God made the nations?

There is debate within the church of the validity of nations and/or borders. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? Let's see.

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (why?) that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him."- Acts 17:24‭-‬26 ESV

It appears from the above passage that the nation/state is a valid entity. The important question is why? 

Due to man's rebellion towards God, man seeks to unite in that rebellion whenever possible. This was the problem at the tower of Babel. Man determined to combine his resources in order to "climb to the heights of heaven" i.e. to achieve heaven on earth and bring in the kingdom of heaven (bliss) to earth without God-Christ, the rightful King. (This is the current goal of one world government - driven by corporations and those who back and control them. They seek to capture and control the economic resources of mankind, often in order to fleece them - Though some genuinely seek to serve their fellow men and women). 

This is the result of mans rebellious attempt to exalt himself, and is directly contrary to God exalting man due to man humbling himself. 

Salvation is of the Lord only. Man cannot save himself...not permanently. As a result God had to divide them up by language i.e. into different people groups, which resulted in different ¹nations. Nations were instituted by God himself in response to man's rebellion. 

Man's greatest need is to be reunited with his Creator, not uniting together in their rebellion against Him. Some seek a one world government in order to acquire unlimited power and control over all the resources of creation and other creatures. They have no regard of God's intention for His creatures or creation. 

According to the above passage reconnecting with God best occurs when we are in our separate Nation/States i.e. so... "that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him."

It appears nations and the borders needed to distinguish them is not only legitimate but the necessary and best way for humanity to reach out and seek God again.

To see if God has anything to say about immigrants or immigration click here.

For a discussion on values culture and racism click here.

For a discussion on racism and the necessity of forgiveness click here

For a discussion on what divides us click here.

For a discussion of the harmful nature of identity politics click here.

What is the nature of racial privilege? Click here for a discussion.

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¹To have different nations is to have boundaries or borders. While some object to this idea no one objects to having a fense or wall around their property or doors on their home. Why do we do this? We live in a broken world and therefore desire to protect those we value and cherish. 

To voluntarily invite someone into our home is a kind and loving thing but it's not wise if we invite people in who have ill intent towards us and our family. We would not invite liars, thieves, or murderers in our house for good reason. Heaven itself does not allow such people entry. 

Doorways are also entry ways through which we invite people we trust into the sacred dwelling place we call home so we might welcome, honor and serve them.

What exactly is privilege?

You may have heard the expression the "upside-down gospel."  What exactly does this mean? The gospel is counter-intuitive. We are told to become weak is to be strong, to find your life you must lose it and to be exalted you must be humbled. The meek, not the demanding, inherit the earth. This cuts against common sense and everything within us. 

But the gospel is what we are called to build our lives on by Christ himself, no matter who we are or what ethnic group we belong to. Why do I raise the race question? Because the current racial tension is due to men ignoring the essence of the gospel. To self identify or identify others by a certain race is divisive - and I would suggest often intentionally so. Our true identity can only be found in a relationship of perfect love with our Creator, not some group. Race in today's climate is a destructive label unless in reference to the human race. Then it is uniting. We are all made in the image of God and therefore all equal in the eyes of God. And if we are in Christ and under His rule-kingdom, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. This is our identity, not the pigment of our skin regardless of what others think, say, or do to us. 

In God's economy, the gospel takes privilege - used in the present political sense - and puts it on its head. What is that message? In God's gospel ruled kingdom, the 1st shall be last and the last shall be 1st. This says that those who are last - from the

world's perspective - are more privileged than those who are first with all their earthly advantages and benefits. This is not the message we are given by the world, more so now than ever. 

We must be careful not to forget God's ways are not ours, and ours are not his. Man seeks to understand his world independent of infinite wisdom, i.e. God's wisdom, expressed above. Why? Because he seeks to be his own god and believes his own independent understanding of himself and the world around him is right and sufficient, i.e. it alone can lead him to the truth. But only God is infinite in knowledge and ¹in every other way; man is not. Finite man can never gain access to the infinite on his own. He needs help from someone far greater than himself i.e. someone infinite in knowledge and wisdom. The finite - you and I - can not reach up and bring the Infinite down to us. The Infinite must come down and reveal Himself. And He did in Christ! Yet man rejects God's Son and the wisdom and revelation he offers.

To operate contrary to our design - i.e. to ignore our limits - is foolish. This is like trying to care for a delicate plant or rare animal or operate a complex machine to the maximum of its potential and ignore the manual that tells us how to do so. Man can observe himself and the world around him and definitely discover certain things. But can he discover all that needs to be known unaided? Is there a difference between facts and truth? 

There is. Let me illustrate.

We can all see the sun - unless we are literally blind, but even then we can feel its warmth. No one would dispute there is something bright or warm in the sky. Over time, with enough study, we can discover the specifics of how the sun operates; all are important facts, they are just not all the "facts." 

As hard as science tries, science has never been able to answer the why question. This is different from the "how" questions. Why is the sun there? Why are we here to observe it and experience the benefits that come from it? We may try to find the answer to the why questions through science but discovering the facts of what is, is the role of science, why something exists is not. To this day science has not concluded with certainty why anything is, only how it works. The why must be found elsewhere. We must go to the Designers manual and see what He says about the why of His creation. 

