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Romans 13 ... Obey civil government???

Posted by Wolfgang Schneider on August 29, 2009 at 11:30pm

I recently came across an interesting article on Romans 13. This passage has been discussed repeatedly with varied different interpretations given to what is written there in the opening verses of that particular chapter. Hoping that there are some folks here who might be interested in such more "biblical study" type matter rather than "social network", I have copied the text into a blog post here. You can find the original text at the following URL: Romans 13 the Higher Right to Choose(to clarify and so no one thinks they need to ask .... I am not affiliated with that website, just happened to come across it while "googling" for material on Romans 13)_______________________________________________________________________

Romans 13 Shorter Version

Romans 13, verse 1, is one of the most misunderstood verses of the Bible and a vast system of control and power over the people of the world is dependent upon this pervasive misunderstanding and the resulting confusion.

The Higher Right to Choose"You can fool all of the people some of the time and You can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time.” Abraham Lincoln.“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” Romans 13: 1Of course we should honor true authority, such as our Father and Mother, or others that God places over us (or we go under by contract and agreement), but is that even what Romans 13 is talking about? Have we been completely misled about the meaning of that scripture by Paul?Dunamis, dunamai, didomi, arche, ischus, ischuros, kratos and energes all appear in the New Testament as forms of the word 'power' but have decidedly different meanings than exousia. The appearance of the word 'power' in the translated text of Romans is misleading many people concerning the consistent ideas expressed by the authors of the Bible. In fact the confusion and misunderstanding is rampant in these modern times due to this subtle but pervasive sophistry.6The Greek word exousia translated in Romans 13:1 as power or authority actually means the "right to choose", the “power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases."1Paul is simply telling you in Romans 13 that you should remain subject to the better or higher liberty or right to choose.Exousia is even translated as "liberty" in 1 Corinthians and is also translated as the word "right" in Revelations.“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.” 1Co 8:9The word liberty in this verse is the same word translated power in Romans 13.Christ came to set men free not to deliver them into the bondage of governments like those of Egypt or Babylon. Early Christians were part of a government appointed by Christ and were cast out2 of the Hellenized Pharisaical system of Corban in Judea when thousands accepted Christ at Pentecost. They began to live according to those precepts established in the perfect law of liberty, by faith, hope and charity. This was done with freewill offerings, and not the covetous and forced offerings of benefactors in other governments who exercised authority.The ministers appointed by Christ were told they were not to be like those governments of the other nations, who offered benefits to the people but exercised authority one over the other.3 They were not to use the right arm of government to enforce the charitable contributions on the left side of government.4 All the offerings in Christ's government were free will contributions under that perfect law of liberty.5The word ex-ousia is from two Greek words. Ex means 'of' or 'from', while ousia is "what one has, i.e. property, possessions, estate". Paul is simply telling you that you should remain subject to the right to choose the manner in which your property is distributed as freemen under Christ. From the Beginning, God gave mankind the right to choose. He stopped the rise of Nimrod's Babylonian tower,7 freed the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt, and has always desired that man be subject to liberty under God the Father and not other gods of men8. What would happen if we take the word 'exousia' and translate it "liberty" as we see in 1 Corinthians 8:9 and place it where we find exousia in other of Paul's writings:“Let every soul be subject unto the higher liberty. For there is no liberty but of God: the liberties that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth (opposes) the liberty, resisteth (opposes) the ordinance of God: and they that resist (sets one's self against) shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the liberty? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.” Romans 13: 1,3Liberty is the power to choose to do something. It is a free estate. Liberty is frightening to many people because it also means responsibility. If you have given the power or right to choose to someone or something else, then they have power over you. But if you have made no such covenants or agreements then you keep your original right to choose, your free dominion granted by God.The word resisteth is from antitassomai and is defined as "to range in battle against". Resisteth is not the same as refusing to go under an authority or refusing to swear an oath of allegiance. Nor does resisteth have anything to do with not applying for benefits that might be considered deceitful dainties offered at the tables of the ruling powers. The word resisteth has to do with overt battle and railing against these powers and authorities that are established by individual agreement, consent or application and participation. .The word damnation is another one of those legal terms that has been twisted into a religious context only. The word is krima and means "a decree, judgments… the sentence of a judge… a matter to be judicially decided, a lawsuit, a case in court". Jesus was very much concerned with the activities of lawyers,9 judges10 and governments.11Couple this with the fact that both the words elohim and theos, which are translated God and gods, were commonly used in all the courts Israel and the Roman Empire to address magistrates and judges, and we began to see that to go under damnation would include going under the authority of other judges and courts. This can be done by entering into social welfare contracts,12 three party marriage contracts,13 or membership that allowed rulers of political bodies to make treaties and leagues14 for you. It would also include applications and acceptance of benefits from the benefactors who exercised authority one over the other to enforce a common welfare. These were the doctrines and creeds of the Nicolaitan.15Words can have a variety of meanings and are therefore always subjective. The word powers has over a dozen different definitions in The American Heritage alone. The first is "The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively." This of course includes the idea of the liberty and freedom to choose to act.The sixth definition is, "The might of a nation, political organization, or similar group." This could lend the definition of the word power to the idea that there is a superior power or government we are to be subject to. But is it by God putting a government in power, or is it due to our own rejection and sloth? Then there is the fifteenth definition appearing as: "powers Christianity. The sixth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology."So, which of these definitions should we apply to Paul's Romans 13, to say nothing of the thirteen other definitions found in the Heritage Dictionary for the same word, powers? This of course is why we should go back to the original manuscript to determine what the original intent of the author was and therefore what is the truth for us today.Even the religiously skewed Strong's clearly states that the word exousia is used in the sense of ability and uses words like "capacity, competency, freedom..." By pointing out that exousia is translated in the King James Bible as power 69 times, authority 29 times, right twice and liberty, jurisdiction, strength once each, we still cannot establish what the prime meaning of the word was when it was written down. We can establish that its meaning leans towards the idea of capacity and power of choice than exclusively the power of government.There is fairly conclusive evidence that the modern Church has been steadily deluded and deluding others---over many years by either negligence or design, arrogance or ignorance.To look at how the word exousia was used by the Greeks and Romans in the days of Christ and the authors of those sacred texts we can simply examine the scholars of that era. The meaning we derived is quite the opposite of that which we get from the translators of King James and others.The Greek Glossary of Aristotelian Terms states that exousia means "right".16Aristotle actually exemplifies its use in the statement, "The right (exousia) to do anything one wishes..."17And in Plato's notes "Greek words for freedom (is) eleutheros (liberal/Free), exousia (Freedom/Power to do something), ..."18Again in Bryn Mawr's Classical Review we see, "Enomaos maintained that we are absolutely masters of the most necessary things (52-53). Brancacci notices that the term used by Enomaos to refer to human freedom is not the typical Cynic one (eleutheria), but exousia, which expresses 'the new concept of freedom in opposition to the already defunct and unhelpful eleutheria'."19The evidence is clear that exousia does not mean governmental top down power, but rather undoubtedly means the right to choose. To use these few quotes to attempt to insert the idea that everyone should apply to authoritarian benefactors to care for every aspect of society does the gospel of the kingdom of God a brutal injury. Exousia clearly relates to a capacity or a right to decide. It certainly does not inherently mean an absolute or even far reaching central government power over individual choice.We know that men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights or liberties. We also know that some governments of men are endowed by their creator with some powers of choice and authority. These men are those who go out of the presence of God20 and even reject God21, men like Cain, Nimrod, Pharaoh, Caesar, and the voice of the people who rejected God in the days of Samuel. Those governments are created by the hands of men not by the hand of God the Father who desired us to have free choice from the beginning of creation.22These governments are vested with those right and powers which men neglect, give up or, sell out in order to obtain the often imagined protection and profit, the surety and security, the benefits, bounties and blessings of those bound and civilized societies. Such as these socialized association of civil servitude (in return for their gifts and gratuities) require full faith and allegiance to their ideals and idols. Their prescribed pledges, prideful pomp and preponderating programs take the right to choose from men and bestow it upon the beast of a burgeoning bureaucracy.