BiblicalInsights.net

The following analysis of communism by Leroy Brownlow is an appropriate summary of the communist form of government.  The communist government is at its core atheistic and materialistic.  Brownlow summarizes it thus:
“We unhesitatingly say the Free World today faces a false way of life which poses a far greater menace in scope, cruelty, and servitude, than any the world has ever known. Communism is a system of both internal and external slavery.  It would reduce man to the brute level by teaching him he has no spirit within and no right to own property without.  The Communistic Party is to Communists the only kingdom ever to exist.”
“A study of Communism reveals that it is a spectacle of vice and depravity, seething in the mire of materialism, and literally crawling like a snake in the dust of agitation, ever ready to strike and release its venom.  It is an atheistic philosophy, villainous in nature, corrupt in principle, and immoral in practice.  It is the very essence of hypocrisy and falls under the condemning words of Jesus: “They say, and do not.”  It is a contradictory philosophy which glories in zigzags, inconsistencies, and broken promises; a degraded system which has elevated vagrant politicians to despotic lords who have bombarded the world with their infidel attacks upon God, the Bible, and a free society which respects the dignity of man; an assemblage of bombastic and conceited claptraps which exploits man; a system of wayward vanity and selfish ambition which foments struggles and squabbles, revolutions and wars, from the lowest level to the highest plane in every organized democratic society; a system that feeds on human carion and then vomits the mass of corruption upon a helpless people that survives; an ideology which has raised up madmen, selfish, brutal, and horrendous, in their quest for world enslavement, which they gleefully and blasphemously seek by defying God and defiling man.  At no other time in the history of man has an ideology so notoriously prostituted the talents, the labors, and the freedoms of so many people.  The culminating point in their infamy is to throw the nonsense of all their ill-spent lives into the creation of a one-world government, controlled by the Party dictators.  If this seems hard, remember there are no soft words that will describe a hard system.”  (Bible vs. Communism, pp. 8-9, c. 1961).

In the previous blog post, the Black Lives Matter organization was exposed with regard to its basic tenets.  This organization is secular in origin, anti-Christian in many of its beliefs and lawless in actions and tactics.  It has produced violence, fear and intimidation in order to bring about perceived change.  Is this the best solution?  Is this organization the only solution?  Of course not!  There is a better way to change the hearts of men.  The spiritual solution is based upon the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17).  Before we can consider the solution to racism, we must first define it and, then, look to the gospel of Christ for the solution.
What Is Racism?
Racism is hatred in one’s heart for members of another race solely on the basis of the color of the skin of the people who make up that race, or, a combination of racial characteristics of the people that are despised.   It is prejudice and discrimination that one race holds toward another race.  Often, one group of people (race) feels superior to another group of people (race) and treats them with disdain and/or contempt.  Racism is a sin because it violates the Royal Law.  James states, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).  If we fulfill the Royal Law, we will not show respect of persons.  That means that we will treat every person with fairness and justice.  We will love them which means that we will seek their highest good.  Jesus taught the Royal Law in Matthew 22:39.  He also taught that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37-38).  If we fear God and love Him, we will keep His commandments. Love for neighbor depends upon our loving God first and foremost in our lives.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach individuals to love God and is destined to fail in bringing about change in the hearts of men with regard to racism.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not teach men to fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13-14).  Since racism is a sin, the Black Lives Matter Organization does not have the remedy for this sin.  Only God does!  Hatred for another human being is a work of the flesh.  The apostle Paul lists seventeen sins in Galatians 5:19-21.  He states, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Hatred, along with all of the other sins mentioned in this passage of Scripture, will destroy peace and joy and will separate a person from God.
The Spiritual Solution To Racism
Since racism is a sin involving hatred, prejudice and respect of persons which violates the Royal Law given by the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be dealt with spiritually just like any other sin.  The gospel of Christ demands three things:  repentance, reconciliation to God and reformation of character.
The Call To Repentance
In Acts 17:30, Paul courageously called the people of Athens to repentance from idolatry and the sins associated with it.  He says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”  Repentance is a universal command given by God.  The call to repentance is an integral part of the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:38, 3:19).  Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning to God.  It is a determination in one’s heart to cease sinful attitudes and actions and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.  Repentance takes place in the hearts of people.  It is a human response to sin preceded by godly sorrow (II Cor. 7:10).  Sorrow for sin is generated in the human heart when we consider the enormous consequences of sin in our lives.  Sin leads to spiritual death and ultimate separation from God in everlasting punishment (Rom. 2:5-10; 6:23) .  Authentic conversion to Jesus Christ involves genuine repentance of sin.
