Area417

America's Pastors: Preachers Of Truth Or Promoters Of Tyranny?

By Chuck Baldwin
August 21, 2007


This column is archived at
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070821.html


Once again, the burden of responsibility to help maintain America's
liberty rests upon the shoulders of the men in the pulpits. That
should not surprise us, because it has always been this way. Part of
what made America great was old fashioned, tell-it-like-it-is,
no-nonsense preaching. Most of what we hear today is a bunch of
mealy-mouthed, pussyfooting, ear-tickling, don't-offend-anyone
preaching, which has largely contributed to America's current slippery
slope into the sewer. But if you thought it could not get any worse,
guess again.

A startling television news report from Shreveport, Louisiana has
revealed a sinister plot hatched deep inside the diabolical brain
cells of the Bush administration to use America's pulpits as promoters
of tyranny. That is a strong statement, I know. But it is true.

According to KSLA television in Shreveport, the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) intends to use America's preachers to help pave the way
for martial law in the event of another terrorist attack upon the
United States.

The KSLA report (which you can read for yourself here:
http://www.ksla.com:80/Global/story.asp?S=6937987 )
begins, "Could martial law ever become a reality in America? Some fear
any nuclear, biological or chemical attack on U.S. soil might trigger
just that. KSLA 12 has discovered that the clergy would help the
government with potentially their biggest problem: Us."

The report continued by saying, "[G]un confiscation is exactly what
happened during the state of emergency following Hurricane Katrina in
New Orleans, along with forced relocation. U.S. Troops also arrived,
something far easier to do now, thanks to last year's elimination of
the 1878 Posse Comitatus act, which had forbid regular U.S. Army
troops from policing on American soil.

"If martial law were enacted here at home, like depicted in the movie,
'The Siege', easing public fears and quelling dissent would be
critical. And that's exactly what the 'Clergy Response Team' helped
accomplish in the wake of Katrina."

The report went on to say: "[C]lergy response teams would walk a
tight-rope during martial law between the demands of the government on
the one side, versus the wishes of the public on the other. 'In a lot
of cases, these clergy would already be known in the neighborhoods in
which they're helping to diffuse that situation,' assured Sandy Davis.
He serves as the director of the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland
Security and Emergency Preparedness.

"For the clergy team, one of the biggest tools that they will have in
helping calm the public down or to obey the law is the bible itself,
specifically Romans 13."

Dear Reader, are you getting this?

In order to convince American citizens to surrender their firearms to
the government during a time of martial law, DHS is enlisting the
assistance of America's pastors. According to the DHS, my job as a
church pastor, is to tell my congregation that, according to Romans
13, they must surrender their firearms when the government asks them
to do so.

Of course, faithful readers of this column know that I have already
addressed the Romans 13 question. See
http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070810.html

For those who are ignorant of Romans 13, let me address the issue
bluntly: According to Romans 13, every citizen is only bound to obey
his or her governing official to the degree that the governing
official does not violate the duty of the citizen to obey the "higher
powers" which, for Americans, are God and the U.S. Constitution. In
other words, no Christian can be ordered to disobey God, and no
American citizen can be ordered to disobey the U.S. Constitution.
Properly understood, Romans 13 teaches that each and every governing
official (including the President of the United States and all those
under him) must submit to the U.S. Constitution.

Article. VI. Paragraph. 3. of the U.S. Constitution states, "The
Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the
several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers,
both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by
Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution."

So, what does the Constitution say regarding the disarmament of
American citizens? The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution could
not be clearer: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear
Arms, shall not be infringed."

Did you get that? "[T]he right of the people to keep and bear Arms,
SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED." [Emphasis added]

Therefore, any attempt to disarm the American people must be viewed as
an act of tyranny and must be resisted.

The right to keep and bear arms is rooted deep in American history. I
remind readers that it was the attempted gun confiscation of the
colonists' arms, which had been cached at Concord, Massachusetts, that
directly precipitated the beginning of America's fight for
independence.

America's founders were clear on this subject. Our first President,
George Washington, called our firearms "the people's liberty teeth."
Our third President and author of the Declaration of Independence,
Thomas Jefferson, said, "No free man shall ever be de-barred the use
of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to
keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against
tyranny in government."

