Why Most People are One-Issue Voters

There has been an ongoing debate over whether a fetus is a human being. To answer this question, I look at both the Scriptures and science.

As it relates to science, sonograms and advances in technology have proven that babies in the womb are fully human. If we, as a nation, did not outlaw abortion but mandated that every woman see the sonogram of their baby before commencing with an abortion, I believe abortion would be virtually eradicated.

Related to scripture, I was disappointed when I recently read that many Evangelicals believe that the Bible is ambiguous regarding abortion. (It is not ambiguous, but I will leave that for another article.) 

This ignorance is quite disturbing to me. It gives people an excuse to vote for a pro-choice candidate without feeling that they are violating their conscience. When people ask me if I am a one-issue voter, I inform them that I look at all issues. However, I add that the most critical issue by far is how we treat the innocent unborn. If somebody believes the taking of the life of an unborn human being is ok, then I can not trust what they have to say about post-birth issues (racism, poverty, and all things related to human flourishing). 

If a person of color (by the way, I am of Puerto Rican descent), who reads this article, were to accuse me of being a “ one-issue voter,” I would inform them that they are a one-issue voter as well. I would then ask them what they would do if they discovered that the political candidate they agreed with  99% of the time was a member of the KKK. Almost all would invariably answer that they would no longer vote for that person. Then I would say, “Congratulations, you’re a one-issue voter!” (This kind of conversation has taken place more than once.)

To further drill down on this topic, whether you are pro-life has vast implications related to your particular worldview. Consequently, it is not an accident that those with a pro-life view usually adhere to the biblical perspectives related to marriage, family, human sexuality, etc. Conversely, those who are pro-choice are usually more disposed of unbiblical views related to marriage, family, gender, human sexuality, etc. 

Thus, when I vote, I look at the big picture. I consider the candidate’s policy positions more than I do his behavior and personality. This is because the policies will affect the whole nation, while the personal action (albeit perhaps sometimes unbiblical), will have a marginal effect upon the population. For example, I would rather have a President who is politically incorrect and uncouth, than to have a nice, well cultured, affable President, whose policies go against God’s moral laws and is complicit with taking the life of the innocent unborn through horrific abortion laws. 

It is impossible for a two-party system to fully reflect and represent God, His holiness, and the Gospel. In this particular presidential election, neither candidate is appealing to me on a personal level. Both men have fatal flaws. However, my vote will be determined by which one more closely adheres to biblical ethics when it comes to systemic law. 

Neither political party fully comports with Scripture in the application of biblical law (because we are not a theocracy). We have to choose the candidate who more likely supports God’s top 10 list in the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20). 

As Believers, we are called to be “in the world but not of the world” and should speak the truth without allowing a political party to transcend our faith and swallow our identity.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a Christian registering as either a Democrat or Republican, so long as their votes are based upon biblical values. It is acceptable for Christians to be called to serve in either political parties. Related to a Believer’s association with a political party, I always feel uncomfortable when I see a dogmatic stance towards a particular party. For example, I’m disturbed when I see some American Evangelicals wrapping the gospel with the American flag since I do not believe this nation is a Christian nation (even though the original colonies and states had constitutions founded upon Christian principles. If the nation was fully Christian when it was founded, we would not have allowed slavery!). 

In conclusion, even though it is impossible to expect a country with a two-party political system to reflect Christian values fully, the trajectory of the nation for generations to come will be determined by which party is in power. Consequently, it is vital, before people vote, to discern which Party more closely comports to Scripture. 

The future of our nation is in the balance. The stakes couldn’t be higher.  It is the responsibility of every concerned citizen to get out and vote. If every Christian vote based on biblical principles instead of political affiliation, the United States will prosper and be great for decades to come!

Purchase Joseph Mattera’s latest book, “The Jesus Principles”, available now on Amazon here.

Why Abortion Is a Gospel Issue

I find it interesting that a pro-choice person, like the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, was quoted saying that he approved abortion up until the time of birth. This same governor had pictures of himself, in his college yearbook, depicted in BlackFace and another of him wearing a KKK hood.

Not coincidentally, Planned Parenthood founder’s Margaret Sanger was an avowed White Eugenicist. She started abortion clinics in Black communities and openly said that she wanted to exterminate the Jewish and Black race. Margaret Sanger said, “We don’t want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.”

Planned Parenthood, through the years, was also caught in recorded telephone conversations admitting their racist tendencies against minorities. (To know more about the racist history of Planned Parenthood, read this article in The Washington Times.)