Reconciliation To God
To be reconciled to God means that we become one with Him.  This spiritual union with Christ occurs when we obey the gospel of Jesus Christ from the heart (Rom. 6:16-18).  Only in Christ can we have freedom from sin!  The Black Lives Matter organization does not call people into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.  Paul states, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28).  Notice the beauty of spiritual oneness that is in Christ Jesus.  Consider that one must be baptized (immersed) into Christ in order to enter the spiritual sphere where this oneness occurs.  When we are baptized into Christ, we are forgiven of our sins (Acts 2:38) and saved from the spiritual consequences of sin.  This change is a spiritual change involving a new status of sonship with God.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not and cannot offer this change.  This spiritual change places us into the kingdom of God where we glorify Him by emulating His Son–Jesus Christ.
Reformation of Life
When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  To put on Christ means that we follow His teachings and His example.  We bear His name:  Christian.  We manifest His image to the world by conforming to His Will for our lives. The human mind and heart are truly transformed (changed) when we become His disciples.  We put off the old man of sin and put on the new man created in Christ Jesus unto good works.  “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).  We stop lying and speak the truth.  We put away anger and wrath and replace them with kindness and tenderheartedness.  We stop stealing and work with our hands in honest employment.  We stop using corrupt communications and we speak words that will bless and edify (Eph. 4:24-32).  We truly become the children of light because we are committed to following the Light of the World (John 8:12).  This is the light that shines in the darkness and shows the pathway of righteousness to others.  This is the light that the world, which lies in darkness, needs so desperately now.  This is the solution to racism and any and every other sin.  The Black Lives Matter organization does not walk in the light as He is in the light.  This organization is in need of reformation itself.  Its members need to embrace the love of God shed abroad through Jesus Christ our Lord and repent of sin, be reconciled to God on the terms of the gospel of Christ and set out on a new course of life whereby they may glorify God.
The Answer to Racism
The answer to racism is authentic conversion to Jesus Christ upon the simple terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is hope for change in America and the world because Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and the hope of the world!

Many Christian people do not realize what the Black Lives Matter organization affirms.  The organization began in 2013 as a response to what the founders refer to as “state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism” (blacklivesmatter.com).  The organization has now developed into an international global network with a presence not only in the United States, but also in Canada and the United Kingdom.  Co-Founders of the Black Lives Matter organization are:  Patrisse Cullors (Interim Director and Board President); Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi who created the online platforms and initiated the social media strategy during the early days of the Black Lives Matter project. In a 2015 interview with The Real News Network, Patrisse Cullors made the following statement: “…we actually do have an ideology frame.  Myself and Alicia (Garza), in particular, are trained organizers.  We are trained Marxists.  We are super versed on ideological theories, and I think what we really try to do is build a movement that can be utilized by many, many black folk” (Seek The Old Paths, “Lies Matter” by John Chowning, vol. 31, no. 8, August, 2020). Carol Swain, Ph. D. Vanderbilt University, retired, who taught at Princeton University has also affirmed that the Black Lives Matter organization is Marxist (see PragerU Youtube video).  Karl Marx is known as the father of communism. Among other things, Marxism is atheistic, materialistic, and rejects the Bible as God’s Word.   Some of the Marxists tactics used by the Black Lives Matter organization include:  battle between oppressed and oppressor where Blacks are identified as oppressed; creating conflict between the working class and the ruling class, pushing the notion of revolution; creating a “victim” mentality among Blacks producing resentment, envy, and even hatred toward Whites.
Promoting Racism Against Whites
In addition to Marxist/Communist tactics and goals, the Black Lives Matter organization promotes racism toward Whites.  The charge of “white privilege” targets an entire ethnic group with a crime against humanity aimed at producing collective guilt.  Jordan Peterson said, “There is nothing more racist than targeting an entire ethnic group with a collective crime regardless of the innocence or guilt of its individuals.”  Blacks develop a victim mentality that produces anger and hatred toward the individuals perceived as the offenders.  As an example, Shaun King, the controversial Black Lives Matter activist known for pushing false claims, called for the destruction of Jesus Christ statues and Christian Churches for their depiction of the “white” holy family, which King argued are forms of “white supremacy” and “racist propaganda: that promoted “oppression” (Flag and Cross.com. Article by John Salvatore, June 22, 2020, “Vocal Black Lives Matter Activist Calls for People to Tear Down Statues of Jesus, Churches Too”).
Works To Dismantle Cisgender Privilege
The following statement is from the Blacklivesmatter.com website, under the What We Believe page.  “We are self reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.”  The word cisgender refers to the sex (male or female) of a person that corresponds with their sex assigned at birth.  The Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that “from the beginning of creation God made them male and female” (Mark 10:6).  The Black Lives Matter organization denies this truth and seeks to dismantle it.  Alicia Garza, one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, met Malachi Garza in 2003, age 24, a transgender man and a community activist.  In 2004, Alicia came out as queer to her family.  In 2008, she married Malachi and took the name Garza (“Lies Matter”, John Chowning, Seek the Old Paths, vol. 31, no. 8, August, 2020 and Wikipedia).   The Black Lives Matter organization rejects God’s created order (Genesis 1 and 2).
Affirms Homosexuality
The Black Lives Matter organization states, “We foster a queer-affirming network.  When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless she/he disclose otherwise).”  Two of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter are homosexual: Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza.  Paul lists the sin of homosexuality as a consequence of giving up one’s knowledge of God.  “And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lusts one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet” (Rom. 1:23-27).  For other passages of Scripture condemning homosexuality, please see I Cor. 6:9-10; Jude 7 and Genesis 19).
Opposes the Western Nuclear Family
The Black Lives Matter organization declares, “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.”  The nuclear family is a family consisting of a father, mother and the children born to them.  A home with a biological male father and a biological female mother united in marriage and the children born to them is exactly what God has ordained as the pattern for the family.  Marriage is a holy union between one man and one woman that involves a covenant relationship formed in the sight of God and others (Matt. 19:1-9).  Sexual relationships outside of marriage are sinful and condemned in God’s word by the concept of fornication (Gal. 5:19-20).  In 2013, 72 percent of Blacks were born out of wedlock (Aaron Bandler, July 13, 2016, DailyWire.com, “7 Statistics You Need To Know About Black-On-Black Crime”).  The sin of fornication is a major problem among the Black community.  This has led to the problem of “fatherlessness” in many homes among Blacks and Blacks have looked to the government to solve the financial and health care problems that result. Black Lives Matter organization stands for the destruction of the pattern for the home as God designed it.
Affirms Reproductive Rights Including Abortion
Described as “reproductive justice”, the Black Lives Matter organization affirms the right to abortion.  “We deserve and thus we demand reproductive justice that gives us autonomy over our bodies and our identities while ensuring that our children and families are supported, safe, and able to thrive” (https://blacklivesmatter.come/responsestate-of-the-union/).  Since 1973, it is estimated Black women have had about 16 million abortions (www.blackgenocide.org/black/html).  In New York, where Planned Parenthood is located, more black babies are aborted than are born alive (1,180 abortions for every 1,000 live births) (www.the publicdiscourse.com 2019/02/48594).  These facts help to show that the phrase “Black Lives Matter” is being used disingenuously.  If Black lives truly matter, why are innocent, unborn babies being killed?  God hates hands that shed innocent blood. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Demands Defunding of the Police
While ninety-three percent of black homicide victims are killed by other blacks (dailywire.com), Black Lives Matter organization calls for the defunding of the police and replacement of the police.  Another organization called Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) states, “We believe that prisons, police and all other institutions that inflict violence on Black people must be abolished and replaced by institutions that value and affirm the flourishing of Black lives” (https://m4bl.org/about-us/). Police brutality is wrong. Criminal behavior is equally as wrong.  Blacks committed fifty-two percent of homicides between 1980 and 2008 despite composing just thirteen percent of the population in America.  According to the FBI, over the last three years of data 2011 to 2013, 38.5 percent of people arrested for murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault were black.  In 2015, almost 6,000 blacks were killed by other blacks (Aaron Bandler, July 13, 2016, DailyWire.com “7 Statistics You Need to know About Black-0n-Black Crime”).  Civil government has been ordained by God to put down the evil doer and protect the innocent (Romans 13:1-4).  “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid: for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
The Black Lives Matter organization is opposed to many Christian values and beliefs.  For this reason, this organization should not be supported by New Testament Christians.  The Black Lives Matter Organization offers a secular solution to the problem of racism and injustice.  Is there a better solution?  Yes, the real solution is spiritual in nature and involves significant change of the human heart through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16-17).  Truth and righteousness will bring about justice.  Truth and righteousness will overcome the darkness of any sin in the human heart.  The next blog will be devoted to the topic Defeating Racism.  Keep reading.

Wayne Jackson wrote an article for the Christian Courier titled, “The Assault Upon Mark 16:16” (online: www.christiancourier.com). In this article, bro. Jackson defends the authenticity of Mark 16:16.  Sometimes individuals remark that if we lost Mark 16:16 (it was not deemed authentic) then, it wouldn’t matter because everything taught in Mark 16:16 is found in other places in the New Testament.  Upon closer examination of this concept, it proves false.  Consider the following aspects of this important, authentic, passage of Scripture.
Its Simplicity.
The passages expresses in the simplest terms the requirements for salvation.  This simple truth needs to be understood by every single person who desires to be saved and go to heaven.  Jesus makes it clear that both belief and baptism are essential for salvation.  Read Mark 16:16 and see for yourself how easy it is to understand.
Its Authority.
