5 out of 5 stars *****
Volume II
Tocqueville observes the American growth in art, agriculture, trade, expansion, and politics. Andrew Jackson is president at this time and the North and South are divided on the issue of slavery. Morality from the Northern manufacturers and mariners threatens the livelihoods of the Southern plantation owners who have rationalized slavery to fit their desires. The author has serious doubts about these two factions reconciling their differences.
Tocqueville admires American women for the respect they have for themselves, their savvy social interaction, and the ease with which they express their faith living in the world based on their own terms. They are industrious, as are most Americans.
Unlike Europe, art is not appreciated for the art, itself; rather, Americans appreciate art that is useful and practical. Education differs also in that there is not an upper or royal class in young America. Europe teaches its royalty in the finer aspects of life without guilt or shame. Royalty is not expected to work at all; rather, its life of leisure is spent refining manners and language that separate them from the working class. Americans take great pride in their work and educate their offspring to do the same, as the Bible teaches.
Tocqueville observes that even though particular states may differ socially and politically, they are all united in their love of freedom as outlined in their two famous documents, the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. This Volume II of Democracy in America contains the actual words of that Declaration of Independence. The author knows that mere words cannot create a thriving country where its citizens live in harmony, despite the slavery issue.
American principles do not produce the same results in other countries who model their governments off of America; Mexico, for example. Tocqueville is astute in pointing out who, exactly, make up these two governments. It is not in the government design but in the people, themselves.
Mexico is settled by conquistadors on a quest for riches. America has some of those opportunists in its history but is mainly settled by people looking for a place to practice their religion in peace. Never before is there such an opportunity for adventurous, persecuted, religious people to find their way across a wide ocean and into a raw, rich, promising nation that offers freedom and liberties at a price of forbearance they are all willing to endure.
Tocqueville does a thorough job explaining the intangible shared qualities necessary for America to prosper, at all. The remarkable rise of America and the unity among its population in areas of significance is what brings Alexis Tocqueville to America in the first place.
5 out of 5 stars *****
From Passover to the Last Supper, Moses and Jesus Christ start new Covenants with God. Moses brings the Covenant of The Law, the Ten Commandments most importantly. Jesus Christ brings a spiritual covenant by dying on the cross for mankind's sins and resurrecting from the dead to promise eternal life for all who follow Him. Blood sacrifices are no longer necessary as Jesus pays that price with his blood. Mankind is not saved by works obeying the Law but by faith, alone, in the Messiah, Jesus.
Moses builds a house for God, the tabernacle, according to God's specifications so that Moses could communicate with God for His people. This happens after the Israelites worship a golden calf that Aaron, Moses's brother, allows them to make. Moses was receiving those Ten Commandments when the Israelites turn away from the One who chooses them to carry out His plan. They lose out in having a direct communication with God. That tabernacle houses God and is representative of Christ who is man and God. The new covenant allows a direct communication with God via the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. This is the Holy Trinity, God in each each, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. A more intimate relationship may develop like Moses has with his direct line to God.
To become a vessel for the Holy Spirit one must let go of earthly and personal desires. Moses wanders in the desert, at first, to empty himself of pride and become the man who leads God's chosen people out of enslavement and into a Promised Land. This transformation requires trust in God and thankfulness for what God bestows by His mercy and grace. A Christian may fill up with God's grace in the same manner, emptying of self for fullness of the Holy Spirit's fruits.
Moses becomes a righteous example for a leader. Because of his pride and sins during the wanderings in the desert, God does not permit Moses entry into the Holy Land. Rather than complain or plead his case, Moses prays for God to choose a strong leader so that His people are courageous and not like sheep. His concern is for his people and not himself.
Jesus teaches to love our brothers like ourselves and to serve our neighbors before ourselves. This selflessness empties one's self and praises God by putting other's needs first. The selfless become full of peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, the qualities that never change and are subject to no law. This experience is the moment one becomes a tabernacle, a vessel for the Holy Spirit.
To be the Christian, flaws included, in this world who practices the "Good News" according to Moses, one must answer the call, if and when God wants and as He wants, until He calls one home. Lastly, the way one lives should model after the man who, at first, reluctantly answers his call. "As Moses passed the baton of leadership to Joshua, he did it with a servant’s heart and the mind of Christ." - Selvaggio, A. T. (2014). From Bondage to Liberty: The Gospel according to Moses. (I. M. Duguid, Ed.) (p. 160). Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing.
4 out of 5 stars ****
Volume I Volume II is written five years later
A thorough explanation of America's geography from Atlantic to Pacific, an explanation of the type of people who started a new government after winning their independence from a Monarchy, failing first with its initial Confederacy, and the thoughtful remedy applied in writing the US Constitution with its Bill of Rights and Separation of Powers between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, the author compares the United States with other countries and their societies. Where others failed, America succeeded in blossoming due to the type of people isolated from most of the old world by the great oceans.
5 out of 5 stars *****
Apostle Paul visits the Greek, Roman-run city of Corinth to, initially, bring the "Good News," the Gospel, to answer disputes between certain leaders of the newly established Church, and then remind the Corinthians that centering their behavior around Jesus Christ's teachings unites them rather than divides them. Paul must defend himself against false teachers who point to his abject poverty and afflictions. The apostle uses this opportunity to praise God in his weaknesses so that he won't boast. He teaches that the grace of God is enough to sustain him.
Marriage, singleness, and sexual immorality are issues in Corinth and Paul suggests the people stay away from bad, sinful habits that become part of their culture. Paul reminds them that as newly born children of God their behavior displays God's love. They are to have faith in this love to find their peace and joy persevering any obstacles by, once again, returning to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Paul is a strong character whose ambition is to teach truth about the gospel. He shares his introspection and relationship with the Holy Spirit for a people who, for the first time, are changing their lives and culture according to the morals and lessons of that "Good News." Their adherence to his teachings is a testament to the influence the Holy Spirit has through Paul.
