Virtue is never more self-evident than when contrasted with vice.
—Benjamin Allen, in his commencement speech to the graduating class of Rhode Island College, now Brown University, delivered September 6, 17971—
When you and I look back on 2020, many of us likely will think of it as a year of difficulty and hardship, given the coronavirus pandemic, the lockdowns that arose as a result of the government’s response, and the economic turmoil that occurred as a result of the lockdowns. Beyond that, we have had to deal with a rigged election. The evidence for this is irrefutable (also go here).
I would not minimize the seriousness of COVID–19; it is real, and it is ominous for some who come down with it. Nevertheless, we are ignoring reality if we fail to understand that the virus has provided a golden opportunities for tyrants to seize power in an otherwise free country, and for nefarious players to cheat in the 2020 election process.
On Friday, September 25, 2020, Rick Leventhal of Fox News tweeted the survival rates for COVID–19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The following day, radio host Howie Carr also tweeted them. Here is a portion of Carr’s tweet:
In case you missed Fri. nite news dump from CDC, here are latest survival rates for people who test positive (a tiny fraction to begin with):
age 0-19: 99.997%.
age 20-49: 99.98%.
age 50-69: 99.5%
age 70+: 94.6%
Despite these extremely high rates of survival, Democrats used the virus to an unfair advantage anyway. America’s enemies China and Russia also were involved in the effort to manipulate the election. It is not at all extreme to point out, as Patrick Wyett has, that the 2020 election represents “a declaration of war” on America.
As this titanic conflict continues to play out, I would point out three things Christians need to remember. First, we must learn from the Founders of this great country how to wage war effectively in multiple arenas, including the political and the spiritual. They were imperfect men, but they got a great deal right. Because of their spiritual sensitivities, their insight, their discernment, their commitment to liberty, and their faith in God, their efforts gave rise to a country that has, throughout most of its history, loved both liberty and righteousness. Indeed, America’s Founders understood that without the latter, the former would be impossible on any widespread scale. This truth gives rise to the second emphasis, that against a backdrop of evil and lies, it will be clearer than ever that righteousness and truth provide the way to authentic freedom. Hear again the words of Benjamin Allen we cited at the top of this page: “Virtue is never more self-evident than when contrasted with vice.”1 Third, the latest manifestations of conflict in our country represent a war between good and evil, between truth and lies. Only those who are equipped with a biblical worldview can fight effectively for true freedom.
To these three very important ends — that of
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- learning from the Founders,
- understanding the relationship between God’s law and authentic liberty, and
- understanding and living according to the biblical worldview —
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I have continued to write (I trust with God’s help) “Insights and Commentary from a Biblical Perspective.” In 2020, I have added 57 articles to the Word Foundations library of posts, bringing the total to 313. Some of the items listed below are supplemental or are repostings of earlier articles; I have not counted these in the 57.
I’ve also released the following at www.discoverbedrocktruth.org.
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- Principles of Liberty: Ten Biblical Truths Embedded in the Declaration of Independence — A Five-Session Bible Study Series
- Could Jesus Have Been a Good Teacher Without Being God? — A Bible Study
- One of Satan’s Most Effective Strategies for Attacking God’s Word — Upholding illegitimate ways of interpreting Scripture
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May God help us as believers and American patriots to faithfully uphold true principles of liberty. This includes being faithful to the cause of righteousness. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
And may God bless and restore America during 2021.
B. Nathaniel Sullivan
January 1, 2021
Needed: 20/20 Vision for 2020
December 31, 2019—article 256
Seven Trends that Will Challenge Bible-Believing Christians in 2020 and Beyond
Countering Ominous Trends in Society and in the Church
article 257—January 9, 2020
Lessons from College Park
College Park, Georgia, is the home of Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Headquarters
A streamlined version of part 3 is titled “Fifteen Things You Need to Know About Chick-fil-A’s Decision to Change Its Corporate Giving Policy” is available here.