America's founders spoke unanimously on the subject. Patrick Henry
said, "The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is
able may have a gun." Samuel Adams said, "The said Constitution shall
never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the
United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."

And what did the Lord Jesus Christ tell His followers on this subject?
Jesus said in Luke 11:21, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace,
his goods are in peace." Did you see that? Jesus said that in order
for a man's goods to be "in peace" it was necessary that he be ARMED.
Now, I don't know about you, but I will take the word of Jesus over
the word of a DHS official anytime.

Furthermore, Jesus told his disciples in Luke 22:36, "[H]e that hath
no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

Upon hearing the  words of Jesus, Simon Peter responded by saying,
"Lord, behold, here are two swords." (vs. 38) That means at least two
of Jesus' disciples were armed with swords (the 1st Century equivalent
of a modern handgun, something used for personal protection), and
Jesus did not rebuke them or ask them to surrender their swords. He
merely said, "It is enough."

I realize that after Simon Peter used his sword to cut off the ear of
the man as soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane,
Jesus told him to "put up thy sword." But notice, He did not tell him
to "give up" his sword; he merely told him it was not time to use it,
because it was in the plan and providence of God that Jesus be taken
to Pilate, that He might be crucified for our sins.

Don't tell me that the Bible teaches pacifism, because it doesn't. I
am a Christian, and I am a pastor. And I agree with Charlton Heston
who said that they could have his guns "over my cold, dead hands." If
DHS believes that I will ask my congregation to give up their
firearms, they are grossly mistaken.

It also needs to be pointed out that, apparently, DHS must already be
planning to declare martial law in the United States or else this kind
of advanced strategy would not even be necessary. Why would they
already be asking pastors to be prepared to request their church
members give up their guns if they did not intend to declare martial
law?

Now, what every single church-going Christian in America should
immediately find out for themselves is, What does my pastor intend to
do? Will he ask me to surrender my guns, or not? I highly encourage
every reader who currently attends church to ask your pastor this
question RIGHT NOW.

Of course, the next question Christians need to ask themselves is,
What will I do if my pastor says he would ask me to surrender my guns
to the government? I suggest that every church member in America
settle this matter right now. And if you discover that your pastor
would indeed ask you to surrender your guns (or equivocate by saying
he would have to "pray about it") if asked to do so, you should
immediately leave that church and find a pastor who believes the Bible
and supports the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, if you do not
currently own a firearm, you might want to heed the words of Jesus and
go buy one.

So, once again, the burden of responsibility to help maintain
America's liberty rests upon the shoulders of the men in the pulpits.
Will we be preachers of truth or promoters of tyranny?

(c) Chuck Baldwin

NOTE TO THE READER:

Chuck Baldwin's commentaries are copyrighted and may be republished,
reposted, or emailed providing the person or organization doing so
does not charge for subscriptions or advertising and that the column
is copied intact and that full credit is given and that Chuck's web
site address is included.

Editors or Publishers of publications charging for subscriptions or
advertising who want to run these columns must contact Chuck Baldwin
for permission. Radio or television Talk Show Hosts interested in
scheduling an interview with Chuck should contact
chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com.

When responding, please include your name, city and state. And, unless
otherwise requested, all respondents will be added to the Chuck Wagon
address list.

Please visit Chuck's web site at http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com.

Huackabee Underperforms in Illinois

Romney comfortably won the recent Illinois Straw Poll with 40%. While Huckabee couldn't duplicate his 2nd place finish in Iowa, Ron Paul bettered his 5th place  from Iowa by coming in 3rd--just edged out of 2nd by Fred Thompson, but coming in ahead on Giuliani.

Complete results:

1. Mitt Romney – 40.35%

2. Fred Thompson – 19.96%

3. Ron Paul – 18.87%   Go Ron, go!

4C Rudy Giuliani – 11.61%

5. John McCain – 4.12%

6. Mike Huckabee – 3.04% 

7. Sam Brownback – 1.08%

8. Duncan Hunter - .65%

9. Tom Tancrado - .33%

That sound you just heard was Sean Hannity choking on his sandwich.

Iowa Straw Poll: Live Feed From Justin.tv

A Message From Belgium

Belgians for Ron Paul seem to see more clearly than our own politicians where this great nation is headed.

