Bruce Szwast November 8th, 2009

Dear etc: Thank you for an excellent program on ‘how to deal with poverty’. I have struggled with this issue. But, I am at the point in my life where 1) give money to the downtown rescue mission; and 2) when ‘approached’, simply answer: I just gave your money to the Orlando Union Rescue. I know this seems impersonal; but it is like the Gospel, you give it out, and let them decide for themselves. However, if we want a ‘soup kitchen’ activity in a church, go for it. And very rarely have I seen financial assistance work; especially when we are in direct competition with the government. A government, who seems to want to shut us down, or even worse, tax us to death; it is coming.

I have an avid interest in world and Christian church history. Seems to me that the only system that works is one where the government, whatever form, if responsible to God, provides for the welfare of its people. By welfare, I do not mean welfare. Welfare is a product of the socialized mentality that many politicians are capitalizing on. Real welfare, is providing for the common defense against evil, and allowing a good economic system to flourish. If meaningful employment is available, then we have something to work with, in good conscience.

Sounds like your future guest from Whitehorse may be addressing this issue, from a political point of view. And from a spiritual point of view, the church needs to take a hard look at this. Soup kitchens, etc, are a defensive move. After the horses have escaped, we fix the fence. And let us face the real issue: we are fighting the devil and humanistic thought that dismisses the relevancy of God and His people.

We celebrate the Reformation (the second resurrection), we celebrate John Calvin, (some of us Luther, Arminius, and Ussher), and some of us even celebrate Charles Darwin. We should be celebrating the opportunities God has given us to be an effective force for good stable government. The government will be on His shoulders; we, the Church, especially in a more democratic world, have a choice in who we appoint as leaders.

The Church of the first resurrection, or the first thousand years (Rev 20), was blessed and effectively conquered the world for the Christian ideal; peacefully and otherwise. Today death is all around us. Could we be part of a third resurrection that does it better; or should we just call it quits, take a hit, and wait for Christ to come back?

Ps Have you read the opening chapters of Michener’s ‘Poland’? I was so dismayed; some of my relatives may have been slaughtered because of weak government (1240). But, thank God for King Sobieski, 9/12/1683. And don’t forget Martel and El Cid…..

Bruce Szwast