Opus 2023-130: One Temple or Many Churches

There was only one temple.  It was the house of God.  It contained the Arc of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat.  The inner chamber was the Holy of Holies.  It was the one place where sacrifices could be made for atonement.  There were synagogues where people met to discuss and study.  It was there that children were trained.  Every village with ten men could have a synagogue, but there was only one temple.  I know that Jews call their houses of worship “temples” today but that is more a wish than a accurate label.

Today many Christians refer to churches as houses of the Lord?  Is that theologically accurate?  I guess we could make a distinction between “House of God” and “House of the Lord” and say that Lord refers to Jesus, but I don’t think most people are following that logic.  Is the local rented gymnasium a “house of the Lord” because a congregation meets there for worship?

I suggest that Pentecost gives us an indication.

Before Pentecost the Holy Spirit was given to selected individuals.  I think of Saul in particular.  Samuel tells Saul,

(1Sa 10:6 KJV)  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

After Pentecost the Holy Spirit was available to all believers.  Consider that the temple veil was torn in two.  A few years later the entire temple complex was leveled by Roman soldiers.  Would it not be a possible suggestion that the Temple ceased being the location of God’s worship and that was transferred to local churches?

I can’t think of any verse in the New Testament that ties a building to the presence of God.  Individual believers, yes.  Buildings, no.  I would suggest that any structure that has believers gathered for worship could be called a house of the Lord, not because the building is sacred but because God has promised to meet with them.  

(Mat 18:20 KJV)  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Words are wonderful for communication and learning.  Don’t let unimportant distinctions distract you from seeking truth.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-129: One Coin, Two Sides

Scientists and Theologians have a similar task but different specialties.

Scientists investigate the “how” of God.

Theologians investigate the “why”.

Both are important.  Have you ever received a gift and when you unwrap it you scratch your head and ask, “What is it?”  When someone tells you, the next question is, “What do I do with it and why do I need it?”  Then it goes on to change the way you do things.

Suppose someone gives you a new laptop and it has the latest version of the Microsoft operating system.  It has a touch screen, blazing speed and no disc drive.  You have been using your old desk top for a decade and wonder what you have gotten into.  Every time I get a new one my first challenge is to figure out how to turn it on.  If left to myself I could get it working, in time.  I could limp along and do the basics that I always do.

But I have a geek in the family.  Usually he is my scientist.  He knows how it works and what he does not know he can figure out.  He gets it all set up and is always a phone call away when I stumble onto a new bell or whistle.

He can also be the cyber theologian.  It always fascinates me how he can do exactly the same things that I did and for him it works.  We have come to the conclusion that when he walks in the room the computer gets religion and is afraid of him.  Then there are the times when his in depth theology of circuits comes up with the ultimate solution:  Reboot.  He will confess he does not know what is wrong but if I turn it off and start it up again it will probably work.  And it does.

The truth is we need both the What people and the Why people.  Just because we can do something does not mean we should.  People who focus on “what” often don’t stop to think of the why.  Ph.D. level physics does not prepare one to make moral decisions.  Think of all the brilliant people who have worked for socialist tyrants and slept well at night.

Most of us come down on one side or the other.  We need to listen and learn with the understanding that the other side is not necessarily evil just because they don’t see things from our perspective.  Historically there was a time when Theology and Science were in the same department of the university.  We need to get back go that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-128: Paraphrasing Truth

In the last few weeks I have become aware that the NASB has come out with a new revision.  I think it is called the NAS 2020.  Since I am happy with the 1977 version and have all my notes and study tools geared to it, I have not had any interest in the new editions.  It came up in a recent conversation and I began to wonder how far the Lockman Foundation was willing to compromise in order to pacify the woke community.  One flashpoint is in how they translate the numerous words in the Hebrew and Greek that accurately render male pronouns as male pronouns and translate gender specific nouns as they were written.

At issue are not places where sons, the plural of son, is translated as “children”.  Even the KJV did that because it conveys the understanding of the ancient readers.  The issue is changing the wording to please people who are having issues with the authority of God in the first place and who get excited about words like “patriarchy” and “white privilege”.  

So I did a search for differences and at one place it linked to the Lockman page that was titled “Gender-Accurate language in the NASB 2020".  I knew I was in trouble when the article started out,

“The NASB 2020 is gender-accurate, meaning the reader will no longer have to try to intuit which genders the biblical authors have in mind. Now the text will clearly communicate gender in modern English, while still remaining true to the context and original languages of the ancient manuscripts.”

This is the kind of thinking that makes me reject such “translations” as the NIV, Message and NLT.  These are paraphrases at best.  A paraphrase, like the original Living Bible, is up front about the intention of paraphrasing.  Paraphrasing is by it’s nature not focusing on accuracy but making a point.  An honest person who is quoting someone but doesn’t have the exact phrase in front of them will say, “I am paraphrasing” so the listener can make a valid judgement.

The kind of change that this recent edition is making may make sense in the world of “I shall be as a god” academics but it puts the translator in an awkward position in front of the real God.  Their logic is that using the male pronoun “he” as a generic pronoun is an error of embracing the traditional male dominance of the patriarchy.  We would not want to bend to that cultural pressure.  The problem is that the original inspired scripture followed that pattern.  That is the reason that our culture has done the same thing.  

There was a time when the church took seriously Paul’s words in Romans 12:2,

(Rom 12:2 KJV)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The church set a standard based on an understanding of God’s word and expected the world to come into agreement.  Music moved forward in sophistication.  The first book printed by Gutenberg was a Bible.  Science was to investigate the wonders of God’s creation.  Church architecture advanced novel concepts to be used in cathedrals.  It was a glorious time of moving forward.

Now we worry about being seeker friendly.  Our goal is to be a combination of McDonald’s and Cheers.  We have become like most restaurants that draw people in to experience the exotic cuisine only to have them never return because it was empty calories.  Now authors face a play book requiring them to include the correct number of the different ethnic groups and genders.  Science is openly fraudulent with fake peer reviews becoming a major scandal.  Churches are boxy gymnasiums with fancy lights and fog machines.  We have not only stopped but we are going backwards.