The words in the passage are from the lips of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings.  His authority is preeminent and unassailable.  Jesus said that His words would not pass away (Matt. 24:35) and that His words would judge us in the last day (John 12:48).  Who could affirm that the words of Jesus are unimportant and if lost would not be significant?
Its Lexical Import
This passage of Scripture is the only verse in the Bible where Jesus connects the words baptism and salvation in such a way as to affirm the essential nature of baptism.  If faith is essential for salvation, then, baptism is also essential.  Many deny that baptism is essential for salvation.  They contradict the plain words of Jesus. Faith is “taking God at His word.”  It is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).  Faith is trust in God.  We must believe that God is (Heb. 11:6) and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24).  Baptism is an immersion in water for the remission of sins (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38).  The purpose of baptism secures its role in our salvation.  We cannot be saved without the forgiveness of our sins.
Its Grammatical Construction
Mark 16:16 is the only passage in the New Testament where the words believe, baptism and salvation are syntactically connected in such a way as to show conclusively that baptism precedes salvation and does not follow salvation.  The words believeth and is baptized are aorist participles.  The words shall be saved constitute the main verb in the sentence.  The aorist participle indicates action that is completed before the action of the main verb (Dana and Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, 230).  This shows that baptism precedes salvation.  Both faith and baptism preceded salvation.  This is why Peter commanded the multitudes on the day of Pentecost to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (by His authority) for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).
Its Textual Authenticity
Mark 16:16 can successfully be defended in regards to its authenticity.  Bro. Jackson mentions several individuals who have shown the evidence for the authenticity of the passage:  Scrivener, Burgon, McGarvey, and Lenski. I might add Maurice Robinson and Dave Miller in Reason and Revelation (http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=13&article=704).  The works of these men are readily available to the reader.  Since the gospel of Mark is part of the history of the life of Christ and we are forbidden to preach any other gospel (Gal. 1:8-9), let us uphold this passage as part of the holy Scriptures that are able to make us wise unto salvation (II Tim. 3:15-16).
Its Historical Significance In Apologetics
Alexander Campbell used Mark 16:16 in his debate with W. L. McCalla in 1823.  In this debate, held Oct. 15, 1823, Alexander Campbell affirmed “immersion for the remission of sins.”  Douglas Foster remarks that this is “the most explicit statement he had ever made in public” on this topic.  Campbell declared, “The Lord saith, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” He does not say, he that believeth and keeps my commands, shall be saved: but he saith he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  He places baptism on the right hand of faith.  Again, he tells Nicodemus, that “except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” — Peter on the day of Pentecost, places baptism in the same “exalted place”–“Repent,” says he, “and be baptized every one of you, FOR the remission of sins.” –Ananias saith to Paul “arise and be baptized and WASH AWAY your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.” –Paul saith of the Corinthians, “Ye were once fornicators, idolators, adulterers, effeminate, thieves, covetous, drunkards, rioters, extortioners, but ye were WASHED in the name of the Lord Jesus,” doubtless referring to their baptism. He tells Titus, God our Savior saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. See again its dignified importance! Peter finishes the grand climax, in praise of baptism–“Baptism doth also now save us, by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.” I have thus, in the naked import of those testimonies, shown, that it is of vast import, of glorious design” (quoted by Douglas Foster in A Life of Alexander Campbell, 71-72).   Alexander Campbell included Mark 16:16 in the Living Oracles (a translation he was instrumental in producing in 1826) even though it was based primarily on the Greek text of Greisbach who, in the second edition of his Greek text (1806), omitted it.
Thomas Warren defended and used Mark 16:16 in his public debate with L. S. Ballard.  In this debate (held July 23-26, 1952), Warren defended Mark 16:16 with the Washingtonian Manuscript housed at the Freer Gallery in Washington D.C.  The Washingtonian manuscript is a fourth century manuscript and so matches, in age, the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts that are used to assault the authenticity of Mark 16:16. It contains the verses in dispute and is part of the overall evidence for the defense of these passages.
Garland Elkins used Mark 16:16 in a public debate with Bob Ross that was held in Parkersburg, WV (April, 1979).  Elkins made the grammatical argument on Mark 16:16 noted above about the aorist participles.  This proved an effective means of conveying the truth that baptism is essential for salvation.  These are just a few examples of how Mark 16:16 has been used in public debate to defend the truth about baptism.  It is an apologetic passage of Scripture that refutes the doctrine of faith only.
These observations on Mark 16:16 show that it is a unique passage of Scripture, spoken by the Lord, an authentic passage that has merit as an apologetic against false doctrine.  The loss of this passage would be significant.  Yet, many of the modern translations in use today either omit the passage or cast doubt upon its authenticity.  Perhaps we should reconsider which translation is truly upholding God’s Word in the English language.