THE ORIGINS OF MODERN CONSERVATIVE THOUGHT
"America is not only the land of the free and the home of the brave, but a place of ordered liberty." Russell Kirk, author of The Conservative Mind.
Before I started to read Russel Kirk’s book, The Conservative Mind, I really hadn’t thought about where or when conservativism started; but as a retired history teacher, I am always intrigued about cause and effect in a historical perspective. This book has confirmed some of my own thoughts about conservatism and has confirmed that ultimately the conservative way started with the Hebrews and continue today as we purpose to see “His will be done and His Kingdom come.”
The roots of our liberty run deep. They were planted, Kirk says, nearly three thousand years ago by the Hebrews, who perceived "a purposeful moral existence under God." The Greeks strengthened the roots with their philosophical and political self-awareness, and were followed by the Romans, who nurtured the roots with their law and social awareness. |
The roots intertwined with "the Christian understanding of human duties and human hopes, of man redeemed," and were then joined by medieval custom, learning, and valor.
There are six canons of conservative thought that tend to reign in the conservative heart.
There are six canons of conservative thought that tend to reign in the conservative heart.
|
Truly, there is a great chasm between the modern conservative and the modern liberal. The modern liberal is a proud believer in the notion of abstract rights and are finding new ones every day in their vain pursuit of perfectibility and Utopia. The modern conservative believes the real rights of man are rooted in custom, tradition, and faith. They believe that reform is essential, but that wholesale change is catastrophic.
What to do? Just like in any fight there has to be restoration to a form of normalcy. We can find common ground if we are willing. We live in a beautiful country that has overcome great difficulties, so we should be able to enjoy the great things of this country. Most people in the U.S. love this country, so don’t be confused by media that likes to just report the bad. |
The flames of emotion have to be doused. Maybe you need to step away and institute a boundary, BUT NOT a permanent one. Time should give you opportunity to think through the importance of the disagreement. Fights generally happen because we want to be right, we want our intellect to be respected, we don’t have love in our heart, don’t feel loved by others. You want something and you don’t get it. Allow God to reveal truth about the situation. But most importantly, YOU MUST FORGIVE! If you don’t forgive, then God cannot forgive you. (Matthew 6:14-15) And whether you are liberal or conservative doesn’t matter as much as being right with God.
KLN
KLN