“What is freedom? Freedom is the right to choose; the right to create for yourself the alternative of choice. Without the responsibility and exercise of choice a man is not a man but a member, an instrument, a thing.”23The rights granted to governments are rights first granted to men by God. Governments are not instituted by God, but by men. Men who choose to create governments by giving away their divine endowment of rights and responsibilities are rejecting God. Governments operate on privileges granted them by the slothful, greedy, covetous souls of men. It is the voice of the people24 that rejects God, at least by the suffrage of the people. This binding on earth may or may not be lawfully revocable in the eyes of God, depending on the nature and terms of their compact, constitution, and covenant.Men have the option of vesting the "right to choose" in government, or to maintain that power and right as free men under God. Rights are responsibilities. When men make government responsible then governments obtain rights. Only to that degree do governments have any power or authority.When men chose to vest responsibilities in men like Saul, God warned them through Samuel not to do so. Power corrupts. But the subject in this article on Romans 13 is that exousia is the right of choice which was originally in the hands of men. It is the right of choice, granted first to the individual that is the higher authority spoken of in Romans 13.If we do not have the humility to recognize our own error and failure, then we will remain subject to the sophistic delusions of those who wish to keep you subject in body and in spirit rather than set free in spirit and in truth.The Covenants of the gods25 outlines many ways in which we physically become subject to the world, but the reason we fall prey to such ancient schemes is that we fail to love the character of our Father in heaven and the kingdom that comes by obeying His will. Thy Kingdom Comes26 outlines the history of His kingdom. We are slothful and covetous and will not forgive and give of ourselves for the sake of our neighbor.The spirit and power of the kingdom of God is always at hand. It is not of the world27 of Rome, Egypt, and Babylon but it is on this planet if it is in the hearts of the people.“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1Co 6:12This quote in 6:12 is consistent with Paul in 1Corinthians 7:21."Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather."Commonly people reply with, "But Paul was a citizen of Rome." Could it be true that we have been misled on this subject?32 Is this more sophistry, twisting the meaning of words?33 Are we the victims of centuries of sophistry?The reasons people are subject to the powers of governments is often, "Because of what appears to be a lawful command on the surface, many Citizens, because of respect for the law, are cunningly coerced into waiving their rights due to ignorance."34 The deception of Romans 13 merely adds to this process of a decline of liberty in the world.“Are men the property of the state? Or are they free souls under God?This same battle continues throughout the world?”40“Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man’s] conscience?” 1 Corinthians 10:29.“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13“The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” Luke 4:18“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” 1 Peter 2:15“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we ...are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2“Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.” Acts 17:7“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17“Which in his times he shall shew, [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” 1 Timothy 6:15“And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS...” John 19:19-22“...Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king...” John 18:37Footnotes:1 Hebrew-English and Greek-English Lexicons, OnlineBible.com2John 9:22 These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.3ARTICLE X - The prime directive of the Church Http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/polity/articlex.html4Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:5Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.Mark 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.6Sophistry of Sacrifice, http://www.hisholychurch.net/words/articleburntoffering.pdf7migdal ldgm 1) tower...1b) elevated stage, pulpit8The Covenants of the gods http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/writings.htm9Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. See also Luke 11:4610Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.11Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.12The City State http://www.hisholychurch.net/thykingdom/tkce2.html13Holy Matrimony vs. Marriage http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/mvm.html14Judges 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ...” Also translated covenant , confederacy...15Who are the Nicolaitan? http://www.hisholychurch.net/news/nicolaitans.PDF16http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/17Lawmakers and Ordinary People in Aristotle, by Paul Bullen (1996) http://paul.bullen.com/BullenLawmakers.html (VI. 4.1318b38-1319a4)18http://www.uiowa.edu/~lsa/bkh/lla/plato19Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2001.08.19 On this issue, see S. Bobzien, Determinism and Freedom in Stoic Philosophy, Oxford 1998, chap. 6 (not quoted by Brancacci, but listed in the bibliography).http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/bmcr/2001/2001-08-19.html20Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.211 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.22Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,... Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts. Isaiah 10:10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;23Archibald Macleish (1882-1982) Secretary of State under FDR.24The Voice of the People http://www.hisholychurch.net/news/voteking.asp25The Covenants of the gods http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/writings.htm26Thy Kingdom Comes http://www.hisholychurch.net/thykingdom/tkca.html27My kingdom is not of this world http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/world.HTM28There Are gods Many http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/theosgod.HTM29Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus.30The Covenants of the gods http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/writings.htm312 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.32Did Paul claim to be a citizen of Rome? http://www.hisholychurch.net/news/article/roman.html33Adventures in Artifice and Language land. http://www.hisholychurch.net/words/articleburntoffering.pdf34U.S. v. Minker, 350 U.S. 179, 187 .35Rome vs. US http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/romeus.HTM36The Body of Christ Vs. The Body of the StateHttp://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/bvb.htm37Republic vs. Democracy http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/rvd.htmDemocracy vs. Demagogue http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/dvd.htm38Rome vs. US http://www.hisholychurch.net/sermon/romeus.HTM39Thy Kingdom Comes http://www.hisholychurch.net/thykingdom/tkca.html40Cecil B. DeMille in “The Ten Commandments.”41Mr 11:10 Blessed [be] the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Mt 21:9 And the multitudes t... cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: .... John 12:13 ...cried, Hosanna: Blessed [is] the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.42John 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury [ gazophulakion , public treasure ], as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.43Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:44Deuteronomy 13:845Proverbs 1:1046Employ vs. Enslave http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/eve.htm47Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.48Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;49U.S. v. Minker, 350 U.S. 179, 18750Matthew 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.51The Constitution Part I of X 1. The Party of the first parthttp://www.hisholychurch.net/news/4dconstitution.html52Conversion vs. Reconversion http://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/cvr.htmMoney vs. Mammonhttp://www.hisholychurch.net/study/gods/movma.htm53 The Royal Treasury http://www.hisholychurch.net/thykingdom/tkczq9.htm54The Voice of the People http://www.hisholychurch.net/news/voteking.asp55Ex 18:25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.561 Samuel 8, 1 Samuel 10:18-19, 1 Samuel 12:1-25___________________________________________________________Any thoughts from anyone? what do you think of this understanding of Romans 13?I am looking forward to your commentsCheers,Wolfgang

