Micah6.8

Why I Will Proudly Vote for Mitt Romney on Tuesday

2012-01-27T12:42:00.022-06:00

Primary season in Florida is just about over with for those of us in the Republican Party. Most will breathe a collective sigh of relief tomorrow when campaign ads, both positive and negative, no longer dominate our screens and airwaves. I must confess, unlike most, that I have thoroughly enjoyed the month of January as the primaries have gotten underway. For most, politics is dirty. For me, it is an area, like all of God's creation, in need of cultivation and reformation.

This coming Tuesday I will proudly cast my vote for Governor Romney, after having undertaken an extensive vetting that has really, in many regards, been an ongoing process for the past four years following his previously failed run. Before I list the positive reasons why I will vote for Romney, let me thoughtfully attempt to explain what I find both commendable and objectionable in the other candidates. This is not meant to be exhaustive, and much more could be said, but these are, in my estimation, the salient points.

Ron Paul: Any objective observer has to admit that Dr. Paul's principled commitment to economic liberty is unmatched by any other candidate. He rightfully believes in individual responsibility and has spoken candidly and truthfully about our nation's financial woes, dispensing the difficult but necessary news that our country needs to hear; we would be wise to listen to much of what he has to say in this regard. Additionally, his personal integrity and fidelity to his wife, coupled with the fact that he has delivered over 4000 babies, marks him as a man of inestimable and unflinching virtue in my eyes. With regard to foreign affairs, I do not think it fair to classify him as an "isolationist" but believe he should be rightly viewed as a non-interventionist, as he does not oppose trade, but excessive nation building and foreign wars. While I think his view of recent conflicts is grossly in error, I believe he makes some salient points regarding the folly of unbridled nation building that we would do well to heed. Having said this, while Dr. Paul is running as a Republican, he is, at heart, a libertarian, and while libertarianism has always played a role in shaping certain aspects of conservatism, in totality it has always been rightfully rejected as a viable governing philosophy when taken to its logical end. Over the past several weeks I have debated, vigorously and earnestly, many of Paul's supporters, some of whom are dear friends and co-laborers of the Gospel. While most applaud his libertarian ideals, I contend they go far beyond the scope of God's moral code for society. Case in point: Marriage and abortion. Dr. Paul has repeated over and over the mantra that forms the heart of libertarianism - the idea that one can do as they please as long as one's actions in no way harm or injure another. This sounds all well and good to a society consumed with individualism, and appeals to those demanding individual responsibility, as well as to those desiring to be left alone to do as they please, but this is in no way remotely conservative, nor I believe biblical, which is my ultimate standard so far as is possible in the realm of fallen men. Dr. Paul has stated that marriage can really be whatever anyone wants it to be so long as it is not imposed upon others and that the government really has no interest in its definition, maintenance and preservation, because, in his estimation, the constitution is silent on it. Better to leave it to the states in accord with his 10th Amendment views. The same can be said for his views on abortion, though he seems to constantly vacillate on a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution. I simply cannot accept this. While fidelity to the constitution is vital, fidelity to the transcendent principles that undergird it is far more vital to the health of a society, something Rick Santorum has brilliantly pointed out for several weeks now. Paul's positions on marriage, stating that it should be a private matter of the church or private contract, and abortion, stating that it should be dealt with at the state level, betray, it seems to me, the foundational responsibilities of government, that of protecting life and safeguarding the institution that cultivates civilization itself. His policies would guarantee the relativism of marriage throughout the land and ensure that abortion, in some states, will prevail indefinitely. This is cultural insanity. Just as we could not live "half slave, half free," we cannot, and more importantly, should not, live with personhood conferred on the fetus in one state but not in a neighboring state. That this was the status quo before Roe makes it irrelevant to the question of whether it is just. In the words of Herb Schlossberg, while statism deifies the state, libertarianism deifies man; thus, both are humanists to the core. For this reason, I simply cannot endorse Mr. Paul in the primary and would advise conservatives to forgo support for him as well.

Rick Santorum: Senator Santorum is a valiant defender of the family, exceptional husband, father and cultural warrior par excellence. His defense of life and marriage have been inspiring to many over the years, especially to me. I remember vividly listening to his eloquent words when he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the early Nineties. Like the great British statesman, William Wilberforce, his fiery tongue has been used for great good and to advance the cause of life and marriage in an age when both have been under fierce assault. In South Carolina, he admirably defended the place of transcendent moral absolutes to voters challenging his cultural positions, showing the folly of living life without fixed standards of right and wrong. Additionally, his understanding of the constitution far exceeds, in my estimation, that of any other candidate, including Congressman Paul, as simply invoking the constitution over and over is not synonymous with actually understanding it (think of how many invoke Scripture without really understanding its overarching narrative). Having said the above, he has shown a penchant for all too quickly relying on military action to address deeper problems of diplomacy. He seems all to willing to commit military forces to regions of the world in a reflexive manner, lacking at times, prudence and caution. Additionally, he simply does not, in my estimation given the current climate, present the best possible face for conservatives going forward, as his demeanor bespeaks of gloom and defeat. He needs more time to mature in leadership, and while this run may not be successful, I think the future is bright for the once defeated Senator from Pennsylvania. The nominee would be wise to seriously consider him as a running mate.

Speaker Gingrich: Like Rick Santorum, I have followed Newt Gingrich since his ascendancy to Congress in the early 1980s; he was and remains a master rhetorician, capable of turning an argument back on his opponent in stunningly simple, clear and devastatingly effective ways. His leadership and vision helped usher in the the first Republican majority in the US House in over forty years, and his drafting of the Contract With America served to embolden and galvanize conservatives throughout the land. I remember reading it in 1995 and being inspired! Newt is nothing if not a cornucopia of ideas, and many of them have been sorely needed by a conservative movement at times lacking creativity and the ability to offer relevant solutions to modern impasses. Newt has also articulated the pro-life position very well over the years, and has, in my opinion, rightly pointed to the fact that the 14th Amendment serves as a foundation to abolish abortion in our land today, short of a Human Life Amendment being passed and signed into law through the amendment process. Having said the above, Newt has always appeared to me to be an incredibly self-centered man, whose narcissism reaches "truly staggering" heights at times. His serial marital infidelity lends credence to a man who simply has not matured and who has shown very little, if any, remorse and repentance for his actions. Like many others, I take him at his word that he is a changed man, but that is wholly different than whether he should be the standard bearer for a party that must find the will to fight the great cultural battles of the day, whether successful or not. His lack of discipline and ability to build coalitions would be disastrous to a party, and more importantly, to a country needing, not grand rhetoric (we have had enough of that!), but wise, disciplined and persevering leadership; the sticktoitiveness that marks the great men of history, men like Wilberforce, Churchill, and Reagan. Considering his personal pattern of recklessness, combined with his grandiose view of government solutions to every pressing issue of the day, I cannot vote for him and would plead for conservatives considering voting for him to seriously reconsider their vote. While many think he could best Obama, Newt will, as he always has, become the issue and policy will be moved off center stage, thus ensuring defeat and the solidification of the Obama worldview over American politics for the next generation - something disconcerting to fully comprehend. Newt's unprincipled and disastrous leftist assault on capitalism as of late has only served, in my mind, to solidify his image as a man willing to say anything and be anything to win an election.

Mitt Romney: I have followed Governor Romney since his run for the United States Senate against Ted Kennedy in 1994; I remember the entire conservative movement being elated that he actually had a chance to defeat the Liberal Lion himself. Romney did phenomenally well considering the odds, losing by less than 10 points to the lesser prince of Camelot. I have always viewed him as a man of immense character, integrity and patriotism. The son of Michigan Governor George Romney, Mitt could have taken the easy path of inherited wealth and lived the life of ease. That he chose not to do so says quite a bit about him. His business prowess and leadership skills are far superior to any of the other candidates in the race at this point. While ideology has always been vastly important to me, it seems that we are, at this moment, in desperate need of wise, prudent leadership, the kind that Governor Romney seems to demonstrate. In another era, perhaps Newt's lunar colony would win the day; for now, we need the wisdom to chart another course, one of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and private sector ingenuity, all areas where Mitt excels in my estimation. While I understand the concerns of my fellow conservatives in many ways regarding his recent embrace of life and the sanctity of marriage, I think it vitally important to look at his actual record as the Chief Executive of Massachusetts. When one does objectively, they can only conclude that his motives are altruistic, as his actions demonstrate great fidelity and commitment to social conservatism. Furthermore, he has given support to a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution and to a Marriage Amendment as well, something both needed in my estimation if we are to preserve any semblance of cultural sanity and survive as as prosperous, thriving people capable of the basics of self-government. He also has the ability to unify various wings of the party to achieve victory against Obama and to reach a significant number of Democrats and Independents whose votes will be needed to win as well. That he has received the endorsement of men from Chris Christie to Robert Bork speaks well to his ability to unify a fractured electorate and actually get something accomplished for the good of the country. I have not come to embrace his candidacy lightly, and while his Mormonism is not disqualifying to me, I cannot say that it is completely irrelevant to his candidacy. A man's heat cannot be divided; what he is in private is what he is in public. The potential validation of an unorthodox religious system as something Christian causes genuine concern, and while much has been written on this subject, both pro and con, I must ultimately base my decision not on whose theology is more orthodox, but on which candidate best exemplifies the standard set forth in Scripture of justice, mercy and humility, combined with integrity and the actual leadership necessary to govern for the good of the citizenry. When that is done, it is clear to me that Governor Romney becomes the best choice to serve as the next President of the United States.

MLK's Amazing Letter

2012-01-16T07:55:00.006-06:00

Today our nation celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. While King's legacy is greatly disputed in many sectors of society today, his writings continue to hold great value for a culture that has discarded absolutes.

While reading through (with new eyes I might add), King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, I was blown away by the force of his polemic against segregation and for absolutes. For years, I have scanned the usual reviews of this letter but never actually took the time to read it myself. It is one of the most, if not the most, powerful and eloquent pieces of persuasive writing I have ever digested. His breadth of knowledge was vast; he quotes Augustine in one breath and the Apostle Paul in another; invokes Luther, Bunyan, and Jefferson then moves seamlessly between Niebuhr and Tillich. It is simply a masterpiece. If you have not read it, take the time to do so and read it to your family, as Chuck Colson suggested, as a civics lesson like few others.

(Here is Colson's review of the letter:http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/16206)

Of particular importance to me, King saved some of his harshest ctiticism for those ministers who sat on the sidelines and used the excuse that social issues should be divorced from the preaching of the gospel. Here is his response:

I have heard numerous southern religious leaders admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers declare: "Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother." In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: "Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern." And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular.

How ironic it is today that most who invoke the legacy of King, the left-leaning media, various civil rights coalitions, and leftists in academia, want the fruit of King's legacy but reject the worldview that undergirded it. In the name of tolerance, they reject absolutes and dismiss the grounding of law in God's moral, transcendent order. Without realizing the folly of their thinking, they do, as C.S. Lewis said, ""make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise, laugh at honor and [then] are shocked to find traitors in our midst, castrate and then bid the geldings to be fruitful."

(This article was adapted from one that I posted last year on MLK Day)

Does Christmas Move You?

2012-01-02T09:42:00.003-06:00

Soren Keirkegaard, the Danish philosopher, wrote in this short essay, Only a Rumor, about how one can know much about Christianity, yet be unmoved by it, and more importantly, by Christ Himself. It is a question for all us who claim Christ as our Savior and who profess to be disciples in the Way:

Although the scribes could explain where the Messiah should be born, they remained quite unperturbed in Jerusalem. They did not accompany the Wise Men to seek him. Similarly we may know the whole of Christianity, yet make no movement. The power that moved heaven and earth leaves us completely unmoved.
What a difference! The three kings had only a rumor to go by. But it moved them to make that long journey. The scribes were much better informed, much better versed. They sat and studied the Scriptures like so many dons, but it did not make them move. Who had the more truth? The three kings who followed a rumor, or the scribes who remained sitting with all their knowledge?
What a vexation it must have been for the kings, that the scribes who gave them the news they wanted remained quiet in Jerusalem! We are being mocked, the kings might have thought. For indeed what an atrocious self-contradiction that the scribes should have the knowledge and yet remain still. This is as bad as if a person knows all about Christ and his teachings, and his own life expresses the opposite. We are tempted to suppose that such a person wishes to fool us, unless we admit that he is only fooling himself.

George Grant on Advent

2011-11-29T08:50:00.007-06:00

Here is a great summation of the meaning of Advent, dated before the Internet age, by Pastor George Grant, taken from his wonderful book, Christmas Spirit.

"Advent is a season of preparation. For centuries Christians have used the month prior to the celebration of Christ's incarnation to ready their hearts and homes for the great festival. While we moderns tend to do a good bit of bustling about in the crowded hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas - shopping for presents, compiling guest lists, mailing holiday greeting cards, perusing catalogs, decorating hearth and home, baking favorite confections, and getting ready for one party after another - that hardly constitutes the kind of preparation Advent calls for. Indeed, traditionally Advent has been a time of quiet introspection, personal examination, and repentance. A time to slow down, to take stock of the things that matter most, and to do a thorough inner housecleaning. Advent is, as the ancient dogma of the Church asserts, a Little Pascha - a time of fasting, prayer, confession, and reconciliation. All the great Advent stories, hymns, customs, and rituals - from the medieval liturgical antiphons and Scrooge's A Christmas Carol to the lighting of the Advent candles and the eating of Martinmas beef are attuned to this notion: the best way to prepare for the coming of the Lord is to make straight His pathway in our hearts."

Thanksgiving Reflections

2011-11-24T07:20:00.019-06:00

"You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink."

G. K. Chesterton

The great essayists, G.K. Chesterton, expressed what a life of robust gratitude should look like in the quote above. Chesterton's point was that gratitude should not be confined to segmented areas of life. Is is right to express gratitude routinely before meals, and at set aside times such as Thanksgiving? Absolutely, yet a life of gratitude encompasses even the most ordinary and mundane activities of life.

I believe the primary sin that afflicts our culture today is the sin of ingratitude. We are simply not a thankful people, and that begins with me. Sure, we set aside, rightfully so, specific times to demonstrate gratitude, but our culture at large rarely expresses this most important of all virtues on a consistent basis. A quick survey of the landscape demonstrates this quite vividly: Occupiers protesting over what really amounts to envy and greed, NBA holdouts consumed with squeezing every last dime out of owners, a best friend's wife abandoning her family after twenty-three years of marriage because she feels she deserves far more out of life than the manifold blessings she has received and is now hardened beyond the ability to see them any longer, or, on a personal level, a husband (I'll leave it to you to figure out of whom I speak!) who takes his wife to task because the home is not as tidy as he prefers when he comes home from being out of town, never taking into account the added demands and burdens placed upon her while he is away!

With that in mind, I want to take the time to list those things for which I am most grateful this Thanksgiving, things both large and small, cosmic and local:

First, I am thankful for a God who loves me and who sent His Son to redeem me from a life of sin and misery. All true gratitude flows solely and exclusively from this reality.

Secondly, I am thankful for a wife of extraordinary ability and commitment to our family, and for five children that God has entrusted to me to steward through life. May they all know the saving grace of God through Christ and may they glorify Him as their chief aim.

Thirdly, I am thankful for a mother who continues to bless me with so much wisdom, a father, now gone, who provided valiantly, and five siblings who made my life an immense joy growing up, particularly at Christmas! Along with this, I am deeply grateful for a grandmother and grandfather who taught me the meaning of joy and tradition growing up.

Fourthly, I am thankful for my church and her pastor, Uri Brito. In a time of theological compromise, he stands as a bulwark of truth in a culture void of absolutes. May God bless his ministry in manifold ways in the coming years.

Fifthly, I am thankful for my closest friends, Tom, Mark, and Richard, who hold me accountable, walk with integrity, and sharpen me with their encouragement and critiques. Additionally, I am deeply grateful for our mens group and all of the men who have become great friends over the course of the last year. It is a great privilege to lead this group and to see such faithfulness in so many men.

Sixthly, I am thankful for the vocation that God has given me to provide for my family and to influence others. In a time of economic hardship, provision is a great blessing.

Seventhly, I am thankful for the ability to undertake the physical challenges of triathlons, duathlons, and marathons, often with family and friends. May I never take this ability for granted and be always and forever grateful for breath in my lungs, strength in my legs and stamina to go the distance, and may these events constantly stand as a reminder to run the race set before me with endurance and hope!

Eighthly, tied to the above, I am thankful for the great work that Paul Epstein and Running Wild are doing within our community. Running Wild is far more than a running store; it is a way of life and a ministry helping so many to develop physical stamina and a more robust outlook upon life.

Finally, I am thankful for this land of liberty, bequeathed to us through great struggle and hardship. She has her failings, and has shifted from her moorings, but she is still the greatest bastion of liberty and opportunity in the world today. May I do my part, however large or small, to reorient her to that path of righteousness that exalts a nation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." --Psalm 100:4-5

MLK and Vocation

2011-11-18T14:57:00.002-06:00

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Running With Purpose!

