The Bible Plus Everything
by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
4/3/2025

The Family has a slogan, “Jesus Plus Nothing.” Jeff Sharlet wrote a book about The Family, which condemns the organization for being a network of influence that allows the church to influence the state. The slogan, “Jesus plus Nothing,” allows people to unite in the political-economic sphere to make alliances between the rich and powerful. The problem is that the vagueness of this stand does not allow for any accountability. The actual stand of The Family is unknown, as simply standing for “Jesus” is not specific enough to determine compliance. There is benefit and power associated with merely invoking the name of Jesus, which can produce miraculous changes.

The problem with The Family’s slogan is that it does not deeply seek holiness by pursuing an identifiable standard. The “Jesus plus nothing” slogan does not allow accountability to a performance standard. For this reason, I adopted the “The Bible plus Everything” slogan for Renaissance Ministries outreach.

The Bible plus Everything implies that the Bible applies to all aspects of life. The standard of holiness must be applied to every aspect of life.

The question raised by the book by Jeff Sharlet is what principles, doctrine, and approach should be applied to the appropriate application of the Bible to life. Many influential pastors, preachers, and evangelists have left their mark on Christendom, and the philosophy/doctrine of the church has been bent in many ways. The diversity of denominations and variation in the interpretation of scripture over the millennia is a testament to the difficulty in applying the Bible as a book of dogma that should be enforced.

Nevertheless, simply ignoring the specifics of the Bible will ensure that the blessing of complying with God’s will and way is missed. Thus, I advocate unabashedly supporting the reading, debating, and understanding of the Bible as best as possible. The model that is probably best adopted is one of local governance, state governance, and national governance, each having more specific legislation in the secular/behavioral/public morality sphere. Each of the States of the United States are sovereign in that they have a constitution and laws, limited only by the few restrictions reserved for national governance. Thus, each state is a laboratory of democracy, as was intended by the Founders. In this laboratory, each State attempts to guide their citizenry in a society-wide expression of holiness according to their best interpretation of the letter and spirit of the Bible, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence.

The slogan of Renaissance Ministries, “The Bible plus Everything,” implies that the Bible should be applied to everything in life: private life, relationships, worship, health, finances, sexuality, work, and governance. The Bible is a revelation of God’s will and way for men, as a guide to how men can please Him. Given that mankind has been given free will, we, as humans, can choose to do anything, and without a standard of action, we may choose to displease Him. No domain of life is untouched or unseen by God. God is either pleased or displeased by our choice of action.

An interpretation of the Bible should not be coerced. But if the state adopts a moral code based upon an interpretation of the Bible’s revelation of God’s way, then, in effect, a Biblical interpretation has been defined and the purpose of the state is to enforce its laws. Thus, in the United States of America, with the 50 States each having their independent domains of authority to establish and enforce moral codes, citizens can lobby, educate, rally, and promote any point of view regarding proper Biblical interpretation and subsequent legislation. Freedom of travel and moving residence to a jurisdiction more compatible/congruent with a person’s interpretation of the Bible, as converted into legislation, is the state law.

Is the above a correct stand to take by Renaissance Ministries, to include the Bible in the deliberation of State and National law? What should Renaissance Ministries’ stand/doctrine/creed be? What is the appropriate moral center of legislative righteousness that should be taught/advocated?

On that note, George Washington advocated for the nation to base its moral principles and legislation on “the general principles of Christianity.” There are sufficiently clear, non-controversial, Biblically declared stands about the general principles of public behavior, and there is little ambiguity about the moral stands on issues that should be advocated and legislated.

The specifics of the application of the Bible to legislation will probably continue to be a point/arena of debate for the duration of man’s time on earth. And the topics of much of the discussion on the Renaissance-Ministries.com website will examine these issues. Still, the general principle should be that the legislative deliberation of the States should allow their laws and allowing the Bible to be included as a standard of moral comparison. This is because the First Amendment does not prohibit such inclusion. The FIrst Amendment prohibits “Congress enacting laws that establish a religion.” The consideration of the Bible’s words, concepts, morality does not constitute the establishment of a religion.

AI Summary of The Family:

The Netflix documentary series “The Family” is based on the book “The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power” by investigative journalist Jeff Sharlet. The book, published in 2008, delves into the world of a secretive Christian organization known as The Fellowship (also sometimes referred to as “The Family”). The documentary, released on Netflix in 2019, dramatizes and explores the book’s themes, focusing on the group’s influence on U.S. politics and global power structures.

Overview of the Book: “The Family” by Jeff Sharlet

What is “The Family”?

