The question we would like to consider today: Is God a Capitalist? Let's see. A working definition (from Wiki) says Capitalism is: "....an economic system in which the means of production are privately owned; supply, demand, price, distribution and investments are determined mainly by private decisions in the free market, rather than by the state through central economic planning or through democratic planning; profit is distributed to owners who invest in businesses and wages are paid to workers employed by businesses." The short answer is: Yes.
The longer answer comes from personal experience. You see, I had ten oak trees in the yard of my old house. Not as many as some of my neighbors, but enough to create a fair amount of work for me every fall. Besides having to deal with leaves, I wound up with piles of acorns. Every spring thousands of little trees would begin to sprout-their new greenery looking very much like poison oak. Squirrels loved my yeard. I have since found out that acorns contain high quality protein and are a favorite of deer as well. Bugs of various kinds will also devour them and microscopic creatures supervise their final demise.
Why am I talking about oak trees? Because they are profit-making entities. Oh, they do not have to balance their books every year. Their 'profits' are measured in the wealth of nutrition they create and disseminate to creatures great and small in the forest. If we take a look at the above definition we will find elements of capitalism, the trees are not owned by anyone, or regulated by any agency, yet their fruit is distributed around by the actions of animals. Squirrels, for example make off with acorns and bury them, some of which become trees, others will be eaten or simply decay. The fallen leaves ultimately become part of the soil too. This is part of a natural free market system that works remarkably well.
Nature was designed to work that way. A quick look at the first chapter of Genesis will uncover phrases like, 'trees bearing fruit', 'grass bearing fruit', along with descriptie terms like the waters 'swarm (or teem) with living creatures'. God sums up His creative acts with a command: "Be fruitful and multiply." And they do. Every living thing in this world produces far more than it needs to survive. The excess of that process, (profit) is beneficial to other creatures in the ecosystem. God did not make anything with just enough resources to reproduce and that's it. He places His own stamp of approval on His Creation: "God saw that it was good."
Who was put in charge of this activity? No one. Each living thing belongs to itself and simply does what it was designed to do. This is a great model for the highest form of life - us. When people are allowed to be free and live, they create and exchange things of value.
There are a couple of lessons that our current politicians would do well to learn. The most important is that profits are good things. The reason is because rich business people do not stuff their mattresses with money. (Well, some are doing that right now.) What happens to the profits? They are turned around and used to build nice homes, buy good cars and start new enterprises. Many people benefit from these expendetures. Rather than criticizing the rich as many liberal/progressive types do, they should be happy. The more rich people the better! Why don't we try and make everyone rich? Wouldn't that be cool. The other factor is that governments cannot and do not create things of value or jobs. Rather they restrict economic growth by taxation and excessive regulation. Studies show that every 1% increase in taxation reduces economic growth by 2-3%. The most obvious way to stimulate the economy would be a reduction in taxes. This is the exact opposite of what they have done in the last couple of years. And our country is soon going to be hit with not one, but two tax increases that will affect every American.
Unfortunately this wrong headed approach seems to be the norm in national politics. It would be far better to have representatives who understand these two simple truths and will take the steps necessary to engender growth rather than hinder it.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Candidate of the Apocalypse
Episode 1: Year: AD 2036 Late September
"All right class: that will do for math today." The three students who stood at the blackboard now walked back to their seats while the teacher continued talking. "I can tell from the shadow on our floor sundial it is almost time for dismissal." The students signaled their approval at this. "We don't have time for history right now (Again, sounds of approval.) but in review, who can recall what we talked about in our last lesson."
One student near the back offered: "We were discussing the last days of the United States of America, before the Great Darkness."
"But it is forbidden to talk about the Great Darkness!" Another student, a girl piped up.
The teacher shook his head. "I know it is forbidden and we will respect that law. However, there are many people who say the USA fell because of the Great Darkness. This is incorrect. I am going to show it fell before these events began, and it may have precipitated the descent." He smiled. "And I am going to teach this part of the history in narrative form!"
"What?" A younger student said.
"I am going to tell you the story, a true one, and we will discuss its relationship to the events of that era. OK? We can even ask some hypothetical, 'What would you have done' types of questions." Heads were nodding all over. "This might be a lot of fun." He thought to himself.
Just then the bell started ringing. It was not actually a bell. More like a piece of iron pipe that one of the townspeople was hitting with a mallet. This was the signal for school to end. The students were needed for chores. All twenty of them jumped up and started chattering at once as they filed through the opening that served as a door.
The teacher watched his charges leave with a slight smile on his face. He admired them to no end. Exceptional students were they every one. His depth of feeling rested more than in the mere fact of academic accomplishments. He loved them too. Oh, they could be exasperating! (They were teenagers.) All the same, he felt the same kind of joy any diligent parent would feel. He sighed deeply and started coughing. The fit lasted only a few seconds but it was enough to leave him slightly light-headed. In a moment the dizziness passed and he bent over to soak a rag in the small bucket of water on the floor near the board. There were no erasers, and the board had to be washed several times a day. It was impossible to get completely clean. The best he could do is reduce the writing into swirls of yellow streaks.
Finishing that task, he closed the shutters on the windows and wiped the students' desks down. He took his time performing this. There was a lot going on in his mind and he needed to calm it down a little. "You've only got so much time left." He told himself. If anything drastic were to happen then no one would ever know. It really wasn't much of a big secret, but he felt compelled to tell the story one time, even if no one would care in this new age. The old had passed away for sure. But he determined these students would know some small part of what once was.
