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Snarky Sam Adams was a master of language. Sam could be sharply critical by cutting deep into the psyche of his enemies with truth. During the 1700’s, sharp language was used in satire as well as directly attacking a person, all respectfully of course. This is important as I want to talk about hope to those who were taken aback with my program last week.
The hope is in that I wanted you to think with a solid footing as well as through a difficult alternative perspective as to why we are seeing evil predominate at all levels of government, which includes the family and church. I want to challenge your evangelical presuppositions in politics, family, church as well as work/business which is warped by unitarianism and evangelicalism that has succumbed to pansy-ism, I mean polytheistic pandering to pluralism/humanism.
I have proven this pluralistic polytheism in discussing the false concept of Congress being Christian in the several programs where I covered the topic last month, here and here.
When, last week, I introduced you to the facts that many of those called Founders were unitarians, I must remind you that Sam Adams was a strong trinitarian, Reformed Calvinist. So much so that he lived his Calvinism in a true covenantal manner regarding family, work and his activities in the political sphere. To which then he received the moniker ‘The Last Puritan.’ And the historical facts are that those who landed on American shores, especially in the northern colonies were Reformed Calvinist Christians.
This is quantified by Gary Scott Smith in his book ‘God and Politics: Four Views on the Reformation of Civil Government‘ by writing,
Reformed theology was carried to the shores of America by English Puritans in the 1620s. From the founding of Plymouth to the American Revolution, about 80 percent of the colonists were adherents of Reformed theology who belonged to various denominations: Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Baptist, Dutch Reformed, German Reformed, and other smaller Calvinistic Communions.
The major mischief that the vast majority modern, 19th and 20th century, denomination have caused is compromising with humanism. Better called the American Enlightenment. The entanglements of an Enlightenment world view opens personal and political polity to humanistic pluralism which was the repeated downfall of Israel. This is a most defining perspective by Gary North in Political Polytheism:
One reason why the Israelites failed to pursue a systematic program of world evangelism is because God’s program required covenantal faithfulness, manifested in public justice and personal dealings – relationships governed by God’s law and enforced covenantally: family, Church, and State. This program of world evangelism required the Israelites to obey God’s civil laws both at home and abroad. Their failure to obey at home led to their failure to bring the message of spiritual deliverance to the world. Instead, they were repeatedly delivered by God into the world, as foreign invaders captured the reigns of power inside the nation, or else captured the people and sent them into slavery abroad.
It is my contention that the failure of worldwide Christian evangelism today is to a large degree the result of a similar failure of God’s people to proclaim and pursue covenantal civil standards for their own societies. There are at least seven hundred different plans for converting the world to Christ now in operation.1 Not one of them seems to be working well enough to offer much hope that the whole world will be converted in time to save the souls of some five billion non-Christian people who are already alive.
What is the problem? Here is one major problem: if the whole world were to convert tomorrow to faith in Jesus Christ, American Christians (where the major centers of evangelism are located in the twentieth century) would be unable to answer the inevitable question: “What should we do, now that we believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?” Americans have offered no explicitly biblical covenantal civil model to the world. So, God withholds His Spirit. He has suffered enough embarrassment on this score already. He waits. He waits for American Christians to abandon their present mixed theology: the theology of religious pluralism.
Intellectual Schizophrenia
It is clear to most people that in these final days of the twentieth century, anti-Christianity is triumphant institutionally and internationally. In the West and the Far East, humanism controls the media, the educational systems (especially higher education), civil governments and the economies of this world. It controls almost every visible institution.2
North takes from Gary Smith’s ‘God and Politics’:
“Christian and Enlightenment world views, though resting upon very different presuppositions, combined to furnish principles that guided the development of the American political system. . . . American society has continued to blend or amalgamate Judeo-Christian and Enlightenment principles to the present day, and this ideological synthesis still molds our political consciousness and concerns.” (North writes) Note his phrase, “ideological synthesis.”
(North continues) What is remarkable-no, what is utterly astonishing is his (Gary Smith) continuing commitment to the operational validity and moral integrity of this “ideological synthesis.” We have no choice in the matter, he (Gary Smith) believes, since there is no explicitly biblical covenant model for civil government.
Why is that important to note?