• The Family (or The Fellowship) is a highly secretive, Christian fundamentalist organization founded in 1935 by Abraham Vereide. The group’s original purpose was to unite powerful men—politicians, businessmen, and military leaders—under the banner of Christ to advance a conservative Christian agenda.
• Over time, the group shifted its focus to cultivating relationships with influential leaders in the U.S. and abroad, prioritizing power and influence over public visibility.

Central Themes of the Book

1. Secrecy and Power:
   • The Family operates behind the scenes, avoiding public scrutiny while quietly shaping U.S. domestic and foreign policies by networking with powerful individuals.
   • The group’s private, invitation-only gatherings and its emphasis on secrecy have made it a shadowy and controversial organization.
2. Christian Nationalism:
   • The Family promotes a specific interpretation of Christianity that emphasizes submission to authority and the belief that powerful individuals are “chosen by God” to lead.
   • This belief has been used to justify supporting authoritarian leaders and advancing conservative policies.
3. Influence on U.S. Politics:
   • The Family has cultivated relationships with numerous U.S. politicians from both major parties, though it leans heavily toward conservative and Republican leaders.
   • Its most visible project is the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual event attended by U.S. presidents, members of Congress, and foreign dignitaries. While it appears nonpartisan, the event is organized by The Family and serves as a networking hub for its agenda.
4. Global Reach:
   • The Family extends its influence internationally, supporting leaders in other countries whom it views as aligned with its Christian ideals, even if they are authoritarian or controversial.
5. Critique of Fundamentalism:
   • Sharlet critiques the group’s fundamentalist theology, which he argues prioritizes power and control over compassion or democratic values. The Family’s belief in “Jesus plus nothing” is portrayed as a way to strip Christianity of its broader ethical and moral dimensions.

The Netflix Documentary: “The Family”

Overview

• The Netflix series “The Family” is a five-part documentary released in 2019. It adapts Jeff Sharlet’s book and combines interviews, archival footage, and dramatizations to expose the inner workings of The Family.

Key Focus Areas

1. The National Prayer Breakfast:
   • The documentary highlights how The Family uses the National Prayer Breakfast as a platform to influence U.S. and international leaders under the guise of faith and unity.
2. Recruitment and Grooming:
   • The series shows how The Family recruits young men (often through college groups) to groom them for leadership roles. These recruits are taught to value loyalty to the group and its mission above all else.
3. Global Impact:
   • The Family’s involvement in supporting international leaders, some with questionable human rights records, is explored in depth.
4. Secrecy and Accountability:
   • The documentary critiques the lack of transparency surrounding The Family’s activities and its ability to operate without significant public or governmental oversight.

Dramatizations:

• The series uses dramatizations of Jeff Sharlet’s personal experiences while he lived at Ivanwald, a Fellowship-owned house in Arlington, Virginia, where young men were trained in the group’s ideology.

Key Takeaways from the Book and Documentary

1. Invisible Power:
   • The Family wields significant power in U.S. politics and international relations, yet it operates largely behind the scenes, avoiding public attention and accountability.
2. Religious Justification for Power:
   • The group’s theology frames powerful individuals as divinely chosen leaders, which can lead to the justification of unethical behavior or policies.
3. Criticism of Fundamentalism:
   • Both the book and the documentary critique the dangers of mixing religion with unchecked political power, warning of the erosion of democratic principles and human rights.
4. Blurring of Church and State:
   • The Family’s activities raise concerns about the separation of church and state, as it seeks to influence government policies and leaders through religious networks.

Controversy and Criticism

• Lack of Transparency:
  • The Family’s secretive nature has led to criticism that it operates as a “shadow government,” prioritizing its own agenda over democratic accountability.
• Support for Authoritarian Leaders:
  • The Family has been accused of aligning itself with authoritarian figures and controversial regimes under the pretense of spreading Christian values.
• Religious Exclusivity:
  • Critics argue that The Family’s narrow interpretation of Christianity is exclusionary and dismisses other faiths and worldviews.
• Response from The Family:
  • Members of The Family have largely avoided public comment, maintaining their tradition of secrecy. Some have argued that their mission is simply to bring people of faith together, not to wield political power.

Why Is This Important?

The book and documentary reveal how religious fundamentalism can intersect with political and economic power to influence societies in ways that are often hidden from public view. It raises critical questions about:

• The role of religion in politics.
• The ethics of secrecy in organizations that influence public policy.
• The balance between faith-based initiatives and democratic governance.