From habit he reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph. It was very old and creased. Five people could be seen in the fore while others were milling about behind. In the center was a much younger version of himself with his arm around another guy who was smiling broadly. They were in the midst of a celebration. Two women, also smiling were standing on either side of them. The woman next to him had one hand on his shoulder and the other on the shoulder of a blond-haired boy. The boys head was tilted slightly to one side as he looked up at the others.
He stared at the photo and felt the pain of remembrance while blinking away tears. Then, the picture was returned to the safekeeping of his pocket. Stepping outside he slid the gray sheet of plywood across the opening. After securely fastening it in place he turned toward his one-room abode, walking briskly for someone of his age and showing only a faint limp.
"All right class: that will do for math today." The three students who stood at the blackboard now walked back to their seats while the teacher continued talking. "I can tell from the shadow on our floor sundial it is almost time for dismissal." The students signaled their approval at this. "We don't have time for history right now (Again, sounds of approval.) but in review, who can recall what we talked about in our last lesson."
One student near the back offered: "We were discussing the last days of the United States of America, before the Great Darkness."
"But it is forbidden to talk about the Great Darkness!" Another student, a girl piped up.
The teacher shook his head. "I know it is forbidden and we will respect that law. However, there are many people who say the USA fell because of the Great Darkness. This is incorrect. I am going to show it fell before these events began, and it may have precipitated the descent." He smiled. "And I am going to teach this part of the history in narrative form!"
"What?" A younger student said.
"I am going to tell you the story, a true one, and we will discuss its relationship to the events of that era. OK? We can even ask some hypothetical, 'What would you have done' types of questions." Heads were nodding all over. "This might be a lot of fun." He thought to himself.
Just then the bell started ringing. It was not actually a bell. More like a piece of iron pipe that one of the townspeople was hitting with a mallet. This was the signal for school to end. The students were needed for chores. All twenty of them jumped up and started chattering at once as they filed through the opening that served as a door.
The teacher watched his charges leave with a slight smile on his face. He admired them to no end. Exceptional students were they every one. His depth of feeling rested more than in the mere fact of academic accomplishments. He loved them too. Oh, they could be exasperating! (They were teenagers.) All the same, he felt the same kind of joy any diligent parent would feel. He sighed deeply and started coughing. The fit lasted only a few seconds but it was enough to leave him slightly light-headed. In a moment the dizziness passed and he bent over to soak a rag in the small bucket of water on the floor near the board. There were no erasers, and the board had to be washed several times a day. It was impossible to get completely clean. The best he could do is reduce the writing into swirls of yellow streaks.
Finishing that task, he closed the shutters on the windows and wiped the students' desks down. He took his time performing this. There was a lot going on in his mind and he needed to calm it down a little. "You've only got so much time left." He told himself. If anything drastic were to happen then no one would ever know. It really wasn't much of a big secret, but he felt compelled to tell the story one time, even if no one would care in this new age. The old had passed away for sure. But he determined these students would know some small part of what once was.
From habit he reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph. It was very old and creased. Five people could be seen in the fore while others were milling about behind. In the center was a much younger version of himself with his arm around another guy who was smiling broadly. They were in the midst of a celebration. Two women, also smiling were standing on either side of them. The woman next to him had one hand on his shoulder and the other on the shoulder of a blond-haired boy. The boys head was tilted slightly to one side as he looked up at the others.
He stared at the photo and felt the pain of remembrance while blinking away tears. Then, the picture was returned to the safekeeping of his pocket. Stepping outside he slid the gray sheet of plywood across the opening. After securely fastening it in place he turned toward his one-room abode, walking briskly for someone of his age and showing only a faint limp.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
God Economics: Robin Hood verses King Solomon
We've all heard the story of Robin Hood. He's the guy who lived with his merry men in Sherwood Forest and generally made life miserable for the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. His credo was to 'steal from the rich and give to the poor.'
There is no question this is the political model for many of our representatives today. Every kind of tax policy and regulation they have enacted in recent months shows their contempt for our rich and the desire to make them poor; along with everyone else - except government employees.
But should this be the correct model? Is there a better one? Of course there is. Steal from no one. Let them keep their money and use it as they see fit. If they want to give some to the less fortunate, fine! This is a simplistic idea and to the left-leaning crowd does not deserve merit. They would say the free market capitalists are insensitive to the needs of others. I disagree. I am going to compare our present model with one that is more effective and has been around for more than 3,000 years.
We'll start with Robin Hood. The best illustration I have seen of his method is this: I and a friend are walking down the street. A guy comes up and asks my friend for some money. He reaches into his pocket and gives him a $10 bill. That is benevolence, or charity.
If we modify that scenario a little the error is seen. Suppose the same thing happens, except my friend reaches into my pocket, pulls out one of my $10 bills to give to the man. That is stealing. It would be even worse if I objected to my friend pawing at my wallet and he pulled out a gun and took my money by force. I may reconsider believing him to be a friend. But wait! Doesn't he have a good motive? It really doesn't matter, does it? His motive has become suspect because of his actions.