I have said that a person could come to know Jesus even using the New World Translation because it is ultimately a journey of a seeker and the Holy Spirit.  I would not advise it as the best method to communicate truth.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-127: The Message Is Sent

As I stated before, I was not a Watcher of Tucker.  I am also not a Watcher of Laura, Jesse, Greg or any of the other voices on Fox that might be speaking truth for us little people.  I think we need to think of them as being part of the equation.

I see at least three reasons to fire Tucker.

1.  You get rid of an irritation.
2.  You stop the flow of information that defies your wokeness.
3.  Most important, you send a message to the other irritating voices on your network.

I think all three are really important.  I understand the Fox stock took a nosedive.  That in itself does not mean much.  Stocks go up an down based on emotion.  The only way to keep it down and going lower is to hit them in the bottom line.

It is time to apply cancel culture in a free market way.  Cancel your subscriptions to all things Fox.  I say it that way because I don’t have any subscriptions and I have no idea how many different products this might effect.  When you sneak into the doctor’s office and turn the channel away from CNN, you might look for The Food Channel instead of Fox.

I have no idea where all this will lead.  I consider it just another broadside from the crony capitalism that is running our country.  Pray without ceasing, stand up, speak up, vote informed, spend carefully.  My grandchildren are counting on you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-126: New Terms: Woke?

I don’t read all the click bait so I am not sure what the official line is but I am hearing that people don’t know how to define “woke”.  Let me help.

In classical English “woke” means to stop being asleep.  My pre-redaction, dead tree fiber dictionary tells me it is the alternative past tense of “wake”.  I also notice that two pages back is “wing nut”.

In Proregressive English is means to be sedated to reality and is the present tense rather than the past.  It has the opposite meaning.

Being woke requires a lot of flexibility because the meanings of words and acceptable behavior are constantly changing, sometime daily.  This gives woke a timeless quality.

Woke means always looking over your shoulder to see what your minders want you to say or do.

As a general rule woke means that you can’t take care of yourself or provide for your own needs because that would require work, which may look similar to woke but has nothing in common.

The woke tend to be on the left of politics.  I don’t know if that is built into their DNA or if it is possible for someone on the right to be infected.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-125: A Real Need

First a bit of full disclosure.  I do not listen to Tucker Carlson on a regular basis.  I do not listen to Fox news, free or pay versions.  All that I know about either is what I see in click bait, an occasional short bit copied in something I am reading and the comments of friends who watch him every night.

I want to urge everyone to pray for him.  If you already do, then move him to the top of your list.  This is more than about someone being fired because he crossed the boss.  This is a situation where someone who has been speaking against the establishment has been marked for destruction.  

I would not be surprised if there are attempts on his life or attacks on his family.  In our current abandonment of the rule of law I expect there to be multiple and repeated bogus lawsuits.  I think we will see a bunch of accusations of inappropriate behavior.  It would not surprise me to have a SWAT team show up at his door.  We have seen the pattern so many times.

So pray for the man and his family.  Always remember that what they do to the well-known they can do to you.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-124: Weasel Words

Can you tell the difference between these two statements?

    Last night we had 3-5 inches of rain in three hours.
    Last night we had 3-4 inches of rain in some areas.

The first is the verbal report I got from the TV watcher in my family.  The second was what I heard when I happened to be passing through the room at a later time where the TV was on.

To anyone who is paying attention or pausing to think, the two statements are totally different.  One, part of the Fake News Weather, is designed to strike fear into the hearts of mortals.  Much of the information we are exposed to is presented this way.  There are frequent weasel words.  They are modifiers that exaggerate the point being expostulated.  Many people say...  It has been reported...  It is possible... the list of escape clauses are endless.  We frequently fall for them.  

It can come in other forms that I have written about before such as labeling lemon drops a “fat free food” or a rice product as “gluten free”.  

Stay alert.  Don’t drink the kool-aide.  Don’t give out your social security number over the phone.  Don’t believe anything you hear from the monogram broadcasters.  Don’t believe everything you read, unless I write it, of course.  And always count your change.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-123: Headlines: Fox Raises Anheuser-Busch

We used to have some consolation that at least we had Fox News.  

Then Fox started to hedge their bets and moved from fair and balanced to try not to agitate the woke.

We still had some consolation that Tucker was still there.  Now he has been shown the door.

As a business decision it is beyond retarded.  Think about how one beer commercial effected the bottom line at the unnamed company.  What will Fox charge for advertising when 10 million people stop watching?  As a decision based on the coercion of the deep state it makes more sense.  We don’t know what threats were made.  Keep in mind the long list of suicides of people who knew something about the Clintons.

I don’t know where Tucker is going but I am already planning on spending some subscription money if that is what is necessary to try to keep the republic free.  

If they can indict a previous president on nonsense they can throw you in jail without anyone noticing.  If they can stage SWAT raids on elderly parents for defending their children, you and I will not even make the click bait.  If they can fire Tucker you better learn to code, and also to grow your own food.

It is a good thing that Mother Theresa isn’t around any more and doesn’t work for Fox News.  Who knows what they would come up with on her.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-122: Plow and Crown: Five Star Gulag

How about a Gulag for Billionaires?

Those of us who read history and know the goal of the Proregressives* get concerned about a repeat of the concentration camps of the Nazis and the prison camps of the Communists.  There are some political groups who have no answer but to incarcerate and execute people who don’t fit into their paradigm.  Maybe it is time to embrace the motto, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”

Start by confiscating all their wealth.  With modern technology it would be possible to trace all of the places they have it hidden.  I think the Swiss have already caved to our Federal government on the issue of secrecy.  If we can threaten them into cooperation then we should be able to do it with all the island nations that are being used.  Since we want to be sensitive we might allow them to keep a favorite painting to enjoy but it would now actually belong to a museum.  

Set aside as many top hotels as necessary and move them in with all services and amenities in place that would not allow them to escape or bribe.  It would not even be necessary to make them live in squalor like they dream about for us normal people.  Because they are so good at networking we might only let them go free long enough to lead us to what they have buried in their estates.

Keep them isolated from the world for a period of time.  How long?  Some are old enough that it would be a life sentence.  For the younger it would need to be long enough for them to be out of touch.  Then they would need probation officers to make sure they mind their manners.  