There is man's way of seeing and doing things. Depending on one's worldview, those ways could be the polar opposite of each other. Why? Because man is limited in his understanding if left only to his own reasoning and finiteness i.e. we are not all knowing, all powerful, everywhere present of all loving. Hence all the tension in the world today. Everyone thinks their knowledge is absolute, independent of the source of absolute knowledge. There is usually ²some truth in all views, mixed in with some fallacy, some being more or less true than others. Who decides what is true and who is the arbitrator when these differences create great tension and conflict? Man's sole reliance on his own reasoning and resources in determining truth instead of confiding in the Source of all wisdom and truth will not settle a matter, only inflame it.

When there are opposing views, the truth often lies somewhere in the midst of the tension of those views. Both sides are seeing truth the other is not. Then there is God's way or a 3rd way if you will. The way of infinite knowledge. The way none of us as finite beings, can see unless God reveals it. And who does he reveal himself to? Those who know they need to see it-Him i.e. those humble enough to recognize that along i.e. without God who is infinite, man can not see all he needs to see to know with certainty his understanding of the world is correct (remember the why questions). 

If we are to resolve the tensions of differing views, we must recognize our limitations and acknowledge true understanding and correct view of the world must come outside us and from the Source of infinite knowledge, love, life, and all things. To see this, we must humble ourselves and recognize we need to see more than we need to be seen or heard. This same source tells us the 1st shall be last and the last shall be 1st and to find our life we must first lose it.

 

So to bring this back around to privilege, those who complain the most about someone being privileged over them or another is to miss the whole gospel message. If one is a believer they will rejoice in their low standing not be envious of what they think is someone else's high standing. 

For a further discussion on strength in weakness, click here.

For a further discussion on identity politics, click here. 

For a further discussion on the necessity of forgiveness, click here. 

For a further discussion on values, culture and racism click here. 

For a discussion on my personal experience of discrimination, click here. 

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*All the "omni's" Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omni benevolence. Or to say it more practically, all-wise and all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present and all good and loving.

**We live in a world of design where we can observe how things operate a particular way. And that is because there is design and a designer who created them to do so. Though we can observe this design and discover to some extent how things operate - some truth about their operation - we can never grasp the full purpose of creations design without acknowledging the Creator who designed them. 

And what is that purpose? All things are from, through, and to God. To him be the glory i.e. He must be recognized as the Creator and sustainer of all things if we are to see them as they truly are.

 

 

 

How "End times" teaching aids Globalism.

The following history behind Dispensationalism is part 4 of a 5 part paper at 

https://thotsaboutgod.blogspot.com/2010/02/doom-and-gloom-of-dispensationalism.html 

I am posting it as a separate article for those who may not be interested in the weakness of the biblical foundations behind the "last days" or "end times" teaching. After reading this part below, you may wish to read my entire discussion on dispensationalism. To do so you can click here or the link above. 

4. The history behind Dispensationalism

(Dispensationalism teaches the world will be destroyed by God but before it is, a rebel to God - the Antichrist - will rise up and set up a one-world government where you can do nothing economically without His permission or his mark i.e. 666 or the Mark of the beast).

The first 3 sections of the complete paper (linked here) dealt almost exclusively with various scripture passages on why the Bible does not teach this widely held view (commonly known as Dispensationalism). 

Now we will see if the history behind this teaching can shine any light on its problematic rise and influence. 

The promotion and expansion of Dispensationalism appears to have had considerably more to do with the political views of Zionism, than with the teaching of scripture. A little-known document called The Blackstone Petition or Blackstone Memorial called for the re-establishment of the State of Israel almost 120 years ago, in 1891. It was submitted by a lay minister/real estate developer named William Blackstone (not to be confused with the British attorney who wrote “Commentaries” on Common Law in the 1700s).

http://www.jewishmag.com/146mag/brandeis_blackstone/brandeis_blackstone.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Eugene_Blackstone

Blackstone was a “student” of John Nelson Darby’s teachings, who was considered the “Father of Dispensationalism."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nelson_Darby

Even though most of us have likely never heard of Blackstone and his petition, it was not an insignificant document at the time, considering some of those who signed it. For example, J.P. Morgan, John D., and William Rockefeller, who were signers, also happened to be key “players” in forming the *Federal Reserve System implemented in 1913 under which our country’s monetary system now operates. (For an excellent book on the issues regarding the Federal Reserve I highly recommend http://www.webofdebt.com)

If the involvement by these signers seems unimportant or irrelevant, you may also wish to read

http://web.archive.org/web/20090503204211/http://www.taxtruth4u.com/money.htm which addresses our current monetary system. This will help tie this part together. NOTE: The link immediately above is from the Internet Archive, known as "The Wayback Machine" because my original site no longer exists.

Is it merely a coincidence these particular gentlemen were signers of this petition? If you understand the destruction and deception of the Federal Reserve System as discussed in the links above, this simple fact alone makes their - aka the "banksters" - early support and promotion of the dispensational system highly suspect. And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. If the connection is not apparent at this time, I encourage you to do your own research. The links above will be a good starting point. If you really dig around, it gets even more "interesting." To understand why I say this, be sure to read the article on Blackstone on the above link and also linked here for convenience.

It should be pointed out of the 413 signers of this Petition only a total of 15 were either rabbis or of Jewish or Hebrew descent. That is less than 4% of the 413 signers. In addition, one of the Jewish signers happened to be a banker and President of a bank called “International Bank.” Yet this petition was supposed to be about bringing Jews back to their “homeland” not about finance or politics (the more you dig, the more you will discover how "big money" and corrupt government have been connected for well over 100 years in the USA via the Federal Reserve. To read this list of signers, you would think this petition had more to do with some corporate business venture instead of a spiritual/religious effort.

The rest of the signers were a mixture of Protestant clergymen, representatives of several major national newspapers (early promoters of fake news?), politicians, government workers such as postmasters, judges, clerks, and even some collectors of revenue, along with a variety of businessmen. The whole list can be found at

http://web.archive.org/web/20080515083850/http://www.amfi.org/blackmem.htm (Also no longer on a website but from the internet archives). Considering the apparent nature of this petition to reestablish Israel as a nation, this was a curious mix, wouldn’t you agree?

The rabbit hole goes even deeper when you consider that J.P. Morgan and its interests also purchased controlling interest of every major newspaper - 25 in all - at that time (1915) in order to control the information going to the public to protect “their interests” but not necessarily to report the truth.

The banksters (the private banking system called the Federal Reserve) realized when they pushed through the Federal Reserve Act in 1913 that to pull off the control of the newly implemented money system they would need to also control the information to the public via the news. This would allow them to divert the public away from and hide this subtle but very significant takeover of commerce of the entire country through a totally corrupted money system, which is exactly what they did over 100 years ago.  

To the shock of anyone learning this for the first time, the mainstream media has actually been controlled by the "banksters" since that time. This is not "conspiracy theory" but documented in the Congressional Record of 1917 on page 2947. If you wish to see a photocopy and discussion of this in the actual Congressional record, click here. 

As a further indication of the influence and control of the media, I offer you these additional quotes.  

"There is no such thing, at this date of the world's history in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dare to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the street looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my' paper, before twenty-four hours my occupation would be gone. The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press? We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities, and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes. 

-John Swinton, former chief of staff, The New York Times, in a 1953 speech before the New York Press Club 

"We are grateful to the Washington Post, the New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promise of discretion for almost forty years... It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subject to the bright lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries".

-David Rockefeller, in an address given to Catherine Graham, publisher of The Washington Post and other media luminaries in attendance in Baden Baden, Germany at the June 1991 annual meeting of the world elite Bilderberg Group. 

"We are going to impose our agenda on the coverage by dealing with issues and subjects that we choose to deal with".

-Richard M. Cohen, former Senior Producer of CBS political news

 "Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have" 

-Richard Salant, former President of CBS News

"Only the small secrets need to be protected. The big ones are kept secret by public incredulity"(i.e. disbelief)

-Marshall McLuhan, media 'guru'

Comments in (  )’s and or with emphasis mine.

Why take so much time to address the news media in a paper on the teaching of Dispensationalism? If you get nothing else from this article, please understand this: the current political and monetary system has subtle but clear connections to a system that is far more encompassing than simply a particular theological worldview. For this financial/political system to survive, we must remain ignorant and apathetic to the true nature of events related to the "banksters" activities and the corrupt monetary system they set up and use to control all financial transactions, and therefore the necessity and importance of controlling the information ("news") outlets. Truth, care, and action by you and me are the globalist "banksters" biggest fear. That’s why any exposure of this information is often aggressively attacked with considerable effort to discredit it. If you have read this far, you are apparently neither apathetic, and you can certainly say you are no longer as ignorant. 

But it is our fault as the church as much as anyone’s (maybe more so) on why this monetary/political system has thrived and exists to this day.  And it is also our problem to solve. Politicians have proven they are not interested in truly addressing this corrupt banking system. In fact, they helped to implement it - either directly or indirectly - benefit from it, and allowed it to continue unchecked by turning a blind eye at a minimum.  

Am I saying the "banksters" created this theological system called Dispensationalism? Not at all. I do think, however, that they saw in dispensational teaching a perfect ²opportunity and vehicle to heavily influence the church to aid in implementing a one-world system aka globalism, and gain the support of the church to advance their deception. The "banksters" no doubt realized if the church could be convinced that the Bible predicts the coming of a one-world system under some diabolical opponent to God Himself (i.e. the "Antichrist"), then to resist it is futile (remember the Borg in the Star Trek TV series?). The globalists figured no good Christian would go against what the Bible predicts is inevitable. A clever, highly deceptive, and effective strategy. As a result, a very large portion of the church universal has bought into Dispensationalism to this day. 

Though our understanding of the subject of this paper must be formed primarily from scripture (which I address here) the political/ historical/ financial roots of Dispensationalism play a far greater role in the promotion of this teaching in the church than many may realize. Since the focus of Bible students is mainly on understanding what Scripture teaches regarding the “end times” this lack of awareness of its historical roots is understandable. However, I believe knowing the history behind the promotion of this doctrine is of no small significance or consequence and should be considered more closely by all students of the Bible. Therefore, I have taken the time to address this side of this rather involved subject of Dispensationalism (which can be read here).

