A Little Good News!

Richard Hollerman

We realize that there are a lot of “bad” news in the world. In fact, without doubt—from a Christian viewpoint—the “bad” far outweighs the “good” news. Of course, from God’s standpoint, the good news (gospel) is far, far more important than the bad news!

Have you ever had someone come to your door and want to show you a new product—say, a vacuum cleaner? On a couple of occasions, sales persons have entered our house, showed their “wonderful” new vacuum cleaner, and then spilled dirt on the carpet! Yes, they do this! But they don’t leave it like this. They dirty the carpet so that they can clean the carpet. They want the opportunity to show us what their vacuum cleaner can do in sucking up the dirt—and leaving the carpet clean and fresh.

In like manner, the Bible speaks about the “bad” news so much because God wants to have this as a backdrop to the wonderful good news of salvation through Christ Jesus! Jesus came to deal with the degradation, the wickedness, and the hopelessness of this world and its sin. Thus, on these pages, we do present a lot of bad news since this is the way the world is. One person wrote in the past and said that I should just forget the bad stories and concentrate on the good things of this life and this world. If only this could happen! But, to be realistic, we must not overlook the bad. We must remember the words of John: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).

All of this is background to an article that we just read entitled “Trump steadily fulfills goals on religious right wish list” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram). As most of you know, we do not fully endorse the various political parties in the United States. This would include the Democrats, the Republicans, and the Independents. As children of God and members of His Kingdom, we know that people who devote themselves to political causes will be sorely disappointed since all of these causes are controlled by the evil one. As Jesus declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36a). Paul added, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20a). This is true of us as well.

However, the article did present some facts that should encourage those of our readers who accept a Biblical worldview. By this, we are not at all saying that everything that Democrats and Independents say and do are wrong and everything that Republicans do and say are right. Not at all! All of them are under the power of the enemy and reject Scriptural authority. But there are a few things that you may want to consider.

The article refers to “conservative religious leaders” who attempted from the beginning to foster more godly principles in this country. We are not here debating about the fact that Donald Trump is an ungodly and evil man. Not at all. We are simply referring to certain steps his administration has taken to promote righteousness in this land.

Remember that traditionally, America has taken a higher road than many other nations in this world that have gone deeper and deeper into secularism, false teaching, worldliness, and so many more elements of wickedness. While the U.S. has also manifested all sorts of evil as well, traditionally there has been at least some semblance of the right. We refer to a century or two ago, when Bible reading and instruction was part of the children’s day, when prayer was part of the daily routine, when some sins (such as abortion and sexual perversion) were not tolerated, and so much more. (We are acquainted with many sins of the past as well, such as slavery in the south, liberalism and evolutionism beginning in the eighteenth century, labor unionism, women’s suffrage in the early nineteenth century, and many other issues. In spite of all of this, America used to be in somewhat better conditions than at present.)

One of the elements mentioned in the article is President Trump’s opposition to the gross evil of the LGBTQ perspective. Further, this president also has promoted an opposition to the wickedness of abortion—the murder of unborn infants. (Ibid). The article said that “Trump has fulfilled about 90% of the goals on a list” that conservatives compiled. Mat Staver, president of the legal advocacy organization Liberty Counsel, says, “In the first two years of his administration, he’s achieved more than all of the presidents combined since Ronald Reagan.” He went on to say, “He’s been the most pro-religious freedom and pro-life president in modern history.”

Just last week, the Labor Department spoke of implementing a rule that would enable employers to not be bound to the hiring of those who practice devious and immoral lifestyles, including lesbianism, homosexuality, bisexuality, transexualism, and “queer” lifestyles (to use their own term). Unfortunately, Trump’s repeated negative speech patterns and attitudes detract from his stand on the other matters!

As expected, many liberal (and even democrat) organizations have come out in opposition to some of Trump’s initiatives. We are referring to the godless groups such as the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and others. Ian Thompson, the ACLU’s senior legislative representative in Washington said, “This is essentially the wish list of groups that have a very extreme and discriminatory perspective on what religious liberty means.” Obviously, the extremely liberal perspective is revealed in their comments about anything godly, righteous, and moral. To them, a righteous stand is “very extreme”!

The liberals lament the appointment of two “conservatives” to the Supreme Court. We refer to Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. Of course, this doesn’t refer at all to their salvation or relationship with God but their view of certain conservative perspectives in the nation. Peter Montgomery of People for the American Way, that is “often critical of religious conservative groups,” said that Trump’s agenda “is bad news for women in the U.S. and around the world, for LGBTQ people.” It is sad that Montgomery says that Trump’s policies (evidently referring to the murder of babies and his stand against sexual perversion) is “bad news for women”! Wouldn’t you say this too? Women have traditionally been the promoters and care givers of babies and children—not their enemies. How has society turned this upside down in our generation! Regardless of President Trump’s sexual immorality himself, we commend him for this denunciation of outright unnatural sexual perversion.

The article says that President Trump has opposed some of the liberal stands and policies of the former American president—Barack Obama. It is true that President Obama has been one of the most liberal presidents and has stood for wicked policies, but it is significant that people would openly denounce the turnaround to American policies on these liberal stances. We should applaud any step in the right direction and away from evil in its various forms.

Just today (August 24, 2019) in the news Justice Ginsberg (perhaps the most liberal and wicked of the Supreme Court Justices) is said to have pancreatic cancer. If she is taken, perhaps another more conservative judge could be appointed. This could lead to better days, at least in regard to legal decisions.

We might also point out that in August 23, an article ran entitled, “62% disapprove of how Trump is doing, poll says.” The poll, run by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, says that Trump receives “weak marks” on most issues, except the economy. The article says that “just 36% of Americans approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president; 62% disapprove.” The approval rating “has never dipped below 32% or risen above 42% in AP-NORC polls.” We know that the American public—liberal and secular as it may be—isn’t a good judge of whether a person or policy is good or bad, but it is an interesting finding.

As America descends deeper and deeper into financial debt, into secularism, into religious unbelief, and into a heartless killing of babies, let us rejoice in any sign of good news that may come along. We may not always have this privilege! God may use this time for His good and glory. In the midst of all of the “bad” news, we rejoice that there is a little glimmer of “good” news at present.

–Richard Hollerman

[Keep in mind that we are not necessarily a “fan” of President Trump as a man. However, as a Christian, we can at least endorse certain of his policies of the past two years. But as a man, we would disapprove of a many of his positions which is just what we would do if anyone else filled his shoes!]