A cut off would need to be established.  Billionaires definitely and possibly some level of millionaires, especially if their wealth was inherited.  Any politician who has become a millionaire on a government salary would receive a life sentence, possibly on bread and water.  People who run billion dollar companies would also need to join the club.

Foundations would need to be liquidated and managing staff included in the lock down.  The evil that is done from the shelter of tax exemption is frightening.  

The only problem with this is that it might include some that we would not want punished.  It is possible that some have actually earned what they have.  Since I am not even close to that status I would be willing to put them all in secure housing and let them appeal if they can find a lawyer who will work pro bono.  The problem with exceptions is that these people are experts at working around the intent of the law and if you give them a crack they will bring down the entire project.

Would the world continue to function?  Somehow I think so but I don’t think we will ever get a chance to find out.

*(Liberals, educators, the media, socialists, communists, crony capitalists, fascists (I repeat myself), elites, Rinos, Democrats, leftists, Never Trumpers, Antifa, BLM, MSM, Deep State, etc.  Synonym for swamp dwellers)
 
homo unius libri

Opus 2023-121: Bubble Progress

As I was thinking deep thoughts the phrase, “the Holy Spirit percolating through your life” emerged from the recesses of my mind.  I think I was considering spiritual growth and how some people advance faster than others.  Of course some have much further to go than others.  None of us can do it on our own.  How does God do it?

I remembered the commercial of the percolator that started with one burp and gradually increased to a symphony of bubbling up.  I can’t remember the brand so does that make the commercial a failure?  Or is it just my memory?  My parents used a percolator and I used one a few times when camping.  The first few burps don’t make any difference in the water below but as the process goes on the flavor increases.

I guess it might be a good request to ask for more heat being applied to the seat of our pants.  We might grow faster.  I can see a whole series of posts about spiritual growth illustrated by different brewing methods but at the rate I am going you won’t need to worry about it.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-120: What Happened to Fiction?

More and more science fiction is inadequate for a good read.

I am finding I need to suspend more and more belief and knowledge to stay in the story.  The current politically correct mantra keeps interrupting the plot.

    evolution
    gender equality, woman warriors
    climate change
    homosexual agenda

It used to be that science fiction would speculate on the future based on a knowledge of the present.  They were usually wrong but it was good fun all around.

Now they are parroting the nonsense of the psuedoscience, crony science or political science, science that is masquerading as peer reviewed research.

I was able to suspend belief during Star Wars because I loved the special effects and you always had Harrison Ford.  Not so much any more.

I guess I could turn to western and travelogues.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-119: Christian Cliches: Cute Is Temporary

There are a lot of cute sayings that catch our attention and make us think.  The problem is, if we think too long, we find them ridiculous.  Let me give you the example that brings this to my mind.  I paraphrase:

“If everything you did not thank God for yesterday were to disappear today, how would your life be going?”

The initial stimulus is to point out how we need to be more aware of our blessings and have a thankful attitude.  That is good and a needed pause in our day.

But I spend a lot of time each morning being thankful and get tired of people lecturing me so my mind will go on tangents of how this would work out in a real world.  
    How many of you were thankful for gravity yesterday?
    Did you thank God for the tires on your car?
    Did you think of the sun rising on schedule?  Oh, you did?  You get to keep that.
You can see where this could go.

I would be better off if I would just accept the actual point of some things rather than take them literally.  I could think about puppy dogs and another Indiana Jones movie.

Wake me when it is over.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-118: Science in the Docket

Somewhere I was reading comments about the beliefs we have that are based on nothing more than rumor and opinion.  I was surprised when they mentioned the old warning we received as children that we should not go swimming for 30 minutes after we eat.  It is the only one that stands out in my mind, but the reasoning was that such advice is not based on research.  There have been no studies that back up this advice.  At the time I found that interesting but as I pondered it the warning began to take on another focus.  

The author wanted us to look deeper and discard what had not been verified by science.  I found myself going the other direction.  I am at a point in my thinking and emotions where I feel that scientific verification tends to mean the opposite of what they are advocating.  I was reading through a health site looking for some information on the contents of electrolyte miracle solutions.  I think I was wanting sources of magnesium.  I came across all kinds of claims about how certain minerals and vitamins showed a specific percentage in reducing cancer, heart disease, diabetes, dementia and acne.  Actually, I made the acne up.  I began to ask myself how you would do a study on a certain mineral causing or preventing diseases that take decades to develop and are rooted in mystery.  

While I don’t want to discard science automatically I do want to water down the nonsense that gets thrown out with or without the weasel words.  Like salt causing high blood presure.  You need to insert “sometimes” and put it in bold, capital letters so that people don’t go through life with dull food for no reason.  

I am getting on board with more of what I am calling “snake oil”.  I am now involved with two snake oils.  The latest is produced by my daughter and is based on elderberry juice and honey.  It is some old folk remedy for colds and flu.  I am not interested in any research beyond what my family has experienced.  Does it help?  It seems to and it certainly doesn’t do any harm.  That is more than science seems to be able to say.

I am blessed with generally good health so my position may not have anything to do with the conditions you live with.  Do your own thinking and your own deciding.  Then take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-117: Where Is Wesley When We Need Him?

I am wondering if a cultural collapse is becoming a necessity.  Historically all civilizations and cultures have come to an end.  The only possible exception is the Jewish culture.  The end seems to come in different ways.  The one we think of first is being conquered by an invading force.  What is more common is the loss of social cohesion to the point that any strong group coming in simply picks up the reigns and starts driving.  We have some cultures that disappeared and we don’t know why but I am guessing that all cultural deaths are a combination of inward confusion and outward pressure.

We tend to look to parallels with Rome and I think it is a good comparison.  The year 476 is often given as the date of the fall of the Roman Empire.  That only applies to the west and the date simply reflects a change in dynasty.  Rome did not disappear.  It had gotten weaker by the day.  The symptoms are well known:  the destruction of the middle class, high taxes, moral decadence, a huge slave class, Romans loss of willingness to stand up for themselves.  The list goes on.  All you need to do is look around you for more ideas.

We are getting to the point where we are so comfortable that we don’t feel a need for God.

We have lost our moral moorings to the point where we don’t believe in sin.

We are so arrogant we reject the idea that we could be sinners.