This is a case of 'the end justifies the means.' If that were true why should not everyone steal as much as possible? The end result is evil and anarchy. Let's take a closer look at Robin Hood. A good friend recently reminded me that he was not stealing in order to give to the poor. He was stealing. Period. Giving to the poor is a ruse he uses to make people think he is somehow on their side. It is a smoke screen for his criminal activity. Further, the ones he gives to become dependent on his false benevolence and he has to keep stealing in order to maintain the ruse. This encourages his merry men to do the same and so the environment for criminal activity permeates all. They will rationalize their wrong doing in several ways. For instance they might say, "Well, the rich are greedy!" "They have an abundance so what I take is small potatoes to them." "Their insurance will pay for it." and so on.
Solomon said this about such people in Proverbs 6:30-31: "Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house." While Robin Hood may cut a dashing figure in mythology and movies for our entertainment, at bottom he was not noble at all. He was a petty thief with delusions of grandeur.
Now let's take a look at a better model. Leviticus 19 says: "...When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard: you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger...." (9,10) At first glance some would say this is the same thing as Robin Hood, isn't it? Not even. There are a couple of significant differences. Notice there is no penalty meted on non-participants. No one takes the fruit of their labor by force. This is a voluntary service performed on behalf of the poor. Also, the actual work is done by those in need. If they want to eat they go out into the fields in the same way the owners had to. Nothing is simply given to them. They do not necessarily become dependent. They do not have to commit a crime in order to eat. At the same time skills are being learned. A good view of the rich is maintained. With this model everybody wins. And who administrates this? No one. It is done at the personal level.
For many years our legislators have been stealing from us under the smoke screen of "Helping the ______(Insert designation here)". They are not actually interested in helping. The real purpose is to create dependency. On them. That way they can continue in power. The fact is this hinders our economic opportunities and serves to create tension between honest hard working individuals and a government with dubious intent. In order for the ruse to continue the government must steal more and more lest it run out of money and their dependents rebel.
The day of reckoning is here. The schemes they have proposed have done little to help and they have bankrupted our country. It's time for a big change. We have the opportunity to un-elect a number of delusional thieves and replace them with rational leaders who believe in the limited role of government and the rule of law. The time is now.
There is no question this is the political model for many of our representatives today. Every kind of tax policy and regulation they have enacted in recent months shows their contempt for our rich and the desire to make them poor; along with everyone else - except government employees.
But should this be the correct model? Is there a better one? Of course there is. Steal from no one. Let them keep their money and use it as they see fit. If they want to give some to the less fortunate, fine! This is a simplistic idea and to the left-leaning crowd does not deserve merit. They would say the free market capitalists are insensitive to the needs of others. I disagree. I am going to compare our present model with one that is more effective and has been around for more than 3,000 years.
We'll start with Robin Hood. The best illustration I have seen of his method is this: I and a friend are walking down the street. A guy comes up and asks my friend for some money. He reaches into his pocket and gives him a $10 bill. That is benevolence, or charity.
If we modify that scenario a little the error is seen. Suppose the same thing happens, except my friend reaches into my pocket, pulls out one of my $10 bills to give to the man. That is stealing. It would be even worse if I objected to my friend pawing at my wallet and he pulled out a gun and took my money by force. I may reconsider believing him to be a friend. But wait! Doesn't he have a good motive? It really doesn't matter, does it? His motive has become suspect because of his actions.
This is a case of 'the end justifies the means.' If that were true why should not everyone steal as much as possible? The end result is evil and anarchy. Let's take a closer look at Robin Hood. A good friend recently reminded me that he was not stealing in order to give to the poor. He was stealing. Period. Giving to the poor is a ruse he uses to make people think he is somehow on their side. It is a smoke screen for his criminal activity. Further, the ones he gives to become dependent on his false benevolence and he has to keep stealing in order to maintain the ruse. This encourages his merry men to do the same and so the environment for criminal activity permeates all. They will rationalize their wrong doing in several ways. For instance they might say, "Well, the rich are greedy!" "They have an abundance so what I take is small potatoes to them." "Their insurance will pay for it." and so on.
Solomon said this about such people in Proverbs 6:30-31: "Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house." While Robin Hood may cut a dashing figure in mythology and movies for our entertainment, at bottom he was not noble at all. He was a petty thief with delusions of grandeur.
Now let's take a look at a better model. Leviticus 19 says: "...When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard: you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger...." (9,10) At first glance some would say this is the same thing as Robin Hood, isn't it? Not even. There are a couple of significant differences. Notice there is no penalty meted on non-participants. No one takes the fruit of their labor by force. This is a voluntary service performed on behalf of the poor. Also, the actual work is done by those in need. If they want to eat they go out into the fields in the same way the owners had to. Nothing is simply given to them. They do not necessarily become dependent. They do not have to commit a crime in order to eat. At the same time skills are being learned. A good view of the rich is maintained. With this model everybody wins. And who administrates this? No one. It is done at the personal level.
For many years our legislators have been stealing from us under the smoke screen of "Helping the ______(Insert designation here)". They are not actually interested in helping. The real purpose is to create dependency. On them. That way they can continue in power. The fact is this hinders our economic opportunities and serves to create tension between honest hard working individuals and a government with dubious intent. In order for the ruse to continue the government must steal more and more lest it run out of money and their dependents rebel.
The day of reckoning is here. The schemes they have proposed have done little to help and they have bankrupted our country. It's time for a big change. We have the opportunity to un-elect a number of delusional thieves and replace them with rational leaders who believe in the limited role of government and the rule of law. The time is now.
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Matter of Priorities
Priority: "A preferential rating; one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply: something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives."
