Puddleglum's Foot. Insights with 1JBW

George Soros and the Islamic Brotherhood, Strangelove

2011-06-15T20:59:00.001-04:00

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=311053

What? You mean to say the people who are saying not to be concerned that the Muslim Brotherhood seem to be Islamicizing relatively secular Muslim and Arab nations throughout the Middle East and North Africa, and that we should not only NOT ...be concerned but should have such political representative political-groups here as well...is funded by civilization, nation, baby destroying anarchist and legalized hard drug advocate George Soros? No. Surely you jest. My tongue is bursting through my cheek. Clearly this is exactly the sort of thing he funds when not funding Saul Alinsky variety neo Marxist socialist radicals in the West. What's in your wallet? Now why would someone like Soros do such a thing, does he love Islamic law? Nope. But he does love destroying civilization and believes Islam and Marx will punch it out in the end and Marx will prevail. But where will that leave billionaire extraordinaire? Amazingly like most atheists who actually don't believe or ultimately care about anything...well...I doubt he cares.

Bad jokes, new hopes

2010-02-22T10:20:00.001-05:00

"Bad jokes, new hopes" a recent post you may well appreciate here: http://puddleglum.blogtownhall.com/

President Obama Health Human Tiller Alinsky connections

2009-05-04T08:24:00.003-04:00

This important Australian blog has a story about abortion and an Episcopalian priest who calls abortion a blessing. Rush Limbaugh once cynically said that abortion is the sacrament of liberalism. This priest is coming very close to agreeing with Limbaugh. Read the amazing Australian perspective here.

If you are curious about the HEALTH and HUMAN services, George Tiller, the Saul Alinsky connection, be sure to read my brief comments at the end of the blog here.

The new WAR ON PIRATE GLOBAL TERRORISM ?

2009-04-14T10:30:00.002-04:00

Without the aid of 911 or Katrina, the last 8 years of relatively important to silly to down right stupid and duplicitous questioning of President Bush motivations about the ECONOMY and about the MILITARY have ALL come come to roost upon President B. Hussein Obama. To read a litany of all these important NY Times questions all neatly summarized and put in parody, check out my article on facebook here.

For those without facebook the eighteen questions involve; threat to national sovereignty, national defense, UN involvement, House approval, stonewalling protests, accusation of Nazi tactics, questions of the captured getting a fair USA trial or Gitmo, oil in Somalia, perceptions of being the world bully, will Cindy Sheehan camp out at the ranch in N. Chicago, by killing some pirates aren't we assured that we are creating hundreds more, what about the poor, what about hegemony, what about empire, what about world perceptions, what about revenge for Clinton's failure at Mogadishu, Somalia, etc.

You can probably think up a dozen more that were so important and serious that now are overlooked in favor of a commander in chief who single handedly 'gave the order to shoot' who rides forth on his white horse to conquer in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, has a larger military budget that Bush or McCain proposed, and now is embarking on a military campaign in our national interests in Somalia, again.

Nevermind. Oh look, he is looking right at me. Oh, I feel that tingle. Isn't Michelle absolutely lovely!

Yale Law appointee, Sharia, Reconstructionism, concern

2009-03-31T12:50:00.002-04:00

DL is an evangelical Christian and unlike his more popular brother David is a serious journalist. Immediately below are my comments arising from his article on Yale Law School Dean and Obama appointee, Harold Koh. David's published article on Koh is at the very end, FYI. So I am asking in response to David's article:

Why not have a separate legal system for Judeo-Christian reconstructionism? Let me say from the start and clearly that I am against this. But I am asking the question because so many brilliant ones see no problem with simultaneously having USA law based on common law, natural law, and being a constitutional, democratic, republic, and having Sharia law at the same time in the same country.

You know, the cultic Reconstructionist's view of institutionalizing Judeo-Christian civil theocratic law (with *their* *strong* Old Testament -O.T.- hermeneutic and understanding of such) is really not that far from Sharia if you are under LAW and not grace. Sharia has wife stonings, the O.T. has adultery and paganism practitioner death penalty. Sharia has killing of full families over homosexual immoralities and 'honor', the O.T. just has the death penalty of the actual practitioner after proper witnesses and judicial procedures. I suspect both would not want their legal funds and legal taxes paying for pornography and abortion and gay marriage. Perhaps someone can tell me where under Sharia these are funded by law...

So do you think the Yale, Obama lawyer will want Sharia AND Judeo Christian reconstructionism law in the USA? Frankly, I hope we can reject both and just go back to getting-REAL about natural law, real guilt when appropriate, appropriate cultural shame with forgiveness possible, and respect for conscience without having to Big Brother, legislate, litigate, micromanage, and FUND everything.

How about a ban on late term abortions, end the slide to gay marriage, not intervene in monogamous partners if they aren't radicalized-exhibitionistic types, and stuff like that? It seems a no brainer, but Obama and the Yale sorts of HIS choice (there are other fine choices available even in the Ivy League schools) seem to not reason in these ways.

Am I missing some glorious aspects of Sharia in the USA? What does N.O.W. and N.A.R.A.L. and Planned Parenthood think? I have heard no shrieking from their quarters lately. Or do they just want fragmentation and the destruction of a principled democratic republic as a kind of liberational French revolution of sorts? My best guess? That is exactly what it has always been about. Alleged 'wounded wound-ers' seeing how many they can take down with them and lifting none up. Pathetic to see it being baptized in so many quarters as some sort of humble christen-dumb contrition. Discernment? Common sense? With the current direction of hope and change? Not yet.

Joe Whitchurch
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Obama pick favors international law
Posted: March 31, 2009
David Limbaugh 1:00 am Eastern

As usual, President Barack Obama is multi-tasking the dismantling of the American system on so many fronts that not all of the outrages can be properly monitored. So while you should be mortified by his dictatorial power grab withGeneral Motors, please don't miss his recent nomination of former Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh as legal adviser for the State Department.

In his new position, Koh not only would represent the United States before international bodies, such as the U.N. and the International Court of Justice, but also would influence the degree to which laws of other countries should influence American jurisprudence.

After reading an alarming piece by Meghan Clyne in the New York Post concerning the Koh nomination and the degree to which Koh believes it's appropriate for courts to consider other nations' laws in interpreting our Constitution, I read a number of Koh's legal writings and speeches.

Clyne reported that New York lawyer Steven Stein said that Koh, in addressing the Yale Club of Greenwich in 2007, claimed that "in an appropriate case, he didn't see any reason why Shariah law would not be applied to govern a case in the United States."

Is Shariah law coming to a court near you? Get "Stealth Jihad" – Robert Spencer's expose about efforts to quietly establish the Muslim system in Amerca

It turns out that on March 21, 2007, Carol Iannone, on Phi Beta Cons blog, published a letter from Stein to Dean Koh about his Yale Club remarks. Stein wrote, in part, "In your discussion of 'global law' I recall at least one favorable reference to 'Shariah,' among other foreign laws that could, in an appropriate instance (according to you) govern a controversy in a federal or state court in the U.S."

Whether or not Koh ever responded to Stein's letter, Stein's representations of Koh's remarks are certainly consistent with Koh's writings that I reviewed.

In Fordham Law Review, Koh asserted that the U.S. "Supreme Court is divided between two judicial camps: the transnationalists and the nationalists." Koh considers himself a transnationalist and justices Roberts, Scalia and Alito nationalists.

Koh explained the differences between these two judicial philosophies. According to Koh, transnationalist judges look to U.S. interdependence, whereas nationalists tend to look to U.S. autonomy. Transnationalists think about how U.S. law fits into a framework of transnational law, while nationalists see a rigid foreign and domestic divide. Transnationalists think that courts can "domesticate" international law (make it part of our law), whereas nationalists think that only the political branches can. Transnationalists favor the development of a global legal system, while nationalists prefer a national legal system.

In other words, nationalists don't believe that it's appropriate to look to foreign law in interpreting our Constitution. They believe that only the political branches, not the courts, can adopt provisions of international law, and they don't believe in slavish deference to global legal authorities, such as the International Criminal Court.

Transnationalists clearly believe in an ever-changing, living Constitution and reject originalism (interpreting the Constitution according to its original understanding). They are obviously globalists, not overly concerned with American's national sovereignty. They see the international community, in the words of Koh, as a "community of reason" and believe that American judges, in interpreting our Constitution, can resort to this "community of reason" (foreign laws) to choose between two "plausible" legal positions. Indeed, Koh wrote approvingly of United States Supreme Court decisions acknowledging "evolving standards of decency" and that we may look to this global community of reason to determine what those standards are.

If any of this is too legalistic, let me quote from Koh's "Jefferson Memorial Lecture on Transnational Legal Process After September 11," published in the Berkeley Journal of International Law.

In his introductory remarks, Koh said the United States, along with North Korea and Iran, form "the axis of disobedience," that is, those nations "whose disobedience with international law has attracted global attention after Sept. 11." Are you beginning to see the picture here?

If not, try his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 16, 2008, in which he lamented that the Bush administration forfeited the "universal sympathy" America enjoyed as a victim of the 9/11 attacks with a "series of unnecessary, self-inflicted wounds, which have gravely diminished our global standing and damaged our reputation for respecting the rule of law," including Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, ... indefinite detention of enemy combatants, military commissions, warrantless wiretaps, evasion of the Geneva Conventions and international human rights treaties, excessive government secrecy, attacks on the United Nations, and others.

It's no surprise to me that President Obama seeks to install as assistant State Department legal counsel a man who, like George Soros and a host of ultra-left-wing bloggers, believes America is always the bad guy and that we should rehabilitate ourselves through following the wisdom of foreign nations and international bodies.

Does it surprise you?

Emergency rooms not clogged with the uninsured...

2009-03-10T09:57:00.002-04:00

When I saw that headline I thought of how often I have heard this and assumed it to be true. Kind of like repeatedly hearing that those who oppose farming unique human embryos for spare parts, oppose stem cell research. If you hear it often enough you might believe it and not ask questions. For my stem cell example, everyone I know approves of stem cell research, but most strongly disapprove of taxpayers being forced to fund unproductive research that involves intentionally killing unique human embryos to obtain THEIR stem cells. There are lots of other sources of stem cells that ARE productive, and venture capital groups ARE willing to invest in, called adult stem cells that require no killing of young human lives.

My next apparently faulty assumption from the emergency room headline was that they were backed up by an overflow of illegal aliens. Perhaps it was the source of the article that made me wonder if they'd take that tact. But alas it is just exactly the opposite of what you might expect. In fact, the touted governmental solution, is once again the actual problem! Read the short, surprising article for yourself here.

Mentalism-Apologetics

2009-02-07T22:01:00.001-05:00

My Australian blogger friend Bill doesn't let Warren off the hook.

2008-12-26T15:32:00.003-05:00

I am encouraged that President-Elect Barack Obama invited pro marriage & pro life, and not just in rhetoric like Jim Wallis & Sojourners but in real action both in service, AND with political votes and action privately and yes in rhetoric and consistent instruction, Rick Warren to speak at Obama's inauguration service. I DO empathize with my Australian friend Bill's convictions expressed on his blog. I also feel the pull of the argument of Al Moehler quoted by Bill.

I thank God for Bill and his perspectives. But I am glad for this Obama/Warren development on other, hereto unmentioned grounds. Here is one of those hereto unmentioned grounds. The political heat and hate from Barney Frank and the Kennedy's (the latter being great 'friends' of George W. Bush during some of W's worse spending prodigal moments). Fickle friendships. Sometimes a person like Obama can benefit and has a genuine need-to-know the true nature and level and same-party, fickle- functionary depth of some friendships. He may not fully discern such yet. Frankly he seems a little slow on such matters, Hillary positioning excepted.

If he watches the way fellow party partisans privately speak of Al Gore, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Geraldine Ferraro, or John Edwards... it will become very clear that Obama's populace-feigned messiah-ship is not so much about melanin levels, making history on the basis of identity-group, emotional reparations by the electorate, or the wielding of Illinois political powers, nor is it even about how much wealthy Hollywood or Soros loathe all things Bush, but it is precisely about abortion and homosexuality. The powerful in the party-of-death can even forgive his putting war supporting Hillary as Secretary of State or keeping Gates and company in the war room, but these issues (abortion and homosexuality) are THE religion of the culture of death. Good thoughts Bill (read him here) but I think I'm leaning toward GLAD that Warren is speaking, if he really gets to speak his mind and heart on a wider angle of justice and prays and behaves justly in doing so. In short, the jury is out.

Joel doesn't allow the media favorites a 'free pass'.

2008-12-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

Good one, Joel.

Some new links, one is funny and one informative

2008-10-15T11:50:00.002-04:00

OK, the informative one first. http://neverfindout.org

My best friend (only a best friend would do such a thing) sent me this one today. It is easily changed to tease one of your friends, but give a look. It is pretty amazing in that it shows up in video formatting.

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=357563&altf=Kptfqi1C4&altl=Xijudivsdi

In Democrat-correctnesses own words

2008-10-06T15:45:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/inbox/

I guess all that remains is the question of how soon the impeachment proceedings can begin against Barney Frank and Maxine Waters. Or how long before the media begin stating what is obvious in this ad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceMtvRjZkO0&feature=related

Don't like values voter issues? Try moderate fiscal ones

2008-10-02T11:37:00.002-04:00

This video I believe shows how 'values' affect a lot of things but it may appeal more to fiscal conservatives and reasonable fiscal moderates. Classical music background is cool but feel free to use the pause button generously as there is a LOT of great data in this puppy and over a million have viewed it. Keep forwarding and commenting.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheMouthPeace

Jeff Jacoby fact checks on Sarah Palin, exposes MSM...

2008-09-20T22:36:00.001-04:00

and he also shows how their hateful, smearing, double standards and clear partisanship are backfiring on them. Read a great article by a great writer here.

Obama, Obama followers, Ethics reform on Wall Street...

2008-09-18T09:03:00.002-04:00

I remember a cliche situation of someone apparently being invited to a cookout or to dinner and discovering it was 5 minutes of cookout or 15 minutes of dinner and 1 hour of Amway or 1 hour of a church outreach meeting. For those who have had such experiences as I have had, it is hard not to feel used and manipulated. Bait and switch ethics. Have you ever felt this?

Is it just me? Is it just Purdue? Or is it just in election years? I do not know. But I know I've experienced this now twice in less than a three week window since campuses started up this fall. And both times it was at the hands of Obama partisans. At Purdue student organizations are SUPPOSE to clearly state the sponsoring group behind events. PC political groups of the partisan persuasion most in line with university power structure ideologies are apparently excepted.

The two events I speak of are these. The first was after one of the home football games, sidewalks were chalked nicely, promoting a free concert and associated activities. It was an Obama fest voter registration event. Someone mentioned to me that I should have known since all the 'chalkers' were wearing Obama shirts but my point is that none of the adverts in chalk even remotely mentioned 'Democrat', 'Obama', or 'Politics' though there may have been some vague reference to community (as in community organizing, perhaps?). It was evasive.

Then the other day at a religious leaders meeting an impassioned plea was made to come to the Memorial Mall and see the boots of soldiers from Indiana and the tiny shoes of Iraq (guess none died in Afghanistan) war victims and just think about this. Now admittedly it was mentioned that the 'reflection' event was sponsored by 'Friends' and another group that anyone with informing theological knowledge would recognize are pacifists, anti-war, and for the candidate they believe will most likely bring all wars to an end (even as he speaks of stepping up war efforts in Afghanistan and maybe even Pakistan!).

After nearly a 100 religious leaders heard the impassioned promotion of the 'religious reflection' event on the mall, and the group was dismissed, I drove by at a high student traffic time. What I saw was only a large Obama banner, very large, and three or four people (were they students, I do not know) at the booth including inquiring persons. I suspect most memorialize the sacrifice our military make on Memorial Day and on the 4th of July and on Veterans' Day and Flag Day and were proud of our young men and women who died for freedom's cause rather than from binge drinking, or are recovering from post traumatic stress from being groped at fraternity and dorm and beach bar parties in campuses across the USA.

Some may have resented the use of someone other than the soldier tagged, boots being USED to represent those of an actual USA military personnel in this liberal, leftist, politically partisan, but billed as merely an open minded religious reflection event. Again, it was an Obama fest.

Like Obama's answers on how both political houses which make the laws that govern among other things the financial scene that is sagging these days. And his response to how those houses have both been dominated by his own Party for the last full election cycle...and haven't been part of any solutions. But HAVE been part of emotional demonizing of any solutions or attempts at bi-partisanship to any problems by the current President who they love to sensitively hate. Evasive. Using Sheehan then saying he'll step up troops in Afghanistan. Manipulating Hillary supporters then dumping them for Biden. And now, well I guess I shouldn't be surprised at how the followers are not clear in advertising, manipulative, using people for their cause. I'm just glad I do not live in Milwaukee where alternative political operatives had their poll running tires slashed. All for the 'cause' of peace and sensitivity.

I've no problem with free speech and campaigning and clearly the campus is a buzz with such almost every year. But deception, manipulation, false advertising, evasion of sponsorship or event intent, well it doesn't strike me as modeling the kind of ethic reform that American campuses, Wall Street, student organizations, religious groups, or anyone really, would benefit from.

