippling taxes from the Affordable Care Act. Booker is right to talk about getting things done, but it is both wrong and ridiculous, arrogant and ignorant, for Booker to dismiss the cultural and philosophical problems facing this country, both of which when properly established will outline comprehensive solutions to growing problems for Newark as well as the nation.
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