I believe it is the intention of globalist "banksters" who seek to rule us (whoever they may be) that we buy into the pessimistic mindset fostered by Dispensationalism (we address this pessimism in part 5 “Two World Views…”). The result is we unintentionally (on our part, not theirs) look to our "rulers" for solutions to our problems and not to God. -- I believe this also in part explains why Futurism (how the world ends) and particularly Dispensationalism is such a widespread and popular notion among many non-Christians as well. No other teaching -  purportedly based on scripture - is more widely accepted by non-Christians than this “end time” doctrine and apocalyptic view of the world's future. 

This in itself should raise a red flag about the validity of this teaching. Are not the things of the gospel normally foolishness to the world? Christ’s words “broad is the road that leads to destruction…” may be very appropriate here. I believe those who wish to rule over us count on the church, doing just what we are doing, which is next to nothing when it comes to infusing the culture with the gospel and advancing God's kingdom here and now (His reign over the hearts and minds of all who look to Christ as their king) and speaking out against the corruption at all levels, especially within ³Government. The pessimism and passivity created by the belief in an inevitable future destruction of earth taught by Dispensationalism aids the advancement of a one-world government and plays right into their hands -- after all, according to Dispensationalism, a one-world government headed by a political figure called “The Antichrist” is predicted in the Bible so why waste time to resist it. 

I think if the establishment and promotion of Dispensationalism were not expressly to create a passive church - which indirectly aids the advance of one-world government - it has certainly been cleverly utilized toward that end.

I also think attempts to label ³a Preterism as anti-Semitic - yes, believe it or not, it’s true...labeling someone as a racist of any kind is a common and effective hot-button issue. It is a convenient diversion from discovering the truth. And if you understand that Satan is ultimately behind anything that neuters or distorts the truth, the church’s effectiveness on culture and government, and the advancement of God's kingdom in the world, all of this is not beyond reason but in fact makes perfect sense. If you further study the history behind Dispensationalism, if it isn’t already apparent, it will become more apparent how all of this is connected as you dig in. 

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¹Some believe Zionism is the main player behind globalism. I have concluded it is merely a useful tool of the real players - i.e. the "banksters" (Rothschild - the founder of the central banking system in England - being an Ashkenazi Jew) 

- Zionism is a diversion used by the banksters to promote globalism (one world government). Globalism is about power, money, and control, not a particular religious view or system. Making it about a religious view (with racial implications) also aids them in creating division within the church. For a discussion on how Zionism helps promote identity politics and racism, click here. One of the strategies of globalists is to accuse their opponents of the very things they are most guilty of. 

²Possibly they saw and sincerely believed this teaching was justification for one world government. 

Most centers of influence and power, such as the church (media, government, and other major centers of influence such as entertainment, social media, sports, and the like), start out well but are infiltrated and commandeered to advance the "bankster" aka globalist agenda in one fashion or another.  This is a clever but diabolical strategy because these institutions are centers of influence for a reason - i.e. they've gained the trust of so many and are far less likely to be suspected of anything nefarious. They are perfect "candidates" to gain control over the minds and lives of others and culture and society as a whole because of the trust they gained in their beginnings.

³For those who raise the question of obeying the authorities discussed in Rom 13, keep in mind Christ’s most scathing criticisms were against the Pharisees who were the religious authorities in Israel during Christ’s time on earth. If you care to read more on this click here.  

³a which teaches the "end times" the Bible speaks of was a historical event, not in the future.

For a look at what the bible really says about the promise to Abram (later named Abraham) regarding the nation of Israel, click here. 

This is only part 4 of a 5 part paper. If you wish to read the rest of the paper this current post is taken from click here.

For a further discussion on what promises God actually made to Israel click here

If you wish to discuss any of the points addressed in this article or have any questions, message me at  

thotsaboutGod@gmail.com Ask for Jim. God Speed

Identity politics and God's word.

One of the subtle issues of ¹Dispensational Eschatology is "identity politics." 

It's not obvious on the surface, but when you look closely, this teaching places a certain nation/race on a pedestal above all others. The Jewish race. The nation of Israel is viewed by many - mainly within, but also outside the church - as the "apple of God's eye." To even question this superior status is considered antisemitic by some - i.e. racist. 

The irony is if this high view were held toward any other race - such as Hitler's so-called Ayran race -  It would be racist, and people would rightly be up in arms protesting. 

I am not suggesting at all that Israel was unimportant or insignificant. They certainly were and played a unique and vital role in God's plan of redemption, as well as on the stage of human history. Nor am I suggesting we should not ²support national Israel today. Any nation that promotes freedom, especially if surrounded by a region of hostility toward that freedom, deserves our ²support. But to accurately assess national Israel's true significance in God's eyes, we must explore God's words in the bible. God must be true even if every man is a liar. 

³If you wish to explore this more click here.

If someone does not view Israel as superior to other nations some will object and ask "Isn't the nation of Israel God's chosen people; special above all others?" The short answer is yes, but to answer that question properly and completely, we must ask the bigger underlying questions. e.g. to what end was Israel chosen for and was that purpose ever carried out? If so, how and when? 

