Contextualized Beliefs and Musings

I want to witness for Christ without being taken out of context. I’d love for others to do the same and grant me the same liberty I try to offer them.

Here’s the thing.

I’ve been accused of hating Muslims for making a biblical observation and supporting terrorists being killed for their life path.

The truth is, I don’t hate anyone, save for rapists, murderers, and child molesters—not to mention other people that poison society no matter what side or non-side you are on.

I’ve said that when Jesus returns, He destroys the Islamic nations surrounding Israel and even frees war captives from those nations. And plenty of blood is spilled by Jesus.

But that’s an observation—not a license to hate anyone.

Arabs are some of the most hospitable people in the world, and I have no qualms with them except for the false religious ideologies born from the ages-long conflict between Isaac and Ishmael.

Islam is an idolatrous religion, and some Muslims are ignorant of this. Some want you and me dead for not capitulating to their theocratic views on the subjugation of cultures.

People in my life and the political climate lately have forced me to examine my beliefs hard.

I’ve been fierier in my zeal for certain subjects recently because my conviction is true for Yahweh’s truth.

I’m not traditionally in either the conservative or liberal (modern) camps, choosing to identify as a “classic” liberal (which is way closer to conservatism with room for individualism inside of the framework and less focus on tradition) but not even truly that. It’s the closest thing I can think of.

But does that mean I despise leftists (more specifically the far left)?

No.

I think we should be able to be friends with people who don’t share our views and still have a glass of whiskey with them or dialogue respectfully.

My honest take on the left is that they are losing the plot lately, but I’ve spoken to moderate, left-leaning people and not come out of it with hatred for me or them.

I’m also not a conservative as far as traditions (What did Jesus say about those over the Word of God?)

But I align more toward that side within an older framework that holds order as important, but not at the expense of individual freedom.

Personal responsibility is a plus.

But I’m also not against helping people who need a hand up (even through taxation). Jesus said, “The state gets what it asks for, and God gets what He asks for (major paraphrase).”

I love leftists; I love conservatives, and I want all to come to Christ, who is above these labels. God gives rain to all (though sometimes drought is a judgment).

What I don’t love is people wanting to kill me because I think kids shouldn’t get surgeries that are performed before puberty and mar a person forever.

God made us male and female—and most people know this, even the far leftists. I’m not afraid to say it.

The concept of transgender, by definition, requires two genders. So, be consistent. You can’t be someone who transitions toward the opposite and have fifty genders at play. What?!

If an adult wants to do that, they’re free in this country to do that. But don’t bring kids into it.

I’m firm on what the Bible says about these issues—and don’t hate anyone for it because I understand people are people who have thoughts, emotions, feelings, and experiences.

But I’m also logical, and feelings don’t need to impede that.

Shifting toward guns, I think all people in this nation should have guns. It keeps us free, and while Biden said we’d need fighter jets to take on the government these days, these rights are there for a reason.

Japan is the only country I can think of where its strict gun laws keep gun crime super low, yet it is most conservative in its approach, even with the echoes of monarchy.

Japan as a country is based.

They understand the need for strong nationality and trusted values.

America was also built on Judeo-Christian (some would argue Masonic) values, and it kept us the world superpower for a long, long time.

I see people who get upset about illegal immigrants getting deported—but we have a legal process to get here.

I don’t think every illegal immigrant is trying to destroy us—I simply believe that while their heart longs for freedom, part of true freedom is the rule of law to protect others in a country that protects the rights of the individual—keeping the malicious out.

I get it. Regimes are evil in many Latin countries. Flee if you must and seek asylum. But try the legal way not to dishonor the LORD.

Being a Christian means standing up for what is truthful and right according to a biblical worldview.

That means I will defend the current leader of America where I feel I must, not that I agree with every policy. This should be the stance most fair people take.

Think of it like this. Biden pulled a well-intentioned move in getting out of Afghanistan but armed the Taliban in the process. Intentions were fine. Bad outcome, though.

Trump destroyed Iran’s nuclear program in Operation Midnight Hammer. Intentions were the same as Biden’s thought process. “I want to do something good on the world stage.”

Outcome? Amazing outcome.

I can see well-intentioned moves without disregarding the negatives, not that Midnight Hammer had any negatives.

But on the current world stage, I have some theories. Trump took Maduro, capturing vast oil reserves and starving out China, Iran, and Russia in the process. If a massive global conflict is coming, this is a smart first move.

Greenland also makes strategic sense. My personal theory is Trump is trolling them into forcing troops into Greenland to bolster defenses to take another strategic location because he knows a massive conflict is coming.

He mentioned being on NATO’s side recently, even with the drama. If true, master-level move. If not true, Greenland makes sense as a strategic point to defend.

It seems insane on the surface, admittedly, but I feel there is a strategy there.

Another issue I’ve run into is people in my personal life thinking I don’t believe women should instruct men in anything.

But the truth is, I believe in male headship and that women and men should work together—yet I can’t deny the Bible’s plain language about marriage.

The context is often the church assembly or marriage.

A man can’t just go around and rule over every woman for having different plumbing.

But in a marriage, equally yoked partners will let the man lead, and the man will live with his wife in loving understanding.

And I believe it is possible to be unequally yoked even in a Christian marriage.

If someone betrays the God of Israel, you choose God first. Not anything or anyone else.

Sometimes that means making long-spanning, tough decisions that are made carefully.

I believe in patriarchal authority but also that women are people. I don’t believe in being evil or diminishing rights for women (though I am not a feminist).

It’s God’s standard created order. Take it up with Him.

Contextualizing my beliefs is important if I’m to be a shining light in this world.

I take stances Christians give me the side-eye on, because the Torah text and Jesus’s words are the truth. Not somebody’s opinions.

Again, take it up with God.

Context is important in belief and in Scriptural studies.

We are not to parade around nonsense, assimilate with the world’s ways, or spit in the face of God.

When you keep things in context, your walk and others’ understanding about where you stand blooms fully.

I’d have a drink with a leftist. If they’d have a drink with me.

I’d have an in-depth discussion with a conservative if they’d have one with me (and it might be easier than the other way).

If we keep things in context, if we understand that people have differing views and that doesn’t make them Nazis or certain words—then we’ll have understanding from everyone.

But sometimes Jesus’s path for us will be divisive, and some people just won’t like what we stand for.

If they do not listen, shake off the dust from your feet and walk away. Keep peace with you and hold your shalom.

May this post help you understand how to keep context alive as far as I understand it, because I’m far from perfect and don’t have the answers to everything in life.

Blessings and love to you.

Shalom.