It may be the only solution is prophetic level chaos.

But keep in mind that historically there have been turn arounds.  Wesley brought England to revival, Israel had several kings that changed the formula.  Who knows how many times in other cultural lines a wise leader has brought a renaissance?  

Do your part to make the country worthy of mercy.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-116: Pick Your Betters

It would be better to live under the Divine Right of Kings than in a Socialist Utopia.

We have examples of both.  

The reason the king route might be better is that kings die and when they die the next generation takes over.  Whether you want to follow the rulers of the southern Kingdom of Judah or more recent English history, there can be hope when a new king is installed.  Of course it can go the other way, but there is hope.

In a socialist utopia there is little hope of relief.  Read or reread 1984 if you have any question of how that would work.  If you want a real life example read The Gulag Archipelago.  Utopia gives the idea of a perfect society and Marx seemed to feel that history was bound for such a place.  The journey is a bit brutal though.  With modern technology the socialists in our midst can have total surveillance, mind altering drugs and brainwashing education.  Once in power they will not let go because when you love Big Brother you love an eternal caricature.  We have never had “real socialism” because the attempts to achieve it usually run out of people to kill before it is achieved.

A better objective might be a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch actually had some power.

We know democracy doesn’t work.  We know that totalitarianism might work but we would not want to live in that world.  We had a constitutional republic that was stumbling along.  It was giving the common man an unprecedented level of prosperity, opportunity and liberty.  Elitists hate any of those qualities for anyone but themselves.  Think in terms of bug-burgers for us and very expensive Japanese Wagyu beef for them.  As a result they are working hard to turn us into a banana republic and in the ensuing chaos, lock us down.  We might need to decide on whether we want a strong man in charge, a dictator, or a technological gestapo.  

We have hard choices ahead.  The leaders that keep getting themselves elected seem to be lost in their own little worlds.  In addition to voting we need to advance recalls and impeachments.  If you can’t think of anything else then do whatever you can to defeat the incumbent.

It is a sorry state to be in and increasingly that applies to the state of Texas.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-115: A Matter of Seeing

I hear people talking about how miracles don’t happen any more.  Actually it is not a new mantra.  I have a book a friend sent me written in the 19th century that made a major point of the lack of miracles.  I think it is more a matter of poor vision than nothing to see.

I have not seen any oceans parting or lepers being instantly healed.  If I could figure out how to feed five thousand people with a few small fish and tiny rolls I could get rich.  I have not seen those kinds of miracles, I admit.  But what is a miracle, really?  Something that takes place against all odds.  Something that defies expectations.  With that in mind I began noticing some of the miracles in my life.

My children came to mind first.  They are living miracles.  They are well balanced, productive and have high ethical standards.  They are following Jesus and in many ways are more conservative than I am.  How did that happen?  It certainly wasn’t because I was the perfect father or even an above average husband.  Yet it is real.  I don’t think I have ever been ashamed of either of them.  My biggest disappointment in my daughter was when I realized she was more concerned about the happiness of the dog than her father’s mental balance.

My health is a miracle.  If justice prevailed I would be toothless and crippled with diabetes.  Every time I get in a discussion I hear the woes of those around me.  When I go out each morning to walk I just thank God for another day of mobility and a lack of pain.  It is a miracle.  

My financial condition is also impossible.  While it is true that at one time I had three jobs going, we have done what everyone says is impossible:  My wife has not had any kind of regular job since the children were born.  We have survived on one wage earner.  If the government doesn’t get too greedy and we don’t do anything stupid we should be able to get to the nursing home without any overdue bills.  I keep hearing it can’t be done.  We did it.

Then there is the matter of my salvation, but for those of you who have read your Bible that is a promise, not a special case.  

Would I trade my miracles for your miracles?  I don’t think so.  It is a blessing that it can’t be done or you might want to give me your first born.  

How about trading my miracles to see the show-stopping miracles of the OT?  Not really.  I don’t need to knock any walls down.  I think I will just be content to be grateful for all of the miracles that I have taken for granted.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-114: Junk

It would seem we are living in the Junk Age:  Junk science, junk news, scholarship, theology, entertainment, morals, artificial meat, food additives and 72 genders.

The list grows.

Has it always been that way?  People tend to always feel like their experiences are the most dramatic.  During the Panic of 2020 some people thought they were on the verge of starvation when their favorite spaghetti sauce was off the shelf for a few days.  It gets hot in central Texas and we start yelling “drought” and “global warming”.  The next week it gets cold and we declare global warming is bringing a new ice age.  Those of us who can remember what we had for dinner yesterday shrug our shoulders and say, “Weather.”  So it is questionable if it is really as bad as we think it is.

But assume it is.

What are we going to do about it?

One suggestion is “grow up.”  Another version of that is “walk it off.”  We really need to look at life and put things in perspective.  I can remember when I was a child two of my favorite words were “never” and “always”.  Maybe you heard me complaining.  I never got to ________, or I always had to _________.  My wife seems to be going through her second childhood because she keeps pointing out that I never wipe down the kitchen counter, etc.  

We need to grow up, accept the fact that the world changes and figure out when to change and when to dig in our heels.  I am getting used to the fact that shirts come in S,M,L,XL and, if I look hard enough, XXL.  I yearn for the days when I could walk into almost any men’s store (remember those) and buy a shirt in 18/37.  Since I have moved to Texas and gotten into those Cup of Noodle things the manufacturer has stopped making most of the ones I liked.  I could go on.  You could go on.  What we need to do is go on and grow up.

At the opposite pole is the concept of “refuse to compromise.”  Recently a certain confused young man made a commercial for Bud Lite.  I have never tasted Bud Lite.  If I were a beer drinker who preferred Bud Lite I would refuse to buy it from now until it was dropped from the line-up.  Evidently he then was invited by Nike to make a commercial.  If you were still buying Nike after all the assaults they have made on America then you should be ashamed of yourself.  I may have a few old pair somewhere in a box and, being a cheapskate, I might wear them out but if I come across them I might also just burn them in effigy.  

We need to be polite and courteous but unbending on what is right and what is wrong.  We also need to get aggressive if we see someone taking a stand and being “aggressed peaceably” by a mob of leftist lunatics.  

