Tag Archives: liberty

Telling the Truth: Political Realities, Part 3

February 18th, 2016 | Dr. Charlie Self

People and politicians (who are the elected subset of “the people”) are full of contradictory feelings and ideas. The tendency to overgeneralize and universalize is rampant. Who speaks for “the people?” Why are we so quick to opine on what African Americans, Hispanics, White Blue Collar folks, Evangelicals, Women and even LGBTQ folks think on any and every subject? If we are going to engender consensus on vital issues and chart a prosperous future for America and the world, we must end such facile thinking and begin to regard people with more respect and expect more of the political leaders elected and supported by the people.

Each person capable of moral action and self-reflection is unique. This does not mean they are disconnected and do not share beliefs and qualities of particular groups. America’s founders understood the tensions between individual liberty and the common good, between public service and political factions. Some of the founders and framers hoped there would never be political parties, just gentleman (few could foresee the female franchise) farmers and citizens serving for a season and returning to work after their public service was complete.

This idyllic vision quickly gave way to parties and philosophies competing for voters’ attention. By itself, two or more parties are not bad for the public, provided all parties and people share enough common virtues for social cohesion.

For 2016 and beyond, catering to constituencies must take second place to framing a vision and set of values that people of many backgrounds can embrace. This is much more than a “big tent” ethos or chanting, “we have something for everyone.” Such pandering has led to the severe challenges we face today.

Progress begins with personal character being more important than perceived competencies or charisma. Back in the 1820s, a member of Congress wrote a letter back to a disgruntled constituent: “You elected me for my moral character and sound judgment, not to procure public resources.” Imagine politicians saying to the voters, “You cannot have everything you want from the hands of government.” If this kind of integrity is united with a spiritual awakening, there is hope for America and the world.

Telling the Truth About Islam, Part 3: The Powerful Weapon…of Humility

January 24th, 2016 | Dr. Charlie Self

In the previous essays, the Islamist ethos of conquest was exposed. We must honestly face this threat to human liberty.

Confronting totalitarian ideology requires military and political courage and wisdom. The policies since 9-11-2001 have been haphazard at best and utter failures at worst.

But there is one more resource needed in the battle for liberty: humility about the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the West. The battle against fanaticism will never be won without integrity at the core of the fight. At first this sounds counter intuitive. Often folks say that if our opponents fight dirty, so must we. While there may be moments of compromise and subversion in any war, at the heart of success must be an unflinching faith in the values and vision for the civilization we are defending.

One of the Islamists’ most destructive and divisive tactics is their blistering critique of Western decadence, including our materialism, narcissism and racism. Each of these self-centered characteristics creates fertile ground for the poison of ideological extremism.

History loudly exposes the darker side of the West.All of these events embolden radicals with long memories:
• 15th-19th century conquest and exploitation of the Americas;
• 19th and 20th century European “mandates” in Africa and the Middle East;
• The conquest of the North American continent at the expense of indigenous rights;
• And the 20th century American domination of her empire acquired in war.

For the past six decades, the West has struggled to atone for prior evils and bring aid to the world, with mixed results. One thing does ring true, in spite of all the mistakes made:

Everywhere there is freedom of conscience and economic opportunity in the world, there has been some form of Christian and Western influence encouraging values that lead to human flourishing. And Islam has never produced a truly egalitarian democracy. These values include more than “freedom.” Religious faith, personal responsibility, access to markets, property rights and the rule of law are all part of this liberating ethos.

Time for Truth

Courage and humility, joined with reverence for the Almighty and respect for all persons, provide the moral and spiritual core strength for the long battle we must face with the global jihadists. If we continue to waste our energies in amoral and immoral entertainment and cultural distractions, there will not be the energy and focus needed for wise confrontation and defeat of determined enemies.

Telling the Truth about Islam, Part 2

January 13th, 2016 | Dr. Charlie Self

How do we respond to millions of good neighbors and implacable enemies? How can lovers of virtue-based liberty create better policies for the years ahead? Here are three insights:

One: We must be good, loving friends to our Muslim neighbors and engage in mutually enriching conversations that foster human flourishing and safer neighborhoods. Sharing our Christian faith with gentleness is a risk worth taking, if we believe our own Bible.

Two: We must face the truth that millions of Islamists do desire the destruction our cherished freedoms, from ending our First Amendment under the guise of repudiating “hate speech” to the enforcement of Sharia law, locally and globally.

Three: All nations that value liberty of conscience must work together on immigration, military responses to terrorism and economic opportunities in order to secure lasting peace.

Telling the truth is uncomfortable, but needed for moral authority. In the next installment, we will face the truth of Western oppression directly and understand how repentance from historic and present sins joined with generosity of spirit can turn enemies into friends.

Hour of Decision for the USA, Part Four: A Grassroots Awakening

May 16th, 2015 | Dr. Charlie Self

The future of the American Experiment in liberty rests on a virtuous citizenry, affirmation of human dignity and a moral economy that adds value to the world. There is one more foundation needed for freedom to flourish: spiritual awakening.