The longer answer is they were chosen to be the nation through which the promised Messiah came, and he did (though orthodox Jews believe the Messiah's coming is still in the future). And He came not just as the Deliverer of the Jews only, but the Savior of the entire world. For a more thorough discussion on this click here.

The general issue with identity politics.

What does any of this have to do with identity politics? In essence, identity politics says one's individual value or worth is determined by one's group, race, nationality, etc. However, when you follow this through logically, isn't this in fact at the heart of racism - i.e. one group or race being superior (or inferior) to others. This is saying I am better (or worse) than you simply because I belong to a particular race or group. Or, I can do no wrong because I belong to a certain group e.g. a person of color - any color or lack of it - can't be racist because they are the victim of racism. A certain group could get away with many things others would never be able to do if they were considered superior to others. 

But this is not true, no matter who asserts it. This is a form of group or ethnic supremacy if you will. Not unlike the "white supremacy" label we hear thrown around today. A kind of ⁴ethnic-based identity -- exactly the opposite of the message of grace. 

In God's economy, identity is based on something much greater and far more significant. God calls us to ground our identity in who we are as His image-bearers first, as well as ⁵who he has made us to be in Christ, not in our ethnicity, group, gender, culture, worldview, etc. The teaching of the Bible shatters all boundaries of race, gender, or any other difference.

Gal 3:25  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Gal 3:26  for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Gal 3:27  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to ⁴promise.

The above "group" - God's group if you will - is the only group we can ultimately and legitimately base our identity on. Being part of this group has nothing to do with race and everything to do with grace.

This is not a point of pride, but of humility, since it's based on grace and not our ethnicity, culture, efforts, some assumed "birthright" or anything that has to do with humanity seeking to bolster their identity apart from and outside of God, their Creator. 

This is also unifying because being an image-bearer of God includes everybody, so in this sense -- the way most define a group -- it is not a group at all because we all belong to it. 

Also, being remade in Christ's image is available to anybody and will be denied to no one who desires to enter onto this path i.e. it excludes no one and is freely offered to anyone. 

These aspects of our identity are determined by no less than God Himself -- the Creator of us all -- making them the only legitimate grounds for our identity and of far greater significance than anything offered or asserted by men.

Ironically, those who scream ⁶loudest about racism are usually those who look at the world exclusively through an "identity politics" - i.e. racial - filter. The problem is that this creates an "us-them" mindset and division instead of unity. 

A lot of accusations about who is being more divisive are thrown around these days. However, if we stop and think about it, we will find identity politics at the heart of this divisiveness, not racism in the classical sense e.g. whites vs blacks, Aryans vs Jews, etc. Those who are least racist are the least likely to think in racial terms - e.g. I am not a brown, white, or black woman or man I am simply a fellow human being created in the image of God, just like you are, regardless of race, gender, age etc.

The truth is we are all created in God's image, and our value is not rooted in our group, race, nationality, or gender...at least not in God's eyes (this, of course, includes Jews). So in the most basic and vital sense, as bearers of God's image, we are all the same in the eyes of God; we are all ⁷equally created to know and experience God in all his beauty, majesty, love, and goodness. We are all members of the human race who have equal access to God in and through Christ and are equally valued by God regardless of group, race, gender, etc.

We see this in the Gospel of John by Christ himself when he said the following to the Samaritan women at the well...

20  (the women said) 0ur fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” John 4:20-26

Note Christ said he's seeking people whose heart (i.e. "... in spirit and truth...") is after him, not those who come from any particular group, race, or area i.e. not the heart of a Jew, white, black, yellow, brown, or any other specific race, but all hearts. When you understand that Samaritans were considered "half-breeds" by the Jews - not unlike the Muggle-born "mudblood", Hermione Granger, in the Harry Potter series - this conversation with a Samaritan woman becomes even more significant. 

In addition, he was having a conversation with a woman. Women were considered second-class citizens by that culture and time (but obviously not by Christ). And you certainly didn't hang out with a woman alone, one on one, even in public. This was considered taboo. When you look at the context of this conversation, his disciples' response subtly hints at this taboo.

Am I saying it is wrong to love our heritage? Not at all. To the degree it honors and displays the beauty and diversity of God, it is a good thing. However, it is not the ground on which we base our identity and worth. 

There is nothing wrong with cultural diversity. It can be a good thing to display the vast creativity of God. It is just not the ultimate thing we base our identity on.

For a discussion on why and how we must distinguish culture from race click here. 

For a discussion on the image of God click here

For a discussion on Dispensationalism click here.

For a discussion on the promises made to Abraham click here. 

___________________________________

Footnotes:

¹I am not looking to single out Dispensationalism for its own sake but because of its widespread support in the evangelical Christian community, the subtle effect of this view is significant and worth mentioning.

²I'm not saying financial support necessarily but verbal or moral support assuming they (or anyone else we support for that matter) are acting morally and legitimately in self-defense. 

³For more on that promise click here

⁴One group is more valuable than another because of their ethnicity, thereby deserving greater respect.