Why there are no Pseudonyms on the Way Corps Site

Posted by John Richeson on August 27, 2009 at 4:30am

These closing comments by Maureen Dowd in this article she wrote for the NY Times called "The Blond and the Blogger" summarizes my thinking. It was a hard decision to make in not allowing pseudonyms. It is unusual on most sites but I feel it was the right thing to do based on my experiences on other all pseudonym sites. Maureen Dowd writes: The Internet was supposed to be the prolix paradise where there would be no more gatekeepers and everyone would finally have their way. We would express ourselves freely at any level high or low, with no inhibition. Yet in the infinite realm of truth-telling, many want to hide. Who are these people prepared to tell you what they think but not who they are? What is the mentality that lets them get in our face while wearing a mask? Shredding somebody's character before the entire world and not being held accountable seems like the perfect sting. Pseudonyms have a noble history. Revolutionaries in France, American Founding Fathers and Soviet dissidents used them. The great poet Fernando Pessoa used heteronyms to write in different styles and even to review the work composed under his other names. As Hugo Black wrote in 1960, "It is plain that anonymity has sometimes been assumed for the most constructive purposes." But on the Internet, it's often less about being constructive and more about being cowardly.

Gay Clergy

Posted by Matt Miller on August 24, 2009 at 5:33pm

A week ago a tornado hit downtown Minneapolis.A freak storm it came out of no where.It's target was the convention center downtown where the Lutheran Church ELCA was having it's national convention/The ELCA is the largest of the Lutheran Synods - a Synod - simply means " an association of believers agreeing to move together".The symbol of the ELCA is the large Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis.My father (a renowned Lutheran minister) preached there last year.The Central Lutheran Church is a massive church.The tornado tore the steeple off - and bending the cross so it pointed downward.Why the tornado?The Lutheran Church at the moment of the attack of the tornado which tore up the large white tents outside of the convention center and the Central Lutheran Church where thousands were meeting in their annual convention was debating on whether to allow Gay Clergymen in Committed Gay Relationships to be ministers in Lutheran Churches.Gay Clergymen were already permitted as long as they remained celibate but the debate was to allow gay clergymen who were not CELIBATE.This is a letter I recieved from a dear friend that was actually at the convention. His name is Ken and his wife Miriam and I have known each other since childhood.I invite any comments.Greetings from Minneapolis!Tornado.What an remarkable year I have been having in such a variety of stunning locations--Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, 18 U.S. states, and now my hometown!Today, Minnesota Public Radio reported that a tornado "came up out of nowhere."Today, that same tornado hit downtown Minneapolis, including the convention center building where I was located, tearing off part of the roof.Today, the tornado also knocked over the only cross on the outside of Central Lutheran Church, the symbolic center of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in the Twin Cities (where my seminary graduation ceremonies were held), bending the steeple over so that the cross hung upside down.Today, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (CWA) approved a social statement on human sexuality by a one-vote margin with precisely the 66.6 % required to adopt.I have had the opportunity this week to be a visitor to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly (ELCA CWA), the biennial national conference of my denomination. Each ELCA CWA is held in a different city--this one conveniently taking place in downtown Minneapolis just a few short blocks from where I spent my first seven years of life.This particular ELCA CWA has been making news because of the decisions put before the voting delegates (of whom I am not one). These decisions have revolved around human sexuality and whether or not to ordain gays and lesbians living in publicly accountable, committed relationships. The first issue was addressed in the social statement on human sexuality, the second by a proposal (to be voted on Friday) to change the guidelines entitled "Visions and Expectations" so that it no longer requires pastors and church leaders who are homosexual in their self-understanding to remain celibate.It has been fascinating to overhear conversations between people from opposing sides of these issues.Some people said that it is illegitimate to base the denomination' s standard of clergy behavior on a social statement created and approved by a committee and a convention instead of on the Bible. They wondered if, when a church social statement approves of a behavior that is disapproved of by God's Word, if the social statement does not become, by definition, an idol--a man-made creation honored more highly than God's own revealed logic and communication. They pointed out that in both the Old Testament and New Testament, in lists of condemned actions as well as descriptions of the behavior of those who turn away from God, the Bible repeatedly denounces homosexual activities. This side seemed to presuppose that the Bible is actually the enduring disclosure of an involved and loving yet unchanging God.On the other side, people pointed out that lots of things that people do today do not fit with what the Bible says, so why should gays and lesbians be singled out for exclusion or, worse yet, condemnation and attack? This point