There's a lot of talk about what this person or that political party has to answer for. We're talking "Judgment" here. And the judgment in view is that of God.
But what about the organized Church. The one that claims to be the "Ordained of God?" Is she going to escape retribution? Not on your life!
I'm not talking about those cult-like sub-groups. I'm talking about Mainstream "Church." The one that everyone can see and many people enjoy.
Let me spell it out for you. This is the Church that has:
Abandoned The Bible as the final authority in all things pertaining to faith and practice.
Opened the doors to a variety of biblically offensive patterns and policies
Normalized the sin of Cain, by creating all sorts of alternative "worship" forms.
Embraced Satan's Lie by teaching as fact that believers become "little gods."
Accepted The False Relgion of Babel, with it's mysticism and required religious behaviors.
Incorporated occultic practices such as exorcism or 'Deliverance' techniques, speaking in gibberish and calling it an angelic language: the language of God, channeling spirits of demons who communicate messages supposedly from God and clairvoyance in knowing the physical or financial condition of people they've never met.
Turned a deaf ear and blind eye to the Canaanite practice of offering their infant children to be sacrificed on the altar of a false god for wealth or pleasure. Abortion on demand, as a woman's "Right"
Making merchandise of mens' souls with a Health-Wealth Medicine Show, complete with hucksters and shills, peddling useless products at outrageous prices and calling it The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Exalting biblical ignorance by calling it spirituality or the Spirit-filled life.
All the while marginalizing the clear truth of God's Word. A truth we do not want to hear because of its unyielding exaltation of God....over self.
Do you recognize YOUR church? In subsequent blogs I will attempt to flesh out what is meant by these statements, one statement at a time.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Know You Cannot
A man once said, "A man's got to know his limitations!"
Those who are in control of our Federal and State Governments would do well to take his advice. Those who ascribe to the Liberal political philosophy amount to about 20% of the U.S. population, yet they have managed to take control of our education system, our media and more importantly our governmental policies.
They are convinced that, even though what they propose has never worked, it will work for them because they are sincere, their heart is in the right place and they are smarter than any generation to come before.
What they do not know is what they cannot do....
In 1916, a minister and outspoken advocate for liberty, William J. H. Boetcker, published a pamphlet he entitled: "The Ten Cannots"
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character & courage by removing man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they are unwilling to do for themselves.
A Century later, too many Americans are utterly ignorant of these principles...to their peril.
Those who are in control of our Federal and State Governments would do well to take his advice. Those who ascribe to the Liberal political philosophy amount to about 20% of the U.S. population, yet they have managed to take control of our education system, our media and more importantly our governmental policies.
They are convinced that, even though what they propose has never worked, it will work for them because they are sincere, their heart is in the right place and they are smarter than any generation to come before.
What they do not know is what they cannot do....
In 1916, a minister and outspoken advocate for liberty, William J. H. Boetcker, published a pamphlet he entitled: "The Ten Cannots"
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character & courage by removing man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they are unwilling to do for themselves.
A Century later, too many Americans are utterly ignorant of these principles...to their peril.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Calvinistic Restraint Or Evangelical License?
David Brooks writes a column for the New York Times. Apparently he has written, blaming Christians for America's economic woes -- at least in part. His argument is that our traditional "Calvinistic Restraint" was sacrificed in favor of social activism. The "Country's cultural monitors were busy with other things," he says.
Like what? Like arguing against homosexual unions, abortion-on-demand and the issues surrounding Church and State.
Chuck Colson takes issue with this observation, claiming Christians do not separate chastity from thrift. They understand man's basic nature and the purpose for which God created us. Therefore Christians, specifically the Evangelical Right, did not isolate these virtues and therefore contribute to our economic mess.
Oh? Evangelicals are thrifty? They are chaste? Moral examples? Has Colson read the newspaper or watched TV, lately. Does he not know any Evangelicals? Divorce? Sexual sins? Misuse of money? And these are just the preachers!
It wasn't 'Calvinistic Restraint' that brought "The Social Gospel," or "The Charismatic Movement," or "The Seeker Sensitive Movement," or "The Contemporary" or "Emergent Church Movements." All of which are the products of self-indulgence and theological ignorance.
These came from Christians who's favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:1, not John 3:16. Their emphasis is on Free Will, not God's Sovereignty.
I think Brooks is right and Colson has been living a sheltered life!
Like what? Like arguing against homosexual unions, abortion-on-demand and the issues surrounding Church and State.
Chuck Colson takes issue with this observation, claiming Christians do not separate chastity from thrift. They understand man's basic nature and the purpose for which God created us. Therefore Christians, specifically the Evangelical Right, did not isolate these virtues and therefore contribute to our economic mess.
Oh? Evangelicals are thrifty? They are chaste? Moral examples? Has Colson read the newspaper or watched TV, lately. Does he not know any Evangelicals? Divorce? Sexual sins? Misuse of money? And these are just the preachers!
It wasn't 'Calvinistic Restraint' that brought "The Social Gospel," or "The Charismatic Movement," or "The Seeker Sensitive Movement," or "The Contemporary" or "Emergent Church Movements." All of which are the products of self-indulgence and theological ignorance.
These came from Christians who's favorite Bible verse is Matthew 7:1, not John 3:16. Their emphasis is on Free Will, not God's Sovereignty.
I think Brooks is right and Colson has been living a sheltered life!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's Just Not Fair!
I had to spend some time at the DMV, recently. I have found arriving 30 minutes before it opens to be the best use of my time. I stood by the front door, reading and watching the social dynamic of those who were there and others who were arriving.
I tried to encourage a few who were standing on the opposite side of the door from where the majority of us were, to come over to our side and preserve their place in the pecking order. They were not interested.
Later another man tried the same thing only to be insulted and berated by a woman who thought it was none of his business where she stood.
When the door opened one of the men who was standing on the other side of the door, and arrived AFTER me, managed to get in front of me as we entered. I politely excused myself and moved in front of him.
I was Number 3. I got my ticket and sat down to wait. It was then I noticed my ticket number was 4. Someone ahead of me had taken two tickets.
I watched. And ticket number 3 was a young woman who arrived at the last minute and stood on the other side of the door talking to one of the young men who were ahead of me.
Aha! Someone cheated! A distinct violation of the Social Contract.
What does this say about the human heart? More importantly, what does it say about our society? There was a time when people didn't do such things. I was in line first!
The Bible teaches us that God has revealed Himself to every human heart (Rom. 1:20). That revelation brings with it the idea of fairness. Young children understand when things are not fair, without ever being taught.
I've watched children waiting for School Buses set their lunch box or back pack down in front of where the Bus will stop and then go play. When the Bus arrives they run back to their "spot," preserving their place in line.
In classrooms, children will choose a seat and then go hang up their coat. Coming back to find someone in their seat they will protest: "But I was here first!"
It's the nature of human beings to be aware of what's fair....and what's not! And what I experienced was NOT.
I confronted the young man with his "sin." It turned out he was from a different country. Perhaps he just didn't know the rules. His smile indicated something else. He didn't care! The Bible says he is "without excuse."
Just another indication of selfishness and personal pride. It's also an indication of how our society is being coarsened as the days grow short before the coming of Christ.
I tried to encourage a few who were standing on the opposite side of the door from where the majority of us were, to come over to our side and preserve their place in the pecking order. They were not interested.
Later another man tried the same thing only to be insulted and berated by a woman who thought it was none of his business where she stood.
When the door opened one of the men who was standing on the other side of the door, and arrived AFTER me, managed to get in front of me as we entered. I politely excused myself and moved in front of him.
I was Number 3. I got my ticket and sat down to wait. It was then I noticed my ticket number was 4. Someone ahead of me had taken two tickets.
I watched. And ticket number 3 was a young woman who arrived at the last minute and stood on the other side of the door talking to one of the young men who were ahead of me.
Aha! Someone cheated! A distinct violation of the Social Contract.
What does this say about the human heart? More importantly, what does it say about our society? There was a time when people didn't do such things. I was in line first!
The Bible teaches us that God has revealed Himself to every human heart (Rom. 1:20). That revelation brings with it the idea of fairness. Young children understand when things are not fair, without ever being taught.
I've watched children waiting for School Buses set their lunch box or back pack down in front of where the Bus will stop and then go play. When the Bus arrives they run back to their "spot," preserving their place in line.
In classrooms, children will choose a seat and then go hang up their coat. Coming back to find someone in their seat they will protest: "But I was here first!"
It's the nature of human beings to be aware of what's fair....and what's not! And what I experienced was NOT.
I confronted the young man with his "sin." It turned out he was from a different country. Perhaps he just didn't know the rules. His smile indicated something else. He didn't care! The Bible says he is "without excuse."
