#1 IDENTITY POLITICS: The Divine Overview
Dr. Stephen Phinney: As you read Identity Politics, you will discover the simple faith many of our leaders held close to their hearts.
In a culture where national loyalty equals human rights and opinionated views, the United States of America needs a miracle procured by God's hand. Lost are the testimonies of the faithful men & women of God who fought to keep our land free from oppressors of greed.
The Hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, the course of the war, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith. George Washington | August 20. 1778
The facts today reveal that we are the land of greed & indulgence.
The deplorable actions of the American citizens in our present age would insult the efforts and beliefs of our founding members. In an age where Divine Providence and the Grace of God dominated a national worldview, has now faded the stars and stripes of Old Glory. The hand of Heaven appears to have forsaken us and turned us over to our depraved minds. The once humble instruments and means of providential dispensation that ruled the minds of our founders have drifted into the national archives. Our successes have staggered our progress, and now those successes have released a nation of rebels. Lord God, we need a miracle!
Worldview is born from personal identity. As a cultural historian, it is easy for me to determine the identity issues of a country by carefully examining the identity statements and actions that come forth from its leaders. When leaders stop noting and referencing faith in God within their political statements, the countries they rule will soon slowly fade into a pluralistic worldview of an atheistic agnostic view - a nation that believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. America made such a shift. As we walk through the historical halls of our nation, we will see the slow fade of a nation that shifts from In God we trust to in ourselves we trust.
Within our national archives, we have endless statements of belief sustaining the identity of national politicians, writers, and orators who were immovable in their faith in God – in incomprehensible proportions. Most of these leaders, through their blood, sweat, and tears, sacrificed all that they had to ensure the will of the God they served. A cause of a fledgling nation suffering endless and relentless conflicts from oppressors who defied a nation securing its identity in the Living God – much like the land of Israel.
As Israel is the epicenter for the Jews, America’s roots prove that the United States of America was, and hopefully still is, the epicenter of the Gentile authentic Christians. Not long ago, we were known for being the most powerful nation in the world because of this fact. Today, not so much. In our present culture, we are known more for the independence of the Divine Providence God. Instead of appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, we judge God by the opinions of the masses.
Back on July 4, 1776, the watermark identity of our country was cemented in Divine Providence through the identity of politics based on the Divine beliefs of each leader. It was seen and stated at almost every critical turning point. Most speeches revealed the providential beliefs of a God-ordained nation – most sustaining an attitude of supernatural guidance of a Supreme God.
In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. Ben Franklin | June 28, 1787
As you read Identity Politics, you will discover the simple faith many of our leaders held close to their hearts. You will see how their beliefs in Christ wrote the script of their speeches. You will be illumined by the strength and forthrightness of their dependence on prayer, fasting, and devotion to the will of God the Father. More importantly, you will discover how the descendants of these leaders are what keep the spark of their original founding beliefs alive today. I am one of those grandchildren, who has descended from Samual Chase, who placed his signature on the Declaration of Independence. In fact, this project is motivated & dedicated to this connection.
THE SERIES’ OBJECTIVE
My objective is first to honor the investors of our nation, particularly those who respect or respected the Divine providential care of our God – by the boldness of merging their personal beliefs in Christ into the domain of politics. Secondly, I have an objective of returning readers to the founding spiritual beliefs once established by our forefathers. Finally, to refine a political worldview that God Himself would honor – a view that will assist in praying, believing in a God who remains in control, and even voting for candidates that have a passion for sustaining the will of God.
Politics is not a nasty word for me. I understand its organic purpose, which is to develop policies that protect the people of a governing body. It is not in the activities associated with the governance of a country, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. It is not about power; it is about the providential care of the people by God.
At the beginning of the conquest of establishing One Nation Under God, our leaders understood the dangers ahead to establish a more perfect union. They remained steadfast. Each understood that the Laws of Nature & the Nature of God must be rooted in the political bands of all the future leaders who are to guide the nation. Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, my grandfather, stated this:
By our form of Government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed on the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty. -Samuel Chase
Thomas Jefferson attempted to impeach my grandfather for being devoted to his Christian roots – accusing him of allowing his Christian beliefs to interfere with his politics. While Jefferson’s efforts failed, men like Chase reached deep into their spiritual pockets and brought forth an undying commitment to maintain the original purpose of establishing One Nation Under God. I am compelled to do the same thing.
Identity Politics will endeavor to protect the founding beliefs of a now wayward nation. Challenging readers to return to their knees and pray.
If My people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Did our God call this nation in His name? Count on it. Did our founding members humble themselves and pray? I will prove this. Did God hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and heal their land because of this? He did! Can this miraculous event happen today? Not without a revival of the people returning to their God in humility, confessing their sins of disbelief, and being willing to reunite with the founding fathers who refused to deviate from the Holy Divine Providences of God.
Dr. Stephen Phinney
Identity Politics | Co-writer:
