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ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

October 3, 2014

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends –

Please enjoy the words of a long-time friend–

Choosing Godly Officials

Written by Stephen McDowell

We have the privilege in America to choose those who govern us. As Christians, it is also our duty to do so.

Civil government is a divine institution of God. It exists to protect the life, liberty, and property of citizens, enabling them to more effectively advance the Kingdom of God. Civil leaders are servants of the people and of God, and are to govern under His higher authority. Rulers are to be ministers of God for good. (See Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14; Luke 22:25-26.)

For government to fulfill its divine mission, Christians must be involved in selecting good men and women to office. Ideally they would meet all the qualifications for Godly officials. When Moses told the Israelites to select from among them those who would govern them, he set forth a number of Biblical qualifications. He said: “You shall select out of all the people, able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain” (Ex. 18:21). “Choose wise and discerning and experienced men” (Deut. 1:13). He cited three general qualifications for governing officials: fear of God, Christian character, and Biblical worldview.

1. Fear God

The fear of God is an essential qualification for a godly official. What are such people like? Matthias Burnet explained in an election sermon in 1803 that they are, “men acting under the belief and awe of God as their inspector and judge, to whom they consider themselves accountable for their conduct and whom they fear to offend.”[1]

A man who fears God is not someone who simply professes faith, attends church, or culturally embraces Christianity, but someone who has a reverential fear of the Almighty. “When the righteous rule, the people rejoice” (Prov. 29:2). The righteous have right standing with God; they fear the true and living God.

2. Christian Character

A second qualification is morality. They should be “men truly honest and upright in their principles and views, not actuated and governed by the sordid motives of self interest and aggrandizement in their desire and execution of office, but by a sincere regard to the public good.”[2]

Corrupt and unprincipled rulers (like Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Mao Tse-tung) have brought great misery to mankind, including loss of liberty and the downfall of nations, while U.S. socialist and progressive leaders of the 20th century have done much to steal the liberty and property of many. The actions of these leaders flowed from a wrong worldview. Many displayed dishonest and immoral behavior.

Chandler Robbins, in an election sermon in 1791, said, “Nothing will so surely, so rapidly bring on the dissolution of society, and the loss of the liberties of a people, as a want of virtue and integrity in their rulers.”[3]

A vital quality for leaders is honesty. Proverbs 29:12 says, “If a ruler pays attention to falsehood [hearkens to lies], all his ministers become wicked.” If they cannot keep personal vows or oaths, we cannot expect them to keep national vows. We have witnessed the negative consequences of such conduct in recent years.

Knowledge or intelligence (as man sees it) without honesty — a good genius with a bad heart — is worse than an ignorant honest man because the evil genius could find more subtle ways to rob the people of their rights. Some have argued support for certain candidates based upon their intelligence, saying: “He’s so smart. We ought to elect him.” Yet, if such a person, no matter how smart, is reasoning from wrong presuppositions, or has bad character, he will not be a good leader.

Humility is a second great quality needed in leaders. Jesus taught that leaders are to be servants (Matt. 20:25-28).

3. Biblical Worldview

Thinking Biblically is of great importance because a leader will act and vote based upon how he thinks (Prov. 23:7). The best leaders will have a Biblical philosophy of government, understanding its purpose and limited nature.

The tendency of fallen man is to assume too much power for himself, often justified for benevolent reasons. Jesus taught we are to render to Caesar (civil government) things under his jurisdiction (which are very limited) and to God the things that are God’s (Matt. 22:15-21). As America has moved towards socialism, we have been rendering to Caesar the things that are God’s. Under all forms of statism, civil government assumes the role of God, the family, the church, and the private sector.

Socialism is the golden calf of modern America and is a great threat to liberty and prosperity. Discerning whether a candidate adheres to a Biblical or socialistic philosophy of government comes down to the question, “Who controls the property and children in the nation?” Whoever controls the property controls the present; whoever controls the children controls the future. God has given this responsibility to the family, not the state.

We must seek to choose leaders who understand the divine, but very limited, role of civil government. Without knowledgeable Christians participating in elections, America will become another Tower of Babel, with man looking to himself for all things.

Godly leaders begin with Godly citizens. Reform begins in our house, but it will eventually be reflected in the state house and the White House. America needs Godly transformation. Those who are transformed need to be eternally vigilant to have this reflected in our civil leaders.

The election of unprincipled men produces misery and tyranny, but Godly rulers bring peace, prosperity, justice, and rejoicing. If we fulfill our duty and place Godly men in office, our future will be bright.

