February / March 2004

Dear Friends,

At this pre-Easter time we remember that God sent His only begotten Son into the world to save sinners. The Belgic Confession sums it up like this: "We believe that God - who is perfectly merciful and also very just - sent his Son to assume the nature in which the disobedience had been committed, in order to bear in it the punishment of sin by his most bitter passion and death. So God made known his justice toward his Son, who was charged with our sin, and he poured out his goodness and mercy on us, who are guilty and worthy of damnation, giving to us his Son to die, by a most perfect love, and raising him to live for our justification, in order that by him we might have immortality and eternal life." (Article 20) This unique historic event has profoundly changed the world. It has transformed countless lives and richly blessed human society. It has had a major impact on world history, on our culture, on the value of human life, on education, civil liberties, science, economics, health, arts and music, and few people can comprehend its full extent. All that is good in our civilization, our schools, universities, hospitals and administrations, we owe to the teachings and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian faith motivated the highest achievements in all fields of endeavour. It inspired great acts of courage, duty, mercy, and charity and established a caring respect for men, women, children, and all Creation.

The Humanist Take-over.

The last century, however, saw the hijack of Christianity's achievements by Humanist forces. They falsely claim that it is they and their philosophies which brought the great benefits to the world. They maintain that it is by the reason of Man, not by the inspiration of God that all good things were created. But by rejecting GOD they do not build up but break down. They lead the world back to Paganism. By elevating SELF they bring out the worst in men. South Africa, too, has reaped the bitter fruit of this Humanism. Life has become cheap. Since 1994 over 250 000 people have been murdered. Every year an estimated 380 000 women and children are raped. Since 1996 (the legalisation of pornography), child rape has increased by over 400%. 1) The Child Protection Unit reports: "The commercial exploitation of children included… rape, murder, abduction, bribery, false marriages.. bonded labour, extortion, mail order brides… One out of every 12 prostitutes is younger than 17…" Since 1997 (the legalisation of abortion), 350 000 unborn children have been killed. Since 1998 over 5000 farmers have been attacked. Lat year over 44 000 farm animals were stolen. Since 2000 over 650 policemen have been murdered, and since 2003 over 111 000 vehicles have been stolen. For every 1000 crimes reported, only 430 criminals are arrested. Of these, only 77 are convicted and barely 8 sentenced to 2 or more years imprisonment. Criminals are protected by human rights, so that convictions are few and amnesties frequent.

In this situation the third "democratic elections" will be held on 14 April 2004. Recalling the previous election, Rev Kenneth Meshoe of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) writes to the electorate: "You did NOT vote for an increase in crime, gangsterism, drugs and HIV/AIDS! You did not vote for an increase in poverty and unemployment! You did not vote for the death penalty to be abolished! You did not vote for pornography and prostitution to be legalized! You did not vote for Christian education to be removed from Schools!" - The removal of Christian education from schools has had a particularly harmful effect. In spite of the threat of AIDS, 41% of 14-year old pupils are sexually active, 9% carry weapons to school (including guns, knives, pangas or kerries), 19% are injured in fights, 50% use alcohol before age 13 and nearly 20% take drugs at school. 2)

Ten Years of South African Democracy.

In 2004 South Africa celebrates Ten Years of Democracy, and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) confidently expects to be returned to power amid grand festivities. The Government has budgeted R60 million for the inauguration of the President and R80 million for the "celebrations of democracy." But what is Democracy? Is it really "government of the people, by the people, and for the people?" It was not a politician who coined this phrase, but the great British Reformer and Bible translator, John Wyclif! Having translated the Holy Scripture he wrote: "THIS BIBLE is for the government of the people, by the people, and for the people." The law of the land, he said, should be GOD'S LAW. The people should read the Bible and know that Law. They should govern as much as be governed by it. In fact, an analysis of the Bible shows, that 71% of its injunctions apply to Government, and only 29% to personal faith and conduct. - Christendom heeded Wyclif's call. Its peoples believed themselves to be God's realm because they were governed by the Law of God as set forth in Scripture. As a result, and in spite of many shortcomings, the Western nations came to be blessed with the greatest degree of freedom and prosperity the world has ever known.

The South African Constitution.

When the New South Africa was formed and its Constitution first submitted for adoption, few of the political parties remembered the words: "THIS BIBLE is for the government of the people…" Only the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) did so. They voted against the Constitution and said: "The majority of South Africans… wanted the words 'In humble submission to Almighty God' to be inserted at the beginning of the preamble, but the communists and atheists in the Constitutional Assembly (who are in the minority in the country) rejected the requests." 3) They concluded:. "The ACDP rejects the supremacy of the South African Constitution over God's law..." 3) - They also rejected it because it protects homosexuality, allows State interference in religious observances at state-aided institutions (schools), and protects pornography, prostitution and abortion. "We have a vision," they said elsewhere, "of Godly Government throughout Africa, rooted permanently in Christ and serving all the peoples of Africa according to Christian principles and values as defined by the Word of God... There is no other way whereby true liberty for all the people of South Africa can be secured."