2011-11-18T11:33:00.001-06:00

Here is a very thoughtful article by a young lady who runs with a purpose! Find out what kept her motivated throughout the Pensacola Half Marathon this past Sunday:

http://www.simplesweetblessings.blogspot.com/

Monday Musings

2011-10-11T10:35:00.009-05:00

With the weekend behind us and a new week ahead, here are my thoughts on everything from Herman Cain to cremation:

Herman Cain: I like him; he is a gifted orator and makes tremendous sense on so many issues. However, in politics, organization typically makes the difference. I know this from personal experience in having run for the small office of School Board. Message can sometimes overcome the lack of organization; most often it cannot. My guess is that Cain's run will ultimately fail because of this.
Occupy Wall Street Protest: Try as they may to repackage this movement in something other than blatant socialist jargon, it is what it is; a movement built on class envy and utopian egalitarianism. From the Wall Street operation to the one here in Pensacola, these poor souls have fallen victim once again to the misguided notion that real change occurs within these "revolutionary" movements, centered around class warfare and "social justice." One protestor, disillusioned with both parties, said that this would bring about a "true revolution." No, actually it won't! What it will do is disillusion many even further and create more radical cynics. My prescription: If you want to lead a real revolution, try this: Read the Sermon on the Mount, ask God for grace to live it out in the world, get up and go to work (any job, does not matter, as long as it is lawful) every day, marry and stay married, and raise your kids to be respectful, conscientious citizens who honor the traditions of the past and work for a better future. Now that would be revolutionary in our day!
The Book of Man, by Bill Bennett: Get this book if you have boys; get it even if you have only girls. In fact, get this book no matter whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed or the single mother of a young man trying to be both father and mother. The crisis of manhood in our culture will not be solved until our culture once again embraces common principles of what it means to be a man. This book is simply a treasure - get it and eat it!
Christopher Columbus: Great man; great legacy! Absolutely scandalous that the modern politically correct culture has eviscerated the truth of this man's endeavors and legacy. Samuel Johnson said it best when he said: "A contempt of the monuments and the wisdom of the past, may be justly reckoned one of the reigning follies of these days, to which pride and idleness have equally contributed" (quoted in the American Patriot's Handbook, by George Grant).
Mitt Romney: Wow! This one has been front and center. I like Mitt; I think he is the most gifted leader in the Republican field, hands down. Former Governor, gifted business executive, and leader who single handedly resurrected the Salt Lake Olympics. Does his Mormonism concern me? Yes and no. Yes, in the sense that it stands squarely outside historic Trinitarian Christianity and that his possible elevation to office might in fact advance its cause; no, in the sense that leadership and competence are vital characteristics for leadership in the Oval Office and Mitt has an abundance of both in my estimation. In my theological circles, many genuflect at the idea of voting for him, but at the end of the day, we live in a fallen world in which compromise (such a maligned and dirty word today in so many ways) has to be made at times. I won't invoke Martin Luther's alleged quote about wise Turks and stupid Christians as I did earlier in the week but I will say that I don't believe, contra many of my Christian brothers, that I am obligated and duty bound at every turn to vote for someone who is orthodox. What I am duty bound to do is vote for the individual who will best advance and represent the Moral Law of God as applied to the polis. I am a Christian and I am a conservative and the former informs the latter. However, columnist Mona Charen said it well this week when she said that "conservatives see the world as it is and deal with it accordingly." I would add that we "see the world as it is, deal with it accordingly, and patiently labor to make it better but realize that its complete redemption will not come from Caesar but from Christ." We labor in the political process and seek its redemption in that it is aligned more closely with the precepts of Scripture but we do not seek redemption from it. Ultimately, I have noticed a disturbing trend amongst evangelical conservatives; that being the idea of tying significant cultural change to the political process; this is in many ways the flip side of the left, which has always sought Utopia through government. The Keys of the Kingdom belong to the Church, not Caesar.
SEC Football: Hands down, in a league of its own; no one else comes close. The National Champion will come from the winner of the LSU/Alabama game; Oklahoma is great, so are Wisconsin, Boise St., and Oklahoma St. Why does the SEC continue to dominate college football? The answer is multi-faceted, but the skinny is that it attracts the best coaches and the best players. How can it do this? Simple; in the South, football is a quasi-religion deemed worthy of the highest level of support and allegiance; if you doubt that, you need a serious head examination.
Triathlons: The sport is growing and I love it. Trina and I have competed in several this year and for us it has become a lifestyle endeavor. Many have asked me why we do it. The answer is theological: I have found that it ministers to me as a whole man, to both mind and body; it is challenging, rewarding, great family time together and has a liturgy of its own. I kid you not, when I swim, bike and run I think, reflect and praise the God Who is three in one!
Cremation: Taking the boys to school a few weeks back, we passed a sign that read, "Cremation: Only $995." The boys asked what cremation was. When I informed them, the response was classic: "Why so much, Dad?" In my estimation, the rise of cremation is symbolic of the move away from a Christian ethos in our culture. Christians have always understood that burial pointed to a hope beyond the grave, that of the physical body being resurrected upon the Return of the King! In the movie with the same name, when Denathor is preparing to burn his son, Faramir, upon the pyre, he invokes the idea that this was the practice of "the pagans of old." And quite correct he is! The burning of the body was neither the practice of Old Testament saints nor that of New ones as well. Burning was always a sign of allegiance to a false god. So why do so many choose it today? I think the primary reason is pragmatic and financial; its cheap and its convenient; no body to prepare, no ornate casket, and certainly no grave to visit. Yet, the saints of the past buried the bodies of the departed in many cases facing East; why? Because, just as Gandalf the White rode in on his white stead, Shadowfax, they were looking for the True King to return and put all the world to rights as well. Christians should not live as gnostics; we believe the body is made in the image of God and is good; it is not, as many affirm, a "prison house for the soul" shed at death for a higher level of existence; on the contrary, Paul says that while we are without it, we are incomplete. When I visit my father's grave in a few weeks, the hope of the Resurrection will loom larger! Can God do the same for those cremated? Certainly, but our practice should line up with our confession.

Blessings as you live out your life this week in the theater of God's glory!

2011 College Football Resolutions

2011-09-03T12:22:00.006-05:00

This is a slight revision of an article I posted at the beginning of last football season, but one that still reflects my resolutions concerning the current season.

My 2011 College Football Season Resolutions

College football season is now upon us! Today is opening weekend as evidenced by jerseys having been worn all week, team flags on full display, and the line for beer at Publix a little longer than usual. To know me means to know that with the arrival of Fall and the gridiron, comes a heated passion for Miami Hurricanes football (I readily acknowledge there has not been much to get excited about the last four years, unlike those who bleed crimson and white - this year may be even worse given the impending NCAA investigation into various wrongdoings).

College football in the South, and becoming more so throughout the rest of the country, is religious in nature; fans gather weekly in the shrine, proudly display their crests and colors, debate with great intensity the merits of their team, and direct their time and treasures toward the game. To deny this is to deny the obvious.

Having said that, football, and for that matter all other areas of life, require discernment and balance. So in an attempt to bring such perspective into practice in my life, here are my college football resolutions for 2011:

1. I will not allow the game itself to supplant my responsibilities before God. By this, I mean to say that I will not allow football to supercede what ought to be my first love, Christ Himself. To do so is idolatry pure and simple, no matter how we slice it. Time in prayer, bible study, and personal communion with God will come before time spent on the blog at allcanes and other related fan sites. Closely tied to this, I will not exhibit a "my team, right or wrong" mentality. The last few weeks have been taxing on Canes fans, and for good reason. If my team has been found to have blatantly violated revealed codes of conduct, I will not argue about why they should be spared punishment given the fact that some other team committed "worse" violations and received a far lesser penalty. Integrity will mark my conversation, keeping in mind the words of Teddy Roosevelt:

"I am delighted to have you play football. I believe in rough, manly sports. But I do not believe in them if they degenerate into the sole end of any one's existence. I don't want you to sacrifice standing well in your studies to any over-athleticism; and I need not tell you that character counts for a great deal more than either intellect or body in winning success in life. Athletic proficiency is a mighty good servant, and like so many other good servants, a mighty bad master. "

2. Tied to the above and just as important, if not more so, I will not allow college football to come before the corporate gathering of God's people on the Lord's Day. Even though college games are rarely played on Sundays, trips to games can easily steal what is rightfully reserved for God (Notice I did not say church related activities. Churches can get out of balance in attempting to "program" their people to death with activities every day of the week and demand more than God Himself requires, as if that is somehow the standard of piety). In addition, I will make the conscious decision to be more joyful in the assembly of the Saints on Sunday morning than before the tube on Saturdays...my children are watching; Father can say one thing in theory, but they know where dad's true affections lie!

3. I will not allow Saturdays to come before my wife and family. Where my wife needs attention, I will give it; where my children need instruction, I will provide it. Neither will be made to feel that some team, whose record and accomplishments have no bearing in the least on either mine or their eternal destiny, has a greater priority than they do.

4. I will be a good steward of the finances that God has directed to me and will not be unfaithful in directing excess resources toward football related items, including tickets, trips, fan apparel, trinkets and other such items. I will seek to be the wise steward the Lord described in the Gospels and provide for the essentials of my family before the non-essentials of Game Day.

5. Having said all of the above, I will avoid the twin pitfalls of abstention or excess when it comes to this game. While most of our culture falls into the excess category (where I find myself as well), some in "serious" Christian circles believe that true devotion and piety means avoidance of all earthly pleasures whatsoever. Yet Scripture speaks so loudly that "This Is Our Father's World" that to hold such views makes one out of balance as a follower of Christ. It is God who bestows the talent that allows Mark Ingram to run like a leopard down the sideline. The task of the Christian is to acknowledge this and to self-consciously direct our praise and thoughts heavenward. To denigrate the physical is to denigrate what God has very clearly said is "very good." Christ redeems bodies as well as souls (1 Cor. 15) and the New Heavens and the New Earth will be more physical than we ever thought possible. Football can be a dress rehearsal and window to that world if we align our priorities with those of God.

I will be pulling for the Canes hard on Monday night at Maryland! Go Canes!

Soli Deo Gloria

Here is a great article that ran in the WSJ last week by Bill McGurn regarding what Miami (and others) could learn from West Point:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903327904576524680928198272.html

Roosevelt on Football

2011-07-25T23:09:00.004-05:00

As we gear up for another college football season, the following words of Teddy Roosevelt seem more appropriate than ever in light of recent NCAA scandals:

"I am delighted to have you play football. I believe in rough, manly sports. But I do not believe in them if they degenerate into the sole end of any one's existence. I don't want you to sacrifice standing well in your studies to any over-athleticism; and I need not tell you that character counts for a great deal more than either intellect or body in winning success in life. Athletic proficiency is a mighty good servant, and like so many other good servants, a mighty bad master. "

Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt’s Letters to His Children

Independence and The Declaration

2011-07-04T09:50:00.005-05:00

As I am prone to do this time of year, I have spent the last several weeks reading and reflecting on the nature of the American Revolution and the Founding Documents that illuminated it, particularly the Declaration of Independence. Some basic thoughts follow:

First, while most of us were taught that what our Founders engaged in was revolution, the historical record bears witness that it was decidedly the opposite. It has become popular as of late to equate what happened in America with what took place in France at the same time. The dissimilarities could not be more striking. Historian M. Stanton Evans, in his work, The Theme Is Freedom, gives perhaps the best summation of the striking differences when he writes:

Quite apart from its taste for beheading people, the French upheaval was authentically radical, in every way that can be imagined. Its object was to overthrow existing institutions, sever contact with the past, and invent society de novo. The doctrines that it advanced were purely theoretical, having almost no basis in experience or established law. And it sought to reach utopian goals through unchecked, completely, arbitrary, power. If this is the standard for radical revolution, then "radical" is precisely what the American Revolution wasn't. In every major aspect, it was the reverse of what would occur in France, and thereafter in many other modern revolutions. Rather than trying to overturn the existing order, the American War of Independence was an effort to preserve that order; rather than rejecting the counsels of tradition, it was traditionalist to the last degree; and instead of trying to organize society by abstractions, it resorted constantly to the lessons of experience.

This is what makes the American experience conservative in every way. The French sought to destroy every vestige of traditional culture, always the mark of true radicals, whether Robespierre, Marx, Lenin or Pol Pot. The Founders saw themselves as preserving what George III had abdicated, namely society as constructed along the lines of English Common Law, which was nothing more than the working out of Natural Law theory. Hence, the French destroyed cathedrals, implemented the guillotine, abolished the seven day week, a move that had to be quickly repealed because of its disastrous consequences, and established Reason, in good Enlightenment fashion, as the measure of all things.

Reading the Declaration of Independence this week revealed once again the incredible breadth of work from which Jefferson drew. His thinking was grounded in well established political thought and centuries of precedent that found its nexus in the document itself. Jefferson himself said the following about the Declaration:

All its authority rests then on the harmonizing sentiments of the day, whether expressed in conversation, in letters, printed essays, or in the elementary books of public right, as Aristotle, Cicero, Locke, Sidney, etc. (Never Before in History, p. 128)

Once again, M. Stanton Evans writes:

These ideas were rooted in centuries of British, and American, practice, and by the era of the Declaration were anything but new. Only by neglecting the growth of English common law, religious-feudal contract doctrine, the covenant theology of the Puritans, and a great deal else, could one arrive at [any alternative] conclusions. Such are the intellectual wages of ignoring history (bold print mine).

And ignore history we have! To earlier generations these ideas were commonplace. Current generations living saw the necessity of passing down these sacred truths and telling the story accurately to rising generations. Today, the story bears little, if any resemblance, to the original version, so that the accurate account now seems very much like the stuff of legend. The perversion of truth has gained such a foothold that much work will need to be done to see to it that the story is told rightly once again. May this be a cause to which those who love and value the truth will labor.

Thoughts on Marriage

2011-03-24T21:32:00.009-05:00

The past few weeks have been both a blessing and a curse as I have been forced to think about marriage on a more consistent basis.

I say it is a blessing because I am grateful for those circumstances that compel me to reflect upon the nature of marriage; conversely, the heaviness of seeing the landscape littered with marital difficulty on many personal fronts and digesting the frontal assault by those who would redefine it are sometimes overwhelming and deeply troubling.

Frist, a brief comment on the frontal assault. This repost has been all over Facebook the past few days:

"So, let me get this straight...Charlie Sheen can make a "porn family", Kelsey Grammer can end a 15 year marriage over the phone, Larry King can be on divorce #9, Britney Spears had a 55 hour marriage, Jesse James & Tiger Woods, while married, were having sex with EVERYONE, yet same-sex marriage is going to destroy the institution of marriage? Really? Re-post if you are proud to support equal rights."

Sadly, much of what is said above is true. Aside from the misguided notion of this being about equal rights (for another post), many, including myself in the past (but God willing no longer), have made an absolute mockery of marriage. For those that profess to follow Christ, this is all the more tragic for a host of reasons not addressed within this post. Those within the Body of Christ have all too often not been credible witnesses to the testimony of what God declares marriage to be. For this, hearty repentance is needed and required. Yet, for all of the truth contained within the quote, the entire argument falls flat for some obvious reasons, the most obvious being that no matter how one may attempt to redefine marriage, it is, by creational design and the unique revelation of God's Word, a covenantal union between a man and a woman. Both modes testify clearly to this. As the Manhattan Declaration declares:

"Marriage is not a 'social construction,' but is rather an objective reality—the covenantal union of husband and wife—that it is the duty of the law to recognize, honor, and protect."

Having said that, our sin laden world continues to wreak havoc on marriage, and this has been brought to my doorstep in the personal struggles of close friends as of late. The despair of watching couples close to Trina and I stand on the precipice of divorce and separation, and consequently the necessity of counsel has forced me to dig deeper for Wisdom and mine the depths of God's Word for practical application in the hope of restoration. While doing so, I found this great definition of the complementary nature of marriage. It comes from Jay Adams in his book, Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage In the Bible and is worth reflecting upon:

As his counterpart, the woman completes or fills out the man's life, making him a larger person than he could have been alone, bringing into his frame of reference a new feminine dimension from which to view life that he could have known in no other way. Then, too, he also brings to his wife a masculine perspective that enlarges her life, making her a fuller, more complete person than she could have been apart from him. This marriage union by covenant solves the problem of loneliness not merely by filling a gap, but by overfilling it. More than mere presence is involved. The loneliness of mere masculinity or femininity is likewise met. Helping...is another aspect of companionship. The two are united as companions in effort. Some of the richest joys of companionship stem from working side by side with one's spouse. Whatever one does, he needs an interested helper by his side. Ultimately, they work together for the Lord (this is the fundamental unifying factor in marriage - they marry "in the Lord") whatever the specific tasks at hand may be at any given point. There is someone with whom he (she) can talk things over, someone to counsel, someone to care; to share joys, perplexities, ideas, fears, sorrows and disappointments: a helper.

This is the end to which all marriages should aspire...is this the state of your marriage? If not, work hard to make it so or risk joining the scores of littered bodies that dot the landscape of failed marriages in our land.

The Excess of Lent

2011-03-09T15:07:00.004-06:00

Many of my Facebook friends will not read this post as they have decided to abstain from social networking during the Lenten Season. Others have given up the usual so-called indulgences; chocolate, alcohol, meat, and even the wonderfully addictive daily latte at Starbucks. Penitential sacrifice appears to be in full swing across Christendom, from Catholics to Protestants to the Orthodox.

I must confess that much of this puzzles and perplexes me. For my dear Catholic friends, Lent seems to make perfect sense; sacrifice, effort, merit. But for my Protestant brothers and sisters, especially those labeled Reformed, of which I broadly include myself, much pertaining to this discussion unsettles me just a bit. Don't get me wrong; if abstaining and refraining draw you closer to God, then by all means abstain with the best of them. Here are my concerns with Lent in brief:

First, and of greatest importance, lent appears to me to negate the central theological motif found in Scripture of Christ the Victor and Conqueror. I readily confess that much of my theology is built upon understanding what aspects of Old Covenant continuity carry over into the New Covenant, but Lent just does not seem to square with this fully revealed reality of Christ conquering over the forces of sin and darkness once and for all. Mourning and sacrifice seem to have been overwhelmed by rejoicing and laughing. Tied to this, Lent does not seem to reflect the idea of conquering the battle against sin but more so the idea of never fighting to begin with. We are repeatedly told in Scripture to resist, fight, and overcome. How do we ever do this when we refuse to do what Scripture tells us to do: Practice overcoming these things. Hebrews says that we have our senses trained (conveying serious day to day effort) by the practice of discerning good from evil. Yet, ironically, the very things most give up are things that God says are good but that we have called marginal at best or evil at worst. Lent seems to turn us into cultural ascetics, the very thing Paul warned us about in Colossians, Chapter 2, in stating that abstention has the appearance of piety but really has now power in and of itself to help us overcome sin.

Secondly, the prevailing mindset surrounding Lent seems to be one of "refrain for a short season, then head full boar, in the words of Doug Wilson, into a full blown excessive Mardi Gras bash. One has to wonder what type of spiritual growth takes place when the constant pattern is excess, followed by abstention, then more excess. My understanding of Scripture calls for balance, the kind George Grant describes in Micah 6:8 as a life of justice, mercy and humility. it seems to me that everyday ought to be a mini-Lent, entailing repentance, confession and restoration/renewal. Why that takes place during a special season is perplexing to say the least. Lent seems to provide an opportunity for the very thing that Scripture cautions us about: Excess. I am not called to refrain from God's good gifts, but to use them in his service and glory in biblical moderation. And this is precisely where we get into trouble. Moderation eludes us. Think of the excesses to which we are prone: Alcohol abstention/drunkenness, indulgence/starvation, spendthrift/miser, workaholic/slothful worker, uncritical cultural gluttons/cultural abstainers, exercise fanaticism/bodily neglect and on and on and on. Lent mildly contributes to this mindset in my estimation. What I believe Scripture calls us to however, is not excess in any area but moderate enjoyment of all things. This is what allows me to go to a party but not get drunk, to watch movies but exercise biblical discernment, to make love to my wife but not idolize her body (God knows there is nothing to idolize in mine!).

Having said all of the above, let me again say that if Lent proves spiritually beneficial, then charge ahead. But in the end, if the good things of this world, whether they be Facebook, sex, chocolate or lattes, have taken the form of excess, the solution in the long run is not total abstention but total redemption of those very things. As Martin Luther once said, "Men can go wrong with wine and women, shall we then abolish both?" For my sake, I pray not!

Happy Lent! Hope to see and hear from many of you again at Easter. For now, I'm off to Starbucks to grab that second latte of the day!

Soli Deo Gloria!

In Celebration of Our Greatest President!

2011-02-21T09:59:00.006-06:00

Today is President's Day. It is a great time to reflect on the bountiful leadership God has so richly blessed us with at various times during our Republic's existence.

While much debate centers around who holds the title of "greatest President," it is, in my humble opinion, a title deserved for our first President, George Washington. When I was young, I deemed him worthy of that title because he was our nation's first Chief Executive; as I have grown older, and hopefully a bit wiser, I deem him worthy because he was a man of such character that few have have borne his likeness since. Justice, Mercy, and Humility (Micah 6:8) were the pillars of his existence. He could have been King but refused; he was no Napoleon, intoxicated with his own greatness. Without him, our fragile republic would have crumbled. To say that he was a Moses-type of figure is no understatement and the world today owes much to the man that was a warrior, servant, and statesman.

Edmund Burke, the father of modern conservatism, stated that "a disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman." No one more aptly fit that description that Washington. He also said that "people will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors." So today, on President's Day, let's do that very thing. Take the time to read Washington's Farewell Address below and pay tribute to the man who could have been King, but for the betterment of others, cast it aside!

http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/

A Tribute to My Wife on Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T11:10:00.019-06:00

From the vantage point of Scripture, Proverbs 31 gives one of the most complete descriptions of what a woman should look like, not physically, but in her day to day activities. While many interpret it in a myriad of ways and argue its application to our modern culture, it is without question a high standard, but nonetheless one that every woman seeking to honor God should strive toward with determination and zeal.

I have had the immense privilege of being married to Trina now for over twelve years. I have watched her grow and mature into a remarkable woman, and I do mean remarkable! Quite simply, she amazes me with her ability to excel in so many areas. Today, on Valentine's Day, here are my thoughts, shared publicly, about my wife written within the framework of Proverbs 31;

Verses 10-13: An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

The first thing that must be acknowledged is that a remarkable wife is a gracious gift of God and that the man who finds one must constantly remind himself of this. Thankfulness is indeed the proper response and let me say from the outset that I view her as an undeserved gift from above. I have come to realize over the years that she consistently puts my needs above hers; she seeks my welfare and encourages me to pursue those things that are important to me and supports me in all of my major endeavors, always with candid feedback, necessary criticism, and genuine concern. In a day in which marriages crumble under the weight of deceit, manipulation and self-interest, my trust in her is unwavering. I don't simply mean trust in the sense of sexual fidelity but trust in all things; from the smallest details of our finances to the largest decisions impacting our family. I have complete confidence that she will make good and proper decisions and this affords great peace of mind.

Verses 15-19: She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

While no woman exhibits perfection in light of this standard, and while Trina would be the first to admit that she falls short in so many of its demands, this is the area in which she amazes me the most. She is, quite simply, the hardest working, and most disciplined woman I know. Much to my shame, her work ethic far surpasses mine. She wears so many hats simultaneously, and does them all well; she rises early and goes to bed late making sure that the needs of our children are not only met but vastly exceeded and that three little boys are cared for, loved, and nourished within the context of a secure home; she gives of herself to a teenage daughter and son as if they were her own when most would view them differently; she runs a successful business and is respected and viewed by her contemporaries as one of the best in her category. Clients know that she is trustworthy and that her word is her bond; she will work on their behalf and in their best interest; she keeps herself fit and takes it upon herself to develop a liking to her husband's interests so that what was once done individually can now be done joyfully together.

Verses 20-21: She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

One of Trina's greatest qualities is her care and compassion for those less fortunate; I have personally witnessed the countless hours she has labored in helping those who needed financial and tax advice but were in no position to compensate for it. She loves to serve others through her calling as a C.P.A. and gives generously from her earnings to those in need. For many, work is just that, work! For her, her work is her calling and it is demonstrated in countless ways on behalf of others daily. In addition to her generosity, she is remarkably prescient in preparing for the future. Like verse 21 above, she looks ahead and plans for the future; she analyzes, charts a course of action, and then implements strategies to help us down the road. When it comes to debt, savings, and investments, she is forward looking in helping us to achieve multi-generational goals for our family.

There is much more that could be said about her! By grace, she has come far; by continuing grace, I pray she will continue to go farther. I am proud to be called her husband, and on this Valentine's Day I close with these words to her:

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all" (Verse 20).

Love,

Your Adoring Husband,

Todd

Reagan The Apologist!

2011-02-13T08:29:00.003-06:00

With all of the celebration of the 100th Birthday of President Reagan taking place this month, many are discussing and debating his legacy with regard to freedom, taxes, and economic policy. Throughout the course of Reagan's life and presidency, he was oft-maligned as a pure simpleton, a sort of Elmer Gantry type of figure who stumbled into the Oval Office because of his affable looks, forceful personality, and eloquence.

The myth continues to be propagated today by his political enemies that he was "The Supreme Idiot" who duped the American people. Yet, in stark contrast to this caricature, Reagan was, in fact, a vociferous reader, who read deep works of philosophy, theology, political theory and economics. He wrote most of his own speeches, not the mark of a man lacking intellect, and showed tremendous ability to take complex issues and repackage them in simpler terms.

While reading God and Ronald Reagan by Paul Kengor, I ran across this excerpt. It is Reagan's response to a liberal minister who cast doubt on Christ's divinity and accused Reagan of having a shallow and simple faith. Reagan, mirroring the now classic argument put forth by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, showed he knew far more than the minister had given him credit for. Here is the response, not of a simpleton, but of a man grounded in the essentials of the faith. It is also the response of a man committed to absolutes:

Perhaps it is true that Jesus never used the word "Messiah" with regard to himself (although I'm not sure that he didn't) but in John 1, 10 and 14 he identifies himself pretty definitely and more than once.
Is there really any ambiguity in his words: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me?"...In John 10 he says, "I am in the Father and the Father in me." And he makes reference to being with God, "before the world was," and sitting on the "right hand of God."...
These and other statement he made about himself, foreclose in my opinion, any question as to his divinity. It doesn't seem to me that he gave us any choice; either he was what he said he was or he was the world's greatest liar. It is impossible for me to believe that a liar or charlatan could have had the effect on mankind that he has had for 2000 years. We could ask, would even the greatest of liars carry his lie through the crucifixion, when a single confession would have saved him?...Did he allow us the choice you say that you and others have made, to believe in his teachings but reject his statements about his own identity?

Steeling Leadership!

2011-02-03T16:58:00.011-06:00

Three days from now, the Pittsburgh Steelers will compete in the Super Bowl for an historic eighth time, vying for a record setting seventh NFL Championship. While both teams competing in this remarkable contest are franchises that epitomize the essence of the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers offer some valuable leadership lessons for both individuals and organizations. The Steelers teach us the profound application of hard work, long term planning and development of young talent, consistency, and gratitude in success.

From its inception as an NFL franchise in 1933 under the ownership of Art Rooney Sr., the Steelers have become known as a team that grinds opponents down rather than one built on complicated schemes and offensive pizazz. Not that game plans and schemes are unimportant, but they never replace doing the fundamentals well. In a game where blocking and tackling the best most often determines the winners from the losers, the Steelers have always been known as a team of dominance in the trenches, where games are won and lost. This "lunch pale" mentality was inculcated by Mr. Rooney himself, who often used to joke that he was quite frequently confused for the janitor within the team's facilities during his early years because he was always working, and willing to do whatever work was necessary to build a successful organization. This mentality is symbolized in the simplicity of the Steelers logo, reflecting the hard work of the community surrounding their city, and positioned on only one side of their helmet, unique among all NFL teams. In a culture that largely demeans rough, physical work, the Steelers are a reminder of its intrinsic value.

After coming into the league in 1933, it took the Steelers fourteen years to make their first playoff game in 1947, a loss that was followed for the next twenty-five years without making the playoffs again until 1972! Through all of this, the leadership of the organization, led by Art Rooney Sr., never wavered in trying to achieve success. In 1969, legendary coach Chuck Noll was brought in and built his new team around young talent through the draft. Known for his unique ability to spot talent and develop it, Noll's selections are now the stuff of legend; names such as Greene, Bradshaw, Swann, Webster, Stallworth, Lambert, Harris, and Blount. Even in the age of free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers have never been known as a team to seek success by getting the "superstar" player; rather, they have continued to assess and develop young talent that flourishes when refined. This is so contrary to the spirit of the age in which we live. We want success and we want it now, not twenty-five years later. Long range, multi-generational planning is the kind of thing that marriages, families, businesses, churches, and politicians need more of; the Steelers offer us a valuable lesson here.

Watching the headlines after the close of an NFL season is like watching a carousel. Coaches hired, fired, rehired, and then fired again. Consider this: Since 1969, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had only three Head Coaches! Astounding is simply an understatement. The philosophy that undergirds this is one that is again counter-cultural given our desire for immediate success. From Noll to Cowher to Tomlin, continuity has been a key ingredient of the team's success. Both Noll and Cowher experienced the eventual decline that comes inevitably at some point for a season, but both could continue to put in place the planning and structure necessary to win down the road. Current Head Coach Mike Tomlin, while phenomenal in his own right (he is the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl), would most likely be the first to give credit to his predecessor for setting him up for success. In a time in which much of our lives and organizations lack the blessing of consistency, the Steelers show us what practicing consistency can do to generate successful patterns of living.

Lastly, the Steelers as an organization have always shown gratitude in success. From their humble beginnings, the Rooneys have always sought to build fan loyalty in a way that few other organizations have. Today, Steeler Nation is without a doubt the largest fan base in professional sports. They have given back to their city and community and have remained loyal to a region that has been loyal to them. When owners threaten moves and demands, the Rooneys serve and build.

When you watch the game this Sunday, keep in mind that this organization was built around these core principles. Know that the success of today was put in seed form many, many years ago, and that, like the ant, nothing has ever substituted for hard work with this organization. Relish the the fruit it has produced in 24 Hall of Famers, which include Art Rooney Sr., countless AFC Championships, numerous Pro Bowl selections, six historic NFL Championships, and quite possibly a seventh Super Bowl ring befitting a true sports dynasty.

More Men Like Machen!

2011-01-30T17:38:00.010-06:00

I spent some time this week reading Stephen Nichols' brief biography of J. Gresham Machen, stalwart defender of orthodox Christianity in the early part of the Twentieth Century. I came away refreshed, edified and yet perplexed. Here are some brief thoughts:

To say that Machen was courageous is a gross understatement. He was simply fearless beyond measure. He was convinced of the truthfulness of Scripture and compelled to defend it with great clarity, conviction, and at great cost. His faithfulness to orthodoxy literally cost him positions of great prestige within the Presbyterian Church, as it was moving headlong into modernism and away from the teachings of God's Word. Machen the man was no man-pleaser and his fidelity to Scripture is a message for every age.

Machen was also a man of tremendous breadth and balance. In short, he was incredibly well-rounded - the type of well-roundedness demonstrated by men in his day such as Teddy Roosevelt. Machen, the stalwart defender of the Gospel, was not at all content to see that Gospel truncated and kept within the walls of the Church. His was no small gospel but a gospel of cosmic proportions. A prolific writer, Machen wrote on politics and culture like few others of his day. His articles appeared in The New Republic, The New York Times, and a host of other leading outlets of his day. He had opinions, not only on the prevalent issue of Prohibition that dominated his era (he defended the legality and consumption of alcohol when virtually the entire church went dry), but on issues such as the Lusk laws regarding child labor, environmental legislation and the creation of National Parks, and numerous other hot button political issues of his day. He was so respected that Congress asked him to testify on the creation of a Federal Department of Education, something he vehemently opposed, and a position upon which history has vindicated him. He spoke out concerning states rights and against massive federal overreach and consistently attempted to demonstrate that Scripture was overwhelmingly on the side of liberty and freedom.

This is exactly where the perplexity arises. There was a time when churches were the center of life in a community and pastors were seen as men to be consulted on every leading issue of the day, from politics to economics, and sports to entertainment. They possessed a wealth of knowledge and dispensed it to their flock. A cursory look at the era of our founding as a country will reveal pastors illuminating the vital issues of their day. Case in point: John Witherspoon, founder of Princeton and the only clergyman to sign the Declaration, wrote a treatise against the establishment of a central banking system. They understood that God's Word had something to say to the culture, and they sought to, in Machen's words, "consecrate" culture to the glory of God. Where are those leading lights today? Their numbers are few; men like Al Mohler certainly come to mind but the days of the well rounded parson seem to have disappeared from the landscape. Today they are only consulted on "matters of salvation" and virtually nothing else. In short, they are restricted to a narrow gospel.

I would say to my friends who shepherd flocks the following: Look around! What the culture needs is yes, the gospel, but the gospel in totality; not a gospel that leads to the privatizing of most of life and restricts the Christian experience to "church" on Sundays. Find men who show by their pattern of life that they understand this and imitate them; men who are well rounded and whose lives demonstrate a desire to uncover God in every nook and cranny of creation (George Grant is the greatest example of this in my estimation). Our churches and our culture need it!

Thoughts on Running! Come Run with Us!

2011-01-29T22:49:00.002-06:00

"God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure." Eric Liddell

After finishing the Pensacola Beach Half Marathon a few weeks back, I am filled with anticipation about the upcoming races in our area. Here are some of my musings on running, triathlons, and other extreme competitions that involve running.

First, running for me is simply one way to glorify God in the body, both through physical exertion and worship. Mind you, there are a host of different venues for this, but nothing comes close, in my estimation, to running. While running this morning through East Hill and around both sides of Bayou Texar, I was overwhelmed by the beauty revealed at every turn; from the canopy streets lined with mighty oaks to the sun beaming against the backdrop of a blue canvas painted by God Himself, I was filled with a sense of awe and grandeur for the Creator of this magnificent experience. Running keeps before me great truths of the Christian experience; God creating us as physical beings capable of great accomplishments and commanded by God to take dominion over His good creation, and conversely, man's frailty as a result of the fall, experienced in the agony and pain that comes with serious and deliberate long distance running and training. It also gives great meaning to the commands of Scripture to "fight the good fight" and "finish the race." St. Paul uses athletic and running analogies because we are more apt to understand the great truth of Christian perseverance through these images.

Running also fosters a sense of community, something emphasized repeatedly in the pages of Holy Writ. There is something incredibly inspiring about seeing people show up early, exert themselves physically, and share the joy of accomplishment with others who are like minded. Granted, it can become obsessive and idolatrous, like so many gifts of God, but kept in proper perspective, can be a great venue for the fostering of community, fellowship, and the building of local culture. A great example of this is what is taking place locally through the efforts of Paul Epstein, owner of Running Wild, seasoned marathon runner and triathlete. Lives are being changed. People who once had no motivation, hope, or stamina, whose lease on life was bleak, are now finding a sense of purpose and gaining healthy self-esteem because of the programs and resources that are available through Running Wild. It used to be that running groups consisted of a few diehards that set out from his store on Cervantes early in the morning. Now, groups go out in waves all day! Just today, when I finished my run, his store was packed with many who no doubt read the current article in the News Journal on the upcoming Double Bridge Run and decided it was time to make a change. Here is the link to that excellent article by Troy Moon:

http://www.pnj.com/article/20110129/LIFE/101290301/A-run-with-a-view

Recently, several of my friends have joined our family in the pursuit of running and triathlons. This has enhanced the friendships as we all share a sense of purpose, accomplishment and gratitude. Seeing a friend accomplish what was once unthinkable is one of the great blessings of life and one we dare not neglect. As Christians, we are commanded to use our gifts to stir up others; running is one way to do that.

Finally, running can be a phenomenal family activity. The picture above depicts our attempt to capture our family's history with regard to running and triathlons. We refer to it as our "Family Wall of Accomplishment." Ask my two oldest children what they remember most about growing up and they will list running as a family at UWF during the summers, and the extremely hot Firecracker 5Ks that became a natural part of our summer traditions. At various points over the years, I have invested in several high tech double joggers and have pushed all of the boys at some point in time. They have imbibed the culture of running and are now making the transition to running themselves. Scripture commands that parents transmit the faith to their children and that this transmission is most natural within the context of everyday living (Deuteronomy 6). Over time, some of the greatest biblical learning and teaching has taken place on our runs at UWF. The mental image of them sitting in the jogger while Dad works to push them, with current weight in excess of 100 pounds collectively, up tremendously steep hills, will be forever cherished. The races that we have run together are more valuable than riches. In fact, the joy gained by pushing them in races, while far harder than running individually, has simply been one of the greatest pleasures of my life to date. The conversations, discussions, and laughter that have come forth over the years, as well as the sweat that has been borne over time are indelibly imprinted in my mind, and hopefully in theirs as well. While it is with some degree of sadness that the last of the pack has outgrown the jogger phase, it is incredibly exciting to all of us that they now enter the phase of being able to compete themselves. Their excitement and desire to compete says it all!

Running is a blessing of God. It is great for the body, and can, when done with the proper attitude, be a tremendous act of worship. It teaches valuable lessons, fosters community, and provides the family a unique opportunity to coalesce around an activity that is beneficial to all. In short, running is life! Why wait! Hit the roads, trails, highways, and byways and experience the unique joy that running provides.

MLK's Amazing Letter!

2011-01-19T21:41:00.003-06:00

This past Monday our nation celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. While King's legacy is greatly disputed in many sectors of society today, his writings continue to hold great value for a culture that has discarded absolutes.

While reading through (with new eyes I might add), King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, I was blown away by the force of his polemic against segregation and for absolutes. For years, I have scanned the usual reviews of this letter but never actually took the time to read it myself. It is one of the most, if not the most, powerful and eloquent pieces of persuasive writing I have ever digested. His breadth of knowledge was vast; he quotes Augustine in one breath and the Apostle Paul in another; invokes Luther, Bunyan, and Jefferson then moves seamlessly between Niebuhr and Tillich. It is simply a masterpiece. If you have not read it, take the time to do so and read it to your family, as Chuck Colson suggested, as a civics lesson like few others. (Here is Colson's review of the letter:http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/16206)

Of particular importance to me, King saved some of his harshest ctiticism for those ministers who sat on the sidelines and used the excuse that social issues should be divorced from the preaching of the gospel. Here is his response:

I have heard numerous southern religious leaders admonish their worshipers to comply with a desegregation decision because it is the law, but I have longed to hear white ministers declare: "Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother." In the midst of blatant injustices inflicted upon the Negro, I have watched white churchmen stand on the sideline and mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. In the midst of a mighty struggle to rid our nation of racial and economic injustice, I have heard many ministers say: "Those are social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern." And I have watched many churches commit themselves to a completely other worldly religion which makes a strange, un-Biblical distinction between body and soul, between the sacred and the secular.

C.S. Lewis on Politics

2011-01-12T22:28:00.002-06:00

I have dubbed this year "The Year of Living Lewis." Over the next year, I plan to devour the fictional and non-fictional works of one of the most prolific authors, and Christian apologists, of the Twentieth Century.

Lewis, while best known today as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, wrote some of the most insightful words penned over the last half-century. While reading Terry Glaspey's Not A Tame Lion, a concise look into the thoughts of Lewis in multiple areas, Lewis' words on politics seem so much more appropriate today than perhaps when he first penned them. Herein lies wisdom:

With regard to our unhealthy devotion of politicizing every act and seeing politics as ultimate and not secondary:

A sick society must think much about politics, as a sick man must think much about his digestion: to ignore the subject may be fatal cowardice for the one as for the other. But if either comes to regard it as the natural food of the mind - if either forgets that we think of such things only in order to be able to think of something else - then what was undertaken for the sake of health has become itself a new and deadly disease.

With regard to our crass, utilitarian, power oriented politics:

"How can we achieve our ends?" is the question of modern politics, rather than, as it should be, "what is just and in accord with the universal Moral Law?"

On democracy:

I am a democrat because I believe in the Fall of Man. I think most people are democrats for the opposite reason. A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that everyone deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they're not true...The real reason for democracy is...[that] man is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows.

Sound familiar??? Read Madison and Federalist 51.

On not fretting about the dire predictions of political prognosticators that lead some to paralysis in living:

If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things - praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts - not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (any microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.

Finally, on keeping the proper perspective about higher matters:

He who converts his neighbor has performed the most practical Christian political act of all.

Wisdom indeed!

(All quotes taken from the above cited work)

Thoughts on the Election

2010-11-03T17:46:00.003-05:00

Mid-term 2010 is in the books. Having survived another political season, here are some musings on politics, culture and theology:

First, while this win was truly "historic," we need to remember that politics does not give ultimate meaning to life; it is penultimate (secondary) but not first. Politics mostly reflects culture more than shaping culture but that is not to say that politicians, laws, and policies cannot impact the thinking of the electorate. Good and just laws can operate on the heart of individuals and show them their error (think of abolition). For instance, we should not wait for a consensus on abortion in trying to seek to pass legislation that bans the murder of the unborn; if we have the governing ability to pass just laws, we should do so and move the country along the path of righteousness.

Secondly, true conservatives (I consider myself one) need to see this moment as part of a longer, multi-generational effort to restore republican constitutionalism in our land. Winning elections is important, and God know this one was, but no single election is going to reverse 75 to 100 years of liberal policies. We need to be happy warriors in the fight for the long haul, understanding that there will be setbacks along the way; we fight because of principle, not just to win. We need to be, as Augustine said, the best of citizens, and understand that we live in the City of Man and yearn for the City of God, which only He can bring in fullness in His perfect time. We are realists in a biblical sense in that efforts to bring about a Utopian society will always fail, because, as Madison understood, men are not angels and we live in a fallen world. Closely tied to this, we need to avoid the Messiah complex that places far too much faith in one person. Great leaders are needed in this hour but no man (or woman) can fulfill all of our expectations. That is part of the reason for the visceral reaction against a President who claims to be a demi-god capable of turning back the tides.

Thirdly, politics is ultimately a battle of worldviews. Contrary to conventional wisdom, politics is more about the nature of truth than simply about who holds power. Nancy Pelosi loves power, you can see it all over her, but she really does believe what she promotes as well. So do Rand Paul , Marco Rubio and Jim DeMint. We are in a battle of ideas and no, we cannot simply ignore the differences and all get along. Ideas have consequences and the primary political battle today is between those who value liberty as the highest political ideal versus those who value security as the highest ideal. This is an age old conflict that will not go away.

Finally, as Christians, we need to remember that while we must contest and hate ideas that enslave and lead to injustice, we must love those who promote such ideas as image bearers of God. I hate, loathe, abhor, and detest Obama's policies, and think they are ruinous to our way of life and system of government, yet I am commanded to make entreaties (prayers) for him. Talk about tension! In the end, we must, as the prophet Micah commanded, "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly" before our God.

My 2010 College Football Season Resolutions

2010-09-19T08:54:00.005-05:00

College football season is now three weeks old (Yes, Rusty, I know that "Da U' has already dropped one!). To know me means to know that with the arrival of Fall and the gridiron, comes a heated passion for Miami Hurricanes football (I readily acknowledge there has not been much to get excited about the last four years, unlike those who bleed crimson and white!).

College football in the South, and becoming more so throughout the rest of the country, is religious in nature; fans gather weekly in the shrine, proudly display their crests and colors, debate with great intensity the merits of their team, and direct their time and treasures toward the game. To deny this is to deny the obvious.

Having said that, football, and for that matter all other areas of life, require discernment and balance. So in an attempt to bring such perspective into practice in my life, here are my college football resolutions for 2010:

1. I will not allow the game itself to supplant my responsibilities before God. By this, I mean to say that I will not allow football to supercede what ought to be my first love, Christ Himself. To do so is idolatry pure and simple, no matter how we slice it. Time in prayer, bible study, and personal communion with God will come before time spent on the blog at allcanes and other related fan sites.

2. Tied to the above and just as important, if not more so, I will not allow college football to come before the corporate gathering of God's people on the Lord's Day. Even though college games are rarely played on Sundays, trips to games can easily steal what is rightfully reserved for God (Notice I did not say church related activities. Churches can get out of balance in attempting to "program" their people to death with activities every day of the week and demand more than God Himself requires, as if that is somehow the standard of piety). In addition, I will make the conscious decision to be more joyful in the assembly of the Saints on Sunday morning than before the tube on Saturdays...my children are watching; Father can say one thing in theory, but they know where dad's true affections lie!

3. I will not allow Saturdays to come before my wife and family. Where my wife needs attention, I will give it; where my children need instruction, I will provide it. Neither will be made to feel that some team, whose record and accomplishments have no bearing in the least on either mine or their eternal destiny, has a greater priority than they do.

4. I will be a good steward of the finances that God has directed to me and will not be unfaithful in directing excess resources toward football related items, including tickets, trips, fan apparel, trinkets and other such items. I will seek to be the wise steward the Lord described in the Gospels and provide for the essentials of my family before the non-essentials of Game Day.

5. Having said all of the above, I will avoid the twin pitfalls of abstention or excess when it comes to this game. While most of our culture falls into the excess category (where I find myself as well), some in "serious" Christian circles believe that true devotion and piety means avoidance of all earthly pleasures whatsoever. Yet Scripture speaks so loudly that "This Is Our Father's World" that to hold such views makes one out of balance as a follower of Christ. It is God who bestows the talent that allows Mark Ingram to run like a leopard down the sideline. The task of the Christian is to acknowledge this and to self-consciously direct our praise and thoughts heavenward. To denigrate the physical is to denigrate what God has very clearly said is "very good." Christ redeems bodies as well as souls (1 Cor. 15) and the New Heavens and the New Earth will be more physical than we ever thought possible. Football can be a dress rehearsal and window to that world if we align our priorities with those of God.

Soli Deo Gloria (and go canes)!

My Picks for the Upcoming Election!

2010-08-08T18:49:00.008-05:00

Election season is upon us; early voting begins tomorrow and Election Day is only two weeks away. Here are my picks on some of the key races locally and regionally:

Bare for Mayor: I found the PNJ's endorsement of Ashton Hayward amusing this morning. The editors are constantly clamoring for new leadership yet they pick the candidate most beholden to the established moneyed crowd of Downtown Pensacola. Hayward is very likable but doesn't possess a scintilla of the leadership experience of Charles Bare. I have known Charles since college and his life so far exhibits character, integrity and bold leadership. Youth is overblown today - but youth and proven leadership are powerful - Bare has both and the choice for me is clear.

Escambia County Commission, District 2: Murzin, Touart and Valentino look (and act at times) like characters out of Al Capone's playbook. Karen Sindel is the only choice in this race!

Escambia County Commission, District 4: Grover returns! He has provided excellent leadership and has been a beacon of light and breath of fresh air!

Escambia County School Board, District 1: Godzilla walks again! This one may come as a surprise to those that know me, but I believe that Jeff Bergosh has done an excellent job as the board representative. From all accounts, Hosea Pittman is a very principled man and Luke Keller seems like he is knowledgeable of the issues but I have followed Jeff's every vote and can honestly say that I would not have voted any differently on any major issue that has come before the board. He said he would be a voice of reason and he has followed through on his promise. Besides, he is a relentless campaigner - I found that out firsthand four years ago!

Florida House, District 2: Send the Highway Patrol! My vote goes to retired Highway Patrolman David Karasek. I have researched his life and career and am most impressed with his proven record of service and leadership. He is also authentically conservative but not beholden to the party machine. The State House of Representatives is no place for someone wanting to cut their political teeth for the first time. Clay Ingram is a likable guy and a friend to many of my friends - but again, youth is not in and of itself the sole ingredient for success - besides, coronations are not pretty and this one smacks of the local party coronating King Clay!

Florida Senate, District 2: Mike is a Hill to die on! If ever there were a race that should be a no brainer for true conservatives, it is this one. I have known Mike Hill for 13 years and can honestly say that very few men are as disciplined, authentic, compassionate, and principled as Mike is. He is a strict constitutionalists from start to finish and understands issues better than most ever will. Small business owner, great husband and father, non-profit service ad infinitum, Mike is the clear choice in this one (besides, he is built like Clubber Lane in Rocky - just work out with him one time and you will see why! I made that mistake ten years ago!). I pity the fool that takes him on in the Florida Senate!

State Attorney General: Pam Bondi - go to her site and see why!

Governor: Not excited about either one - would love to believe Scott but just can't - I will hold out on this one until the last hour - leaning reliable McCollum for now but that might change as this one is a real mudslinger!

How Should We Respond?

2010-06-22T09:02:00.002-05:00

For the past sixty days, our city and region have been gripped by the gushing leak of oil, that as of this writing, continues to flow more or less unabated into our pristine, beautiful Gulf waters. Understandably, this has brought upon our area, already plagued by the twin perils of lethargy and despair, a greater sense of despondency. Jobs, tourism, recreation, and a host of other aspects of our lives fragilely hang in the balance. In spite of this, there is much we can do both individually and collectively as a community to mitigate what is certain to be the greatest environmental disaster in our nation's history.

As individuals, look for small opportunities to assist those in need within your sphere of influence. Undoubtedly the majority of us know someone adversely affected by the spill...seek them out and ask what can be done to alleviate even the smallest degree of suffering. John Donne said it well when he stated that "No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind." Our destinies, are, in some sense, tied together. Our parochial concerns, while important, must be seen within the larger context of what is good for our community.

Collectively, as families, consider summer "staycations" as an alternative to traveling outside of the area as a means to stimulate and support the local economy. My family just returned from a week's vacation on Pensacola Beach. We were able to stay at Portofino Resort and Spa for far less than usual, as my wife shopped Craigslist for the best bargain. I suspect there are many such deals available and, as witnessed this past week, the beach businesses desperately need the revenue. This was our third year of doing this, as opposed to our previous jaunts to Disney, but this year was especially endearing as we all came away with a greater appreciation for the beauty and transcendence of the white beaches and blue-green waters that make up our area.

Churches can also play a vital role in the renewal and restoration of our area. As a Reformed Protestant, I can say with much confidence that mainline evangelicals have been woefully deficient in teaching the flock biblical principles of stewardship as outlined in the Bible and inculcating a great sense of wonder and awe at the majesty of the created order. This spill affords the opportunity to reverse course in this area. I have been ashamed and saddened by the lack of response from local clergy. Apart from a few prayer vigils held on the beach and attended by very few, there has virtually been no public call to prayer or action by our churches. Confessed by all sectors of Christendom, the first words of the Apostle's Creed state that "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth." If we believe, as the old hymn states, that "This Is My Father's World," then we will not become so focused on the eternal that we fail to live properly in the here and now. Instead, our belief in the eternal will make us better stewards of the physical world in which we live and move.

This past week on the beach came with early morning jogs along the beach and late afternoon swims in the Gulf that suddenly became much more significant. This crisis affords us the opportunity to instill in our children a newfound appreciation for our area that previously we may have taken for granted. As I told my children, it is now our responsibility, in the words of Jeremiah, to "seek the welfare of the city" in which we find ourselves. Let's rise to the challenge and throw off previously held attitudes of ambivalence and apathy and make Pensacola a beacon for future generations.

Opportunity Knocks

2010-05-01T16:57:00.005-05:00

Attributed to Thomas Paine is the infamous statement, "These are the times that try men's souls." Whether he actually said it or not, the sentiment remains. Pick up any newspaper, open most internet news sites, or watch any cable news channel and one thing is perfectly clear: We find ourselves situated squarely within times of tumult. Environmental catastrophe, immigration conflagration, domestic economic disorder, totalitarian federal impulse, invocation of states sovereignty in light of this overreach, and international upheaval dominate the headlines daily.

The late Francis Schaeffer lamented the marginalization of the evangelical church and wrote about it some thirty years ago. Sadly, over those last thirty years, very (and I do mean very) little has changed. Schaeffer said that the church had failed to be relevant because it had failed to teach what God's word taught about the reigning issues of the day. Now mind you, many churches have sought so called "relevance" with the world but the great irony is that this kind of relevance has rendered most of evangelicalism irrelevant. The prevailing relevance focuses on methods and is most often found wanting in terms of content. All of this is done, of course, under the noble cause of "winning the lost" but it neglects any serious discipleship of the whole man. Thus the redeemed don't end up with a transformed mind that reflects the Word of God, but more often than not continue holding to the same patterns of secular humanistic thinking that saturate the culture at large.

In spite of all of this, I remain optimistic, not because I am pollyanishly utopian, but because I believe, as one famous Founder said, in a God "who governs in the affairs of men," oil spills notwithstanding. Even with much ground having been conceded by the church over the last fifty years, it has a tremendous opportunity before it. We hear a great deal about the depth of secular hardening that dominates our culture, but my sense is that a good number yearn for deeper answers to many of the vexing issues of the day, and the church has the potential to step into this void and deliver them. To do so, however, it must stand and deliver a big gospel, not a narrow one; one that teaches the whole Bible to the whole man; one that does not see the Bible as only a road map to heaven and ticket out of this world, but also as a guide on how to live redemptively in this fallen world, between the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God and the awaiting of its consummation.

I grew up in the evangelical church, attended services every week, was a committed "youth groupie," and yet never saw the relevance of God's word to everyday life. My faith was confined to Sunday and the rest of the week was spent living and thinking like most of the non-believing world. It took well into my thirties to begin to think and act differently, and many prior foolish decisions continue to make life difficult today. I had not the slightest idea that God's Word addressed issues like government, economics, immigration, the environment, taxes, business, much less that it required and equipped one for holy living. I suspect many fall into the same category. This can change. The old adage, "As the church goes, so goes the culture," remains as pertinent today as ever. Will the church rise up? Let's pray that it is so.

Reflecting on the Resurrection

2010-04-03T10:40:00.002-05:00

"Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells's dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fall...Let us no mock God with metaphor, analogy, sidestepping transcendence; making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages: let us walk through the door."

John Updike (taken from Heaven, by Randy Alcorn)

Is It Time?

2010-03-19T16:46:00.023-05:00

As I pen these words, the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to use duplicitous parliamentary maneuvering to essentially put into law the version of healthcare passed by the Senate in December and advocated by the Obama Administration. If passed under the so called "deem and pass" legislative sleight of hand, the initiative would be the single largest entitlement ever enacted by the United States government, overshadowing both the New Deal initiatives of President Roosevelt and the Great Society measures put into law under the Johnson Administration.

Practically speaking, the legislation will lay the foundation for fundamentally changing the landscape of American life as we know it. Most are simply not aware of the odious aspects of the bill that would seriously impinge upon individual freedom; mandatory compliance, with associated penalties for failure to comply, an astounding concept to consider given our history; hordes of new officers to "swarm and harass" (echoing the language of the Founding Fathers in the Declaration) the citizenry; the increase of an already oppressive and unbiblical tax burden, and the willful funding of abortion in the name of preventive care, just to name a few. At the risk of sounding trite and anachronistic, let me take a moment to respectfully proffer how we got here and what we now must consider next, neither one of which is pleasant to ponder.

First, how we got here:

The American Experiment with liberty was not developed in a vacuum. Concepts of freedom, individual rights, democratic capitalism, rule of law, consent of the governed and republican structures didn't just drop out of thin air as many are led to believe. Sadly, many Americans hold to the notion that modern freedom began in 1776, in some sense disconnected from the history that preceded it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts of history speak plainly to anyone objectively desiring to understand the origins of our experiment in freedom. The freedoms bequeathed us were the fruit of a particular worldview, one shaped, refined and centered upon biblical formations of thought. In short, the Founders imbibed the ideas of Western Christianity and put those ideas into practice in throwing off tyranny and establishing a new outpost of freedom. Many of the worn out arguments around this center on which Founders were Christians and which ones were not - that is not the point. What is clear is that they shared a common worldview that had been shaped, yes, in part, by Enlightenment thinking, but also heavily by Christian thought.

Sadly, over the past several decades (gradually over a much longer period of time), American life has become captive to humanistic thinking and has moved away from the dominant worldview that existed during our country's struggle for independence. All the while, the Church has been complicit in this shift, albeit not intentionally in most cases, but through the propagation of a seriously deficient and truncated theology expounded from the pulpit. No one spoke of this more forcefully and cogently than the late Francis Schaeffer. In his classic work, The Christian Manifesto, which diagnoses our dilemma in an eerily prophetic manner, Schaeffer opened with these profound words:

"The basic problem of the Christians in this country in the last eighty years or so,in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen things in bits and pieces instead of totals."

His point was that Christians for the most part have tried to battle on particular fronts, i.e. prayer in school, abortion, breakdown of the family, etc., in isolation, without realizing that these were but symptoms of the seismic worldview shift away from biblical thought and toward a worldview that would inevitably produce opposite results. He said this had happened because most of Western Christianity had adopted a defective view of the faith that relegated it to matters pertaining to "spiritual" things and neglected "material" things. Don't think this is true??? Think about the vast majority of sermons you have heard lately. In fact, I dare say, think about the majority of sermons you have ever heard! In the heartfelt tradition of pietism, virtually most will simply speak to the need for salvation, forgiveness of sins, accepting Jesus as Savior, prayer, bible study, etc. Now don't get me wrong; man's greatest need is having his sins forgiven, something only Christ can do. Yet most don't consider that we, as Christians, are not only saved from something (our sins), but are saved to something as well. For what purpose are we saved ??? The typical evangelical response to this question usually takes the form of, "we are saved solely to tell others about Jesus." May I submit that this is seriously deficient? Again, telling others about Christ and his redemptive work is vital for the Christian, yet it is not the whole story. Christ saves us and restores us to do what he originally intended for man to do in the beginning: take dominion over every area of life for His glory. This means that the faith can't be relegated to the inner life; all of life is spiritual! How I work and play, eat and drink, make love to my wife, educate my children, what vacations I take, what books I read and movies I watch, all of these things fall under the Lordship of Christ, for His claims are total over a man. As Schaeffer said so eloquently, our faith does not reside in one story of the house (what he referred to as the Upper Story), with the rest of life lived out in the other story (Lower Story).

How does this have bearing on the current state of affairs? Simple. Christians have adopted the notion that issues pertaining to government such as legislation and taxes are neutral. Sure, higher taxes may be bad the thinking goes, but there is no longer a basis to say they are unjust and immoral. The foundations are destroyed and we are left trying to argue with no footing to ground us.

This leads to my second point: What to do next?

This is tough and I must warn you it is not for the faint at heart. While we, as a country, have been slouching toward socialism for over a half century now, something totally and unequivocally contrary to the teachings of Sacred Scripture, we are now facing the real possibility of tyranny on a level previously unknown in our history. If you are one that thinks this is not the case, don't read any further - stick your head in the sand, keep reading your Max Lucado devotion, say your prayers before bed, and accept in practice now what you will be forced to confess down the road if things don't change - that Caesar, not Christ, is Lord. For the rest that are willing to move forward, things must begin with God's people in our time.

First, as a believer, stop relegating the things of the faith to the "inner" life. Understand that true spirituality covers all of life. I am not saying that we ever achieve this in perfection, but we must strive more and more to understand God's mind on every issue. Learn what the Bible says about the sphere of government, taxes, economics, athletics, leisure, entertainment, family, education and a host of other issues.

Second, encourage you pastor and church leadership to begin to address these issues from a biblical perspective. There are numerous resources available from many who have been fighting on this front for several years now. If they are resistant, suffer long with them and continue to encourage and love them. If (and only if) over a long period of time, they refuse to address these issues, consider, after much deliberation and prayer, linking up with a like minded community of believers who do understand the importance of not relegating the faith to a compartmentalized area of life.

Thirdly, and this is to Pastors, let me say with all humility and love, that, for the most part, you have failed your flock, and by extension, your country for your failure to preach, teach, and proclaim the whole counsel of God (I am not speaking of all pastors; many are faithful and this is intended as a generalization, but one that I believe is nevertheless true). You have accepted the dualistic model of the faith and focused your attention on the "spiritual" over the "physical," as if God Himself was not concerned about the wholeness of His creation. As a result, God's people are woefully equipped for the battles of the day. In years past, the pastor of a parish was consulted over matters not just pertaining to the faith directly, but on matters regarding every area of life. Thomas Chalmers wrote on finance and business; Abraham Kuyper laid out an economic recovery plan for the Netherlands in his role as Prime Minister. Repent of this failure and begin to discern God's counsel in all areas of life and teach the flock you have been entrusted with those very things. In addition to the above, begin to seriously formulate a theology of civil disobedience. Yes, you read that correctly! Schaeffer's book is a great place to start, but don't end there. There is an entire wealth of work to draw upon, from Luther to Calvin, Rutherford's Lex Rex and numerous other works. If you think there is no place for civil disobedience, then may I respectfully suggest that you have already, in one sense, forfeited Christ as Lord and replaced Him with Caesar. Consider what Schaeffer profoundly said at the end of The Christian Manifesto:

"If there is no final place for civil disobedience, then the government has been made autonomous, and as such, it has been put in the place of the Living God."

Understand that I am not talking about anarchy and individuals taking the law into their own hands - that is patently unbiblical and totalitarianism would be far preferable to such conditions. I am speaking of biblical civil disobedience that draws attention to the repressive and unjust statutes that are arising and will arise over the next several decades. Be a part of the new "Blacked Robed Regiment" and emulate the previous one that was so instrumental in shaping the direction of the fledgling republic over two hundred years ago.

What might this look like??? Read beneath the headlines today of the healthcare debate and you will see that several of the State Attorneys General, such as our own in Florida, and the Attorney General of South Carolina, are already stating that their respective states will not implement the federal health care bill as currently configured, as they rightly believe that it is unconstitutional. As we recover the doctrine of sphere sovereignty (that different spheres have different responsibilities and jurisdictions), this will mean that lower elected bodies check and refute the overreach of higher bodies, which was the entire framework for the American War for Independence, which was not, as many believe, a revolution in the purest sense, but a just and legal interposition of one sovereign against another. We must begin to support such measures wholeheartedly, all the while holding local and state representatives accountable and continuing to seek change at the federal level as well to repeal unjust statutes.

Finally, if you think this is all academic, then, as I said earlier, crown Caesar as Lord now but don't scream for help when his so called "benevolence" enslaves you down the road. If you fall into another category all together and still think that the Bible doesn't concern itself with this, consider the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 94:20:

"Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death."

The relevance for our day could not be more clear. Is it time to act? I believe that it is. May God help us!

The Case for Early Marriage

2010-02-18T10:18:00.002-06:00

Here is an article written by David Lapp in the WSJ. It is sure to be controversial but provoking nonetheless.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204575039150739864666.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h

Multi-tasking Mania!

2010-02-15T09:27:00.003-06:00

I love Facebook, text frequently, and think social networking has great potential for both good and evil (after all, I am placing this on my blog which imports into Facebook!), like most other aspects of God's created order. However, we open ourselves up to great personal and social havoc if we do not use discernment and seek balance in using these platforms.

A recent study was released by the Kaiser Foundation that is frightening to say the least. It shows how much time our kids are "plugged in" and "wired up." Here is a link to a great article by the folks at Breakpoint on this issue - parents in particular should heed the warnings - we may think that our kids are simply brilliant multi-taskers, but in reality they are being damaged relationally perhaps more than any segment of society in the history of civilization.

http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/14307-the-courage-to-be-bored

Pact with the Devil or Propaganda?

2010-01-18T21:47:00.008-06:00

Pat Robertson's comments last week regarding Haiti's so called "Pact with the Devil" have generated intense theological and political heat from both left and right. The political left dismisses Robertson as a right wing fanatic, while the respectable theological right seems eager to disassociate itself from Robertson's simple fundamentalism, not to mention what many perceive as his harsh indifference in the face of enormous suffering. Putting Robertson the individual aside for a moment, let's consider the merits of what Robertson actually said and how that relates to Haiti's current cultural and political difficulties. Here are some thoughts:

First, whatever the merits of a so called pact, it is a fact of history that the Haitian people collectively threw off French rule and authority with the invocation of voodoo practices that solidified an ongoing two hundred year obsession with the occult and associated rituals that have had monumentally disastrous results for the people of Haiti. The practice of voodoo stems from an essentially animistic worldview in which fatalism is the end result. Animism teaches that impersonal forces in the natural realm are endowed with spirits and govern the affairs of man, thus they must be placated, most often through the means of ancestral worship. Manipulation, sorcery, and fear become the order of the day. This is in direct contradistinction to biblical theology, which teaches that man possesses a living soul and is uniquely placed within the created order to mirror the image of God, not by means of manipulation, but through creativity and labor. While the entire created order teems with life, man is qualitatively different than, say, the goldfish in the glass or the beloved bloodhound in my backyard. While God may cause the rocks to cry out, they certainly are not to be feared, or furthermore, worshipped. The same type of animism that has stifled development in Africa for centuries is essentially the same cancer that has plagued Haiti as well. Think about the drastic implications of such thinking. If man is no more significant than the trees, or if the trees contain demonic spirits that could possibly wreak havoc on man in exchange for cutting them down, then he will never begin to develop and harness the natural resources necessary to build a vibrant and lasting culture, which is exactly what God commissioned Adam to do before the Fall through the Cultural Mandate (Genesis 1:26-28). This is exactly what has happened in both Africa and Haiti and it has led to the impoverishment of millions upon millions of human beings.

Secondly, many have taken issue with the fact that Robertson seemed to imply that the current people of Haiti are paying for the "sins of the fathers" committed generations ago. While this may offend the sensibilities of the moderns, it remains a thoroughly biblical principle. While we must be careful not to emphatically proclaim that one generation is being judged for the sins of previous generations, something Robertson may be guilty of, we should understand that Scripture is filled so often with this principle of multi-generational unfaithfulness that it would take volumes of commentary to illuminate just a few of the examples. I find it amazing that people have such a hard time with this notion. We reject it collectively but seem to understand it more clearly on a personal level. A simple example will suffice: My oldest children were not responsible for my divorce from their mother thirteen years ago, but they certainly live with the consequences of my actions in the present. In this sense, my sin has brought judgment upon them. Does this mean they live with a fatalistic view of life that presumes that nothing will change for them? Absolutely not. They learn from their father's mistakes and seek a new way by God's grace. Again, how many times have you heard it said of a son, with reference to his drunkenness, infidelity, etc., that he is "just like his father?"

Lastly, and most importantly, the Christian community has a great opportunity to be an agent of true reform in Haiti. Unlike the "mile wide, inch deep" evangelism that has dominated the missionary movements for years, perhaps we will begin to see that "giving them Jesus" without teaching them to think and act biblically is really not giving them Jesus in all His fullness, for it fails to take seriously the command to disciple the nations. This proclamation of a full orbed gospel is the only thing that will displace the fear, lethargy and bondage that has wreaked havoc on a people for far too long.

Note: God's people need to pray fervently, contribute sacrificially, and support ongoing efforts to bring hope and healing to the Haitian people. Below is a link to a great article about the fatalism that exists within the current climate. While I do not agree with all that is said in the article, there is much to be taken from it.

http://ow.ly/XbE5

What's In a Brand?

2009-12-29T08:39:00.023-06:00

Several weeks back, I blogged on a book that I had run across whose title and content proved to be most intriguing and fascinating. The book, God and Guinness, was a remarkable read and offered some great historical and theological insight (Previous post found here: http://micahmandate.blogspot.com/2009/11/outside-camp.html) regarding the relationship between beer and the church, a relationship known to very few in the modern church, but one that is deep, intertwined, and significant none the less. Having discovered the greatness of the man who founded Guinness throughout the pages of the book, I have recently become a fan of all things Guinness. Arthur Guinness established a company whose corporate and civic feats are matched by very few, even to this day (http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/11/column-guinness-got-it-.html).

In light of that, and given that this fascination occurred over the Christmas season, a season in which I believe the world approximates the closest thing to heaven this side of heaven, I stumbled across some Guinness apparel in the shopping stores while out contributing to the oft lamented "commercialization" of Christmas (I'll save this for another post!). Now, I am quite sure that I have seen this same type of apparel in stores before, shelved in the usual places where all of the "consumer brand" trinkets are put on display; you no doubt know the section, which contains such things as the Corona flip flops, Superman underwear, RockBand pajamas, etc., etc. This time was different though. Whereas in the past I viewed the apparel as simply the "beering" of the culture, now, as the result of gained historical insight, I saw a remarkable legacy screenprinted on the front of shirts and embroidered above the brim of hats. As a result, on Christmas morning, I was delighted to unwrap a Guinness t-shirt and hat, given by my wife. Having worn the hat now a few times for public display, I have encountered some puzzled faces and odd stares. I've already had the opportunity when queried to give a brief history and defense of Guinness and his product but I know what is coming, and you do as well if you walk in evangelical circles. Some well meaning, devout, and pious church goer is eventually going to pull me aside and ask why on earth I would wear such apparel that obviously sends "the wrong message" and promotes that which is "sinful." What is reflected with such a mindset? First, an incipient gnosticism; second, a lack of discernment.

Having grown up in Southern Baptist churches, I was taught that alcohol was the Devil's Delight (which it certainly can be to the intemperate and to those who lack self control). Over the past several years, however, I have laid the issue to rest. Nothing in all of Scripture remotely condemns the partaking of alcohol in moderation. What is emphatically condemned is drunkenness. The earth is the Lord's, and that certainly means the barley as well! Amazingly, though, this issue continues to be for many a defining mark of piety for the truly faithful. Sadly, this way of thinking is not biblical, but sub-biblical, and built on gnostic assumptions more than on Sacred Scripture. Philip J. Lee, in his work, Against the Protestant Gnostics, states:

The fundamental problem between biblical faith and gnostic faith begins with two different worldviews. Biblical faith insists that the Creation is well made...Gnosticism simply cannot endorse that positive view of the Creation.

Gnosticism sees the physical world as inherently evil; Christianity sees it as created perfectly for man to develop, plunged into sin by the Fall of Adam, and now in the process of being redeemed by the New Adam and His work on the cross to reclaim not only fallen man but a fallen cosmos as well. No matter the issue, this contrast in thinking always seems to surface. Think of how many times you've heard it said that the body is just a "prisonhouse" for the soul, probably right before you sang I'll Fly Away in church and listened to a well intended sermon that emphasized the "spiritual" realities of the faith, yet offered absolutely no practical advice on how to live on this terrestrial ball. Why not? Because it's all going to be burned up anyway, so why bother; get in your closet, pray, go to church on Sunday, and wait for heaven, never mind the fact that Christ Himself told us to pray and work for heaven on earth and that God's ultimate plan is for heaven and earth to be one, as the famous old hymn states. Please forgive the venting but I simply cannot take one more sermon denigrating The Father's World. I'm tired of being told every Christmas that I've lost sight of its meaning, that the decorated tree has replaced the King of Kings, and that the wreaths, candy canes, and gifts have obscured my focus from the "real" meaning of Christmas and that when I put my decorations away, my joy walks out the door as well. Nonsense! The tree, the lights, the holly, and yes, even Santa, simply give testimony to the fact that God owns it all - as Kuyper said, "there is not one square inch over which Christ does not say 'mine.'"

Now to the brands! Take a walk through the local mall and notice what you see - brands, brands, and more brands. Look carefully and you will most likely notice the entrepreneurial Christian vendor with his kiosk stand selling the latest hot Christian t-shirts and caps, worn with a sense of purpose by well intentioned young Christians who see this as "lifestyle" evangelism. I must confess that I love to walk by the stands every few weeks and guess what cultural parody will be screenprinted on the front of a shirt in the name of representing the faith. They're all there for the taking - mimicking the logos of Starbucks, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, RockBand, Guitar Hero, and now, with the release of New Moon, even one parodying the Twilight logo! Now consider this: Many of the same folks who will criticize my Guinness apparel will gladly and proudly wear the types of shirts mentioned above. But ask yourself this question: Which one is more demeaning to the cause of Christ, a t-shirt reflecting the logo of a company that has sought to glorify God by the sale of its product, or one that reduces the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to a cheap cultural brand??? I say the latter! Is it fitting to identify and equate the Living Lord of the Universe with a trendy and passing fad? Additionally, how many of those same folk again will think nothing of buying clothes from Old Navy or American Eagle with their blatant support of positions and lifestyles antithetical to Christian ethics? I'm not saying it's wrong to purchase products from companies with those positions, but certainly it ought to call for more discernment than simple criticism of a t-shirt with the name of a particular brand of beer on it.

Christians just commemorated and celebrated the birth of the One who changed the course of human history. The Church needs to march forward as the mighty army of God, proclaiming the Good News that the lame leap, the dumb speak, the deaf hear, the blind see and the dead are raised to life. It's time that the trivial be discarded; let's begin by ridding ourselves of the gnosticism that denies the goodness of the created order, and, along with that, hopefully adopt some discernment concerning t-shirts as well!

Cheers!

Whole Gospel, Whole Church, Whole World

2009-11-18T21:10:00.003-06:00

Here is a great article that appeared in Christianity Today's latest issue. It is written by Christopher J.H. Wright, Chair of the Lausanne Theology Working Group.

As the Lausanne Movement gears up for another conference in 2010, thirty-five years after the original conference on global evangelization was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, this article reflects the comprehensive nature of the gospel itself:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/globalconversation/october2009/index.html?start=1

Outside the Camp

2009-11-17T23:46:00.004-06:00

Two books have caught my attention lately. The first is The Search for God and Guinness, by Stephen Mansfield; the second - Five Cities That Ruled The World, by Douglas Wilson.

While attempting to find either or both of them on Monday, I made my way to the Theology/Church History/Christian Living section of one of our local secular bookstores. Sadly, it has been my experience that the larger secular stores carry much better material than the local Christian bookstores. If you want Veggie Tales, go to the Christian bookstore; if you want a challenging read, then go elsewhere.

As my wife (despairingly) and friends (gleefully) can attest, I am a professional when it comes to finding the latest titles. After years of diligence in this area, when given the content and title of a book, I can pinpoint with precision like accuracy exactly where the book will be found on local shelves.

So I was quite surprised by Monday's turn of events. After perusing the various Christian sections, I had been unsuccessful in finding either title. While disappointed, I simply came to the conclusion that neither book had hit the local shelves yet. On the way out, however, I decided to make one last attempt at it by going to the computer at the front desk and entering both titles. Ureka!! Both titles read "Currently in stock." How could I have missed them, I wondered. Turns out that both titles were located in "World History/Britain/Ireland." I made a beeline to the section, quickly found both, made my purchase (again, to my wife's chagrin!!), and off I went.

On the drive home, I began to think about something that noted author C.S. Lewis wrote. I can't find the exact quote but it goes something like this: "We don't need more Christian books, we need more books written well by Christians." Exactly! These two authors had done something unique in Christian circles today - they had broken out of the Christian ghetto and moved into the broader culture.

Isn't that the goal for all Christian living in some sense? For those of us that have been called, washed, redeemed , purchased, cleansed, empowered, sanctified, and renewed, shouldn't we be taking our work, wealth, and worldview into the world for the sake of the world? Privatizing our faith leads to isolated Christian bookstores that give us more Veggie Tales and Bible Man than the drama of Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. These two authors understand that - they know we must eventually move "outside the camp" to truly make a difference in the world.

Here is a link to Stephen Mansfield's article on his book that ran in USA Today last week for those interested:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/11/column-guinness-got-it-.html

In Honor of Our Veterans

2009-11-10T12:31:00.002-06:00

In light of Veterans Day, here is a great piece that aired on ESPN last night during the Steelers game. Thanks for the service Rocky!

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4638627

Collision

2009-10-20T20:29:00.002-05:00

There is a new documentary/debate coming out this week featuring renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens squaring off against evangelical Doug Wilson. Early reviews indicate that this debate will set a new standard for future debates for quite some time.

Surprisingly (maybe not surprisingly from one vantage point!), both men developed a great affinity for one another while traveling the country debating the existence of God and issues of morality associated with God's existence.

Here is a clip of evangelical John Piper interviewing Doug Wilson regarding Christopher Hitchens at a recent Desiring God Conference a few weeks ago. There is also information on ordering the DVD. I will be hosting a Collision Preview so stay tuned for details.

http://www.americanvision.com/collisionchristopherhitchensvsdouglaswilsondvd.aspx

Thank God for Columbus and Colonization!

2009-10-12T07:20:00.004-05:00

Today is Columbus Day, and while the fierce ideological battles do not rage over him like they did fifteen years ago, his legacy is still very much under assault today as our country imbibes heavily from the well of secularism. So, with thankfulness and gratitude, I will pause today and thank God for this flawed, yet great explorer who sought to glorify God and make Him known "amongst the heathen." Here is how he started the journal of his first voyage:

"In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ..."

For those of you in Pensacola, replicas of his famous ships will be in port over the Christmas Holidays - take the kids and use it to restore this man to his proper station in history! Here is the PNJ link on the visit of the replica ships in December:
http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910040317

Bigotry at Its Best!

2009-10-11T17:42:00.002-05:00

I find it interesting that many in the media and some current and former NFL players are expressing "grave" concerns and voicing opposition to the potential sale of the St. Louis Rams to radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Here is an article by Chris Mortensen of ESPN that highlights the concern:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4551010

One final question: Does anyone think that the same players would be voicing concern if George Soros wanted to buy a team???? Just wondering??

Life Together

2009-10-08T07:22:00.003-05:00

Well, I finally did it. After years of staying away from Bonhoeffer's Life Together, I finally picked it up and have found it to be most enlightening but more importantly VERY convicting! Here are some portions for reflection and consideration:

"God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of [Christian] community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the the commuunity of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together. When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he sees the community going to smash. So he becomes, first an accuser of his brethren, then an accuser of God, and finally the despairing accurser of himself."

"Not what a man is in himself as a Christian, his spirituality and piety, constitutes the basis of our community. What determines our brotherhood is what the man is by reason of Christ."

Two Great Examples in Sports Today!

2009-09-23T16:51:00.003-05:00

Here are two great examples of men who understand that sports is more than wins and losses. The first is an article on Miami Head Coach Randy Shannon (for those of you that know me and have commented about my obsession with Hurricane football, I promise to let up soon!!), and the second is a great story about why Tony Dungy invested in Michael Vick. I have never liked the Colts but had to pull for them because of what this man represents.

Enjoy!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/dave_hyde/09/23/shannon/index.html?eref=sihpT1

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10106744/A-coach/s-faith:-Why-Dungy-helped-Vick-return?GT1=39002

Propaganda or Encouragement!

2009-09-08T08:08:00.003-05:00

With all the controversy surrounding the Obama speech today, here is an article by Albert Mohler that is lucid and insightful.

http://www.albertmohler.com/

Thoughts on Marriage

2009-08-30T22:57:00.022-05:00

I have been thinking quite a bit the past few weeks about marriage; its meaning, purpose, nature and sustainability in our increasingly secular culture. Much of this has been prompted by several factors, among them the desire to teach my daughter to think more clearly about the institution of marriage, the marriage of a close friend, and several thought provoking articles dealing with the subject itself. Let's consider these in reverse order.

First, two major Christian publications have devoted considerable space to the the subject: Christianity Today's bombshell essay by Mark Regnerus titled "The Case for Early Marriage," and The Christian Research Journal's "A Reconsideration of Romantic Love" by Rob Whitley. Both articles are powerful and need to be articulated and digested within the broader evangelical community. Regnerus compellingly makes the case that the church has placed so much emphasis on abstinence and sexual purity before marriage that it has failed to adequately teach the importance of marriage itself. He postulates that one of the reasons that the rate of pre-marital sex is just as high for single christians as for non-christians is due to the fact that the church has moved away from stressing early marriage; thus we are asking young men and women to supress the God given desire placed within them for sexual intimacy. He cites much evidence to support his thesis and also shows how this failure to disciple our young men and women with regard to marriage has led to other social ills such as divorce and multi-generational poverty caused by illegitimacy. Tackling a slightly different angle, Whitley's article deals with the prevailing practice in our culture, implicitly endorsed by the church as well, of basing the marriage relationship on the faulty foundation of romantic love. He shows how this is a recent phenomenon brought about by post-enlightenment thinking and how we must once again return to marriage built on more than eros; it must be built on mutual cooperation and mutual interest. While passion needs to be present, it simply will never be present in the same degree throughout the marriage. What happens when it is not??? Well, how many times have you heard it said by someone, "Oh, we just did not have 'it' anymore, and since we both deserve to be happy, we need to move on." Having thought this way myself for a period of years, and having failed at my first marriage because if it, I can heartily agree with Whitley that there better be more than deep romantic sentiments and emotions, however important those things are.

The second factor focusing my thinking on marriage was the marriage of a dear friend just over a week ago. In what could be titled, "A Young Marine Takes His Bride," Grant Castelberry and GraceAnna Broggi were united in covenant marriage on August 22nd in Beaufort, S.C. For those of you that know me and follow this blog (either on the blog itself or on FB), you most likely know the story of the young marine that our family had the privilege of befriending last year while he was in Pensacola training. His story is incredible (if you have not seen it, click here:http://www.kbtx.com/fromthecorps). God has used Grant to bless a multitude of lives at a very young age. Now, God has united Grant to a most incredible young lady who has been prepared properly by her parents for the task of marriage like very few young women that I have met. Having watched this relationship develop over the past year from a distance, and having witnessed the ceremony last week firsthand, a few observations are in order: First, both Grant and GraceAnna understand that Christ must be the center of the marriage for God to be most glorified. While unbelievers can certainly have fulfilled marriages and model marriage far better in many cases than believing christians, much to our shame, marriage can never fully reflect the Triune nature it was meant to reflect without such a commitment to Christ as the Lord over the marriage itself. Secondly, as was stated above briefly, both Grant and GraceAnna have been prepared for marriage and have been pursuing marriage. This runs so counter to prevailing opinions today to "hold off and wait until we make this amount, get this job, pursue this hobby, take this trip, blah, blah, blah." Scripture tells us that it is a good thing to take a wife and to do so early; we neglect this to our own detriment. Thirdly, and in no way negating the points made above, both of the newlyweds kept themselves pure up until marriage under the most difficult circumstances; Grant being a stout young marine stationed in Pensacola and Japan, and GraceAnna being a strikingly beautiful young lady who attended Clemson University. Is it hard? Absolutely. Impossible? Not at all if a passion for holiness is kept at the forefront. Fourthly, the ceremony itself was incredibly God-centered. GraceAnna's father, the pastor of the church where they were married, which is a unique part of their story, gave one of the best charges to any young couple that I have ever heard. He exhorted Grant to fulfill his role to lead and for GraceAnna to embrace her responsibility to submit graciously, all the while reminding Grant that his authority is not that of a tyrant, but that of a husband modeling Christ! Lastly, Facebook and the Internet played a major component in reuniting Grant and GraceAnna and in helping them through the early stages of their courtship. That's right! Technology, while it certainly cannot be the sole medium for relationship building, can play a major role in building and fostering relationships and authentic community. It is fraught with peril and requires great discernment, but it is not the anti-christ that many in the christian community make it out to be. It is like every other technological medium; it is neither inherently evil or good - it's use determines its orientation.

Finally, all of this has provided much conversation for Faith (my seventeen year old daughter - need I say more!!!) and I. For some ten years now, I have exhorted her to learn from her father's failures and to trust my guidance and direction in helping her to select a mate (For those of you ranting and raving right now and throwing an egalitarian temper tantrum, notice I did not say that I would choose her mate). Biblically, I believe that it is my role to not only prepare her for marriage but to help her evaluate potential suitors as well. If you oppose this, consider what the alternative is. Romantic feelings as discussed above? Friends who have little more maturity and experience than her? I think not! When I asked GraceAnna on Sunday to give Faith some words of encouragement, she said, and I summarize: Trust your father, honor your parents, and believe that God will bless you in doing so. Let me leave you with the question that I asked Faith to ponder on the drive home from the wedding. During our conversation I asked her who most likely carried the most emotional baggage and scars; the young woman who has been in and out of numerous relationships (thus subtly conditioning her for divorce without even realizing it) and has spent frequent nights in the backseat of a car or GraceAnna? How we answer that goes a long way in determining our attitude toward marriage.

Wisdom from the Past

2009-08-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

"All heaven and earth resound with that delicately balanced truth that the old paths are the best paths after all."

- J. C. Ryle

"Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people."

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Taken from The American Patriot's Handbook by George Grant

Current Reading

2009-08-25T15:49:00.005-05:00

With four boys (yes, I know, only three in the picture!), I need all the help I can get. Here is the current reading selection assisting in that effort!

The Mystery of Boys!

2009-08-25T08:23:00.003-05:00

"Boyhood is a most complex and incomprehensible thing. Even when one has been through it, one does not understand what it was. A man can never quite understand a boy, even when he has been the boy."

G.K. Chesterton (quoted in Wild Things, The Art of Nurturing Boys)

Obama Care and Death Panels

2009-08-18T23:17:00.002-05:00

In today's Wall Street Journal, Andrew Klavan writes a satirical column about what a future "health" panel proceeding might look like. Downright scary if you ask me!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204683204574356241709682828.html

It's Football Time!!!

2009-08-16T21:39:00.005-05:00

Well, it's here! We all know what it is that is here as well...that grand time of year when the pigskin is thrown around. With that, here is a great quote by T.R. on football to his sons - what balance this great man had!

"I am delighted to have you play football. I believe in rough, manly sports. But I do not believe in them if they degenerate into the sole end of any one's existence. I don't want you to sacrifice standing well in your studies to any over-athleticism; and I need not tell you that character counts for a great deal more than either intellect or body in winning success in life. Athletic proficiency is a mighty good servant, and like so many other good servants, a mighty bad master. "

Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt’s Letters to His Children

Second Chances?

2009-08-13T21:20:00.002-05:00

The recent release from prison of Michael Vick poses a great number of ethical dilemmas. I, for one, have been disturbed by the unwillingness of the mainstream sports culture to offer Vick a chance at redemption. Listen to sports talk and you will come away with the impression that Vick is on par with the Beast in the book of Revelation.

It isn't that what he did was of a minor nature, but more so that he has paid for the nature of his offence by serving time in prison - what more should we demand from him now? Apparently some would demand far more than fits the nature of the crime and preclude Vick from ever again using the talents and skills given him by the Creator, gifts that glorify God no matter whether Vick self consciously realizes this or not.

Mark Earley has written an excellent column on this issue and how it touches upon the issue of criminal recidivism. As Christians, we of all people should be about second chances. Let's give Vick his and pray that he lives a changed life.

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_827327.html

What is Education?

2009-08-10T08:04:00.003-05:00

The kids started back to school today; Faith starts the beginning of the end as she enters her Senior Year, Zach hits 10th grade, and Jacob starts 1st grade. Reflecting on this as they left for school, I thought about R.L. Dabney's quote on just how important education is:

"The Education of children is the most important business on earth. It is the one business for which the earth exists. To it all politics, all war, all literature, all moneymaking, ought to be subordinate; every parent especially ought to feel, every hour of the day, that , next to making his own calling and election sure, this is the end for which he is kept alive by God-this is his task on earth.”
-Robert Lewis Dabney

My Kind of Liberal!

2009-08-09T17:35:00.002-05:00

I ran across an old post from Kirsten Powers (an occasional stand-in for Alan Colmes on the old version of Hannity and Colmes) from 2006. I always liked her demeanor on the show and this article helps to explain why - she is thoughtful and understands what many on her side refuse to acknowledge: that neutrality is impossible and that presuppositions have to come from somewhere.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kirsten-powers/sullivan-and-hewitt-on-go_b_32641.html

A Modern Day Daniel??

2009-08-05T09:24:00.002-05:00

Chuck Baldwin has written a provocative and challenging article surrounding the recent legal battle with Frank Lay and Pace High School. While I agree with a great deal that Baldwin asserts in this article, there are some areas where I think the parallel between this situation and the biblical account of Daniel breaks down. Nevertheless, the article is well worth the read and can be found here:

http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2009/cbarchive_20090804.html

Enjoying God's Creation

2009-08-02T19:48:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I logged in 6.2 miles at the University of West Florida. The run is always taxing, with several steep hills throughout the 10K course. Yesterday, it was grueling!

For over twenty years now, I have been running the hills and trails of UWF. I never cease to be amazed and filled with awe when I run that terrain tucked away just off the cliffs of Escambia Bay. No matter how tired, there is something tremendously therapeutic about running at UWF. Anyone that knows me knows that is by far and away my favorite activity with my family as well. I think it is because of the mundacity and simplicity of it and because God created us to exercise dominion over the created order in the form of responsible stewardship.

For those that have seen the movie UP, there is a powerful message conveyed in it. Without going into great detail, it is essentially this: Don't waste your life always dreaming of what you are going to do someday, but realize that the most joy in life is found in the everday routines that intersect with family and friends. I can honestly say that after a busy week on the road, my thoughts always return to hitting the trails with family on Saturdays. This is a great blessing of God and one that I hope I can experience for many years ahead.

Note: Chuck Colson has a great review of the movie UP. It can be found at: http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_796829.html

An article worth reading

2009-07-27T14:14:00.003-05:00

Matthew Parris, a self described Atheist, wrote a very interesting article back in December of 2008. The article focused on the impact of Christianity in Africa and how it can do what no government or secular program can. He does not stop there however, but continues on to say that not only does Christianity do more, it is the only solution to Africa's problems. The article was originally published in the London Times. Take a few minutes and read it for yourself. You can find it here, As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God

Utopian Delusion

2009-07-27T08:54:00.002-05:00

"Those who condemn the immorality of liberal capitalism do so in comparison with a society of saints that has never existed - and never will."

- Martin Wolf, Why Globalization Works

Socialism: Tried and Found Wanting

2009-07-17T12:40:00.003-05:00

"Socialism in general has a record of failure so blantant that only an intellectual could ignore it or evade it." - Thomas Sowell

"Socialism only works in heaven, where they don't need it, and in hell where they already have it." - Ronald Reagan

There's A New Sheriff In Town!

2009-07-16T09:54:00.006-05:00

For those of us that live in the greater Pensacola area (Escambia County, FL), the past week has been consumed with the sordid details surrounding the murder of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The double murder has received much national attention and has brought the light of scrutiny once again on an area known to many nationally as much for the murder of abortion doctors as its beautiful white sand beaches. While the tragedy continues to unfold before us, I believe certain observations are in order.

First, it is apparent that this community has leadership at the local law enforcement level that many of us have longed for for quite some time now. From the first moments after the shooting, Sheriff David Morgan has conducted himself in a manner exhibiting the highest standards of professionalism and has exhibited leadership previously unseen in this community. He has not been passive, but has worked tirelessly and around the clock, directing the investigation, disseminating information, and acting as a spokesman to the watching world. In all of this, he has done so with humility and with a dogged determination to render justice. Speaking biblically, he has lived out before us the function of the civil magistrate as outlined by the Apostle Paul in Romans 13 to bear the sword in the cause of that which is right. While the prosecutorial and sentencing phases are outside of his purview, he has performed the initial and vital task of apprehending those involved in this heinous crime so that those who committed this atrocity may be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Secondly, the incredible police work done by the local investigators has been something to marvel at. Police work is tough and never falls into place with the ease with which it is depicted on shows such as "CSI" and its endless clones. It requires diligence, patience, precision, and the recognition that the initial hours after the crime are some of the most important and that a rapid response is a must. In years past, it seemed that delays and excuses were more often the norm than rapidity in following the leads. Again, this is a testament to the new leadership.

Thirdly, the response of the community has been heartening. It has been refreshing to see citizens step up instead of cowering back in fear or just remaining apathetic. Sheriff Morgan promised to reach out to the community, a vital part of any successful law enforcement program, and while the PNJ has taken issue with the veracity of his policy regarding official letters being sent to those frequenting areas known for large scale prostitution, it is evident that his aggressive community outreach and progressive ideas are starting to bear much fruit.

Lastly, this crime is a vivid reminder, contrary to the notions of postmodern thought and pop psychology, that humanity is not inherently good, but instead that the heart of man is prone to great evil. No matter how "humanitarian" the accused mastermind tried to present himself to the community, his heart was apparently filled with hatred, bitterness, and anger. This should give us pause when we consider that that same hatred germinates in all of us. The words of the Russian dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn ring true: “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” Only a heart dependent on the grace of God and truly desiring to serve humanity can overcome that disposition that infects all of us.

The Continued Wisdom of Silent Cal

2009-07-15T10:15:00.004-05:00

In re-reading some portions of Coolidge: An American Enigma, by Robert Sobel, I ran across this quote. It reflects the worldview of one highly influenced by biblical thought, as opposed to much of what is promulgated by our elected leaders today.

"Statutes must appeal to more than material welfare. Wages won't satisfy, be they ever so large. Nor houses; nor lands; nor coupons, though they fall as thick as the leaves of autumn. Man has a spiritual nature. Touch it, and it must respond as the magnet responds to the pole. To that, not to selfishness, let the laws of the commonwealth appeal. Recognize the immortal worth and dignity of man. Let the laws of Massachusetts proclaim to her humblest citizen, performing the most menial task, the recognition of his manhood, the recognition that all men are peers, the humblest with the most exalted, the recognition that all work is glorified. Such is the path to equality before the law. Such is the foundation of liberty under the law. Such is the sublime revelation of man's relation to man - Democracy."

Why Marriage Matters

2009-07-14T00:08:00.003-05:00

Time Magazine is not my favorite weekly - in fact, most of what is propagated on its pages tends to erode traditional conservatism. The latest issue is vastly different.

Caitlin Flanagan has written a brilliant and compelling article on the importance of marriage that every couple, and especially every husband and father, should read. It seems that no matter how hard we try, God's moral order cannot be discarded without severe consequences. Sadly, I know this from experience all too well.

Article Link: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1908243,00.html

A Few Words from Silent Cal

2009-07-13T21:59:00.002-05:00

"Conserve the firm foundations of our institutions. Do your work with the spirit of a soldier in the public service. Be loyal to the Commonwealth, and to yourselves. And be brief - above all things, be brief."

Calvin Coolidge's inaugual - in its entirety - upon his reelection as President of the Massachusetts State Senate

Today 's Reading!

2009-07-11T14:35:00.003-05:00

Today's Reading: Available at www.prpbooks.com.

Kuyper on Calvin's Impact

2009-07-10T10:19:00.001-05:00

"In the rise of your university education . . . in the decentralized . . . character of your local governments . . . in your championship of free speech, and in your unlimited regard for freedom of conscience; in all this . . . it is demonstrable that you owe this to Calvinism and to Calvinism alone."

Abraham Kuyper
Stone Lectues, 1898
Delivered at Princeton University

America's Forgotten Founding Father

2009-07-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

Just a few days ago, Americans of all stripes celebrated Independence Day. While fading from our collective memory, America still honors such significant Founding Fathers as Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Adams, and Henry. While these men were directly responsible for inaugurating freedom on a scale previously unseen, one man set forth the ideas that fueled the engine of freedom. His name was John Calvin.

July 10th marked the 500th anniversary of the death of the man whom John Adams described as “a vast genius,” and who added: “Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it much respect.” Calvin’s theology, so deeply derived from Sacred Scripture, laid forth such principles as limited, republican government, democratic capitalism, and the lawful overthrow of tyrannical authority.

While many will debate Calvin’s legacy, those who are historically astute will be led to acknowledge his vast and lasting contribution to republicanism and limited government, even if not in agreement with all of his theology. In the end, the words of noted historian George Bancroft speak clearly to Calvin’s influence: "He who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty.”

Carson, Piper, & Keller on Social Ministry

2009-06-29T13:00:00.002-05:00

The Pressure Cooker

2009-05-06T18:33:00.003-05:00

The link below will take you to a thoughtful piece by Douglas Wilson. His thoughts about the "pressure cooker" church is something that I believe demands attention. We must begin to open the dialogue and stop shying away from meaningful and complicated discussions.

http://dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=6544

A Review of the "Expelled Movie Night"

2009-04-25T18:39:00.002-05:00

This review was written by a student at UWF, but it was not published in the Voyager (UWF's school paper). The article was supplied to Zach Kueker and we have posted it so that those of you who did not attend the event can read a little about what took place and for those who did attend so they can see what was said about the movie night.

The Truth Defense Ministry of UWF presented a showing of the movie Beyond Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed in the University Commons Auditorium on Tuesday evening. The event included an introduction by the organization’s facilitator, Todd Leonard.

Students were invited to attend this event focused on the debate of Intelligent Design vs. Darwinism whether they are religious or skeptics. The Truth Defense Ministry aimed to “get students and faculty thinking,” according to Zach Kueker, the organization’s president and founder.

Leonard’s ministry, Men for Modern Reformation, has “married” with Truth Defense Ministry to engage culture biblically on campus. Leonard is a UWF alumnus.

“This event is sponsored by Christians involved in the Truth Defense Ministry whose primary purpose is to glorify God in all things with much emphasis on apologetics. In this postmodern society, knowing truth is perceived as bigotry and/or arrogant. There are conflicting world-views clashing on this campus, and college is all about broadening one's mind,” said Kueker.
As stated on the MMR website, “It is our hope that this will begin a dialogue on the campus that will be open, honest, and transparent. Our objective is not to shove anything down your throat, but rather to openly discuss all areas of life and allow, as the Christian worldview has always allowed for, individuals to decide for themselves.”

Leonard began the evening with a brief announcement to inform the 30-40 in attendance of the objectives of these two organizations. He explained that universities are meant to integrate all systems of thought and that these ministries seek to invoke a debate in this spirit.
Leonard also thanked Kueker and the Truth Defense Ministry for sponsoring the event and he invited students to participate in upcoming discussions on this topic. He said that believers and skeptics are welcome in order to intellectually debate this subject matter.

The documentary style movie featured Ben Stein and his quest to further understand the conflicts and debate between skeptics of Intelligent Design and skeptics of Darwinism. The film began with Stein speaking to a large audience about the importance of freedom in America.
Stein sought to discover why the American freedoms of inquiry, religion, and speech are being violated when it comes to this controversial topic. He interviewed several scientists and professors who were fired for writing or speaking about Intelligent Design in an academic setting.

He then interviewed supporters of Darwinism to hear their points of view on creation. Stein noted that those he interviewed seemed more focused on attacking religion rather than supporting Darwinism. He asked, “Why can’t we talk about it academically?”
The film then explored the connection between Nazi’s and Darwinism. Stein spoke of academics in America supporting Eugenics, the sterilization of those considered too unintelligent or impoverished to reproduce.

The final interview Stein conducted was with Professor Richard Dawkins, a published supporter of Darwinism. He expressed that he does not believe in a God, but does not count out the possibility of Intelligent Design.

The movie ended with images of people knocking down the Berlin Wall and the conclusion of Stein’s introductory speech.

Due to technical difficulties prior to the showing of the film, the open discussion that was to take place afterword was cancelled. The evening’s event ended with a “thank you” from Leonard as well as an offer to provide further information on the Ministries and their upcoming debates.

Newsweek Article

2009-04-11T11:15:00.004-05:00

Dr. Albert Mohler addressed the current Newsweek article about the recent survey on religious life in America on his blog this past week. You can find it here:

http://almohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3563

My personal view was that the article was overly pessimistic for reasons that are articulated below by John Barber in his blog. I sent an email to Dr. Mohler. Here is the content:

Dr. Mohler,

I very much appreciate you life and ministry. You are a choice servant of God.

I do feel that your Newsweek interview and your post on your blog reflect an undue level of pessimism. I have heard you speak on numerous occasions about the cosmic scope of the gospel, which most certainly includes much of culture. We do have a culturative calling but your article seems to tacitly promote the "either evangelism or cultural mandate" dichotomy. I am not sure if you have ever read John Barber's excellent book, Earth Restored. If not, I heartily recommend it. I think you would agree with much or most in the book. He also addresses the Newsweek article on his new blog at:

http://johnjbarber.blogspot.com/2009/04/end-of-christian-america-not-yet.html

It has a very good historical perspective.

I pray God's continued blessing upon you and SBTS.

Sincerely,

Todd Leonard

Here is an interesing exchange as well with John Meacham, the author of the article, and Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian, on Morning Joe:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/30151678#30151678

Way out in Front

2009-04-08T18:14:00.003-05:00

If Doug Wilson, was a professional sports team he would currently have a 10 game lead in his division headed into the playoffs. As proof of his dominance as a blogger I will include two of his better post:

1.By "emergent," I do not refer to those who have fallen away from the faith entirely. We have always had apostates. By emergent I mean those who want to retain some kind of recognizable connection to the evangelical movement, but who want to do the hip cat thing. The emergents are kids from the junior high group after church, standing on the far side of the parking lot, smoking candy cigarettes and flashing gang signs at the church ladies getting into minivans.

2. (a part of a large post about Obama worship) What should Herod have done? What could he do, when all those tee-shirt vendors were so out of control as to be hawking their "Herod is god" wares? Well, he needed to rebuke all of it, and give glory to God instead. One time at an Elvis concert, a row of young girls stood up in the middle of the concert with a long banner they had made which said, "Elvis is king." Elvis stopped, pointed at them, and said, "No. Jesus Christ is king." They all sat down, abashed, which several millions of politico-idolaters today need to be taught how to do. And things have gotten pretty bad when Elvis is a model we have to look up to.

Is this guy the best or what....

An Exhortation from Doug Wilson

2009-04-04T19:54:00.001-05:00

When Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem, He knew that He was going to be betrayed, scourged, crucified, and buried. And when He had suffered what man was going to do to Him, He was fully prepared for what God was going to do for Him�raise Him from the dead. That resurrection was something He saw clearly in the Scriptures, and which His disciples did not, even when He explained it to them. They had trouble with the concept after He had risen, and was explaining it to them. But the reality of this new resurrection life finally sank in, and they scattered around the world, preaching the resurrection, preaching the kingdom that had this resurrection for a cornerstone.

As we approach the celebration of Easter next week, remember that each Lord�s Day is a mini-Easter. We meet on the first day of the week, and we have done so for thousands of years, because Jesus Christ established a new heaven and a new earth, and He entered into His rest on this day. This is such a remarkable event, we are called to commemorate it on a weekly basis.

This means that as we look forward to Easter, we should not be trying to duplicate the despondency and small faith exhibited by the disciples. Easter is coming, and we look forward to it, craning our necks. We can see what is going to happen because we have celebrated it a number of times already this year. We stand on the resurrection of Palm Sunday so that we might look forward in faith to the resurrection of Easter. We stand on the resurrection so that we might see the resurrection.

2009-04-01T22:39:00.003-05:00

Join us on April 21st @6pm for a Movie and Discussion

We will watch Ben Stein's Expelled in UWF's Great Hall which is
located in the Commons Building. The Event is Free and
Pizza & Drinks will be provided.

Sponsored by Truth Defense Ministry & Micah6.8 Ministries

The Problem with Socialism!

2009-04-01T21:19:00.001-05:00

"The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." --Margaret Thatcher

Reclaiming the Cosmos

2009-03-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

"Mankind was created in God's image and was assigned stewardship or dominion over the earth to preserve it for Yahweh's creational intention. The task of the people of God is, as far as possible in sinful society, to reclaim the cosmos for God's created purpose."

Carl F. H. Henry, Twilight of a Great Civilization

Grant's In the Shadow of Plenty

2009-03-23T20:41:00.002-05:00

I have just finished reading George Grant’s “In the Shadow of Plenty; Biblical Principles of Welfare and Poverty.” The book was very interesting as well as informative. I was particularly interested in the book being that I have spent the last 10 years involved in the field of social services. This book was written in 1986 and is somewhat dated, but the biblical principles it sets forth like all others are timeless. I will purpose in this short post to set forth the 10 Biblical Principles that Grant suggestion should guide Christians and the church today and I will briefly interact with his 3 strategies of what needs to be done. First the biblical principles;

1. Word and Deed Evangelism: Grant says that this was made clear to Isaiah as he was to first tell the people of Judah they were in sin, secondly reveal a way out, and thirdly he was to point them to righteous charity (Isaiah 58:1, 6-12). Sharing and caring for people.

2. The Samaritan Legacy: here Grant suggests that Charity is our job and uses the familiar story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate.

3. Dominion by Service: that is to say there is a fundamental principle of dominion in the Bible, dominion through service. Serve and you will gain dominion. We are called to take dominion and one such way is through serving and gaining and loyalty.

4. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off to work we go: all people if able should work. We should not promote nor support programs that pay and/or encourage otherwise able bodied people not to work. Grant says there is a clear distinction then between the oppressed and the sluggardly. The oppressed would work, if only they could. The sluggardly could work, if only they would. He goes on to say that productivity is the only cure for poverty. Productivity is the fruit of labor. Thus, labor must be the manner and the means of poverty relief.

5. Sheaves for the Provident: According to God’s Law, charity was essentially opportunity. Opportunity to work. Opportunity to labor. Opportunity to pull up by the bootstraps. Grant uses the gleaning principle from scripture and specifically from the story of Ruth to establish a foundation for this principle.

6. Charity Begins at Home: a simply statement to make, but Grant does expand on this idea. He says there are two major aspects of Kingdom authority. One is decentralization and the other is personalism. He says a godly society is not only to be decentralized; it is also to be personalized. Thus the family as the original basis for society.

7. Uplifting the Uplifters: Galatians 6:10 serves as a hinge on which this chapter turns. Serve all people especially those of the household of faith. Grant makes a poignant statement near the middle of the chapter. He says, if the church could not take of its own, then what was to be made of its claim of dominion over the whole earth? If the church could not nurse it own, how could it claim to be the nursery of the kingdom? If the church could not structure itself so that it encouraged and even facilitated good deeds, how could it possible bear a message of glad tidings and great joy, of peace on earth and good will toward men?

8. The Unbroken Circle: Charity is given to those who submit to the will of God. We might give charity to those outside of the faith, but we should not continue to give to those who continually live outside of God’s word.

9. Exceeding What is Written: Charity must not exceed what is written. It must be rooted in prayerful dependence upon God and God’s word. It must seek His will, His agenda, and His purpose.

10. The Foundation of Peace: is charity and so must be undertaken now. He goes on to add that charity is evangelism. It is discipleship. Or at least it serves as a foundation for these tasks.

Grant then ends the book with three chapters on what needs to be done. First and foremost he suggests that the government should get out of the Charity business. He has some interesting interactions with the minimum wage laws, occupational licensing, and subsidized industry. His most interesting however, has to do with the Office of Indian Affairs. He cites an article by R.J. Rushdoony in which he basically states that welfare state that has been created for the American Indian has been to their absolute detriment. He ends his book with the last two sections focusing on churches and families. For churches he suggests they apply the biblical principles that he has set forth throughout the book and for families he suggest love. Grant says love is not just something that we feel, but rather something we do. To love our neighbor is to say we love Christ.

How to Catch a Falling Star

2009-03-21T10:42:00.003-05:00

Some years back that great musical talent John Anderson sang a song entitled "Would you catch a failing star." The song is about a country music singer who is way past his prime and as he is faking a curtain call at a local bar, in which he is performing, he starts to fall and is caught by a women, whom he ask the title of the song. We all know of stars who hang on way to long and in the end tarnish the brightness of all they had done. The questions is how does one prepare to leave and what is the best way to make an exit. This thought came over we this past week as I was able to for the first and second time see RC Sproul speak in person.

I attended services at St. Andrews Chapel on Sunday with my wife and was able to attend the opening session of the Ligonier National Conference on Thursday evening. Both were wonderful opportunities that I will long cherish. However, on Sunday morning as I first observed Dr. Sproul walking down the center isle of the church he looked in the clearest of terms "old and feeble." Now this is not meant to degrad Dr. Sproul, but simply to point out two things. First I thought for some reason in my mind that he would be a tall, stoic individual who would stand out even in a crowd. Secondly and more importantly it said to me that Dr. Sproul will not be around forever. Dr. Sproul even sat as he preached the morning sermon. I will say however, that when Dr. Sproul begain speaking his voice and ability to communicate has lost nothing. Nevertheless, all of this lead me to my thoughts of how will Dr. Sproul exit his long and fruitful ministry? What will happen to Ligonier ministries when RC Sproul no longer leads it?

I am not positive how he will exit or what will happen with Ligonier, but I couldn't help but have positive thoughts as I talked with individuals at St. Andrews and at the National Conference. The ideas that I got in small conversations with leaders and non-leaders who were close to Dr. Sproul is that he has and continues to sourround himself with very talented and more importantly godly men and women. One story in particular was how Dr. Sproul had recognized the potential of Keith Matthison and Dr. Sproul quickley moved him into a position where he could spend time studying and writing. The friendships Dr. Sproul has made with men like Steve Lawson, John MacArthur, Ligon Duncan, Al Mohler, and others have served him well and will continue to do so. However, after meeting men like Burk Parsons and others associated with Ligonier Ministries it is clear that Dr. Sproul has assembled a team who are capabale of carrying on the ministry he has worked so hard at buildling.

One last point, it was interesting thinking about all of this, because on Thursday night after Dr. Sproul's sermon he was exiting the stage via a steep set of stairs with no handles and only some unidentifed lady and his wife to help him down. One step almost made the conference one many would never forget, but Dr. Sproul was able to navigate it effectively and he and his bride walked to their seats.

Calvin Is Back!

2009-03-13T16:50:00.002-05:00

Time Magazine, in its most recent issue, listed the top ten ideas that are changing the world today. Much to my surprise, it listed "New Calvinism" third! Much could be said about this but I think what needs to be taken from this is simply what B.B. Warfield said of Calvinism - that it was simply another name for consistent, biblical Christianity. Those of us who have hope in a Big Gospel and a Bigger God should not really be surprised. The fact that we are speaks not to the power of the Gospel to transform the culture but more to our lack of faith. Perhaps we are on the verge of another movement like that of Acts 17 where the Gospel turned the world upside down (or right side up!). Mark Driscoll lays out a great difference between the Old Calvinism and the New Calvinism. It is insightful and can be found here:

http://theresurgence.com/new_calvinism

For the Next Generation's Kids

2009-03-06T22:26:00.003-06:00

"Kids, you must seek to become the kind of people who plant shade trees for others to sit under."

Voodie Baucham speaking to his children about the importance of thinking multigenerationally.

Justice is Not Merely Words

2009-03-03T06:42:00.003-06:00

The most dangerous form of sentimental debauch is to give expression to good wishes on behalf of virtue while you do nothing about it. Justice is not merely words. It is to be translated into living acts.

Theodore Roosevelt

The Prescribed Pattern of Change!

2009-02-28T11:36:00.002-06:00

"God is the God of order, not chaos; the Christian response to tyranny is not anarchy but the creation of a community worshipping Jesus as Lord."

N.T. Wright

Using Vast Resources

2009-02-27T16:29:00.004-06:00

Fabiola Fabii was a wealthy member of a prominent patrician family who, after a scandalous life, was converted in middle age and then devoted the rest of her days to good deeds. Together with Pammachius of Bethlehem, she channeled her vast resources into the establishment of a large hospice for sick and needy travelers in Porto. It was the first institution of its kind and was widely heralded for its unbending Christian convictions. She died as a result of the plague on February 28, 399.

The Christian Almanac

My Kind of Co-Belligerent!

2009-02-25T22:33:00.002-06:00

For much of today I have been reflecting on the excessive adulation given to President Obama in light of his address to the Joint Session of Congress last night. I have posted previously on the impulse of many in our land to place a level of trust in him that borders on the idolatrous and the failure of the church to speak directly to this. Well, consider this article writtern by a Catholic Archbishop. I welcome this kind of clarity and wish that more of it was coming from mainstream Protestantism.

http://forums.hannity.com/showthread.php?t=1332191

The Crackdown, The Growth

2009-02-23T07:06:00.003-06:00

The Roman emperor Diocletian instituted a number of reforms after eighteen years of laissez-fiare rule. He recognized the provinces and made the army more mobile while increasing its size. To battle inflation, he issued a new coinage, established a uniform system of taxation, and implemented wage-price controls. In addition, he launched a massive crackdown on the burgeoning church-believing that the loyalty of Christians could not be counted on. This was all put into effect on Feb. 23rd, 303. In the persecution that followed, church leaders were dragged off and tortured to death. Christian books and Scriptures were burned. The rack, the scourge, slow fires, crucifixion, and every other barbarity was employed against the faithful. In the end however, the blood of the martyrs proved to be the seed of the faith-the church only proved its mettle and as a consequence, grew by leaps and bounds.

The Christian Alamanac

Anselm of Canterbury

2009-02-21T15:14:00.001-06:00

Feb. 21st, 1109 Anselm of Canterbury, 76, priest and theologian died. Best remembered for his 1099 classic, "Cur Deus Homo" ("Why God Became Man"), Anselm is regarded as the most original thinker in the Catholic Church since Augustine. His most often quoted saying was: 'I believe, in order that I may understand.'

On this day in 1945 Eric Liddell, 43, Scottish Olympic champion runner, died. Later a missionary to China, Liddell was captured by the Japanese during WWII and died of a brain tumor while still imprisoned. (His college running days were portrayed in the 1981 British film, "Chariots of Fire.")

Photographing the Dead Sea Scrolls

2009-02-20T07:22:00.002-06:00

On Feb . 20th, 1948 John Trever saw the Dead Sea Scrolls for the first time. Trevor, a biblical scholar and trained in photographing old scrolls, was intrigued by these scrolls. He photographed the leaves of some of the scrolls and sent them out to the best paleographers in the world. Soon, the whole world would be made aware of the scrolls. They would turn out to be the greatest archaeological find of the twentieth century. They would also confirm the accuracy of the Old Testament as well as shed light on the years just before Christ's coming. The scrolls which were discovered by accident, by a Palestinian Bedouin, who thought they might be worth some money, were and continue to be the oldest portion of scripture yet discovered.

The Christian Almanac

The Morning Star of the Reformation

2009-02-19T06:42:00.003-06:00

It was at the Council of Toulouse, held in 1229, that hierarchy of the church had determined that the laity was to be denied direct access to the Scriptures. A century and a half later John Wycliffe challenged this notion along with the sale of indulgences, the worship of saints, the veneration of relics, the idleness of monks and priest, and the empty ritual of many church services. For these public objections he nearly paid with his life.

These objections were objected themselves by church leaders and on this day in 1377 Wycliffe was summoned to trial at St. Paul's Cathedral. Wycliffe would bring the powerful Prince John of Gaunt-regent of the realm and Son of the famed Black Prince. The meeting would break up inconclusively as the princes and priest began quarreling. Wycliffe would lead the meeting however, more resolved than ever to translate the scriptures into the common language and also to train preachers to proclaim its doctrines clearly. Wycliffe would be remembered for his work as the "The Morning Star of the Reformation."

Luther's Final Call

2009-02-17T19:00:00.002-06:00

February 18, 1546 was the day that Martin Luther, the German Protestant Reformer, died. Luther birthed the Protestant Reformation through the posting of his 95 Thesis on the Church door at Wittenburg. Luther would go on to help the Protestant Reformation grow and translate the Bible into the German langauge among other things.

Prepare for Battle!

2009-02-16T22:46:00.003-06:00

When principles than run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith.

Abraham Kuyper

The Descent of Man

2009-02-14T11:50:00.003-06:00

This past week witnessed the celebration of two men born just days apart two hundred years ago; Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. For the vast majority in the intellectual classes, these men have achieved a somewhat deified status as Great Deliverers: Lincoln having been the Great Emancipator and Darwin having emancipated us from the shackles of religious superstitution by offering us something far better - natural selection and survival of the fittest. I would argue that both men did more to injure western culture than to advance it.

While we live in an age that bars any substantive criticism of Lincoln, much historical evidence points to the fact that he did more to destroy limited government than any other individual in American history. For those that doubt this, just pick up a copy of Thomas DiLorenzo's tremendous book, The Real Lincoln. Lincoln ushered in the era of political messiahship and his successor 150 years later is the quintessential Lincolnian prototype (the irony of all ironies being that both hail from Illinois!). As a result, we now live in an age in which all notions of limited government as set forth by the Founders, and more importantly by biblical instruction and example, have been sacrificed in the name of security and equality. Make no mistake - without Lincoln, there would have been no New Deal, Great Society, and 800 billion dollar "stimulus" plans to "save" civilization from the brink of collapse.

While Lincoln became a tyrant, Darwin helped usher in hundreds more through his propagation of ideas and theories that have led us down the path to social Darwinism, with its vastly wicked notion of survival of the fittest. Now most today will try to say that Darwin was really a nice guy, maybe just a bit confused in certain areas, but his words tell us otherwise. Consider this from The Descent of Man:

"There is reason to believe that vaccination has preserved thousands, who from a weak constitution would formerly have succumbed to small pox. Thus the weak members of civilized societies propagate their kind."

I am always befuddled by those who try to negate the connection between Darwin's ideas and Hitler's practices, or more so by those who try to "harmonize" Darwinian thought with biblical Christianity. Pardon me for objecting, but the words above don't sound much like the Sermon on the Mount!

I would encourage reading the two posts below. The first is a post from Doug Phillips on what he teachers his children about the legacy of Darwin. It is most insightful. The second is a commentary posted in the last few days by Chuck Colson. While I do not share Colson's views of Lincoln, I think he accurately describes Darwin's legacy. Here are the links:

http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/newsletters/newsletter.aspx?id=02-12-09

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_728387.html

One final suggestion: Instead of getting caught up in Lincoln worship this week, go read about a real patriot, George Washington. Two suggestions: Apostle of Liberty by David Vaughn, and Sacred Fire by Peter Lilliback - both give an accurate account of the greatest president and leader this country has ever produced and one that your not likely to get from the mainstream media or the mainstream history text.

St. Valentine

2009-02-13T21:22:00.002-06:00

Valentine was a third-century pastor who was imprisoned for his faith. He wrote small pastoral notes to members of his congregation on leaves he was able to pluck from a maple tree just outside his cell. These little "Valentine Cards" expressed his love for the flock, and his desire that they demonstrate like love toward one another. Gradually the tradition grew up for Christians to exchange notes of love and encouragement to one another on this, his birthday.

The Christian Almanac

Politics and Political Messiahs

2009-02-13T19:14:00.002-06:00

I recently listened again to George Grant's wonderful lecture on my personal hero of the faith, Abraham Kuyper, delivered several years ago at the ACCS Conference. Grant emphasized Kuyper's notion of sphere sovereignty - the idea that God has established different spheres of governance along the lines of family, church and state - and that chaos develops when one sphere assumes the rightful prerogative of another sphere. Very simply, tyranny develops when individual, family, and ecclesial spheres abrogate their rightful place and station to the state (or when the state simply grabs these functions for itself).

Now follow this line of thought through with the excessive "political messiah" mentality that is prevailing in out land today. Along these lines, three recent articles are worth reading:

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_729381.html

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_727620.html

http://www.americanvision.org/article/a-shovel-ready-pile-of-national-debt/

As these articles make clear, now is not the time for pietistic retreat - it is time to recognize what Kupyer so clearly understood: Jesus is Lord, and that better impact everything we do!

Tyranny in the Name of Freedom

2009-02-13T05:38:00.001-06:00

On February 13, 1974 Noble Prize-winning novelist, essayist, and historian Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was expelled from the Soviet Union. A prominent founding member of the Samzat movement-an underground resistance to Communist rule organized by artists and writers- Solzhenitsyn was the author of several books exposing Soviet tyranny that proved to be very embarrassing to the Kremlin and the Politboro. After his exile, he became a media darling in the West. In 1978, he created a firestorm of controversy when in a commencement address at Harvard, he indicted Liberals in the West with the same politically correct tendencies to impose tyranny in the name of freedom as his former Soviet masters in the gulag.

Christian Charity

2009-02-11T05:51:00.002-06:00

On this day in 1625, Nicholas Ferrar (1579-1637) retired from a promising parliamentary career in London and moved to a Christian community in Huntingdonshire. The community was marked by extreme Puritan piety-they fasted regularly- both publicaly and privately; twice a day they attended the liturgical offices in their tiny church; at every hour during the day some members joined in a little office of prayer so that the whole Psalter was recited daily... This group was marked however, by their charity and merciful service-so that their spiritual disciplines were not merely turned inward. Ferrar focused their practical concern on abandoned boys that roamed the byways. Ultimately, the community developed one of the most effective alternatives to the barbarous orphanage system of the day through simple Christian service and unfaltering spritiual devotion.

The Christian Almanac

Not Above All Earthly Powers!

2009-02-10T07:53:00.002-06:00

Most Christians fed up with the "CEO" style of church leadership and the age of hyper-marketing the gospel are familiar with the works of David Wells. His book, No Place for Truth, was one of the most stinging indictments of modern evangelicalism ever penned. He has continued that series and it has now culminated in his most recent book, The Courage to Be Protestant. His previous work was Above All Earthly Powers; here is a great quote from the book that speaks to the church's inability to say anything deep and meaningful after the September 11th attacks:

This moment of tragedy and evil shone its own light on the Church and what we came to see was not a happy sight. For what has become conspicuous by its scarcity, and not least in the evangelical corner of it, is a spiritual gravitas, one which could match the depth of horrendous evil and address issues of such seriousness. Evangelicalism, now much absorbed by the arts and tricks of marketing, is simply not very serious anymore.

Not Exactly a Cabbage Patch Doll!

2009-02-09T22:26:00.003-06:00

Just when you think things can't seem to get any more bizarre, along comes this post from Chuck Colson. God created us for community and childbearing - any selfish attempt to usurp this leaves us in a condition like this one!

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_725879.html

Watch & Pray

2009-02-09T08:17:00.005-06:00

The House of Rep. elected John Quincy Adams president after none of the candidates received a majority of electoral votes-this despite the fact that Andrew Jackson out-polled him in the popular vote. The son of former President John Adams, he had served as a lawyer, senator, diplomat, and secretary of state. He was a stubborn man whose motto was "Watch and Pray," and won his nickname, "Old Eloquence," for championing principle and attacking the institution of slavery. Having rejected the doctrines of Unitarianism, then popular among the New England elite, he devotedly read two to five chapters of the Bible every day-in the original Hebrew and Greek. But not content merely to read, he acted on what he read. So often did he put principle before party, he became highly unpopular with his followers. Nevertheless, John Quincy Adams did not let it alter his course. "The Sermon on the Mount commends me to lay up for myself treasures, not on earth, but in Heaven. My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ." After his single term as president, he returned to Congress.

The Christian Almanac

A Real Debate!

2009-02-08T19:57:00.004-06:00

Over the past several weeks as we have studied the book, The Reason for God, at the University of West Florida with young college students, I have been needfully reminded that faith is not totally evidential; it is a gift, and one that must come from above. For some, no matter how strong the argument for the christian faith, they simply choose to rebel against what they know within their conscience; that God exists.

I was reminded of this once again after watching the debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox. It is most profitable - watch, enjoy, and be challenged! Finally, I was struck by what John Lennox had to say about humility - I mean, here is one of world's most gifted mathematicians and defenders of the faith offering some much needed insight about argumentation and gentle persuasion.

http://johnlennox.org/index.php/en/resource/argumentation_an_intellectual_game/

http://www.dawkinslennoxdebate.com/

P.S. Contrast the apologetic of John Lennox above with that of Bill O'Reilly in his discussion with Richard Dawkins! Sadly, Dawkins shows a better understanding of the nature of truth than does the paragon of pragmatism!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wECRvNRquvI

Bonhoeffer & Buchenwald

2009-02-07T12:39:00.003-06:00

Deitrich Bonhoeffer was a German Pastor and author of The Cost of Discipleship. It was on this day in 1945 that he was transferred tot he Nazis' terrible Buchenwald concentration camp where many thousands of prisoners died. Three months later Bonhoeffer was added to the list of the dead. He was hanged days before Allied Army forces freed the camp. His dying was heroic on many levels, but the fact that he was even in Germany to be captured and hung provides great insight into this man.

Bonhoeffer found himself safe in America during the first part of Hitler's terrible reign before he abruptly returned to Germany. He would say about this, "I have come to the conclusion that I have made a mistake in coming to America. I shall have no right to participate in the reconstruction of the Christian life in Germany after the war if I did not share in the trails of this time with my people. Christians in Germany face the terrible alternative of willing the defeat of their nation in order that civilzation may survivie, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying civilization. I know which of these alternatives I must choose. But, I cannot make that choice in security."

Calvin's Last Sermon

2009-02-06T06:26:00.004-06:00

On this day, February 6, 1564, an era came to an end. The man who had done as much as any other to forge the theology of the Reformation, preached his last sermon. Unable to walk, John Calvin was carried to church in a chair. His mouth filled with blood as he spoke.

John Calvin would succumbed to illness and die only a month later.

It was a significant moment. For twenty-three years he had led Geneva. In the process he constructed a logical framework on which to interpret Reformation doctrine. However, his influence did not stop there. Calvin would stamp his intellect on Western civilization by planting the seeds of representative government and free and open economic markets, always doing so from a winsome and practical perspective of the Reformation doctrines of grace.

Return to the Christian Hospice?

2009-02-01T15:12:00.004-06:00

Just recently my wife had to take one of our boys to the emergency room for an injury due to a bit of "roughhousing" (something anyone with boys can relate to!). Turns out his cranium is in better condition than the local emergency room. As my wife recounted with some degree of horror, many that day had waited for eight to ten hours for care, that when it came, seemed most uncompassionate and distant. She spoke sadly of one elderly lady approaching ninety who had waited four hours for treatment for a broken hip! She came home asking the question of how this has happened in a land heretofore known for landmark medical care. Here is my layman's attempt to answer that question:

First things first: Much conversation has taken place lately regarding "socialized" medicine. Recent experiences, sadly, have led me to believe that while we may not be quite there yet in terms of market care, we seem to have adopted much of the prevailing worldview behind it: inhuman humanism! As most christian doctors would attest to in my opinion, we now have a full generation or two of doctors who have come through medical schools whose prevailing worldview is naturalism, as opposed to the general christian theism of years ago. Doctors who see patients as little more than the product of selective Darwinism are not as likely to have the "bedside" manner of doctors who view their patients as images of the Divine. In short, when medical ethics, like anything else, is divorced from God and His character, we are left with the wisdom of man and that is not so promising (in case you doubt this, just read Genesis 3-11 and autonomous man's attempt to build culture apart from God).

Secondly, while I am an avid proponent of market capitalism (notice I did not use unbridled before those words), it seems that the current health care system is overly fixated on profit/loss to the exclusion of the ancient christian notion of hospice, or compassionate care. After all, it was christians who first started the forerunners of the modern day hospital. The christian ethic has always outperformed non-christian care because of its emphasis on caring for the body as made in the image of God. John Jefferson Davis writes in his Evangelical Ethics the following:

The proper practice of medicine should be guided by a life-affirming ethic in all cases, even when a physician can only provide care and comfor to a patient - young or old - who is already in an irreversible process of dying. A medical practice informed by the spirit of Christ and love for neighbor will see as its goal never to harm or choose death as a primary end, to cure whenever possible, and always to provide care and comfort to all patients, both in their living and in their dying.

Lastly, the church must rise to the occasion and begin to fully inculcate a biblical world and life view in every area of life - we must, in short, produce worldview missionaries who are equipped by the church to permeate every facet of our society. To do less is to cede Our Father's World to the philosopy of the evil one and his minions, something directly contradicted by Scripture. Modern day Florence Nightingales must be identified, equipped, and commissioned by the Church. They are there. Let's find them before the spirit of the age does!

Note: Chuck Colson has an excellent article on the pursuit of "socialized" medicine at this link:

http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=10774

The Pragmatic President

2009-01-30T08:32:00.002-06:00

Much discussion has taken place this past week regarding the first executive orders issued by President Obama. I have been quite puzzled by the "things" that evangelicals are willing to overlook in the effort to support this new president, things that are not in my opinion minor issues, primarily the issue of life. In reading Chuck Colson's commentary this morning, he echoes this concern and references an article that he wrote regarding the issue of life with the late Fr. Neuhaus, in which they said the following:

“...Christians who support the legal license to kill the innocent... [must] consider whether they have not set themselves against the will of God and, to that extent, separated themselves from the company of Christian discipleship."

Well said and I could not agree more! I would encourage you to read his past three articles linked below regarding the ever more transparent philosophy of the new president.

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_718805.html

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_719171.html

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_720229.html

Created to Work

2009-01-28T22:17:00.002-06:00

In light of Rusty's post last week about work, here is a devotion well worth the read.

http://mikewittmer.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/work-of-art/

The Economic Meltdown and Plato

2009-01-27T08:24:00.003-06:00

With the economic news getting progressively worse each day, I have been reflecting lately about the need for Christians (including myself) to have a more biblical view of economics and wealth. I ran across this post from Michael Wittmer that is fairly insightful. I am not sure that he is "spot on" but I do believe that he hits the target fairly accurately as I have encountered this type of thinking within my own sphere of influence.

http://mikewittmer.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/the-economy-christians-and-plato/