Because of my own beliefs I don’t take any politician seriously when they speak of their faith. I think Jesus had it correct when he warned the real prophets of God were not to be found among those wearing soft clothing and living in kings’ palaces, and I do not expect the real prophets of God to be hosting politicians in palatial settings that are in my opinion an absolute obscenity to God. As to the species named politicians I doubt you would find anything considered saving faith among the lot. All liars Scripture has it are destined for the infernal region however that may be construed and politicians are at the top of that infamous list.

The love of money remains the root of every kind of evil it has ever been, and religion remains one of the means of keeping the poor from killing the rich. The fact so many religious leaders lead opulent lifestyles of the rich and famous should be an unmistakable clue to where their hearts are that they have chosen to serve the god Mammon, but some perverse quirk in many people seems to attract them to such leaders. It is easy to dismiss any politician’s claim to have faith in God; they could never want nor rise to any position of power and authority over others without having already made a bargain with the Devil, and while demons may tremble at the knowledge of God politicians are utterly oblivious to such a thing. But when it comes to religious leaders too many seem to get a pass without holding them to account for what they preach to others.

In a way you have to give some credit to the Unjust Magistrate of Scripture that while he feared neither God nor man finally gave justice to that poor widow because she wearied him with her continual complaint. It seems we the Great Unwashed of America don’t even have that much going for us, but there is the encouraging word that in the end God will render righteous judgment on the part of his elect against the wicked. Despite this promise I’m reminded of Emerson who had no respect for preachers promising pie in sky as an excuse for not confronting evil in this present world. I don’t believe God expects his elect to just roll over and play dead while the wicked prosper.

It seems evident to me the Devil takes care of his own, but admittedly it is often not so evident that God is taking care of his own. Why if there is a God do the wicked prosper is an often heard complaint, together with an equally often complaint of why bad things happen to good people? It does seem there is no end of books on the subjects, but since these are not based on empirical facts concerning the nature of God they all resort to speculation, and I intend to continue sharing my own speculations about these. Of this I have little doubt; the righteous enter into life everlasting through much tribulation in this world despite the claims of some that God finds no fault with their lying, cheating, and stealing or the preaching of prosperity gospels.

But to my mind building monuments and grand palaces, cathedrals of whatever kind to deities of any description is a fool’s errand, and I would prefer to see the Little Brown Church in the Wildwood as more representative of what good people actually believe about God. Of this much I am certain; God doesn’t need any more bad press from those profiting from their brand of gospel while living opulent lifestyles. Where is any honor to God to be found when men concentrate on their own?

In my opinion Tevye had a perfect right to complain to God, asking whether it would have interfered with some grand plan of the Almighty to have made him a rich man rather than poor? But alas, with a shrug of his shoulders Tevye knew the ways of God are mysterious to us mortals and didn’t really expect an answer to his complaint, just accepting his lot in life as most good people do.

The Elect of God; my how theologians have struggled with that concept, and it has even come to bloodshed in some cases. But no one that believes they have God’s approval to persecute others who do not share their beliefs has anything of value to say to me. Predestination or Free Will, I believe the children of God know their parentage and will live according to that knowledge. In sum; good people will do good, and the wicked will do evil.

Violence fills the earth as it always has, and the prospects for peace are no better now for the world than they have ever been. Yet the peace of God that transcends human understanding, the kind of peace that comes from knowing God is a spirit and my own spirit which is of God relates to God on that basis, a family relationship, gives me the kind of peace the world cannot offer me. That spiritual part of me that is the actual person within knows that I live, move, and have my very being in God, though I am often confounded and become angry with God. But as in all loving families, the fit passes and forgiveness in love with that covering a multitude of sins is the norm.

In a very real sense I am a believer in the form of election that comes from being born into the family of God, though this is of God’s own choosing. As a result God knows his own children, and they know their divine parentage. It is the knowledge of this that brings a peace within that passes human understanding. The peace of God is more than a glib phrase too often uttered by professional religionists; it is a matter of fact to those who are known of God as his own.