A country which acknowledges God's authority, e.g. present-day Zambia, shows signs of blessing. A country which declares Man's authority as sovereign, e.g. Zimbabwe, shows signs of a curse. God says: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him, for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them." (Deut. 30: 19-20) - In line with this Word, Christian political parties have been established in countries all over the world, in South Africa even three. But many Christians vote for secular parties believing that politics and religion do not mix. By doing so they promote a humanist ethic and law system, such as is now increasingly developed in South Africa to fulfil the demands of the humanist Constitution and to the detriment of our Christian way of life.

The Nature of God.

Consciously or unconsciously all men strive to become like the God in whom they believe. Those who love the Lord seek to acquire His nature and follow Him in love, wisdom and truth. They seek to "be perfect as [their] heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) But "those who make [idols] are like them [their idols]." (Ps. 115) - That is why it is important to identify godly persons and "choose able men who are trustworthy and who hate a bribe; and place such men over the people as rulers." (Ex. 18:21) We need men and women who trust in the Lord who "rules over the nations," the "immortal, invisible, only wise God." - But the foundational document of the ANC, the Freedom Charter, demands: "THE PEOPLE shall govern." Who are the people? Are they Christians or pagans? Do they stand in "the glorious liberty of the children of God?" (Rom. 8:21) Or do they "promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption"? (2 Peter:2:19)

The God-question is important not only for the Government, but also for the law of the land. Because the Law is religious. It always reflects the godhead which authorizes and judges by it. The Law is based either on the premise of God, the Creator, or on the principles of Man, the creature. It is not neutral. All Law is legislated morality undergirded by religion. It is inspired by a transcendent power, and the question is: who or what power? If we look at the new South African laws which increasingly legalise sin, we can guess.

God's Mandates to Man.

God has given mankind two great Mandates. The first, the Cultural Mandate, He gave at the beginning of the Old Testament. (Gen. 1:26-28) The second, the Great Commission, He gave at the beginning of the Christian era after the death and resurrection of Christ. (Matt. 28:19-20) The Cultural Mandate is "to fill the earth and subdue it." The Great Commission is "to baptize and disciple the nations." Both Mandates are basically the same. They command us to bring everything in this world (family, education, science, politics, media, business etc), in fact, all spheres and institutions, into subjection to Christ for the greater glory of God. This involves preaching the Gospel and teaching men to live by "what Christ has commanded." - Easter time reminds us again that Our Lord Jesus Christ is the world's only Redeemer. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He delegates some of it to us. All we need to do is to use it. "How very great is his power at work in us who believe," says Paul, " This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength which God used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world." (Eph. 1:19-20 - TEV) At this point in our history, may we stand in this power and use it for God's glory in all areas of life, politics included. May Christ find us obedient. May God bless you richly, D. Scarborough.

Footnotes: 1. Christian Action, 2004 Vol. 1, and Firearm News, Edition 2004 - 1. By comparison, 59 persons per 100.000 were recorded murdered in South Afrila while only 6 per 100.000 were recorded in the USA; Murder in South Africa, by Rob McCafferty, United Christian Action. 2. WWW.AfricanCrisis.Org, 10.12.2003, Shocking Teenage Sex & Drug Survey. The Report of a Study of 10 700 school children by the Medical Research Council was released by the Minister of Health, Mrs Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on 9.12.2003. The Star, Johannesburg 3. Twelve Reasons why the ACDP voted against the Adoption of the South African Constitution.

POLITICAL PRINCIPLES IN THE TEACHINGS OF CHRIST From Biblical Principles for Africa, chapter 8 By Peter Hammond

While our Lord Jesus Christ did not present detailed blueprints for political structures, His teachings did emphasise important spiritual principles and concepts that affect every area of social and political life.

Civil Government is under God

To the Roman governor Pilate, Jesus said: "You would have no authority over Me unless it had been given you from above." (Jn 19:11) Civil authority is clearly delegated by and answerable to God (Rom. 13:1-4; Rev. 1:5; 11:15)

Civil Government has Limited Jurisdiction

Jesus taught that we are to : "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21). The civil government does have certain legitimate rights and responsibilities, but they are very limited. We are to pay taxes (but any taxation as high as 10% was condemned as "oppressive", 1 Samuel 8:10-18), to serve in the military when required, to testify in court as a witness to any crime, and respect the life, property and reputation of our neighbours (1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:3-4). However, our worship of God, the education of our children, our private property, our individual enterprise and personal views (freedom of worship, freedom of education, free enterprise, freedom of speech) are clearly not made in the image of Caesar and are outside of the lawful jurisdiction of a Bible based constitutional state.

