Doing theology is hard.  Interpreting the Bible is hard.  It is hard for several reasons, including confirmation bias. We tend to seek out and selectively retain information that confirms what we already believe. Confirmation bias can, therefore, distort your reading of the Bible. It happens to all of us. It is best to be aware of

Although we’re told that belief in God is on the wane in Western society, I think one of the oldest forms of religion is on the rise, i.e., State worship. The ancients worshipped the Pharaohs, Caesars, chieftains, and emperors as divine. Isn’t that how most young people see the State?  Instead of looking to God for their daily bread, “secular” young people look to the State for personhood, education, employment, protection, healing,