Have you seen this bait and switch on your campuses or in factories or union shops or teachers unions or other contexts? I'm sure there are some small, less organized number of military personnel that sometimes go too far in lobbying while serving, and the GOP has its issues as does Ron Paul postings everywhere, but it just seems like when they do their thing, it is super clear right up front. Is this really just super sophistication again? Ivy League nuancing? Law school complexity? What are you seeing these days? Or is discernment the vanishing spiritual gift? If the turnout on the Memorial Mall yesterday was any indication, there is more discernment than we may think, and for this we can be grateful.

Palin Power

2008-09-17T14:49:00.001-04:00

Yes She Can Sticker Bumper 10 pk
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Pro-Life Palin for President, 2 great reasons here

2008-09-04T08:35:00.004-04:00

Sarah Palin for President! Two good reasons here. Do a quick refresh if you get an MSNBC commercial and skip their advertisers.

#1 One, Sarah Palin herself:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26518074#26535823
========
Condi Rice foolishly says we should divide Jerusalem, Israel to make room for the capitol of the Hamas-istinians...and the same day the hurricane slams the USA so bad the GOP convention goes on hold.

The next day RUDY says McCain is NOT for a divided Jerusalem, Israel and believes it belongs to Israel. And then a strongly pro-life, godly, gutsy, brilliant woman is to be the VP nominee speaking on a national stage and what do you know, the second wave hurricane storm isn't nearly as bad. Was that just my imagination? Perhaps. I take Genesis 12:2-3 rather seriously. You might question my hermeneutic or attempt to exaggerate specifics of what I'm blessing. No doubt some will.

But Sarah Palin's message above was fabulous! RUDY was very incredulously humorous and spot-on about Israel and Jerusalem, here.

#2 Two:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26518074#26535531

Joe Lieberman far from boring, uncompromised patriot.

2008-09-03T12:59:00.003-04:00

Honestly I thought Joe Lieberman would be boring. I didn't even want to watch. But I had paper work to do and had some time. I am so glad I heard him. Give a listen. It is in two parts on youtube. Here are the links in reverse order.

Pt. 2 http://tinyurl.com/6ae53o

Pt. 1 http://tinyurl.com/68lba6

One of his funniest lines was a contrast on eloquence and another was on being Michael Moore's favorite Democrat. He was unusually good though the 'global warming' thing (while mixed in with two other applause worthy items) was misguided. Other than that, even what he said about Bill Clinton was accurate and had integrity.

Why isn't he pro-life? Is he afraid if he embraced that he might have to become something else that he may fear or what?! I don't get it. He has a lot of integrity.

Fred Thompson on Character, Laura on Cindy, fabulous

2008-09-03T12:19:00.004-04:00

Laura and George W. Bush on Cindy McCain, Sarah Palin, and John McCain. Laura is probably best in her brief message on Cindy McCain.

http://tinyurl.com/5g9p7x

Fred Thompson's powerful presentation on Sarah Palin and John McCain. Fred is a fabulous speaker and this is one of his very best if not finest.

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/02/video-fred-rocks-minneapolis/

Did you see these? What did you think?

Brent Bozell, Media Watch, Barack Obama

2008-06-18T15:49:00.003-04:00

One of the best things about this informative video clip is John Edwards. Where did John Edwards find this amount of pluck? See the video link below...

I do not care if Barack is a former Muslim or not. The media is intriguing on this question and the amount of obfuscation. I guess I mildly wonder what Muslim nation leaders may think of this with their 'tolerance' about conversion from Islam to even a liberationist, cause-centric, radical social gospel variety of Christendom.

I don't care for his positions pro war in Afghanistan but not in Iraq where we've had so much progress, or his position on abortion (pro-partial birth abortion and abortion survivor infanticide), or his choice of long-time mentors. Not impressed at all, in fact I'm alarmed at these. I'm also not fond of his philosophy of Supreme Court justice appointees in these days of Gay Marriage law-making by non-legislature judges in CA and Mass. However, thus far I have appreciated his communication style.

Click HERE to see the video. Doesn't it seem like John Edwards is on steroids? Should there be a Congressional investigation??? LOL.

Did potential President Barack Hussein glitch?

2008-04-12T00:50:00.003-04:00

Was there a sudden burst of rationality in the otherwise emotive buzz of the Barack H. Obama camp? I am speaking of course of his reversal of tact. Prior to this week I believe Senator BHO was touting that W is bad and world leaders all agree because Bush doesn't sit down with our political and military enemies and have a peaceful, bridge building chat.

This week the former President of the BHO and Hillary Clinton Party, the patron saint of all that is peace loving, Jimmy Carter is planning on or actually meeting with the leader of Hamas. That cute little organization that makes the KKK look mild. The sweet little bunch that teaches children to commit suicide killing innocent non combatants purposefully without even having military targets as collateral damage. Hamas teaches children that Jewish people are actual pigs and dogs. Jimmy wants to have tea with them because he believes it is Israel's fault they they are twisted as they are.

Well Barack, I never knew an appeasement, thug, or bigoted mentor he couldn't overlook and and join hands with for the 'hope that is on the way', apparently has said that President Jimmy Carter should NOT be meeting and negotiating with the head of Hamas. Barack H.O. agrees with Hillary and W about this. We must be drawing close to the general election when the Sheehanization of the DNC stops being cool and a big cash cow for leftist and liberal contributions. Or are there delegates at risk for B. Hussein Obama to gain and not risk by sounding, well sounding like his mentor's hero the Rev. Louis Farrakhan...or Jimmy Carter.

Perhaps Hillary, Barack, and George might call for Jimmy's detainment or removal of his former Presidential privileges if he insists on scorning the European leaders who are celebrating Israel's 60th birthday, while Jimmy meets with holocaust deniers and holocaust want to be repeaters for a friendly little chat about their shared common enemy, the current President who will only be in office another few months. What's up with Carter?

And why the sudden burst of rationality among the Democrats like Obama and Clinton? And how are George Soros, Cindy Sheehan, the land for peace and appeasement Left dealing with the emergence of this hateful divisiveness and sleeve wearing religionism on the part of the Queen and or the Messiah and or the great Carpenter? They seem to be getting a pass and Carter a mere 'tut tut'. But it is rather amazing.

On political hopes of the world and saviors...

2008-02-25T18:03:00.002-05:00

...and other kooky ideas...

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.asp

I discovered the hope of the entire world and its savior according to Louis Farrakhan at this link. (-: And all this time I had been wrong in thinking it was the global eco-Savior Albert the Magnificent or at least Queen Hillary, but I was wrong and Minister Farrakhan has correct me.

http://www.onenewsnow.com/vidPlayer.aspx?videoId=1

Not to be outdone as Savior by anyone, and especially as the knighted savior of earth from free market capitalism, Ralph Nader is back in the game. The poor, huddled masses are rejoicing today. Will he select Kucinich as his VP? Go Ralph!

This might be a good time for national repentance. Before another 911. Apparently we can't tap known terrorist phone calls to the USA anymore and all judicial appointments (that *may* have some lurking pro-lifers in the midst) are blocked.

Speaking of tapping terrorist phones, I was so glad 'Vantage Point' terrorists didn't use an iPhone. That would have been bad. Anyone laugh out loud at the Vantage Point attempts to dub CNN, "GNN" as current administration protectorates with only positive spin ("ignore those protesters!") with saintly intentions, "No no, turn it off .. don't show THAT?" LOL.

Larry Norman died the last Sunday of Feb 08

2008-02-25T18:01:00.001-05:00

Mr. 'One Way to Heaven' sign, Mr. The Original Jesus Freak of the Jesus Movement, Mr. You've Been Left Behind and Wish We'd All Been Ready gets to see Jesus before the parousia.

I must admit I'm sad about this though heaven has another Live-Wire on its hands. Larry clearly had his spiritual ups and downs as we all do but he was a trophy of God's grace. In the midst of the ongoing 'bless me' music Larry wrote about VD/STDs, civil religion, racism, UFOs, the 2nd coming of Christ, false notions of Jesus, etc. and did so in a fresh style that was current with the dominant youth culture music of his day. Kind of the original CCM in a Christian culture that was monopolized by hymns-only (believe it or not! we could use a few more of those these days!). Larry wrote 'The Six O'Clock News' on media bias long before Coulter or Limbaugh!

Too few write music on such themes from a Christian worldview even today but when people speak a word of Scripture to a current brokenness it seems to me it is always something commendable. Larry did it with "Only Visiting this Planet" and other works. Keith Green did it with "So You Want to Go Back to Egypt" and other works. Others follow in the trail they blazed. Sure there are the songs on what the culture tells us is important like AIDs and environmental concerns but who is writing today about human cloning, harvesting human eggs, human trafficking, preventive war, discernment about Sharia, global terror etc? A lot of the Jesus Movement sadly has become its own subculture. There are noteworthy exceptions and I believe that revival has lasting, righteous, and even profound impact but it must be spiritually discerned when market forces seek to pedal it for pedaling sake.

Christians (like Larry Norman) in the arts are often aware that they are on enormously needy ground. The arts are full of super egos, super marketed, super prostituted (at times), fickle fads and fans and are intense contexts for inappropriate, performance-based self-esteem/human dignity, or the lack thereof, drivenness, perfectionisms... good night it is a mine field. To be there and take a stand for righteousness and not be molded by it is very tricky. Booking agents, the need for the next big gig or award, how to wow them one more time...it is easy to lose focus on glorifying God and having a clear witness for Him in character, community, and content.

But death is a reminder of an empty tomb, and of a glorious reunion, of new bodies, of a new earth and heaven, of the ultimate victory of King Jesus. And it puts time and fortune and relationships...well actually the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the super-real prospect of His any-moment return puts EVERYTHING in perspective! Jesus Lordship, our finite, frail, fallible, fallen status comes into focus and His glorious salvation as well.

How can one view such things and not turn from the self-centered life? Or see these things and not rely fully and only on Christ's substitutionary death for forgiveness of sin with great gratitude? Or not receive Him into the core of our being for empowerment over sin and His abiding Presence with us? How can one speak of knowing Jesus as a religious or therapeutic savior and not as King and rightful Lord whose word is our manifesto and unquestionably authoritative and true.

Thanks Larry for being a wonderful even if imperfect example of being a Christ follower who often thought and served and worshiped outside the box of mere political and denominational tribalisms, and various other group-think, conformities. Some musicians get knighted here below by mere mortals but today I suspect we can thank you in a fuller reality, Sir Norman. Thank you kindly.

Social Conservatives. Values Voters.

2008-02-22T19:10:00.004-05:00

First the NY Times supports McCain. Then the NY Times slimes McCain. All rather predictable.

Limbaugh asked this question a LOT back in Iowa. But I haven't heard him asking it so much lately. "What if Mike Huckabee wins Iowa?"

Well what if Huckabee wins a whole bunch more States especially in the south? And now that the wimpier Bush has endorsed John McCain here's the real big question that I hope gets heard not just in Iowa and in Texas but all the way to Ohio and Pennsylvania:

WHAT IF HUCKABEE WINS IN TEXAS?

Well for one thing, social conservatives will be quite happy and perhaps some in the GOP will experience a genuine versus a mere pragmatic hat tipping civility toward social conservative convictions. Perhaps.

After all, if we don't have intact families and we have zany understandings of 'significant others' as family but no Moms and Dads (like California text books exclude so as not to offend gay couples), and we have politicians wanting abortion rare and safe and legal but can't keep an abortion survivor alive (Obama voting 'present') or draw a line in the sand with the latest term, viable child being partially born alive then aborting banning (both Hillary and Obama support partial birth abortion)...well...one more question...

If we end up with those sorts of "values", will economic conservatism alone or military conservatism alone be good enough for you? Will they save us? What sort of country/place/civilization will we be defending? And what sort of 'product' will we be selling?

All the top three were against the vindicated science of Bush and for utilizing a moral-conviction-divided publics tax monies to fund the now debunked ineffective unique human embryo destroying procedure for procuring stem cells for cures. Stem cells we now know (by the grace of God or who knows what sort of Frankenstein-ian culture we might have become!) the cloner of Dolly the Sheep won't even use because they are not productive. BTW, culture of death champions like those who approve of partial birth abortion, still want to force you to be able to use your money to mess with these little humans in experiments.

No candidates are perfect. All are far from it and I am far from it too. But in light of the choices... Perhaps I should ask again, "Why wouldn't we want Huckabee to win Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio?" Because the NY Times endorses the other guy? Is that it?

Teddy Kennedy and John McCain musings

2008-01-30T08:17:00.000-05:00

I see John McCain won Florida. Finally a win for John McCain. His many media friends are making this a national holiday. I wonder if Mike Huckabee's friend Texas Walker, Chuck Norris didn't accidentally help McCain. How so? By saying to the aging snowbirds of FL that John McCain was too old to be President. LOL. Now that would do it! Chaos in the high rises.

And Ted Kennedy was insensitively asked whether or not he thought that similar to his family experiences, that Barack Hussein Obama might be in danger opposing Hillary. I do not remember the name of the media guy that asked Teddy the question but clearly Teddy is endorsing Barack H. Obama. A relatively unknown radio guy on WLS Chicago this morning thought it was a bad question to ask.

The WLS personality (Don W.?) said he was certain that if anything happened bad to BHO that it would be blamed on the vast right wing conspiracy and Bush. LOL. I suspect on the Muuve ahn dot o.r.g. crowd this would indeed be the case. No mention was made of the long list of Clinton cronies and associates who died odd deaths by the time I reached my destination in the car. And no mention of Hillary's friend Vince Foster. But the innuendo was all over the 'other' reporter for asking the question of Teddy, and all over Don W of WLS for mentioning a prior strategy to blame the vast conspiracies Hillary believes in.

OK these are merely musing but they are musings on items in our media these days and they do point to loopy times indeed. I'm not fond of the Hillary/Bill campaign or of Barack's rhetorical schmoozing of his disgustingly pro-abortion positions (opposing parental notification, supporting taking minors out of State for abortions against parental wishes in States with parental notification) and even being FOR partial birth abortion.

I waffle on which of the pro-life candidates I dislike the most, Mitt or John. I prefer Mike Huckabee but pragmatic evangelicals who only listen to the MSM tell me he CANNOT win though they didn't think he could or would win Iowa either, or still be in the race. I see the NRTL says Huckabee has the strongest pro-life record but even they won't endorse him after their shell shock endorsing Fred the fizzle Thompson. Crazy days. Crazy questions. Crazy positions. Personally, I'd prefer a Mike Huckabee candidacy with a McCain or Romney veep to the other way around.

But this is clearly NOT the classical, conventional, MSM peddled 'wisdom'. I don't care. I like Mike.

2nd amendment saves lives..don't expect front page

2007-12-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

Did I read correctly? A crazed angry man who self professed to hearing voices, somehow got access to a gun and went on a killing spree? Did I read that he went into a full church context after having unresisted free shooting of peoples at another location, and would likely have mass murdered many many innocent people...?

But something happened. No, it wasn't Rambo. Not 'Dirty Harry'. No it wasn't even GI Joe. Rather an off duty female security officer who was licensed with a permit to carry (something you can't apparently have on college or in schools or at the post office or near a sports field, or in the city of Chicago, or anywhere the new hermeneutic of constitutional interpretations have full sway) enters the scene.

What does she do? She saves a lot of lives by the direct and merciful action of shooting the shooter before he had an opportunity to create more obituaries with innocents. Did she relish it, enjoy it, dance in the streets like some religious zealots do when they torture a noncombatant? No. I think not. But is she a hero. Is she an unsung one? Is she a story not likely to be reported as it flows against the grain of what is and what is suppose to be? My guess is yes.

I'm sure other stories behind the scenes will emerge and that they will all be interesting and heroic and sad and grateful etc. But the obvious one from my read at the current time is how glad I am that a woman was packing heat, trained in using it, had the courage to do so, and saved a lot of innocent lives. May God bless her.

Heisman Winner...the untold, pro-Life story...

2007-12-14T14:55:00.000-05:00

I got most of this from David Andrusko: "..quarterback Tim Tebow put on a display of prowess beyond anything I have ever seen. Over the weekend Tebow won the coveted Heisman Trophy, the first sophomore ever. No doubt Tebow won because he was also the first quarterback from a major college program ever to throw for at least 20 touchdowns and run for at least 20 touchdowns in the same season."

"As you watched him perform on the football field--or if you were lucky enough to catch him profusely thanking God, his family, and his teammates for his award--you could not help thinking that this dazzlingly handsome young man was special in every possible way.

What does that have to do with us? Glad you asked. Tebow is the youngest of five children of Bob and Pam Tebow, missionaries to the Philippines through Bob Tebow Evangelistic Ministries. In 1985, "hoping to expand their family, they prayed for 'Timmy' by name," according to the Gainesville Sun.

However, while pregnant with Tim, Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, a bacteria transmitted through contaminated drinking water. Doctors told her that the strong medications she'd need to take would could irreversible damage to Tim--and counseled an abortion. Pam said no, telling the Sun it was because of her faith. She spent the last two months of her pregnancy on bed rest, ultimately giving birth in August 1987 to a healthy baby boy, "skinny, but rather long."