is highlighted by the increasing number of people who identify themselves as gay and lesbian. Perhaps God is doing something new, perhaps God is making more people gay and lesbian in this day and age--something that the people who wrote the Bible could not have foreseen. Furthermore, given the changes in our culture and the movement of the Holy Spirit, it is time for the church to, at last, catch up with the advances in our society. This side seemed to presuppose that the Bible is not a record of God's speech but is instead a product of a community of believers--a record if you will, of people's engagement with the divine at different times and different places.One side said that the Gospel and its freedom can only be experienced after one has been crushed by the convicting power of the law and repented--the marvelous reality of being free from our brokenness and bondage to that which harms us can only be truly known after we have given up trying to justify ourselves before God or prove that we should be accepted as we are. For this group, it appears that the Gospel is valuable and real precisely because it is the way in which people can hear Jesus' invitation to receive cleansing from all our sin, respond to it, and to live forever.On the other side, people said that the Gospel is that which lies at the heart of the Bible; it is the power which demands inclusion of the excluded. The world has done enough excluding of gays and lesbians, they experience with harassment and discrimination every day, and therefore do not need to have the Law.On one side, there were people arguing that the American church needed to listen to the calls from bishops, pastors, and lay people from around the world--Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America--asking the ELCA to refrain from approving a social statement endorsing homosexual activity. They pointed out what they saw as ironically racist tendencies in the ELCA (whose members are 97% white)--American moral superiority and neo-colonial attitudes showing up under the guise of "inclusion"- -acceptance of gays and lesbians but not of the leadership of the church in the 2/3 world.On the other side, there were people saying that "the African church will have to catch up" to the more progressive American church and culture eventually.Some said that blanket statements such as "As a gay man, if I were to go to Tanzania, they would kill me," were simply racist. Others defended such statements as being simply true.On one side, people decried the way in which the language of inclusion and diversity was proclaimed in word but immigrant voices dismissed in deed. They pointed out that African immigrant congregations had been publicly praised during the Assembly by ELCA leaders who support the gay and lesbian cause. Yet these same congregations consist of people who had been fasting and praying for weeks asking God to miraculously stop the ELCA from formally approving of gay and lesbian sexuality and ordination.On the other side, people questioned whether the immigrant church leaders were fully informed on the issue and the ELCA documents under consideration. They wondered if those opposing gay and lesbian leadership were not doing so out of fear. To that point, they pointed out that no congregation will be required to accept a pastor that they find unacceptable- -immigrant congregations will not be forced to issue a pastoral call to a gay or lesbian pastor in a publicly accountable, committed relationship unless they want to. The ELCA, in that way, is truly inclusive of a whole variety of people. Immigrant churches have specialized ministries for people from their communities who are not comfortable worshiping with a pastor who cannot empathize with, likewise gays and lesbians should be able to have congregations in which their pastors can empathize with them.It was during such a conversation that the tornado rolled through. Amazingly, I never even heard it, saw signs of it, or even was alerted by sirens as the twister passed. Miraculously, no one was seriously hurt. Thankfully, I was able to go outside and see the damage. Surprise, surprise, I managed to take some pictures as well. ;)In the attached picture, you can see through the glass of the convention center, on to one of the main walls of Central Lutheran, and the cross hanging upside down from its steeple.

Youth in America ( as opposed to euthanasia )

Posted by Joe Kriston on August 23, 2009 at 3:06pm

No, I am not proposing that we euthanize the youth in America, although, the thought has on occasion crossed my mind...I am currently working on a study about our young folks---college age or so---that I would appreciate any input any of you would care to give regarding crossing the threshhold from youth into adulthood...I don't have any specific postion(s) or agendas I wish to promote---I would rather hear unbiased points, counter-points, tools, advise, anecdotes, tips or whatever, on leaving the nest, so to speak....Many of us here at this sight spent the years I'm referring to in residence in the way corps---in some respects, we jumped from one nest to another nest...Good or bad, joining the Way Corps today is not an option for most young people...yet, it is my only reference point back to my leaving the nest years...I have no idea how I would have spent my early twenties if the Way Corps wasn't available, and I really don't care, but I sense a certain lack of focus, and maybe some apprehension among the younger generation in growing into adulthood...Hopefully, this blog won't follow the trend of all the deleted blogs :)...I'm really more interested in being of help rather than being some old curmudgeon complaning about "the kids of today"...Any of your thoughts would be appreciated...Thanks...