What You Need to Know About the Debate over Pro-Life Legislation in Tennessee
article 261—January 31, 2020
“Ten Ways the Free Enterprise Economic Model Aligns with Scripture”
This article combines the contents of parts 2 and 3 of this series.
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- Part 1: — February 7, 2020, article 262 — In investigating whether or not the Bible affirms a free market economic model, we initially discover that it rejects socialism—decisively.
- Part 2: — February 11, 2020, article 263 — God’s fingerprints are all over the free enterprise economic model many people call capitalism.
- Part 3: — February 13, 2020, article 264— Even though the free enterprise economic system isn’t perfect and even though it can be exploited and abused, when it’s properly explained and understood, it aligns beautifully with Scripture. And that’s just for starters.
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Five Concerns that Have Made the Formation of the Conservative Baptist Network Necessary — February 20, 2020, article 265
Three Lists that Cut Through the Fog that Otherwise Distorts the True Meaning of Marriage — February 27, 2020, article 266
Five Things I learned from Jon Harris’s Conversation with Bill Roach About Standpoint Epistemology — March 9, 2020, article 267
One of Satan’s Most Effective Strategies for Attacking God’s Word
A Look at Trajectory Hermeneutics
Articles About the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resist Tyranny, Part 1 — March 16, 2020, article 268
When the people in a nation panic, leaders make decisions that can be classified as knee-jerk reactions.
Resist Tyranny, Part 2 — March 20, 2020, article 269
When the people in a nation panic, leftists try relentlessly to run roughshod over liberty.
Crisis Management? Look to the Founders! — March 24, 2020, article 270
America’s Founders faced severe crises and laid their lives on the line for freedom, but they never panicked.
Twenty-Two Insights to Keep in Mind as the Coronavirus Crisis Continues to Unfold— March 27, 2020, article 271
Tyranny on the Horizon? — March 31, 2020, article 272
On Monday, March 30, 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a stay-at-home order to the people of his state. The executive order requires Virginians to stay in their places of residence, unless they plan to be involved in a few specific activities for which Governor Northam gives them permission to be out. The order is effective until June 10—ten weeks and two days away from the date the governor issued it. Someone—perhaps many people—will snap!
Government’s Responsibility Before God: A Brief Study of Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17, Part 1 — April 2, 2020, article 273
Government’s Responsibility Before God: A Brief Study of Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17, Part 2 — April 6, 2020, article 274
What does the Bible say about the purpose for which God established government? The answer is multifaceted, one that we as Christians dare not oversimplify — especially during a crisis. Parts 1 and 2 of this series are available on one page here.
The One Thing Jesus Could Not Do — April 10, 2020, Good Friday, article 275
What You Need to Know About the Samaritan’s Purse Field Hospital in Central Park in New York City
Why Christians Must Consistently Uphold Man-Woman Marriage and a Biblical View of Sexuality, Even as they Take Heat for Doing So
April 24, 2020, article 278
Big Tech Tyranny: Trampling on Free Speech and Eliminating Dissent
May 1, 2020, article 279
Fight Back: Find Alternatives to Big Tech Whenever and Wherever Possible
May 9, 2020, article 280
The right to peaceably assemble – the linchpin right
Guest post by Pastor Sam Jones, May 14, 2020
Super Qualities? No—Supernatural Qualities!
May 22, 2020, article 281
Hillsdale College: Pointing the Way Out of Bondage
May 26, 2020, article 282
What did the Founders of America mean when, in the Declaration of Independence, they used the word entitle?
June 5, 2020, article 283
Remember D-Day
June 6, 2020
Introducing Principles of Liberty: Ten Biblical Truths Embedded in the Declaration of Independence, a Five-Session Bible Study Series
June 12, 2020, article 284
Principles of Liberty: Ten Biblical Truths Embedded in the Declaration of Independence is a five-session Bible study series I’ve prepared that examines these principles (two per session) and uncovers the true meanings of the words and phrases most commonly quoted from the Declaration of Independence. The series demonstrates how far America has departed from the Founders’ ideals, even though people often use the same words and phrases the Founding Fathers used. It also encourages a return to those ideals today. Further, destroys some of the misconceptions commonly held today about the Founders, such as the myths that they were racists and “greedy capitalists.”
