My Take on Congress' Performance During the Health Care Debate?
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 07:41AM 
Several readers of this blog have asked me about my take on the on-going debate over health care. My take on Congress' performance is very simple. Where are the Martians when you need them?
Regardless of the despicable methods being used to secure passage of this monstrosity, and even on conservative CBO estimates, the bottom line is that this federal takeover of health care amounts to the creation of a new federal entitlement program which adds at least one trillion dollars to the already hemorrhaging federal deficit. That means we are running at least a 10-12 trillion dollar deficit over the next ten years.
How long could you pay your monthly expenses with new credit cards--because all your current credit cards are maxed out and you can't even make the minimum payments? Not long. Yet, this is what our Congress is doing on a grand scale. We either borrow the money from countries like China or Japan, or print it and begin the inflationary cycle--the cruelest tax of all. Add to this the fact that 40 states are running deficits and states like California are close to bankruptcy.
But then what would you expect from a generation like mine which once sang "Hope I Die Before I Get Old," and which now demands cradle to grave government services, and is all too willing to let future generations pay the tab and suffer the consequences.
Reader Comments (40)
I like what you said about the Lord's Supper. Still, the best and only way to understand each theological sytem is to read and to study their confessions in light of all of the Scriptures.
You will have theologians in all of the traditions writing about their particular traditions, and they may not be 100% confessional. If I want to know what Lutherans teach, I have to study the Book of Concord. I will not know all of the teachings of the Lutherans by just reading Luther alone.
The advantage that I had, was that I was not an outsider in dispensational, or Reformed theology, but I was deeply involved in each system, and in the teaching of each system to others. In teaching, I had an incredible zeal for each. As an outsider trying to analize each system, it can become quite cumbersome. And it can lead to wanting quick answers.
In your study of each of the various traditions out there, let the Scriptures be your guide. If there are paradoxes (and there are not a lot of them) let them stand. Don't speculate and jump to logical conclusions. Remember, the finite is incapable of understanding the infinite. Look at the big picture of each tradition and what they teach in light of the whole Bible.
Test the Scriptures in light of the other Scriptures. Interpret the obscure passages in light of the clear ones. Use parallel passages.
What I really love about being a Lutheran, is that no matter which Scripture someone presents to me, I don't have to change the meaning of it in order to fit my system.
Recently, I was discussing the Bible with a dispensational Christian. I showed him where dispensationalism was wrong. But, I showed him Lutheran theology without ever mentioning Lutheran or Luther. I gave him Scripture after Scripture for close to an hour. Every passage that he brought up, I never had to shy away from it, or change the meaning of the passage to fit Lutheran theology.
It takes a lot of work, but I have memorized all of the passages that Lutheran theology uses for the Sacraments and all of the other major passages of our tradition. I think about this stuff day and night. Even when I'm driving in my car, I'll be going over my Scriptures. God has given me the desire to be obsessed with it.
In humility, I will say, that I love to explain Lutheran theology by just memorizing the Scriptures. I love to just pick up the Bible, and to teach it to others. Its just my passion.
But, when people ask me what Lutherans teach, I will tell them that the issue at hand is not what the Lutherans teach, but what does the Bible teach. And, really that's all that matters anyway. The Scriptures are the final court of arbitration, not our particular traditions. Luther always said, that if you could show him from the Bible where he was wrong, he would change his position.
Brother John: Be loyal to the teachings of the Word of God, and not to a system! Yes, systematic theology is great, and helpful in understanding the Bible. But, we need to be mindful of the fact that the finate (us) cannot comprehend the infinite (God), except that God gives us little bite size pieces for us dummies to understand. Systematic theology is great if it lets God be God, and the paradoxes stand. But, we have to be silent, where the Scriptures are silent, and not jump to logical conclusions. God's logic is not our logic (Isaiah 55: 8 & 9.)
Your comments are always appreciated and I am growing in my respect for what you have to say. I too try to stay within the various confessions of faith and determine how faithful they are to the written inspired, inerrant and infallible Words of God. I am sure we will have more to say to each other in the days ahead. Again, thanks for your comments and concern.
How very important it is to have a nice, clean understanding of the 2K theology at this time. If we don't keep the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of man separtate, this administration will soon be attempting to preach in our pulpits.
And, by the way, the abuse of the 2K theology is by both the democrats and the republicans.
Am I confusing/conflating the two kingdoms? Been there, done that. I do not think I am confused about the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light.
There is so much wrong with your comment, I hardly know where to begin.
1). I'll assume that you misunderstand these issues, not that you have intentionally chosen to use political angst as an excuse to misrepresent the views of others.
2). If you want to live in a world where there are no democrats, you'll need to attend Republican party functions only, not a Reformed church. If you think there are no ardent democrats among neo-Kuyperian transformationalists, you are in for a very rude awakening.
3). Officers in Reformed churches subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity, not to their opposition to a very bad piece of congressional legislation.
4). That said, our Three Forms do require us to speak out in vocal defense of the life of the unborn (HC 105-107 for starters).
5). Now, a question: What does the theological distinction between the two kingdoms (as mandated by Scripture), have to do with this horrible Obamacare bill just passed by Congress?
You'll need to explain that connection to me. As one who holds to 2K, I don't see any connection. So please enlighten me as to where I am going wrong.
We have one gentleman in our church, a former president of our council that is a staunch democrate. He is a great man of God. When he wears his kingdom of man hat, he has every right to be a democrat, and God will not require him to do penance for being one.