We need to study more.  I know that is a hard one but one of the great questions I like to ask people is, “What happened during the last period of global warming?”  It helps explain things they have never heard of like the Mississippi culture in North America, forests in the Gobi Desert, and Greenland being called “green”.  Much of the junk being labeled science defies common sense and the evidence before our eyes.  Don’t be afraid to contradict people who say science and religion are at odds.  With a little study you will realize it is bad science and fringe theology that have a problem and in this case it only takes one to start a fight.

I believe the Apocalypse will come.  The Bible is clear about that.  There will be tribulation and suffering.  I am just not sure that what we are seeing is on that level.

I could be wrong.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-113: We Made It to the Comma

I recently had the opportunity to preach and my text was Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  One of my key points was how science has finally caught up with the Bible.  

The current theory for the beginning of, can I say it, creation, is called the Big Bang.  Without getting into the weeds, it meshes very well with Christian and Jewish belief, one that science had been fighting against for a long time, that there was a beginning.  Once you get past the first comma in Genesis 1:1 there is a divergence of 180 degrees but even making it to the comma is progress.

Believers should not get too excited about this.  It does verify what we have always believed but keep in mind that the agreement will probably be temporary.  There are two reasons for that.  The first is legitimate.  It is the nature of science.  Real science is never finished and never satisfied.  No matter where you are it keeps asking, “Why?” and “How?”  That is good.  They will keep pushing and trying to delve into the nature of creation.  I think God sits up there cheering them on and maybe even giving a little prod now and then with clues and even inspiration.

The second reason is the cause of the conflict between believers and some scientists.  It isn’t because believers reject science, but that materialistic scientists reject God.  It is like leading one of these God-haters out into the rain and telling them the rain is making them wet and they will spend all of their time coming up with theories of wetness that reject the obvious rain hitting their heads.  Instead of finding ways to make the rain productive they will deny its existence and claim the moisture on their skin comes from aliens or crystals.

It would seem that even scientists can’t always avoid the big questions such as, “Who am I?”  “Where did I come from?”  “How did life begin?”  “Where did everything come from?”  and so forth.  The questions won’t go away.  That does not mean they are open to the real answers.  For many of them, possibly most, it is more important to ignore the divine Elephant in the room than to find an obvious answer that they don’t want to hear.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-112: Coming Home to Roost

I saw a meme poster that pointed out the enlistment oath says “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

The oath was amended in 1962 to include these words.

I graduated from junior high school in 1962.  I took this oath when drafted after college.  I repeated the words with a focus on the war I was headed to.  Now it is different.  I understand perfectly what they meant by “domestic.”  You can find numerous quotes on how the United States will not be brought down by a foreign power but by rot from within.

I will keep mentioning things we can do.  First, Pray.  Too often we put this last and when you pray be willing to listen to what God may be saying to you.

Second, vote for the non-incumbent unless you are 100% sure the incumbent is a genuine American and not a member of the uni-party.  If there is even a flicker of doubt, vote for new blood.  

Speak up.  Not just on the public square.  Don’t stop talking to children and other family members.  Start your conversations by listening and make sure that you hear what they have to say.  Be kind, they may be acting stupid but they might be open to thinking again.

Target your patronage.  Any company that is woke deserves to go broke.  Look for alternatives.  I know they don’t always exist but don’t let Amazon sell you the rope that will hang you.

My hope and prayer is that God has not finished with the United States.  I would hate to suffer the fate of Sodom.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-111: Flee to the Caves

As I was looking at the creation account in Genesis I came across a reference in Adam Clarke that led me to a quote that I found interesting.  It traces back to a Jewish Rabbi of the second century, Simeon ben Joachi.

“In the Talmudic legend, Rabbi Simeon made some adverse remarks about the Roman occupation of Judaea and when this was reported to the government authorities he was obliged to flee for his life. Together with his son, Eleazar, he lived in a cave for thirteen years.”

So you see that there are historical parallels for what we are going through today.

See you in the caves.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-110: The Need for Heretics

One man’s orthodoxy is another man’s heresy.  It depends who is writing the book and in many cases it is like history; the book is written by the victors.  The genius of America has been that we don’t burn heretics at the stake.  We just make them go start their own churches.  Because we don’t have an official church we don’t get too worked up over the differences.

Maybe we should.  I remember watching an advertisement for the Roman Catholic church.  In it a man was talking about how in his heart he knew Jesus loved him and he was going to heaven but he did not feel comfortable shacking up with all the babes, getting drunk and living a basic dissipate life style.  He sensed something was wrong and he found the answer in the Catholic church.  The problem was he believed in five point Calvinism even if he didn’t know what it was.  It made a difference in how he lived and ultimately would make a difference in his eternal destiny.

There are different types of heretics

Ignorant Heretics are fairly common.  This would be the guy I described above.  The ignorant heretics do not know any better.  It could be they were deceived by their teachers.  Often when you are new to the faith, or any organization, you listen to people who know more than you do and you function that way.  This is excusable for a time but eventually it is on you.  After a time you become...

The Lazy Heretic.  It always amazes me how many people don’t even know the basics of what their church believes.  Like politics, global warming, Covid and a plethora of other topics many people live in ignorance because they are just too lazy to look for truth.  I think that many of them actually know better in their hearts but would rather not know.  They are to lazy to look and think because it might actually require a response.

Deliberate Heretics are fairly common today.  The churches are full of people who know what the Bible says and means and yet in spite of that they chose to ignore what is perfectly clear.  One example that is growing more common all the time is to deny the physical resurrection of Jesus.  You don’t even need to do much reading to see the Bible teaches it.  These heretics come up with all kinds of explanations but they all boil down to the belief that they are more intelligent than the writers of the Bible.  They tend to put themselves into position as gods.  They are channeling their inner Eve in the Garden.

The you have the Heretic in Name Only.  This is a person who...
    Thinks for himself
    Studies for himself
    Comes to his own conclusions
    The traditions of the elders are only for background

This person is often labeled a heretic because he embraces the truth and won’t go along with the nonsense.  

I think all of this could apply to other areas besides religious belief.  It applies just as well to politics, economics, psychology, history, medicine, the list goes on, or as they say in literary circle:  etc.