Just another indication of selfishness and personal pride. It's also an indication of how our society is being coarsened as the days grow short before the coming of Christ.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A Bright Spot In An Ever Darkening World
William Graham Tullian Tchividjian was elected to follow Dr. D. James Kennedy as Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Flordia, about 6 months ago. He was then the pastor of the 500-member New City Church. Presumably, those folks came over to Coral Ridge.
Pastor Tchividjian is 37 years old, prefers contemporary music to organ music, dropped the weekly TV program and doesn't give altar calls.
But his real crime seems to be that he doesn't believe political action is the way to change the country.
Dr. Kennedy's daughter, Jennifer, was banned from Church property, along with 5 other members, back in August for distributing flyers critical of the new pastor.
About 400 members signed a petition requesting a Special Business Meeting to decide whether or not to keep him or fire him. That meeting was held on Sunday morning, September 20, 2009.
Critics faulted him for not maintaining the Kennedy legacy and for altering traditions. Supporters noted that Church membership was increasing and congregation should stay united.
How would you have voted? I suppose if you preferred organ music to trap-sets, you might have tended to vote for firing him. And, if you were convinced The Church is ordained to bring in the Millennium, you might have been tempted to vote against him.
But, what if you really believed The Bible? What if you saw "Church" as something distinct from politics? What if you saw "Church" as a uniquely Christian thing, not structured for, nor oriented toward unbelievers? You'd probably vote to keep him.
This congregation voted to keep him, by a ratio of 2 to 1.
It's a bright spot in an otherwise dark world. Too many churches, today, have abandoned their biblical heritage for Seeker Sensitive, Contemporary, Marketing plans. They make no apologies for trying to attract as many unsaved people as possible. To do so they have brought in as much of the world as possible, to make unsaved people feel comfortable.
I would suggest this philosophy will destroy "Church" as we know it. If that hasn't already happened. Theirs is a wonderful plan. The only problem is: There is No Bible to support it.
Pastor Tchividjian is 37 years old, prefers contemporary music to organ music, dropped the weekly TV program and doesn't give altar calls.
But his real crime seems to be that he doesn't believe political action is the way to change the country.
Dr. Kennedy's daughter, Jennifer, was banned from Church property, along with 5 other members, back in August for distributing flyers critical of the new pastor.
About 400 members signed a petition requesting a Special Business Meeting to decide whether or not to keep him or fire him. That meeting was held on Sunday morning, September 20, 2009.
Critics faulted him for not maintaining the Kennedy legacy and for altering traditions. Supporters noted that Church membership was increasing and congregation should stay united.
How would you have voted? I suppose if you preferred organ music to trap-sets, you might have tended to vote for firing him. And, if you were convinced The Church is ordained to bring in the Millennium, you might have been tempted to vote against him.
But, what if you really believed The Bible? What if you saw "Church" as something distinct from politics? What if you saw "Church" as a uniquely Christian thing, not structured for, nor oriented toward unbelievers? You'd probably vote to keep him.
This congregation voted to keep him, by a ratio of 2 to 1.
It's a bright spot in an otherwise dark world. Too many churches, today, have abandoned their biblical heritage for Seeker Sensitive, Contemporary, Marketing plans. They make no apologies for trying to attract as many unsaved people as possible. To do so they have brought in as much of the world as possible, to make unsaved people feel comfortable.
I would suggest this philosophy will destroy "Church" as we know it. If that hasn't already happened. Theirs is a wonderful plan. The only problem is: There is No Bible to support it.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Golden Rule In Our Political Rhetoric
A local newspaper editor emailed to ask: Why do you think the current political discourse has gotten so coarse lately? She's doing an article and wanted my perspective.
I answered: The short answer is that people are coarse by nature. But, the larger issue is our political history and the immensity of what's at risk, today.
Politics in America has been strewn with really awful rhetoric, personal attacks and in some cases even physical attacks. I guess we think politicians are "Fair Game," since they put themselves "out there."
Adding to that tradition, I believe what we're seeing and hearing, today, is the clash of worldviews. We heard it for years, when the conservative (so-called) agenda was being supported -- now it's the "other guy's" turn.
What's ramping it all up is a combination of altering over 200 years of American tradition and law, and then telling critics they don't matter, or worse. [Pelosi's "Nazi" comment and Carter's "Racist" comment are but two illustrations]
Over the last 50 or so years, in America, our leadership has steadily moved us away from our moral roots onto the slippery slope of humanism, which is to say a relative morality. The result is a population that no longer pays any attention to what's right or good, in an absolute sense. Everything is now relative! And our public discourse reflects that.
For example, to support abortion, the U.S. Supreme Court found a "Right" in the Constitution that isn't there and over 45 million babies have been legally killed, since 1973. Science has since found that the fertilized egg in a woman is not part of her body, at all. Once fertilized it becomes something distinct from it's parts. Apparently we were too quick to legalize this awful thing. And, some of the same people who are critical of Obama and the Liberal Left, were not happy with that decision, either. They see this as more of the same.
To support National Health Care, the President and Congress are finding more "Rights" that aren't there....arguing that it's compassionate. Americans aren't buying it, for the obvious reasons -- cost and principle.
A minority of politicians are pushing through a massive spending bill, on top of the already massive spending this government sees as necessary. Locally, the same is true. In a down-economy, our State and local governments have actually increased our costs through fees and taxes on essential items.
In our Church, we cut our 2009 budget by 15%, in anticipation of a difficult financial year, and have seen NO reduction in spending -- everything went UP. This is unconscionable. And it upsets people.
Add to that the arrogance of Democrats, at Town Hall Meetings, and you get an over-reaction.
Golden Rule? When our leadership operates by this standard, the population will follow. It's a Truism that the leadership sets the tone. And they are constantly showing us how they expect to be treated.
There are Two Americas: One that wants us to be like Europe: Social Democrats, the other wants us to be what we've always been: a Capitalistic Republic. The minority is winning this debate and it upsets the majority who will be left to pay for it.
Underlying all this is Religion. America was founded on biblical principles of government, economics and social standards. Pulling us away from that to the Religion of Humanism is going to create serious reaction, even from people who aren't particularly religious.
It's our Tradition. It has sustained us and made us great. The French Revolution was an exercise in Humanism -- and it was barbaric. The American Revolution was an exercise of Contract Law, supported by biblical standards. Great Britain had reneged on her agreement. And the Colonists had spent 10 years trying to get Great Britain to honor her contracts before issuing their Declaration of Indepence. There are many parallels in our current turmoil.
I expect this coarseness to continue. There are few social controls left. You hear it in the preachers who rail against politicians in less than kind ways and with monstrous comparisons. Men who should know better, but are frightened at what they see.
I also expect to live long enough to see America a Humanistic, Socialistic society. We're already there, in the areas that count. It's just a matter of legitimizing it in law and practice. In the end: You get what you reward.
We've been rewarding indolence and greed; self gratification and individual morality. Those are the "chickens" that have come home to roost. It has been fascinating to listen to men who make no pretense at religious conviction spout Bible verses and principles in defense of our liberties in the public square. All the while living opposite that rhetoric in their private lives.
They don't see the disconnect; the hypocrisy. And that's America in the 21st century.
I answered: The short answer is that people are coarse by nature. But, the larger issue is our political history and the immensity of what's at risk, today.
Politics in America has been strewn with really awful rhetoric, personal attacks and in some cases even physical attacks. I guess we think politicians are "Fair Game," since they put themselves "out there."
Adding to that tradition, I believe what we're seeing and hearing, today, is the clash of worldviews. We heard it for years, when the conservative (so-called) agenda was being supported -- now it's the "other guy's" turn.
What's ramping it all up is a combination of altering over 200 years of American tradition and law, and then telling critics they don't matter, or worse. [Pelosi's "Nazi" comment and Carter's "Racist" comment are but two illustrations]
Over the last 50 or so years, in America, our leadership has steadily moved us away from our moral roots onto the slippery slope of humanism, which is to say a relative morality. The result is a population that no longer pays any attention to what's right or good, in an absolute sense. Everything is now relative! And our public discourse reflects that.
For example, to support abortion, the U.S. Supreme Court found a "Right" in the Constitution that isn't there and over 45 million babies have been legally killed, since 1973. Science has since found that the fertilized egg in a woman is not part of her body, at all. Once fertilized it becomes something distinct from it's parts. Apparently we were too quick to legalize this awful thing. And, some of the same people who are critical of Obama and the Liberal Left, were not happy with that decision, either. They see this as more of the same.
To support National Health Care, the President and Congress are finding more "Rights" that aren't there....arguing that it's compassionate. Americans aren't buying it, for the obvious reasons -- cost and principle.
