06/15/2024 Benefits of a Liberal Democracy
These are the last 4 points, enumerated to assist us in operating in a Liberal Democracy:
C) Note direction of flow of refugees, universally toward LD.
D) Most importantly - the loss of LD – pray it never happens, but it can happen.
E) Be alert, be vigilant; be on guard, be ready to die, and always practice LD.
F) Lastly - choose truth over tribe.
The Soul of Civility, Alexandra Hudson, St. Martin’s Press, NYC, 2023
Paul advised Timothy, and the new converts to Christianity on practical issues concerning self and community. 1,400 years later, Ibn Khaldun, d, 1406, Muslim historian opined: as human communities developed from rural to sedentary urban units that the increased wealth and pursuit of luxury would feed our basic human selfishness. It would nourish our propensity toward tribalism, partisanship, and undermine the principle of concern for others. 400 years later: Adam Ferguson, d. 1816, a Scottish philosopher, declared that by using commonsense and reason the learned and unlearned are on the same level. Adam Smith, d. 1790, a Scottish philosopher facilitated the rise of classical liberalism. We know Smith from his most famous work, ”Wealth of Nations”. He expounded: individuals are able to form moral judgements and penned his famous line about the “invisible hand”.
[2 Timothy 1:1-7] Rekindle the Gift – YES! Blow gently to create a big blaze. [v. 6] We all have the ability to blow gently! What was Timothy’s gift: special speech, prophesy, tongues, interpretation, teaching, power, or leadership? Probably the last two. Paul tells Timothy not to let people look down on him [1 Tim. 4:12] Paul urges the Corinthians not to look down on Timothy for his youth. [1 Cor. 16:10-11] Paul tells him the spirit is at work in him. A spirit equipping him for service, not a spirit of fearfulness or timidity, but one of power, love and prudence. We and Timothy must learn to act with all of these qualities. People are wary of power, (Lord Acton). Power is indispensable in human relationships and can cause problems. Some lead, protect, aid and give direction, We are not solitary, we live in community. The NT informs us God intends authorities to bring order and harmony to the world. Anarchy does not enable folks to flourish.
This is true of churches, societies or states. Some folks are gifted in a way benefiting all people and this gift may be mysterious. It is being able to say and do things which change situations; to speak wisdom to bring healing and hope. Paul’s caveat – act with love. Power devoid of love becomes destructive or demonic. Love without power leads to sappy sentimentality. Power must be delivered with self-giving love. The Power of the gospel is knowing from the beginning - God gave His son for our sake. The spirit that pours out this love also gives prudence, an ability to think clearly and shrewdly. Leaders must apply this to their own lives and then to their community. Moderation and self-control guide us. NB self-promotion, jealousy and pettiness are destructive. Leadership is a three-legged stool – prudence, love, power. We do not know Timothy’s specific gifts needed to rekindle the young church. Paul is confident because he knows Timothy is strongly rooted in his faith. [Phil. 2:19-24] Paul knows much of his strength comes from his grandmother and mother – Eunice and Lois. Timothy was already a Christian when Paul met him. [Acts 16:1] P&T had a father/son relationship making it more emotional. [v. 4] However, the deepest roots of all lay with God’s will and promise; [v. 1] God’s grace, mercy, peace; [v. 2] God’s gift of colleagues. [v. 3] Paul does not write on a whim His life is rooted in grateful prayer based on a millennium of Jewish tradition. It is from this prayer history that Paul writes. It is not a comment on what God has done/is doing, but it is designed as part of God’s work. Make it ours as well.
[2 Timothy 1:8-14] – Do Not Be Ashamed – We are all afraid of being shamed in public: Paul’s world knew developed codes for honor and shame – everyone was aware. They knew what brought shame on a person, family or city. These norms related specifically on the and to those claiming a friendship with them. Paul’s world had a carefully graded system of social power and prestige. And it rubbed off on associates. It was clear who was acclaimed and who was greeted with a sneer.
Paul was aware – he was in prison: self-evident, even if unjustly. We know what people. Why was he there? He was doing and saying things offensive to those in charge. He was announcing a royal message, the gospel – clashing with the Roman message that under-scored their empire: Caesar as Lord, promising his power to save the world and to appear in any city that obeying Roman edicts. In prison Paul was out of favor with the elites. His friends would feel pressure to become distant. And might that grow to include the gospel of King Jesus. The antidote was to celebrate all the power of God; - brought to light by the resurrection. [v. 10] God‘s power overrides earthly power; and works in the lives of P&T and for numerous others. [v. 9] It will be put to work when God makes the world anew and gives people new life, new bodies – fulfilling His promise. [v. 12] This is the main theme, if we understand the nature of God’s promise. Timothy and we will learn the honor and shame of prison in relationship to God Himself. Paul uses his work [v. 11-12] as a model for Timothy’s work. [v. 8-10] The sequence: God reveals our savior, King Jesus; [v. 10] compared to the pretentious nature of Caesar’s appearing as a rescuer. NB All tyrants state they will save everyone from something or someone. The true liberation occurred with Jesus’ resurrection. Not some bizarre miracle, but because death, the ultimate weapon of tyrants, was defeated. This was an act which pagans could only dream; an immortality in which pagan philosophers visualized a soul separate from its body. Gospel resurrection gave us a body free from pain, sickness or death. A gift based on God’s grace and power, rooted in something that happens to people during this present life. [v. 9] When the gospel is preached, when King Jesus is proclaimed, folks are summoned to believe, trust and obey God rather than anyone else. That is what Paul means by a calling, happening not because we are special, but because of God’s goodness and love. When we fully realize what the gospel is all about – the resurrection of Jesus - unveiling God’s power, and His call to us, here and now, putting His power to work in our lives; bringing the promise of our resurrection – in due time, then our entire world of values is flipped H-o-H. We will be ashamed of some things that made us proud and vice versa. Paul wants this for Timothy. That is Paul’s history: He is god’s herald, yet in prison. He has always trusted God! He has committed to God [v. 12] This leads to a final twist: Christians often commit to God as if putting valuables in a bank vault. But God commits to us: a specific call, new responsibilities and a new life – the life we have in the present through the Holy Spirit. Our task is to be faithful and responsible before God; as He is utterly faithful and reliable for us. Along this path lies a life which will never be ashamed, regardless of fashion, political fortune or popular opinion. AMEN
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