We need more Heretics in Name Only.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-109: A Little Creative Thinking, Please

Have you been reading about the crusade for lab produced beef?  I find myself curious about the cost, flavor and nutrition.  Of course I felt that way about sushi, too.  There is also the point that if the industry can get a government mandate they may be able to have a monopoly on the meat industry and I don’t think that will work out well.

My interest in this post goes another direction.  The roasts and steaks that you all love come from muscle.  I know it sounds gross but it is the truth.  I was wondering, if they can clone muscle meat to eat, could they not clone heart muscle for more urgent needs.  And how about things like lungs and a pancreas.  

It would seem that if you grew the heart muscle with cells cloned from the patient you would be able to overcome the rejection that is a normal part of transplants.  It would also deal a potential death blow to organ harvesting.

I emotionally prefer my beef from the hoof but I could get behind replacement parts for those in serious need.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-108: King Trumps Emperor

The Bible never says that God is president and yet I think that is how we Americans often think of Him.  When it comes to spiritual leadership, Americans would probably prefer the Parliamentary system.  That way they could have a vote of no-confidence any time their feelings got hurt.  Either way there is no suggestion that God’s place at the top of creation is negotiable or open to question.

At the other end, the Bible does not refer to God as emperor.  I find that interesting.  An emperor would be considered above a king.  It would seem a better title for God, yet it isn’t there.  Neither is the concept of dictator.

God does not fit into any or our creative niches.  He is eternal, outside time and the controller, not the controlled.  This is the one aspect of God that causes Him to be rejected by the materialists of the world.  It is the reason that Christian churches have been perverted into “Progressive” churches and why the Emergent Church was so welcomed.  It is at the core of the denominations that would be considered liberal.  It was the talking point in the Garden of Eden when Satan told Eve,

(Gen 3:5 KJV)  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

We will never be gods.  It isn’t in the cards.  It isn’t just the fact that God will not put up with the competition.  We are finite.  We cannot exist outside time.  We cannot cause the Big Bang or introduce life into the universe.  We have a hard time being on time for work.

So we need to accept that He is God and has reached out to us through Jesus.  There is a spot open to us, we can become children of God.  Apply today.  It isn’t that the spots are filling up.  It is more that things are looking like time is running out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-107: Gangrene Alert

Gangrene is a rot that sets in when infection gets out of hand.

We are facing a rot in our society that is begining to go to gangrene.  We might have treatments today that were not around in the past but historically the only treatment for gangrene was amputation.  It was necessary because nothing could reverse the rot and if it got to your central organs you were dead.

The simple solution to what we are experiencing is to remove the rot, but there are problems involved in doing that.  

In the past we have used the rule of law.  That was in the days when the rot did not effect our courts and justice system like it does now.  Now trying to rely on due process and an honest system is like using the rag you used to clean your toilet to wrap a cut on your leg.

Amputation may be necessary but there is a difference between our streets and the medical tents of the Civil War.  The problem with social amputation as opposed to medical amputation is that the social is done with a two-edged sword and the medical with a single edged scalpel or saw.  No doctor expects a dying patient to jump up and begin strangling him with the oxygen hose.  That is what happens when you try to remove the rot with violence.  

Keep in mind that the rotten leg does not care about the rest of the body.  In fact you might get lost in a fantasy where your leg would rather kill the whole body than die alone.  That is the attitude we are dealing with.

I hope we can find some judges and DA’s who would rather save the patient than do the easy way.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-106: Maybe It Is Time

I just bumped my coffee cup on the edge of my desk and splattered a bit of coffee.  It is one of those moments that happen to everyone but seem to be more common with seniors.  

As I was cleaning up the mess I noticed that none of the liquid made it to the surface of the desk.  In one way that is a good thing.  In another way it was a wake up call that maybe it was time to clean up more than the coffee I spilled.  Nah.  Maybe later.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-105: Afterglow 2, The Link

Why do Christians link the crucifixion and the resurrection so closely together?  You could generate some spirited discussion just asking which is more imporrtant.  The answer is both.

If Jesus had decided to opt out of the cross then it would not matter if the tomb was empty.  It would just be another empty tomb waiting for a customer.  

If the tomb was not emtpy then the cross would have just been an sad bit of drama gone sadder.

Both are essential.  Neither is optional.  That is the historical aspect.

The theological aspect is just as important.  Without the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, there would be no atonement for mankind.  Even if the temple endured and you thought the sacrificial system brought atonement, it would only be for the Jews.  Forgiveness of sin would not be available to the Gentile world.  Without the empty tomb and its promise of our victory over death it would not matter if you sins were forgiven.  There would be no eternal life.

So rejoice in the afterglow of the resurrection celebration.  Christmas is a great time.  The entrance of God in the person of Jesus was no trivial event but it would have had little consequence without the cross and empty tomb.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-104: Afterflow 1, The Central Point

On Easter Sunday one of the things I did was read through the accounts of the resurrection in all four gospels.  I wonder how long it has been since I did that.  I would recommend it.  It was startling how each account differed in a lot of details.  That is mostly easy to explain because each was written by different persons to different audiences.  Imagine if everyone at dinner had written an account of that meal and all the different viewpoints that would emerge.

One thing they all agreed on with no compromise:  Jesus had risen from the dead.  They went out of their way to emphasize that is was not just a spiritual awakening but a physical resurrection.  It brings to mind Paul’s ringing statement,

(1Co 15:55 KJV)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Something to keep in mind as we live on in troubling times.  

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-103: Symbol Says...

Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity.  Why not the empty tomb?

One simple reason might be that a cross is easier to draw than an empty tomb.

I think there is a more significant reason.  I may have written this before.  I know I have thought about it frequently.  The cross is a symbol of love, the empty tomb is power.

The cross we are talking about is, of course, the one on which Jesus was crucified.  He sacrificed His life so that mankind could know forgiveness for sin.  He did so willingly even though He asked to be excused if possible.  It was not possible.  He allowed them to arrest, scourge and execute Him.  

Why?

God is just.  One of the principles of justice is that wrong must be righted.  Evil must be destroyed.  Sin must be punished.  It is demanded.  What do you do when this means that sinners must die to pay for their sin?  That seems like a no-win.  In the Old Testament God substituted animals as a temporary means of accessing what was to come.  At Calvary God offered His Son, the Perfect Lamb, as a sacrifice for the sins of anyone who would trust in that sacrifice.  The Perfect Lamb was so holy that His blood was able to wipe out all of mankind’s sin.  Jesus was willing to go through that because of love.