In the 1740s Great Britain and the American colonies experienced a “Great and General Awakening” with up to one-eighth of the colonial population experiencing conversion/renewal. People from every Christian tradition and even a few free thinkers were deeply affected by the efforts of the leaders such as Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield and the new Methodist movementled by John and Charles Wesley.

The religious experiences of the various meetings and movements were not confined to personal ecstasies.Transformation of the soul fostered social impact. Awareness of the holiness and love of God were joined with concerns for orphans and widows, the marginalized and poor. The Methodists insisted that proof of conversion meant making the world a better place and serving people personally, not just through anonymous donations.

The Great Awakening also stimulated a sense of North American identity – at least the awareness that this land was freer and held great potential compared to the Old World. Out of these revivals came numerous colleges/universities of great repute – including Dartmouth and Princeton, to name just two. People that rejected the religious enthusiasm still felt the impact of an emerging culture that would combine freedom of conscience with social concern – America’s unique blend of Christian and Enlightened thought.

Leaders such as Charles Carroll (the one Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence) felt the long-term impact of the awakened conscience of a New World as he worked tirelessly for economic, political and religious liberty rooted in reverence for the Almighty and personal virtue. Ben Franklin, no fan of religious extremes, found his pockets emptied for orphanages as George Whitefield spoke. He also called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

American history is full of religious renewal and testimonies of changed lives though the Gospel. The revivals of the 1740s were followed by a variety of similar movements between the 1790s and 1830s that converted thousands and ushered in new initiatives in global missions and sociopolitical transformation.

Division over slavery and race relations, economic and social stratification has marred religious awakenings since the1830s. American “rugged individualism” joined with the competitive spirit of Social Darwinism created dislocations in the late 19^th and early 20^th century we still feel today.

We need a new “great and general awakening” that will not only nurture individual souls, but also bring transformation to churches and communities, private and public life.

I believe the next awakening will not be the work of a few charismatic leaders or any one denomination or tradition. The next awakening will be millions of “brushfires” as households, Bible study and prayer groups, and churches large and small catch a vision for what it means to fear the Lord and faithfully serve the world.

Responsible and virtuous people affirming the dignity of each person and a moral economy opening opportunities for all vocations to flourish are built on this final foundation of spiritual vitality grounded in deep reverence for our loving and holy Lord. Ecstasy must unite with ethics and private intimacy must demonstrate itself in public integrity. I am not speaking of the coercive imposition of religion, but the overflow of lives changed by Christ.

Restoring Christian influence in the public square will require humility, integrity and prayer – and a willingness to risk rejection for obedience to the truth (not obnoxiousness in manner!).

America still has a future, if we will humbly beseech the Almighty for mercy, aim to add value to the world by our work each day and joyfully accept the risks and rewards of standing for truth.

Are we hopeful enough to pray for such an awakening?

Vision 2016 Part 2: First Principles

November 20th, 2014 | Dr. Charlie Self

As we continue this important series, it is vital that we agree on and understand the principles that support and shape our nation’s flourishing. Policies and programs, including necessary political compromises are built on particular conscious and unconscious values. Here are some of the key ideas for our nations future.

We the People unite in creating an America where…

Freedom of conscience and religion is protected as the first freedom and the deepest values of our citizens inform civil debate.
Life is cherished from conception to its natural end and no active measures are adopted to prematurely end it.
The freedoms of peaceable assembly, the redress of government and speech must be protected not restricted and the marketplace of ideas unhindered by bureaucratic notions of “fairness.”
Moral persuasion is as influential as public legislation.
Our natural rights are protected – not bestowed – by the government.
Government is subsidiary to the person, family, community, religious group and other voluntary agencies. In other words, sovereignty and support structures first rest with the people, not the federal government.
The Constitutional balance of power matters and all legislation gets to the floor for public debate by elected leaders and citizens.
Access to education, business markets and other opportunities are not stifled by corrupt business and political powers.
Equality of opportunity is not necessarily of equality of outcome.
Cultural, gender and racial diversity are celebrated along with unity on the guiding first principles of liberty, virtue and the common good.
Marriage is defined as one man and one woman, with legal allowance (state-by-state) for other approved adult relationships such as civil unions and domestic partnerships. Marriage so defined is one of the empirical cornerstones of future success for the next generation.
Citizens must show an official ID from their state and prove their residential status in order to cast a ballot. ID cards should be offered to qualified persons without charge. No votes cast by non-citizens count in any elections.
Disagreements do not devolve into personal attacks and caricatures and stereotypes do not obscure issues worthy of serious reflection.
History and hope meet and Americans can cherish their heritage and humbly resolve not to repeat her egregious errors. We live in a land of saints and sinners, humble servants and rapacious overlords, amazing sacrifice and regrettable indulgence.

With these first principles in mind, the coming posts will consider domestic and foreign policies that will bless both our nation’s residents and liberty-loving people around the world.