Don Hooser Comments
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Lorraine, thank you for your very appreciative and encouraging note. I enjoyed meeting you at the Feast in the past and it's so nice to hear from you. I wish everyone who lacks understanding of this subject would read the article. And I very much appreciate the messages and knowledge that your husband shares. Blessings to you. Don
Joy, I failed to read your article when it was published. I was searching for articles on prayer and today found this one by you. Excellent! I really appreciate your openness and heartfelt message. You're a good writer! Thank you so much. You have strengthened my prayer life!
All you have to do is to read the rest of the chapter (1 Samuel 8). It describes very well the inevitable terrible results of socialistic government, which always becomes increasingly authoritarian, controlling, oppressive, etc., with fewer and fewer freedoms and opportunities for individual citizens. Of course the word "socialism" is not used, but God was warning them about the socialistic conditions that were sure to happen.
"XVR", thanks for commenting. I seldom use the word "capitalism" since it has been perverted to be synonymous with "greedy exploitive business practices." That's why I usually use the terms "great personal freedom" and a "free enterprise" economy with a small central government. Socialism always ends up as a huge government that increasingly takes away personal freedoms. If you read the entire Bible, you would see that God always offered freedom and free enterprise, and all the prophecies about the coming Millennium clearly show that Jesus Christ will establish great freedom and free enterprise BUT REQUIRING THAT EVERYONE OBEY THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. In this world, free enterprise is increasingly abandoned because voters vote for candidates that promise "freebies" to them in exchange for greater government control over their lives. Life and the economy in the Millennium will be far better than anything our world has ever experienced. I hope you will carefully and prayerfully read again my entire article so you will see the biblical truth in it.
Dennis, thank you for reading the article but I suggest you re-read it since you seem to think socialism and capitalism have almost equal value. Sure, the USA has some govt-run programs but it is a capitalist country overall which benefits almost everyone living here including you. Surely you would not want to live in one of the countries today that is primarily socialist! The article explains why great numbers of people get deceived and fall for fantasies like Marxism that promise utopia, and look what happened to the people under Communism! And before the USA had government handouts of taxpayers money, churches, charities and individuals did much more to meet people's needs. One reason our economy is doing better than it has for a long time is the elimination of a lot of govt regulations. As the article explains, problems in capitalist countries are primarily the result of people breaking the Ten Commandments. The Bible makes it clear that after Christ returns, the economy will primarily be capitalism, and more importantly, everyone will be taught to obey the Ten Commandments. The more you understand the Bible, the more you will understand this subject. Thanks again.
Thank you for your comment. "Theocracy" means government by a god. When Christ returns to earth, the theocracy will be by the God of the Bible, and the Bible clearly shows that capitalism together with obedience to the Ten Commandments is the economic system that God favors and Christ will establish here on earth. When God gave Israel the "promised land" of Canaan, the economic system was capitalism and they greatly prospered. The USA has the highest standard of living of all the large nations, partly because of our freedom and capitalism. If you think a socialist nation is better, you probably could move to one and you would be surrounded by much more poverty. Jesus and His stepfather Joseph had a private business as carpenters. Don't you think they were practicing capitalism? What anyone believes is largely based on what he has been hearing and reading. I hope you will carefully and prayerfully re-read my article which is full of abundant proofs, and, more importantly, I hope you will carefully and prayerfully become a devoted student of the Bible. Thanks again. DH
Thank you for reading this issue of BT and for your comment. Oddly, what you write relates more to other articles than the article I wrote. Did you actually read most of the articles? It doesn't seem so since their contents are solidly based on the Bible. I'm glad you "adhere to the 10 Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount," but I recommend that you adhere to the entire Bible (see Luke 4:4). The Bible clearly supports human freedoms and free enterprise economics all the way through. You wrote: "Now it seems to be about politics." In answer to that, please read page 33. We teach the Bible. It sounds like you want to blame everything on our US President. (What past president do you admire?) Trump has had many good accomplishments including doing a lot to help safeguard our security and freedom of religion and other freedoms. I explain 1 Samuel 8:4-22 on page 17. Basically, the people were requesting socialism so they could be "like all the other nations" (verse 5). What economic system do you favor?? I pray Christ will return soon and establish His Kingdom on earth! Thanks again.
