Government: Once Taken, Control is Never Given Back
Proverbs 28:2, “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers.”
This week’s Idea #9 is crucial to the sustenance of a free people.
SO WHAT? Getting attention, interest, “buy in”
“Government’s Role in a Free Nation” (here) is captured in our two-minute Truth in Two.
Alexsandr Solzhenitsyn’s experience is explained in another Truth in Two (here).
Further, Solzhenitsyn spoke about the problem that ran through every human heart (2 minutes).
WHO CARES? Relation to student, potential applications
My ten-part review of Live Not By Lies (here is a link to the first chapter) is available at MarkEckel.com. Each chapter review warns of the power of government against its own people. A warning for the United States and all free nations.
The review of Mr. Jones displays exactly what happens when dictators subjugate a people and the journalists who are supposed to cover the story, silence their pens.
Words matter to dictators. See video #12 in “Old Testament Overview” about “Prophets.”
For example, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the famed author of The Gulag Archipelago ended his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in literature by quoting the Russian proverb tyrannical types hate: “One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world.” [Quoted in Edward E. Ericson, Jr. & Alexis Klimoff. 2008. The Soul and Barbed Wire: An Introduction to Solzhenitsyn. (ISI Books): 189.]
Why do leaders support the work of dictators abroad while loathing their own country and its principles? Read an excerpt from “Adversary Culture.” [Link to the article embedded.]
WHY SHOULD I? Reasons for investing time, thought
Over one hundred million (100,000,000) people died in the 20th century at the hands of megalomaniac dictators. Many of these tyrants began their belief and practice based on atheism. To understand the 20th century, one must begin with naturalism, materialism, and yes, atheism. YouTube abounds with testimonies about the horrors, those who hid others from discovery by jackbooted thugs, and those who in Providence were spared in the midst of bloodshed. Pick a dictator: Mao Zedong, Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Castro, they are all cut from the same cloth.
It is important for students to know history, especially this history. Why is it important to defend one’s beliefs, essential documents, country, or ideals? Why have people died in defense of freedom? To what lengths would we now go to stand athwart oppressors? These are questions that haunt me for my children and grandchildren; I hope they do for yours as well. You can find so many references to my concerns about totalitarianism (in every stripe) throughout MarkEckel.com. Use the search line for articles. Here I mention some of my videos that address the subject.
Cultural Mindset of First Testament Teaching (video) where I discuss ancient Near Eastern history and its connection to tyranny.
Prophets in First Testament teaching (video). Here I discuss that what Scripture writers wrote about has not changed in our world today. I mention some similar and expanded ideas in the minor prophet series on “prophecy” (video).
“Belief leads to consequence” is an approach to teaching in the first episode of Choice is Consequence (video) where I mention that the results of any worldview (totalitarian or otherwise) is an important marker.
HOW DO I? Ways to be involved
Standing against tyranny is a human struggle since Genesis 4. What has happened in Hong Kong over the last two years where the Communist Chinese Party in mainland China has coopted the democratic government and imprisoned or disappeared dissidents, is spoken about in my fifth overview of Rod Dreher’s book (here).
See my video on “control” (here) where I quote Toni Morrison and the care for language. Teach students at least that: words matter.
I believe the moral soul of a nation begins with its people (video here). Another lesson to teach.
I discuss the importance of music (article here) emphasizing that the songs people listen to matter. There is a reason why tyrants try to control music.
And an address I gave at Moody in 2004 when I taught there on persecution (article here) can be paired with my review of Dreher’s 9th chapter (here).
How should I be involved? Stand up! Speak up! Sign up to support those who endure tyranny.
WHO SAYS? Authority, standard, influence
The Creator designed creation to operate in a certain manner (Ps 74.16-17; Jer 33:2, 25). Rule is given to a local person or universal law which oversees planning, development, or activity in earthly relationships (Gen 1-2). Authorities are intended to serve, lifting others up (Phil 2:1-11). The source of discord in authority relationships is sin. Genesis 3:16 cites abused authority (“and he shall rule over you”, indicating domination) and refused authority (“and your desire will be for your husband”, meaning the woman will attempt to usurp or control, Gen 4.7). The original intent of creation was equality, partnership and interdependence (Gen 1:26-29; 2:15-25). God’s creation order gives responsibility to given authorities to place the interests of others above their own (1 Cor 11; Eph 5, 6; 1 Tim 2). The reclamation of authority relationships is possible (2 Cor 5:17-21).
- “And God said” is the origin of all authority (Gen 1:3, 5, etc.)
- In the Old Testament, “hand” meant authority. All things are from God’s hand (1 Chr 29.16), not human hands (Deut 8.17), and God’s hand/authority is uncompromised. All authority comes from God (Dan 7.13, 14; Eph 1.20-22; Col 2.10).
- In the New Testament, “authority” meant one had the ability to give orders (Matt 8.9), tell others what to do (Luke 7.8; 19.17), or submit to others’ authority (1 Pet 2.13). The Greek word for authority means “freedom of choice.” How much authority one has determines the amount of control one has over her life, and the lives of others. How one uses her authority is another issue. Jesus had authority to lay down his life of his own accord (John 10.17-18). Paul used his authority to build up not tear down (2 Cor 10.8; 13.10).
- If authority comes from God and human abuse of authority is limited, then it could be possible to say authority is given, power is taken (1 Co 15.24, 27; 1 Pet 3.22).
- Persons holding positions in any community or organization must respect the authority of those to whom it has been given (1 Thess 5.11-12; Heb 13.17).
- Boundaries established for authoritative roles are intended to prevent abuse (Deut 17:14-20; 1 Sam 8:10-18). The king was told to hand-copy the law given to him by the priests which was received through the prophets (Deut 13, 18). In God’s economy, the king was to be subservient to prophetic-priestly leadership.
- Human corruption necessitates accountability among leaders. The monarch must adhere to the dictate, “the law is king.” Oligarchies and republics should establish uniform standards for their representatives. Leaderless cultures succumb to anarchy and dictatorship. National leadership must be tempered by equal branches of government and regulations that curtail immoral activity among the privileged few (Pro. 28, 29).