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You said — “mmmm.. Free Republic is primarily a political forum, not a religious one. Where do you stand on Higher Criticism? (The Documentary Hypothesis)”

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One’s political viewpoints are an outgrowth of one’s “worldviews”. Everyone has a worldview, so it’s not a matter of “I don’t have one.” And one’s “worldview” is an outgrowth of one’s religious views.

Some may say that they are staunchly “atheist”, but that is also a “religous view” too. And this “religious view” forms other conclusions that they derive by various methods, which forms their worldview, which then forms their political views. In short, you have an outlook on life and how it works (and should work) that motivates you towards one political persuasion or another.

At the bottom of it all is one’s religious views (and even, as I pointed out, one that is staunchly “atheist”).

Furthermore, since the conservative viewpoint is *so populated* with Evangelicals and some others (i.e., what is colloquially known as the “religious right”), this also forms a good deal of discussion on Free Republic, as “foundational principles”. It’s not so for *all* members, but (as I said) since it’s a “huge proportion” of the conservative movement, it’s goingto be discussed. That’s because this particular “worldview” is the *very underpinning* of those Evangelicals and/or others of similar nature — to be here in the first place.

Now, while you may have quickly *bypassed* any such discussions on Free Republic, they are prevalent and can be found every single day, on their own distinct threads, plus mixed in with other threads as the “relevance” may bear. In short, you’re going to find *plenty of it* discussed here on Free Republic.

IN terms of “Higher Criticism”, I think the best answer for that (to make it short and to the point) would be for me to simply point to the “Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” as a defining document for our present culture and time. I think that should answer that issue.

Note a quote that I provide from one of the links —

The “Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” was produced at an international Summit Conference of evangelical leaders, held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago in the fall of 1978. This congress was sponsored by the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. The Chicago Statement was signed by nearly 300 noted evangelical scholars, including James Boice, Norman L. Geisler, John Gerstner, Carl F. H. Henry, Kenneth Kantzer, Harold Lindsell, John Warwick Montgomery, Roger Nicole, J. I. Packer, Robert Preus, Earl Radmacher, Francis Schaeffer, R. C. Sproul, and John Wenham.

Two links supplied here, one which is the primary statement and the second which involves the “interpretation” issue.

http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html

http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html

And then, just some supplementary links regarding the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

http://www.reformation.net/cor/cordocs/inerrancy.pdf

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/chicago.htm

Then you said — “Why do you say that this viewpoint you are coming from is Biblical, it seems more Liberal Talking points to me.. many other folks in this thread have felt the same. Be careful about living faith as an affectation.”

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In terms of liberals taking on the Biblical view, I think it should be obvious by their view on family and marriage and homosexuals that they’re not taking on the Biblical view. I’m confident that this doesn’t need much discussion.

In regards to “affectation”. Let’s just get the definition out there for some others. The first two definitions were marked obsolete, so I didn’t include them.

Main Entry: af·fec·ta·tion
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French & Latin; Middle French affectation, from Latin affectation-, affectatio act of striving, conceit, from affectatus (past participle of affectare to aim) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at AFFECT

3 : the act of taking up or especially displaying a feeling, attitude, opinion, or desire not natural to oneself or not genuinely felt [his love of music was mere affectation] [his affectation of righteous indignation fooled nobody]

4 : manner of speech or behavior not natural to one’s actual personality or capabilities : artificiality of behavior especially in display of feelings [was there nothing in beautiful manners but foppery, prudery, starch, and affectation, with false pride overtopping all? — Van Wyck Brooks]

And so, in regards to that, one can only say that the Biblical view of faith in Jesus the Messiah of Israel, is one that is all-encompassing and nothing supercedes it. The God of Abraham, Isaac and jacob expects to have all things judged according to His Word and according to the faith that we have in Jesus.

Although this may seem foreign to some, who would put other things at higher priorities, all Christians are required to constantly evaluate all things in terms of His Word, at all times. And the only “truth” that exists, is never one by consensus or by agreement, but one which exists in and of itself and is true even when no one may agree to it. God is, by definition, that standard for all truth. Jesus, Himself says *He* is truth, incarnate, namely, in the flesh. This isn’t simply a religious concept (which some put “out there” while we “live here”) — but it is a concept that permeates all facets of what one does and understands and learns and decides upon — minute-by-minute, throughout the day.

This concept of Christianity is one that the Bible says you don’t leave at the church door, but you actually bring with you when you “go out into the world” in all things that you do.

And thus, here it is on Free Republic....

And then — “Some scholars argue that there are several disparate viewpoints represented in the Bible. The clash of these viewpoints is what makes the document so powerful and instructive. The document is a path to faith in God and living in a holy fashion, but not as much about successful Governance or Military strategy. These things operate on different levels. Our faith guides us in the decisions we make and the things we value. But, when faith itself becomes the lens then we can get lost in both our faith and our acts.”

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The last thing you said, is the first here. Faith is not something that we are wishing for and/or something that we desire to emulate (i.e., “how to live a good life). Faith is not simply a “belief system” — but it is basic reality itself, the order of the entire creation, as God Himself said He made it that way and governs it directly that way, minute-by-minute and second-by-second.

Faith is simply knowing that what God has said, what He has said He has done and what He says He will do — will be accomplished exactly as He said and in the way He said.

And who is this God? It is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one that Jesus, the Messiah of Israel testified of. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6]

Also, Jesus said — “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” [Matthew 5:18] A “jot” or “tittle” was the smallest mark on some letters in their alphabet. He was saying that exactly *all* of what has been written will be fulfilled.

And Jesus is the full and complete representation to us of the Father (the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) — Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [John 14:9]

Furthermore, this is not just about living an holy life or having an “example” to follow — it is about knowing that everyone is destined to go straight to hell and be forever separated from God — unless — they have accepted this Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, as their Savior.

As Peter said [Acts 4:8-12] —

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

And Paul said in Romans 10:9-10]

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

This is what forms the minute-by-minute existence of a Christian...

Finally — “The basic rejection of God by many Democrats becomes a false faith like Communism that distorts reality keeping them from doing the very good they wish they could accomplish.”

Well, if the people of this country do not change the way they are going, they are going to continue to reap what they have sown. They will sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. And, unfortunately, that will include the rest of us, as we are part of that corporate body.

I’ll show what Paul said about this kind of “faith” —

Romans 1:16-32

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

God will judge them for what they have done, and we see that here —

Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

In the meantime, Jesus, the Messiah of Israel is coming back to this earth soon (it looks like anywhere from now to a mere months or years, according to what the Bible shows for the world scene). And when He comes back He will be replacing the government of the United States and the other countries (England or France or Iraq, Iran, China and so on) with His new government, the world-wide government that He will establish from Jerusalem.

Therefore, we’re in for a change of government pretty soon, I would say...