"Judeo-Christian Truth/Reality Revisited" CT2

Returning to the subject of the previous blog, consider again the external versus internal origins of truth.

Far longer than Modernism and Post-Modernism, there has existed the belief in Judeo-Christian truth.  In fact should all people of all times be polled, the great majority would be classed in the Judeo-Christian camp.

It is Judeo-Christian truth that requires no particular level of intelligence or education for understanding.  The fact is that it comes of transcendent revelation, that is revelation that contains two elements.  First, its origin is from the exterior of the universe as we know it--it finds its origins in the Divine.  Second, it is revealed to the believer on his level--that is to a child it is revealed upon the child level, to the academic on the academic level, to the simple on a simple level, and the list goes on and on.

Thus the mystery and the miracle of Divine revelation is that such revelation is made available to all people of all times on their level.  Take for example the simple statement "God is love."  From the earliest days of a child's  understanding, through the developing years, the productive years, the retirement years, all the way through to last days of one's life, that statement can be understood, the only difference is in the depth of understanding.  So it is with other elements of Judeo-Christian faith.

Too basic Judeo-Christian belief is universal in that it applies to all.  It is objective in that it does not depend upon circumstance.  It simply exists without regard to time, culture, and the individual.  It is as eternal as the God whose character and nature it reflects.  While nuances of application may vary over time, according to culture, and in the individual, the basic elements of its existence does not!  Thus love is always love, murder is always murder, deceit is always deceit, etc.

The best way to describe such truth/reality is that it is not so much a belief in God as it is a belief with God.  In other words, it is completely compatible and consistent with the nature and character of the Divine, the God who is!

More to follow as later we consider Modernism and Post Modernism and their outcomes.

"The Foundation of Reality/Truth"

Reality and thus truth is found in one of two places.  It is either external to the individual and culture or it is internal to the individual and culture.

When truth is external it then becomes an ethical truth or a truth that is not dependent upon the individual or the social situation in which the individual finds himself.  On the other hand when truth is thought to be internal to and thus dependent upon the individual or the social situation it is a more or moral truth.

One is as fragile as the individual while the other has the durability that comes because of its demonstrated veracity over time and culture.  One is subjective and open to one's own interpretation, thus is the basis for conflict and even hostility.  The objective truth may provide for discussion in its nuances but overall tends to unite as it is not dependent upon the whims of the individual.

The outcome of subjective truth is that it is more a reflection than anything else.  It is a reflection of the mores of the culture, the moral opinion of the individual, or some combination of the two.  It results in such things as, moral truth which reflect culture; exclusive private truth, truth that belongs to a subset of the culture but not to the whole; or self truth, that which has a very egocentric focus.

All of these are fraught with problems.  For example the truth that is a reflection of the culture is a moving truth and thus the security of knowing what is right and correct is not afforded to the one who embraces such.  Exclusive and private truth can result in the notion that because of that special truth one can behave on a different level.  Then the one with self truth has a truth that is a reflection of his morality and that morality is often no higher than his personal desires.  This is the one who give himself permission to behave as he  chooses even if it is at the expense of another.

So, what then is one's choice in this matter of reality/truth?  One choice is to build on the internal which as it turns out is ever changing--ever shifting, as the tides of personal desire and opinion ebb and flow.  The other choice is to build on that which is external to the individual and the culture, that which as noted has stood the test of time and circumstance.

As upsetting as the circumstances detailed above might be, those referenced can at the very least, agree that though different and conflicted there is some form of truth.  However, there is a greater concern that should disturb all no matter one's internal/external truth position.  It is titled the Post Modern Movement which reject all of the above!

Why should this be of concern?  The concern is that without some sense of truth, there is not sense of right and wrong--the basis of conscience.  Without conscience, there is no restraint.  Without restrain there is relational and cultural danger.

As actions grow out of the notion of no restraint, there comes the idea that anything which possession organization (organization requires some form of restraint and thus truth standard), is not just expendable but a threat to be dealt with.  In the extreme of the Post Modern cause there is the Anarchist Movement.

Again without universal truth there no restraint.  Without restraint there is a rapid decline--a downward spiral into chaos.

"Collaboration"

Collaboration can accomplish much while our tendencies for competition and conflict will often bring defeat, disconnect, and distancing. As you might notice the word carries the notion of "co" (two or more in relationship) and labor (extending effort toward a desired outcome).  When you think about it, two in a collaborative effort can accomplish much, much more than two who are divided from one another.

