Paperback, 188 pages
The Made Easy Series provides substantial studies on significant issues in a succinct and accessible format from an evangelical and Reformed perspective.
What are the Christian principles that impact practical politics? What are the Christian answers to the political challenge in our time? What does the Christian worldview have to say about the troublesome social issues of our day?
Political Issues Made Easy is a helpful manual for establishing a soundly biblical approach to socio-political issues. This highly readable (made easy!) book covers a number of important issues impacting politics in the modern world. It works from political presuppositions and biblical principles of government to specific practical political issues. Issues such as national defense, borders and immigration, economics, limited government, gay rights, and more. It even provides important insight into the pesky “lesser-of-two-evils” voting dilemma (confirming the Christian's voting for the lesser-of-evils).
This book is a reformulation of my ’s earlier book, Political Christianity. Since the Barack Obama Presidency these issues have become even more important.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
Our Sad Situation
Our God’s Revelation
Our Book’s Intention
1. Worldview Analysis
Technical Definition
Biblical Foundation
Political Application
Conclusion
2. American History
Introduction
Our Colonial Foundation
Our Legal History
Conclusion
3. Moral Values
Introduction
Our Current Predicament
Our Moral Foundation
Our Political Lethargy
Our Immoral Circumstances
Our Current Concerns
Conclusion
4. Foundational Law
Introduction
Covenantal Backdrop
Constitutional Parallel
Judicial Danger
Conclusion
5. Limited Government
Introduction
Biblical Principles
Constitutional Law
Conclusion
6. Economic Freedom
Introduction
Our National Problem
The Bible and Economic Dangers
The Bible and Economic Blessings
Conclusion
7. National Defense
Introduction
Military Issues
Border Issues
Conclusion
8. Lesser-of-Evils Voting
Introduction
Our Current Dilemma
Our Christian Response
Our Long-Term Strategy
Conclusion
FROM THE PREFACE
Beginning with the Presidency of Barack Hussein Obama (2008–2015), America began a radical shift to the left. In doing so, the nation was leaving behind its Christian foundations, Constitutional moorings, and common sense.
It is unfortunate that many evangelical Christians are alarmed at the direction the country is taking. This is unfortunate because they all should be. Christians must understand the issues and take a stand against this leftward lurch. We must do so if we are to have any hope for America continuing as it was originally founded — as a Constitutional Republic.
This book was originally published in 2012 under the title Political Christianity. It was published with a pseudonym (“Christian Citizen”); I was the “Christian Citizen” who wrote it. The only part of the original that I did not write was the Appendix. The publisher edited it by taking the final chapter and adding a alternative position in order to provide “balance.” That Appendix has been removed, returned to its original form, and re-inserted as the final chapter. This chapter is my argument in defense of voting for the lesser-of-evils (see ch. 8 below).
Much has changed dramatically in these last few years. Consequently, some of the negative alarms sounded within have actually come-to-pass. Though slightly dated now, most of these have been retained in the current edition. This is in order to demonstrate from where we have come and to show how we have gotten to this point. Maintaining much of the concerns as originally expressed in the 2012 edition will show the reality and danger of slippery-slope concerns.
Christian apologist Cornelius Van Til warned of the deleterious effect of unbelief on one’s life. He warned of a society’s “integration downward into the void” when it turns from Christian truth and begins to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). I hope this book will motivate Christians to get involved in social and political discourse with a view to reversing our dangerous downward slide.
Actually, we are no longer caught up in a downward “slide.” Rather, we are now witnessing a full-scale collapse of our society, culture, and legal system. We must apply Paul’s concerned observation and committed determination:
“The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:4–5)
Come, let us reason together!