Why Are Christians So Gullible?

by Chuck Baldwin
August 7, 2007

That today's Christians appear to be among the most gullible people on the planet seems to be a gigantic understatement. For example, it was just a couple or three decades ago when the largest and most influential churches in America were pastored by strong Bible men: men who preached hard against sin; men who didn't try to tickle ears and didn't mind stepping on toes; men who were not afraid to call civil and business leaders to account; men who called a spade a spade. Those days are gone.

Today, the largest and most influential churches are pastored by fluff-daisies such as Joel Osteen, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren: men who preach entertainment evangelism, political correctness, and feel-goodism. Today's largest churches share absolutely nothing in common with America's historic revival-style churches. How can Christians be so gullible to fall for these snake oil salesmen?

Consider, too, how so many Christians seem to consider President George W. Bush's "war on terror" to be bona fide and legitimate. Yet, this escalating and never-ending "war on terror" is doing more to ruin America than anything Osama bin Laden could ever dream about.

The war in Iraq is not only depleting our military readiness, it is facilitating America's entrance into fascism and even endangering our economic stability. According to the Congressional Budget Office, Bush's "war on terror" will soon cost U.S. taxpayers over $1 trillion. Private economists say the actual figure will double that prediction. It is no hyperbole to say that Bush's war in Iraq has America teetering on the brink of economic recession or worse.

(To get a real-world glimpse into the sobering economic situation in the U.S., see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWksEJQEYVU ).

Beyond that, Bush's "war on terror" has convinced Americans (including many Christians) that they need to surrender more and more liberties in order to be "secure." And for those Democrats who expected that their party's congressional victories last November would help thwart Bush's insidious infatuation with fascism, they didn't. Congressional Democrats have caved to the Bush "surrender your liberties or face terrorism" hysteria time and again. In fact, just before breaking for their current recess, Democrats in Congress approved Bush's latest request to expand warrantless wiretaps and eavesdropping. (See: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/washington/ 06nsa.html?ei=5065&en=4e05f95a4b60ac78&ex=1187064000&partner
=MYWAY&pagewanted=print ) .

Bush's war is also working hand in glove with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) blueprint for a North American Union, including a NAFTA superhighway and an increase of imports from Communist China. In fact, Jerome Corsi reveals that the bridge collapse in Minneapolis last week could be largely due to the extra burden of trucks coming from Mexico, per Bush's SPP agreement with Mexico and Canada. (See http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57017 ). If this is true, and I suspect that it is, we can expect to see more of this in the months to come.

Even Newt Gingrich, a globalist insider himself, said that Bush's war on terror is "phony." (See http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/08/03/
newt0803.html).

Consider, too, that in spite of a dangerous lack of inspections of all products imported from China (including food products) President Bush is determined to increase imports from the communist country. His administration is now even working to loosen restrictions against poultry products from Red China. This is being done in spite of the dismal track record of China's health standards. One could even say that China's food imports may be poisoning Americans. And not only does this administration not care, it is in the process of assisting this atrocity.

Plus, this does not even take into account how Red China is supplying weapons and ammunition used to kill American soldiers and Marines, or how it is obtaining much of Iraq's oil, or how this "president, proudly bestowing upon himself the title of 'war president,' supports trade policies with China that actively undermine the national security interests of the United States and our armed forces." Neither does it take into account "that under the administration's prevailing trade policies, America's chief export to China consists of U.S. jobs, which are disappearing at an estimated rate of 2,250 per day." (Source: Kevin O'Brien, President, Sovereign Advisers in Editorial appearing in The Washington Times, June 29, 2007. See SA at: http://www.sov-advisers.com/aboutus.htm )

In spite of all this, (and a whole lot more), Christians still support Bush in large numbers. How can they be so gullible?

I believe one of the reasons, if not the main reason, that Christians are so gullible lies in a mistaken, and even dangerous, intrinsic trust of government. I hear and see this attitude expressed among my brethren constantly.

Part of this problem stems from an illogical and unscriptural interpretation of Romans Chapter Thirteen. Christians have been drilled (and dare I say, brainwashed?) into believing that government is endemically good and should be thoroughly trusted. Of course, this was not the belief of America's Founding Fathers, and neither was it the belief of Church Fathers.

