The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The West and the World Today

The West and the World today

I recently watched a video by someone named Curtis Stone. The more he talked, the more it made sense of many of the things that I have noticed happening in the world.

It does not mean, I agree with him on every point. But he does connect a lot of dots that I for one could not connect.
I am including this video, for anyone interested.

Tom, what can I say? I watched the entire video, believe it or not, only for the purpose of being "fair" to the guy. I am a PILGRIM in this world and it doesn't make a wit of difference what "side" one chooses to stand with... except that unless one is rescued from your own sinful nature via regeneration, the end will be the same for you; eternal damnation. I couldn't grasp his specific views on Israel, but it appears he is anti-Israel, but not anti-Semetic, etc. The question that rarely do the masses bother to ask is: Why for thousands of years have the Jews been hated by so many people? Yes, I have my own answer which I have derived from Scripture but is typically scoffed at because it is spiritually discerned and not derived from politics, psychology, economics, etc. He has some similarities to the ideas espoused by B.F. Skinner; in a nutshell, discard the current bureaucracy and create your own with a group that is in agreement to live and so 'such and such'. But there is always someone(s) in charge that determines what is 'good' for all others. The truth is, there is ONE who is sovereign and Who has revealed what is Good and True and which all MUST conform to it, or live by your own ideas and suffer the consequences.

Pilgrim I need to admit here, BF Skinner’s Naturalist Determinism (which I reject) never entered my mind when I watched that video.
I am assuming that is what you were thinking of when you mentioned BF Skinner?
Still not seeing it either.

By the way, I agree with you that no matter which side one is on, makes no difference unless one is regenerated…

I was given that video, by a good friend and thought it made sense of the fracture we are seeing on the right.

Tom

The man spoke several times and insisted that we are "endowed" with individual determination. The suggestion that "communes" be created so that all are "self-dependent" of governments smacks of Skinner's whole dream in Waldon II. Living "off the grid" is not mandated by Scripture nor condemned, but government is something that God obviously determined should exist; good or bad. Government serves a purpose albeit it is often corrupt since it is administered by fallen mankind. He also said he would stick with what he thinks are "trends" and not predictions, however, several times he did say he predicted certain things.

This I know... regardless who/what is in power, regardless how many claim to be "Christian", the overwhelming majority of people on earth are enemies of God and they will all perish in unbelief. And, from what is written, things shall grow worse and worse and the visible church will become more and more corrupt and ungodly and fall after and be led by false prophets and teachers. A remnant shall be preserved from all the wiles of the Devil, governments, self-proclaimed messiahs, and religious authorities by the power of the Spirit. Thus, I trust no man (cf. Jh 2:25; 1Cor 2:14-16) but listen to the truth that God has revealed in His Word and compare all things to it.

Hey Tom.

I didn’t watch the video, but feel free to highlight any of the points you deem worth exploring/discussing.

A few thoughts based on some of Pilgrims comments (of whom I am in total agreement). Just a few supplemental/additional thoughts I’d like to add…

I wouldn’t be too quick to promote life off the grid, at least in America. Although I do believe there are benefits to man using their own ingenuity to work around governmental systems that are more hindrance than help.

I’m still a big believer in the US system of government. We just need a free press and political transparency, including big donor reveals and breaks from private institution dependencies.


As for Israel. There is no doubt that antisemitism is embraced by many, the religious and non-religious alike. This is the antithesis of Christian thought and practice - we should have no part in that. I was recently interacting with a Muslim woman who had been supporting Trump in hopes that he would change our foreign priorities. She started a little bit of a tirade against all Jews. I told her that Jews are not the problem, rather, it’s the controls that abound, in particular, surrounding the state of Israel.

My personal view is 3-fold:

1. We are to love the Jews as much as every and all humans as the image bearers they are. We also should have special consideration that salvation has come from the Jews, yet they require personal atonement/redemption as much as anyone else. We desire this for all men, of course.

2. We are to love and support Israel for the sake of all its citizens and the nation it is (and has become) - this does not mean blind and uncritical support, encouragement or celebration.

3. My only issue with the state of Israel is the pretenses of its creation (but that’s all in the past now). And how Jewish people are essentially used as virtual human shields to forward a politically correct & politically charged agenda with greater geopolitical designs that may favor a more socialist global initiative. I don’t think individual Jews ever asked for this. I think they were forced into it and are now guilted by association. But these are just my opinions. The ultra-orthodox Jews have an interesting religious case against the nation state of Israel. But God’s sovereign plan has been enacted - who is man to issue a complaint at this juncture, or ever for that matter. Every day we are persevered is a blessing!



Lastly, I’d be careful not to wish for the tearing down of our current systems and constitutions as their replacements can easily be much worse. I’m not saying you are doing so. It’s something I periodically remind myself.