Conclusion

Jeff Sharlet’s book “The Family” and its Netflix adaptation expose the secretive workings of a powerful religious organization with far-reaching influence. The Family’s use of faith to justify power and its quiet manipulation of political systems make it a critical case study for understanding the intersection of religion, politics, and power. While the group portrays itself as a benign force for unity and prayer, the book and documentary suggest that its true agenda deserves closer scrutiny.

The School of Christ and His Prophets
Cultivating a Nation of Spiritual Leaders
by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
4/3/2025

The School of Prophets’ vision is rooted in the biblical aspiration of Numbers 11:29: “Would to God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them.” This is an educational initiative and a transformative national movement to elevate every citizen to spiritual maturity and leadership in bringing others into that moral/character maturity.

Revelation 19:10: “And I fell at his feet [i.e. the angel’s feet] to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” The angel explains that those who have “the testimony of Jesus” (believers in Jesus Christ) share in the “spirit of prophecy,” emphasizing that prophecy is inspired by and points to Jesus Christ.

Core Principles:

1. Universal Spiritual Potential: Everyone can and should be a prophet. Hearing God’s voice depends upon desire and work. The work includes developing an informed conscience, which arises from 1) Reading, understanding, and applying His Word/His Revelation/the Bible to life circumstances/situations, 2) Understanding His world, the realities of how the world works on a deep level, 3) Making holy/good/right choices according to God’s ways, 4) learning from experience, extracting the universal principles to reinforce their application.
2. Holistic Sanctification: Holiness is lived one moment at a time. We can and must choose Godliness in each situation and reject the temptations of the flesh. Such holiness depends on knowing God’s standards. We implant His heart into ours by reading the Bible, discussing its meaning, and applying its precepts as generalities. Holiness requires feeding on His Word, digesting it by discussing and extracting the principles, and then applying it to the fast-paced experience of our lives. This growth of character is about continuous personal transformation. Holiness involves disciplining the flesh, resisting temptations, and adding in the charities, virtues, and positive/divine principles of a heart that feels and is guided by the love of God, others, and self.
3. Grassroots Spiritual Revolution: The holiness of top-down leadership benefits society by establishing Godly legislation and judiciary and administering laws. Godly leadership provides an example of ideal/holy behavior for all. However, the example of holy leadership is unstable until society/masses/people broadly embrace holiness in their individual lives. Every individual must seek spiritual maturity/development of Godly character and be committed to influencing their sphere to live in Godliness.

Teaching Methodology:

• Graduated Curriculum: Develop a structured approach that helps individuals progress from basic spiritual concepts such as the Ten Commandments, repentance, and salvation to advanced levels, which is the skill of making ethical distinctions associated with specific areas of life skill. The school’s goal is teaching/mastering/incorporating/living holiness guided by knowledge passed on by others and the experience of choosing right/good/Godly action.
• Practical Application: Examine real-world scenarios that challenge individuals to apply Biblical principles in complex situations.
• Community Accountability: In the graduate setting, learning continues as the principles are applied in life. Graduates will become citizens, and they need support to maintain their ethics. Ideally, students develop friend/support/accountability networks in the program. Friends/associates/partners should challenge and encourage each other’s spiritual stand on morality throughout life. A chord of three strands is not easily broken.

National Impact: Create a culture where every citizen takes charge in his/her sphere by exerting moral/Godly leadership in that domain:

• Confront moral corruption in government and business
• Take personal responsibility for health, relationships, property, behavior, and finances
• Apply the law equally regardless of status or power
• Personal motivation for service, charity, support for the disabled
• Leadership regarding national policy includes consideration of Biblical patterns

The goal is not to create a theocracy, which is only appropriate when Jesus Christ returns. The goal is to cultivate a nation of individuals who live according to the Biblical code of ethics in all domains of life: government, business, and private.

Revelation 19:10: “And I fell at his feet [i.e. the angel’s feet] to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Spirit of Prophecy: Christ’s Testimony Unveiled Revelation 19:10 offers insight into the nature of prophecy and divine revelation: “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This seemingly simple statement has deep implications for how divine communication operates. The verse suggests that prophecy is not merely a human endeavor of predicting future events but a spiritual manifestation directly connected to Jesus Christ. The verse declares that all the brethren who have the testimony of Jesus, who believe in the reality and purpose of His life, the truth and imperative nature of His teachings, the validity of His sacrifice in saving us if we accept it, and the hope of resurrection, given He was the firstborn of many brethren who will overcome death. Belief in Him, testifying of Him, being in Him is the spirit of prophecy. That spirit is the generative source of prophetic power. When believers internalize Christ’s testimony, they become conduits of divinely manifested will. Prophecy transforms from a mystical, distant concept to an active, participatory experience. Each person who embraces Christ’s message can speak divine truth into existence. This interpretation suggests that prophecy is less about predicting specific events and more about being the agent of God’s transformation in this world. The spirit of prophecy empowers believers to live/speak/be, and have spiritual authority. We as humans have a human understanding of what is to be done as the prophetic manifestation. The source of that divine perspective is the Son, and in particular, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit. When we testify of Jesus, we are the spirit of prophecy. Practically, this means our testimony of Jesus as Lord and Savior is prophesy. Every knee shall bend and head bow to the name of Jesus.  Believers aren’t passive recipients of revelation but active co-creators in God’s unfolding plan. The result of men embracing Jesus is hope, redemption, and spiritual transformation. The verse ultimately points to Christ as the supreme source of spiritual insight, inviting believers to participate in manifesting divine purposes through their lived testimony.