Winging It, Part 4

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on August 22, 2009 at 9:00am

Reading through the many illuminating Blog posts here I ran across the word "wingnut" and did one of those "searches" on Google to find a little bit about the meaning of the word. I know what a wingnut is but in the context I read it I realized that while I thought I understood the intended meaning it might do well to do some checking.I like words, the way they're used, how they sound in English, since that's pretty much what I speak, or the American version of it. See - right there, "English" - one word, many meanings. But words are, y'know, like cool and stuff. It's always fun to read up on a specific word or phrase and find out where it came from and what it means or could mean depending on usage.So - wingnut. First off I have to say I've always liked wingnuts and when used appropriately - nothing beats a wingnut. Wingnuts rock, they're easy to use and for applications where you have some space to work in and a reasonably tight and non-permanent hold is required they're great. I'm sure we have some knowledable trades peoples and crafts persons on this site who could elaborate on proper usage, code requirements, etc. etc. and that would be great to know if anyone has the mind and a minute to spare. (the minute for posting - keep your mind right where it is please!)As a means of fastening or holding a thing or two things together, a nut and a bolt are pretty nifty fasteners. (Does make me wonder though about the fastening and bolting using nuts, but that's a whole 'nother deal) But nuts require a tool of some sort - a "wrench" let's say for general purposes - another word that requires some contextual definition to be sure, but yeah, give that nut a good wrench with the right sized tool and you can get 'er fastened down pretty snug.A wingnut however can be turned and tightened by hand because it has two little "wings" - actually they look kind of like cartoon mouse ears to me, but they're pieces of the nut that protude out on each side opposite each other. So if you have some space to work with again, wingnuts are great. No tools required other than the hands God gave you. Tighten that bad boy down, maybe use a washer or two ("washer?") and you've got some fine fastening going on.Interestingly there's a family of nuts that grow on trees (think I have that right) that are referred to as Wingnuts, but they're not good fasteners, far as I know.People are also referred to as "wingnuts" at times, usually in a critical context. I think that's a fairly modern use, again, far as I know. I don't quite get the connection, although I think this usage may rely heavily on the sound of the word - "wingnut" sounds funnier to me, more humorous that is, than just "nut". Dunno, it just has a ring to it although the actual use doesn't make sense (to me anyway) but then - we do use a lot of words for which the various meanings don't seem to make any sense at all if I try to match them up. LIke "Match" - light a fire, find two alike, or two in a competition. Weird. "Light a match" - "find a match" - what's that really mean, really?But anyway - the wingnut thing caught my eye and so now, this. Gotta go. Have great weekends, all! Or week starters! Or just great days, hours, minutes, times, events, lives and everything involved! I know you know what I mean!

Removing Incompetent Incumbents

Posted by Darrel Hampton on August 21, 2009 at 2:39am

I'm a member of the Independence Caucus (http://icaucus.ning.com).We are an organization whose primary mission is to replace our compromised,fiscally irresponsible incumbents with good men and women who share our principles and values.Every conservative group shares that same goal and we have something tooffer the other groups that they cannot do for themselves or their members.We truly are the last-mile solution to get the job done. At IndependenceCaucus, we have five golden keys to help us accomplish this.1) Independence Caucus has a well defined candidate vetting processwhich includes a set of 80 principle-based vetting questions, which we poseto all potential candidates for office. We believe that this is a jobinterview, and that the primary reason we have so many people in office whohave not represented us well in the past is because we have not vetted themproperly. The Independence Caucus members and partners for each area(comprised of people who are in that particular candidate's votingdistrict), must agree with at least a 70% majority, that the candidate isthe right person to back before Independence Caucus will endorse thatcandidate.2) We conduct specific research on incumbents to show the link to theirvoting records & earmarks, and which big money special interest groups havedonated to their campaigns and how much they've donated (it's a whole lotmore than the media reports). We use that research to give our endorsedcandidates an advantage in campaigning against that incumbent.3) Our founders understand that "all politics is local" and they have astrong knowledge of how politics works down to a precinct level andunderstand what is needed to win campaigns. Their first win was JasonChaffetz from Utah's third Congressional district. Chaffetz is theCongressman who sleeps on his cot in his Washington office to save the taxpayers money. Frank Anderson and Monte Bateman, the co-founders ofIndependence Caucus helped Chaffetz beat an incumbent Congressman whilebeing outspent by 6:1.4) We've identified 26 specific functional positions within a campaignthat are needed in order to win and beat compromised incumbents who areowned by the big money special interest groups.5) Finally, the Independence Caucus currently has programmersdeveloping a powerful political social networking tool, which connectscandidates to enthusiastic and motivated volunteers for their campaigns.This social networking tool contains all the tools a candidate needs tomanage his/her campaign, as well as the tools and training volunteers needto be most effective in working for their chosen candidate.We would like to partner with any and all groups as well as individuals whoshare our goals and would like to participate with us to use the tools weprovide. Are you interested?Thanks,Darrel

Pray Until Something Happens Eph. 6:18

Posted by David Jerome on August 21, 2009 at 2:30am

P.U.S.H.A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and God appeared.The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to Push against the rock with all his might..So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might! Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.Since the man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time).'You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't moved.'Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, 'Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.'Lord,' he said, 'I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?'The Lord responded compassionately, 'My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed.. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are calloused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you once had. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your Faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now, my friend, I will move the rock.At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the Mountains. When everything seems to go wrong....... Just P.U.S.H. When the job gets you down........ ...Just P.U.S.H. When people don't do as you think they should...... .Just P.U.S.H. When your money is 'gone' and the bills are due.....Just P.U.S.H. When people just don't understand you ......Just P.U.S.H.P = Pray U = Until S = Something H = HappensNo-one can go back and make a brand new start, but anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.Ask, and ye shall receive.May God Move Your Mountain.