It is a great strategy for sorting out misunderstanding and difference--for understanding and connecting with others.  Much can be accomplished with "Got a minute to visit?" or "Help me understand..." or "I have a problem and I think you have the answer."  The alternative is the typical confrontational "you" message which because it is often the result of increased emotions, is fraught with the potential for spawning greater misunderstanding and disconnect.

Of recent date there lived nearby a man who struggled with his sense of self worth.  The outcome was that when there was a neighborhood issue that involved him, he resorted to confrontation and conflict as opposed to collaboration.  His sensitivities were such that even to befriend one with whom he had conflict brought about his rejection and that at times was overt.   Thus, he had offended all in the neighborhood except for one person.  It was that neighbor who enlisted the man's help in a particularly difficult situation.  The approach was collaborative and led to a reasonable relationship.  The wisdom of the one neighbor to seek collaboration carried the day when all else was perceived as personal attack and thus failed.  That one neighbor was a lifeline for the man who rejected all others and in turn was rejected by them.

Collaboration does require wisdom and effort but has advantages without number.

Collaboration can enlist another in a cause greater than each could accomplish on his own.
Collaboration can clear up misunderstanding.
Collaboration can resolve small issues before they become major conflicts.
Collaboration can create understanding where none existed.
Collaboration can adjust one's false assumptions.
Collaboration can make friendships out of conflicted relationships.
Collaboration can cement relationships.

Confrontation on the other hand has the opposite effect and it does not travel alone but brings with it defensiveness, distancing, defeat, and even a "win at any cost" attitude.

“Open Confession is Good for the Soul”

Confess is from a Latin word for "together."  It simply means, “com” or together and “fateri” to speak.  In common usage it has come to mean admission to another as in "confess to a priest." 

The commonly misquoted Scottish proverb says in its original form, “Open confession is good for the soul.”  We might say, “Openly exposing your heart is good for the spirit.”  Some would argue, God already knows all things why should this be so.  Simply, it is not for the Creator's benefit but for the benefit of the created.

On another level and without a doubt, a return to an attitude of confession would bring health to our oft troubled souls. Therefore the following is offered for edification, and the spiritual enlightenment made available to the soul that seeks connection with its Creator.  The following will have greater meaning if verbalized, even if no one (e.g. a priest) is present to hear our confessions—the eternal God does.

I confess that I am not all that I should be—may I know wholeness in You

I confess my own pridefulness—may I know humility in You

I confess my own ungratefulness—may I know gratitude in You

I confess my own selfishness—may I know love in You

I confess my own insensitivity—may I know kindness in You

I confess my own malice—may I know goodness in You

I confess my own distrustfulness—may I know faithfulness in You

I confess my own coarseness—may I know gentleness in You

I confess my own self gratification—may I know self-control in You

I confess my own chaotic life—may I know peace in You

I confess my own impertinence—may I know reverence in You

I confess my own insecurity—may I know sanctuary in You

I confess my own fretting—may I know trust in You

I confess that I have pursued the temporary—may I seek the Eternal

I confess that I am a sinner and that I have sinned—may I know and experience Your forgiveness

Now once knowing and confessing these things may I live them out, not as an act of my will but as an expression of Your purpose.

  May I selflessly live them out in my relationship with You, my Creator.

  May I selflessly live them out, not just with those who are comfortable and affirming but with all who You steer into the pathways of my life.

  May I selflessly live them out in my relationship with myself.

“Looking In All The Wrong Places”

The question in the subject line of the email caught my eye, “Looking for answers, hope, and encouragement?”  A moment before I had been reading an observation that the medical model of illness and the legal model of sin were inadequate to respond to man’s needs. 

Despite all of man’s accomplishments, still the questions are vastly greater in number than the answers, hopeless often out-darkens hope, and courage has been dissected out of encouragement.  The specifics might change but the difficulties remain.  It is as another (H.G Wells) noted, man is played out.  A prudent look at man and mankind will suggest that there is an end, a limit, a point of the exhaustion of man and mankind’s time, talent, and treasure. Such is the plight of one who lives in a closed system!

However, there is another view that though discredited by many has withstood time and thus demonstrates its veracity.  Unlike much science, sociology, psychology, religion, anthropology, etc., it has time after time demonstrated its authenticity. 