In fact, our entire system of government is predicated upon a deep-rooted DISTRUST of government. Our three branches of government stem from the suspicion that no one branch could be thoroughly trusted and must have at least two other branches to help keep it in check. Yet, even that was not considered enough of a deterrent to combat the propensity of government to become tyrannical. What the separate branches of the federal government could not do to police each other, the states and people were to do. In other words, if Christians were really good Americans, they would distrust, not trust, their government.

(For a more complete discussion of Romans Chapter Thirteen, I invite readers to listen to my radio interview with Dr. Greg Dixon, former pastor of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple in Indianapolis, Indiana. Go to http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/Interview_Dixon.html )

Of all people, Christians should understand the fallen nature of man: that man in a sinful state is capable of anything (unless they attend a "Purpose Driven" church, of course). How is it, then, that they cannot seem to comprehend the evil machinations of people in high office? Are they totally taken in by the "I am a Christian" fa�ade so many politicians use? Perhaps.

However, I believe that constant preaching from milquetoast preachers instructing their people to trust their government is the main culprit. The lack of discernment and courage of America's pulpits is frightening. They have produced a generation of Christians incapable of understanding, much less opposing, the manifestations of evil and oppression.

I doubt that most American pastors have even heard of, much less read, R. J. Rummel's book, Death By Government, in which he factually documents that more people have been murdered by their own governments than by all of the world's terrorists, gangsters, and outlaws combined. They have probably never read Frederic Bastiat's book, The Law. They have never read Erwin Lutzer's book, Hitler's Cross. I'm sure they have never heard of or read the book Vindiciae, Contra Tyrannos, one of the most famous of the Monarchomach treatises ever written, which advances a systematic justification of resistance against legitimately constituted political authority. I doubt that they have ever read William Rawle's A View Of The Constitution, Secession As Taught At West Point, etc.

In other words, most American pastors are unschooled and untaught in the finer points of Biblical authority, the doctrine of jurisdiction, the causes and necessities of civil disobedience, constitutional government, natural law, etc. As such, they have not taught and trained their congregants to be good Christians, much less good Americans.

In short, Christians are blind and gullible because our pulpits are blind and gullible. As the shepherd goes, so go the sheep.

(Please help me locate the Black Regiment preachers. See: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070724.html )

© Chuck Baldwin

This column is archived as http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070807.html

Diebold, Still Stealing Votes After All These Years

Fresh off the press, a report from a team of computer scientists finds Diebold machines are riddled with security flaws.

A little of what they found:

• Data on the memory cards for the optical-scan machines is unauthenticated
• The memory card “signature” does not adequately detect malicious tampering
• The touch-screen machine automatically installs bootloader and operating system updates from the memory card without verifying the authenticity of the updates (Link to Threat Level - Wired Blogs)

This video shows how it can be done.

One has to wonder why the Iowa GOP has chosen to use this faulty machine during the upcoming Iowa Straw Poll. My understanding is that after the vote,  one person will retire to tabulate the votes;  no observers allowed. Now, why is that?

Several groups are joining together to conduct a verification EXIT POLL at the Ames Straw Poll, using paper ballots, in order to get a fair count.

More on the subject of voter fraud: A House Without Doors, Black Box Voting,
Democracy Imperiled, Inside a U.S. Election Vote Counting Program

Audit Completed on Springfield Municipal Court

What led to the theft of at least $1,356,072 from the City of Springfield Municipal Court? According to State Auditor Susan Montee, a "total breakdown in supervision and oversight."

Ms. Montee presented the findings of the audit tonight in City Council chambers. From her summary:

• Little or no supervisory review and poorly implemented internal controls allowed the misappropriation to occur and avoid detection
• Neither the city nor the municipal court compared revenues reported  to actual court receipt records
• Investigations by the city's finance department were inadequate
• No recon was done on method of payments received against the composition of total deposits (the thief was swapping out credit card transactions with cash)
• Finance department personnel were, at one point,  nine months behind in preparing bond account bank reconciliations

When Montee was questioned about the handling of receipts, she said "it was a disaster." The court's Accounting Services Representative was responsible for both depositing and reporting court receipts. No checks and balances.

It is estimated that 13% of the missing funds should have gone into different departments, such as law enforcement training and victim's compensation.

The audit report isn't on the web yet, but when it is, you can go here and look for audit number 2007-30.

The audit of the City of Springfield and City Utilities are still in progress.