Truth Be Told: A Blog by Pastor Bill Alderson

               Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good                     conscience [ suneidesis – the faculty of the soul which distinguishes between right and wrong]                     before God until this day."                          Acts 23:1 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience , desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.                  Hebrews 13:18 Conscience signifies knowledge in conjunction with, in conjunction with an action or decision to act. It is two sets of knowledge, often competing against each other: divine ...

America recently celebrated its 250th anniversary of declared independence from King George III and British rule on July 4th. Our founding fathers established a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people” through an intense process of developing self-government that eliminates the need for authoritarian rule, like a king or other dictator. There must be a way to balance the interests and power of the elites and powerful against the strength of government. For the first 100 years, slavery caused great division in finding a legal system that acknowledges the rights of all Americans. Starting with the Constitution, many amendments have been added to address the ongoing challenges of life in America. These challenges are not present under an all-powerful king since he needs no approval from others. He said, "This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen, ...