The not so pithy Sam believed there is Biblical models for civil government. Sam sets the reformation Biblical God at the head of the war for independence in his 1780 ‘Article Signed ‘Vindex.’ Page 114 of Volume IV, Sam Adams Writings. An excerpt:
…The conspirators against the rights and liberties of our country left no art untried, to induce the people to submit to their unrighteous claims. But they were circumvented by our watchful patriots. They were, if I may use the expression, out-reasoned by some, and laughed off the stage by others; and we will never forget those steadfast and persevering friends, who forever prov’d themselves incapable of being brib’d by the soft whispers of flattery, or awed by foul- mouthed calumny and the threats of power. Afterwards the contest became more serious and important. The people of this country were not driven to take up arms, they did it voluntarily in defence of their liberty. They properly considered themselves as called by GOD, and warranted by HIM, to encounter every hazard in the common cause of Man…
…May Heaven inspire that Army yet more and more with Military Virtues, and teach their hands to war and their fingers to fight! May every citizen in the army and in the country, have a proper sense of the DEITY upon his mind, and an impression of that declaration recorded in the Bible, “Him that honoreth me I will honor, but he that despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed.”—”God helpeth those who help themselves,” says an eminent writer. Perhaps the sentiment is better expressed in holy writ, where, when we are bid to work out our own salvation, we are told that “It is GOD who worketh in us.” It seems to be the Divine Constitution, that success shall generally crown virtuous exertions. We have seen this verified throughout this glorious Struggle. We have seen this verified throughout this glorious Struggle. The Military skill and prowess of our Army have kept us from being overwhelmed by our powerful enemies; and the political exertions of the CONGRESS have, by the smiles of Heaven, obtained for us an Alliance with the most illustrious Nation in Europe…
And in a long reply to Richard Henry Lee in 1784, Sam wrote regarding the implementation of the Articles of Confederation,
If, my honored Friend, the leading Men in the United States would by Precept & Example disseminate throughout the lower Classes of People the Principles of Piety to God, Love to our Country & universal Benevolence, should we not secure the Favor of Heaven & the Honor & Esteem of the wise and virtuous Part of the World.
Once again to my point last week and more so this, Our pulpits make no such plea let to their congregations for Piety to God, Love of our Country and universal Benevolence let alone pleading that our politicians have a heart and mind for what Sam wrote. In our present, most evangelical leaders want evil to increase so that the ‘White horse rider will rescue them.’ (Revelation 19:11-16)
Sam contended with Richard Henry Lee at in 1784, with the seating of the Congress under the Articles of Confederation what the singular course should be for governing under the guidance of the Biblical covenantal God of all creation.
His points included in Dec 1784:
Wisdom, Firmness & Attention are the Principles proper for our Adoption.” I agree with you, and devoutly wish that every Man who has a Share in the Administration of publick Affairs may possess a large Portion of those & other great Qualities.
By Gods Blessing on the Councils & the Arms of our Country, we are now rank’d with Nations. May He keep us from exulting beyond Measure! Great Pains are yet to be taken & much Wisdom is requisite that we may stand as a Nation in a respectable Character…
April 1785:
I firmly believe that the benevolent Creator designd the republican Form of Government for Man. Will you venture so far as to say that all other Institutions that we know of are unnatural & tend more or less to distress human Societies?
With these points in mind, Sam does contend that Virtue is necessary in good governance.
A Question of Virtue, Morals, Principles and Manners
See the definition of ‘virtue’ here. It is critical that one understands its use at during the founding era, since in our modern time, too often we have a fanciful concept of what virtue means as well as abuse the word in trash like ‘virtue signaling.’
How well does Sam’s following observations ring in the rhetorical question, the specific list of hidden natured groups, a challenge to counteract our enemies and encouragement to be a watcher:
Should we not guard ourselves against British Intrigues & Factions. Her Emissaries, under the Guise of Merchants, Repenting Refugees, Schoolmasters, and other Characters, unless Care is taken, may effect another & fatal Revolution. The Commonwealth of England lasted twelve years, and then the exiled King was restored with all the Rage & Madness of Royalty!—A Caution to the Citizens of the United States zealously to counteract the Hopes our Enemies entertain of “Discord, Disunion, & Apathy on our Part,” to watch over the publick Liberty & Safety with a jealous Eye, and to practice the moral and political Virtues upon which the very Existence of a Commonwealth depends.
Consider how Sam would respond to the woke DEI and such in the military lacking the true sense of Virtue, letter to Samuel Phillips Savage 1778:
You tell me that Boston is become a new City, and explain your self by mentioning the exceeding Gayety of Appearance there. I would fain hope this is confined to Strangers. Luxury & Extravagance are in my opinion totally destructive of those Virtues which are necessary for the Preservation of the Liberty and Happiness of the People. Is it true that the Review of the Boston Militia was closd with an expensive Entertainment? If it was, and the Example is followed by the Country, I hope I shall be excusd when I venture to pledge myself, that the Militia of that State will never be put on such a Footing as to become formidable to its Enemies. I am told that such a Practice is contrary to the Letter of the Militia Act. I trust then I was misinformed when I was told that it was countenanced by those who of all Men ought to pay the most sacred Regard to the Law. Are we arrivd to such a Pitch of Levity & Dissipation as that the Idea of feasting shall extinguish every Spark of publick Virtue, and frustrate the Design of the most noble and useful Institution. I hope not. Shall we not again see that Sobriety of Manners, that Temperance, Frugality, Fortitude and other manly Virtues wch were once the Glory and Strength of my much lov’d native Town. Heaven grant it speedily!
How about from the Manifesto of the Continental Congress in 1778. This excerpt is regarding the British treatment of prisoners as well as communities:
Foiled in their vain attempts to subjugate the unconquerable spirit of freedom, they have meanly assailed the representatives of America with bribes, with deceit, and the servility of adulation. They have made a mock of religion by impious appeals to God, whilst in the violation of His sacred command. They have made a mock even of reason itself, by endeavoring to prove that the liberty and happiness of America could safely be intrusted to those who have sold their own, unawed by the sense of virtue or of shame.
Snarky Sam Adams Letters of Liniage:
I will reference the letters here and speak about them on the program. The timeline is important based on the events of the time. This being from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution of 1787.
Just a few excerpts pointed at groups, government and individuals (all these are found in Volume IV of Samuel Adams Writings:
– I am at present in great Haste; but as a Supplement to my last I will ask you, Who among the Sons of America ought to enforce the Example of the illustrious young Foreigner? Who is substituting other Means of Dissipation in my native Town in Lieu of Theatrical Entertainments &c &c? Who has mixed the Grave and the Vain, the Whigs and the Tories in Scenes of Amusement totally incompatible with the present serious Times? Who among the Grave and Who among the Whigs, I mean such Whigs as have a feeling for their distressd Country and the Multitudes of distressd Individuals in it, are present at such Entertainmts? Is there a Man among them to whom our Country has entrusted her Independence, her Virtue, her Liberty? What can be the Views and Designs of such a Man, but to establish a Popularity by forming a Coalition of Parties and confounding the Distinction between Whigs and Tories, Virtue & Vice? When I was last in Boston, I seizd an Opportunity to advise my Fellow Citizens to beware of their popular Men—to penetrate their Views and Designs. There was comparatively no great Danger from a great Man set over them by the British Tyrant. When the People set up a Great Man of their own, their Jealousy is asleep, & they are in Danger of a Master. I have no personal Prejudices or Attachments. Many things I have to say to you if I had Leisure.
– 1789: … I have always been apprehensive that through the weakness of the human Mind often discovered even in the wisest and best of Men, or the perverseness of the interested, and designing, in as well as out of Government; Misconstructions would be given to the federal constitution, which would disappoint the Views, and expectations of the honest among those who acceded to it, and hazard the Liberty, Independence and Happiness of the People. I was particularly affraid that unless great care should be taken to prevent it, the Constitution in the Administration of it would gradually, but swiftly and imperceptably run into a consolidated Government pervading and legislating through all the States, not for federal purposes only as it professes, but in all cases whatsoever: such a Government would soon totally annihilate the Sovereignty of the several States so necessary to the Support of the confederated Commonwealth, and sink both in despotism. I know these have been called vulgar opinions, and prejudices: be it so—I think it is Lord Shaftsbury who tells us, that it is folly to despise the opinions of the Vulgar; this Aphorism, if indeed it is his, I eagerly catched from a Nobleman many years ago, whose writings on some accounts, I never much admired. Should a strong Federalist as some call themselves see what has now dropt from my Pen, he would say that I am an Antifed, an Amendment Monger &c; those are truly vulgar terms, invented and used by some whose feelings would be sorely wounded to be ranked among such kind of Men, and invented and used for the mean purpose of deceiving, and entrapping others whom they call the Vulgar; but in this “enlightned” Age one should think there was no such Vulgar to be thus amused, and ensnared. I mean, my friend, to let you know how deeply, I am impressed with a sense of the Importance of Amendments; that the good People may clearly see the distinction, for there is a distinction, between the federal Powers vested in Congress, and the sovereign Authority belonging to the several States, which is the Palladium of the private, and personal rights of the Citizens. I freely protest to you that I earnestly wish some Amendments may be judiciously, and deliberately made without partial or local considerations—that there may be no uncomfortable Jarrings among the several Powers; that the whole People may in every State contemplate their own safety on solid grounds, and the Union of the States be perpetual.
CONSPIRACY IN PHILADELPHIA – Continued
From the Preface:
One of the most striking features of the United States Constitution of 1787 is the absence of an explicit acknowledgment of the Deity or the Christian religion. The invocation of a deity to authenticate or attest to divine sanction for public acts or decrees is a tradition that pre-dates the Christian era and is found in non-Western, as well as Western, cultures. In this respect, the Constitution departed from the pattern of most public documents of the day. The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (1775), The Declaration of Independence (1776), The Articles of Confederation (1781), virtually all state constitutions, and other official documents are replete with claims of Christian devotion and supplication for the Supreme Being. However, the federal Constitution makes no such religious affirmation or declaration, even of the perfunctory kind that was typical of other documents written by the framers. . . . This omission is remarkable since, despite any revolutionary ardor of the time, there was little sentiment that the new republican order broke with the prevailing Christian traditions of the American people.