Thank you for reading the article and for commenting. But did you read the entire article? It doesn't seem so. I certainly don't expect anyone to agree with me necessarily, but what I wrote is based on the Bible. If you don't agree with the Bible, then there can be no agreement. You began: "What wrong with 'the dream of an easier and better life...?" Nothing! But the "dream" of socialism is like a dream of flying to Mars and back. Socialism has never had good fruit except for the elite who become powerful by robbing others. "Orthodox manner?" So we have never found the TYPE of socialism that will work well, but SOMEDAY....! If capitalism is bad, then how come the Bible supports it all the way through?? You're right that human nature is unloving and that tends to spoil everything, but the problem is not the economic laws of free enterprise. Capitalism will work beautifully after Christ returns and the world is living by God's Ten Commandments. My definition of capitalism is free exchange. If you sell me a chair, we're both happy. You got money and I got a chair. What's wrong with that?? What are you proposing for an economic system??
Thanks for reading the article and for commenting. It has "omitted a great deal"?? Yes, I could have written it 10 times longer, but space would not permit that. But it's a long article with many, many points. Did you carefully read the entire article? I ask that because the article includes abundant biblical, economic and historical proof and it thoroughly disproves much of what you wrote. A "nightmare"?? The USA started out with almost pure capitalism and we accomplished more in the 1800's than in the previous 5000 years. If you have a chair to sell and I buy it, that's capitalism and we're both happy! What's wrong with that?? Or do you think the state should tell us how to sell and buy a chair and for what price? The Bible clearly supports capitalism. The problem with the world is disobedience to the Ten Commandments, not capitalism. After Christ returns--with maximum freedom, no economic ignorance, no Satan, no crime, no propaganda about the "beauty" of socialism, we will have the best society possible for human beings.
Gordon, it's good to hear from you. I agree with you. Most congregations are trying to be fragrance free including our Dallas congregation. We regularly remind our members of that in our announcement bulletin. Of course, occasionally a new person or visitor comes in with some fragrance. It's a bigger challenge at Feast sites since we have more visitors, some coming from other churches, etc., who are unaware of our policies.
Thankfully, we have come a LONG WAY as a church. And, thankfully, wearing colognes and scented products has become less popular in our culture. When I'm out in public like in stores, I seldom smell a fragrance! Which is light years from the the way it was 15 years ago!
I'm naturally pleased that the publishing of my article was a major turning point in UCG. Many more ministers and members finally realized that even tiny amounts of chemicals in the air negatively affect everyone and are a real danger to some people. I'm sorry you have asthma and I certainly feel compassion for you!
Oreo, I greatly disagree with your main point. You adhere to the antinomian "cheap grace" of liberal Protestantism. God will not save someone who knowingly continues to disobey His perfect and wonderful Ten Commandments. Obeying God's Commandments cannot justify one by blotting out past sins--only Christ's sacrifice does that. But why would God forgive someone who plans to continue to disobey Him?? Jesus did not berate the Pharisees for obeying the Ten Commandments--He did just the opposite. He scolded them for their lawlessness and hypocrisy, for disobeying God's Commandments by substituting their traditions (see Matthew 15:3-9; 23:23-28; Mark 7:6-13). God expects us to keep His Commandments (1 John 2:3-6; 5:2-3). Obedience to God is also a key to answered prayer. 1 John 3:22 says, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” See also Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; Psalm 119:97-105; Leviticus 26:1-13; Deuteronomy 11:13-15; and Proverbs 28:9. Jesus warned about those who call God “Lord,” which means “Master,” but practice “lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-27). Please read the New Testament with an open mind
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Gloria, I'm glad to "meet" you! And I'm glad you're a student of God's Word. Regarding prophecies, I don't believe in trying to be too narrow or specific about how they will be fulfilled. First of all, the Bible does not teach a "rapture." The verses used to support that idea are simply referring to the first resurrection. Next, Luke 21:36 is not focused just on God's Church. Jesus just meant that many will be able to escape the terrible end-time suffering if they are staying close to God and are earnestly praying. And to be "left behind" is not necessarily an indication of spiritual weakness. Sometimes the ones who get martyred are the ones who are strongest spiritually (like prophets, apostles, etc.). Our goal in life should always be to qualify for the First Resurrection so we will have eternal life in the Kingdom of God! Whatever happens to us in this mortal life is unimportant by comparison. I highly recommend our UCG literature for learning God's plan of salvation and how we should be living our lives to please God and qualify for eternal life! (And that includes what Jesus meant by "watch!") God be with you, Gloria.