Civil Government is to uphold Biblical Law

Our Lord upheld the authority of the moral, social, economic and political laws of God as recorded in the Old Testament. See Matthew 5:17-19: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. I tell you the truth, until Heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practises and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." In His public teaching, Jesus affirmed the Old Testament laws against murder, theft, and adultery. (Matthew 5:21-27), the dishonouring of parents (Matt. 15:4), and perjury (Matthew 19:18). The Lord also affirmed the right to private ownership of property and a free market exchange and profit. (Lk. 16:11; 19:12-27; Matt. 20:1-15; 25:14-30)

Civil Government is to uphold the Sanctity of Life

When our Lord declared that we are to: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Matthew 22:21), He referred to that which was in the image of Caesar (i.e. the money). By way of contrast anything having the image of God (e.g. children) does not belong to the State. The sanctity of human life was the foundation for the establishment of government. For this reason God commanded that "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made man." (Genesis 9:6)

The priority of any government is therefore to protect the right of life of the unborn and every other member of society. Because man is made in the image of God, and therefore has inherent value, God has declared that anyone who takes the life of an innocent human being is to be executed. Murderers forfeit their own lives by showing contempt for the lives of others (Ex. 21:12-16); Lev. 24:17-22; Num. 35:33; Rom. 13:4; 1 Peter 2:14)

The Creation mandate clearly includes the right to life, to liberty and to private ownership. "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:28) These foundational God-given rights to life, liberty and property are to be protected and respected by civil government.

Civil Government is to Serve its Citizens

In the teachings of our Lord it is clear that the civil authorities are to be public servants (Matt. 20:25-28) "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." (Luke 22:25-26) It is for this reason that officials in civil government are called "ministers" or servants of God. (Rom. 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14) The concept that civil government is a servant of its citizens is a uniquely Christian idea that originated from these verses. Hence the term "Prime Minister" - as the First Servant.

Citizens should use Prayer and Pressure to achieve Political Justice

Our Lord taught that Christians should be salt and light in all areas of life. (Matthew 5:13-20) As salt preserves from decay, adds flavour, irritates wounds, has a healing effect and creates a thirst, so too Christians should preserve moral standards, add Biblical principles, expose evil, bring healing to the repentant and cause people to thirst for the living water that only Christ can give. (John 7:37-38; Matthew 5:6) Jesus taught that we "should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1`) In the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus taught us that even an unjust judge will give in and do what is right in response to persistent prayer and pressure. (Luke 18:2-8) "Who will rise up for Me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for Me against evildoers?" (Ps. 94:16)

Biblical Examples of Challenging Unrighteousness in Political Affairs include:

Personally approaching the officials either privately, by letter or in a delegation:

Nathan before King David (2 Samuel 2:7); the delegation to King Rohoboam (1 Kings 12:3-4); Elijah before King Ahab (1 Kings 21:20); Micaiah before King Ahab (1 Kings 22:14); Elisha before King Ahab(2 Kings 3:14); Esther before King Xerxes (Esther 7:3-4); Daniel before King Belshazzar (Daniel 5:17-28); John the Baptist before Herod (Matthew 14:4); Peter and John before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:18-20), and Stephen before the Council (Acts 7:51).

Public protest against unrighteousness:

Presenting advice and Biblical guidelines to civil rulers:

Throughout the Bible we read of believes who sought to have a Godly influence on their rulers, many of whom became trusted advisors such as Samuel, Nathan, Elisha, Isaiah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, and Malachi. Some prophets such as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist openly rebuked and confronted wicked rulers.

Campaigning for/or supporting the election of God honouring representatives:

The Bible presents numerous examples of believers helping to get suitable candidates into public leadership. For example,

and Elisha encouraged Jehu to overthrow the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (2 Kings 9)The Bible also records a number of God's people who served in government positions. Joseph became prime minister of Egypt. Mordecai and Daniel became prime ministers in Persian and Babylonian governments. Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Gideon, Esther, Nehemiah and many others also held senior political positions of leadership.

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so that I would not have to destroy it…" (Ezekiel 22:30)

True Freedom Comes from Within

While most groups today emphasise external solutions to our many social problems - salvation through politics, or through changed social structures and laws - the teachings of Christ emphasise the need for internal change - within our hearts and minds. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." (Matthew 15:19) The foundation for a truly free and prosperous nation can only be laid in characters, minds and lives changed by the Grace of God. In order to be successful, a society needs to be made up of honest citizens who will not steal, diligent people who are hard working and productive, compassionate families who are concerned for their neighbours, responsible workers who will fulfil their obligations and be faithful stewards of public resources. For nations to be strong their families need to be strong. For governments to be good their citizens need to be good.