(Joh 3:16 KJV)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The empty tomb?  That was a demonstration of God’s power over the ultimate fear that humans have:  death.  The reason Easter Sunday is such a joyful day is because we are reminded of the fact that we really don’t need to fear.  All we must do is trust in the blood of Jesus to wash away our sins and the power of His resurrection to be realized in our lives and, as they say, “What can they do to me?”

Would I be smug, or should I say will I be smug, when the New Federal Reeducation Police pull up to my door?  Probably not, but I would still live in the hope, because,

He is risen.

He is risen, indeed.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-102: Stealing a Term

Twice in the last few days I have come across the use of a scientific term in regard to theology:  Singularity.

In science it refers to that time? place? event? at the beginning of time and space when all of the matter and/or energy in existence was concentrated in a microscopic point.  The scientists of some awesome sounding specialties can tell you amazing details about this point.  It is literally beyond human comprehension except in terms of mathematics in formulas using concepts outside the realm of our reality.  It is a singularity.  It is impossible.  Yet scientists seem to be agreed on it.

The theology comes in because a couple of different sources have referred to the death and resurrection of Jesus as being such an event.  All of history, all of creation, all of eternity was focused down on that event.  It is impossible.  It is beyond our comprehension.  We know why it happened.  We have no clue of the forces involved, even in math equations involving the square root of -1 and infinity.  Yet Christians seem to be agreed on it.  They referred to it with the word “singularity.”

He is risen.

He is risen, indeed.

That sounds a lot better than He was a singularity.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-101: Dark Thoughts: Still Dancing on a Pin

How many scientists can dance on the head of a theory?

Bear with me.  This will take a moment to lay out.

I am reading a book called The Return of the God Hypothesis by Steven Meyer.  To be honest, much of it is over my head but Meyer really tries hard to bring it down to the level of a layman.  I skim a lot of the formulas and jargon and still manage to get the gist of what he is saying.  He has a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Science and I am beginning to understand what that means.  When we think of a Ph.D. in a field of science we think of people doing experiments and looking for a better understanding of how the world works, think of Crick and DNA, or someone delving into mathematics looking for a better way of dealing with how it all works, think of Einstein.  The Philosophy of Science guy needs a basic understanding of the math and research but takes it to the level of why.  They can go over the hill like the ones dancing on the head of a theory or metaphysical like Meyer.

What got me off on this was my Dark Thoughts moments, sitting on the front porch in the dark contemplating God and His universe and having my mind go off on tangent.  My mind went to a guy named Max Tegmark who came up with the theory that there are an infinite number of universes existing at the same time.  (I had to look up his name just to show you how academic I am).  At first I delved into my science fiction stories about parallel universes.  If you are a Star Trek enthusiast you may remember the episode where the transporter malfunctioned and switched Kirk with a different Kirk who was basically a pirate or Klingon.  Fun stuff in science fiction.  Retarded in science, or shall we say “Theory dancing.”

Now pay attention to the logic as I understand it.  If there are an infinite number of universes, which are necessary for this “scientist” to make his point, then there is a universe out there somewhere in which Napoleon won the battle of Waterloo.  I think you are with me so far but the logic of this takes another jump.  If there are an infinite number of universes then there are also an infinite number of universes where Napoleon won at Waterloo and an infinite number of universes in which he lost at Waterloo.  Are you getting the fun of Philosophy of Science yet?  This is all theory with a basic motivation of trying to figure out how the universe happened without Intelligent Design.  It is amazing how far people will go to deny God exists.  

There is a line in science, think of it as a Rubicon, in which genuine, serious science crosses over from the search for knowledge about our universe into a philosophy game that has no rules except being clever.  This is where I get my question about scientists dancing on the head of a theory.  Remember how your teachers used to smirk about the medieval churchmen who debated how many angels could dance on the head of a pin?  It is the same type of argument.  The big difference is that the medieval Scholastics announced up front that it was an exercise in debate not a seeking of knowledge.  They knew it was nonsense but it sharpened their thinking skills.  These scientists expect you to take them seriously.

Maybe they need to have their thinking skills sharpened.

Meyer, Stephen C.  Return of the God Hypothesis.  New York:  Harper One, 2021.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-100: Liberty in Law

Is the Law a cage or a castle?  My thinking is focused on the Law of Moses but I imagine my logic would apply to our civil and criminal codes also.

Much of the answer depends on our attitude.

Some look at the Law, such as the Ten Commandments, as stifling limitations on their freedom.  If you limited your view of the law to the Decalogue and were a reasonable person you would have no trouble.  The place where this would become an issue is in the so-called 613 Laws.  I open my printout of the 613 and randomly point.  I come up with a command that I leave a corner of my field uncut for the poor.  Sounds like a good idea but I am not a farmer so there is no stifling going on.  

I get more specific in my search and come up with, “not to plant diverse seeds together.”  Now if I am a gardener I could get upset by this because many of the techniques of gardening have you planting complimentary plants together.  So, if I were a farmer I start to rebel.  If I am planting flowers around my house I am feeling smothered in regulations.  

While you are getting all upset you might ask yourself, “Is that what the law of God really says?”  Here is the verse quoted,

(Lev 19:19 KJV)  Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

Notice what it actually says.  It refers to sowing in the field.  It has nothing to do with planting beans to climb your corn stalk or squash to grow in the shade of both.  It obviously has nothing to do with your roses and carnations.  You are upset about nothing.  It is also possible that the interpretation you are reading is the opinion of some Rabbi about what the law says and is not really what Moses meant.

Others look at the Law as clear boundaries that are necessary for a life of purpose and joy.  Lets go back to the planting seed.  I am not a farmer so I don’t know what other plant you might want to mix with your wheat, maybe barley.  Following this law would make your life much simpler at harvest time.  The law is there to make your life simpler.

It little bit of attitude check goes a long way.  It might make you open to some basic understandings that others take for granted.  It reminds me of the joke that ends, “Shall we tell him where the rocks are?”

