December 15, 2023

OK Says Bye to DEI, Biden Impeachment Inquiry, Israel Update

December 15, 2023

Together With:

Quote of the day:

"Look up, and lift up your heads, beloved, for it is better on before. There is something brighter and more joyful coming than we have ever yet known. All our earthly bliss is but as the vestibule of our eternal delights."


- Charles H. Spurgeon

Today’s Headlines

OK says Bye to DEI

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has cemented his stance against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives by signing Executive Order 2023-31, an act aimed at safeguarding both Oklahomans and their tax dollars. This executive order mandates state agencies and higher education institutions to scrutinize and eliminate non-essential DEI positions and activities, ensuring that state funds do not endorse preferential treatment based on race, gender, or other factors. The directive explicitly prohibits loyalty oaths and DEI statements as prerequisites for applicants.

Echoing a national debate on DEI programs, Governor Stitt emphasizes merit and opportunity, asserting that his decision fosters equal opportunity and better prepares students for the workforce. Supporters, including the Independent Women's Forum, Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, and American Conservative Union, laud the order for curbing divisive programming and respecting diverse beliefs. Critics, however, fear potential setbacks in addressing discrimination. This executive order reflects Governor Stitt's commitment to dismantling what he perceives as wasteful and discriminatory DEI initiatives.

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The Remnant's Response

Who would have thought that progressives today would share so much in common with racists in America’s past? It is not “progress” to see the Mayor of a major city call for and support with taxpayer money a Christmas party that bans people because of their color and ethnicity. It is progress when a leader like Governor Stitt in Oklahoma stands up to policies and bureaucratic ideologies that may sound good at face value but actually lead to division and injustice (Psalm 101:7). MLK Jr.’s dream, where children wouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, is sadly now seen as out of step by modern-day progressives that have for too long taken hold of our institutions. Equal opportunity for all is good. Equal outcomes for all is godless. There is much to be learned when reflecting on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-29 and the parable of the minas in Luke 19:11-27. In the first story, where different opportunities were presented, each was rewarded equally based on their faithfulness and diligence in making the most of their hard work. In the second story, where the subjects were given the same resources and opportunity, the servants received different rewards based on their work. In our imperfect world, we should never stop striving (1 Thessalonians 4:1, Galatians 6:9) to form a “more perfect union,” and ridding ourselves of policies that give preferential treatment to one race over another is a good step in that direction. 

Addressing past injustices with new injustices is not the path of progress (Romans 12:21); it is the repackaging of evil and guarantees more trouble. 

DEI runs up against so much of what the Bible instructs, like forsaking sin instead of excusing it (Romans 6:11), our primary identity being in Christ (Galatians 2:20), and denouncing partiality (James 2:1). Beware of the world which obsesses over “power” without paying any mind to the all-powerful God. We will find peace with each other when we seek the peace-giving God (Jeremiah 29:13), not when we seek to put others in their place because of past injustices inflicted on us. God will hold men accountable, and we need to leave room for his wrath (Romans 12:19) rather than responding to “oppressors” with oppression of our own. Good men make good policies and eradicate systems that promote injustice rather than invent new ones. MLK once observed, “There are some instances where a law is just on its face but unjust in its application.” DEI laws may sound good on their face (Proverbs 14:12), but they fall flat on their face when they are confronted with the “better way” revealed in God’s word (Jeremiah 6:16).

Biden Impeachment Inquiry

The House approved an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden with a 221-212 party-line vote, showcasing unanimous Republican support despite concerns about the lack of evidence of misconduct. Biden questioned House Republicans' priorities, criticizing their focus on baseless allegations rather than urgent matters. The authorization extends the inquiry into 2024, coinciding with Biden's potential reelection and a likely matchup against former President Donald Trump. The decision follows growing pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson to demonstrate progress in the yearlong probe into Biden's family business dealings. Democrats opposed the resolution, calling it a political stunt, while Republicans argued it was a step in the process, emphasizing they would follow the facts before considering impeachment proceedings.

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The Remnant's Response

We have written before about why it is good and right (assuming it is not motivated by partisan politics) that current and past governmental leaders can be charged, heard, and brought to justice as necessary (7/19, 9/6). These are worth reviewing and are useful reminders as to why we must be praying. It is not a good thing that news of a national leader being part of an impeachment process hardly seems like news. "By the transgressions of a land, many are its [impeachment hearings], but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures (Proverbs 28:2). 

May the remnant join us in praying for leaders with understanding and knowledge instead of leaders with overwhelming corruption and compromise. May the facts come to light, and truth, justice, loving-kindness, and righteousness be the foundation of our government, even as they are the throne of the Lord (Psalm 89:14).

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Israel Updates

  • Israel's Defense Minister stated that the war in Gaza could last more than several months, emphasizing the intention to destroy Hamas.

  • The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) concluded a 60-hour raid in Jenin, resulting in over 50 weapon seizures, discovering 10 underground shafts, and arresting 14 suspects, including three affiliated with Hamas.

  • Palestinians in Israeli detention reportedly face harsh conditions, including beatings, exposure to cold and rainy weather, and denial of extra clothing, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club.

  • German authorities arrested four suspected Hamas operatives in Berlin, accusing them of having ties to Hamas' military leadership and attempting to build an underground weapons cache.

  • Israeli Defense Minister, after meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor, expressed confidence in winning the war against Hamas, noting it would take more than several months.

  • Gaza experienced another phone and internet blackout/ This blackout added to previous disruptions, citing Israeli bombing and energy shortages as causes.

  • Concerns are raised in Israel's northern neighbor, Lebanon, about the possibility of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalating the conflict, potentially leading to a wider regional war.

  • Denmark arrested seven people operating for Hamas, with Israel claiming the arrests foiled an "attack aimed at killing innocent citizens on European soil."

  • Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, expressed openness to ideas or initiatives to end the war and secure an independent state, supporting a common state for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

  • The IDF denied an Al Jazeera report alleging the execution of 15 people at a U.N. school in Gaza, stating that its soldiers operated within the evacuated area, encountering armed terrorists using civilian infrastructure.

  • Heavy rain and flooding in Gaza exacerbate living conditions for the displaced population, with concerns about waterborne diseases due to blocked sewers and electricity shortages.

  • The UNRWA reported 2023 as the deadliest year for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since 2005, with at least 271 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.

  • Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged to continue the war in Gaza until achieving a definitive victory, dismissing international pressures and emphasizing the commitment to the military campaign.

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The Remnant's Response

Take some time this weekend to listen to this discussion by Todd Wagner on the history of Israel in the land of Palestine, the significance of Genesis 12, what it does and doesn't mean to bless Israel, why individuals who believe in God's Word support the use of the sword, why Osama Bin Laden's" letter to America written in 2002 is not compelling, and why and how we should be praying for all those suffering in the midst of the current conflict. 

 Other news you should know

👹 Get Behind Me, Satan: The Satanic Temple of Iowa says a statue in its Iowa capitol display was destroyed "beyond repair."

🧑🏻‍⚖️ Judge hits pause on Trump federal election case over presidential immunity appeal.

🏀 Warriors' Draymond Green suspended indefinitely following third ejection of NBA season.

💊 The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to reenter the abortion debate and review a lower court decision that would make mifepristone, the commonly used abortion pill, less accessible.

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