Church of God News

Dennis Prager (photo by Gage Skidmore)

COGwriter

Columnist and radio personality Dennis Prager wrote the following:

What is Truth?

The left regularly acknowledges that it doesn’t think in terms of good and evil. Most of us are so used to thinking in those terms – what we call “Judeo-Christian” – that it is very difficult for us to divide the world in any other way.

But since Karl Marx, the left (not liberalism; the two are different) has always divided the world, and, therefore, human actions, in ways other than good and evil. The left, in Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous words, has always operated “beyond good and evil.”

It all began with Marx, who divided the world by economic class – worker and owner or exploited and exploiter. To Marx and to Marxism, there is no such thing as a good or an evil that transcends class. Good is defined as what is good for the working class; evil is what is bad for the working class.

Therefore, to Marxists, there is no such thing as a universal good or a universal evil. …

In Marx’s words in “Capital” (“Das Kapital”):

“Right can never be higher than the economic structure of society and the cultural development thereby determined. We therefore reject every attempt to impose on us any moral dogma whatsoever as an eternal, ultimate and forever immutable moral law.”

Fifty-three years later, Marx’s foremost disciple, Vladimir Lenin, architect of the Russian Revolution, proclaimed:

“We say that our morality is entirely subordinated to the interests of the class struggle of the proletariat. … We do not believe in an eternal morality. … We repudiate all morality derived from non-human (i.e., God) and non-class concepts” (Address to the Third Congress of the Russian Young Communist League, Oct. 2, 1920).

As professor Wilfred Cantwell Smith, director of Harvard University’s Center for the Study of World Religions, wrote in 1957: “For Marxism there is no reason (literally no reason: our universe, the movement posits, is the kind of universe where there cannot conceivably be any reason) for not killing or torturing or exploiting a human person if his liquidation or torture or slave labor will advance the historical process.”

This is how Marx’s ideological heirs, today’s leftists, view the world – with one important difference: Morality is not determined only by class, but by race, power and sex as well. 09/15/20 https://www.wnd.com/2020/09/lefts-moral-compass-isnt-broken/

In the USA and various other parts of the world, this godless pro-government Marxist attitude is gaining more and more acceptance in academia, the major media, and elsewhere.

Notice some of the changes that Michael Synder has pointed out about the USA as it has drifted more towards Marxist views in the past 70 years:

America 1950 vs. America 2020

In 1950, the American people believed that the free market should govern the economy.

In 2020, most Americans seem to believe that the government in Washington and the Federal Reserve must endlessly “manage” the economy.

In 1950, “socialists” and “communists” were considered to be our greatest national enemies.

In 2020, most of our politicians in Washington have eagerly embraced socialist and communist policy goals.

In 1950, the U.S. Constitution was deeply loved and highly revered.

In 2020, anyone that actually admits to being a “constitutionalist” is considered to be a potential domestic terrorist.

In 1950, the United States loaned more money to the rest of the world than anybody else.

In 2020, the United States owes more money to the rest of the world than anybody else. 09/14/20 http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/america-1950-vs-america-2020

The Bible, in the Book of Romans, gives reasons why some go the immoral way:

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. (Romans 1:22-32)

The pushing aside biblical standards of morality will lead to death and destruction.

What we have been seeing suggests a generation written about thousands of years ago in the Book of Proverbs:

12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation — oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up. (Proverbs 30:12-13)

What we are seeing in the USA and many part of the world is consistent with the warnings in Romans and Proverbs.

It is also consistent with the following end time prophecy penned by the Apostle Paul:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Cal Thomas wrote the following several years back about the growing acceptance of Marxist ideas under the term socialism:

May 7, 2016

Given its track record, one wonders why socialism is gaining in popularity in the U.S. and what appeal it has to a generation that, apparently, knows little about it. A recent survey from Harvard University has found that 51 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 29 do not support capitalism. Just 42 percent support the economic system that has allowed even the poorest American to live better and to have more opportunity for advancement than most of the rest of the world. Thirty-three percent of those surveyed support socialism.

Why does socialism receive such strong support among the young? I think it’s partly due to what is being taught in too many public schools and universities and it is partly due to ignorance and human nature, which would rather get a check than earn one.

Three quotes about socialism sum up both its false promise and its danger.

— “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” –Winston Churchill

— “The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” — Margaret Thatcher

— “The goal of socialism is communism.” — Vladimir Lenin

There are many modern and older examples of socialism’s failures. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-socialism-s-false-promise-20160505-story.html

Yes, Marxist ideologies have been gaining acceptance, even in the formally anti-Communist USA.

There is right and wrong. There is a cause for each effect. There is a cost to godlessness and sin.

But sadly, more and more with political power believe that government objectives are more important than biblical aspects of morality.

The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, co-wrote the following:

SOCIALISM: An economic system and theory according to which the masses of production, distribution and exchange are owned and controlled by the people (i.e., by the government). Its goal (in human theory) is a fairer and more equitable distribution of the wealth of a country. … Features of socialism in these nations include the nationalization of certain industries, publicly owned housing, comprehensive welfare systems, etc.