Anti-racism and the pro-life cause go hand in hand. A true and consistent sanctity of life position has to include both the values of pre-birth and post-birth (respect, dignity, and protection for all people) if it will be legitimate.

Galatians 3:28 makes it clear that as believers, there is no such thing as class or gender discrimination since we are all one in Christ.

Also, since humankind is made in the image of God, as His crown jewel of creation, God forbids the murder of another human being (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8, Genesis 9:5-6).

Scripture says God hates the shedding of innocent blood. What can be more innocent than a pre-birth human? He even forbids the murder of a human being in His top ten list of commandments (Proverbs 6:17, Exodus 20:13).

Hence, to devalue human life with ideologies and activities that promulgate racism, sex trafficking, slavery, abuse, or abortion, is contrary to the Gospel since Jesus took upon Himself human flesh (not the flesh of an animal or nature of an angel) to save us (John 1:14, Hebrews 2:14). Consequently, it is impossible to have a true Gospel without Jesus adorning a flesh and blood human body.

What this means is if there was no incarnation (Jesus becoming human), there could be no cross.  Without the cross, we have no Gospel! It is also not a coincidence that the first act of worship concerning Jesus’s Advent came from a babe in the womb (Luke 1: 41-44).

It is also interesting that Elizebeth blessed the fruit in Mary’s womb. She referred to Mary as “the mother of my Lord” while Jesus was still in the pre-birth stage. She viewed a pre-birth baby, Jesus, as her Lord.

Summarily, I contend that we cannot separate abortion and the pro-life position from the gospel. God made humans in His image and likeness, and Jesus’ innocent blood was shed to redeem believers (Genesis 1:28). This is why the shedding of innocent human blood is an affront to God because His Son’s precious blood was spilled to save the life of fallen humanity. 

In light of the above, it is a gross misapprehension of the nature of the Gospel when someone considers abortion a very political issue and not a Gospel issue. Those with this view fail to understand that when we objectify a post-birth human with sex trafficking, slavery, abuse, racism, or when we treat an unborn human baby as a mere blob of flesh or fetus, we devalue Jesus’ humanity. We treat the blood of the Covenant as a common thing, as well as undervalue the price He paid to save us.

Truly, both abortion and racism are Gospel issues that should obligate all believers to stand up for the sacredness of human life and blood.

In conclusion, the implications of this “pro-life” Gospel should profoundly affect both our internal convictions and public positions, or else the Gospel has no practical application, and the Church cannot function as the Salt and Light of the world. Indeed, abortion is both a gospel issue and a policy issue which then incontrovertibly connects both faith and politics.

Purchase Joseph Mattera’s latest book, “The Jesus Principles”, available now on Amazon here.

10 Reasons I Am Critical of Critical Race Theory

Critical race theory (CRT) has been placed front and center of the contemporary debate related to what proponents attribute to systemic racism. However, the past several months have uncovered that CRT has virtually nothing to do with the original protests related to the death of George Floyd. Although I am a proponent of police reform, it has become increasingly clear that the objectives of those espousing CRT advocate a dangerous worldview that is antithetical to the Christian Gospel. 

CRT utilizes Marxist ideas that incite class warfare by dividing people along the lines of the oppressor and the oppressed. People are judged by the color of their skin as it relates to such things as class distinction, sex, and gender identity. For example, they regularly attempt to shame people into guilt based on skin pigmentation by utilizing broad-brush labels such as “white privilege.” This stands in opposition to the civil rights ideals of Martin Luther King Jr., whose goal was that people would NOT be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

Their semi-gnostic views also refer to those enlightened by “intersectionality” as “woke.” These “woke” ones, they purport, are those who understand the hidden institutional power structures that oppress various segments of society because of their sexual identity, fluid genderism, nontraditional family structure, race, radical feminism, and views regarding social justice and income equality (a clear Marxist construct). 

Despite the above, many Evangelical pastors and Christians have embraced the full tenets of revolutionary organizations that, if unopposed, will not only fully deconstruct the USA but also the “Faith that was once for all handed down to the church (Jude 4).”

I am attempting to collapse the major beliefs of CRT by illustrating ten contrasts it has with biblical Christianity. I hope that it will jar ignorant, complicit believers, who are asleep at the wheel, into seeing that the vestiges of their faith are being torn down in Western culture. 

The following are ten reasons I oppose CRT:

1.CRT pits people against each other based on skin color. New Testament passages like Ephesians 2:14-18 teaches us that Jesus destroyed the enmity between Jew and Gentile (and by implication, all ethnic peoples) and made believers “one new man” who are restored to the image of God (Colossians 3:10; Genesis 1:28).

