WARNING: This blog is intended to engage the brain. Please be advised to put your thinking cap on.

Beware that anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. - COLOSSIANS 2:8

Foundation is everything. You can have the largest, tallest, and most phenomenal building known to man and without a proper foundation it can collapse. It can look good on the outside, but if what holds it up and together is faulty it is only time before it collapses. The parable of the two houses that Jesus teaches concerning the house on the rock and the one on the sand is applicable at this point. Both houses look good on the outside, but when the storm comes with wind, rain, and floods; everyone sees if what the owners built on will survive.

Today in America, God is using the storms of recession, national debt, partisanship, natural disaster, and general unrest to expose our foundations. My personal opinion is that we have a short amount of time and a brief opening of a window to get our foundations in order if we as a people and a nation are to stand for another generation. The Scripture is clear that He will "shake all that can be shaken in order that the things which cannot be shaken shall remain". (Hebrews 12:27)

Through the recent debates on stimulus packages and health care I have listened carefully to the arguments that have come from both sides of the political spectrum. These arguments are replayed every day on talk radio and the cable news network ad nauseum. The summation of the battle lines are the philosophies of the size and scope of our government; big government vs. small government. The purpose of this blog is not to chime in on which may be better. I have admitted on numerous occasions that I tend to be conservative in both my theology and my politics. I admit that I "generally" see conservative political principle in the Scripture. I also recognize that my liberal friends tend to see "progressive" principles in the Scripture. The problem I am starting to see is not so much who wins the argument over these political philosophies, but rather what will our foundation be? IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO? (Psalm 11:6)

I have noticed lately on the conservative media outlets that a philosopher by the name of Ayn Rand has been quoted and mentioned extensively. I have heard on multiple occasions that parents are encouraging their very young children (teenagers mostly) to read her two most famous books, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Her "think tank" in Washington DC, is consistently looked to as a commentator on limited government, individual rights, and unfettered capitalism. While these concepts may indeed be the best way for a society to operate, my concern is that we lay a foundation that reflects God's order and not men's order.

I first ran into the writings of Ayn Rand in graduate school as I was studying the philosophical challenges to the Christian faith. Her philosophy is called "objectivism" and it is basically a foundation that states that all of life should be built on reason, reward, and objectivity. A professor mentioned to us that of the many philosophers we would read, she would be the most addictive and compelling. I have to agree. Her arguments, if not thought through, seem logical and solid. Her arguments also led her to atheism and the renouncement of anything metaphysical (spiritual). She would call us Christians...fools and delusional. She embraces the concept that every person should be selfish. For it is out of that selfishness that we pursue our happiness, dreams, and ultimate satisfaction. In fact, we should always follow reason and never think or act contrary to logic. I know...it's not what we teach. However, for many libertarians and economic conservatives, she is the foundation of laissez-faire capitalism and the free enterprise system.

My intent is not so much to critique Rand again, for there are "holes" in her thought process, but rather to remind you that our foundation must be Jesus Christ and the authority of God's Word. Just as I am concerned over President Obama's foundation concerning socialism and Karl Marx; we conservatives need to be ever vigilant over the foundation of objectivism and Ayn Rand. Just because talk radio and FOX news venerate the precepts of objectivism, doesn't mean we swallow that any more than we would socialism. The only thing I swallow whole is the SCRIPTURE. The Scripture teaches me the principles of compassion and responsibility and who, where and when those values are to be implemented. The talk radio celebrities are not the prophets that God is raising up in this hour. The Lord is looking for men and women who know His Word and our filled with His Spirit and can call a nation back to it's Godly foundations.

Capitalism may be a good economic system, but it will not change people's hearts. The answer to America's problems is not found in a government philosophy, it is found in a Person named Jesus. The Lord can turn the problems of a nation around in a day. We don't have to wait for the next election or the one after that. Government is not the answer and it is not almighty, it is time we knocked at the door of heaven and asked God to help us restore the foundations of our nation.

So whether you consider yourself liberal, progressive, conservative, or libertarian; I encourage you to consider your foundations. There are still storms ahead and I suspect a few more shakings as well. Now is the time to get our houses and foundations in order. Governments come and go, but our God will reign forever! Stand on His unshakeable Kingdom.

Still Planting a Cross,

Pastor