Last year, as a freshman, Tebow only came in for a handful of plays. Everyone thought he was a one-dimensional player. We might have guessed he'd run for 22 touchdowns this season(!) but never have imagined that he'd throw 29 touchdown passes as well! We would have been wrong, and not just about his football talent. By all appearances, Tim is a multi-dimensional human being, a man of achievement, a man of modesty, and a man of faith--a blessing to all who know him.

And this amazing young man is able to share his many gifts because, and only because, Pam Tebow said no to abortion and yes to life.

You can watch Tim accept the Heisman" by clicking here. Pretty inspiring.

About Voice of the Martyrs & Islamic Commonground

2007-12-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

It is true that a number of people I respect and consider friends, signed for various reasons this yale.edu document apologizing to Islamic leaders and looking for common ground for world peace and such.

However, I did find the document disappointing and even at some points rather disturbing. Voice of the Martyrs' has a blog and my response to the common ground document is significantly in agreement with the Voice of the Martyrs' spokesperson's critique. If you read his response (which includes a link to the common ground document) and then scroll down and look in the 'comments' section at the end, you will find my 2 cents. Check it out here. Or if you prefer to cut and paste links, here http://persecutedchurch.blogspot.com/2007/11/you-dont-speak-for-me.html

And yes I would value your comments.

How do YOU manage Halloween?

2007-10-30T14:49:00.000-04:00

Some go out to eat. Others turn off the lights and don't answer the door. Some participate fully just like everyone else. Others do harvest parties as an alternative. Some tell historical accounts of Druids and traditions linked to the occult to try to frighten young people out of misbehaving and adults into not buying into the day mindlessly. Others do counter cult/occult information expose's.

I hope you aren't one who demonizes black cats just because of their color or disses flying bats just because they work 3rd shift! If you give out candy, do you include an age appropriate tract of some sort with a web link for kids to hear the gospel or a tell-a-story gospel phone number? Or do you do the 'hell house' alternative to the 'haunted houses'? No kidding I've seen these advertised!

Did you know it is the eve of all saints day, a reformation holiday? At Purdue tomorrow shortly after noon, a history Ph.D. student will be dressed in authentic Martin Luther garb and doing some exciting reformation affirming readings on the Memorial Mall in the open air while other grad students hand out good theological materials.

So how do you manage the day and resist tooth and cultural decay?

So sad. He could do so much better...

2007-10-11T21:23:00.000-04:00

But alas NT Wright has come up short in his societal critiques and his understanding of evils in our world today. Disappointing.

He seems to have the Jimmy Carter approach of blaming self and the West and Christianity and the UK and the USA first and foremost. This is such a popular exercise for academe-flavored evangelicals these days.

So predictable. So sad. Read it here.

Presidential Candidate believes in the Devil !

2007-08-20T17:31:00.000-04:00

Amazing news. Senator and former Vice Presidential candidate, now Presidential candidate John Edwards does actually believe in a personal Devil. But who is this Devil?

Is it Lucifer the fallen angel? No.

Is it Barbara Boxer the abortion advocate? No.

Is it Hillary Clinton of FBI files and Larry Flynt personal information infammy? No.

Is it anyone in political office who can utilize political power to intimidate people themselves? No.

Here is a hint; He refers to this person as a She-Devil?

Is it Michelle Malkin? Or Peggy Noonan? Is it Laura Ingraham? Deborah Rowe, Teri O'Brien, Star Parker? No, no, no.

The personal She-Devil is Ann Coulter. I guess he thought he was just 'Answering in Kind'. Wow, he's a tough one!

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/8/19/193525.shtml?s=icp

UK Islamic, jihadist, radicalized, terrorists as 'doctors'

2007-07-05T10:51:00.000-04:00

The word is out, the UK attempted mass murdering, multiple car bombers are apparently now known. They were 'doctors'. I suppose one could say they were also 'men'. The one thing we likely know but will never hear is that they are Islamic, jihadist, radicalized, soft-spoken, would-be-mass-murdering, terrorists. So the MSM tells us their spin so they have something to talk about. They were 'doctors'.

The terrorists on 911 I suppose we can say, they were 'students'. Or 'flight students', maybe even 'grad students' but not Islamic, jihadist, radicalized, mass murdering terrorists. Just 'students', or just 'doctors', 'the doctors'. And in a post Dr. Death, abortion on demand, partial birth abortion advocating legislators, human embryo death farming for unproductive non adult stem cells, we are suppose to be surprised that they were highly educated? Surprised that they were 'doctors committed to saving lives'?

In case the MSM and the front runner Presidential candidates of both Parties haven't noticed, the 'culture of death' is alive and killing. And 'the doctors' haven't taken or valued the Hippocratic Oath for decades! Oh, we were just so shocked. Duh.

Yahoo gets a story pretty close on stem cell unethics

2007-06-30T10:57:00.001-04:00

http://au.news.yahoo.com/070529/2/13lkj.html
Australia joins the UK as State sanctioning tiny, unique human creations with animals and using human fetuses to be mothers and then killing the moms and such. They rightly say no cures forthcoming anytime soon for such 'bold' new State sanctioned 'science'.

I find myself in agreement with the Anglicans there and the Catholics. The sad part is the assessement that without such specific application of science, there is no hope for cures. That is highly questionable. Should we toss all our research for cures for cancer cause it isn't currently research requiring the creation of unique human lives for destruction/experimentation, cause it is hopeless witout this one approach?

I believe what they've passed in Australia should not only NOT be State sanctioned and supported, but should be discouraged and punishable by law. That said, I'd be genuinely curious of your thoughts both on this topic and on how yahoo reports on it in the link above.

Funny new flash movie on absurd beliefs... Enjoy.

2007-06-17T22:30:00.000-04:00

Click here to enjoy for funny new flash movie on absurd beliefs, principled pluralism, and an intriguing / humorous conclusion. Right click to 'open in a new window' or just close the window to return here.

Tiller the Killer in Kansas, late term abortion activism

2007-06-14T08:39:00.001-04:00

http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/2162/

How Pro-Life, the culture of death, the rule of law, activist judges, politics, and the "good ole (boy) person" networks work in real time in a pretty clear case needing and deserving prosecution. Read, sign, and give your 2 cents.

Falwell and the MSM, Drive-by's, UK Reuters...

2007-05-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

Briefly, HERE is how UK Reuters reports on Falwell after his death. Just a couple fairness questions; 1. Are evangelicals the only ones JF had who oppose gay marriage?, 2. Are evangelicals the only ones JF could find who opposed abortion?, 3. Was JF the only one who felt 911 could have been a factor of God's response to western cultural vices? On the third question, here are two links that blame cultural vice by non-evangelicals, DD and WV and DH. On the second, and first questions what about Catholics and Mormons, orthodox Jews, Islam, atheists like Bernard Nathenson, feminists for life? Lastly Reuters and other hateful, driveby, MSM, postmortum reporters, is it really fair to call the abortionists JF mentioned, "healthcare workers"? I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the mis-called moral majority. But I know fairness when I see it. Perhaps postmortum as with Nixon, some dignity might be afforded one the MSM loved to, and made it 'politically correct' to hate. I'm not holding my breath.

Al Qaeda is NOT in Iraq, Come on home? Crazy??

2007-05-15T07:57:00.000-04:00

Maybe you didn't hear the Democrat Party national leadership, the liberals, and the left wingers. Al Qaeda is not IN Iraq. We need to leave Iraq. There is no war on terror or terrorists or terrorism in Iraq. We lost Iraq.

Then some group calling itself Al Qaeda says they kidnapped three of our troops in Iraq. What are we to think now? Here are some options:

1. Say it isn't Iraq where are troops were located?
2. Say it isn't Al Qaeda that said they were Al Qaeda?
3. Say Al Qaeda isn't a terrorist organization?
4. Bring our troops home today and ask Al Qaeda to fight them here?

Oops, strike #4 in part. Why? Well because radical jihadist Islamic extremists are already doing this here via their attempt on military Fort training place in the south.

Ah but then the trial lawyers can represent the extremists and Al Qaeda and make some money off the war demonizing how someone else "made them that way." The trouble is it is hard to get a hardened terrorist to 'cry on cue for the cameras' and talk about his mommy and daddy's neglect and shave and shower and look like a Menendez brother.

What? It appears the surge which hasn't even reached its full strength yet has all ready run out of time and failed in its mission. It all sounds so familiar now. Right is wrong, up is down, terrorists are good, we are terrorists.

So we approve the surge then only let it spurt about 2/3rds of the way and give it a week to complete the task, a week that is before it fully begins. That's fair.

Pray our countrymen and women, our troops, their commanders, the political grandstanders and their puppet masters on the radical Left are all seen for what and who they are. This is (of course) an "its gonna take a miracle" prayer because our major outlet media from the NY Times and all its want-to-be mimics (Gannett, LA Times, etc) as well as CNN and all its want-to-be mimics like MSNBC, Daytime TV etc are committed to ONLY showing the most embarrassing and imbicilic individualistic idiosyncratic aspects of our troops, their commanders, and their supporters. Keep praying though. God majors in the impossible.

Wallis, the NY Times, and the faith of Obama

2007-04-30T11:27:00.000-04:00

First, a couple how shall I say, not highlights but low-lights from the article.

1. Jim Wallis the white guilt so-called progressive so-called evangelical has pronounced Barak Obama a Christian and is helping him campaign.

2. Barak's faith is more communal and in terms of inequality read redistribution.

3. Barak's spiritual mentor saw everything in terms of black and white oppression and Barak was apparently estranged from his pastor and spiritual mentor at his mentor's death.

4. Barak's pastor mentor once told him if he won the primary he'd have to distance himself from his pastor, but my guess is this will be no problem for Barak because as recently as the late 80s Barak was being urged to be a Christian and join a church but refused. And he is eager to cheer those who want the church separated from politics and the State, unless they are of the more liberational theology sort (like Wallis and his alleged former pastor Wright).

5. Barak is a Christian but he doubts the existence of God and isn't big on miracles and wonders if there really is any afterlife and wonders if anything ever existed before the Big Bang. Christians can have doubts and thinking ones do, but they don't tend to let ones of this magnitude go without some word of witness to believing in the Creator, Redeemer, and Source of eternal life.

I'm guessing Jim Wallis and Barak Obama may need to coin a new kind of Christian for Barak, "the atheist-Christian". And perhaps they can coin a new one for Jim Wallis, 'the atheist Christian affirming evangelical'. That is real progressive! Or was that regressive?

The New York Times, Jim Wallis, and Rick Warren (apparently) on the faith of Obama.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html

After a 30+ year reign of deadly judicial fiats...a line.

2007-04-18T19:19:00.000-04:00

In 1973 I was told Roe was just for the 1st trimester, then Bolton made it anytime for 'health' reasons defining health in the broadest (any reason) terms. Then Roe and Wade both became pro-life but no change in the law.

Then partial birth of sometimes viable children, then "treatment not to treat" newborns and a Presidential candidate flirting with infanticide. (Aside on viability: Weren't snowflake children, now viable children who were once frozen human embryos, adopted and brought to term, viable when they were frozen and living outside the mother's womb or does IVF only implant dead human embryos(?)...I'm confused a bit about viability. Not! They are viable and we are all confused as science brings for new understandings of viability.)

Finally a ban on partial birth abortion passes with a huge majority of both Houses supporting the ban and it gets a Presidential veto not just once from the champion of values, Bill Clinton. Ah but then George W. Bush gets it and signs it.

And activist, unaccountable justices challenge it for almost the full duration of W's administration. Finally the Supreme's hear it and apparently Scalia's low emotional EQ didn't frost the border-line Supremes and Kennedy flipped positions (frankly so should Souter!), and perhaps but not necessarily, compliments of Justice Robert's skill, reasoning, and higher emotional EQ than the otherwise brilliant Scalia.

And (drum roll please) the US Supreme Court rightly upholds the ban on partial birth abortion. One facebook group (and a pro-life one if you can believe it!) said if anyone was excited about this from either side that they were likely extremists! Well call me an extremist then. After over 30 years praying, working, lobbying, voting, informing, teaching, and praying some more, FINALLY a line has been drawn somewhere in the sand. Hopefully sand mixed with water and concrete.

Thank you George W. Bush, Congress, voters from both political parties who opposed partial birth abortion and United States Supreme Court. Thank you very much! I am excited. Yes. Thank you Jesus! Frankly I hope many will join me in being grateful. But keep on being discerning and engaged because the culture of death is not going to be happy until we are distributing abortion-causing, after-conception pills that were only politically nuanced through the FDA in the last couple years, performing tax-funded mass human embryo cloning, and allowing for hard-case, second-glance infanticide and such.

I expect to hear every hard case imaginable, real and mostly hypothetical soon. I'm sure we are going to hear from powerful personalities that promised to move to Canada if W was elected, that saving developed human children from being partially-birthed and the scissors inserted to the back of the head, brain sucking, skull breaking treatment is very bad and nearly the end of the world. But they are wrong.

The Supreme Court, majorities in both Houses, and President George W. Bush and the voters who elected him were right. I must confess that I do wonder what Hillary, Rudy, McCain, and Obama really think about this today.

I'm hoping if they are "personally opposed" (you know, like one might give favor to ones preference of a certain ice cream flavor) that they won't be wanting to push their privately held and frankly deadly views... But enough on the culture of death and their hereto unstoppable 30+ year reign of judicial fiats. This day is a really very wonderful day!

If you missed, you can still get some great stuff!

2007-04-18T08:24:00.000-04:00

Did you miss the April 07 Graduate and Faculty Ministry retreat at the UW Madison? Too bad if you did ... But Wait...!

All the plenary sessions were digitally recorded and stream on the web or you can click & hold, or right-click them and download them to your mp3 player! Also all the handouts and powerpoints are up online as well! You may have missed the road trip, fellowship with colleagues, and the nice Spring weather and bomfire but the content is right here for you.

http://www.gfmuiuc.net/april07conference/Site/Audio.html

I would highly recommend the two sessions with Sharon Gartland and with Ric Ashley and the breakout with James Southard for men. The other breakout was good if you are interested in the new theology of Paul and Sanders and such but I recommend with some reservations as I had a significant amount of questions on this, but if you are into NT Wright and his thoughts on Sanders, you may well appreciate this session a lot, as well.

=== === === === === === === === === === ===

OK, but what awaits me? Check out this two page pdf brochure with Stanton L. Jones on "Sexual Ethics, Faith, and the University", in Toledo, OH., June 8-10, here http://mwgfm.org/images/June07GLE.pdf

That's it? No, there's more. July 12-14 in Kansas City, Missouri "Truth Under Deconstruction" with Paul Vitz, Norman Geisler, and J.P. Moreland here http://www.iics.com/

Faculty Conference. Cedar Campus. "In Thy light we see light" http://www.intervarsity.org/gfm/event_item.php?id=816 Dr. Michael J. Murray (Philosophy), Dr. Daniel J. Trier (Theology), Dr. Steven Telian (Otolaryngology). June 16-22, 2007.

"Nexus: The Future of Healthcare, Science, and Humanity" Center for BioEthics and Human Dignity, July 12-14, 2007. http://www.cbhd.org/conferences/2007/index.htm Dr.Alvin Plantinga, Dr. David Prentice, Dr. Christina Bieber Lake, Joni Erickson Tada, Dr., Dr. Brent Waters, O.C. Snead J.D., Nigel Cameron.

OK, that's it. Have a great day and enjoy the fabulous resources from scholars with a living faith that influences their thinking, teaching, research, publishing, and public witness!

Zbigniew, Duke, Jimmy Carter, Yahoo's

2007-04-02T08:03:00.000-04:00

Jimmy Carter's former head of national security Zbigniew Brzezinski spoke last week at Duke and a bigger scandal should have happened than the one Duke was exposed to most recently. The local paper reported on the speech here:
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-834412.cfm

Brzezinski said we need not assume that if we bailed out of Iraq today that there would have to be any blood-letting and stated that clearly such didn't happen when we pulled out of Vietnam. Ahem, It is good to remember why we don't want these elitists back in the White House.

No blood letting after we pulled out of Vietnam and no chaos in connecting countries? Such is the sort of 'left-nic cleansing' of the appeaser' s memory. Z-big-new, are you a brain dead ninny? Have you never heard of the Killing fields of Cambodia? Were you watching the 'Love Boat' when the news media briefly showed us the boat people fleeing murder, mayhem, and torture, favoring starvation or being eaten by sharks to their treatment under the surge of communist "liberators". Liberators of yours, Carter's, and Jane Fonda's ilk. Joined lately by Kerry, Murtha, Sheehan, and Pelossi.

Z-big-new, according to your and Jimmy Carter's worldview what exactly were these slaughtered lives then? Clearly if they were not humans experiencing bloodletting in your view, what were they! Were they just extra human embryos that were going to die anyway!? Were they sub-human and only "potential persons"!? Are you telling us not to worry, it all helped advance the glorious 'science' of population control and diminished the global warming at least from these human animals? Is this what you are telling us? Is this the Carter, Brzezinski, Murtha, Sheehan thinking and historical viewpoint? What loons! What a bunch of yahoos!