—

Stephen McDowell is President and co-founder of the Providence Foundation, an organization whose purpose is to spread Christian liberty among the nations. Stephen has trained people from 100 countries to apply Biblical truth in all spheres of life, consulted with government officials, assisted in starting political parties, and aided in starting Christian schools and Biblical worldview training centers. He has authored and co-authored over 30 books and training courses including Liberating the Nations and America’s Providential History. To learn more visit ProvidenceFoundation.com

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

September 30, 2014

This is a mail-merge letter to our friends –

Disturbing thoughts

We often hear, “These are the last days.” and “Things are going to keep getting worse, until the ‘end times events’ begin.”

That disturbs my soul. Many may decide, “There is no point in trying to save and restore America. It is like polishing the brass, as the Titanic sinks!” Why not focus upon evangelism and let everything else drift away?

My thought – If America is on the edge of failure, and the church does not care to get involved, she has tacitly consented to the consequence. After America fails, what is likely to happen to our liberty to evangelize?

Further – Where is the respect (or even memory) for what God has invested in the idea of a “Christian Constitutional Republic”? America is not “Christian” because it was formed by Christians. America is “Christian” because it has a Christian form!

The world (even today!) looks toward the horizon, expecting America to gallop over the hill and save the day. That is NOT because of our virtue! It is because of what we represent – Godly principles. [Faith & steadfastness, brotherly love & Christian care, diligence and industry, liberty of conscience].

Our betters bled and died in defense of these principles so that we may enjoy what we have. Are we to exchange it for a “mess of pottage”?

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

September 14, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

From 85 to 20 somethings

My kids were pre-school aged when prayer was removed from public schools in the 60’s. Can you think of a better way for a society to teach a generation that God was irrelevant in preparing for life? Ask yourself (those in your 20’s) – Did it work?

Dear young people – Those of you who have accepted that God is irrelevant, have been robbed, mislead, cheated, lied to, and used, by a godless society that sees you as “cookie-cutter” tools for building a “great society”.

If God is irrelevant, what standard is left by which to decide what is “right” and what is “wrong”? Who is to say that your opinion is any better than the next person’s? Indeed there are universal laws of nature – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Care for those in need.” -BUT- Laws of nature are discovered by individual observation and reason. Thus, your conclusions may be different from another’s. You are all adrift in a sea of relativism where there are no fixed points.

Every person on earth knows there is a higher power than himself that is governing the universe. Many are choosing to hold that truth under as one would hold under a struggling drowning man.

On the other hand, there really is a creator God, who really does want the very best for each one of us. He is that truth that is struggling, against human nature, for the surface. Short of violating your liberty of choice, He has done and is doing everything He can to get your attention.

You do not need a Bible, a church membership, -anything- all you need is to acknowledge what you really know is true – and submit to it! The result will be life-changing. Suddenly, absolutes begin to make sense. There really is a right and wrong.

You were placed upon this earth for a purpose – to love God, then love others. It only works in that order!

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’”

[Matthew 22:36-40]

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

September 7, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

One World Government

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else, I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” [Isaiah 45]

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians]

Lately my e-mail has had notes and queries about the international conspiracies. There are many in history as well as those active today. Some are “hyped up” to be larger than life. Others are 100% real. Human nature leads those addicted to power to dream big dreams. The ultimate power dream is “world-domination”.

As people look away from God, the danger of such conspiracies grows in their view. We hear, “It is important to know your enemy.” Some patriots make a detailed study of the conspiracy that has their attention. In order to “awaken us to the dangers” they seek ever more sensational examples to shock us into action.

Pause and consider with me – If you were God’s enemy, wouldn’t you want people to study what you are doing rather than what God is doing? Wouldn’t you be ready to introduce new things to study when the older ones grow stale? Wouldn’t you want attention focused upon evil rather than righteousness?

The next “Principles of American Government” online course begins tomorrow. I am often asked why we do not teach about these conspiracies. I respond. “Learning of them produces awe at the size of the problem, fear, frustration, anger, hopelessness.” It often produces misguided activism. Not very good goals for study!

Rather – When we learn of God’s hand in human history, the laws of nature and of nature’s God, and principles we can rely upon in making our day-to-day choices, the result is faith, fearlessness, hope, confidence. Much better goals for study!

As Isaiah prophesized, one day every knee shall bow. Some rebellious souls will be standing tall “on the inside” – BUT – when a nine foot angel with a flaming sword says to kneel, that knee will bow!

I choose to be among those who rejoice to bow to a loving God well in advance of that day.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

August 26, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Tree Rings

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts will be established.” [ Proverbs 16:3]

Lately, as I pray about these blog posts, “tree rings” pops into my thoughts. Some folks have a hard time with the biblical account of the beginning. Moses lived some 1500 years after Adam & Eve. Moses wrote the book of Genesis. How did he know so much about the Garden of Eden?

The Bible says Adam lived 930 years. That overlapped with Methuselah some 243 years. Do you suppose Adam shared stories around the campfire with Methuselah?