In this verse, Revelation 19:10: “And I fell at his feet [i.e. the angel’s feet] to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” John is falling at the feet of the angel, who says don’t worship me, I’m a fellow servant, just like all of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus. The angel then says, “worship God,” for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The Spirit of Prophecy is like a spirit of something, a principle, the essence, or a group entity. It is a characterization of prophecy. There is a spirit of prophecy that sees into the future. The phrase “Brethren that have the testimony of Jesus” refers to believers in Jesus. So, there is a brotherhood of all who testify of Jesus; all share in the spirit of having that testimony, and one of the things they share in is the spirit of prophecy. So there’s a spirit of prophecy, which implies that there is a divine insight into how God will shape the future reality. That’s what prophecy is. But it may be that it is believers, those who are His children, who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, that have that Spirit of Prophecy come over them/speak to them, and by speaking it, by declaring it, by living it, by being the agent of prophecy, such people make the future happen. And if you are in Jesus, you can create the future. Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, which means that when you have the spirit of prophecy, you are speaking God’s will. Jesus Christ has all power and authority; by being a believer and testifying of Him, we have the spirit of prophecy. God Jesus is capable of doing, and the testimony of Jesus is that spirit of prophecy. Jesus Christ is the spirit that orders the creation of the world’s future in both small and large ways. And when we testify of Him and have him as your testimony, we are united in Him. When we speak, we speak into reality, that which has not yet been created, and you’re the Agent of Jesus in making this future reality manifest. The implications of this are huge. It could be interpreted as a prosperity or healing gospel, but it’s a miracle gospel of creating God’s will on earth. Because we are having faith in Jesus Christ, we are cocreators, we are agents of God.  This is muscular Christianity, in the sense that we are serving God/worshipping God. We are the willing agents of God, and we live in His world with the servant’s heart. We are prophesying God’s will when we are in the Spirit of Christ. We prophesy what God wants and choose to prophesy into the future manifestation, that which pleases the Father. When we do/prophesy/speak into existence what God/the Father wants to manifest, all life is in harmony. Every person prophesies the will of God into existence and does it independently of the coordination of others. But there is no confusion in this multiplicity of prophecy because the coordination is within God. He is the organizer. When everyone submits to God’s will, the world becomes peaceful, and efforts are combined synergistically. Everyone creates something different because every person has his special function of creating an aspect of the creation that God wants to be created. Everyone is not an eye, ear, tooth, arm, hand, or finger. Every person plays their part. Being in the Son/in Christ (being one who testifies of Christ), you will, by seeing that the will of God is, see your task, your goal, and prophesy it into existence. I know that with my presidential campaign, speaking about it, visualizing it, writing about it, and planning for it, I am prophesying being president into existence. I have no question about that fact, and I know that is what I’m doing.

Renaissance Ministries and Politics
by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
3/29/2025

Renaissance Ministries (RM.com) is a 508(c)(1)(a) non-profit organization that is allowed to engage in political speech and candidate advocacy without jeopardizing its tax-deductible donation status.

The scope of Renaissance Ministries’ areas of intervention is broad, as the intent is to affect the entire soul and heart of the nation and, ultimately, the world. As addressed on this site, the first and foundational layer of intent and purpose of RM.com is personal sanctification (living holy lives pleasing to God, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior), boldly sharing the gospel story, and telling your story of transformation and inviting two others (family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances) to join you in living holy lives, and supporting each other for the rest of your lives in pleasing God.

Personal transformation and evangelization/sharing/proselytizing are the foundations of national and world transformation. But God also wants and expects us to sanctify our organizations, whether family, professional, community/non-governmental, or governmental. God has created the world as a hierarchical system, with leaders and followers, sheep and shepherds responsible for 10s, 100s, 1000s, and millions. God intended government to be the institution of leadership and enforcement of His Law (Romans 13).