Zbigniew and Jimmy should have had an opportunity to sit where Daniel Pearl sat with the hooded men behind them and spin their near-absolute stupidity. The terrorists would have likely had a gut splitting laugh at their captive diplomat's near-lunatic loggings. Alas, only in the western media would such be quoted only with a sidebar question only. No snearing. No incredulous laughing out loud. No shaming the speaker or insider-mockery. No, when people of this ilk say such things we must seek first to understand. 'What could this mean?' or 'What must he have really meant?' or some polite benefit of the doubt, benefit of restrained incredulity. Why is this? He said it. He said it publicly. He has speech writers and screeners. He said it at a major university. He is a loon.

These two (Carter and Brzezinski, sounds like Lewinski...sort of) are silly and if we want to be gracious about it, let us just call it early senility. But please media and major universities, please don't embarrass them publicly by quoting them or interviewing them. Let them ride off into the Reagan sunset. They clearly will need help doing so as graciously as Reagan did. This is sad. Very sad if it weren't so pathetic. And very pathetic if it weren't feeding gun powder to the pitbull "peace at anyone elses' price" culture of death activists. OK, evil then.

Yahoo news today continues the nonsense with the headline that Iran sees hope in England's response to their (Iranian) illegal activities capturing and likely torturing the UK's Navy personnel and utilizing the captured in media propoganda footage. It is just so wonderful that Yahoo, like Duke, can report on such matters and make sure to give Iran the moral high ground along with Brzezinski and Carter, Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan, military superstars Murtha and Kerry, and Pelossi and Kennedy and... Oops, I hurled my cookies.

Facebook is cool

2007-03-17T19:32:00.000-04:00

I'm now on facebook. Go to http://facebook.com and give them a login and a password and you can keep up with friends in the university world and beyond with pics and email and names AND faces quickly and easily. There are also some cool groups like a CS Lewis fan club and various graduate student and professional student organizational groups. Get connected! Joe Whitchurch

Constitution, Living flexible document, Original intent

2007-02-09T11:58:00.000-05:00

The last couple weeks of '24' there has been a lot of discussion on the Constitution of the USA and how the assertive interrogation of terrorists violates such and how the listening in on citizens who call terrorist supporting organizations, violates the Constitution. This intrigues me since terrorists overseas being called are not citizens of the USA and our Constitution does not address their protections per se. The same with questioning enemy combatants who are not apparently acting on behalf of any country who are significantly implicated (shooting at civilians or Iraqi security forces or planting roadside bombs and such) in having some terror network information.

The thought I had as one who leans more in the direction of words having meaning and the authors' intent being important, is that it strikes me that the ones who are crying the loudest about the Constitution's literal application to non citizen terrorists groups being phoned or when a terrorist without a country is caught on a battlefield or in plotting the destruction of aircraft or citizen traveled domestic bridges for instance, and such a one is interrogated, these are the very ones who are more 'flexible' read wishy washy about the Constitutional intent generally. It means nothing for citizens, it means everything for terrorists and their USA citizen friends. This is a Marxist replacement of the alleged oppressed class which can do no wrong.

These 'flexible document types' on the Constitution have all kinds of definitional work-arounds in contexts related to the framers' worldview and understanding of what constitutes a marriage and common law, or framer understanding of the right to life of developing children, and the framers' understanding and intent related to the the establishment clause. Obviously this clause is not to prevent religions and churches and other faiths from lobbying and affecting public discourse and otherwise influencing government but rather to keep government from working to establishing a particular religion or sect as the official State sect or religion or faith.

Sadly these Constitutional 'living flexible document' types bemoaning the treatment of non citizen terrorists without a country are clearly lobbying for the Constitution's establishment clause being applied to teach that our government (that recognized rights coming from God and not the king or other heirarchies) should be establishing (choose your favorite expression) secularism, secular humanism, or atheism. I would say it is trying to establish agnosticism but to do so one must say they "do not know about God" and doing this mentions "God" and like the teaching of even intelligent design apparently even the mention of deity or some intelligence that is transcendent to human intelligence is anathama, disallowed, out of order... to the new living and flexible constitutionalists who care so strongly about the constitutional rights of terrorists.

OK, I think the last two episodes of '24' (other than the viability of suitcase nukes finally getting network mention) are very stupid in the continued banter of Jack and his brother and his father all taking turns deceiving and holding each other at gun point and torturing each other. Talk about dysfuctional families! But the conversation about the Constitution is important and sadly no characters in '24' are getting it anywhere near correctly.

Sleepy musings on recent media bias on Iraq force

2007-01-31T08:24:00.000-05:00

Enjoy a little 3 minute musing by yours truly on some not so common sense about Iraq, principled and strategic use of force and cartoon image journalism and photo opps in Indiana and nationally by clicking here. I'll admit to being a tad peeved but rightly so. Join me by clicking here and giving a fun little listen. IF you can't take a teasing (and liberals and leftists commonly seem to be able to 'dish it out' but have very thin skin when it comes back to them) I'll forewarn you to NOT listen. I simply cannot pat your cyber-hand and say "There, there now Honey, it will be alright." (-:

The vote on use of baby humans for spare parts...

2007-01-13T22:28:00.000-05:00

January 11, 2007. As predicted, the U.S. House approved a bill today that would encourage taxpayer funding of human embryo experimentation, but came nowhere near the two-thirds majority needed to override President Bush's promised veto. Click here to see where your Congressman is on the vote of 253-174 (the pro-life vote is "no"). Gore and Kerry would not be so affirming as President Bush's firm commitment to prevent the taxpayer funding of experiments that use human lives as spare parts. On this one we have to tip our hats to the President and hope he continues to wisely use his veto pen to protect innocent, young, human lives from being intentionally destoyed and such destruction funded by tax dollars. It is shameful that the 'yes' vote was as high as it was. Shameful.

Criminalize Human Embryonic Stem Cell Destruction

2006-12-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

Criminalize Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. We have criminalized having the wrong sized car seats for infants and repeated offense can qualify one as a felon. We criminalize allowing adults to smoke in our restaurants and repeat offenses can qualify one as a repeat offender and felon. This is of course the Nanny-State at its micro-managing worst. But remember that abortion slogan, "Half of the people who go into abortion clinics for abortion services Never come out Alive!"? Well consider this. All the baby human embryos used with venture capital at universities and such around the country are KILLED when they could be adopted and become like the snowflake children.

Here is a video clip where Bush vetos funding such human destruction surrounded by young children who were formerly frozen human embryos who would have qualified for such science gone mad. Check it out here. Then ask yourself if John McCain, Rudy G., or any of the Democrat front-runners like Barack or Hillary for 2008 Presidential bid could or ever would do such. We know the answer is clearly NO. They would not only allow such human life destruction but would fund this losing and loser venture with our tax dollars if they could!

We need to criminalize this practice even when done in private research. It is another cultural cancer. Intriguingly for those with 'eyes to see', God in his providence has apparently graciously not allowed such stem cells (as opposed to those from adult sources where no unique human life is destoyed and have been productive in scores of treatments) to result in a single cure or treatment.

Alan Keyes was Right, Just like Dan Quayle

2006-12-21T13:45:00.000-05:00

Alan Keyes was right! Remember the 'Dan Quayle was Right' article about his comments on the cultural corruption example of Murphy Brown? Well it turns out that Alan Keyes was also right, and not so appreciated at the time of his commentary. He was right about homosexuality, gay marriage, and the activism and modeling of the Cheney link in the Bush administration. How does this advisor's role not undermine his social conservatism and stance on gay marriage? It does. Its fine for him to keep Lynn and Dick Cheney but Mary needs to be totally out of the administration loop officially and unofficially. I'm not saying rudeness or mean-spirited-ness but being frank. She's the one continually pushing the envelope with her live-in gay lover and now with her having an IV baby as a gay couple. Come on! In an age when thousands of one man and one woman, relatively intact married couples wanting children, waiting to adopt, going overseas for such and spending tons of money, how is this high profile experimentation culturally helpful. Mary's removal from access doesn't need to be super high profile, but it needs to happen and be known as having happened. Such is overdue. She will just continue to push the envelope in the wrong directions and it is an example, frankly worse than Murphy Brown.

Baker Panel, Not repudiation, red white blue panel...

2006-12-07T10:31:00.000-05:00

I have a red, white, and blue ribbon report that hasn't been released until now. Here are its conclusions on the Baker report.
---
1. The Baker group does NOT Totally repudiate Bush. But they do repudiate Kerry and Murtha in that its plan leaves us in Iraq through 2007 and increases our personnel there by tens of thousands, though it apparently seeks to foolishly disarm most of them.

2. The Baker plan will talk to everyone and be nice to all including terrorist and terror supporting organizations and will get them to do 'talking' and 'lying' by hurting Israel (called "the canary in the coal mine") by further forcefully pulling feathers out of the canary and perhaps sticking Israel with some voodoo needles to boot. Anyone who says negotiate with Iran is wrong-headed unless they are doing a fake, right before a sneak or surprise attack on Iran. The same can be said with Syria.

3. The Baker plan is planning for defeat like in SE Asia but without the instant visible 'boat people' TV viewing response. Baker is likely negotiating with Iran about limiting such coverage until we are totally out in two years. And thus inviting Iran to let us out so they can extend their influence in the region toward their intended first target the canary in the coal mine, Israel.

My red, white, and blue Panel of One, major report finding (smile) follows in nine short points.

1. Orchestrate through whatever channels are necessary, secretively with Israel or unilaterally a bombing campaign on known jihadist Iranian radical political, and jihadist political so-called religious leader(s) hangouts where they are most isolated and upon locations known for housing nuclear weapon research and development in after-hours to diminish unintended casualties. Even if we cannot be sure of being fully successful Iranian radical terror exporters and sword (nuke) rattlers need to be put on the defensive. They are currently engaged in terror and threatening global conquest similar to what Hitler was doing prior to WW2 but without the NY Times approval and nuclear weapons. They need something to gripe about and distract them.

2. We should tell Syria if they'd like to avoid such occuring in Damascus they can join us in Iraq expelling Iranian forces and giving us intelligence reports on happenings inside Iran. We can support the students who want freedom in Iran and worthy Syrians can help us weed out Iranians in Iraq aware that any slip up and Damascus jihadist-supporting politicals will suffer the same selective bombing fate. They can tell us what they did with the WMDs smuggled out of Iraq chemical and otherwise and be given a TIMETABLE for doing so in a verifiable way. And they should just start doing some democratic republic, power-sharing reforms now because contrary to what Rick Warren said, we know full well that they aren't that great on freedom of thinking, freedom of religious affiliation choices, and political pluralism. They also stink on human rights and we pretty much know they have also undermined our efforts to find the WMDs and to put down the radical jihadist terrorists in Iraq. They should even be called upon for a TIMETABLE of when such political reforms and intelligence information will be forthcoming before Damascus politicals encounters some fly-over wake-up calls. Oh yes, and they'll have to give Hezzbollah up too. We aren't asking for much. This is how you negotiate. Not by starting off with the kid gloves and inviting everyone to dinner as equally principled peace parnters.

3. Our military or better, our military forces supporting Iraqi military forces should forcefully remove Sodr and his top 5 generals from influence politically even if doing so involves killing them. Last I heard, they are at war with us and this is what happens in war. They are destabilizing and terrorizing and killing scores to undermine Iraq opportunities to exist as a unified nation under a rule of non jihadist law in a more democratic republic. There are people under Sodr's manipulative forces that would likely want a principled power-sharing government of genuine Islamic moderates but whose voices and personalities are unknown because of his tyranny and leadership style. Saddaam's capital punishment should be done immediately and confirmed by camera coverage.

4. Increase our military presence and training and protecting of Iraqi's who will endorse a MORE principled pluralistic government including Kurds, Christians, minority Jews, and the major Islamic parties who are willing with the blood of their lives proven to defend a more democratic republic. Give them one year to make these political changes in whatever configuration they'd like to but include any Judeo-Christian participation that lives there as well in the governing bodies as minority representatives. If they cannot do this, or are slow to do this, then we should inform them in no uncertain terms that they are signaling the Iranians that their attempts at a unified government without jihadist tyranny is a joke and is merely a welfare State short term benefiting from the blood of western soldiers for mere economic recovery. Nicety nice talk isn't going to win an Islamic negotiation debate. It may sound like crap to the NY Times and American sensibilities but it is the hard truth and it is time our media started telling the truth about such needs and interactions.

5. Mutha, Gates, Kerry, Kennedy, and Dean if they make a big stink about this should be asked for a TIMETABLE as to when they will be done with their temper tantrum, or else the Justice Department should begin investigations and bring them up on charges of treason under suspicion of inciting civil war in the USA, leaking our Iraq troop security issues to the NY Times and encouraging the enemy. They do this by extending opportunities to talk with the enemy but continue dissing, demonizing, and refusing to work at all with the elected President of the United States. My guess is there are other things needing investigation with these including campaign contributions, past taking bribes, slander, etc.

6. If the President is to be impeached out of childish revenge over Bill Clinton's which he did not participate and with whom his wimpy father has been overly-friendly, whether he (W) does anything or cooperates or works bi-partisan or not... and remember that Bill Clinton was impeached but could have likely been further impeached over the multiple legal, moral, ethical, and international including Chinese military hardware and technology empowerment and N.Korean nuke empowerment stupidities and illegalities... but the point is that IF President George W. Bush is to be impeached by these partisan ideological, leftist, haters of the USA in such a childish vengeful manner anyway, he might as well be impeached for the right reasons and causes and commence with #1-5 and do so sooner rather than later.

7. It is the conviction of this red, white, and blue panel of one that the Justice Department begin investigating the NY Times now for its role in leaking sensitive military information that has harmed our troops and done so as USA citizens operating their business on USA soil, paying USA taxes, and yet acting as if they are above the country and the rule of law at the cost of the lives of our troops and the liberation success of our mission and to the empowerment of radical, terrorist, Islamic, jihadists. If the NY Times is prosecuted fairly and thoroughly for their crimes, their want-to-be look-alikes like the LA Times, CNN, and the Washington Post might see the fairness, legal enforcement, 'writing on the wall' and start acting with more prudence. And if they don't like being under the rule of law and want to rant about it, talk radio is open to them as well. But they will have to find listeners willing to listen and advertise with them for their elitist, minority radical leftist views.

8. Our military personnel and NGOs and others should have restrictions on their free political speech as returning citizens in the USA, and those in Iraq should have religious speech codes and avoidance and correctness bans lifted and be given training in how to make their religious convictions understood in honest conversations with Iraqi military and civil defense colleagues. No coercions, no manipulations, not campaigning for faith in Iraq, but not exaggerated sensitivity to hush hush Christianity either.

9. Lastly Al Jazeera should be given the same warning as Syria and be put on a TIMETABLE for ending the broadcast of Jewish hate-speech about Jews being cannibals and they should provide intelligence for those who have been promoting the use of children for suicide missions and turn them in to Iraq and coalition of the willing enforcers. If the do not, their facilities should be taken out. It is true they can broadcast again elsewhere BUT it will cost them money, lives, inconvenience and put them on the defensive for supporting such genuine State sponsored bigotry and pro genocidal attitudes and abuse of children and murder. ---

Your input on the red, white, and blue report is valued in the comments.

Iraq not OK..Afghanistan OK..Haiti OK,..Iran not OK...

2006-11-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

OK this post is for Devin and others for whom a discussion of embryonic stem cells apparently cannot help but mention the diabolical Bush on Iraq. Post away... But you might want to watch this first, CLICK HERE. I love Traffic's "Low Spark" background music.

How many ways can cloning and stem cells be...

2006-10-26T00:38:00.000-04:00

How many ways can the issue of human cloning for destruction and farming be misrepresented. Michael Fox sure fouled it up in his ad campaign, but fortunately St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan and stars Jim Caviezel and Patricia Heaton speak out against Missouri's Cloning ammendment coming up for vote in November. Watch their, non-emotional manipulation, informative ad by clicking here.

And then there is Dr. David Prentice who is maliciously and eroneously referred to in the title bar of this youtube video, but this man is the real deal. He is a scientist doing stem cell research of the ethical sort. E.g. on adult sources of stem cells, that do not necessitate the destruction of young, unique, human embryos which have been adopted and brought to full term. And Dr. Prentice is getting results, unlike the baby killing stem cell farmers who cannot get venture capital and promise hypothetical results decades into the future. It is rare to hear people differentiate between stem cell research A. Adult, and no unique humans are destroyed, and stem cell research B. B-rated, baby human embryos destroyed to get stem cells for research that isn't even promising research! Listen and watch Dr. Prentice, an ethical stem cell researcher who has come up with cures by clicking here.

Free markets and Human commodification?

2006-10-10T11:58:00.000-04:00

I've been impressed with the Acton Institute for its principled support of free markets, economic development, human development and creativity, and also for not being blind to greed and selfishness and the need for checks and balances.

It is unusual when such groups not known for such step out and comment on huge social justice concerns that are thought be some to be outside of their niche'. This article from Acton shows that while significant portions of the church may be asleep and evangelicals might be doing the well-marketted 'self help' seminars near exclusively, that some (can you believe it!) economists are actually thinking and writing from a Christian world view and doing so prophetically.

Enjoy the thoughtfulness of this challenging, short article HERE.