Social Justice: A Different Gospel
In this 3-part series, we explore 17 traits of the social justice “gospel” that show decisively that the social justice movement stands contrary to the authentic good news we find in Scripture.
Finding Freedom and Liberty Where Many Today Would Never Expect to Find Them
July 2, 2020, article 288
Contemporary Americans have been looking for freedom in all the wrong places. Let me tell you, dear reader, where you can find it—in the same place the Founding Fathers found it before they established this nation—in the midst of “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” It is there that authentic freedom and liberty not only exist, but thrive! John and Abigail Adams understood this, as did many others during the Founding era, and we’re still reaping the benefits of this understanding today. But be forewarned: freedom is fragile! We must return to the Founders’ perspective on this issue if America as we know it is going to survive. Yes, it’s that serious!
White Christians Need, Among Other Things, Generous Doses of Self-Respect and Confidence
July 10, 2020, article 289
Why are white Christians are apologizing for sins of which they are not guilty? They’re not solidly grounded in biblical theology—and they lack confidence and self respect. The principles we explore in this article will be helpful for all believers of all races.
Reining in Executives Who’ve Overstepped Their Authority
July 16, 2020, article 290
Legislators make laws, not governors—but you’d never know that looking across the American landscape today! It’s time to reign in executives who have overstepped their authority!
Celebrate Liberty!
August 2, 2020, article 292
August 2, 2020 is the 244th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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One of the Keys to Liberty Is Upholding the Reality of Absolute Truth: Here’s Why
Journalistic Malpractice
Journalistic Malpractice, Part 1
August 4, 2020, article 293
Journalistic Malpractice, Part 2
August 6, 2020, article 294
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well, Part 1
August 14, 2020, article 295
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well, Part 2
August 21, 2020, article 296
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well, Part 3
August 28, 2020, article 297
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well, Part 4
September 3, 2020, article 298
Could Jesus Have Been a Good Teacher Without Being God?
a Bible study — September 3, 2020
Avoiding Ethical Quicksand and Helping Members of the Next Generation Avoid It as Well, Part 5
September 10, 2020, article 299
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If the Democrats Win, Say Goodbye to Faith-Based Hospitals
September 21, 2020, article 300
“Faith-based hospitals represent a whopping 12 percent of the total number of such facilities in America. Initially, twelve percent may not sound like much, but it is more than significant, especially if these facilities were removed from the healthcare landscape. Moreover, many faith-based hospitals aren’t small operations, either!” If the Democrats win, they will demand these hospitals perform procedures that violate the policies of the hospitals and the consciences of those who work there.
Despite Tim Keller’s Arguments, No Biblical Justification for Voting for Democrats Exists
September 25, 2020, article 301
Would Someone Please Tell J. D. Greear and Ed Stetzer to Stop Lying About President Donald Trump?
October 1, 2020, article 302
Has President Trump denounced white supremacy? Any honest observer knows the answer is yes—he has many times. Yet this became a contentious issue in and following the first presidential debate. The media have refused to let go of the idea that Trump refuses to disavow white supremacy. Why are evangelical leaders J. D. Greear and Ed Stetzer echoing the media’s narrative? Why are they willing to lie?
“Pro-Life” Evangelicals for Biden Aren’t Pro-Life, Even in the Ways They Think They Are
October 8, 2020, article 303
Unmasking a Plan to Destroy America as We Know It, Part 1
October 16, 2020, article 304
What the Democrats Want to Do Should Disturb Us Infinitely More Than Trump’s Unrefined Tweets, Unmasking a Plan to Destroy America as We Know It, Part 2
October 20, 2020, article 305
A Message to “Pro-Biden Christians” About the 2020 Election: To Whom Do You Belong?