It is this.  Man and mankind do not live in a closed system but a system in which, as one termed it there is a Divine gas station attendant who is always at work putting energy into the system!  Now ask, who or what is it that answers the unanswerable questions of science?

Curious isn’t it when the non-religious skeptic is asked those questions his answer often introduces time into the question.  When true science stressed the unsustainability of evolutionary theory, time was introduced.  When man, possessed of the notion of a closed system, does not have an answer he add the time element—given enough time man will find and provide the answers.

Now for the simple question.  Would it not be easier to leave God in the picture rather than doing the secular dance around all that points to His existence and involvement in the affairs of man and the affairs of life in general? 

Indeed when I open the system to an all powerful, all knowing, all loving, ever present God I open the possibilities for answers in the confusion of life.  Hope in the darkness is now possible.  The courage of encouragement may be mine when all that is around me is failing. 

When I accept that God is trustworthy then life becomes a matter of building my belief upon and my confidence in His care—even when such is beyond my capacity to understand and explain.  Such is completely possible in the midst of a very confusing world but only as I completely abandon myself to Him.  It is then that I find that which we all desire in the deeper place, peace, contentment, and fulfillment.

"Personal Permission"

"We judge others by their behaviors
We judge ourselves by our intentions"

--Ian Percy

"Life's True Meaning"

How can we know genuine peace and deep fulfillment in life except that we come to the place of finding true meaning for our lives?

There are two ways in which to view that which has meaning.  First would be those thing in which everyone is to find meaning.  Included would be some form of “otherness.”  Service to others would fit into this category.  The living out of Godly character qualities and the Fruit of the Spirit in relationship with others is also in this category.

Then second, there are those things which give meaning to each of us individually.  These are those things which are related to how God designed each of us to be uniquely individual.  Perhaps it is a skill or an ability that is not generally provided to or practiced by other Christians.  We might place spiritual gifts in this area. 

Both of these categories have things in common.  For example, these things are lived out in relationship with others.

As well, it is only as we come to the place where we live out these things that we find fulfilling rest for our souls—the deeper places of our lives.  It is without the living out of these things in right and correct relationship with others, that we find ourselves running to and fro looking for fulfillment and happiness in all of the wrong places.  Such fulfillment cannot be so for without these things we will never find that deep inner peace—the peace that passes all understanding that will keep one’s heart and one’s mind in the most trying of circumstances.

Consider too that genuine meaning will transcend the grave.  Indeed the living out of God ordained meaning will bring blessings in this life but also greater blessing and greater responsibility in the next life.

Yes, we can know true meaning, genuine peace, and deep fulfillment in life but it comes only as we find these things in the God who created us and the Christ who died for us.

God: “Believing is Seeing”

“Prove to me that God exists!”  The cynic calls out to the person of faith.  “Just show me, prove to me without a doubt, that God exists!”

Such is quite impossible for within the prudent there exists on some level a modicum of doubt. Those qualms, be they great or small are where two very dynamic elements have opportunity to function—active decision and vibrant faith.

The simple point is that there is ample evidence in the balance and order of God’s Creation, there is ample evidence in the miracle of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, and there is ample evidence in the heart of man to choose to believe.  However such evidence requires decision as to acceptance and yes, vibrant and living faith. 

While modern anthropology has been futile in attempting to explain away man as being little more than an animal in the evolutionary process, while modern theology is dismal in their attempts at explaining away the miracle of the transmission of Scripture, there yet remain other evidences for God’s existence—evidences that the prudently honest of thought cannot lightly dismiss!  These are evidences that the critics of God’s existence and the veracity of the Bible cannot explain!

One such evidence is found in the notion of “otherness.”  The “otherness” that counters the very survival of the a man and mankind.  When God knits one’s DNA together, He places somewhere within that genome a bent toward otherness.  For those who question this notion, please consider that “otherness” is seen in that which does or does not fulfill a man. 

The person who heroically in crisis gives his life for another might be explained away as taking an impetuous action.  But how about the one who day in and day out has a sense of service, who selflessly pours out his life for, and pours his life into another or others.  He is the one who will pass from this life with a sense of completeness, accomplishment, and fulfillment.  His only frustration at death is that he could not have done, given, or contributed more.  Even those of no faith have an inner sense of fulfillment and worth as their lives counted for something more than themselves, as they gave to others who will give to others and so on, even to the generations yet to be born. 

