April 15, 2005
Liberal Principles III
“Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! ... I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
Liberal Principles I
Liberal Principles II
1. A god has no control nor exerts any influence in the world today, whether he created the world or not
2. War is never the answer
3. Don’t trust your government
4. Government should play a limited role in the enforcement of morality, but a major role in the enforcement financial equality
5. Morality is relative to the personal choice of the individual and there should always be a safety net against the consequences of those personal choices
I have been on a bit of a hiatus talking about politics here and I have certainly not been following through on my series on “Liberal Principles” the way I had planned. My wife reminded me of this a week ago, as we talked about some issues. Also, seadragon’s post on Building up Democrats and some other Baltimore Bloggers political comments just sparked a desire to continue along this path I started.
Liberal Principle #2 War is never the answer
Now I venture into this principle knowing that many liberals would argue that they don’t oppose war, just the President’s use of it. I would suggest that if they were stay consistent on that point they would oppose every major conflict our country has faced.
This is not a post to debate the finer points of the Iraqi war, but looking at the over-arching principles behind the drum beat against it. To maintain a consistent worldview, I believe that being against this conflict leads to the ideology that war is never the answer.
Liberals, either purposely or inadvertently have become pacifists. Now that may not seem like an altogether bad thing, but a major problem is that injustice is ignored and justice is not served. Our actions have consequences and when you take those consequences away, you ask for major trouble. We see this very clearly in children that lack discipline. They never learned that they were responsible for their actions or that there were consequences for bad behavior.
In Scripture we see that the Apostle Paul exhorts the Galatians to be set free from the law by Jesus Christ. We see here a call for balance and a warning to both the pacifist and the war monger. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Galatians 5: 13 – 15)
To toe the line between absolute law and absolute grace, we seek freedom in Christ Jesus. We can not allow unrighteousness to go unpunished while at the same time we are exhorted to love and not destroy. It is a difficult balance indeed, but to indulge one over the other leads to folly.
War is never the desired answer to the question, but occasionally it is the answer for the day. With liberty in Christ Jesus there is no death.
Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799) - “Give me liberty...”
March 23, 1775 at St. John's Henrico Parish Church in Richmond
Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
…
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
The War of Terror has already begun. The War on Terror is just beginning. We see the fruits of this already in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, etc. Where else are seeds of freedom being planted? With freedom from tyranny comes freedom of religion. The Gospel has prospered under tyranny and it prospers under freedom. My prayer is to see it prosper under freedom for all, because that is the true path to peace.