⁵However, this does not make Christians superior to non-Christians because it is a status given to us as a gift and available to anybody who will receive it.

⁶I'm not saying there is no racism or that racism shouldn't be addressed, I'm saying those who see everything through a racial filter (identity politics) are likely the most racist. Those who don't are the most "colorblind." 

To say it another way, the most racist among those who read this will probably scream loudest that this article is racist and antisemitic. To assert a person of color can be a racist is taboo or that all "whites" are not automatically racist by being white, will upset some. 

⁷This also happens to be the worldview of the founders of this nation - that all men are created equal - even though not fully put into practice initially. However, this view eventually became the impetus and basis for the abolition of slavery. The foundation of truth laid in the founding documents of the "great American experiment" ultimately won out, even though a significant compromise over the equal value of the black man was initially made in order to form a union of the 13 original colonies that later became the United States of America i.e. our nation. Contrary to much of the present-day narrative, most of the founders were opposed to slavery and this compromise. An accurate and revealing depiction of this battle and compromise is shown in the second episode -- titled "Independence"-- in the HBO miniseries "John Adams." 

discrimination?

Have you ever felt discriminated against? How did it feel? I experienced what some would consider discrimination only twice in my life. Once, years ago, when I transferred from one college to another. The second time was more recently when I moved from one state to another.

Was I being discriminated against? By today's definition, some would argue yes. At a minimum, I at least felt I was being avoided, but not for the reasons I thought.

Even though my experiences were not on par with a lifetime of discrimination, the solution is the same whether you experience a lifetime of "discrimination" or only once or twice, like I did. It's not how long or often I experienced it, but that I did. As a result, I now understand, to a limited degree, what it feels like.

Indulge me as I share some background to help flesh out what I experienced and learned. 

The first instance was when I transferred from one Christian college to another. I was 21 and had known the Lord for only 4 years. I already attended one college for two years but as the summer after my Sophomore year progressed, it became increasingly clear I would not earn enough to go back. I was discouraged and disappointed. 

A family heard about my situation and anonymously offered to pay for me to go to a different Bible College. I found this out towards the end of the summer, right around the application cut off time. I recall even missing the deadline. Miraculously, I was accepted. Though a little apprehensive about changing schools, I was excited and took this as God's confirmation I was on the right track and in for a treat.

Because I could not transfer all my credits, I was classified as a sophomore again. Bummer! Instead of being halfway through college, I was only 1/4 through - my first obstacle. In addition, I was two years older than the typical sophomore because of working a year after high school and having to redo my sophomore year. When I transferred I was a 21-year-old sophomore when most of my classmates were 19. Two years' difference isn't usually a big deal but after being a year in the workforce and no longer fresh out of high school I discovered two years, in this circumstance, were light-years apart.

My new classmates had also already spent a full year together establishing friendships. Unexpectedly, I walked into a situation where it seemed impossible to connect with anyone. I made friends with a few juniors and seniors closer to my age but they had even longer-standing friendships and what seemed a full plate of friends already, so I didn't make a strong connection their either. I felt surprisingly isolated, in a Christian college no less. It seemed no matter what I did or how hard I tried, people avoided me. Being an army brat, moving around a lot, I had always been able to make new friends fairly easily -- not this time. I was lonely and miserable. So much so I remember telling God it would be ok if he took me home -- not to live with my parents but to be with Him in eternity -- and hoping he would.

The second event... 

was just 4 years ago. This was surprising since I thought I had already sorted this through with the above instance several years before. My daughter and her husband were considering starting a family and asked if I would come out and be a granddad, to which I gladly agreed. So I pulled up roots - I am now single, so not a big deal to move - and moved from San Diego to Austin, Texas.  

I had been in my former church in San Diego for close to 12 years. It was a typical church spanning the full generational spectrum with babies, teens, young adults to a few in their 80's and everything in between. Probably the average age was in the 40's to early '50s. I was 49 when I first started attending, right in the thick of things chronologically. Age-wise I was also right in the middle of the two brothers who co-pastored the church; one a year older than me and one a year younger. I even went surfing with the younger brother a few times. While there, I taught a class for 11 years, lead a home group, a men's group and was co-director of a men's discipleship program. I had established some strong connections. 

A new church and whole new ball game. 

At my new church in Austin, the senior pastor was 40 at the time and my local lead pastor was in his early 30's, along with our two elders and the other lead pastors and elders at the other local congregations -- we are a multi-congregational church at 5 different locations. The original downtown congregation was near a major University with the average attendee's age in their mid-'20s with many under 20. A much younger church than I had ever attended. Plus I wasn't a kid anymore being 61 at the time I moved.

After a few months I began leading a home group where the age ran from late 20’s to mid 30’s. My daughter and her husband were in the group. Right away I "felt" the age difference. I was the "old guy" for sure. During our social time, any conversation involving pop culture went totally over my head. If you talked about music from the 60s and 70s or movies and sports up through the 90s I was right with you, after that, I was not -- not owning a TV for the last 6 years didn’t help. I was from "another era" but it felt more like from another planet. 

