Second Coming of the City-States

They seem to be returning. One, the Belle Isle commonwealth proposal, near Detroit, according to The Detroit News, and another, the Citadel: A Community of Liberty, in the mountains of Idaho.

Both are very different, economically, ideologically, and legally. Both would consider themselves under the sovereignty of the United States. Both would be under the defense of the US military. And land has been purchased for neither.

One is just west of the Appalachian’s. The other, just on the east side of the Rockies. Both are near America’s bread basket and would be easy to defend in a time of unrest. Perhaps this is a coincidence.

Though it focuses on Second Amendment and Liberty lovers, the Citadel does not intend any kind of affront to governments, but rather prepares to defend itself against economic, domestic, and natural disasters. This is according to the FAQ on the Citadel’s website:

What Threats Do You Expect to Defend Against?

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Why the West Misunderstood Willow Creek

In 1975, Bill Hybels and Dr. Bilezikian discussed a concept that would be one of the most impacting—and one of the most misunderstood—in the Western Church.

While they implemented may ideas, some of the more notorious included diligent research and feedback, emphasis on local community, and effective communication. These principals, and others, grew their numbers at a startling rate, and eventually drew respect of many in the American Church, including some of their largest opponents from their early years.

Why was their such a misunderstanding, though? And why do many Christian groups misrepresent what Hybels did at Willow Creek? Perhaps this is easier to understand if we review three closet assumptions held by many Christians in America…

1. Research and market feed back are shallow, aesthetically-focuses, and greed-driven, only used by top-heavy, bureaucratic, for-profit businesses.

2. Good Bible teaching must use big words that normal people shouldn’t understand. Since seminaries teach with big words, those big words must be taught to the plumber in the pew before he can understand the Bible… even though those big words aren’t in the Bible.  · · · →