Pharisees Anonymous

  This testimony begins with the earliest memory I have. I don’t claim that it’s necessarily true. I remember it. But it could be a false memory. I know that those are possible and I don’t pretend that I’m above it.   My father worked in the courts as a court reporter for longer than I’ve been alive and he’s made it clear that there could be ten witnesses of one event, all have different versions of the event, and all believe their version is true. The “glasses” you wear color everything you see.  The glasses I wear are spiritual. From the time I was a small child I remember having strange spiritual occurrences.  I have the gift of spiritual discernment.  It’s a gift    - or a curse - like so many things it depends on what glasses you wear.  It’s not like what you’d think. I see things. I sense things. Things most people can’t see hear or sense. Or if they do they don’t usually admit it. It’s uncomfortable. It’s made me different. Stand-offish. I ...

  Democracy isn’t from God.   Democracy is a man-made institution. It was first created as far as we know in Ancient Greece. There are arguments that it goes back as far as ancient Mesopotamia - Babylon.  Democracy is government “Of the people by the people and for the people.” This, at its core, is humanism. The elevation of man to be his own ruler.  When man is on the throne and not God, the Bible tells us there is wickedness and every evil thing.  Ancient Israel was supposed to be Gods’ chosen people. They were to be run by representatives that God chose. Prophets and later, judges. Because the people were wicked in heart the people, as people tend to do, rebelled.  The people of Israel demanded a king. And though the ruling prophet Samuel was grieved by this, God told him to anoint them a king. And do Samuel did.  The king God chose was Saul. (see  1 Samuel 8) Saul was handsome and a head taller than everyone else. He “looked like” a king. He ...