Methuselah lived 969 years and overlapped with Noah’s son, Shem, some 98 years. Shem (600 years) overlapped with Abraham’s boy, Isaac, 50 years. Isaac overlapped Amram for 53 years. Amram passed the stories on to Moses for 58 years.

So that is just 5 generations with big overlaps between Adam and Moses. Not to mention the many other opportunities to pass on information.

But how about rocks that appear to be millions of years old? And the light rays from the stars that have traveled eons to reach us? The Bible account of human history since Adam in only around 6000 years.

That brings up “tree rings”. The Bible account of creation spans only 6 days. When Eve saw the trees in the garden, how old did they appear? They were bearing fruit and were strong enough to carry the weight. Had Adam used a chain saw and cut the trunk of a tree it would have had tree rings. Tree rings show the age of the tree. BUT – The tree was less than 6 days old!

Conclusion – Things were created with the image of age. Star light waves were created when the star was created. This brings to mind – HOW BIG IS YOUR GOD?”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

August 23, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Introducing God

A true story — He was a wilderness shepherd drawn aside by a burning bush that was not being consumed. A voice from the flames was sending Moses to introduce Him to a community that did not know Him.

Moses asked, “How do I do that?” The voice answered, “I AM”.

As I think about that, “I AM” translates to the hearer as, “GOD IS”.

In order to introduce the uncreated, creator of everything that was created, one must first establish that – God Is.

The Bible says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” [Psalm 14] Men appear to me to have been making “fools” of themselves for well over 6,000 years.

Those who would debate the issue must begin with the false presupposition (i.e. false belief) that there is another source for what is. If we accept a false presupposition and permit the debate to continue, we build upon sand. The imaginations and speculations run wild!

On the other hand, challenge the false presupposition that there is no creator God. “What evidence do you have that there is no God?” All the evidence they may produce is unfounded.

“Well,” they reply, “Where is your evidence that there is a God?”

The product demands a producer – Consider a Gibson guitar – Does it exist? If so, could it reasonably have been assembled by random events? That is unreasonable. The existence of the guitar demands that there be a Gibson guitar producer.

The product reveals attributes of the producer — By studying the Gibson guitar, we discover that the producer was interested in quality, detail, utility, beauty, music, …, … .

Reason is a gift given to each man (generic) – The universe (macro and micro) exists. I (each man) exist physically. I (each man) exist extra-physically (i.e. mind, will, intellect, emotions, etc,). The universe & I are “products”.

What can I (each men) discover about the Producer by studying the “product”? — He is very big else very fast! He is infinitely powerful and creative. His intelligent design is extraordinary. Yet, He is concerned and compassionate, in that there is a wholesome means of fulfillment for my every need. Nothing He creates is without a set of rules (laws) to govern it.

Lyrics to an old song

The angel asked,

“Lord, what will you do to cause men’s turning?”

The Lord replied,

“Any old bush will do as long as it’s burning!”

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

August 2, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Answers & Gratitude

Are you still writing your blog posts? How is your health? What is going on?

Cards, e-mails, phone calls and prayers have poured in. I have been overwhelmed with love and tender care. This is the first day I have been able to compose an answer. My goal – Give answers and express truly humbling and heart-felt gratitude. God is good!

On July 8th, I had surgery to repair an aortic aneurism. The aorta is the big artery that carries fresh blood from the heart to the groin, where it forms a “Y” and delivers fresh blood to both legs. An aneurism is like a “mouse” that forms on the wall of the aorta. If it balloons and pops, it is usually fatal. There are no symptoms.

Five years ago, by accident, we discovered an aortic aneurism just “north” of the “Y”. Each year we monitored it for growth. This year it grew. The procedure is to place a “Y” shaped “stent” into the artery to relieve the pressure. Not an uncommon procedure, but major surgery.

Four nights in the hospital and a week at home was better each day. Then the recovery direction seemed to reverse. I was weaker each day. Back pain kept me awake. My appetite decreased with my stamina.

Blood tests confirmed I am anemic. Normally that is caused by internal bleeding – yet – CT scans and other tests failed to show the source. Yesterday I added iron capsules to help rebuild the blood (and thus – stamina). We will monitor tests next Monday and following.

That is the physical report. Yesterday, my dear friend, pastor Mark Dahlin (Living Hope Church), came by and used some olive oil from Jerusalem to anoint and pray for me. Fran and I sensed a spiritual breakthrough. Today I am much better than yesterday. I have not been able to compose text before today.

Enough about me – During these “valley times” I have had hours to listen and pray. I am looking forward to sharing what the Lord has given me to post in this blog as strength returns.

Our “Prime Timers 50+” Sunday school class roster has been added to my blog list for just this one time. I think of these dear friends as extended family. If any wish to be added to the blog list, please e-mail me and ask-on.