A Prayer for Patience

Posted by Lonnell Johnson on August 17, 2009 at 1:30am

Yesterday someone sent me an article by Graham Cooke, a renowned prophetic teacher, who is originally from England but now living in the States. In his discussion regarding saying "no," he mentioned the importance of patience in this present season. He went on to say that in the past he had written out a prayer for patience which he read everyday and suggested that writing such a prayer might be beneficial to his readers.The article also brougt to mind the blog I had written "What's in season in this season of the life of Lonnell Johnson?" I followed Graham Cooke's exhortation and wrote the following which could be an addendum to that particular blog. I trust will be a blessing to you:A Prayer for Patience“My suggestion for people in a season of birth or upgrade is to write out a prayer for patience and pray it every day.”Graham CookeFor you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.Hebews 10:36 (Amplified Bible)I look back and pause and then look ahead to seeClearly who God is, who He wants to be for me.I still journey down the road less travelled byAnd pray that patience may serve as a trusted ally.I must say no to the pressures of this lifeAnd say yes to the rest God gives, despite the strife.As I stay my mind on Him, I abide in peace.When I praise God, works of the enemy decrease.May I remain and not fall by the wayside as someBut like Job wait until at last my change shall come.Patient endurance seems delayed for some reason,But fruit abounds to those who wait in this season.I pray that in this time of transition and shiftThat I embrace waiting as a wonderful gift.Lonnell E. JohnsonAugust 17, 2009

Book Chat

Posted by LewEllyn Hallett on August 16, 2009 at 4:30am

Books are about my favorite things to talk about, and I notice a lot of you here enjoy books, too. Let’s have some good conversations about what we're reading, or favorites we've finished. I'll post an occasional review of a book I think is worth knowing about, as well as some quick mentions and lists of titles in a category. You can comment on my selection, or add a book of your own, or just check in occasionally for suggestions.Though fiction is my true love, I also read nonfiction and realize many here prefer it. So, my inaugural selection is a nonfiction treasure: The Soloist by Steve Lopez. It's also a new movie staring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., but I haven't seen the movie yet myself so can't speak on that.The Soloist reads like good fiction, but it's the true record of a journalist's relationship with a homeless man, and his grueling education on mental illness, homelessness, creativity, and the unfortunate turns life can take. And it's a beautiful portrait of artistic passion, so if you're a musician or artist in any field, this story of striving for beauty in the ugliest of circumstances should strike a cord with you.Steve Lopez, columnist for the LA Times, was seeking fodder for his weekly column, a constant challenge, when he saw a man on a street corner playing an old violin, deeply immersed in his own music. This could have possibilities. Although the man was withdrawn and cautious, Lopez persisted and discovered that over 30 years before, the homeless man had been a promising music student at Julliard, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world. What had interrupted his career in classical music after such opportunity? Where was his family? Was there anyone who remembered him from his musical heyday?Lopez became a sleuth of sorts, unraveling the puzzle, and real suspense builds. He also became an advocate for this man in the complicated maze of mental health care, public assistance and aid for the homeless. The author knew little about any of these issues, or even classical music, when he wrote his first column on Nathaniel Ayers, which grew into a series gaining huge national response. The reader goes along on his journey of discovery, where almost every success is followed by crushing disappointment. This journalist's willingness to get involved as a friend and unfailing support brings change though, as it is in real life, not a Cinderella ending.The Soloist is a great read: suspenseful, heartfelt, educational. Steve Lopez is an artist in his craft, and uncovered the subject of a lifetime in Mr. Ayers. He masterfully portrays their complicated relationship. Through it, we learn about the intricate connection between homelessness and mental illness, and the fallout of chronic, serious mental illness on everyone involved. Whatever our feelings about these issues, we can enjoy this book for its honesty and suspense, and gain greater understanding of some of the problems Lopez himself had to confront.

