In providing these links I must once again make it clear that
I do not endorse many of the viewpoints expressed on that site. I certainly am
not a member or appreciator of their movement and yet their Anti-Establishment
posture affords what can often be identified as valid and helpful criticisms of
the system.
This can also be observed when reading the works of the far
Left and thus I also will often include links to some of their (at times)
penetrating criticisms of Establishment power. Likewise their solutions are
also more than wanting.
We appreciate truth-telling when it comes to challenging the
Establishment narrative and both the extreme Left and Right are helpful in this
regard, even when both camps miss certain points and interpret some of the
narrative incorrectly.
We appreciate and utilize to help our own understanding and
to supplement our prophetic witness contra
mundum, against the world. At that point, as Christians we turn away. We
are not trying to synthesize worldly models, knowledge and wisdom with the
revelation of the Kingdom. We are not trying to formulate a 'worldview' but
instead maintain a prophetic antithesis.
We utilize their exposing of the lies, theft, murder and
hypocrisy but we also realize they posit solutions outside the Kingdom of
Christ, solutions found in reforming the world system... a fool's errand and a
temptation to idolatry if there ever was one. This 'foolishness' is at the
heart of the Christian political project which dominates the Evangelical
sphere.
Regarding current events and Libertarian interpretations...
Putin's government is not the 'good guy' in the Syrian
conflict but the American narrative is riddled with lies, miscontextualization
and cynical manipulation. The truth is not reaching the public.
While many Christians can feign righteous indignation at the
Obama policy it is not hard to recall that just a few years ago they happily
embraced the same policies when endorsed by a different administration. Their
rejection of Obama's Syrian War is not the result of gained wisdom but
political intuition and posturing. This does nothing to help God's people
further understand the truth of the matter, nor are lessons learned that will
help in assessing future propaganda and deception issued by a Republican
administration.
I encourage readers to ponder these articles and gain a
greater understanding of what is unfolding. Why is the US pursuing this agenda
in the Middle East and beyond? The implications are disturbing and must
necessarily affect how we think and live within the Empire and in the West in
general. We as Christians are in a time of social-ethical crisis, or we should
be. More than ever we need to stand for truth and against the cultural tide.
Those who were blinded by the fog of 9/11 no longer have an excuse.
We live in an empire that with its allies seeks mastery of
the globe and its resources. Under the capitalist model, these resources
include the people under its control.
These interpretations, even the map-graphic that I linked are
but part of the whole story... a place to begin. But for many, for most, they
have not yet even begun to open their eyes.
