Here at FPIW, we often share about defending and advancing Biblical values in the public square. That is our central mission. But what are those values, and what issues do they apply to culturally and politically? In hopes of answering that question more thoroughly, we have been working on a new booklet over the past several months detailing FPIW’s policy issues and how they apply to a Biblical worldview, so that you can gain a better understanding of our mission and the “why” behind our political stances.
This week, we are introducing the 18 issues under FPIW’s purview through a two-part blog series that overviews the recently released “Issues” booklet, which you can access here. Next week, we will begin to examine these issues in light of cultural events and how they apply to your life and Washington state.
Click here to view Part One of this series, and the first nine issues. Below are the last nine issues we feature in the booklet:
TAX CONTROL
We believe that Washingtonians are overburdened with taxes. Our citizens now pay some of the highest prices in the nation for housing, groceries, and gasoline. This level of state taxation is irresponsible. We continue to advocate for a reduction in taxes and controlled spending by state government.
Biblical Worldview:
- “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.” –Romans 13:6 (NKJV)
- “‘Show Me the tax money.’ So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ And He said to them, ‘Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” –Matthew 22:19–21 (NKJV)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
FPIW supports proactive and practical legislation that would increase opportunities for more affordable housing options in communities across Washington State. Streamlining the permitting process, increasing building options on existing property, creating tax credits for landlords working to maintain affordable rent, and requiring cities and counties to include a variety of housing options in urban growth areas are policies we advocate for.
Biblical Worldview:
- “They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” –Isaiah 65:21–22 (NKJV)
EFFICIENT ENERGY
FPIW supports a balanced approach to decarbonization, environmental compliance, renewable energy, and grid reliability so we can have affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy for generations to come. We believe Washington State has trouble on the horizon – trouble with a reliable electrical grid. The trouble stems from attempts to decarbonize our state. Getting rid of coal, oil and gas without a realistic plan to replace them will do more harm than good.
Biblical Worldview:
- “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” –Proverbs 11:1 (NKJV)
EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION
We believe a basic purpose of government is to create and maintain transportation. Investments in roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, public transit, and other infrastructure are critically important. Washington has too many aging bridges and roads that need repairs and updates. FPIW is concerned strategically about transportation investments that maintains our existing system, constructs critical new projects, expands transit systems, reduces congestion, and eases housing shortages by funding innovative transportation alternatives.
Biblical Worldview:
- “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” –Philippians 2:4 (NKJV)
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
We believe that our homelessness crisis is essentially a serious drug crisis which, in turn, has led to rampant homelessness. Providing shelter to those actively using drugs, without addressing their addiction, simply leads to drug-infested housing complexes that are rife with crime, sex trafficking, and blight. FPIW supports programs for those who are homeless, but only after they have completed a comprehensive drug program, enrolled in an educational program or job training, and adhere to strict post-addiction supervision or monitoring.
Biblical Worldview:
- “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.” –Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV)
ADDICTION RECOVERY
Drugs are devastating thousands of individuals and families across Washington. FPIW supports policies that represent the values of every community and are adaptive and flexible for our local treatment providers and criminal justice system. Our vision is saving lives and breaking the cycle of drug addictions while providing an improved level of safety for citizens. FPIW seeks policy that balances accountability with compassionate – but structured – treatment and recovery options.
Biblical Worldview:
- “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” –James 1:14–15 (NKJV)
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
We believe that the right to worship freely, publicly, and at work is fundamental and non-negotiable. We fight against unconstitutional restrictions on churches and ministries, to preserve the rights of churches and religious schools to hire as they see fit, and for Washingtonians to live out their faith freely.
Biblical Worldview:
- “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” –2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)
- “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” –Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
MARRIAGE
We believe marriage is between one man and one woman, and that it is the optimum family arrangement for the rearing of children. We advocate for the preservation and promotion of marriage at the state and federal levels in order to address our social ills rather than an ever larger, more controlling government.
Biblical Worldview:
- “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” —Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)
- “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” –Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV)
- “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.” –Proverbs 18:22 (NKJV)
LIFE
We believe life is sacred and should be protected at every stage and at every opportunity. Government has an obligation to protect life from conception to natural death. We advocate on issues of life ranging from abortion to adoption to human euthanasia.
Biblical Worldview:
- “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” –Psalm 139:16 (NKJV)
- “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” –Proverbs 24:11 (NKJV)
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These issues are of utmost importance to us at FPIW, and we hope you share our sincere passion in defending and advancing these Biblical values in the public square.
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