2. CRT categorizes the human race based on skin color and economic status. Scripture teaches that in Christ, there is neither Jew, Gentile, slave, nor free, but we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

3. CRT attempts to create a utopian society through a Marxist view of external change. Biblical passages such as John 3:3-8 teaches us that a person has to be transformed from the inside out (irrespective of their environment) if they are to experience true peace and salvation. 

4. CRT shames Caucasian people because of their “white privilege”. In their view, this means that a racial or sexual minority of some kind is assumed to be a victim of oppression. The oppressed have fought against their privileged oppressors that make their life cozier at the expense of their persecuted neighbors. However, Romans 8:28-39 teaches that all believers, irrespective of their particular ethnicity, are not to view themselves as victims but “as more than conquerors through Christ.” 

Furthermore, Acts 17:26, 27 teaches that God has made the whole human race of one blood (from Adam and Eve), and determined the times, season, and location of their habitation so they would find God.  This goes along with Genesis 10 which illustrates that God determined where nations of peoples would cultivate their own particular culture.  This means that whatever situation ethnic people find themselves, it should be for the greater purpose of seeking God and finding Him. 

All skin tones and ethnicities will eventually gather around the throne of God and reflect the glory and beauty of God (Revelation 7:9).  Here, caucasian people will neither be favored nor shamed according to their skin but judged according to their works (2 Cor. 5:10). 

Also, this view does not consider that not all white people are privileged, and not all black people are underprivileged based on their economic background and upbringing. I have been in many neighborhoods where some Caucasians were referred to as “white trash.” Also, there are more white people on welfare in this nation than people of color. 

In conclusion to this point, if what proponents of CRT mean by “white privilege’ is that in certain communities a Caucasian will more likely get “the benefit of the doubt” over and against young black men (who tend to be pulled over while driving more frequently by the police and are more likely to be suspected of committing a crime), then I will concede this point with qualifications. To be fair, in some instances, police have to target certain ethnic people based on the description of the perpetrator given during a 911 call or based upon the likely ethnic demographic in certain communities. 

However, as you dive into the ideology of CRT, you realize they mean much more than Whites getting the benefit of the doubt, as my other points illustrate. In my opinion, their goal is to use “whiteness” as a rallying cry and excuse for overturning the nation through a Marxist type revolution.

5. CRT defines humans purely as material beings. Biblical passages like Genesis 1 and Psalm 8 show the uniqueness of humanity compared to the rest of creation. Thus, our race, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not our primary defining characteristics but are mere projections of our Supra-natural essence and ontological being.

6. CRT proponents seem to take no responsibility for individual effort or merit.

They teach that every result related to power, wealth, and well being are never the result of individual actions but only structural, systemic injustices in society. Biblically, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Galatians 6:7-8, and the whole book of Proverbs and beyond, illustrate that CRT violates the principles related to the biblical laws of sowing and reaping.

7. CRT attempts to deconstruct the traditional role the nuclear family, faith, individual ethics, and sexual behavior have in framing individuals, families, and communities. Genesis 1:27-28, Exodus 20:3-17, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Psalms 78, Psalms 127, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians:6:1-3, and more illustrate the significant role the nuclear family and sexual ethics have as it relates to the well being of family and society.

8. CRT claims that everyone is blinded by class-consciousness and social location. They teach that only those who embrace intersectionality are truly “woke.” This is opposed to biblical passages such as 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-3, and Ephesians 4:17-19, which teach that humankind is blinded by their demonically-influenced and sinful rebellion against God.

9. CRT, like Marxism, teaches that all pathologies can be fixed by revamping social policy and societal constructs. Passages like Genesis 6:5-8, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 14, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23 all point to the fact that sin is the root cause of all evil, including racism. Hence, even if it were possible to create laws that fully eradicated all systemic disparity and discrimination, racism will still exist in individual human hearts that are not transformed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-7). (Of course, Scriptures like the book of Esther, also show the importance of God’s covenant people working to change societal laws to protect an ethnic people). 

10. CRT proponents have set up their movement as a sort of “collective savior.” The bible teaches that only the Kingdom reign of the Lord Jesus Christ will inaugurate global systemic justice (Psalm 72, Isaiah 11:1-4, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 61:1-4). 

Purchase Joseph Mattera’s latest book, “The Jesus Principles”, available now on Amazon here.

Why Jesus’ Rule Supersedes the Authority of All Political Leaders

Part 2 

Jesus said after His resurrection, “All power and authority in heaven and earth has been given unto me” (Matthew 28:19).