Gary Bauer on Foley

2006-10-02T19:02:00.000-04:00

I like Gary Bauer. What follows is Gary Bauer's musings on the Foley resignation and values voter issues and convictions related to such:

"By now I’m sure you have heard about the latest Washington scandal.
Republican Congressman Mark Foley of Florida, long rumored to be a homosexual, suddenly resigned his seat in Congress late Friday afternoon after news outlets reported that he had been sending sexually explicit messages to teenage male pages. This morning, Foley’s attorney announced that he has entered an alcoholic rehabilitation center.

The instant messages Foley sent were obscene and disgusting. Resignation was the only appropriate response for someone who had so abused the public trust. It is unconscionable that any person would attempt to sexually seduce a child, but given Foley’s position as co-chairman of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children’s Caucus, this scandal is even more outrageous. Ironically, the FBI has been called in to investigate Foley for possible criminal charges against Internet sexual predators based on a law he helped to write!

The Democrat leadership in Congress, leftwing blogs, and their media allies, not surprisingly, are taking the Foley scandal and attempting to use it to attack Republicans generally. Democrat campaign committees are suggesting that the Republican leadership, including Speaker Hastert, knew about this mess and didn’t do anything about it. Speaker Hastert denies that.

All we know for sure is that some earlier e-mails judged to be “overly friendly” were known to some in Congress. But the worst material, which was obscene and sexually explicit, was not discovered until last week. It was that material which resulted in Foley’s immediate resignation.

Speaker Hastert sent a letter yesterday to the Department of Justice demanding a formal investigation of “any and all individuals who may have been aware of this matter—be they Members of Congress, employees of the House of Representatives, or anyone outside the Congress.” We join him in that demand. That investigation should examine anyone of any party since there are rumors today that some Democrat leaders also knew and chose to wait five weeks before an election for their own advantage.

Hypocrisy? As I have written before, neither party has a monopoly on virtue or vice. As an evangelical Christian, I believe one of the central tenets of my faith is that all men are sinners, which is why we require the saving grace of the Son of God. For those charging hypocrisy in the Republican Party, I would only remind them that Mark Foley has been forced out of the House, as he should have been. In contrast, former Democrat Congressman Gerry Studds of Massachusetts remained in the House after admitting to homosexual conduct with a teenage page, and won reelection numerous times. Rep. Barney Frank was implicated in a homosexual prostitution scandal run out of his house and continues to be a leader in the Democrat Party today.

One other point. The national Democrat Party is strongly supported by the radical homosexual rights movement and organizations like the ACLU, both of which have consistently argued that age of consent laws should be dramatically liberalized so that what Rep. Foley was apparently trying to do would no longer be against the law or even considered shameful. So, who is really engaged in hypocrisy in this controversy?

Bigger Picture. Let’s put politics aside for a second and look at what is happening to our country. Our popular culture has for years been making children the objects of sexual desire. Britney Spears dresses provocatively and within months countless ten year-old girls are running around dressed the same way. Hollywood routinely exploits young children sexually, as does Madison Avenue.

Groups like NAMBLA, the North American Man-Boy Love Association, continue to be given positions in “gay rights” parades and, without shame, continue to promote their governing slogan, “Sex by eight or it’s too late.” In addition, the entire culture, as well as many of our schools and universities, teaches the notion that there are no things such as right or wrong – that all these things are merely choices in the “lifestyle cafeteria.” At the end of the day, our virtue deficit is going to lay us low long before our budget deficit does.

Bottom Line. This latest scandal in Washington is just further evidence that the pro- family agenda is desperately needed for the country. We are the ones who have argued that human sexuality should be channeled through marriage. We are the ones who have argued that marriage is between one man and one woman. We are the ones who have argued that schools should teach kids how to read and write and stop handing out condoms and birth control pills. We are the ones who say that all our children should be welcomed into the world under law. We are the ones who say there are reliable standards of right and wrong. And we are the ones who have led the charge against the sexualization of our children.

If the Foley scandal wakes up both parties to a need to rediscover the values of family and faith, then maybe something good can come out of this mess."

Family Research Council on PC homosexuality

2006-10-02T18:26:00.000-04:00

Pro-Homosexual Political Correctness Sowed Seeds for Foley Scandal. This article is from the Family Research Council and I've inserted my own qualifying comments below.

Democrats seeking to exploit the resignation of Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) are (Insert: "could be rightly motivated") right to criticize the slow response of Republican congressional leaders to his communications with male pages. But neither party seems likely to address the real issue, which is the link between homosexuality and child sexual abuse. Foley, an unmarried 52-year-old representative, had always refused to answer questions about his sexual orientation. Now that his emails and messages to teenage male pages have been revealed, it appears clear that Foley is a homosexual with a particular attraction to underage boys. While pro-homosexual activists like to claim that pedophilia (Insert: "pederasty") is a completely distinct orientation from homosexuality, evidence shows a disproportionate overlap between the two. Although almost all child molesters are male and less than 3% of men are homosexual, about a third of all child sex abuse cases involve men molesting boys--and in one study, 86% of such men identified themselves as homosexual or bisexual. Ignoring this reality got the Catholic Church into trouble over abusive priests, and now it is doing the same to the House GOP leadership. They discounted or downplayed earlier reports concerning Foley's behavior--probably because they did not want to appear "homophobic." (Insert: or because Democrat activists had more information than the Republicans and politically timed the 'surprising' release) The Foley scandal shows what happens when political correctness is put ahead of protecting children. (Insert: It seems good that Dennis Hasterd is asking who knew what, and when, and why it took so long to release the information. Stay tuned. One thing is good, Republicans take such seriously and effect resignations. Democrats who apparently have the chat logs and powerful politicals with interesting proclivities e.g. Clinton, Frank, Kennedy, not only do not force resignations but they still wield power and have a lot to say about such, of course with minimal credibility imho.)

Additional Resources
Homosexuality and Child Sexual Abuse

Has Marriage become Partisan?

2006-09-17T19:17:00.000-04:00

Gary Bauer in his mid September 2006 newsletter asks this question in light of rhetoric and reality. Here's how he addresses the question:

"Is Marriage Becoming Partisan? The citizens of 20 states have passed marriage protection amendments by such overwhelming margins that it’s safe to say traditional marriage is one issue that actually unifies Americans of both parties. That’s why I was surprised to read in this morning’s Washington Post that the Democrat governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, is vigorously opposing Virginia’s proposed marriage amendment.

During his campaign, he repeatedly stated his belief that marriage was between a man and a woman, and it was his ability to win in a conservative state like Virginia that earned Kaine high praise by national figures as an “up-and-coming moderate.” As the newly elected governor of Virginia, he was awarded the high-profile task of giving the Democrat response to President Bush’s 2006 State of the Union address. However, this decision to oppose his state’s marriage amendment seems to be yet another sign that Democrats are prepared to allow same-sex “marriage.” STOP

So one wonders when we hear certain candidates saying they believe DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Amendment, passed under the Clinton administration) covered marriage protection and is sufficient (even in the face of numerous activist justices undermining DOMA), or that they are pro protecting 200 years of marriage law etc, whether they will really hold such convictions and uphold them in public policy, or whether something else is afoot. Perhaps a new kind of 'personally opposed but *won't impose*' kind of nonsense is emerging on a new deceptive front in the contest between the culture of life and the culture of death or the culture of 'whatever'. Clearly with activist judges and a slippery US Senate, and candidate duplicities like this one mentioned by Bauer above, there is much to wonder about.

It is too bad that it make those of us who want to know truthful convictions and political stances sometimes seem like we have a hobby horse when we ask questions from a number of different perspectives but the duplicities on issues protective of marriage, family, children, infants immediately before birth (partial birth abortion ban enforcement) and human cloning etc are just getting thicker and thicker and few are calling any to account. Thanks for the info Gary. Reading lips is nearly requiring a reading of minds in the current moral relativism. Pathetic and sad.

First Things on Evangelical expulsion @ Georgetown

2006-08-30T07:38:00.000-04:00

Evangelical groups booted from Georgetown "peace be upon them". The 'news of the hour' this fall semester 2006. But what could be the reasoning for such a decision where most recently the Islamic faith has been apparently so tolerated and included in this Catholic educational institution. Apparently this is still an open question. Catholic scholarly journal 'First Things', known for having a strong, living faith that is not afraid of serious academic reflection has some thoughts on the subject that are intriguing. I'm not sure they fully have it, but they are always quite informed and engaging. Read them here.

Media biases in strange but enlightening contexts

2006-08-15T20:02:00.000-04:00

You may question this source but it rather clearly deals with WESTERN media bias. You might appreciate it anyway. It is in flash and goes pretty quickly. It is titled Photo Fraud in Lebanon:

http://www.aish.com/movies/PhotoFraud.asp

Pretty amazing documenting of anti-Israel, *western* news fraud. And these sources have the guts to even mention with feigned moral concern Mel Gibson's problems with his anti-Jewish/Israel issues?!. When Reuters, NBC, CNN, ABC, and the NY Times apologize multiple times, and require counseling for themselves, request insights in counsel from the grieving families of Israeli soldiers...vilified and fiercely fought in part because of such media creations, we'll be ready to read them less hyper-critically again.

On the more Arab free press (OK, that is a joke) Al Jazeers side comes this. An amazing, secular atheist woman appears in a TV interview with significant courage, on a show with an Imman who only states 'So you are a heretic then..'. You might get a kick out of this woman's gutsy-ness, though I'm sure she is portrayed in the media there as a kook. Here's that link for your entertainment.

http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=null
I wish I could find more academics in the Western world with this secular woman's strength of conviction about principled pluralism. She is a rather inspirational feminist in several ways. Alas "the land of the complacent and the home of the 'correct'" has its own sets of issues in rebellion against God and people of all sorts who are in the image of God. We need grace and mercy too.

Call it obvious, natural law, miraculous...amazing

2006-08-15T19:54:00.000-04:00

This from the Family Research Council. Something that apparently doesn't escape the over-the-top rich and the over-the-top amorous. Hopefully the booing with help them think and grow stronger in obvious truth rather than second-guessing and dumbing down. From the FRC: "Bill Gates and former U.S. President Bill Clinton teamed up as a "Double Bill" of speakers at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada. Bill Gates' opening remarks were well received until he mentioned abstinence and fidelity within marriage as two possible strategies in combating the deadly disease. "ABC" means abstinence, be faithful, and condoms for specific populations that refuse "A" and "B." It is the centerpiece of the Bush administration's approach to AIDS in Africa. Gates said: "This approach has saved many lives, and we should expand it." At the mention of this, however, the hall erupted in loud boos. Their reaction is very instructive. We see here the open hostility of the international AIDS "community" to anything but the promotion of condoms as a means of combating the spread of AIDS. Today's Washington Post reports on a Philadelphia study that shows 48 percent of 662 black students in that city who received abstinence-only messages had had sex. But 61 percent of those who were exposed to the pro-condom message of "comprehensive sexuality education" had sex. Even former president Bill Clinton praised the ABC's of the Bush Administration's efforts in Africa."

Additional Resources
Africa Gives 'ABC' Mixed Grades
Why Wait: The Benefits of Abstinence Until Marriage

How your Senator Voted on tax payer funding unethical, unproductive Human embryo experiments

2006-07-19T14:38:00.000-04:00

Click below to see how your Senators voted on taxpayer funding for human embryo experimentation:

http://www.grassfire.org/21/senate_vote_hr810.htm

After reviewing the list, we encourage you to contact your Senators and let them know how you feel about the way they voted on this legislation. For those here in Indiana, it is just another example of how both Lugar and Bayh have let the losing proposition of California go national.

More info on the 'experiments' here if you can view flash.

Destroying vulnerable young to assist wealthy old

2006-07-14T11:41:00.000-04:00

To show my support for the unborn, I have signed Grassfire.org's "Petition for Life" petition calling on our legislative leaders to respect and protect the rights of the unborn in our nation who are being threatened by abortion.

A recognized grassroots leader in the fight for the unborn, Grassfire has rallied more than half-a-million citizens with their national petition--a petition that has already been presented to many key leaders in Washington and beyond.

Right now there are a number of key Pro-Life pieces of legislation in Congress--notably the suspension of RU-486, and the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.

In support of these and other critical Pro-Life issues Grassfire is calling on Pro-Life citizens to help them rally an additional and mobilize an additional 30,000 citizen signers in time for our next petition presentation.

Please use your voice to support the rights of the unborn by adding your name to this important Grassfire petition:

http://grassfire.org/21/life.asp?PID=10343786&NID=1

Sincerely,

Mr. Joe Whitchurch

Is the Jack Bauer of '24' a type of Christ?

2006-06-30T18:49:00.000-04:00

I guess I'm not the only one who likes '24' but alas, Jack as a type of Christ...? You decide and I'd appreciate your comments too after you skim this blog.

4th of July Courage on the Home front and abroad

2006-06-29T09:09:00.000-04:00

This TV ad is short and to the point and a wonderful response to 'move on with cut n run dot extremists'. First view and enjoy it. Then think of those who may be strengthened and encouraged to see examples of such in public proclamation. Don't spam people but do send to friends by forwarding graciously 'outside the choir' and 'outside the committed' circles you normal post to. The other voices drone-on perpetually by the left, liberal, moral-equivocating mainstream media, university newspapers, and many of the same classroom captive audience of leftist authoritarian soapboxes. Why not graciously share another viewpoint?

Enjoy and forward as led. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvfRCwk8edg

And for the genuine risk takers, check out this political ad and ask yourself why such ads are not legion. Could it not be partly because so few are taking a stand for righteousness outside our little choirs. At least when someone runs for office they MUST go public but this gentleman really deserves some encouragement imho. Take a risk and view this one too, it is fabulous. You simply have to see this ad before it is censured.
http://vernonrobinson.com/twilightzone3.shtml

These are not endorsements but HEY, aren't these some of the issues we feel strongly about because they are rooted in our understanding of Biblical truth and Biblical revelation? And isn't it refreshing to see people in the public square being clear and not as namby pamby and hyper nuanced as some of our super sensitive church services? Rather, declaring truth clearly and setting it before peoples' consciences as per 2Cor 4:1-4

1Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The best web streaming Chicagoland talk radio

2006-06-21T08:01:00.000-04:00

Bill Bennett, Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, and also a guy who is too far over the edge for me, Michael Savage. Bennett, Ingraham, and Prager are top drawer scholars and frequently have distinguished guests who do not double-speak and they are clearly functioning from a Judeo-Christian understanding of rationality and justice. Quite refreshing. Here's the link.

Cool, cell phone charger

2006-06-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

Here's a tiny item from hi-tech & cheaper than cell phone accessories I've seen. One AA battery in a lipstick-sized case for the low side of $30 with shipping. Not bad for battery hogging treo's, the camper, hiker, frequent flyer, campus or board meeting cell phone frequent caller..for iPods soon. See it here http://tinyurl.com/eo8sk I'm checking it out.

Fun and Funny Birthday and other Greetings

2006-05-26T20:26:00.000-04:00

happy birthday from "the minister farrakhan" happy conservation birthday from "al gore" this ones more iffy but yes "the clinton/s" are running for high office again

Books of Note: Godless, America, and Showdown

2006-05-26T09:10:00.000-04:00

Why does it take an outsider to reveal political correct nonsense in the church? That title is 'godless' not 'goddess'. LOL. Some appreciate Ann a bit too much. But sure, you can click here to get her book. And why not? She hasn't started calling the Presidents, former Presidents and/or her detractors 'Nazis' like so many other 'more respectable' books by media elites, and posturing, popular, political leftists, and university professors are doing.

Bill Bennett for President! Not likely but he is a good man and a clear thinker. Like the Ann Coulter book, if you buy this one for me, I will read it gladly. And yes, you can click here to buy it.

I'll admit it. I like Laura Ingraham's radio show and this is where I heard about this book. From the interview it sounds like another I'd love to read. Can someone tell me why our major media and a major political party want Bush censured but have nothing to say when China uses Yahoo and Google to censure Chinese access to democratic principles and resources on the web. Where is the library association's 'death cry'? Why isn't the ACLU going after Google and Yahoo? I didn't think there was any way to stop (porn) the internet information from coming into a country. Simply impossible. But not for the Chinese with the help of Google and Yahoo.

I suppose they are just keeping their CNN office open in Baghdad so they just HAVE to censure freedom. Click here to get the above mentioned book.

Speaking of censureship, here's one that seems reasonable for Jimmy... Carter.

Though George W. Bush isn't running for President again (someone tell the liberals!) Al Gore might be. Here is a very fun tribute to the main who rants and raves with the best of them. Click here for a 30 second ride with Al. Enjoy!

Da Vinci Code Movie Not Off to a Good Start...

2006-05-17T18:59:00.000-04:00

Well apparently the movie reviewers aren't too impressed with the Da Vinci Code movie. On the other hand, this could be a sign that it is a good one! Either way I'm sure you are likewise tired of the hype and responses. For a decent bibliography of the main points of contention with orthodox Christianity, and in conjunction with a dear friend, I offer these resources for your empathy, instruction in apologetics, edification, and use in evangelism.

Palestinian history rewriting and realities

2006-05-11T20:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the ole Palestine and Palestinian jargon just rolls off the tongue compliments of religious diversity 'correctness' and the formerly mainstream media's unwillingness to critique anything nonwestern. Nevertheless, sometimes a clarifying moment occurs. This is one such.

