I get these emails from time to time and even though I've
addressed these issues before it warrants the occasional review.
First, I am fascinated by the nature of power, how it
operates in this world and its corrupting influence. I find that most people
have not thought very deeply about this, about how power works, moves are
calculated and what sort of goals are in mind. I find Christians are often even
more ignorant on these points than many lost people. That shouldn't be.
Second, I think it worthwhile to consider and understand
something of the world system, how it works, and what is happening in the world
and how history and ideas play into this. In addition when considering these
factors we have to address the lies, the misinterpretations and distortions of
fact, motive and narrative that all sides seem to be guilty of. I've said it
many times; we are to expect this with lost people. That's the nature of the
world post-Eden. With Christians it ought to be different but I find that more
often than not they are just as susceptible to lies and propaganda and the
temptation to distort history and events to suit their own purposes.
Third, I want to explore the theology, the Biblical doctrine (or
its distortion) at work in these narratives, whether we're speaking of
depravity, Babel, Babylon, Beasts, Judaizing, the Kingdom of God or the
Pseudo-Kingdom of God. These doctrinal issues all play a part in these
explorations whether we're talking about lost people or Christians. The latter
is what interests me more because I believe a major (and often missed) theme in
the New Testament is that of the False Church, its false prophets and the
danger of the false kingdom. I believe that for the Biblically faithful Church,
this is the greatest threat, occasion for subversion and thus the primary
vehicle by which our adversary seeks to work against us.
I'm interested in the false theology that creates doctrinal
and ethical justifications for the world system and where this ends up leading
people. From my standpoint we have Christians that vindicate, endorse and even
celebrate lies, theft and murder... war, torture, and covetousness... and they
do these things thinking they do God service.
Fourth, I'm interested in the political aspects and the
nature of evil as it works itself out in the realm of power. I'm interested in
the mythologies created by political movements and what this does to ethics.
Once again I see the Church as largely embracing this. When this issue is
explored and yet we see how corrupt, distorted and sinister it actually is, it
leads one to consider the voice and impetus in Christian circles demanding the
Church not only participate in this realm but seize it.
Fifth, I'm interested in the economic aspects of these
questions. They cannot be divorced or viewed in isolation from the political
and ethical questions. I'm interested in the fact that many (including many
Christians) attempt to do this. I consider their efforts both failed and
futile. There are moral questions to be considered with regard to resources,
culture and economic systems. We have to wrestle with ethical considerations
regarding the level of our participation and degrees of culpability. When
considering the nature of the Western and American system, the way industry,
banking, politics and the military are integrated, we have to consider the
notion of whether it's right or proper to invest money in this system, let
alone profit from it.
Finally, though I may be writing about Turkey and Deep State
paramilitary units, I want it to be clear that what it interests me is their
connection to American/Western power and thus in many cases to Christians
operating within that apparatus. I'm speaking of bureaucrats, the academy, the
military, diplomats and even intelligence agents. We could also point to the
larger array of government affiliated supporting agencies or even private sector
elements that participate with and/or benefit from their actions. This touches
on trade, industry, banking and finance, insurance, law, law enforcement as
well as utilities and a significant portion of the service sector. In other
words, the whole system. While American machinations in the Caucasus or
collaborations with the Turkish military may seem divorced from daily life in
North America... it's not, but you have to open your eyes.
We have many Christians who function as court historians and
apologists for empire. To weigh their claims and the veracity of their
reporting let alone the doctrinal implications of what they're suggesting we
need to understand the truth of the matter. How do these systems work? How does
power function? Does it match up with their narratives and claims? Are they
misled or deceived? Are they intentional liars and propagandists? I ask these
questions because the narratives I read in Christian books, find on the
internet and hear on the radio do not match reality, past or present, nor do
they reflect Biblical values or concepts. How do we account for this? Why is
the Church and its self-congratulating leadership so blind?
I believe that in exposing the colossal extent of their
crimes and the magnitude of their heresies we can not only understand the world
we live in but the true state of the Church. At that point we realise the vast
majority of so-called Christian teachers and commentators are actually heretics
if not apostates, horned lambs speaking like dragons (to those who have ears to
rightly hear what it is they're saying), teaching not the Gospel of the Kingdom,
but Beast worship rooted in distortions of Scripture and a great many lies
about how the world works and what has occurred in the past.
As I've said before I don't think Christians need to master
these topics or feel guilty because they can't remember every leader, war, date
or line on the map. Some will have the temperament and interest to pursue these
topics with more vigour. For others a cursory or generalised knowledge is
sufficient. The question is, do you accept the commentary offered by so many
Christian leaders? Do you listen to them uncritically? If so, I believe you are
in peril and that's why I write about these things.