For now – Continued prayer is appreciated.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

July 7, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Ben, can you copy and paste or forward this to anyone you know who might be interested? Mary

I suggest forwarding this ad to interested parties. Ben

Latin in the Christian Trivium

Our classes are available for fall enrollment at this time. Besides Latin, we also offer an excellent course called Principles of American Government, taught by Mr. Ben Gilmore, of ACH Study Groups.

As you can see, this is a fun group of teachers, and their students all score very high grades

on standardized tests, most recently a perfect score on the SAT Latin Subject test. Contact whichever teacher you like and you will get all the details.

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

July 1, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

Patriot Pulpits & Liberty Churches

I came across the term, “Patriot Pulpits & Liberty Churches” in an article by Rev. Chuck Baldwin (Google it). He referenced a long string of colonial pastors whose sermons are easily available for reading. Chuck identified his messages with theirs and mused that in today’s church culture they would seem strange or even unbiblical.

Recently there has been yet another charge of apostasy against John Locke, whose biblical logic and reasoning had a great influence upon colonial pastors and thus upon their flocks. It has been my privilege to defend Locke in one of those dialogs. In doing so, it appears to me that some of the “typical American church” is less interested in defending the faith than it is in defending the church doctrine!

According to Isaiah, God said, “Come let us reason together.” Thus, God is reasonable. If a church doctrine appears unreasonable, either the doctrine is false, or the reasoning is wrong. The fact remains that the American church is not taking a lead in defending Christian liberty or even teaching about it.

Many times I come across church goers who quote Romans 13:1, “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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” And similar verses: Titus 3:1, 1st Peter 2:13-14, 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

I respond that nothing in creation is without a set of laws to govern it. Within those limits is peace and growth. Outside those limits is chaos and degradation.

Take King David in the Old Testament (2nd Samuel): God made David king. All the set of kingly laws and authority were granted to King David by God. It was within David’s authority to send for Bathsheba, his married neighbor. Bathsheba came to the king’s office as she rightly should. When King David propositioned Bathsheba, he had stepped outside the authority God had granted him. Bathsheba would have been within her rights to decline.

American officials have no authority outside the limits God places upon their authority. Their authority may be further limited by the limits we place upon their authority before hiring them. Where are the Patriot Pastors and Liberty Churches teaching this today?

Recently I posted a piece encouraging churches to invite candidates to attend a worship service then be introduced to the congregation. One very dear (and honest!) friend responded with a string of reasons for inaction. I suspect she speaks for over half of the churchgoers who read the post:

– “Most of those I know are Democrats.”

– “[The professional group] don’t discuss politics, religion, and barely anything else except themselves.”

– “Many of them are single, or have no children and are much more secretive about their personal lives.”

– “As far as the people at church … most things are involved w/ church activities and political issues aren’t discussed.”

– “[I] do know a few who are Republicans, but not that many, and don’t want to ‘rock the boat’ by bringing up stuff that will start an argument.”

When the godless government troops come to shut down and burn the Patriot Pastors in Liberty Churches, will you fear to ‘rock the boat’? Will you be ashamed that you and your church were not on the godless government’s list?

ACH Study Groups

Ben & Fran Gilmore – Cofounders

7659 Gingerblossom Drive

Citrus Heights, CA 95621

916-722-2501 histbuff@garlic.com

www.ACHStudyGroups.com

June 28, 2014

This is a letter to our friends –

A message to America’s churches

Pastors & Laymen

God ordained civil-governments and established rules for governing them. We are blessed with a Christian, constitutional republic founded upon Christian self-government. America is not “Christian” because it was formed by Christians. America is Christian because it has a Christian form.

For the most part, the primary elections indicate that the sleeping giant is stirring, yet half or more of America’s church goers fail to participate by voting. “Choose you this day, whom you will serve” applies to more than the Lord Jesus. God has placed you in a civil society and has providentially given you the responsibility of electing that society’s leaders.

A political fact of life – The summer months following the primaries represent political doldrums. Candidates for the November ballot are now chosen in most cases. Each of them is hungry to get his message out, but things will not heat up until Labor Day. Then it will be a mad scramble to do what should have been going on all summer!

I believe every American church should be sending a letter to every candidate wanting votes from their members. Invite them to give their card to an usher at the start of any worship service. At the end of the service, invite them forward to introduce themselves and answer a few questions.

Many candidates will self-select by shunning such an invitation out of fear. Others will boldly attempt a phony bluff. A discerning church member will recognize it. The congregation and their friends will be better informed.

There are 16 weekends until election. An enterprising candidate will benefit spiritually and politically by participating in 16 worship services. That should serve to make him a better public servant!

Such a project costs nothing but a trip to the county registrar of voters for a mailing list of candidates and the postage. The return on that investment could be very significant.

I suggest one of the questions that should be asked: “What role do you believe the Bible should play in the decisions you will have to make?”