Why You Must Remain
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This essay began here, with a challenge to
those enamoured with Micah's Vine
& Fig Tree vision to remain in the church in which they are members,
despite the fact that we believe the institutional church should and will be abandoned. In this essay we return to our survey of Patriarchal government, and show how those of us living in a day of murderous mega-states and idolatrous mega-churches can begin to implement Micah's prophecy in our "local church." The question being asked on this page is, "Can you be more effectively used by God to help create a well-governed society by staying in your present church, or by leaving?" Let's review the requirements of a well-governed Vine & Fig Tree society. |
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What We Need in a "Well-Governed Society"Clicking the links below will send you to our original essay. Use your "back" button to return to this page.
Patriarchy: A Well-Governed Society Without "the Government."As we show in other essays, Abraham exercised hospitality by picking up refugees from the pagan empires around him. He had well over 1,000 people in his "household," only a very few of whom were related by blood. Just as Christ our Captain (Heb. 2:10) and Prince (Acts 3:15; 5:31; Heb. 12:2) is also the model for believers (Eph. 4:13), so we are to become captains and kings (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; 1 Peter 2:5,9). We should strive first to lead 10, then 50, then 100, then 1000 (Exodus 18:21). For many, these people may be the fellow-members of your local church. Who is a member of your church? Who has God given to you to nurture into a Godly Patriarch? Who has God sent to you to polish your rough edges, and turn you into a Christ-like servant? Notice how a patriarch could begin bringing good government to his local church.
A Godly patriarch can not only teach his own children, but those of his church. If your church does not already have an affiliated school, you can invite some of the children of the church to be a part of your homeschool -- along with their parents. There are plenty of decent curricula available which make this possible. Training takes only a few months. The parents of other children in the church can be trained. Older, responsible youth can work as teacher's aides. Order How to Become a Millionaire in Christian Education by Ellsworth McIntyre, $10.00 (+ $2.00 S&H) to Nicene Press, 4405 Outer Dr., Naples, FL 34112 (941) 793-4022. 2. Employment and Vocational Training The "Bar-Mitzvah" (lit., "son of command") has long marked the time when a boy becomes a man; when he has mastered the Law of God and has developed the ability to obey. Armed with Godly character, he is ready for vocational training. While Christians are not required to observe any ceremony, and while they also think in terms of both young men and young women (Galatians 3:28), we must still recognize the need to move from the education of children to the training of young men and women for their roles as husbands and wives and as fathers and mothers; as partners in Dominion. Fathers must be skilled in providing for their Families; mothers skilled in preparing and distributing the provisions God gives the Family. Young women must therefore be taught how to reign as virtuous women and queens of the home (Proverbs 31:10-31; I Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:4-5; Psalm 113:9); young men must be trained to work in some capacity that provides for his Family without compromising his integrity. (Genesis 1:26-28, I Timothy 5:8, and Proverbs 31:15 show that the division of labor is not tight here.) Specialized training in vocations is best accomplished in household apprenticeships, as we shall show in future essays. The very old often become physically unable to work to provide for their own needs. Often elderly women will outlive their husbands. It is not desirable that the elderly live alone, especially if they haven't enough saved income to survive alone. Grandparents and the elderly in general need personal care and attention. The Family is God's answer to this problem. Crotchety old folks build the character of Christ in us. We need good government. The answer offered by the State is to give the elderly a small check, and for families to ignore their personal needs and ship them off to an institution. This is not a Biblical alternative. Those who criticize those who would abolish Social Security as "irresponsible" are themselves worse than irresponsible. They are undermining good government.
The slogan of assembly-line abortuaries, "Every child a wanted child," is tantamount to saying "Death to all unpopular kids!" Because God has a special affection and guardianship over the fatherless, we are to as well (Psalm 68:5; 1 Peter 1:15-16). The Westminster Confession of Faith notes the centrality of "Adoption" as an aspect of our salvation. A well-governed society encourages adoption; "the State" makes it more difficult. 5. Care of the Ill and Handicapped The handicapped need more than a government check. They are not benefited by the State forcing small businesses to spend thousands of dollars on ramps for places the handicapped never frequent. One of the most vital needs of the handicapped is to accept "unchangeable defects." Bitterness against God frequently arises among those who do not see themselves as beautiful as air-brushed Hollywood celebrities. God presents us with physical needs because while we write a check we can minister to these deeper spiritual needs. When these social needs are met by that institution called "the State" instead of by Christian patriarchs, that same State uses its coercive powers to trample on true religion, because as James noted (1:27), true religion threatens the monopoly claimed by the State over "government." |
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Make Your Home a Community CenterThis is the advice of the famous "Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts" Seminars, led by Bill Gothard. Now called the Institute in Basic Life Principles, the Seminar gives concrete, practical advice on how you can make your home a community center, including "Five Basic Aspects of a Dynamic Home." A Godly Patriarchy ministers to a neighborhood by being: 1. A Worship Center
A Godly Patriarch can help his neighbors answer the following questions:
2. A Learning CenterThe Godly patriarch knows the answers to these questions, and guides his neighbors to the answers:
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3. A Hospitality CenterGod commands us all to be hospitable
Hospitality helps cure the additions of modern society. The Godly patriarch practices hospitality, and helps his neighbors understand:
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4. A Health CenterThe State would like us to think that we would all be sick or dead without its management of our health care. God promises that if we obey His Commandments, "I will put none of these diseases upon thee" (Exodus 15:26). A Godly patriarch teaches his neighbors about good health:
5. A Craft CenterA well governed society correctly answers these questions, and a Godly patriarch helps his neighbors understand:
All of these aspects of a a dynamic home characterized the Patriarchy Abraham, and are necessary for a well-governed society. |
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