God is Real

Posted by Steve Jaynes on August 15, 2009 at 12:45am

We need to believe that God is real and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. I am going to show you the best place to get started. That is from the words that God has spoken Himself. These words of God are written in the Bible. So let’s read some of what God has said.Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.It says, ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’. We want to get an understanding of God we go to the Bible. The Word of God says here the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. When you see that word ‘fear’ in the Bible there is two meanings of the word. One is to be afraid like you could see a snake or something dangerous. You would back up from that. The other way the word fear is used in the Bible is to have respect for God, an awe of God, or reverence. The reverence for God is what this word ‘fear’ means in this verse. The fear or the reverence for God is the beginning of knowledge. The second part of the verse says, “but fools despise with them instruction”. We don’t want be the fools. We want to have that reverence for God. If you want to know God it starts with a respect and reverence for God. There is a desire, that’s the beginning of knowledge. You have to want to know and if you do continue to read. Go to Proverbs chapter 9, and read verse 10.Proverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.The fear once again in this verse means the respect and the reverence for God. The reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom. You want to have wisdom; it starts with that respect for God. We should have great respect for God. He created the heavens and the earth. He put the stars in their places. He sent his Son Jesus Christ. We should have that great respect for God, and it says this is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge which is holy understands. Can you imagine understanding the holy? God is Holy. Let’s go back to the Proverbs to chapter 2, verse 1. I love this section of the Bible because it demonstrates to us how close God is to us. It teaches us what we need to do to get Knowledge and how to get understanding.Proverbs 2:1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;You can read God’s Word and you can keep those words. You keep them in your mind. You hide them in your mind by thinking about them.Proverbs 2:2-6So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.I love these verses here because; if you want to know about God it tells you how do it. Just look at these words. It says, ‘incline thy ear unto wisdom’. It also says, ‘apply thy heart to understand’, meaning your mind. “If thou criest after knowledge”, sounds a little bit like prayer, “God I need some understanding. I need some knowledge. Can you help me, God?” Whenever you are reading God’s Word and searching the scriptures you should say a prayer to God asking for help and understanding. God is always there with you. God will give you what you need and ask for. Look, criest after knowledge, lifted up your voice for understanding. Say, “God I need the understanding, show me what I need to do in this situations” Then read God’s Word. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as hidden treasure that someone dug in the ground and put in a hole. In the lands and times of the Bible they didn’t have banks. If someone had a great treasure one of the things they would do is bury it. You could dig and search for a buried treasure. It says searches for understanding as hidden treasure; it says then shall thou understand the fear or the respect of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. It says ‘then shall’, puts in the absolute; you will absolutely understand the reverence of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. If you want to find it you will find it. But it tells you what to do. Apply thy heart to understanding. Cry after knowledge, lifted up thy voice, “God help”, and searches for it as you read and search the scriptures. Then you will absolutely know. It’s in God’s Word. God’s Word really is our contact point with God. As you we read the Words of God, you get the thoughts of God, the understanding of God. Than as you have opportunities, needs and situations that come up in your lives, you can pick up the scriptures and read it asking God for help and God will absolutely help. It’s a promise from God. Go to chapter 3 of Proverbs and we are going to go to verse 13.Proverbs 3:13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.Once you find it then you are blessed. Happy is the men that finds wisdom and gets understanding.Proverbs 3:14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.Once you understand the scripture you are blessed. It says it is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain of fine gold.Proverbs 3:15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.To understand God’s Word is better than rubies and all that you can desire are not compared to her. Look at verse 16.Proverbs 3:16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.All scripture is profitable. It says ‘length of days’ meaning you get a lot done in a day. In verse 17 it says.Proverbs 3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.‘Her ways are ways of pleasantness’; wouldn’t you like to live a pleasant life? That’s what it says. ‘All her paths are peace’, that’s a profit. What do you want in life? Would you like to have pleasant times and live in peace? I would. It is available in God’s Word. Verse 18 says.Proverbs 3:18 -19She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.God made it all available. He put it all together so that we could understand and know. This Word of God is so vitally and very important to us. It is very profitable to us. All scripture is profitable.In closing lets look at Hebrews.Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.A better way to translate the word ‘faith’ is ‘believe’. We need to believe that God is real and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The best way to do that is to search the Scriptures in the Bible and ask God to help us. It is that simple. God wants to help and reward us. The Bible is full of tips on how to understanding God and His power for us. The Bible teaches us how to live the more abundant life that Jesus came to make available to us in the Bible.I teach in a class and book the keys and sign post that can unlock the Bible so that you can understand the Bible when you read it and tap into the power of God. You are invited to take the class and/or read the book “How to Read the Bible for Understanding and Power” to learn more keys of how the bible interprets itself. Both are available from Steve Jaynes at his home or on the internet at www.howtoreadthebible.net

Les Paul ~ 1915 - 2009

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on August 14, 2009 at 12:00pm

Describing Les Paul as "a guitarist" is understating his relationship to the modern electric guitar, kind of like saying Moses led some people once. But Les Paul, the guitarist, died yesterday at the age of 94 as I'm sure many of you know. A Rolling Stone article - HERE and some more HERE. . His site - lespaulonline.com.He certainly lived a full life and left his mark. He'll be missed.

Woodstock, Aug. 15-18th, 1969...Were you there?

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on August 14, 2009 at 7:30am

Did I get the dates right? It's all like, fuzzy and stuff man.Woodstock - Did you go? Were you "there"? Nearby?Of course, there's a Wiki page on it - "Woodstock Festival" - if you're unfamiliar with it or want to check out some interesting details.Share, please if you did or tried or wanted to but didn't, if you get a sec. Applicable statutes of limitations expired long ago, so don't be shy - hey - go for it.

Share your heart, recollections, best guesses, blessed messes, what happened, what might have happened. etc. etc. Wondering who travelled distances to get there, and what that might have been like, coming and going.
It's a free blog, dig it!

Peace and Love!

On My Journey--A Celebration in Poetry

Posted by Lonnell Johnson on August 9, 2009 at 2:28pm

Hello. I am Lonnell Johnson. For those of you who do not know me, I was a member of the 2nd Way Corps. For me August has become a month of special celebrations. August 31 is our wedding anniversary, and this year marks the 36th year that Brenda and I have been married. August 11 also marks the 35th anniversary of my ordination to the Christian ministry. In celebration of my ordination, I have compiled a document containing a sampling of some of my poetry interlaced with some pictures of me and my family through the years. I trust you will enjoy this special compilation, as you join me “On My Journey,” as we celebrate God’s grace and favor over the past thirty-five years.The document is called On My Journey.I would like for all of you to have a copy of this document. Click here to view and/or download a copy to your own computer.You may also leave comments below or email me privately at ljohns10@insight.rr.comGod bless you all on your own journey. Thank you for celebrating mine with me.Lonnell

"10 YouTube Tricks" - manage your video distribution better

Posted by John and Janet Ruiz on August 6, 2009 at 9:18am

YouTube Videos - 10 cool things you can do.This may not be an actual Blog item per se but it does give me a chance to use the phrase per se, so I'm happy.If anyone has other trips, trinks or hicks of this type to share, please feel free to use this space for that or any related purpose, including but not limited to discussion of video, audio and image web functionality, tips tricks, hints, FAQ's, answers and information. And stuff.