Socialism may come 1) through revolution, or 2) people may choose to give their government more control over the means of production and distribution of wealth through democratic means. Socialism developed as a reaction against the abuses of capitalism, triggered by the inhuman working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.  Communists use the term “socialism” to describe the way of life in present Soviet society (see “Communism”).

CAPITALISM: An economic system characterized by private or corporation ownership of the means of production. Investments are determined by private decision rather than by state control. Prices, production and distribution of goods are determined mainly in a free market, i.e., by competition. Features of both capitalism and socialism may coexist in the same nation.

COMMUNISM: A term used to denote the theory advocating the elimination of private property, with goods owned in common and available to all as needed.

The term came to prominence in 1848 with the publication of the Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels. In political terms, the word “communist” refers to the Communist Party created by Lenin in 1918. It is an outgrowth of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party founded in 1898. In 1903, this party split into so-called majority (Bolshevik) and minority (Menshevik) factions. Both sought to achieve “socialism” as defined by Karl Marx. But the Bolsheviks under Lenin fought for a small, secret organization and the immediate and violent overthrow of government. The Mensheviks were more like the Social Democratic parties in Western Europe, which believed in bringing about socialism gradually and legally through ballot, trade unions, and a large, open party. In 1918, Lenin renamed his Bolshevik group the Communist Party.

Communists believe that their first task is the establishment of “socialism,” and that the final stage is true communism. They say that under socialism they give effect to the principle, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his work,” and that there are still distinctions between classes. (The social order found in Russia today, which we call “communism,” is termed “socialism” by communist writers) Under communism (which they have not yet attained in its pure form), social life would be guided by the principle, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” At that time, communists believe, class, labor, and property distinctions will, disappear. Eventually the machinery of government will no longer be needed, and the state will wither away. 

The doctrines of Marx and Engels are ambiguous on many points, and consequently have given rise to various interpretations. The Soviet Union and China, for example, differ violently in their interpretations of Marxism.

The terms “Marxist” and “communist” are often used interchangeably. …

What about communism and TOTALITARIANISM? In organizational form, totalitarianism closely resembles the organizational form of the GOVERNMENT OF GOD, but there the likeness stops! Some totalitarian rulers in the past have been good rulers from a human standpoint; most have been tyrants. Even the better ones were still HUMAN and fallible, and subject to mistakes that have been costly to their subjects beyond estimate, in economy, injustice, pain and suffering. 

Six thousand years of man trying to organize himself have WRITTEN THE LESSON in human anguish, pain, suffering, injustice, unhappiness, discontent, frustration — and DEATH! …

Governments have failed utterly to solve the world’s evils. Social systems have enslaved, harmed, given little or no real help. … Look what MAN has done! He has polluted the air, the water, the soil of his earth. He has ruined, harmed, destroyed, or polluted every piece of God’s earth he has gotten his hands on!    Pessimistic?

No! A thousand times No! The 6,000 years God allotted for man to WRITE this lesson are about over. 

The lesson has been WRITTEN — but not yet LEARNED!

My GREAT COMMISSION IS TO ANNOUNCE TO YOU and the WORLD that soon now — yet in OUR GENERATION — God ALMIGHTY Will INTERVENE supernaturally and directly. Christ soon will come in the TOTAL POWER and AUTHORITY Of the Creator GOD, TO RULE ALL NATIONS with the GOVERNMENT OF GOD! 

A very FEW have been predestinated to be CALLED NOW, to stand back of me in getting this ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE WORLD, and in so doing have prepared themselves to be changed, at Christ’s coming, from mortal to immortal — from human to divine; to be given POWER under Christ in His Kingdom to RULE what humanity is left alive after the present fast-approaching GREAT TRIBULATION — the final CLIMAX Of man’s REBELLION — shall have been put down.

We shall have PEACE, happiness, joy, abundant well-being — and the offer OF ETERNAL LIFE — for all. (Armstrong HW, Rader S. WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR GOVERNMENTS? Plain Truth, March 1977)

Yes, the Marxist goal is intended to lead to totalitarianism.

But yes, there is good news. The is Kingdom of God coming–but we will see massive destruction first. (Note: As far as the OFFER of eternal life for all that Herbert W. Armstrong mentioned, that is discussed in the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation.)

Many of the changes we have seen towards a godless Marxist society are not good.

This will not end well for the USA (cf. Romans 1:18-32; Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39) or the coming totalitarian Beast system (cf. Revelation 17-19).

Massive repentance is needed (Hosea 7:14-16; 11:5-7), though not expected.

Yet, individuals still can repent  (see Christian Repentance and Is God Calling You?).

God does have a fantastic plan, yet most do not understand it. To learn more about God’s fantastic plan, check out the free online books The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?

Marxism simply does not understand, value, nor appreciate the plan God has for humankind.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Prophecy, Religious News.

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