We are free to join any party that we choose, without kingdom of God stones being hurled at us.
I'm looking foreward to your new book on the 2K's!
The health system takeover is awful. What else could be expected from a man with the background and belief system that O, by his actions, seems to have?
i meant no offense, really...
Just a little friendly tip.....maybe this will help. The problem with most Christians is that they can never talk politics without bringing God and the Bible into the mix.
I can talk politics all day long and never bring God up. It's a different kingdom. God does not endorse any particular form of government or any particular healthcare plan.
Israel is not in Bible prophecy, it is just another political situation. And, God doesn't love the good 'ol USA because we support Israel, although I personally like Israel, which has nothing at all to do with the kingdom of God. Christ and the church fulfilled all of the promises to Israel.
I hate Obama, and I am a life long republican. But, a Christian can like Obama and be a democrat, and it is equally o.k. with God. Mitt Romney is pretty good, and he is a Mormon, which is just fine in the kingdom of man. Christians can vote for Romney and it is o.k. And, they can vote for Obama and it is o.k. And, a Christian can like Obamas' healthcare plan, and they will not incur the wrath of God for it.
My friendly advice is this: You can talk politics all day, but keep God out. And you can talk about God all day, but keep Obama, Obamas' healthcare plan, Palin, Rush, Boxer and Pelosi out of it. Because the kingdom of God has nothing to do with those things. You'll be on pretty safe turf by doing this!
In response to some of the responses to my initial post: I repeat that I DO NOT CARE ABOUT ONE'S POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION.
I think that in the history of my posts in this blog, I have NOT focused on party affiliation. I have focused on values, world views, conscience, voting records, etc.
I know that Christians can and do support the expansion of gov't into our personal lives, that Christians of every flavor do support Obama and his policies. I am not here concerned about the name, Obama, or the name of his party. Mr. X believes that it is okay to terminate life in the womb, and even to terminate it near the end of its stay in the womb. Mr. X wants to hold an office of great influence. Ms. Y, a Christian, supports for Mr. X . That is her choice. My question to Ms. Y, who has said that she believes in the sanctity of life, my question is, HOW do you reconcile the two opposing values, views, belief systems?
As many times as I have asked that question on this blog, in many different ways, I do not recall ever seeing an answer to the question. Is there no need to reconcile believing in the sanctity of life, and yet supporting one who does not?
My comment about my confusing the two kingdoms, in my initial post, was a harkening back to previous posts where I was told that I confuse and conflate them. I have much to learn.
Of course the requirements for the elder office do not include one's political affiliations. Of course an elder can be of any party, and vote for whomever he chooses.
"How then shall we live?"
I believe that I am the Mr. X Pat Tasonis is referring to and my wife, Yura, is Ms. X. My name is Tony Bae. I am a Reformed Christian, an elder at Kim's church, a physician and a registered Democrat since 2004. I am pro-life. I believe abortion is the killing of an unborn child and a grave sin whether the mother harbors murderous intent or plain ignorance about the life she destroys. I had voted Republican from 1988 to 2000 on this single issue, always choosing the pro-life candidate. 2004 I voted for Kerry because I lost confidence in President Bush, his advisors and Republican Party. I no longer believed that I can vote on the issue of abortion alone. I disagree w/ President Obama and anyone who is pro-choice on the matter of abortion. However, I have other concerns including the care of the poor and I align myself more w/ Democrats in these matters.
We have had many Republican presidents but abortion still stands. It's so engrained in our Society that it's hard to imagine the problem of abortion going away.
Regarding the health care bill, am glad that there are pro-life Democrats and Republicans in Congress present to shape the legislation. We'll need to see what comes from the bill over the years, but I do hope that it helps many Americans.
Pat, you may disagree with me, but I fear you see me as less of a Christian because of my political position, that the Democratic Party is the Kingdom of Darkness and the Republicans are the Kingdom of Light, and I am aligning myself with the Kingdom of Darkness.
Lloyd and Pr. Kim, though you may disagree with political beliefs, I appreciate your defense of my right to believe.
Blessings to you and your family!
You used to have a great elder and he is an awesome person. I'd love to see him post his stuff on here. Religion or politics. Where is Henry?
Henry used to quip; when the elder's would do the home visits, hide the whiskey bottles!
Many, dare I say “most” of our government leaders are “liquidating the Judeo-Christian Worldview” (subtitle of Modern Fascism by Gene E. Veith,, Jr.). Abortion on demand, no rights for the individual at any age…
My “opinion” on the 2 kingdoms is that there are differing views, so who is right?. But Scripture is clear. We live in this dark and evil age and Christians are supposed to be the “light in the darkness”.
Ol'timer
Wake up church!
When the Constitution is gone, you'll understand what freedom to worship is and the value of life.
Government is supposed to be "of the people, by the people, for the people", not a Dictatorship, which is looming on the horizon. Nothing is free. There is a price for everything.
Ol'time
We do foster care, for about 14 years now. We just got us a cute little baby. She was a part of twins, and the other baby died in the womb. The baby that we just got was born weighing one pound and 3 ounces.
She is on oxygen and a heart machine, and she is doing great. She is now four and a half months old. But, since she was born prematurely (after 25 weeks) she is still very small. My wife cares for the baby 24/7.
After only one week, we are all crazy for this little one! She is awesome. Keep her in your prayers.