October 23, 2020, article 306
Democrats Unmasked: Why Unity Is Not Possible
October 28, 2020, article 307
Republicans — not Democrats — Have Consistently Fought for and Upheld the Rights of Black Americans
October 30, 2020, article 308
Election Update from The Daily Wire, Hosted by Michael Knowles
November 7, 2020
Election 2020: A Declaration of War
guest post by Patrick Wyett — November 10, 2020
The Story of The Mayflower Compact, Which Was Adopted on November 11, 1620
November 11, 2020, article 309
Ditching Socialism in the New World: A Lesson for 21st-Century Americans
November 18, 2020 — This article originally appeared on November 26, 2019
Spitting in God’s Face: Making Believers Feel Guilty when they Ought to Be Thankful, Part 1
November 23, 2020 — This article originally appeared on December 5, 2019
Spitting in God’s Face: Making Believers Feel Guilty when they Ought to Be Thankful, Part 2
November 25, 2020 — This article originally appeared on December 16, 2019
What’s the Big Deal About Section 230?
November 27, 2020, article 310
Now more than ever, free speech is under attack in America — and Big Tech is the enemy attacking. It’s time to reign in social media giants and internet elites!
Why Would Sidney Powell and Lin Wood Encourage Georgia Republicans to Boycott the Senate Runoffs?
December 4, 2020, article 311
Recapture the Spirit of ’76
December 12, 2020
We are at a watershed moment in America and in American history. This is no time for American patriots to surrender and “move on.” Instead, we must strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts to expose corruption, restore election integrity, and preserve authentic liberty.…Because the crisis we now face in America is as as much a threat to liberty and as urgent as the crisis faced by our Founders, we need the Founders’ mettle and fortitude. We must rediscover the Spirit of ’76 and emulate them. Never back down, never give up, never surrender! Why? Because truth and freedom matter, and they must matter to us as much as they did to the patriots who founded this great country! What qualities characterized the Founders? This article, which I originally released on July 13, 2019, highlights twelve characteristics that set America’s Founders apart as heroes of liberty. May we, with God’s help exercise these same qualities, qualities on which the future of America and American liberty depend.
The Wonder of Christmas
December 21, 2020, article 312
The wonder of Christmas isn’t about Christmas only, but about Jesus Himself and His sacrificial love! The shepherds who visited Jesus on the night of His birth could not have understood all God intended to do in sending His Son. Even so, they clearly understood enough to be captivated by what they did comprehend, and so did the people with whom these sheepherders shared what they had seen and heard. As Luke 2:17-18 tells us, “17Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Verse 18 in the King James Version says, “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Wondered, of course, means “marveled.” Yet this was just the beginning. We find that Scripture showcases instance after instance in which people marveled over Jesus. Explore a few of these with me in this special post.
The Burdens and Risks of Christmas — All Parts of God’s Counterintuitive Plan
December 25, 2020, article 313
Heavy responsibilities, but a journey that is exhilarating and fulfilling as is none other. Christmas gives us a snapshot of the high adventure of living in obedience to God. Don’t let anyone mislead you. Jesus meant what He said when He boldly and rightfully claimed, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
America: On the Brink of Losing Liberty and Ceasing to be a Republic
December 29, 2020
America is at a crossroads. If patriots don’t draw a line in the sand and stand up unapologetically for liberty and for election integrity now, the “sweet land of liberty” will become a bitter land of tyranny and oppression. Will you take a stand and speak up? Now is the time!
Copyright © 2020 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.
top image credit: Photo by Federico Lancellotti on Unsplash
Note:
Benjamin Allen, “An Oration in Defense of Divine Revelation,” delivered September 6, 1797, in Michael Farris, American Commencement: Graduation Speeches that Inspired a New Nation, (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2011), e-book.