Consider the opposite, the person who does not spend his life in these pursuits but selfishly seeks to find fulfillment in material gain, social status, and as a possessor of greater and greater power.  These are those whose desires are all in the temporary and thus insatiable!  These are those who most often will die angry and frustrated at the unfairness of death.  Why?  Because his life is unfulfilled and consisted only of what he might selfishly keep and who or what he might control and not what he might give into the lives of others.

God?  There is in addition to that “otherness” a sense of being a part of something greater than one’s self.  It is the sense of being a part of some sort of a “god concept.”  It ranges from living for a greater than yourself ideology to being in relationship with and a part of the plans of the true and living God, Jesus Christ!

Were this not so, why would so many cultures and people have created some variant of god or of some dynamic that transcends life?  Why would there be that fatalism that touts the notion of the will of the gods?  False as they may be, they point to the fact that there is a God consciousness in the very deepest places of man and mankind.

Another evidence to be considered is found in the matter of “choice.”  Is it possible to prove without a doubt that there is God?  Of course not because to do so would remove or seriously compromise the element of making a choice to believe—it would remove the necessity of choice—of choosing to believe in God.  Or of choosing to not believe in God.  Make no mistake to apathetically not choose is still to make a choice!

Attendant to that choice is this.  To remove the choice is to remove the necessity of faith—of taking that leap of faith into the unknown, yet it is only unknown to those who make the choice to not see the many hints without and within.  Hints found in creation, in Scripture, in otherness, in the need of being involved in something greater than oneself, in the vast number of cultures with a notion of God, of paying attention to that inner sense of there being God, and so much more. 

Yet there remains one other necessity and it is found in what has been oft quotes in various forms.  It is this, “Some things have to be seen to be believed but other things need to be believed to be seen.”

“Cultural and Personal Chaos”

The lesson of the Frog And The Kettle is that imperceptible change into danger can take place and in doing so exert its influence until it is too late to escape the consequence.  Such is the case in Western culture.  Living as we do in the midst of change, a change which is sold as “progress,” most are not aware of the influence upon the individual.  Since most have no historical standard by which to judge past cultural influence and thus establish a baseline, the changes of a culture degenerating toward chaos is unobserved.

It is not culture alone for any and every system known to man is in this downward spiral into chaos.  People in general as well as the social systems that they comprise move imperceptibly toward chaos, moral and otherwise.  Why do we not see this to be so?  Reference the Frog In The Kettle and the imperceptible changes taking place around him along with our lack of historical connection and it is not hard to see why people are unaware.

People collectively and individually do not recognize the influence of cultural mores which surround them and thus influence them in the day to day of life.  The whole notion of relative truth, no universal societal standards, and other elements of a “secular society” exert pressure upon all and either the individual conforms or tempts the possibility of sanction.  Such sanction can be either quiet and subtle, direct and overt, or somewhere in between. 

Then there are those who are trapped by what they do not recognize and in their blind  ignorance go merrily about the day to day of life.  In either case conformity, proactively or tacitly, is to place one on the slippery slope of cultural and of personal chaos.  As one regresses down this path; national, cultural, and personal resolve are lost.  As well, one struggles in his efforts to find his true identity, a sense of competence, security, confidence, and well being. If there is any nagging sensitivity to such being the case it is most often dismissed as the irrelevant influence of bygone and outdated ethical influences.  Eventually such nagging sensitivity though there, is unfelt as if gone.

Who is the one who would tempt sanction?  There are two categories to be considered today.  One such person would be the one obsessed with the notion that he possesses unique “special truth.” Such special truth is held to be superior to all other “truth.”  Such an one assumes that their special “truth” entitles them to “special behavior” and thus they think and behave outside cultural mores and even outside of universal ethical standards. 

This mindset can be found in religion but is not confined there.  The same mindset can be found in certain elements of the political discourse.  Of course such thinking and behavior very often justifies deceit and the disenfranchising of others and thus contributes to the slide toward cultural chaos.

Another one who would tempt sanction is the one who believes and lives by universal objective ethical standards.  Such an one, though not perfect, does seek to live in harmony with God’s truth as revealed in the Scriptures.  This is the one who most often exceeds the standards set forth by relative truth and thus is not just uncomfortable but an anathema to those whose morality does not rise above their own proclivities and physical desires—those descending into chaos, national, cultural, and personal. 