On Sundays, I also felt isolated and found it hard to connect -- being one of only a handful of "whiteheads" probably didn't help. My external difference stood out like a sore thumb. In our congregation, there was only a small group of folks close to my age and maybe only one or two at my age or older - this has since changed with several older folks now attending. After church, folks were happy to see each other, touching base and catching up on the past week while I was off to the side looking in. I am also single now. Even those I knew close to my age were married; another area I was "different" from the handful of my peers. Again I found myself in a unique set of circumstances that made me feel even more isolated.  

Why all the background? To illustrate and help explain a very important lesson I learned in both cases, but on a fuller level the second time. 

Where did the learning start? Regarding the first event, while in college I took a class on the Prophets. The book of Habakkuk floored me. Things were really bad in the nation of Israel, yet God was doing something vital and very significant no matter how it appeared otherwise. As a result, Habakkuk gained a new perspective that enabled him to overcome the greatest obstacles. That message landed for me, and my whole outlook shifted. I'll address the result shortly since it is the same for both events. 

Regarding the second event, after being in Texas for 3 years and digging into God's word I was increasingly reminded that His love and presence had nothing to do with my circumstances or feelings. This experience actually forced me to grow deeper roots into the gospel of God's grace. As I let this sink in again, it began to free me up to focus more on the needs of others i.e. I gradually stopped having a pity party - though once in a while I still need to "check" myself. 

In both cases, I was reminded that God is with me and for me, not against me. And guess what happened? People started becoming more friendly as my attitude shifted. Looking back, I think they always were friendly but I was giving off such a negative vibe of desperation; I was repelling people. I felt discriminated against, or so I thought. And maybe, in a way, I was. More on this in a minute.

Regarding the more recent second event, I also learned there is actually a label for people "discriminated" against because of age. It's called ageism. Who would have thought!? It is something I hadn't even considered before then. I'm not saying this doesn't happen, but I came to see that ultimately it doesn't matter. I chuckle a little thinking about it now.

Regarding the first event, once I realized God was working even when it didn't appear or feel like it, my outlook shifted and folks seemed to suddenly "come out of the woodwork" and became much friendlier. Seeing this truth freed me from being the victim. Plus, I gained a whole new group of friends since I was no longer so desperate to find them.

What I learned about others and myself. 

It was good going through these situations to get a sense of what many feel when they are not being treated "fairly" or at least not being treated the way they feel they **should be. But the bigger lesson for me was no one enjoys hanging out with someone who has a chip on their shoulder or constantly "playing the victim card" and feeling sorry for themselves. 

Unless we are tuned in to God and are exceptionally gracious, none of us like being around someone negative, resentful, or having a pity party. If someone is always whining and playing the victim, people avoid *them. It is too emotionally draining and time-consuming for others when they already have a full plate - I'm sure, with little effort, you can think of someone who fits the bill. The irony is the more we complain about being avoided - or "discriminated" against, the more we are avoided. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy. We are a major part of the problem. Instead of looking at ourselves and how we contribute to the problem we demand being treated more fairly - often demanding an apology as well, even trying to "guilt" others into treating us as we demand - which pushes people even further away and creates resentment for having a guilt trip put on them.

Actually, we all, in varying degrees, are inclined to avoid others like this. Is this being discriminatory in a negative sense? Maybe, but on a certain level, I think this is normal and even valid. Everyone has their rough periods and we should be there for them during those times. But also we need to be wise in how we handle others who have no genuine interest in becoming better but simply seek to use and take advantage of others. Christ cautioned not to "cast our pearls before swine." He wasn't calling people pigs but using an analogy to illustrate why we shouldn't give something valuable to someone who would not truly appreciate it. There may be times it is appropriate or necessary to reach out to someone who takes advantage of others but we must be sure God is calling us to such a situation. If not, you will not be making wise use of your time and resources and could get burnt out as a result. Christ sought out those who genuinely and humbly appreciated what he offered. He told his disciples to brush the dust off their feet when they leave the town of those who don't. 

The important lesson is how we are treated sometimes has little or nothing, to do with who we are externally - our gender, **** "race" or age - but with who we are internally. It is more about our attitude toward ourselves and others, not our outward appearance or identity. The good news is we may not always be able to change our external characteristics or attributes, but we can always change our attitude. 

We all can probably think of someone who doesn't have a lot going for them as far as the world or a certain group is concerned -- they are the "wrong" height, age, gender, look, color (hair or otherwise), accent, tell the wrong jokes etc.etc. -- but because they have such a great outlook on life, we love being around them. I can think of a few in high school and college like this. One was a small, slightly pudgy wheelchair-bound girl named Debbie with muscular dystrophy, with no hope for a cure. I heard she went to be with the Lord only a few years later. She was probably in her twenties when I met her.  She loved Jesus, and it showed. Even though you could hardly understand her, everyone loved Debbie. She wasn't self-absorbed or self-conscious but friendly, thoughtful, always smiling, and focused on others. As the saying goes, no one likes a whiner and everyone loves a "winner" -- not necessarily on the outside but on the inside. There were lots of reasons people might want to avoid Debbie, but there was one big reason they didn't. She loved others. 