Part of the transformation I experienced as a result of my altered state vision and revelation was the need for sanctified leadership to bring our nation and, ultimately, the world under voluntary submission to the will of God in personal and group righteousness. I first ran for president of the United States in 1988 on the platform of an accountable government. I ran for the US Senate in Oregon in 2004 on an Energy, Righteousness, and Accountablity platform. And I ran for president of the United States in 2024 on the platform of public and private moral rectitude and personal holiness to make America Godly again. I am preparing for my third run for United States president in 2028. My website can be found at www.drthomasforpresident.com.

I support all candidates who overtly acknowledge God of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as our creator; Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, creator and ruler of the universe; and the Bible as His revelation of His will and nature. I have listed a fairly complete defense of the righteousness of including the God of the Bible as the God of our nation. I have addressed the complex issues of “Separation of Church and State,” which has been deeply misquoted from the Constitution/Bill of Rights as only a prohibition of Congress establishing a religion by law. In all manners of government, policy, and speech, we should openly acknowledge the God of the Bible, the Lordship of Jesus Christ of our nation, and individual worship.

I believe it is possible to win the 2028 Presidential Election if every person who is changed/transformed by the message of the Bible or RM.com commits to sharing and transforming the lives of two friends/family/coworkers/acquaintances within a month. Then, the followers of Christ will grow to 84 million in 26 months. If those followers believe my message and program are good for America, the evangelical effort of sharing the gospel can be paired with a larger action step supporting my candidacy. I am committed to political leadership and to using the democratic processes of our republican government to lead/push/advocate for Godly legislation, Constitutional and Biblical judicial rulings, and an administration of the law in the spirit of holiness in governing our land.

The action steps required to turn this idea into reality are to change your heart and join an RM.com support group in your area or online to maintain and strengthen your faith.  Share your faith to win your family and friends to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Become politically informed and active. Join “The Coalition,” the group committed to bringing Godly government into city, county, state, and national office. Enroll all new converts and seasoned/mature Christians to participate in the Coalition. Stay informed. Participate in discussing policy, current events, problems, and Godly solutions.

The goal is to create a permanent political voting block that continues to advocate for Godliness in government. I will be 74 in 2025 and want the Coalition applying its pressure for Godliness in government to outlive me for centuries. If another leader arises who is more articulate and adept at administrating law within the boundaries of righteous law, I will gladly pass the charge of bringing Godly government to our nation to him/her. In the meantime, participate in the forums and support me with ideas and debates over policy and political/economic/moral philosophy issues. We will debate policy and attempt to agree on the best way to implement Godly government in policies/legislation, judicial opinions, and administrative action. Until another leader arises who can take the mantle, I am willing to focus this movement toward implementing a “Righteous Society.” by the force of will, vision, and leadership.

Renaissance Ministries: Faith in Action Through Political Engagement

Renaissance Ministries represents a unique approach to faith-based advocacy, combining spiritual renewal with active political engagement. As a 508(c)(1)(a) non-profit organization, we are distinctively positioned to participate in political discourse and candidate advocacy while maintaining our tax-deductible status.

Our political engagement flows naturally from our foundational mission of personal and societal transformation. We recognize that while individual spiritual renewal is essential, God’s vision for humanity encompasses all aspects of society, including governmental institutions. This holistic approach acknowledges that governmental leadership plays a crucial role in implementing and maintaining Godly principles in society.

Our political advocacy rests on several key principles:

1. Biblical Foundation

• Recognition of the God of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
• Acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
• Application of Biblical principles to governance

2. Grassroots Transformation

• Personal sanctification as the foundation
• Community-based support groups
• Relationship-based evangelism
• Network multiplication through personal connections

3. Systematic Change

• Engagement at all levels of government (local to national)
• Support for candidates who openly acknowledge Biblical principles
• Development of policy positions based on Biblical wisdom
• Creation of lasting political influence through “The Coalition”

4. Long-Term Vision

• Building a permanent voting bloc committed to Godly governance
• Developing future leadership
• Creating sustainable political momentum
• Establishing enduring institutional change

Renaissance Ministries’ political advocacy represents a strategic approach to implementing Biblical principles in governance while respecting constitutional frameworks. We seek to create lasting change through democratic processes, combining spiritual renewal with practical political action.

Through this integrated approach, we work toward a society where faith and governance work in harmony to create a more righteous and just nation. Our political advocacy is not merely about winning elections, but about transforming the heart of our nation through both spiritual renewal and political engagement.