Emoting on Gas and Big Oil

2006-05-10T10:21:00.000-04:00

Of course when one views the lavish palaces of the really big oil barons in the middle east, the prodigal fleets of Rolls Royces and such and the surrounding poverty well...one may just emote rightly. Until then some economics might bring more light than mere obscenities related to our side of the pond. For the full story.

Brent Bozell focus on 'culture of corruption' charges

2006-05-10T10:14:00.000-04:00

The analogy of the historically big, major networks, treating the news like the Capitol Police treated Kennedy, is outrageously funny and perfectly fitting. Enjoy the full story.

Free Speech on Campus ...?...

2006-05-04T15:35:00.000-04:00

Here's one for professors and a new kind of vandalizing speech on campus. http://www.lifenews.com/state1590.html

An Email to Me & President Bush..from Dr. AA

2006-04-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

Thanks for the letter (below) Dr. AA (abbreviated for anonymity sake).

I'm not sure why I am so distinguished to receive a copy of it, but wow, such distinguished company. Have we ever met? Greetings to all genuine evangelical Christian friends you may know in there in Australia who love Jesus more than mere pacifism and appeasement political posturings. I assume you are from Australia from
your email ending and from your letter below.

Three quick points your email to President Bush overlook. 1. Israel does have a political right and I believe a Biblical right to exist. You should know this as a '9th (or whatever) generation Christian' from Bethlehem originally. By the way, Christians in the West tend to not trace their 'living faith' in Christ to generations of political alliances so the "9th generation" thing likely only communicates a cultural preference and not so much a living faith in the Biblical Jesus and the NT teaching to many. Just FYI. 2. The Palestinian problem existed before Israel was a nation and is not the result of President Bush's policies, nor of Israeli 'occupation' after defending itself from invasive wars against multiple Muslim dominated nations. And related, 2.1 this problem was not only of prior existence but was created by Arab/Muslim countries not desiring their own people (so-called Palestinians) living within their own borders. And a connected subpoint 2.2; Israel frankly has been far more humane given how these peoples have been funded by those who initially rejected them to undo Israel. 3. Your apparent concern about the departure of Christians from Palestinian territories conveniently leaves out the Muslim *persecution* of genuine, outspoken, Christians in those territories. Not just traditionalist more secular political 'christian party' generational affiliates. You are correct about churches being taken over and I might add even in Bethlehem, and synagogues, historical sites, etc. vandalized, used to hide terrorist snipers, etc. And this is (you argue) Israel's problem or the creation of the religious right in the USA? Think about that. Doesn't that sound partisan?

Would you like to improve Palestinian conditions? I would. Here's a suggestion. Go there and mention that the people should vote for candidates who recognize Israel's right to exist and champion reforms in the territories interior structure and speak out against those who are practicing terror. Since you apparently aren't Jewish or necessariy an evangelical Christian (perhaps you are but you sound more committed to your eastern denominational-affiliation and political-philosophy of appeasement and pacifism than to Christ Jesus per se) you should be able to state these things in the Palestinian 'public square' freely.

What? You would be brutally killed?? No kidding! OK so what then? Israel should ceise to exist. And the so-called, and over-rated, USA religious-right, should encourage this? And President Bush will be loved by the Palestinians and radicals and jihadists for doing so and peace for youth retreats from TX will return to Bethlehem? Give me a break.

Condi Rice has done more 'land for peace' than even former President Bill Clinton offered Arafat. In my view, Condi has been misguided in this. But what has been (for instance) your response to such? Decrying Bush and fellow genuine Christians. And the Palestinian response? Electing Hamas and viewing USA compromises as signs of weakness and capitulation. Frankly Dick Army's statement you quote below is sounding more rational all the time and you Sir simply cannot be pleased and I am sorry about this, but only for your sake personally. Forgiveness, cooperation, and justice are going to take more than unilateral blame shifting. I believe I've shared herein, that there is plenty of blame to go around. Your letter does not seem to recognize this. It strikes me as tactless, blindly partisan, and frankly a sad read in these days when so much could be done for peace and democracy and principled pluralism.

But as you've rightly implied with your email below, in some places, with some people, freedom will not result in peace and principled pluralism and the flight of Christians and Jews will continue from such lands of the newly elected, free Palestine, and its 'liberating' Hamas leadership, inspite of their gaining new properties, access to the Sea, and appeasements on every side. Sir, YOU are the answer to the problem so DO something other than sending letters like this to people who are far more a part of the solution than you are being with communications like this one.

By the way, if going to Palestine isn't an option for you, try teaching in a near East university and saying the things I suggested you mention publicly above. I suspect your fate would be slower to arrive but similar to that if you lived on the so-called West Bank. This is why letters like yours are written from Ivory towers in the west, like from Australia, the UK, or universities in the USA and not from your likely home of origin...sadly.
Very sadly.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Joe B. Whitchurch

jbw@ingradiv.com
http://ingradiv.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr AA
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 11:55 PM
To: President@whitehouse.gov; to me and one other.
Subject: Palestinian Christians: persecuted, betrayed, forced out of their homes and sacrificed

Palestinian Christians: persecuted, betrayed, forced out of their homes and sacrificed

The Palestinian Christian is an endangered species. When the modern state of Israel was established there were about 400000 of us. Two years ago the number was down to 80000. Now it’s down to 60000. At that rate, in a few years there will be none of us left. When this happens non Christian groups will move into our churches and claim them for ever.
Palestinian Christians within Israel fare little better. On the face of it, their number has grown by 20000 since 1991. But this is misleading, for the census classification ‘Christian’ includes some 20000 recent non-Arab migrants from the former Soviet Union.
So why are Palestinian Christians abandoning their homeland?
We have lost hope, that’s why. We are treated as non-people. Few outside the Middle East even know we exist, and those who do, conveniently forget.
I refer, of course, to the American Religious Right. They see modern Israel as a harbinger of the Second Coming, at which time Christians will go to paradise, and all others (presumably including Jews) to hell. To this end they lend military and moral support to Israel.
Even by the double-dealing standards of international diplomacy this is a breathtakingly cynical bargain. It is hard to know who is using whom more: the Christian Right for offering secular power in the expectation that the Jewish state will be destroyed by a greater spiritual one; or the Israeli Right for accepting their offer. What we do know is that both sides are abusing the Palestinians. Apparently we don’t enter into anyone’s calculations.
The views of the Israeli Right are well known: they want us gone.
Less well known are the views of the American Religious Right.
Strangely, they find the liberation of Iraqis from a vile dictator just, but do not find it unjust for us to be under military occupation for 38 long years. Said Senator James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma): ‘God Appeared to Abraham and said: “I am giving you this land, ”the West Bank. This is not a political battle at all. It is a contest over whether or not the word of God is true.’
Inhofe must have got it wrong. Promises are being made to earthly Jerusalem, that God did not make! The Holy Land was promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants, as stated in the Bible.
These are the Palestinian Muslims, Christians, and Jews, who have been living in the land for thousands of years. The Bible never mentioned that God promised it solely to Jews. Anyone can be a Jew, but not anyone can be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants. James Inhofe and followers are unable to tell the difference between Jew, Israelite, and Israel.

House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) was even more forthright:
’I'm content to have Israel grab the entire West Bank… I happen to believe that the Palestinians should leave.’ There is a phrase for this. Ethnic cleansing.
Silencing us, from seeking your support and enlightening you about our suffering, goes counter to what Jesus has mandated us to do. We all know that Muslims and Jews get ceaseless support (political, spiritual and financial) from Saudi Arabia and America respectively, while Palestinian Christians, get nothing from Australian and other western ‘Christian’ governments. (The Pope has been an exception.)

Prior to the 1967 war, the Christian youth at the Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist and other churches in Bethlehem used to pray and rejoice and have a good chat with hundreds of American Christian pilgrims. In particular Texas and California were two places from where many came from to visit the Holy Land. Today only fading memories prevail. Bethlehem has been vacated by Christian families. The remaining Christians are paying the price by experiencing curfews which last for weeks. They remain sandwiched between Muslims and Jews without drawing the slightest concern from the many so-called Western Christians.

So why do American Christians stand by while their leaders advocate the expulsion of fellow Christians? Could it be that they do not know that the Holy Land has been a home to Christians since, well… since Christ?
Do not think I am asking for special treatment for Christians. Ethnic cleansing is evil whoever does it and to whomever it is done.
Palestinian Christians: Anglican, Maronite Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Armenians, Baptists, Copts and Assyrians have been rubbing shoulders with each other and with other religions: Muslims, Jews, Druze and (most recently) Baha’is - for centuries. And we want to do so for centuries more. But we can’t if we are driven out by despair.
We are equally frightened by those who commit suicide bombings. None of us Christians have condoned it or even contemplated the idea. Our commitment to Jesus teachings will never shake our resolve in this matter.
American journalist Anders Strindberg makes a clearer conclusion. He says Palestinians are equated with Islamists, Islamists with terrorists. And presumably because all organised Christian activity among Palestinians is non-political and non-violent the community hardly ever hits western headlines. Suicide bombers sell more copy than people who congregate for Bible study.

What we seek is support: material, moral, political and spiritual. As Palestinians we grieve for what we have lost, and few people have lost more than us (the Ashkenazi Jews are one). But grief can be assuaged by the fellowship of friends.

(Signed Prof. AA, 9th generation Christian Palestinian born in Bethlehem; teaches in AUSTRALIA) Email and name deleted for privacy though Dr. AA did not afford me the same with his letter to the President of the USA.

Israel and Prophecy, Dissing, Hissing, missing?

2006-04-17T16:53:00.000-04:00

Hi friends, I recently received an open letter asking a high profile, female, Bible expositor and teacher for a public apology but I did not hear what Kay Arthur allegedly said. Nor did I hear the context or tone it was said in, nor am I in an inside loop to see or know what her reply to this alleged event, and this letter (if indeed she received it) would be. That said, I do offer my own response to the letter as a covenant-based, non-traditional dispensationalist myself. My inserts in the letter are preceded with an asterisk (*) so you can know the contribution I am making to the information below. I realize mine is a minority view and that not giving the current nation of Israel any preference is currently widely en vogue among evangelicals, but I offer my thoughts briefly and hopefully for edification. Also I am speaking for myself and not any organization(s) I am loosely or officially affiliated with. See below FYI.

Yours in Christ Jesus gladly,
Joe B. Whitchurch

GFM IVCF, Indiana T.L.
M.A. Christian Thought:
Systematic Theology &
Philosophy of Religion
jbw@ingradiv.com
http://ingradiv.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: various ones Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 4:15 PM
To: various ministry friends and others
Subject: Fwd: Kay Arthur Open letter

Very insightful and worth studying.

CE
************************************
Dear Kay Arthur,

I sincerely appreciate the reply from your assistant, Becky Lucarelli, and the openness it implies. What I write does not come from a callow, carping critic. I write out of great concern for you and the many people you influence. Please take this in a spirit of love from a fellow Christian who has been involved in ministry for over fifty years. We all need to have input from those who are both competent to address an issue and committed to Christ and to the good of others.

You made a statement, which I had heard about secondhand before and heard firsthand in your own voice on the Monday night news segment on a local Christian station. What you said about preferring Israel over the United States is based on gratuitous assumptions and has very serious, far-reaching implications that you may have not thoroughly considered. I want to emphasize that I am a dispensationalist who rejects "replacement theology," and I believe that God has a special, covenant purpose for Jews which will come to fruition in the Millennium. We should not invoke biblical passages that pertain to the Tribulation and the Millennium to shape our perspective of Israel today.

* Apparently as a pre-tribulation rapture-believing person, the author of this letter takes the view that whatever kind of Israel may exist in the tribulation or millennium, we have no idea whatsoever whether or not it has any continuity with the Israel we see in the world today. This is a politically 'safe' kind of agnosticism about the current significance of the current nation of Israel. I am one who leans toward a pre-trib view myself, valuing primarily the "He could come at any moment" themes and teachings of the NT primarily for such a leaning. I do not view this radical agnosticism about a possible even likely continuity as being much other than being 'politically safe'. My guess is that the writer's convictions about the future and Israel, if they are what he says they are, will still be roundly criticized should he muse them openly or publicly, and likely with the same themes less one (American patriotism) that he attributes to Kay Arthur. JBW

I hope you will carefully read my OPEN LETTER TO HAL LINDSEY. He has moved to my area, near Palm Springs, and I gave him and the pastor of the church that he has joined a copy of my OPEN LETTER. It was triggered by a message that I heard him give three months ago.

* Hal Lindsey in all caps above is an interesting kind of 'guilt by association' technique. If one is wanting to rebuke Kay, and if one's letter is worth study for theology and I assume methodology, this technique seems rather unwarranted and not so exemplary. That said, while I believe Hal has made theological speculation errors in the past, the tainting by association and caps doesn't affect me so much. I know a LOT of evangelicals who have made significant theological, cultural, and speculative errors. I don't know many who have been used evangelistically and in terms of speaking about prophetic Scripture as much as Hal has been used of God inspite his frailties. JBW

I am deeply concerned about the egregious errors of so-called Christian Zionism. I will briefly state some of the errors.

* 'Egregious erros' and 'so-called' and 'Zionism' all seem borderline pajorative in this letter's overall context. JBW

First, Genesis 12:3 has nothing to do with the State of Israel, per se, that was founded in 1948. I know this statement will strike you as absurd, but hear me out. Contemporary Israel is a nation-state, and all historians recognize that nation-states are a modern phenomenon, having come to efflorescence in the nineteenth century. Genesis 12:3 did not envisage the political entity that is Israel today. It refers to people, not to political structures. It refers to the covenanted physical and spiritual seed of Abraham.

* Did the author previously say that he believed their would be a national Israel identity that would turn in faith to Christ Jesus as Messiah? And does he not say similarly again at then end of his letter, regarding his understanding of Romans 11 the last several paragraphs of that chapter? If so, I would agree with him about this. But since anything that happens between now and the future is a modern phenomenon nation-state, how is it that anything that might exist in the future escapes not being what he says it will be, because it is a modern nation-state? Isn't this defining the terms, then eliminating the possibility via ones previous definings? I do not recall the name of this fallacy of reasoning but it is study-worthy. But not overly convincing. Clearly there is NT warrant for the 'seed' having reference to people of faith, and the Church is grafted into this historic work of God again according to Romans 11, but there is far more here than meets the 'define it out of bounds -name it- then declare it out of bounds'. This link might assist with further understanding though I have nuance issues with some of this material as well, but at least it isn't wholesale dismissive via definition of 'modern nation state'. http://www.yephiah.com/promises.html JBW

Second, it is therefore anachronistic to read the term "Israel" in the Bible as if the current nation-state of Israel is its equivalence. Even most of the population of Israel in the Bible were not of the spiritual seed of Abraham.

* The first sentence above illustrates my point in my paragraph above it. The second point is interesting because God has historically punished Israel (even prior to modern nation-state days) and apparently in those days of Babylonian exile and Assyrian exile the majority of the people dwellers in national Israel even then, do not fit the definition of the spiritual seed of Abraham. E.g. they didn't have a living faith in God (Yahweh). Not sure the point here other than to put-down people who live in any country named Israel. JBW

Third, a careful study of the remnant in the entire Bible shows that it is the seed of Abraham. Even then, it is only secondarily the seed of Abraham, for Christ is his preeminent Seed in whom and from whom the Abrahamic covenant must be understood (Galatians 3:16). From Genesis to Revelation, it is the remnant of true believers, whether in Israel or subsequently in the professing church that is the seed of Abraham. "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29). This church-age remnant consists of Jews and Gentiles who savingly trust in Christ, in whom there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28). Even the Israel that will enter the Millennium is a relatively small remnant (Romans 11:25), for two-thirds of the Jews in the land of Israel will perish during the Great Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8, 9), and all unbelieving, Christ-rejecting Jews will be purged and removed from the earth by divine judgment at the end of the Tribulation (Ezekiel 20).

* Somehow I am questioning whether the original forwarder or secondary forwarder of this email really want me to study the sentence beginning with 'Even the Israel that will enter the ..." above. (-: If I'm not mistaken the 1/3rds of populations destroyed in the great tribulation seem to be global, e.g. not singling out Israel per se. In fact if you read Rev.7:1-8 or chapter 12 it seems as if Israel at that time will have special protection. I know in this day when a global flood (Genesis 6) is questioned and a localized one preferred, and environmentalism would never allow a view of God orchastrating judgment even generally, and certainly not on the physical earth itself, that such a description is of judgment and protection of Israel are challenging, but this is my reading and it doesn't seem convulted to get this from the text. Not a reading that says 'the Jews are really going to get it and not be so significant anyway'. Is this kind of argumentation worth studying? JBW

Fourth, the contemporary State of Israel is largely secular—rejecting Christ and deriding the Bible as a hodge-podge of mythical folklore—and both its secularists and its so-called observant Jews reject Christ, thereby putting themselves outside the Abrahamic seed in both its primary (Christ, the Seed) and secondary (true believers who constitute the Body of Christ) senses. The Christian community in the State of Israel today is a very small remnant, constituted by "messianic Jews" and other ethnic individuals, including some Palestinians and ex-patriots who are residing in Israel. Therefore, if we want to fulfill the mandate of Genesis 12:3, we must focus our blessing on our fellow believers in Israel and in the rest of the world. A radically skewed view of Scripture ignores or twists the teaching of Romans 9-11. The passage teaches that the Jewish remnant in the church age are those Jews who receive Christ as Savior, Lord, and Messiah just as Gentile believers do (Romans 10:12).

