God, as revealed in the Bible, is the universal moral absolute.
The Bible is our only infallible and authoritative rule of faith and practice.
All moral choices, for a disciple of Jesus, must be rooted in the Bible passages. The more conversation required without the Bible, the more likely the position is inaccurate.
In our triggered culture it is wise to pray with the Psalmist of Psalm 25.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
The plans and intentions of a political party is their platform. Each component of a political platform is a plank.
| Republican | Bible | Democrat |
| Abortion | Abortion | |
| “…we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.” Will Appoint Judges who’ll support Sanctity of Life at all stages. Opposes use of public funds to “…perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations, like Planned Parenthood.” (pgs. 13‐14) | “You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Psalm 139:13-20 | “…committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice [so that] every woman should be able to access high‐quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion. We will … restore federal funding for Planned Parenthood.” (pg. 32) |
| Sexuality, Marriage and Family | Sexuality, Marriage and Family | |
| (Words “LGBTQ+, gay, or homosexual” not mentioned in 2020 platform.) “Foremost among those institutions is the American family. It is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman.” “The data and the facts lead to an inescapable conclusion: Every child deserves a married mom and dad. “ (pg. 31) | 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[g] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 | (Marriage/Traditional Family) not mentioned in 2020 platform) “…will advance the ability of all persons to live with dignity, security, and respect, regardless of who they are or who they love… will restore [US] leadership on LGBTQ+ issues by passing the GLOBE Act and appointing senior leaders … coordinating LGBTQ+ issues” (pg. 19) |
| Education | Education | |
| “We will continue our fight for school choice until all parents can find good, safe schools for their children.” (pg. 32) “Parents are a child’s first and foremost educators, and have primary responsibility for the education of their children. Parents have a right to direct their children’s education, care, and upbringing.” (pg. 33) | 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 | “believe that education is a critical public good not a commodity, and that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every child, everywhere, is able to receive a world‐class education that enables them to lead meaningful lives, no matter their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, language status, immigration or citizenship status, household income or ZIP code.” (pg. 64) |
| 2nd Amendment | 2nd Amendment | |
| “We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a natural inalienable right that predates the Constitution and is secured by the 2nd Amendment. Lawful gun ownership enables Americans to exercise their God‐given right of self‐defense.” Supports the repeal of bad legislation that restricting gun rights (pgs. 12‐13) | 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” Luke 22:35-38 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant[g] of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” Matthew 26:51-54 | “…will enact universal background checks, end online sales of guns and ammunition, ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons…” “Democrats believe that gun companies should be held responsible for their products and will prioritize repealing the law that shields gun manufacturers from civil liability.” (pgs. 47‐48) |
| Support for Israel | Support for Israel | |
| “Unequivocal Support” Considered only country in the Middle East sharing essential US values of freedom of religion and speech. Committed to Israel’s security; will ensure they have strong military edge over adversaries; Against BDS movement. Recognizes Jerusalem as Capital. (pg. 47) | 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7, 8 | Believes a strong Israel is vital to US interests; Will always support Israel’s right to defend itself and will ensure they have a strong military edge in region; opposes BDF movement. Recognizes Jerusalem as Capital. Supports a negotiated 2‐state solution for Israel and Palestine. (pg. 91 ) |
| Climate Change and Environmental Policy | Climate Change and Environmental Policy | |
| Will analyze hard data on climate change; Sees UN efforts as political, will reject agendas of Kyoto Protocol and Paris agreement. Supports the enactment of policies to increase domestic energy production in order to reduce vulnerability to foreign influence. “The environment is too important to be left to radical environmentalists … their approach is based on shoddy science, scare tactics, and centralized command‐ and‐control regulation.” (Pgs 20‐22) | The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:19, 20 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, Psalm 102:25-26 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 | “Climate change is a global emergency.” Wants to reverse all Trump Admin. rollbacks on environmental protections… believe we must embed environmental justice, economic justice, and climate justice at the heart of our policy and governing agenda. Dem’s agree … that the United States and the world must achieve net‐zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, and no later than 2050. (pgs. 49‐51) |
| Religious Freedom and Repeal of the Johnson Act | Religious Freedom and Repeal of the Johnson Act | |
| Full religious freedom at all times everywhere; Full repeal of the Johnson Amendment. “We pledge to defend the religious beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard religious institutions against government control.” We endorse the First Amendment Defense Act, … legislation … which will bar discrimination against [those who] act on their beliefs… [regarding] marriage…” (pg. 11) | But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:14-17 | “Religious freedom is a core American value and a core value of the Democratic Party… will protect the rights of each American for the free exercise of his or her own Religion… and will … advocate for religious freedom throughout the world. Democrats …recognize the paramount importance of maintaining the separation between church and state enshrined in our Constitution.” (pg. 48) |