We all have priorities whether we acknowledge them or not. They help us order our lives in important ways. Governments also have priorities and how they are arranged tells us a lot about them. In England during the 1600's the idea of Divine Right of Kings was still in vogue, especially by kings, and the church held supreme power below the monarch. (I realize there is some dispute as to whether the king was over the church or vice versa. It's not all that important in this context.) In that time where did the citizen fall? Last of course. In fact they were not called citizens at all. They were subjects. The list of priorities would be as follows: God- King- Church- Subject.
The framers of our Declaration of Independence didn't think very highly of those directives. They came up with something that was unique in all of history. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights: that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The next sentence reveals their belief about government, "...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Our Founding Fathers turned the older priority list (mostly) on its head. Their order is: God- Citizens (us)- Government. First and foremost we are responsible to God. Then we pursue our own intersts. Lastly we are answerable to government. Government's first priority is to preserve our right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Bill of Rights is the legal framework for preventing government from usurping power over the citizenry.
What is the order of priorities in our nation today? The President- Government- Us. Notice that God is not there. He has been deleted from the list. In His place is - well - you know. You and I are now subjects. We must first and foremost answer to government. After they steal their 'share' we must make do with what, if anything, is left. I use the word 'steal' correctly because the majority of what they take from us is not authorized by our Constitution.
Generally when an individual's priorities get out of whack everything else in their life goes too and they are in for a fall, or at least some hard times. With our present government and legislators this is also true. We are in deep trouble without a safety net. We have a President who attended a church for 20 years and never seemed to realize the pastor was a racist, whose early heroes were communists and enjoys like minded super-majorities in both houses. The solutions offered so far have been to enlarge government dramatically and spend lots of money (If a trillion is a lot to you.) on questionable projects that have produced little if any results. They have put us on a road to bankruptcy as a nation in more ways than one. They also believe their actions will not be called into account by the very people who voted them into office in the first place.
There is hope if enough Americans will stand. The Declaration of Independence also says this: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government..." The time has come for us to take this to heart. Elections are coming this November. A strong statement must be sent to the powers-that-be of our disapproval. The people we elect to replace them must understand their mission: To return our federal government to its constitutionally designated priorities. It will not be easy. It wasn't easy for our nations Founders either. They fought a war to gain something more important than personal prosperity. Liberty. Today we are fighting a war to keep from losing the same thing.
We all have priorities whether we acknowledge them or not. They help us order our lives in important ways. Governments also have priorities and how they are arranged tells us a lot about them. In England during the 1600's the idea of Divine Right of Kings was still in vogue, especially by kings, and the church held supreme power below the monarch. (I realize there is some dispute as to whether the king was over the church or vice versa. It's not all that important in this context.) In that time where did the citizen fall? Last of course. In fact they were not called citizens at all. They were subjects. The list of priorities would be as follows: God- King- Church- Subject.
The framers of our Declaration of Independence didn't think very highly of those directives. They came up with something that was unique in all of history. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights: that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." The next sentence reveals their belief about government, "...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Our Founding Fathers turned the older priority list (mostly) on its head. Their order is: God- Citizens (us)- Government. First and foremost we are responsible to God. Then we pursue our own intersts. Lastly we are answerable to government. Government's first priority is to preserve our right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Bill of Rights is the legal framework for preventing government from usurping power over the citizenry.
What is the order of priorities in our nation today? The President- Government- Us. Notice that God is not there. He has been deleted from the list. In His place is - well - you know. You and I are now subjects. We must first and foremost answer to government. After they steal their 'share' we must make do with what, if anything, is left. I use the word 'steal' correctly because the majority of what they take from us is not authorized by our Constitution.
Generally when an individual's priorities get out of whack everything else in their life goes too and they are in for a fall, or at least some hard times. With our present government and legislators this is also true. We are in deep trouble without a safety net. We have a President who attended a church for 20 years and never seemed to realize the pastor was a racist, whose early heroes were communists and enjoys like minded super-majorities in both houses. The solutions offered so far have been to enlarge government dramatically and spend lots of money (If a trillion is a lot to you.) on questionable projects that have produced little if any results. They have put us on a road to bankruptcy as a nation in more ways than one. They also believe their actions will not be called into account by the very people who voted them into office in the first place.
There is hope if enough Americans will stand. The Declaration of Independence also says this: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government..." The time has come for us to take this to heart. Elections are coming this November. A strong statement must be sent to the powers-that-be of our disapproval. The people we elect to replace them must understand their mission: To return our federal government to its constitutionally designated priorities. It will not be easy. It wasn't easy for our nations Founders either. They fought a war to gain something more important than personal prosperity. Liberty. Today we are fighting a war to keep from losing the same thing.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
God Economics: The Broken Window Fallacy
In 1850 a Frenchman by the name of Frederic Bastiat published a work of economics titled: "That Which is Seen and That Which is Unseen." In it he tells a parable to demonstrate economic truth. Today it is called the Broken Window Fallacy.
The essence of the fallacy is this: A man owns a store or shop. His son accidently breaks a window and now it must be fixed. There are some well meaning friends who tell the owner this is a good thing, because it brings business to the window repairman. What would they do if there were no children? Bastiat says this is incorrect. In economic terms there is a net loss, not a gain. The reason is that something of value, the window- has been needlessly destroyed and capitol must be expended to replace it.
The fallacy is exposed when a simple question is asked. "What would the shop owner do with the money if he didn't have to pay for a new window?" He might have bought more stock for his store, shoes or a book. Then the money would have been invested in something of benefit rather than lost.
Taken to extremes this might imply that all the window repairment should hire people to throw rocks because it would produce loads of business for them. Instead it would mean crime and ultimate anarchy.
Believe it or not there are times when a large scale disaster, such as a hurricane is said to be beneficial to a community because it 'stimulates growth'. Money is spent upgrading homes, stores, infrastructure, etc. But, what would people, government agencies and insurance companies otherwise do with the money? It might be invested in all kinds of other worthwhile things.
Bastiat was a pretty smart guy, but it should be known that he was not the originator of this concept. He put into economic terms what was first proposed some eighteen hundred years earlier. The one who originated the idea was another smart guy, none other than the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans. In chapter 5 he is making a contrast between law, sin, faith and grace. He concludes with this: "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (20,21)
In chapter 6 he begins with an argument to head off those who might take advantage of this grace. He says: "What shall we say then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" Sin, in Paul's mind is the behavioral equivalent of the broken window. It causes needless damage and it sends the believer back into a cycle he has been delivered from. Nothing good is accomplished. It would be better to invest that grace in something profitable, like living a life worthy of the resurrected Christ. This is something which has eternal rewards. He is demonstrating the 'economics' of grace so the believer can understand and live accordingly.
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (6:4) What will YOU do with God's grace?
The essence of the fallacy is this: A man owns a store or shop. His son accidently breaks a window and now it must be fixed. There are some well meaning friends who tell the owner this is a good thing, because it brings business to the window repairman. What would they do if there were no children? Bastiat says this is incorrect. In economic terms there is a net loss, not a gain. The reason is that something of value, the window- has been needlessly destroyed and capitol must be expended to replace it.
The fallacy is exposed when a simple question is asked. "What would the shop owner do with the money if he didn't have to pay for a new window?" He might have bought more stock for his store, shoes or a book. Then the money would have been invested in something of benefit rather than lost.
Taken to extremes this might imply that all the window repairment should hire people to throw rocks because it would produce loads of business for them. Instead it would mean crime and ultimate anarchy.
Believe it or not there are times when a large scale disaster, such as a hurricane is said to be beneficial to a community because it 'stimulates growth'. Money is spent upgrading homes, stores, infrastructure, etc. But, what would people, government agencies and insurance companies otherwise do with the money? It might be invested in all kinds of other worthwhile things.
Bastiat was a pretty smart guy, but it should be known that he was not the originator of this concept. He put into economic terms what was first proposed some eighteen hundred years earlier. The one who originated the idea was another smart guy, none other than the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans. In chapter 5 he is making a contrast between law, sin, faith and grace. He concludes with this: "The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (20,21)
In chapter 6 he begins with an argument to head off those who might take advantage of this grace. He says: "What shall we say then? Should we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" Sin, in Paul's mind is the behavioral equivalent of the broken window. It causes needless damage and it sends the believer back into a cycle he has been delivered from. Nothing good is accomplished. It would be better to invest that grace in something profitable, like living a life worthy of the resurrected Christ. This is something which has eternal rewards. He is demonstrating the 'economics' of grace so the believer can understand and live accordingly.
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (6:4) What will YOU do with God's grace?
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Some Thoughts on Free Will and Predestination
In my last theological discussion the subject was Pharaoh. I attempted to answer this question: "Did God force Pharaoh to do the things he did?" The answer to that question was "no". At all times Pharaoh was able to choose. Today we will discuss some further thoughts on Free Will and Predestination.
A little groundwork is necessary:
We should know that man is a limited creature. Our knowledge is limited. Our time on this earth is limited. We are part of a finite universe. This does not mean we are completely helpless. On the contrary, God created us to work within the confines of this world. We are designed with intelligence to be able to understand nature and work within it. "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness and let them rule...." (Gen 1:26)
To say I am a completely free agent is incorrect. I cannot do just anything. For example: What if I go crazy one day. I grab my wallet, jump in my car and drive off to Las Vegas. There I drop all my money on the tables and wind up flat broke. I find out pretty quick I really can't do whatever I want. I can do until my credit and cash is used up and my car is out of gas. After that, I starve and I walk. My world is limited to what my own intelligence, energy and opportunity present.
Is it too much of a stretch to suggest I also have some limited choice when it comes to spiritual matters? More on this in a moment. Next we should consider that God limits Himself in His work on Earth. This does not mean that God is limited. He purposefully works this way in order to gain greater glory. God performed miracles in the past like the parting of the Red Sea. Jesus also carried out miracles during His ministry here. Yet today we do not see those same types of actions; even though God reserves the right to them at any time. God has chosen to primarily work through several means - The lives of believers, the Scriptures, and the Church.
I have a small problem with the Calvinistic teaching of Unconditional Election. That would be that God picks who He wants to be saved. I believe we do have some (perhaps very small) choice in the matter. For two reasons:
First: The language suggests so. When Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost his listeners were so convicted they did not wait for the invitation. They yelled at Peter and the others: "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's reply: "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...." We also know he continued to preach to them. The word Repent means to change your thinking. That requires an act of will. A decision has to be made. Later, in Acts 16 we have the Philippian Jailer kneeling at Paul's feet. "What must I do to be saved?", he cried. Paul's reply: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." Again, belief implies an act of will. All the language of the New Testament whether it be preaching, personal testimony, or written Epistle is presented as if the individual must make a decision concerning Christ.
Second: God gets greater glory. There is some criticism from Calvinist teaching that if we do have a choice somehow we are in collaboration with God for our salvation. This can become a point of pride. In effect we are agents of our own salvation. Let me ask a few leading questions: Who created the World? Who created us? Who created this wonderful Plan of Salvation? Who applied this Plan consistentenly throughout history? Who sent His Son to die on die on the cross? Who demonstrated His Power by resurrection from the dead? Who convicts us about the need for salvation? Who saves us? Who seals our souls forever?
Where in all this is any point of pride on my part? Nowhere. It is all because of Him. The thought question I would like to present is this: Does God achieve greater glory because He picked certain individuals for salvation? Or: If He so constructs His message that everyone must make a choice, in their own limited way, to accept Him?
A little groundwork is necessary:
We should know that man is a limited creature. Our knowledge is limited. Our time on this earth is limited. We are part of a finite universe. This does not mean we are completely helpless. On the contrary, God created us to work within the confines of this world. We are designed with intelligence to be able to understand nature and work within it. "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness and let them rule...." (Gen 1:26)
To say I am a completely free agent is incorrect. I cannot do just anything. For example: What if I go crazy one day. I grab my wallet, jump in my car and drive off to Las Vegas. There I drop all my money on the tables and wind up flat broke. I find out pretty quick I really can't do whatever I want. I can do until my credit and cash is used up and my car is out of gas. After that, I starve and I walk. My world is limited to what my own intelligence, energy and opportunity present.
Is it too much of a stretch to suggest I also have some limited choice when it comes to spiritual matters? More on this in a moment. Next we should consider that God limits Himself in His work on Earth. This does not mean that God is limited. He purposefully works this way in order to gain greater glory. God performed miracles in the past like the parting of the Red Sea. Jesus also carried out miracles during His ministry here. Yet today we do not see those same types of actions; even though God reserves the right to them at any time. God has chosen to primarily work through several means - The lives of believers, the Scriptures, and the Church.
I have a small problem with the Calvinistic teaching of Unconditional Election. That would be that God picks who He wants to be saved. I believe we do have some (perhaps very small) choice in the matter. For two reasons:
First: The language suggests so. When Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost his listeners were so convicted they did not wait for the invitation. They yelled at Peter and the others: "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's reply: "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...." We also know he continued to preach to them. The word Repent means to change your thinking. That requires an act of will. A decision has to be made. Later, in Acts 16 we have the Philippian Jailer kneeling at Paul's feet. "What must I do to be saved?", he cried. Paul's reply: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." Again, belief implies an act of will. All the language of the New Testament whether it be preaching, personal testimony, or written Epistle is presented as if the individual must make a decision concerning Christ.
Second: God gets greater glory. There is some criticism from Calvinist teaching that if we do have a choice somehow we are in collaboration with God for our salvation. This can become a point of pride. In effect we are agents of our own salvation. Let me ask a few leading questions: Who created the World? Who created us? Who created this wonderful Plan of Salvation? Who applied this Plan consistentenly throughout history? Who sent His Son to die on die on the cross? Who demonstrated His Power by resurrection from the dead? Who convicts us about the need for salvation? Who saves us? Who seals our souls forever?
Where in all this is any point of pride on my part? Nowhere. It is all because of Him. The thought question I would like to present is this: Does God achieve greater glory because He picked certain individuals for salvation? Or: If He so constructs His message that everyone must make a choice, in their own limited way, to accept Him?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Reflections on a Wedding
June 12, 2010
I woke up early that morning with a song playing in my head. The song is from a movie we had watched many times when the girls were young. "My Fair Lady" and the part was when her dad was singing "....get me to the church on time..." I knew today was going to be a good one, but I was still prepared to help with any emergencies that arose. Days like this always have a few anomalies. Not to worry. We would get to the church on time. In fact we would arrive almost 5 hours before the wedding for pictures. It was going to be a long day....
I first met her just a few minutes after she was born. Her delivery took place at the Medical College of Virginia, a teaching hospital. Some of the med students were invited in for the delivery, so she came into the breathing world among a crowd. Just after birth they all took her over to the corner accompanied by coos and baby talk while they felt her fingers and pulled her toes. I smiled at them. There's something amazing about a new baby! Moments later she was in my arms and I looked into her unblinking eyes for the first time.
"You are Elizabeth Michelle Hall", I said. She was mine. And yet she wasn't. I knew that down the road one day she would be on her own. At that time I didn't care. I could not take my eyes off her. At the wedding James' sister Becky would tell me he sort of had a crush on Michelle in the first grade. I told her I've had a crush on her since she was born. Tears came into my eyes when I said it, and I could hardly finish the sentence. Wow! Emotions are really near the surface on days like today. The smallest things can set them off. I determined to try and avoid those moments, if possible.
There were some minor emergencies. I had to make a quick trip back to the hotel because something was left there, returning in time to take a few pictures with Michelle and the rest of the wedding party....
We named her Elizabeth after my grandmother. But we intended from the start to call her by her middle name of Michelle. We found out later this can cause problems. Usually with banks, health and legal forms. The require her full name, so it gets a little mixed up sometimes. Sorry about that!
I had been given a master key and it came in handy that morning. Our coordinator, Barbara had locked the building after the wedding party changed to help secure their personal items. A great idea. Early in the day I headed over to the gym to set up the tables and chairs. My granddaughter Makenzie, age 5, wanted to help. No problem! I would un-stack the chairs and she would slide them into place. She even helped me with the tables. We make a great team.