A minority of politicians are pushing through a massive spending bill, on top of the already massive spending this government sees as necessary. Locally, the same is true. In a down-economy, our State and local governments have actually increased our costs through fees and taxes on essential items.
In our Church, we cut our 2009 budget by 15%, in anticipation of a difficult financial year, and have seen NO reduction in spending -- everything went UP. This is unconscionable. And it upsets people.
Add to that the arrogance of Democrats, at Town Hall Meetings, and you get an over-reaction.
Golden Rule? When our leadership operates by this standard, the population will follow. It's a Truism that the leadership sets the tone. And they are constantly showing us how they expect to be treated.
There are Two Americas: One that wants us to be like Europe: Social Democrats, the other wants us to be what we've always been: a Capitalistic Republic. The minority is winning this debate and it upsets the majority who will be left to pay for it.
Underlying all this is Religion. America was founded on biblical principles of government, economics and social standards. Pulling us away from that to the Religion of Humanism is going to create serious reaction, even from people who aren't particularly religious.
It's our Tradition. It has sustained us and made us great. The French Revolution was an exercise in Humanism -- and it was barbaric. The American Revolution was an exercise of Contract Law, supported by biblical standards. Great Britain had reneged on her agreement. And the Colonists had spent 10 years trying to get Great Britain to honor her contracts before issuing their Declaration of Indepence. There are many parallels in our current turmoil.
I expect this coarseness to continue. There are few social controls left. You hear it in the preachers who rail against politicians in less than kind ways and with monstrous comparisons. Men who should know better, but are frightened at what they see.
I also expect to live long enough to see America a Humanistic, Socialistic society. We're already there, in the areas that count. It's just a matter of legitimizing it in law and practice. In the end: You get what you reward.
We've been rewarding indolence and greed; self gratification and individual morality. Those are the "chickens" that have come home to roost. It has been fascinating to listen to men who make no pretense at religious conviction spout Bible verses and principles in defense of our liberties in the public square. All the while living opposite that rhetoric in their private lives.
They don't see the disconnect; the hypocrisy. And that's America in the 21st century.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Children of The State
Amanda Kurowski is a ten year old girl who is being Home-Schooled by her mother. She is excelling academically, is socially active through extra-curricular activities and the public-school courses she takes to suppliment her education.
But Amanda's parents are divorced and her father is not satisfied. He doesn't believe Amanda is getting a well-rounded education. At odds: The "rigid Christian faith" Amanda is being subjected to.
So, off to court they went....in New Hampshire.
The Court found that "it would be remarkable if a 10-year-old child who spends her school time with her mother and the vast majority of all her other time with her mother would seriously consider adopting any other religious point of view."
So...Amanda is required to enroll in a "Public School."
There, she will be exposed to other children and other worldviews. This exposure will make her a better person and a better citizen. Or will it?
You know how this works. Being sheltered from drugs, profanity, nudity, rebellious attitudes, homosexual activism, sex-education, subjective moral standards, dubious science, racy literature, humanistic philosophies, and a curriculum that can't produce High School graduates who are functionally literate will stunt Amanda's development as a person.
If you believe that, you'll believe 50 million Americans are being denied access to medical care.
The Courts in New Hampshire are now mandating what religious beliefs a child can be exposed to....or which ONE they can't! Who do they think they are? Children do not belong to the State! Or do they?
But Amanda's parents are divorced and her father is not satisfied. He doesn't believe Amanda is getting a well-rounded education. At odds: The "rigid Christian faith" Amanda is being subjected to.
So, off to court they went....in New Hampshire.
The Court found that "it would be remarkable if a 10-year-old child who spends her school time with her mother and the vast majority of all her other time with her mother would seriously consider adopting any other religious point of view."
So...Amanda is required to enroll in a "Public School."
There, she will be exposed to other children and other worldviews. This exposure will make her a better person and a better citizen. Or will it?
You know how this works. Being sheltered from drugs, profanity, nudity, rebellious attitudes, homosexual activism, sex-education, subjective moral standards, dubious science, racy literature, humanistic philosophies, and a curriculum that can't produce High School graduates who are functionally literate will stunt Amanda's development as a person.
If you believe that, you'll believe 50 million Americans are being denied access to medical care.
The Courts in New Hampshire are now mandating what religious beliefs a child can be exposed to....or which ONE they can't! Who do they think they are? Children do not belong to the State! Or do they?
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