This last person and gatherings of same are the exception to the great slide downward.  In fact instead of degenerating into chaos, these are those who though not perfect enjoy the benefits of regeneration.  They indeed are those who makeup sub-cultures and cultures that also are the exception to the downward spiral.  Such is only possible when faith is interjected into the system be it national, cultural, or personal.

"The Clutter of Importance"

My calendar is full of important things I have planned..."I might be able to fit you in next week.  Maybe"
My "do list" is filled with things to fit in where there is an opening.  "Could I put you on my do list and call you?"
My list of things I'd like to do and books to read is ever longer...well actually I gave up keeping it.
My time for others is ever shrinking...or maybe it is gone..."Who did you say you were?"
My time for me must assume some priority because...well, just because...You know, you have to love yourself!
My finances are budgeted to the penny...invest, financial freedom, financial security.  "No, I cannot spare a dime. Who are you to ask me?"
My mind is full of things to think about and figure out..."Oh, what did I decide about what?  Hmm, I don't remember."
My ears are full of  sounds...oh yes, and voices--mine and others.  "Who was that and what is it they said?"
My eye are singularly  focused upon...looking but never seeing, "Well it must not have been important whatever it was."
My life's purpose...be the very best, lead the pack, win, get ahead, promote...at any cost promote, get to the top of the heap.

My contemplation and pondering...my musing...  Time for insights and to regroup.  "Who has time for that in a day like mine?"

Then I wonder why can't I be creative, friendly, patient, caring, giving, serving, and so much more?  Then I wonder, why I do not feel important or effective?

Could it be as one person termed it, "The barrenness of busyness?"  Could it be that if we uncluttered our lives, divested ourselves of ourselves, put into perspective those things that deceive us into feeling important, that we would indeed find the genuine.  Could it be that we would find the things that at the end of the day and at the end of life's day leave us fulfilled?

“How tentative life can be!”

A young man not out of his teens, full of life, gregarious, possessed of a servant’s heart dies in an automobile accident.  How tentative life can be!

An elderly woman, full of years wanted to slip from this life into the next.  She was granted her wish to join Jesus and her husband in eternity.  How tentative life can be!

A young wife receives the word, you and your husband are going to be parents.  A short while before birth the baby dies.  How tentative life can be!

Two young marines are told, hold your position.  A bomb laden truck attempts to pass.  They open fire and the truck explodes both of them die.  How tentative life can be!

The doctor clears his throat and in a non-too-steady voice tells the older women, “It is pancreatic cancer.”  Within a month she is dead.  How tentative life can be!

A young military family welcomes a newborn baby girl into the world.  They awake one morning and the baby is cold and lifeless.  How tentative life can be!

A wife and mother is visiting her relatives in another state.  Her car leaves the road at a high rate of speed and she does not survive.  How tentative life can be!

A very popular young man goes about his duties at work.  Someone who does not even know him attacks him and he dies instantly.  How tentative life can be!

A young husband and father, works a job and also in his family business.  He is found dead of natural causes at a stop light.  How tentative life can be!

From the baby waiting to be born through the years of life until one is old and full of years, life is tentative.  Why then do we treat it and all it contains as permanent?  Would we not be better served to live like today is the last day of our life on this earth?  Each of the people mentioned and all others who joined them in death had a last day on this earth.  We too will have a last day in this life.  Could it be today?  IT MIGHT JUST BE SO!

How Big and Involved is God?

Do we not live in a world that suggests to us that if God exists at all He is uninvolved and limited or uncaring and distant?  A world that suggest we must be self sufficient because God will not or cannot be involved in our lives.  We might ask ourselves, do we live according to that message?  Sometimes it seems that we have such limited confidence in God that we live as if He created and left—carrying on in such a way that suggests God is but He cannot or will not involve Himself in the lives of His followers. 

Yet, most people talk of God as if He is ever present, all knowing, and all powerful.  Certainly for them and even for those of faith, there is a disconnect between knowing and doing.  How can we overcome such disconnects as we might uncover in our own lives? 

