In 1943, as war raged around the globe, C.S. Lewis delivered a series of lectures that were later turned into an extraordinary book entitled, The Abolition of Man. As the world reached the height of its deadliest conflict in history, Lewis warned of a very different lethal threat emerging in his day. In the very first line of the book, Lewis writes, “I doubt whether we are sufficiently attentive to the importance of elementary text-books.”

Lewis explains his case by carefully dissecting a school textbook he calls, “The Green Book.” This book, based upon a real book (which we now know to be, “The Control of Language: A Critical Approach to Reading and Writing”) expresses “disgust” at the idea that a poem can declare a waterfall to be “sublime” or “pretty.” The reason for the teachers’ disgust is the claim that the poet can only speak of how he felt about a waterfall rather than state as a truth that a waterfall is “pretty.” Lewis’ concern was that the teachers were saying that things cannot be objectively true, that all value statements only explain the emotional state of the speaker and are therefore unimportant.

As I read Lewis’ work I could identify with his concerns, expressed nearly 80 years ago. He was uncanny in his prediction that the subjection of truth to feelings would lead to a future where a small cabal of people manipulate humanity through psychology. He relayed that the idea of relativism is patently absurd and that a deep thinker would never allow it. Then, he warns that the only way such an idea could sway minds is through the indoctrination of the young. He states:

“The very power of (the authors) depends on the fact that they are dealing with a boy: a boy who thinks he is ‘doing’ his ‘English prep’ and has no notion that ethics, theology, and politics are all at stake. It is not a theory they put into his mind, but an assumption, which ten years hence, its origin forgotten and its presence unconscious, will condition him to take one side in a controversy which he has never recognized as a controversy at all.” Lewis, C. S. (2019-09-29T23:58:59). The Abolition of Man.

Today, his prophecy has come true. Pop psychology insists that you are who you are based upon feelings rather than objective facts. Our nation starts to buckle under the question of which truth to follow or whether there is truth at all.

It is into this intersection, this junction of truth and culture that Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming stands tall and says, “Waterfalls can be sublime, truth is knowable, and mankind cannot be abolished in a sea of made-up feelings!”

I am asking you to stand with us. You can stand for truth. Please donate to this great cause by giving to Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming today.

Advancing Biblical Citizenship,

Nathan Winterws
Executive Director

 

 

 

Korean Airline Flight #007 departed Anchorage, Alaska, on October 31, 1983, for its direct fight to Seoul, South Korea. However, unknown to the pilot and crew, the computer engaging the flight navigation system contained a one and a half degree routing error. At the point of departure, the mistake was unnoticeable; 100 miles out the deviation was still so small as to be undetectable. But as the giant 747 continued through the Aleutians and out over the Pacific, the error was picked up by Soviet radar. Jets were scrambled for the intercept, and over mainland Russia Flight #007 was shot out of the sky and all were lost.

Someone summarized the lesson to be learned by saying, “A small error at departure point resulted in tragic trajectory and a destructive finish.” In the same way, whenever we depart from God’s moral laws, we will find ourselves on a tragic trajectory of loss and a destructive finish.

Having a biblical worldview might be compared to a flight navigation system that sets us on a good trajectory concerning standards for morals, justice, and equity. The Assemblies of God denomination recently worked with Barna Research and found sobering statistics concerning the worldview of most Americans. The results tell us that we have some hard work ahead of us if we are going to change course and have a safe landing for families, churches, and culture. Here is what Barna found:

The world is obviously not helping young people cope. The prophet Isaiah spoke for God to his struggling generation, “Come now, let us reason together!” (Isaiah 1:18).

While it’s true that you can’t force someone to act morally, it’s also true that good policy and legislation can protect people, religious freedom, and our culture from crashing and burning like Korean Air Flight #007.

Family Policy Alliance of Wyoming is working to change the worldview in our state to one of reason based upon eternal truth. Wyoming and our nation desperately need a course adjustment. As we begin a new fiscal year, please consider partnering with us as we work with churches and legislators to make our state a place where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.

For Faith and Family,

Nathan Winters
Executive Director

Korean Airline Flight #007 departed Anchorage, Alaska, on October 31, 1983, for its direct fight to Seoul, South Korea. However, unknown to the pilot and crew, the computer engaging the flight navigation system contained a one and a half degree routing error. At the point of departure, the mistake was unnoticeable; 100 miles out the deviation was still so small as to be undetectable. But as the giant 747 continued through the Aleutians and out over the Pacific, the error was picked up by Soviet radar. Jets were scrambled for the intercept, and over mainland Russia Flight #007 was shot out of the sky and all were lost.

Someone summarized the lesson to be learned by saying, “A small error at departure point resulted in tragic trajectory and a destructive finish.” In the same way, whenever we depart from God’s moral laws, we will find ourselves on a tragic trajectory of loss and a destructive finish.

Having a biblical worldview might be compared to a flight navigation system that sets us on a good trajectory concerning standards for morals, justice, and equity. The Assemblies of God denomination recently worked with Barna Research and found sobering statistics concerning the worldview of most Americans. The results tell us that we have some hard work ahead of us if we are going to change course and have a safe landing for families, churches, and culture. Here is what Barna found:

The world is obviously not helping young people cope. The prophet Isaiah spoke for God to his struggling generation, “Come now, let us reason together!” (Isaiah 1:18).

While it’s true that you can’t force someone to act morally, it’s also true that good policy and legislation can protect people, religious freedom, and our culture from crashing and burning like Korean Air Flight #007.

Family Policy Alliance here in Rhode Island is working to change the worldview in our state to a biblical one. This Saturday I will begin teaching a new course for Northpoint Bible College and Graduate School called “Engage the State.” This new course will help pastors and leaders understand the difficult subjects of our day from a biblical perspective. Here are some of the topics we’ll cover: separation of church and state, homosexuality, transgenderism and sex education. Northpoint is committed to strong biblical training for ministers and church leaders.

I have also been part of planning a timely two-day conference on October 29-30 called “The Bible, Gender & Sexuality.” It’s put on by the Ministry Training Network of Southeastern New England I strongly encourage you and other leaders to attend. You can register here.

Dr. J Alan Branch, Professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Seminary and Dr. Michelle Cretella, Executive Director American College of Pediatricians are the main speakers. There will also be informative and practical workshops. This conference is designed to help pastors and church leaders to understand and address the difficult issues of our day from a biblical perspective and with grace, love, and understanding.

Rhode Island desperately needs a course adjustment. Please partner with us as we work with churches and legislators to make our state a place where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.

For Faith and Family,

Dave Aucoin
Chairman, Board of Directors – Rhode Island

P.S. If you have a religious objection to a vaccine mandate at your school or workplace, here is a link where you can access resources from our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom.