This is an old article from Chuck Colson. He provides a few case studies of what happens when Christians try to exercise their religious liberty over against the intersts of the homosexual agenda.
Maranatha!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Rev. Wright and "them Jews"
Perhaps as you read this article it might be helpful to remind you that the current President of the United States sat under this man's teaching for 20 years.
But as I have said before, if you don't understand American history and Black history you cannot fathom a Rev. Wright. He seems like a pulpit crackpot. But the truth is, he is not atypical of many Northern Black pastors and churches. He is probably more mainstream than many outside the Black community are aware of. It is unfortunate. His views are Black Nationalist and are ideologically driven by an alienation from "White American" Christianity of the 1900-1930s. Huh, you say? I think it should be called the hate that hate produced. Many Northern Black Christians and Churches responded to an indifferent White Christianity by leaving the faith altogether (Nation of Islam), radicalizing (Shrine of the Black Madonna) or melding Black nationalist ideology with Christian replacement theology (Trinity United Church of Christ).
That the vast majority of mainstream white Christian churches were indifferent to the plight of oppressed Blacks in America from the end of the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement - with a couple of exceptions - is a documented fact. Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is a not a reply to "racists and Ku Klux Klanners" but to the mass of indifferent White Christian pastors who refused to ally themselves with the evident work of the Lord in clarifying the moral aims of the Civil Rights Movement.
Thus, the indifference of the so-called "White" Christian church in America led Black people to conclude that "White" Christianity is the enemy of Black people. And it became possible, in this construct, for Black pastors to identify themselves and their churches with the ultimate oppressed figure - Jesus himself - at the hands of the Jews. Moreover, "the Jews", or in this case "them Jews", at-large have become the co-conspirators with Whites in the narrative of "keeping the Black man down" and "practicing genocide" and opposing the truth. Indeed, contra Jews and Israel, many Black churches have adopted the radical Palestinian mantra of "Zionism = Racism".
The trouble is, despite evident racial progress and a very real change of heart from many White Christians and predominantly White churches, Rev. Wright and many others have never deviated from this "ideology as theology". The oppression narrative has expanded its scope and has explanatory power for Black pathology now. It has filled the church pews Sunday after Sunday with the alienated and economically desperate throughout urban and northern housing communities for four decades. It remains very activist. And what community organizer worth his salt would not want be an active part of such a community institution? By golly, with the help of charismatic pastors fully committed to the rhetoric of nationalism, fully committed to the narrative of Jews and Whites as continual oppressors, why, an activist politician sitting the pews for 20 years under such teaching might actually come away with having learned something.
Good Lord, help us!
But as I have said before, if you don't understand American history and Black history you cannot fathom a Rev. Wright. He seems like a pulpit crackpot. But the truth is, he is not atypical of many Northern Black pastors and churches. He is probably more mainstream than many outside the Black community are aware of. It is unfortunate. His views are Black Nationalist and are ideologically driven by an alienation from "White American" Christianity of the 1900-1930s. Huh, you say? I think it should be called the hate that hate produced. Many Northern Black Christians and Churches responded to an indifferent White Christianity by leaving the faith altogether (Nation of Islam), radicalizing (Shrine of the Black Madonna) or melding Black nationalist ideology with Christian replacement theology (Trinity United Church of Christ).
That the vast majority of mainstream white Christian churches were indifferent to the plight of oppressed Blacks in America from the end of the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement - with a couple of exceptions - is a documented fact. Dr. King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is a not a reply to "racists and Ku Klux Klanners" but to the mass of indifferent White Christian pastors who refused to ally themselves with the evident work of the Lord in clarifying the moral aims of the Civil Rights Movement.
Thus, the indifference of the so-called "White" Christian church in America led Black people to conclude that "White" Christianity is the enemy of Black people. And it became possible, in this construct, for Black pastors to identify themselves and their churches with the ultimate oppressed figure - Jesus himself - at the hands of the Jews. Moreover, "the Jews", or in this case "them Jews", at-large have become the co-conspirators with Whites in the narrative of "keeping the Black man down" and "practicing genocide" and opposing the truth. Indeed, contra Jews and Israel, many Black churches have adopted the radical Palestinian mantra of "Zionism = Racism".
The trouble is, despite evident racial progress and a very real change of heart from many White Christians and predominantly White churches, Rev. Wright and many others have never deviated from this "ideology as theology". The oppression narrative has expanded its scope and has explanatory power for Black pathology now. It has filled the church pews Sunday after Sunday with the alienated and economically desperate throughout urban and northern housing communities for four decades. It remains very activist. And what community organizer worth his salt would not want be an active part of such a community institution? By golly, with the help of charismatic pastors fully committed to the rhetoric of nationalism, fully committed to the narrative of Jews and Whites as continual oppressors, why, an activist politician sitting the pews for 20 years under such teaching might actually come away with having learned something.
Good Lord, help us!
Interesting megachurches study
Here's a link to Christian Post about a study of megachurches. What most piqued my interest is what I intuitively sensed about them: most of the attendees are single. most people go to a megachurch because they're attracted to the worship style; most people stay at a megachurch because they're attracted to the senior pastor.
Interesting stuff...
Interesting stuff...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Persecution in America
Can't have Bible studies in homes? In San Diego? Well, it had to happen sooner or later. And certainly if the scriptures are true, it was bound to happen - even here. Still, it shakes you. Nobody I know of thought Christians would be openly persecuted in our generation, not in America. Is this the beginning of things to come or is it a big misunderstanding?
The reader comments to this article are also worth the read! It's good to see others are outraged by this as well. : )
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.
Maranatha! Soli Deo Gloria!
The reader comments to this article are also worth the read! It's good to see others are outraged by this as well. : )
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.
Maranatha! Soli Deo Gloria!
Monday, May 25, 2009
I'm back!
Sorry for the inactivity...but I'm still around! It's Memorial Day. My prayer is for our blessed experiment in democratic government - led and administered by godly and moral people - should continue for the sake of world. Why? That all men everywhere may know the love of Jesus and commit to an abiding relationship with him.
Now is the day of salvation!!!!
Now is the day of salvation!!!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Another Confessing Catholic Speaks Out
This is good news. Harvard Law professor Mary Ann Glendon, a devout Roman Catholic author and public intellectual, has refused the Laetare Medal - and along with it the privilege of speaking at the very same Notre Dame commencement ceremony that President Obama is scheduled to speak. This medal is apparently the highest honor given to a Roman Catholic:
'The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society. The award is given to an American Catholic layperson "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."'
Why is she doing this? Principle. There is such a thing. President Barack Obama's stated views of the sanctity of life runs counter to the policy of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Here's a choice quote from her letter to First Things magazine:
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
These days there's not a lot for social conservatives to cheer about, so when we get two such highly publicized incidents, (Miss California & Traditional Marriage being the other) it is cause to lift one's countenance in hope there is still salt and light in this dark period in America.
Luke 18:7-8
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
Maranatha & Baruch Hashem!
'The Laetare Medal is an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society. The award is given to an American Catholic layperson "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."'
Why is she doing this? Principle. There is such a thing. President Barack Obama's stated views of the sanctity of life runs counter to the policy of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. Here's a choice quote from her letter to First Things magazine:
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
These days there's not a lot for social conservatives to cheer about, so when we get two such highly publicized incidents, (Miss California & Traditional Marriage being the other) it is cause to lift one's countenance in hope there is still salt and light in this dark period in America.
Luke 18:7-8
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
Maranatha & Baruch Hashem!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Waterboarding = Torture; D&E Abortion Procedure = Not Torture
The President says with near-impossible hypocrisy that as a nation America is at risk of "losing our moral bearings" - on the issue of the CIA's use of alleged torture techniques, like waterboarding, during intense interrogation sessions.
Perhaps from now on we'll just not place sweets on their pillows during their hotel stays.
But the larger picture is this: who is he to judge about American morality? Isn't this kind of judgment way over-the-top from a "when life begins is above my paygrade" President who was and still is famously pro-abortion from the Senate to the White House? The nerve! The effrontery! President Obama is poised to make Executive decisions regarding U.S. taxpayer funding of ANY kind of abortion as law - and he has the nerve to lecture the American people on moral bearings?
The President supports the abortion of innocent life at every possible stage and in every possible way, but we pour water on a suspected terrorist's head to make him confess to mass murder and we receive actionable intelligence, but somehow - by his twisted morality - we are at risk of losing our moral bearings?
This is how he said it after meeting with a foreign digitary:
"...And we rely on some very courageous people, not just in our military but also in the Central Intelligence Agency, to help protect the American people. And they have to make some very difficult decisions because, as I mentioned yesterday, they are confronted with an enemy that doesn't have scruples, that isn't constrained by constitutions, aren't constrained by legal niceties. Having said that, the OLC memos that were released reflected, in my view, us losing our moral bearings. That's why I've discontinued those enhanced interrogation programs..."
When the President of the United States can make these kinds of statements and no one bats an eye - Good Lord, help us!
Maranatha and Baruch Hashem!
Perhaps from now on we'll just not place sweets on their pillows during their hotel stays.
But the larger picture is this: who is he to judge about American morality? Isn't this kind of judgment way over-the-top from a "when life begins is above my paygrade" President who was and still is famously pro-abortion from the Senate to the White House? The nerve! The effrontery! President Obama is poised to make Executive decisions regarding U.S. taxpayer funding of ANY kind of abortion as law - and he has the nerve to lecture the American people on moral bearings?
The President supports the abortion of innocent life at every possible stage and in every possible way, but we pour water on a suspected terrorist's head to make him confess to mass murder and we receive actionable intelligence, but somehow - by his twisted morality - we are at risk of losing our moral bearings?
This is how he said it after meeting with a foreign digitary:
"...And we rely on some very courageous people, not just in our military but also in the Central Intelligence Agency, to help protect the American people. And they have to make some very difficult decisions because, as I mentioned yesterday, they are confronted with an enemy that doesn't have scruples, that isn't constrained by constitutions, aren't constrained by legal niceties. Having said that, the OLC memos that were released reflected, in my view, us losing our moral bearings. That's why I've discontinued those enhanced interrogation programs..."
When the President of the United States can make these kinds of statements and no one bats an eye - Good Lord, help us!
Maranatha and Baruch Hashem!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