Daniel Dreisbach (1996)3
Final Point…For Now
There is hope for good governance within the scope of the Federal Constitution if all of the extraneous garbage is eliminated. That is much of a pipe-dream based on the lack of Virtue in the people and especially our elected and bureaucrats.
The only way back is for a reformation in the churches so that men who will honor God through Jesus will lead with His purposes and kingdom mandates in mind.
Thank you to all who are subscribers to the program. Please share the newsletter and subscribe to the Rumble or YouTube channel.
References:
1. Samuel Adams Writings Volume IV
2. Conspiracy In Philadelphia by Gary North
2. Political Polytheism, The Myth of Pluralism
3. Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 2
4. Ruling Lets Gov’t TRESPASS on 96% of PRIVATE Land in the U.S.
This Weeks News Articles Resources
1. Biden Bureaucracy Prepares for Trump Win by Fast-Tracking Leftist Rules
2. MD Parents Denied Right to Opt Kids Out of Pro-LGBTQ Lessons
3. Ruling Lets Gov’t TRESPASS on 96% of PRIVATE Land in the U.S.
4. Northwestern University Received $4 Billion From U.S. Taxpayers Since 2018, While Their Endowment Soared To $15 Billion – Plus, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and others gave $1 billion to the university in foreign gifts (2007-2022)
5. Illegal Alien Voter Registrations – How to Attack It and Prevent This Fraud Before 2024 Election
6. Left-Wing Activists In Nevada Submit Signatures For Abortion Ballot Measure
7. Proposed abortion amendments qualify for ballots in colorado, south dakota
8. Bipartisan Bill Injects Progressive Quotas into Everyday Software
9. Claim: Prosecutions, Disbarment of Trump Lawyers Aims to ‘Chill’ GOP Lawyers
10. Report: Donald Trump Eyes DOJ, FBI Purge upon Reelection
11. Poll: Florida Voters Favor Trump, Also Support Proposed Abortion Measure
Definitions:
From Webster 1826 dictionary
Virtue: noun vur’tu. [Latin virtus, from vireo, or its root. See Worth.] The radical sense is strength, from straining, stretching, extending. This is the primary sense of Latin vir, a man.]
1. Strength; that substance or quality of physical bodies, by which they act and produce effects on other bodies. In this literal and proper sense, we speak of the virtue or virtues of plants in medicine, and the virtues of drugs. In decoctions, the virtues of plants are extracted. By long standing in the open air, the virtues are lost.
2. Bravery valor. This was the predominant signification of virtus among the Romans.
Trust to thy single virtue
[This sense is nearly or quite obsolete.]
3. Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion. In this sense it is true,
That virtue only makes our bliss below.
VIRTUE is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth.
4. A particular moral excellence; as the virtue of temperance, of chastity, of charity.
Remember all his virtues.
5. Acting power; something efficacious.
Jesus, knowing that virtue had gone out of him, turned – Mark 3:1.
6. Secret agency; efficacy without visible or material action.
She moves the body which she doth possess,
Yet no part toucheth, but by virtue’s touch.
7. Excellence; or that which constitutes value and merit.
– Terence, who thought the sole grace and virtue of their fable, the sticking in of sentences.
8. One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers.
9. Efficacy; power.
He used to travel through Greece by virtue of this fable, which procured him reception in all the towns.
10. Legal efficacy or power; authority. A man administers the laws by virtue of a commission.
In virtue in consequence; by the efficacy or authority.
This they shall attain, partly in virtue of the promise of God, and partly in virtue of piety.
EF’FICACY, noun [Latin efficax.] Power to produce effects; production to the effect intended; as the efficacy of the gospel in converting men from sin; the efficacy of prayer; the efficacy of medicine in counteracting disease; the efficacy of manure in fertilizing land.
1David B. Barrett and James W. Reapsome, Seven Hundred Plans to Evangelize the World: The rise of a global evangelization movement (Birmingham, Alabama: New Hope, 1988). This is a publication of the Foreign Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
2Only the Islamic Middle East is exempted. Here, a much older enemy of Christianity rules, and in much of the Middle East, humanism has made major in- roads. The absence of veils on Muslim women is the most visible manifestation of this change. Not even the Ayatollah Khomeini could get young Iranian women to put on veils. There are limits to every tyranny. A change in women’s fashions, once established, will always mark the limits of any tyranny.
3Daniel Dreisbach, “In Search of a Christian Commonwealth: An Examination of Selected Nineteenth-Century Commentaries and References to God and the Christian Religion in the United States Constitution,” Baylor Law Review, 48 (Fall 1996), pp. 928–30.