A Voice of Freedom in today's world

This is the second part of a multi-part post. Please feel free to read the first part "New Manager - Voice of Freedom" below.

Like the old Voice of Freedom (1953-1985) the new blog-version intends to fight against totalitarianism: all forms of it. These will include at least:
- Communism in its revival
- Socialism in all its various forms
- Transnational progressivism
- American liberalism
- American neo-conservatism
- American paleo-conservatism
- Religious hierarchies of whatever flavor or denomination
- Islam
- Humanism and its sisters of atheism and feminism

I am not adverse to adding other "isms" to this list. At the same time, I want it to be clear to all readers: I do NOT wish ill for anyone involved in these forms of tyranny, even leaders. I am not advocating ANY reason to attack someone for their race, ancestry, national origins, or political or religious beliefs - PROVIDED that they do not seek to steal our own liberties away from others.

To that end, the Voice of Freedom will be both blunt and explicit. (I could say, "call a spade a spade," but that expression is often claimed to be bigoted. Don't know why: there is a definite difference between a shovel, a spade, and any other sort of tool for digging up dirt and rocks.) I am not interested in being politically correct; I am not interested in coddling anyone. But I also realize that I answer to God for everything I say and do not say. I do not wish to harm anyone needlessly, and definitely do not wish to drive off people who would otherwise listen to me, and perhaps heed my words, if not now, then in the future.

I do wish it to be clear to all readers, old and new, that this publication, this blog, expresses a very ancient view of both religion AND politics. I no more favor "statements of faith" than I favor "loyalty oaths" for anyone or anything. But I (obviously) do believe in God, and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God and the ONLY door to salvation for man and woman now and in the future, and that we humans are saved by faith - a faith expressed in obedience to God. I do believe that it is possible to lose that obedient faith and therefore lose our salvation, until we die "and then comes judgment." At that Day of judgment, all of us (faithful and unfaithful) will answer for the deeds that we have done, and Jesus' intercession for the faithful will make up for our lack of perfection, and our failure to keep God's commands as we have the ability to do. In this life, we must seek to serve God in accordance with His will and not our own or that demanded by others. I believe that the Bible is the ONLY authority that we have in matters of life and religion: that there is no modern-day revelation, that God does not give us special instructions even though His Spirit dwells in us.

Equally, let it be known that I (and therefore this publication) express a very ancient view of human freedom and government. God gave us free will: He created humans in His image. But He IS the Creator. To the extent that ANY sort of human government can (or should) exist, it MUST be in accordance with God's will. Therefore, any human government must be very limited: indeed, there is strong reason to state that ANY government beyond that of the family and the church and voluntary cooperation is nothing but rebellion against God.

Lest this be viewed as some form of totalitarian theonomy that this blog is espousing, understand that God does not give mere men ANY AUTHORITY to enforce His laws: at most we may take measures to protect ourselves, our families, and our brethren in Christ from internal and external threats, and that the greatest power available to the church or family to do that is exclusion or withdrawal - although God clearly gives us the right to defend ourselves and one another. But no human has any right to revenge or vengeance: God reserves that to Himself.

I understand that this is a radical position: the idea that no government (except that of family and church) is better than any human-conceived government, if push comes to shove. I welcome those who can show in the Scriptures that any human government has the right to usurp God's prerogatives as the Creator, and any authority to use force except in self-defense. God did not make one set of moral law for individual humans and another set for groups of humans.

To these ends, this publication intends to provide intellectual ammunition for believers (and others) to fight against totalitarianism, and tyranny in all its forms. And to also show more fully the Way of the Lord both to those who are faithful believers AND to those who want to become such. This blog will not be limited to my own (Edward's) writings and thoughts: I will borrow freely from others, going all the way back to Job and Abraham and Moses, and ranging through the ages right up to today in 2010 and ahead. In some cases, I will attribute to the author; in others I may not, either because they do not wish it to be so, or for the protection of those others.

As I've mentioned already, I welcome comments, criticisms, and yes, even hate mail.

Edward, November 21st, A.D. 2010, A.L. 235.