When we recognize God sees us *# as valuable and is working in and through us for our good, regardless of circumstances, condition, status, etc., our attitude and outlook changes. We become more attractive internally and it comes out in how we treat and approach others and how they respond and treat us back. We are no longer victims but overcomers through the love of Christ. Who we are in Christ is far more important than how we are treated or perceived. This doesn't make mistreatment right but it makes it less significant, maybe even insignificant.

As odd as it sounds to me today, I felt at least a little mistreated during these two events. The former because I was the outsider and the later because I was an "old man." As I was freed from negative and destructive thinking, others' treatment of me changed. I was the same guy on the outside; my hair was still white - the 2nd event anyway - but now I was giving off a very different "vibe." As a result, folks began to treat me differently. Instead of avoiding me, they were friendly. Imagine that! 

During the first event, people seemed to avoid me - and probably did to some extent. Even if they didn't, I couldn't see it. I was too busy feeling sorry for myself. If they didn't go out of their way to make me feel welcomed, I felt mistreated.

When I stopped thinking of myself

I am not at all suggesting some groups or individuals are not mistreated more than others, nor whether this is right. It is not. Could the folks have treated me better in these different situations? Possibly, but if not handled properly it would only have reinforced my unhealthy attitude. That wouldn't have been in my best interest or theirs. When I was feeling "discriminated against," my concern was all about me, *****not others. This was definitely not loving my neighbor as myself.

The ultimate example of the opposite of a pity party is Christ when he hung the cross and said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

It also helps to stop and consider how things operate in God's economy. Being mistreated isn't ******unusual in a fallen and broken world but neither is it without benefit. If we are his children, God is always working, always with us and always using all things for our good. To focus on being mistreated now or in the past loses sight of this very basic truth and does no one any good. We are even cautioned to not let a root of bitterness grown within us. It, in fact, negatively affects everyone around us. If there is injustice, though it is wrong, it is not for us to demand it for ***ourselves. We can hope for it and seek it for others, but beyond that, we must leave it in God's hands and trust he alone knows how best to address this and will do what needs to be done as we seek to honor him. We are to look to God to fight our battles, not ourselves, assuming one even needs to be fought.

Paul talked about his inward man being renewed as his outer man died. And he spoke of this as gaining for him an eternal benefit far greater than any temporary loss. As his children and disciples, this is the outlook we are also called to have regardless of who we are or how we are treated. 

So there is a tension. It is wrong to mistreat and oppress others, but our life is of far greater significance than what we experience in this present and temporary existence. And as we seek to honor God, we will be mistreated regardless, if just for this reason alone. Christ said if they persecuted Me they will persecute you if you seek to honor me. This is the outlook we are called to have. Demanding justice for ourselves and feeling we are a victim does not bring about God's honor. 

The old saying is appropriate when it comes to "discrimination"... You can please all the people some of the time. Some of the people all the time but you will never please all the people all the time. 

Another way of saying this is some are not going to like us no matter what we do, what color we are, what our nationality or age is, and so on. This happens to everyone regardless of who they are. Yes, we are to be at peace with all men, but it also says as far as it is up to us. You can't win every one, so stop trying. Also, don't make everything about discrimination and assume you are being treated wrongly because of who you are. It may be for that reason but it's not automatic. And frankly, for people who don't treat us well, it's not worth our time and energy to focus on. We are called to be content no matter what our station in life and to love our enemies. As followers of Christ, we are to be about God's mission, not ours. His is about advancing his glory and kingdom throughout the world to all people of every nation and color. When we are wronged - and if you haven't been yet, wait... you will be at some point, regardless of race - remember that Vengeance is mine says, God. I will repay, not us. 

For a further discussion of being a victim click here.

For a further discussion of being a victim vs an offender click here. 

For a further discussion on racism and forgiveness click here. ___________________________________________________________

* or they will find other victims and have a pity party together. Their common bond is an example of classic co-dependence. 

*# as well as created us exactly the way we are and put us where we are. If we take issue with our lot in life we must address that with God first, not our fellow man.

** "should" is the fruit of demanding and is rooted in pride

***Though I think it is right to plead for justice on the behalf of others -- particularly those who are genuinely defenseless and unable to defend themselves, such as the unborn -- it is not for us to do it on our own behalf and certainly not to demand it for ourselves. But that is the key; doing it for ourselves. We must plead our case before God not man and entrust ourselves into His care.

****I put this in quotes because our race is not the primary thing that defines us. In the most important and ultimate sense, it's insignificant. What defines us is who God says we are, not others.

Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Rom 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

And what else does God say about us? We are all in His image i.e. we are like God. It is in this sense the founders meant that all men are created equal -- they understood that to include both genders. -- We are not necessarily equal in our skills or circumstances but in our value and significance to God. 

***** In fairness it should be pointed out people rightfully get upset when those they love get mistreated. However, the question then becomes what should we do about it. How do we handle it? Certainly, it's worth raising awareness of injustice. But if injustice is not addressed - or while we are seeing to raise awareness - it can become a real opportunity to point those we love to Jesus and to look to him for love, not feeble humanity. This world is broken and Christ told us in this world we will have tribulation, not might have it. But he also said, I have overcome the world. In Him, we and those we love can also overcome it. 

******We all offend and are offended.  For a discussion of the solution click here.
 

 #racism, racial, race