The ascension scene is one of the most sacred gatherings in heaven, as seen in Daniel 7:14: “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”

Psalm 22 depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We cannot stop at the crucifixion. We have to move on to Psalm 24, which describes Jesus reigning over all the earth as King, from “my God my God why have you forsaken me” (22) to “lift up your heads all you gates and let the King of glory come in” (24). 

God the Father said to Jesus before His incarnation in human form, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2:8).

This verse clearly illustrates that the purpose of Jesus’ first coming was not merely to be one’s personal Lord and Savior so one can be rescued from the earth and brought into heaven. It was to set up His Kingdom that He may begin to manifest His reign through the Church on the earth. The nations of the earth belong to Jesus. They are the Father’s gift to the Son for His obedience unto death on the cross. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:4-12). 

The Reason for the present epic warfare: 

We see that the nations and kings of the earth are set against the Son of God, while the Father promised Jesus the Nations as His inheritance. This explains why there’s so much spiritual warfare in the world.

Psalms 2:9 said, “You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

This powerful verse shows the hand of Jesus over the nations throughout human history, why nations and empires get chastised, and why they rise and fall. Breaking with a rod of iron is a metaphor related to the fact that Jesus sovereignly rules over the nations. Consequently, nations and empires come and go based on their obedience to God’s natural law and design for humanity (Amos 1-2). 

Some Historical examples:

• It was God’s will that the Roman Empire lost its power after most of the population rejected the true ways of Jesus after 400 years of Christian preaching. 

• God allowed the creation of the USA after the horrible oppression of England upon the colonies.

• God supernaturally caused Nazi Germany to lose World War II.  

• God caused the Soviet Union and East Germany to crumble in the early 1990’s.  

Unfortunately, God may cause the USA to implode if we do not fully repent of the celebration of evil and rebellion in pop culture (Isaiah 5:20). Judgment is coming to America if we don’t repent of the bloodletting of innocent children in abortion, sex trafficking amongst the high and mighty, the dismissal of God’s design for family and the created order, racism, the high rate of unbiblical divorce, and the materialistic leanings of a self-serving Church. 

Psalm 2:10 says, “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.”

What a profound passage! Kings and rulers are instructed to be wise and receive instruction from the Scriptures. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). All leaders are commanded to know His word to lead with equity and justice. Even Moses taught in the law that future kings should take the time to know His law book by writing it out by hand (Deuteronomy 17:18–20)!

Psalm 2:11 says, “Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.”

In the context of this passage, it is the kings of the earth, the high and mighty, and the great men of the earth that are commanded by God to serve the Lord Jesus. This is why Jesus is referred to as the King of Kings in 1 Timothy 6:15 and Revelation 19:16. 

Jesus is called the “King of kings” not just the King over the Church. This is a political phrase and shows that every political leader in the world is presently subservient to the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is biblically impossible to separate politics and religion as well as private faith from the public square. Political leaders are commanded by God the Father to serve the Lord! Wow! It’s not just those within the Church but also those outside the Church that must obey the Lord to uphold the biblical design for civilization! Although I believe in the separation of Church and state, I do not espouse the separation of God and state. The kings, or modern-day presidents, are commanded to serve Jesus with fear and worship or rejoice with trembling. Why with trembling? When a person has much influence, God will judge them even more strictly! 

If I was a political leader, I would seek the Lord for wisdom before I make any important decision. My posture would not be pride in my approach to making political decisions, but it would be one of fear and trembling.

Scripture should be consulted regarding politics, economics, law, science, education, not just in the spiritual things related to prayer, healing, and individual salvation. Even our prayers should be focused on what His kingdom wills to do on earth as it is in heaven (Luke 11:2-4).

Psalm 2:12 says, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

“Kiss” in this verse has to do with paying homage to Jesus. What is the result of not submitting and paying homage to Jesus as Lord? The Son’s wrath flares up against the political leaders and nations who dismiss His law, but He blesses those who put their trust in Him.

In conclusion, we all need to ask ourselves the following questions:

Have you kissed the Son, or are you “living your own life?” Do you believe God rules over the nations of the earth, or do you think that you can make your own way without Jesus? Most importantly, are you willing to submit to Jesus as your Lord so He can save, assign, and send you out to represent Him in this present world? Or will you persist in your unbelief and disobedience?

The choice is yours. How you live out the answers to these questions will determine your earthly purpose and eternal fate. 

Purchase Joseph Mattera’s latest book, “The Jesus Principles”, available now on Amazon here.