It is here that a faith is needed—faith in an able God—a big, big God.  It is a faith that leads to action, the living out of what is known about God.  Indeed faith without action is a dead faith! The reality of western Christianity is that it has become a matter of personality and/or program.   However, today in other places in our world, it is not so.  Christianity is vibrant because it is not easy to live it out and a relationship with a Big God is absolutely essential!

Such Christianity is simple to explain but a little more difficult in practice.  It comes as one: 1. learns what the Bible has to say, 2. joins in genuine fellowship with other Christians, 3. prays about the lessons learned, and then 4. lives out those lessons in the day to day of life.  Indeed that is the practice of Christianity.  There is one more point necessary and that is to understand that such Christian practice runs counter to our culture and is not unopposed and as such it can often require a big and capable God who is involved!

"Examining Presuppositions"

What do you believe to be genuinely true? It is all in the content and process of our minds and the presuppositions upon which that content and those processes rest!

What you believe to be true is the foundation upon which you build your belief system. It is those presuppositions or assumptions that require our close scrutiny. If they are wrong then in all likelihood that which flows from them is wrong. Arguments and ideas are only as strong as that upon which they are founded. This is a very real danger in this information age.

An example is that of evolutionary theory. What does one have to suppose to be true for one to believe in evolution? In order to believe some thing or another one must discount the opposite side of the question.

First, one has to discount several things among them the order of the universe and all that it contains (design theory), discount the notion that left alone all systems devolve into chaos (physics), discount among over 50,000 fossils there is not one legitimate example of a transitional animal, and discount the acceptance of Biblical creationism which has been around much longer than evolutionary theory, etc. Keep firmly in mind that what one presupposes to not be true is germane to what one believes to be true!

Second, one has to accept that evolution is supported by genuine science (science without presuppositional bias), accept that evolutionary development is the one exception to all systems devolving into chaos, accept that there is nothing in higher order animals that does not contribute to its evolutionary development (what about the appendix, what about emotional attachment to another person which mitigates against survival of the fittest), and much more. Again these assumptions are germane to what one believes and builds upon.

Of course when the evolutionist encountered some of these issues he had to make a choice. Among his options were to admit to the improbability of the theory and abandon it or introduce another factor. Most made the choice of adding the factor of time (either long-term time or crisis event time). Now that those have fallen into question what will they try to add next?

Well, they probably need not bother since the deception has been so ingrained in western thinking (even in the church) that it is viewed now as a law not a theory. Oh how blind the eyes that will not see--will not look past the theory to the presuppositions necessary for it to be true. It joins other theories now viewed as fact--atheism, man caused global warming, green house effect, global crowding, natural resource depletion, ozone depletion, noble savage, and the list goes on and on.

In the face of all of this and because we, even in the church, are illiterate in the Scriptures and not logical in our thinking, these and other "theories" have taken root and are even now growing. Just another case when those who are to be carriers of God's truth are influenced by the culture rather than influencing the culture!

"Ethics vs. Morals"

ETHICS VS. MORALS: R.C. Sproul, who may be heard on a local radio station, in a series of messages discussed the different between morals and ethics. He points out that “moral” comes from the word “mores” which is the cultural or sub-cultural standard of right and wrong. The word “ethic” on the other hand is a more transcendent word, not influenced by the culture or the subculture. His concern is that we have blurred the distinction between the two.

For example, in Roman culture it was morally acceptable to abort babies, and to put children born with birth defects along females babies out in the weather to die of exposure. However, Christians governed by ethics would go out and pick up those children and care for them and raise them. One culture lived by morals, the other by ethics.

Leaving religion out of the argument for a moment, notice that the Roman Empire declined and eventually disappeared. Notice as well that the Kingdom of Heaven, populated by people of higher ethical standards and attendant behaviors lives on.

One set of people were governed by the morals of those around them. Others were governed by the ethical standards of the eternal Word of God and the eternal God of the Word. This brings about two questions that we do well to prayerfully consider.

1. “Am I living by God’s ethics or the cultural/sub-cultural morals around me?”

2. “Are the people from whom I take my thought, attitude, position, and behavior cues, living according to God’s ethics or the cultural/sub-cultural’s ideas of morality?”

When criticized as being outdated and irrelavent take heart brothers and sisters. The individuals, peoples, organizations, churchs, institutions, and yes, countries (e.g. the USSR) that are morally relevant, if they are not in decline soon will be. However, those who live by the Word of God and the God of the Word—those of Christian ethic will live on.