* I think I pretty much agree with what is stated above though I do wonder whether underground Messianic convictions are not growing very significantly in Israel. I have heard reports from people on the ground there that a number of Nichodemus types exist even in high places there. And I wonder whether the spectacular mega church growth in the USA doesn't mask a gross biblical ignorance and lack of discipleship and understanding of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and doesn't condone a lot of folklore paganism dressed up in christian-marketing terminologies. My guess is the author and readers will agree it is sadly so. JBW

Fifth, Scripture nowhere teaches that we should have ultimate or even penultimate loyalty to the nation-state of Israel. It clearly teaches that our ultimate loyalty should be to Christ, for "in everything he should have the supremacy" (Colossians 1:18).

* Again we are back at 'define it not so, then conclude it not so'. Historically from Biblical times through modern times, the continued existence of Jewish people and more recently again, a nation of Israel is frankly just plain miraculous. And those who have persecuted Jews or the nation of Israel historically, or even those who have multiple times attacked her and outnumbered her and surrounded her in recent wars since 1948 and including the 6-Day war in 1967 have been soundly well...I'd say judged but we might just say 'roundly defeated' and inspite of incredible advantage out, e.g. against Israel. Are we to believe Hitler and his advantages or the Soviet treatment of Jews and both of their treatment of Jews and Christians had *nothing* to do with God's activity in blessing and cursing? I suppose again it is safe these days to NOT say so, but among Christian, Bible believers, in light of what Scripture teaches, belief in God's providence (for crying out loud), we are suppose to believe and teach that it all means exactly nothing? Well...be safe. I guess I'll just have to disagree and entrust myself to God's mercy on such matters should I be giving Him too much credit for intervening in the world today.

Therefore, if you had said, "If I have to choose between the United States and Christ, I would choose Christ," you would have been right and thoroughly biblical. Or if you had said, "If I have to choose between the United States and the Body of Christ, I would choose the Body of Christ," you would have been right and thoroughly biblical. "We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" (I John 3:16). The State of Israel is neither Christ nor Christ-honoring; nor is it part of the Body of Christ. To make a statement like yours is a reverse and perverse form of "replacement theology," for it substitutes the State of Israel for Christ and His Body.

* I think this is where the writers patriotism is clouding and emotionally charging his rhetoric. Clearly if I was a principled person living in Syria or Iran today, I would prefer the freedoms of Australia or the UK to my own country. I believe even Jesus said that more preferential faith was found in areas outlying his own political districts and Jewish people influenced territories in his own day. Of course those weren't political statements but statements of fairness, openess, comparison, affirming the good and not blindly following the status quo. Did Kay call for insurrection in the USA or did she call for Christians to not join the bandwagon of Israel bashing? Did she spit on the USA flag? Goodness. In some even sadly evangelical circles, she'd likely get more respect if she did! I think we are over-reacting here. Is she endorsing specific evil deeds done in Israel? Does the author in his rightful love of country endorse such deeds in the USA with a history of influence from the New Testament teaching and followers in its midst? Does not the Scripture teach that those who have been given much are held to a higher level of responsibility? Does any nation have more access to the NT and programming and we? How has Israel fared in light of certain Presbyterian boycotts, multiple invasive wars by groups of countries who don't believe she should exist? How has she fared against serious replacement theologies that have a 'biblically correct vindication motive' for proving she fails and falls and stays (according to these) where she should have stayed after 70AD? Well, she is a principled democracy and a friend of the USA and free people, showing tremendous restrain in the Gulf War, and more recent wars, is voting to give up land more and more, and the reward...more suicide bombers and Hamas elected in Palestine. If such were our plight, geography, victimization, etc I do not even for a fraction of a second believe we as the USA would be half or 1/4 as principled and restrained and deferring to the UN etc. I know it is hypothetical and the writer likely loathes the question but in light of actual full-testamental heritages from 1948 to today, who do you think God might be preferring? I wish I could say with confidence it is the good ole USA and my home denomination and my ethnicity and my my my, but hello, what do you THINK? My guess is you would say, even knowledgable as you appear that it is all a big moral equivelence thing. Israel is just like Syria and Iran and Hamas. Do you listen to middle eastern media. Have you seen the approved ads they run in our non-Israel coalition Arab Muslim States? Here are a couple links, the first to middle east media watch and another about how children are taught. The first is the Middle East Media Research Institute and this is right to the source and flabergastingly amazing. You want to talk about hate-speech, eek and ish. http://memri.org/video/index.html the next one is a web based item but the link on teachkids is well...have a look. http://www.persecution.org/newsite/storydetail.php?storycode=216&PHPSESSID=b http://teachkidspeace.com/flash.php and a USA university -Columbia I believe- speech of note, here http://tinyurl.com/z734z JBW

Sixth, the Bible teaches that we should render to Caesar the things that are Caesars. This means that we owe loyalty to the governmental authorities and country of which we are citizens, and that loyalty supersedes allegiance to any other government or country, Israel included. Your statement giving precedence to the State of Israel is a violation of Scripture and it is quasi-treasonous. Of course, if any government or authority commands a belief or action contrary to Christ, we must put Christ first. Acts 5:20 says, "We must obey God rather than men." This was said to those who opposed Christ and sought to silence the apostles. In fact, it was political-religious leaders in Israel who sought to do this. The apostles, therefore, opposed the government of Israel in their day no less than they opposed obeisance to the idolatries of the Roman empire. They were not victims of the wrongheaded notions of "Christian Zionism," however—which notions afflict countless undiscerning Christians today. As American citizens, our loyalty to our country, with the foregoing qualification, must be to the United States above any other nation, the State of Israel included. I am patriotic but I am not a jingoist for my country, the United States, but your statement reveals a lamentable jingoism for Israel.

* There was no Jewish national government in Jesus' day. Is your complaint of 'quasi-treasonous' really about now following King Jesus first and unrivaled? If so, I affirm it. Or is it about not having the USA be second? If so I encourage you to bloom and be a blessing where you are and be a responsible citizen but not let nationalism blind you to virtues elsewhere. JBW

If you or anyone else gives overriding loyalty to the State of Israel or any other country, the only honest, unhypocritical thing to do is to renounce American citizenship and emigrate to that country and become one of its citizens. The United States is far from being perfect, but it is still the best country in the world, and our democracy is far better than the putative and questionable democracy of the State of Israel, which defines itself as a Jewish-Zionist State, thereby denying the very pluralism that is essential to a true democracy.

* In a word, exaggerated overstatement again, and coming across as powerfully subjective. JBW

Your statement about the precedence of Israel is not only anti-biblical but it is also far more disastrous than you apparently suspect. It is very damaging to the Body of Christ. It will provoke more persecution of Christians in the United States and elsewhere in the world. We will be viewed as a traitorous fifth column that should be opposed and oppressed. That is what statements like yours will bring about.

* Whenever Christians are Christians and speak the truth, it will unintendedly provoke persecution. Frankly this is another part of the 'last days' (referring to the time immediately prior to the return of Christ and not the wider and more Biblical understanding of all the days from Pentecost to the return) NT teaching. Increased persecution. I'm not saying 'cause it' but I'm not sure existing as a Christian under Muslim law or existing under such law as a Jew doesn't necessitate persecution for other reasons. How do spell, Satan? Rev 12 again. JBW

Right now in Muslim countries the beleaguered, small communities of Christians are being blamed by their fellow-citizens for the heinous caricatures (heinous in Muslim eyes) of Muhammad.

* And whose fault is this? Think about it. You appear to be saying it is the cartoonist's fault. Are you a Muslim missionary? Love can be blind. If you are one, then I give you more latitude for love sake but friend, the fault is in Islam just as the fault for Christ hating, crucifix submerged in urine funding by the USA's NEA is the fault of pagan secularism.

Now add your statement to the fray. As word of your statement filters out to the world, it will add even more fuel to the flames. And who suffers? Our fellow-members of the Body of Christ for whom we should lay down our lives.

* I got your answer to my question immediately above. It will be Kay Arthur's fault. Thank you. JBW

You seem more intent on supporting the State of Israel and elevating it to some plateau of value that the Bible does not recognize. Suppose that our fellow Christians in other lands— especially Muslim countries—made the statement that you made and said, "If I have to choose between Egypt (put the name of any other Muslim country here) and Israel, I would choose Israel." They would not survive one day.

* Maybe if our missionaries just cut the words Jew, Jewish, 12 tribes, and Israel out their Bibles all together? Or maybe just never read it? Or just avoid the prophetic like the plague? Didn't Jesus say something about those who are ashamed of His words at His coming and where His shame will be before His holy angels? JBW

I lived in the Middle East for four years, and I know what I am talking about. Muslims will attribute your sentiment to the Christians who live among them, even if those Christians repudiate what you have said. You cannot imagine the untold suffering statements like yours and other Christian Zionists bring to fellow members of the Body of Christ.

* If it wasn't for this it would be for buying clothing from a western firm, or paying taxes in a western nation because all Christians and westerners are beer drinking drunks. Frankly, it is time for Islam to grow up and for Christians to ceise the 'dumbing down'. BTW, I lived in Zambia when after we bombed Lybia, the RSA bombed ANC in the city where I lived. Yes, I know about 'guilt by association' and you are doing a good job of it with Kay, in the name of 'not doing it.' JBW

If your statement should not be made a universal maxim among Christians, this also shows it to be blatantly wrong. It is your private opinion, and because of the freedom we have in the United States people are free to believe whatever nonsense they like. They are not rationally entitled to believe wrongheaded notions when the Bible, evidence, and logic do not support them. But a person who is in a position of substantial influence, as you are, is flagrantly irresponsible in making such a statement.

* It seems to me that unless we are going to start euthenizing the mentally ill, that people do have a right (in a political sense) to rationally believe whatever they want. If they act-out against just law, they will bear consequences but I'm not going to deprive a Christian Science cult person the right to believe all matter and evil is illusion. Are you? JBW

You may be well-meaning, but you know that sincerity is not guarantee of truth or goodness. Suppose one of our congressmen made a statement like yours, it would clearly be a case of treason and he or she would be thrown out of office or worse.

* Ahem, did you hear what they said about France and Germany when they decided the war they backed wasn't turning up WMDs? Goodness, one even assaulted a policeman recently. Unless they are principled or overseen by principled politicians, they can and do say whatever they want with minimal consequences. Don't kid yourself or exaggerate your accusations. JBW

Christian leaders, like yourself, should be extremely careful in what they say, for their statements have a way of reverberating throughout the world (consider the effect of some of the fatuous and reprehensible things Pat Robertson has said). Muslims, in particular, tend to take the statements of such visible Christians as indicative of the entire Christian community.

* Muslims in particular need to 'get over it' and read widely, and their Imman's need held accountable for violence and inciting riots. And by invoking Pat Robertson, I'm only surprised you didn't put his name in all CAPS like you did for Hal L. above. In the context of Pat's interview with a woman raped and brutalized by a dictator's thugs, I cut him some slack though I appreciate, even if late, his retraction. But again we are into 'guilt by association'. Why not toss in Jerry Falwell or Dallas Seminary or whatever? So, you are a dispensationalist. Interesting. Where do you find fellowship where you are not in a constant state of aggitation? (-: JBW

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check" (James 3:1, 2). This applies even more powerfully to those whose public sphere of influence is especially great. I pray that you will have the grace to recognize the relevance of this passage to your statement and respond in humility. Even if you believe what you stated—and I think that such a belief is contrary to the word of God—you should have considered the consequences of publicly expressing such an opinion. To state it publicly was hardly a responsible thing to do, especially in view of its potential damage. Besides, there was nothing of value that could come from stating such an opinion.

* How about awakening the western evangelicals to the whole council of God, some international news awareness, and the shame of the continued demonizing, marginalizing and placing at-risk that our government (which we are responsible to influence) is doing to Israel in the name of Muslim radical appeasement? I think something good could come of it. JBW

In order to combat the immense harm that your statement is bringing, please have the humility to public admit that you were wrong to make it. For the sake of the Lord and the Body of Christ, retract that statement and make it clear that although you believe that God has a special, covenantal role for the Jewish people, your loyalty as a Christian is ultimately to Christ and as an American citizen to the United States and not to Israel. If you do not do so, and do so soon, you will reveal that you have either no understanding of the relevant facts or that you do not care that such a statement brings reproach on the name of Christ and brings persecution to Christians everywhere.

* I humbly disagree. Perhaps she will find some nuancing point for which to apologize but I do not see a substantive need for apology in anything you have stated above and your ultimatum doesn't seem to reveal a lot of theological diversity respect or humility. I am wondering what you think of Kay being a female and a Bible teacher? In addition to the Red White and Blue overstatements, I wonder if there isn't more afoot here than meets the eye. JBW

Pat Robertson is to be commended for finally apologizing publicly for his insensitive and gratuitous comment about Ariel Sharon. He made an unfortunate mistake, and I think your statement is much worse than his. Please have the courage to apologize and set the record straight—unless you want to persist in misleading people and hurting the Body of Christ. No one can compel you to do this; it is your choice, but remember that "we who teach will be judged more strictly."

* Of all the things Pat has said, you bring this one to mind. You do seem to wish Israel will totally give itself away. Do you feel the same regarding the USA and our borders? Just curious. JBW

Furthermore, if no retraction is forthcoming in the next few days, I will be compelled to use whatever resources I can muster—including fellow dispensationalist scholars—to expose the horrendous error

* Horrendous error? Amazing. JBW

that you and other Christian Zionists have espoused and propagate. Christian Zionists do not understand the hermeneutical priority of the New Testament in understanding the diachronic and synchronic role and meaning of Abraham’s seed. We are not living in Old Testament times, nor in the Tribulation, nor in the Millennium when the redeemed remnant of Jews will be the special vehicle of God’s blessing in the world. We are in the church age in which the Body of Christ is His special means of blessing the world. We need to understand the implications of this, especially in terms of the perspective we should have regarding Jews and the State of Israel.

* I agree with levels of continuity and discontinuity related to Abraham's seed if this is what the author is referring to. To some extent it is us in the body of Christ, other aspects seem for future, some related to property. I agree with the now and the not-yet of the kingdom of course the details we may have differing views concerning and I respect your right to those views and to share them as you believe appropriate with biblical backing as you best exegete the texts. I also agree with the last two sentences as well though I believe we should have as much concern with how Jewish people view our attempts to contexualize the gospel to them, as we do to Islamic peoples and sensitivities. On that point let me propose a test for you in the dear old USA which I also love. Take ten neighbors, all fly a USA flag at the top of the mast in front of their house. Each of the ten gets to fly their national heritage home country flag underneath the USA flag as is appropriate. Which house will be vandalized, the one with the Palestinian flag, the one with the Syrian flag, the one with the Zimbabwe flag, the one with the .... you name it flag....OR the one with the Jewish flag and the Star of David? Now, if you've answered honestly, what was it you were griping about again? JBW

I am not anti-Semitic nor do I want to hurt the State of Israel. Christians should believe and act like New Testament believers, however. I plead with you to read my OPEN LETTER TO HAL LINDSEY. It will present a more comprehensive case for a New Testament perspective than I have written in this letter.

* Hey Mark, take it up with Hal, OK? It amazes me that people still love to loathe him even after all these years since he's had a best seller. Let go of it Mark. (-: Thanks. JBW where JBW = Joe Whitchurch jbw@insightbb.com and wishing all the best in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sincerely in Christ,

MMH, Ph.D.

Yes Virginia, Mad-Scientists still in fact exist!

2006-04-03T14:24:00.000-04:00

Save the world through intentional, mass killings through a painful death via Ebola. Sound like a radical jihadist group? Or does it sound like what it is, the guest speaker scientist at a Texas university, just prior to getting a standing ovation and a nice little award. Read it for yourself here at Mad Scientists Still Exist, get funding, applause, and awards.

I suppose I should be shocked but given the fact that the USA Today in its March 27th edition, Section D, Page One can't seem to differentiate between intelligent science and a 'flying spaghetti monster', giving the former almost no news space and the latter free advertising, I guess I'm forced to accept that loons exist in the academe and in pop-culture science pages of mainstream media newspapers owned by the huge Gannett publication firm. What is it about April and Earth Day? Can't we be environmentally responsible and rational without camping-out on April 1st?

Bird Flu, Millions Die, Preparedness and Funding

2006-03-21T10:31:00.000-05:00

Today I read in the Gannett Newspaper local, the front page story about the coming Bird Flu and how millions will die. Of course our local university is doing its Under-Dog, super-hero best to 'save the day' with its research, etc. Then on the back page you get to read how it hasn't mutated (yet!) and of the hundreds of countries in the world, there have been globally only about 100 cases. Of course it doesn't really work out this way, and the nature of the "cases" is interesting, but that's about one per country using rough numbers. Actually less. But 'readiness' read (funding) and 'we aren't promoting fear' are all part of the closer on the frontpage story.

