Democracy.

So, in reading D.A. Carson's "The Gagging of God," I've come to realize a few things I find pretty profound and a bit scary about our current circumstance living in a democracy.

1) A democracy can only function as the current, dominant social ethic allows.

2) The American people are growing more and more diverse in their ethics as formerly accepted ethical standards are deemed "intolerant" in the name of religious and intellectual freedom.

3) The American people are therefore less controlled by their own common ethic, driving specific, like-minded groups to press for the passing of more laws to control others and defend themselves, leaving our currently enlisted government officials scrambling to find the "middle ground."

4) Scripture allows no such (and therefore there does not actually exist) "middle ground." The stark reality is that man is driven by autonomy until his eyes are opened to God's glory and He (God) is made King of the heart and mind.  All of man's striving for civil peace and freedom is a "striving after the wind" or exercise in futility when led by that autonomy.

5) This leaves us floundering about in a sea of religious and intellectual plurality, causing vast internal conflict, which will eventually make America it's own worse enemy; immeasurably weak compared to its previously glorious strenth, due to it's inability to be the United States (or people) of America.

On the State and Church

"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Colson points out that Lord Acton set forth proposals as to how to avoid a situation where government assumes absolute power: "No country can be free without religion. It [religion] creates and strengthens the notion of duty. If men are not kept straight by duty, they must be by fear. The more they are kept by fear, the less they are free. The greater the strength of duty, the greater the liberty."

-D.A. Carson, "The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism"

NOTHING!

1. Nothing but the Blood

   Robert Lowry, pub.1876

   
   
   What can wash away my sin?
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   What can make me whole again?
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
   • Refrain:
     Oh! precious is the flow
     That makes me white as snow;
     No other fount I know,
     Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my pardon, this I see,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   For my cleansing this my plea,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
3. Nothing can for sin atone,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   Naught of good that I have done,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
4. This is all my hope and peace,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   This is all my righteousness,
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
   Now by this I’ll reach my home—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
   All my praise for this I bring—
   Nothing but the blood of Jesus.