I stayed busy and before long guests were arriving. I did not have to hide like others in the wedding party, so I was able to greet some family and friends. Soon I was asked to take my starting position. I had the greatest honor, to escort her down the aisle. At around that time another challenge presented itself. My grandson Elijah had fallen a few minutes before. He had a lump on his head and was in no mood to attend to his wedding duties. He was crying and clutching a couple of prized possessions; Lucky, his stuffed dog, a Pez dispenser and a sheet from his coloring book. We all tried to assuage his grief, but to no avail. Finally he agreed to walk down the aisle with his soon to be 2nd cousin. He got as far as his dad....
When the girls were young we had this bedtime ritual. I would read them a story and pray with them as I put them to bed. Usually they would try and get me to read more than I planned. I would often comply. It's just sleep! Every night Michelle would ask me to hold her hand while she fell asleep, which I did. There were times when I didn't feel like doing this, but I said nothing. I preferred to give those moments of comfort and miss whatever TV show I wanted to watch. I remember once, when she was a little older, it literally took about 10 seconds for her to fall into dreamland. I can still feel her little hand relaxing in mine as she drifted away.
The rest of the wedding party are now headed down the aisle, the doors to the sanctuary are shut and I'm alone with her while we wait for our cue. I had thought about what I would say -but the words escaped me. There was only the moment at hand. I reveled in the fact that I was near this beautiful lady in the white dress. In a few minutes she would no longer be mine. We chatted about little things, like TV shows, and I felt her hand at my bent elbow. A moment later the door opened and we continued talking as we walked down the aisle. Every eye was on us - no - her. I may as well have been invisible....
Her bedroom was small, so I decided to make her a loft bed. Then we could put some things under it and she would have more floor space. It took me a little while to come up with the design, but the end result was pretty good. When she went off to college I made a remark that I could now get rid of that old thing, but she quickly informed me, in no uncertain terms, that it was hers and one day her children would sleep on that bed. I was secretly pleased.
I blew my line. When Pastor Gray said, "Who gives this woman?" I was to say, "Her mother and I do." I barely got it out. Tears blurred my eyes. Those emotions again! I stepped back and joined her hand with James' hand. My part in the wedding was over. I do not remember anything of the ceremony. Not a single word - even though I paid close attention. All too soon Pastor Gray was, "Introducing for the first time, Mr and Mrs James Snyder!" The music began and we all stood as the newly formed couple exited....
She had always been a determined young lady. While this got her into a bit of trouble at times, I've admired her for it. One year we were on vacation at Nags Head and it rained. So we went into the town of Manteo to find things to do. A YMCA was there and it didn't cost very much for a pass to the facilities. In this case we were interested in the swimming pool. We played for a long time. Michelle had just learned to hold her breath and swim underwater. She would start at the side of the pool and swim to me. Each time I would step back a little to see if she could go further. The last time I was against the opposite wall. She swam the width of the pool underwater. When she came up she said, "That hurt, daddy," and I knew she had reached her limit. I held her and said soft, nice things to her while she recovered. A few minutes later she was ready to go again.
The reception was great. Our caterer had baked not one but three cakes, chocolate, strawberry and lemon. All were very tasty. Call me biased, but it was the best wedding cake I've ever had. (Except for her sister's wedding, of course. The same caterer did both of them.) I had dibs on the leftovers. I didn't eat as much as I could have, preferring to talk to guests and family. I had also been tasked with introducing the happy couple when they appeared. After some thought I came up with, "I would like to introduce to you my daughter, Elizabeth Michelle..." I paused and looked at her, "...Snyder and her brand new husband James Richard Snyder." I said this for my Aunt Faye. She lost her beloved Facie earlier this year. Read my earlier post titled, "Tribute: You Were one of a Kind." About a third of the way down you'll find out why.
After a while Michelle came over to me and expressed a desire to leave as soon as possible. However, there was a small glitch. James' travel clothes were still in the changing room. They needed to be in the car. I was off the make the correction. After the couple left, the party started to break up. The various professionals who needed payment were already taken care of and just a couple of details remained. These were duly attended to and I realized then how much my feet hurt from standing in rented shoes all day.
That evening I was in the hotel trying to put my thoughts in perspective. The best I could come up with I wrote on my Facebook page: "Two great lights came together today. Now an even greater one shines." May it ever be so.
I woke up early that morning with a song playing in my head. The song is from a movie we had watched many times when the girls were young. "My Fair Lady" and the part was when her dad was singing "....get me to the church on time..." I knew today was going to be a good one, but I was still prepared to help with any emergencies that arose. Days like this always have a few anomalies. Not to worry. We would get to the church on time. In fact we would arrive almost 5 hours before the wedding for pictures. It was going to be a long day....
I first met her just a few minutes after she was born. Her delivery took place at the Medical College of Virginia, a teaching hospital. Some of the med students were invited in for the delivery, so she came into the breathing world among a crowd. Just after birth they all took her over to the corner accompanied by coos and baby talk while they felt her fingers and pulled her toes. I smiled at them. There's something amazing about a new baby! Moments later she was in my arms and I looked into her unblinking eyes for the first time.