I believe that God’s purpose was the second attitude.  Keep in mind that even in things like adultery, obedience will make everyone’s life better in the long run.  God is trying to tell us where the rocks are.

So, do an attitude check and go for the gold.  Keep in mind that you don’t earn your salvation by following the law but you definitely make life better.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-099: Class Warfare: And You Will Be Happy

What a glorious time to live.  My wife complained that she was cold and with a couple of finger-tip touches I changed the environment of the house.

Keep in mind that the Proregressives want to change that.  They want you to be huddled under a threadbare blanket, shivering because you don’t have access to cheap energy.  They want you back in the day where you gather sticks to cook your meals, assuming you were allocated any food today.  They want you back into the world of the serf.  They don’t even want you to be a peasant because peasants have some rights.

Only the elites deserve comfort and plenty and you are not the elite.  They cannot be happy if you are not miserable and eternally grateful for any pittance they allow you.  You will own nothing and be happy.

Until then I plan to continue enjoying what I have and speak up when I get a chance.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-098: Insurance and Assurance

The recent crash of a major bank brings to mind the supposed protection of FDIC.  For the average person who follows directions it means that eventually you will get your money back.  The victim class and the special elites are not overly worried.  They figure that rules are only for fools and the government will eventually try to buy their votes by bailing them out.

The whole concept of insurance is consistent with the promises of Providence.  I am thinking here about the dichotomy of threats of punishment and promises of blessings.  I often wonder what happens if you are one of the faithful remnant in the midst of a rebellious generation.  Which applies to you?

God’s promise is more insurance than training wheels.  I watch my granddaughter ride her bike and having no sense of balance.  The extra wheels keep her up.  At her level that is good but she will be expected to grow out of them.  Providence provides long range assurance not a security blanket that guarantees no booboos.  Providence assumes that we will grow up spiritually.  God may keep the boogie man away with a night light when you are a child but eventually you are expected to stop fearing the dark.

I expect continued cultural decline.  Part of that will be persecution of God’s people or anyone who tries to uphold traditional values.  That means that I expect persecution if I live long enough.  I also know that God has promises.  How He works that out on a time line, I have no idea, but I have a conviction that He will work it out.  Those who reject God’s patience and attack His people are going to learn a whole new definition of hurt.  

It is called living by faith.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-097: The Power to Destroy

Throughout history the church has been the strongest and most dynamic when it was not in bed with the government.

Christianity had spread all through the Roman world by the time of Constantine.  During that time it had not only been unofficial but illegal and at time faced severe persecution.  It reached the capital before Paul got there and in spite of Paul’s reputation as an evangelist, the gospel spread faster than he could travel.  The church was originally made up of the poor and slaves.  In spite of all that it was strong, until legalized.  It was downhill from there.  

Once it became legal to be a Christian the typical traits of organizations started taking over.  You had a rigid hierarchy that developed.  Magnificent buildings were erected.  The level of commitment nosedived and rot set in.  Of course there was always a core of true believers but it became much like the mega churches of our day.  

When the American colonies were planted, each one established some kind of state church and supported them with tax money.  Because many people had come to the new world for religions freedom and there was a lot of unoccupied land that limitation did not hold.  Gradually accommodation was made for people starting their own churches.  The people had to be committed because they received no government support and they were not socially acceptable.

The churches continued to multiply and thrive under the Constitution.  The First Amendment makes it clear that the government was not to get into the religion business.  This enabled every discontented member to break off and start their own church without the approval of their betters.  This worked very well until the government started using the tax code to shackle the gospel.  

Now churches are tax exempt in property and income.  Gifts given to the church are a tax deduction.  It all sounds so good until your realize that the exemption is being used to control what the churches do and say.  It was a truism that “The power to tax is the power to destroy.”  I would suggest that the same can be said of the power to not tax.  All it takes is a friendly call from the IRS and a pastor can be muzzled by concerned laymen.  I used to think that the day would come when the churches would be taxed.  Now I am not so sure because it is such an effective means of manipulation.

Where are we today?  Should we welcome the threat of removal of tax exemption from the churches?  Should we initiate it?  Would you stop giving at your current level if it was no longer a deduction?  How does this relate to the warning that we cannot serve God and Mammon?

I would vote for it.  Like persecution it would help to separate the sheep from the goats.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-096: Nap Time

Will we take naps in eternity?

I hope so.  Naps are one of life’s great pleasures.  I am not sure they are always necessary but they are a great way to spend some time.

One great aspect of eternity will be the time to do everything and I assume the energy needed.  I have a long list of things I never get to.  Even in retirement there just isn’t enough time to do it all.

If eternity is outside of time then that problem will be solved.  If it is inside time there will always be tomorrow.

homo unius libri

Opus 2023-095: Plow and Crown: Welcome Back, Serfs

There is a tendency to move people away from owning things to downloads and cloud storage.  I am thinking specifically of software and music.  My fear is that the God-Kings of the WEF want to extend the sharing to everything I thought I owned.  With current technology hackers can access your computer and delete whatever they want.  When the government forces us all to digital currency that means that they are the hackers above the law and they can wipe you out with the click of a mouse.  Then the title deed to your home and the registration for your car will become all digital.  This would be a dream come true for the Progressives*.  

This is similar to the historic pattern.  In the past all land belonging to the king, the church or nobility and the average person could be displaced at the will of the elites.  What the midlevel socialists don’t seem to understand is that the king also had this power over the nobles.  One of the reasons why America was such a beacon of liberty to the world was that a peasant farmer could come here, work hard and become a property owner.

Get ready for the return of feudalism.  Think of the millions who are already living in some kind of housing paid for by the government either through direct ownership of subsidy.  Think of the millions either not working or working menial jobs because the government is seeing to their needs with free medical care and subsidized food.  Think of all the hoops people will need to jump through in order to keep the goodies flowing.

I encourage you to look for physical alternatives to digital possessions.  Today it is your software.  Tomorrow it will be your liberty.

*(Liberals, educators, the media, socialists, communists, crony capitalists, fascists (I repeat myself), elites, Rinos, Democrats, leftists, Never Trumpers, Antifa, BLM, MSM, Deep State, etc.  Synonym for swamp dwellers)

homo unius libri