Archive for Bible
The Proper Origin of Rights
Posted by: | CommentsThis article was submitted by my good friends (and LCC readers) Doug Douma and Lydia Ingram. Though I personally take a “concordist” position that deontological rights are in harmony with Biblical revelation rather than ultimately nonsensical, Doug and Lydia present an interesting case and I know we can have an interesting discussion around this great topic. Many thanks to Doug and Lydia!
Libertarianism is founded on the belief that individuals have universal rights – specifically rights to life, liberty, and the possession of property. Despite fairly widespread recognition of these rights, their universal defense (that is, an explanation of why these rights apply at all times and in all places) can often be difficult to articulate. Three predominant sub-groups within libertarianism attempt such a defense, each with a unique approach. Consequentialist libertarians focus on utility, deontological libertarians look to nature, and Ayn Rand’s followers turn to what they term ethical egoism. At first glance, each of these seems to offer a reasonable defense of universal rights; but closer inspection reveals their flaws. Conscientious defenders of liberty realize that without a solid defense, protection and preservation of rights cannot be guaranteed. Fortunately, there is a firm defense to be found within the pages of God’s Word. In the Bible, God lays out laws and moral constraints, commanding humans to obey. In so doing, God establishes man’s basic human rights; these rights are based on morality and morality originates in God. Therefore, the origin and only solid defense of rights are found, not in utilitarian economics, nature, or egoism, but in the Word of God.
Please support LCC by sharing this post on your favorite social network.
Tags: Ayn Rand, Bible, christian libertarian, ethics, libertarianism, Objectivism, philosophy, rights, theology, theonomy, utilitarianism
Related Content:
Theological Traditions
Posted by: | CommentsMany people do not like the word “tradition.” It holds connotations of oldness or stinginess, and in our modern way we like new, different, novel, unique. But our traditions are always with us, and it is better to understand what traditions are, how they are used, and what forms them, rather than simply rejecting outright.
A theological tradition is a behavior, doctrine, or practice of Christians, passed from generation to generation, informing participants within the tradition about their own identity in the church and in the surrounding culture. Theological traditions exist to help explain reality in the light of biblical reasoning and wisdom, that one may better live out the Christian way of life. Traditions inform dogmas (essential things to be believed), doctrinal values, ethical values, or church organizational principles; they often serve to resolve tensions or concerns experienced at the time by the church. Hence, theological traditions are a critical part of the life of the Christian, even if the Christian that thinks, albeit naively, that “all traditions in the church are just man’s addition to real Christianity, and thus worthless.” While this skeptical thinking has merit in certain cases, the concept of tradition in and of itself is neutral. Traditions can be good or bad. Lets consider how traditions work in more detail. Read More→
Please support LCC by sharing this post on your favorite social network.
Tags: Bible, ethics, The State, theology, tradition, violence, war
Related Content:
Podcast: The Unholy Desire of Christians to Legitimize Killing in War
Posted by: | CommentsAfter a major hiatus, the LCC Podcast is back! I am continuing the Audiobook series of Christianity and War by Laurence Vance, and today is officially the 14th installment, with the essay “The Unholy Desire of Christians to Legitimize Killing in War.” So much for getting started in the middle of January, eh? Oh well, life happens. Thanks for sticking with me through it all!
Right click here to download the entire audio file. [~21 minutes, mp3]
For those with podcast software, there is a special Podcast RSS Feed set up just for you.
If you are using iTunes, click on the following button to subscribe directly:
Please support LCC by sharing this post on your favorite social network.
Tags: Bible, iraq, theology, war, war on terror
Related Content:
Podcast: Beam Christians
Posted by: | CommentsThis is the eleventh installment of the Christianity and War Audiobook Podcast, presented by LibertarianChristians.com. Today’s essay is entitled “Beam Christians,” the essay takes its name from the words of Christ:
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5, KJV
Enjoy the podcast!
Right click here to download the entire audio file. [~14 minutes, mp3]
For those with podcast software, there is a special Podcast RSS Feed set up just for you.
If you are using iTunes, click on the following button to subscribe directly:
3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Please support LCC by sharing this post on your favorite social network.
Tags: audiobook, Bible, theology, war
Related Content:
Voltaire
Posted by: | CommentsI am currently browsing through a large volume of The Gospel Advocate, a Church of Christ newsletter that was published weekly through much of the 1800s. This blurb about that revolting atheist Voltaire caught my eye and made me smile as I have been devouring this massive tome…
From the September 11, 1866, No. 37 issue:
Nearly a hundred years ago, Voltaire resided at Geneva. One day he said to some of his friends, in a boastful, sneering tone: “Before the beginning of the nineteenth century, Christianity will have disappeared from the earth.” In that same house, in that said room where these impious words were spoken, what think you there is to-day? A large deposit of Bibles! The sacred books fill the house from the floor to the ceiling! So much for Voltaire’s prediction!
The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our Lord stands forever. Amen.
Please support LCC by sharing this post on your favorite social network.
Related Content:
Norman is the creator and primary writer for LCC. Learn a little bit about him in the