"You are Elizabeth Michelle Hall", I said. She was mine. And yet she wasn't. I knew that down the road one day she would be on her own. At that time I didn't care. I could not take my eyes off her. At the wedding James' sister Becky would tell me he sort of had a crush on Michelle in the first grade. I told her I've had a crush on her since she was born. Tears came into my eyes when I said it, and I could hardly finish the sentence. Wow! Emotions are really near the surface on days like today. The smallest things can set them off. I determined to try and avoid those moments, if possible.
There were some minor emergencies. I had to make a quick trip back to the hotel because something was left there, returning in time to take a few pictures with Michelle and the rest of the wedding party....
We named her Elizabeth after my grandmother. But we intended from the start to call her by her middle name of Michelle. We found out later this can cause problems. Usually with banks, health and legal forms. The require her full name, so it gets a little mixed up sometimes. Sorry about that!
I had been given a master key and it came in handy that morning. Our coordinator, Barbara had locked the building after the wedding party changed to help secure their personal items. A great idea. Early in the day I headed over to the gym to set up the tables and chairs. My granddaughter Makenzie, age 5, wanted to help. No problem! I would un-stack the chairs and she would slide them into place. She even helped me with the tables. We make a great team.
I stayed busy and before long guests were arriving. I did not have to hide like others in the wedding party, so I was able to greet some family and friends. Soon I was asked to take my starting position. I had the greatest honor, to escort her down the aisle. At around that time another challenge presented itself. My grandson Elijah had fallen a few minutes before. He had a lump on his head and was in no mood to attend to his wedding duties. He was crying and clutching a couple of prized possessions; Lucky, his stuffed dog, a Pez dispenser and a sheet from his coloring book. We all tried to assuage his grief, but to no avail. Finally he agreed to walk down the aisle with his soon to be 2nd cousin. He got as far as his dad....
When the girls were young we had this bedtime ritual. I would read them a story and pray with them as I put them to bed. Usually they would try and get me to read more than I planned. I would often comply. It's just sleep! Every night Michelle would ask me to hold her hand while she fell asleep, which I did. There were times when I didn't feel like doing this, but I said nothing. I preferred to give those moments of comfort and miss whatever TV show I wanted to watch. I remember once, when she was a little older, it literally took about 10 seconds for her to fall into dreamland. I can still feel her little hand relaxing in mine as she drifted away.
The rest of the wedding party are now headed down the aisle, the doors to the sanctuary are shut and I'm alone with her while we wait for our cue. I had thought about what I would say -but the words escaped me. There was only the moment at hand. I reveled in the fact that I was near this beautiful lady in the white dress. In a few minutes she would no longer be mine. We chatted about little things, like TV shows, and I felt her hand at my bent elbow. A moment later the door opened and we continued talking as we walked down the aisle. Every eye was on us - no - her. I may as well have been invisible....
Her bedroom was small, so I decided to make her a loft bed. Then we could put some things under it and she would have more floor space. It took me a little while to come up with the design, but the end result was pretty good. When she went off to college I made a remark that I could now get rid of that old thing, but she quickly informed me, in no uncertain terms, that it was hers and one day her children would sleep on that bed. I was secretly pleased.
I blew my line. When Pastor Gray said, "Who gives this woman?" I was to say, "Her mother and I do." I barely got it out. Tears blurred my eyes. Those emotions again! I stepped back and joined her hand with James' hand. My part in the wedding was over. I do not remember anything of the ceremony. Not a single word - even though I paid close attention. All too soon Pastor Gray was, "Introducing for the first time, Mr and Mrs James Snyder!" The music began and we all stood as the newly formed couple exited....
She had always been a determined young lady. While this got her into a bit of trouble at times, I've admired her for it. One year we were on vacation at Nags Head and it rained. So we went into the town of Manteo to find things to do. A YMCA was there and it didn't cost very much for a pass to the facilities. In this case we were interested in the swimming pool. We played for a long time. Michelle had just learned to hold her breath and swim underwater. She would start at the side of the pool and swim to me. Each time I would step back a little to see if she could go further. The last time I was against the opposite wall. She swam the width of the pool underwater. When she came up she said, "That hurt, daddy," and I knew she had reached her limit. I held her and said soft, nice things to her while she recovered. A few minutes later she was ready to go again.
The reception was great. Our caterer had baked not one but three cakes, chocolate, strawberry and lemon. All were very tasty. Call me biased, but it was the best wedding cake I've ever had. (Except for her sister's wedding, of course. The same caterer did both of them.) I had dibs on the leftovers. I didn't eat as much as I could have, preferring to talk to guests and family. I had also been tasked with introducing the happy couple when they appeared. After some thought I came up with, "I would like to introduce to you my daughter, Elizabeth Michelle..." I paused and looked at her, "...Snyder and her brand new husband James Richard Snyder." I said this for my Aunt Faye. She lost her beloved Facie earlier this year. Read my earlier post titled, "Tribute: You Were one of a Kind." About a third of the way down you'll find out why.
After a while Michelle came over to me and expressed a desire to leave as soon as possible. However, there was a small glitch. James' travel clothes were still in the changing room. They needed to be in the car. I was off the make the correction. After the couple left, the party started to break up. The various professionals who needed payment were already taken care of and just a couple of details remained. These were duly attended to and I realized then how much my feet hurt from standing in rented shoes all day.
That evening I was in the hotel trying to put my thoughts in perspective. The best I could come up with I wrote on my Facebook page: "Two great lights came together today. Now an even greater one shines." May it ever be so.
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