Government by coercion or conscience?

Government should have a very specific and limited jurisdiction which can be expressed using the idea of natural law which is a characteristic of the Creator. We will get back to natural law, but for now, this begs the question: What is government? There are two types: An impartial, coercive external government and a personal, internal, conscience-driven or spirit-led self-government. Relating to external governance, the institutionalized type we have all encountered I will simply call "the government." This encapsulates the regulatory, bureaucratic, legislative, judicial and executive authorities of national, state and local governments. In defining these two types, it is now possible to determine the authorities of each.

According to natural law, the authority of the external governance must extrapolate an order of individualistic natural rights according to human nature that it is authorized to defend. Because natural rights are vested in the person and not the government, the authority of the external governance comes from a society of moral individuals. Using reason, this can only be done by a community through the application of rational thought and techniques to observe the universe. Because all created things bear a partial image of their creator, we can discern that there are things we humans have in common with our own. One of these commonalities is reason and it is shared with no other creature.

Because we can discern aspects of creation, we see around us a reasoned universe that obeys certain laws. Our Creator vested interest and skill into us as His creation and provides specific natural laws for us to abide by. Just as the laws of physics apply equally over time and space, natural law, by definition of being a law, applies to all people equally. Thus, an edict is handed down by our Creator that obligates those under natural law to protect the unalienable rights of all by "[organizing the government's] powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness." (Declaration of Independence)


No governing structure has the authority to bind and loose one law-abiding individual over another. It is necessary then for the government's power to be universally enforced over the law-breaker. When relativistic social laws are allowed to discriminate between people, class and race warfare erupt and justice is lost. Natural laws and the rights given therein must transcend class and race. The Declaration of Independence states that among these rights are "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

We are not given the gift of life so that it can be arbitrarily taken away by another recipient of the same gift. Having been given life, we have a cosmic expectation and the liberty to enjoy it as we see fit insofar as it does not infringe upon the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of others. We exercise the liberty of enjoying our life through the pursuit of happiness (or property as the Founders would also have said). Thus, without the protection of our pursuit of happiness, or fruits of our labor such as land and wages, we are stripped of the liberty to pursue happiness in our lives. Without the right to pursue happiness in our lives, the right to the gift of life has little meaning.

Reasonably, any use of a sovereign's self-government that infringes upon the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of another is cause for the coercive authority, or government, to engage itself in order to protect the victim, bind the law-breaker, reestablish order and force restitution. In a two realm system of governance in which natural rights are extended to individuals and the protection of those rights given by the people to the government, this is consistent. Quite simply, the protection offered by the government provides for equality of all people as a gift from God, equality before the law, and equal protection of rights.

Government operates by the consent of a moral, law-abiding citizenry in order for it to punish behaviors that infringe upon the natural rights of others. Government being instituted by the people, it is a fundamental responsibility of said people to dispel any government that fails them in such a duty. As our Declaration states, "...Whenever any form of government becomes destructive [of securing our rights], it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government." Is our government operating under the consent of the governed and protecting us?

Freedom of religion, but not freedom to proselytize?

Coming from NPR (a government sponsored news outlet), I was wary of this article and video of Christians in China. Also, having read books such as "Brother Yun" and various articles from Voice of the Martyrs magazine on persecution in China, I am hyper-sensitive to propaganda that China allows to escape its borders concerning religious/spiritual activity (especially through government supported media outlets. All one needs to do is read up on Chinese persecution of the Falun Gong, Muslims and Christians.

When the state religion is Communism, the state is loathe to relinquish its godhood. Knowing of the state sanctioned Three Fold (or Self) Church and their legal limitations, I approach statements from the state-sanctioned pastors with caution: "Relations between church and state are 'extremely good'" one pastor says. "I believe there is total religious freedom!" You'll hear the rest in the first third of the video.

Listen or read intently and you will notice many logical and reasoning inconsistencies. That being said, the article does a decent job of revealing an expanding reality in the country even though the only people talking with the media are those whom the state gives a voice to. God bless!

There is joy in the waiting.

People often ask if I have a girlfriend the answer to which has, for all but a month of my life, been an emphatic "no." Most usually, when asked by Christians I know (or family), I get the response that "It'll be OK. The right person will come at just the right time!" Well, I'm not in a rush and I'm not hoping for someone to show up at the wrong time!

I believe in a sovereign, all-mighty God, who has my best interests at heart. To the core of my being, as a creation that bears the image of the invisible God, my purpose is to grow in His love and admonition. Thus, for every moment of my life, I have the opportunity and privilege to offer my heart and every action and thought up to His divine providence.

It is meant as worthy of great honor to seek Jesus' face as a single man. Having many friends who are married and being able to ask their advice on how to wait upon the Lord clarifies the journey that leads up to marriage. I am able to focus on my own growth in the Spirit and His ways so that, in the fullness of His timing for me, I might be a man deserving of the woman He has specifically fashioned to have my heart. It is good to learn from the experiences of those who have gone before me!

Waiting for the right woman should be an occasion for joy and hope just as waiting on the Lord to return is. His promises are good and certain for He is the Giver of EVERY good gift...even patience. I have often reminded myself that being single and happy is far better than being in a relationship and miserable. Also, a good friend of mine has often said, "Evan, you have NO IDEA how bad it is to be married to someone you don't enjoy." This is wisdom people; to not be unequally yoked!