Just the other day I read that in the USA we now have 4 cases of women being dead from taking the latest, FDA pushed fast-track, abortion RU 486 pill. This and the forced abortions in the home country of the Bird Flu, and human cloning without ethics in Korea, just next door celebrated as 'the second coming' and I wondered about a Gannett Newspaper story on the Coming Human Cloning Disaster. It isn't here yet, but it is coming and we must be ready. The UN has called for a ban on all human cloning (this part is actually underreported and TRUE) but we know that big biotech is going to rush into it anyway funded by our tax money because venture capitalists so far do not see a profit to be had or enjoyed by destoying or created millions of human lives for 'higher purposes'. Only forty million intentional prenatal human deaths so far in the USA, and the new drug with its septic shock deaths only has four women (truly) dead this year, but please send the local university pharmeceutical studies and other elitists your tax money to protect us! Millions will die! But we aren't promoting fear, just public awareness and safety.

Oh but the Bird Flu has happened before in human history and many *died* while Bush *lied* (oops, that's another media montra...it just sang-out-of-me so programatically, sorry). Yes, these kinds of horrid judgments and 'acts of God' have befallen us before and we must be prepared. Ever read Genesis 6-9? Nevermind. Gannett won't be able to figure out the reference and will ridicule eternal preparedness.

I do commend research to prevent chemical and biological warfare attacks from being as severe and limiting even hypothetical flu outbreaks etc. I'm glad we have an FDA. But can't people just do their jobs with integrity without all the double-speak, profiting from the 'culture of death' and sing-song alarmist, frontpage, propogandizing?! Guess not.

Evangelicals and Global Warming absolutism iffy?

2006-03-15T05:54:00.000-05:00

Which group has it wrong--

1. These evangelicals?

Read New York Times article on the group of evangelicals' statements here.

2. The British?
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8398

The British scientist in the article curiously states that the possible coming ice age in Europe is caused by global warming! Ice Age - Global (not regional) Caused by Global (not regional) Warming(?). I'll bet they all chafe at a human history with a global flood, while buying it on the planet Mars!

Or the Russians?
http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060207-041447-2345r

The posturing over the issue of global warming seems to contain a lot of pseudo guilt about economic prosperity. The capacity of human beings to effect worldwide climate change is questionable at best and most likely quite negligible. Some like me are more likely to prefer the Russian explanation. The sun is a weightier factor than anything we mortals are doing. Others have pointed out that volcanic activity (again outside human agency) is yet another humongous factor dwarfing ours.

For a more scholarly view, by a female academic on global warming as an issue and as science, go to: http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/2002/march/default.htm

Thanks K.O. for the good forward of your friend S.'s comments with the great links.

Evangelicals Global Warming and Gospel

2006-03-10T13:17:00.000-05:00

What do you make of the new evangelical movement to stop the humanity-caused warming of the globe and equating the necessity of doing so and the truthfulness of the enterprise with the necessity and truthfulness of sharing the gospel? What do you think of how I phrased that question? Is it an honest question based on how they are portraying themselves and if so, what do you think of it/them and equating it -the scientific accuracy of human causation of global warming- with the authority of the gospel?

This equating of authorities strikes me as the kind of civil-religion and weddedness to a 'cause' that has a lot of potential to undermine their authority and the authority of whatever their understanding of gospel might be. Should newer scientific discoveries and measuring sophistication shift current viewpoint, or (tongue in cheek) like when a democrat president is in office and the economy is growing for instance or when the trading in fossil fuels helps 'fund' bigger goverment and bigger research grants for instance, whatever might they do and say and equate with the gospel then?!

I also confess that I wonder about the science and the wisdom of this variety of environmentalism by evangelicals. It isn't as loopy as tree-hugging, but I'm not sure it is a wise or prudent tact. It might gather short-term favor with a few in the academe for a season but will it really come with respect or be seen as a pragmatic move when for instance this or that preacher signs-on to this or that scientific theory? I'm inclined to think Charles Colson has this one correct. and that the Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship is a far more balanced and less 'civil religionist' position paper.

NY Times will apparently even sell deceit

2006-03-10T12:50:00.000-05:00

The NY Times is apparently willing to even sell deceit. There is a legal term for this and hopefully someone will assist Dr. James Dobson in obtaining punative damages. Here is their ad (and don't even imagine they do not consider the legal implications of the paid ads they receive and run) and Dr. Dobson's response.

Click here to see the ad. http://www.afa.net/pdfs/defcon_religiousright.pdf

Click here to read Dr. Dobson's response to the ad. http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0039768.cfm

Why is it that people who are in bed with Vegas and State Lotteries and Tax increase vehicles of every conceivable variety are so quick to assume those who have opposed gambling (and done so publicly and at no small cost) are doing just exactly what THEY themselves are doing? Why didn't the newly careful NY Times catch the misinformation? Likely Answer: Like Urban legends and Tabloid news, those who placed the Ad and those that profitted from the sale of the ad WANTED to believe it was true.

Parents of Iraq War lost soldiers not given Sheehan

2006-02-21T21:23:00.000-05:00

Kind of reminds one of 'spiritual warfare'. Those that are sharing their faith, doing good interpersonal apologetics and seeing lives changed and dignified are often demonized and intentionally misunderstood in those large parts of the university and journalism careers that are affected by emotivism, naturalism, and radical relativisms. You might enjoy these censored ads.

The vets are saying. Or view this one of the parents of fallen soldiers who apparently can't buy ad time in Minnesota that national media gave Cindy Sheehan for free. Click here.

Apparently some Democrats in MN are saying these should not be allowed to speak, and this link provides a brief response to such. Click here.

I found this article and the link to the advert by parents of Iraq vets who do not apparently measure-up to the 'Cindy Sheehan gold standard' of objectivity in the Paul Wellstone funeral dignifying State of Minnesota, quite interesting.

Valentines Day

2006-02-14T08:46:00.000-05:00

A Valentines Present just for you. Perhaps a bit rough but the context was a university graduate student conversation related to marriage.

SuperBowl Ads all in one place online

2006-02-10T11:19:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't seen them yet...the Superbowl Ads online are HERE.

I will admit to having a (sick?) sense of humor at times and will tell you (at no small 'sensitivity risk') that my favorites were all in the first quarter and were in order of funny (again, just to me) #1 funny Fedex, #2 maybe because of the magic-theme, the Rube Goldberg motiff, or the imbicilic actions of the guys, it was the Bud Lite Man in Kitchen, 'magic fridge'. LOL.

Cartoon Riots, the secular 'Crusade' against religion

2006-02-10T08:34:00.000-05:00

Did you see in WND.com that the US Supreme Court has an 'image' of Mohammed with sword engraved in its wall? Clearly it is meant to be repectful of people associated with moral law. But if the radicals' issue is; 'no image of the prophet or riot' then what now...
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48695
See article above. It kind of makes one want to post the cartoons not to condone them but to say, "Here's what we don't like about secularist treatment of religion in general and what is causing shame versus law-based societies to 'kill and vandalize by association', just FYI." Then just to make the point of relative safety by association, put up the picture from the U.S. Supreme Court (see above) along side it. (-:

Humorously speaking only; If some jihadists, and Iran nuke problem-obfuscating radicals want to vandalize our High Court say..for passing Roe v Wade and doing so right in the presence of a picture of the 'prophet', well...OK..they'd be wrong and in some very deep water.. LOL... It kind of puts the 'evils' of the peaceful, pro-life, 'Operation Rescue' protesters and their nonviolent, sit-ins, to protect human life in perspective, doesn't it? Oh the troubles of the naturalists/secularists/atheists. May *God* YHWH help them.

OK, some new 'blame evangelicals first' book titles just for fun. "Why do all these people HATE the Euro secularists?" LOL "Why do the rest HATE the secular Euro West?" (-: I guess these are the unasked questions of the day because of course we *all* know they really only hate Bush. "Why do secularists HATE religion?", might be another unasked question. Alas the pits the pagans do seem to perpetually dig for them/our/selves.

BTW, I think the cartoon of Mo. with the bomb in his turbin is clearly disrespectful. Honestly. I do. I don't care for it at all. I'm not sure it goes to the level of depictions of Deity (Jesus) on the cross, submerged in human urine and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts or the ones of other Christian revered depictions smeared with Elephant dung and likewise funded, but yes I find it in poor taste and worthy of the secular Euro elites making a sincere apology for publishing. What a wake up call for them. Suppose they might stop demonizing the war on terror? Doubt it. See the cartoons (most of which are benign imho) here.
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48674 but really the other link above, to the Supreme Court is the one that really has me chuckling inside. And of enormous surprise I'm sure to the secularists who seem to control the mainstream, western media, it was actually put there long before Alito, Roberts, Scalia, and Thomas. Imagine! LOL uncontrolably.

The United States Senate is the problem.

2006-02-02T15:17:00.001-05:00

The polls say people are upset with Congress. They also said our current President would lose the election both times. Nevertheless I believe people are upset with PART of Congress and that part is the United States Senate. Sure Kennedy and Durbin have led the parade of imbiciles in 'over the top' rhetoric, but even RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) like Arlen Specter and others who tout 'super duper' precedence and such are really 'leading' and manifestly manipulative. Someone is buying these guys a lot of carrots or threatening them with big sticks to get them to do such crazed performances.

January 2006 and Roe v Wade music

2006-01-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

http://ingradiv.com/images/mp3s/System.mp3

January is almost over and I haven't shared with my own blog my pro-life activism song. Admittedly it utilizes the rhetoric of evil to make the point in contrast with the culture of life. Hope you enjoy the jazz. Sorry for my 'old voice' as old, pre-conversion rock bands had me do the screaming and growling vocals. Ha!

Here's another far more pleasant and softer jazz, pro-life song I wrote (music not the lyrics) based on Psalm 139, a powerful pre-birth, human life affirming Psalm. Enjoy this one.

http://ingradiv.com/images/mp3s/ps139.mp3

Gun Control, Illusionist Productions, a good laugh

2006-01-24T12:30:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me this cool animated .gif file with a little tagline that went something like this; "Hooded-sweatshirt to hide identity and firearm, $15. 'Saturday night special' from Paul's Pawn Shop, $150. Inability to hold on to your leverage, Priceless."

I forwarded it to some Christian Illusionists under the tag line... "In the illusionists' trade there are substitutions and changes, there are penetrations, levitations, vanishes, and productions. And sometimes we are quite happy when the productions go poorly. Sometimes we are glad when people do not have 'gun control'." Enjoy the mini movie picture here.

Michelle on Hillary

2006-01-19T21:17:00.000-05:00

Michelle (of color) is awesome on Hillary (as poser). Read for yourself.

For a fun flash of outlandish fun related to the rantings in the Alito confirmation hearing, you've got to see this to believe it!

Is this blog fun or what?!

Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

2006-01-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks be to God that the Family Research Council has given those of us who cannot stomach Kennedy's railings, Biden's campaign speeches, and Specter's extremely leading questions, a play by play summary which is sympathetic with a culture of life and with an original or author intent interpretation of the Constitution. Check it out here.

A prophetic, regathering of Israel...a fun Jewish view

2005-12-30T16:42:00.000-05:00

Some evangelicals believe Biblical passages about a regathering of scattered Jewish people into the current nation of Israel is significant prophetically. I even know non futurist evangelical friends who believe Romans 11 teaches that in the very last days before the return of Jesus, a regathered Israel could well have a national revival believing in Jesus as Messiah. It is interesting in light of passages like 2Thess.2:1-17 to see what non-evangelical, Jewish sources say about the regathering. This flash movie is from one source and is on the theme of the Matrix and is quite intriguing, especially for those who doubt 'temple' intentions. Enjoy!

Map of States with Marriage Amendments

2005-12-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

The societal building block of marriage is always on the firing line. This link provides a map of the USA with information on each State summarizing what they have done legally for or against the institution of marriage in these days of regressive judicial activism in certain high courts. Click to view.

D.A. Carson on Emerging Church Discussion

2005-12-25T17:45:00.000-05:00

For those interested in the Emergent Church movement (shown by Brian McLaren et al.), professor D. A. Carson of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School discusses this movement on Issues Etc. I've listened to the first portion and it's well-conceived and worth listening to.

Part 1 (Windows Media Audio; starts at 31:02)

Part 2 (Windows Media Audio)

A Song for Ward Churchill

2005-12-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of Christmas, this song is dedicated to Ward Churchill and all the twisted, formerly unquestioned, liberal professors of his ilk. Enjoy.

For a bit higher quality sound (this was composed and sung over a cell phone while in transit), click here for a bit better sound, diction, and all the lyrics typed out.

Fabulous CCM with Newsboys

2005-12-20T17:32:00.000-05:00

OK, this one is streaming online so watch your volume levels. I couldn't resist posting it because it reminds me of heaven and Revelation 21:24-26 etc. Enjoy by clicking here. Eric Pement, thanks for the code!

Christmas Good Message

2005-12-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Christmas meaning, partial screen with sound

Here's the same one, perhaps better, it is on the meaning of Christmas, full screen without sound. These aren't half bad Christmas summaries, compared to a lot that floats about these days. (-: Enjoy.

Postmod, fast-grow, penal substitution negotiable?

2005-12-15T10:42:00.000-05:00

You might find this article intriguing. Dr. Al Mohler is critiquing an influential book written by a gentleman in England which was promoted by NT Wright who spoke at a Grad IVCF national conference. The book is also promoted by other big names in church growth on this side of the pond. Of particular concern is the sacrifice of Christ and what is called penal substitution, where Christ dies in our place and takes the punishment we deserve for sin. Isaiah 53 really hammers this truth home as does the apostle Peter.

But mainline liberals (never very appreciative of absolutes, sin, any hint of God's wrath, punishment and such) and apparently now a significant number of fast-grow evangelical leaders like a fellow named McLaren who writes sometimes for Christianity Today are now rejecting this teaching (penal substitution) as 'celestial child abuse'. But doesn't the doctrine of penal substitution seem rather central to the gospel itself. I'd be curious as to your thoughts on this. Note these players as they are not going away. In fairness to NT Wright, his blog states that he does not reject penal substitution though it is unclear why he writes a promotion piece on the book's jacket for his author friend who does reject it. The writer of this critique below is a good guy and is the president of the Southern Baptist seminary in Louisville, KY. Enjoy being cutting edge on another 'evangelical borders' discussion.

Short Quiz: The first press on the definition of 'evangelical' in post 'year of the evangelical' history, biggie question was, Is the Bible true in all it properly interpreted, intends to teach? Answer. Yes. The second was, Does God really know everything including every detail of the past, present, and future? Answer. Yes. In review of this new question below, Did Christ take the penalty (punishment, death, wrath on sin) from His father for our sins when he took them into his body on the cross? Answer. Yes. What is wrong with the hip and happening evangelical scholars these days?! Answer. Not sure but odd ideas in hero mouths, do apparently sell books. Read the full article here.

Korean Cloning, Prize Winning, Media Darling, Or??

2005-12-15T10:36:00.000-05:00

We can all remember when S. Korea and cloning and the scientist there were on the front page of nearly all American newspapers. Of course the implication was that Bush's cloning ethics are slow, Neanderthal, pedantic, imbicilic and that the rest of the world is just so very much more, well...progressive. We won't be holding our breath for the deeper realities to be featured on American media front pages where journalists bask in their enlightened ability to TELL THE TRUTH, or so the magical, enchanting, strumming continues. But alas these prestigious prize winners and their fuller stories when scrutinized show a near complete opposite view. Check it out for yourself here and searching in the new media (as usual) for the story the mainstream media is too partisan or embarrassed again to make front page. Thank God for webbed feet, read it all here.

Environmentalism is driving increased energy costs

2005-12-09T21:58:00.000-05:00

Who will point fingers at who this winter when heating costs are through the roof? Redstate.org says it's the environmentalists fault. Full story.

At the University of Chicago

2005-12-06T15:44:00.000-05:00

It's great to be part of a team that promotes evangelical literature and speakers at the University Chicago Divinity School, even though the divinity school did not sponsor the event. To hear speakers like George Marsden, Dallas Willard, Neil Plantinga, and my new favorite Graham Walker, click here for an audio lecture site full of goodies.

Shocking Pro-Iraq War Democrat Audio Video Talking Heads

2005-12-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Makes one want to breakout into Rudolph the Red nosed (or long nosed in the case of these) Reindeer. Sometimes a quote and source with text, just isn't as good as hearing and seeing the talking heads in all their passion and glory. Click to Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Amy

2005-12-05T13:41:00.001-05:00

Narnia under fire, defended in an unlikely place

2005-12-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

Saw the standard PC Narnia and CSL bashing line in an article a friend sent me from the Chronicle of Higher Education. Upon reading the article he sent, I was pleasantly surprised. Jesus, the Bible, Intelligent design, certain words in the pledge, all may be at risk of ostracism in the classrooms and how higher education trains the classroom conduits of information, but apparently Aslan is able to remain. Or at least according to one COHE writer, thank GOD! Click to enjoy.

Audio Post Welcome from Joe

2005-12-02T16:41:00.000-05:00

Kevin and Joel and Greg and...

2005-12-02T16:22:00.000-05:00

OK, so all my insightful friends are blogging. That's cool. I have my web page here, and I'm happy with that. But this blogspot thing is free and does the audio posting automatically so...I'm joining the fray for the glory of God.