How is your heart doing ?or Come let us reason together.

Posted by Rick and Lori(Roth) Sheehan on August 2, 2009 at 8:25am

I have been very blessed in the past year or so studying some of the writings of reformed theologyThese guys surely love Gods Word and are great workmen, still we need to "separate the precious from the vile""Let us provoke one another to Love and god works..".Rickhttp://www.reformed.org/webfiles/antithesis/index.htmlApologetics and the HeartDouglas WilsonI must perhaps begin by explaining that I do understand that an (abusive) ad hominem argument is a logical fallacy. There is no reason to think we have refuted someone's arguments simply because we have vigorously attacked their person. There is also another fallacy, closely related to the ad hominem, dubbed "Bulverism" by C.S. Lewis. [1] He pointed out the modern tendency to dismiss an argument on no stronger grounds than the fact that you had explained how your opponent came to believe it.But it does not follow from this that there is no connection between lifestyle and truth. It is inadequate to argue that the atheism of Jones cannot be true because he kicks his dog. If he offers arguments, then the arguments should be addressed. A thorough apologetic method will address arguments, while at the same time understanding and taking into account their source.As Christians, our intellectual object is to think God's thoughts after Him. Our aim must not be a false humanistic "originality," but rather, in one sense, submission to the way things are. This is because we believe that the world is the way it is because of the Creator and Sustainer of all things. But if truth is to be found through submission to God's truth, then does it not become a matter of concern if someone claims to have found truth, but is living in open defiance of God's law?For example, Karl Marx engaged in a prolonged, shrill, and bitter argument with reality.[2] The poet, Shelly, was a "lifelong absconder and cheat."[3] The existentialist, philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, was a notorious exploiter of women. Most notably was his mistress, Simone de Beauvoir. "In all essentials, Sartre treated her no better than Rousseau did his Therese; worse, because he was notoriously unfaithful. In the annals of literature, there are few worse cases of a man exploiting a woman. This was all the more extraordinary because de Beauvoir was a lifelong feminist."[4] It would not be at all difficult to fill a volume with names of men and women who shook their fists at heaven with less than altruistic motives.[5]Now, it is quite true that the ethical standards of a man do not have a direct bearing on his opinion that 2 + 2 = 4, or that the sun rises in the east. But suppose the subject of debate is existence of a Judge? The debate is whether there is One who will weigh and evaluate the thoughts and deeds of the sons of men, and cast those who hate Him into the outer darkness. Is the lifestyle of the participants really irrelevant? In other words, are the accused qualified to give judgments about the existence of the Judge?The heart of the problem is the heart. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools..." (Rom. 1:18-22).[6]A moral problem (refusal to glorify God as God, and refusal to thank God) is the cause of an intellectual problem. It is not the other way around. Our ethical condition cannot be preserved and protected through the intellect. The two are connected, but not in the way Christians have frequently assumed. We are to protect our intellect through our ethical standing before God. [7 ] The reason unbelievers do not believe has nothing to do with a lack of arguments. Rather, their lack of desire to hear the arguments for the truth of Christianity is the result of unbelief.We sometimes approach evangelistic apologetics as though unregenerate men did not love their sin. We speak and act as though an intellectual defense of the faith will somehow impart to the rebellious a desire for holiness. It does not. We argue with them, assuming that they would want to submit to this truth, if only they knew it to be truth. But they do know it is true, and they don't want to submit to it (Rom. 1:28). At this point, many evangelists and apologists may be tempted to walk away in despair. Like Ezekiel, they are uncertain about the efficacy of prophesying to bones. But more on this shortly.The intellect is insufficient protection for morality. But obedience does protect the intellect. Credo ut intelligam. If I refuse to believe, then ultimately I am refusing to understand. The testimony of Scripture is that ethical rebellion produces intellectual darkness. It is false to say that we can protect our lives with arguments; rather, we protect the integrity and reliability of argument by how we live our lives. The disobedient will eventually search out arguments by how we live our lives. In short, the disobedient will eventually search out arguments that will justify them in their disobedience. Because no such argument can be both true and valid, it will not be long before the rebellious begin to attack argument itself, i.e. "false Aristotelian categories, etc." [8 ] Christianity is initially rejected in the name of reason, but apart from Christianity, reason collapses into an irrationalism of despair.This is why a revival of godliness will always produce a revival of learning. It does not flow the other way; learning does not produce godliness. Knowledge puffs up. But love builds up, and one of the things it builds up is knowledge. This is also why an abandonment of godliness will eventually destroy learning. The process begins with folly disguised as scholarship and learning, i.e. the folly is festooned with footnotes.[9] Eventually, when the bankruptcy becomes evident to all, then scholarship itself will be denounced.MannerGiven this relationship between godliness and the intellect, the manner we display in our presentation of truth is important. In II Timothy 2:23-26, we are instructed to correct "in humility" those who oppose us, with the hope that God will grant repentance. The sovereign God uses means in the salvation of the rebellious, and one of the means is humble instruction from the godly. In particular, the apologist should cultivate two things in his demeanor as he talks with those who are in the Romans 1 mold. His demeanor should address the two areas identified in that passage as being the heart of the problem, i.e. the refusal to honor God as God, and the refusal to give thanks.First, the apologist must be filled with an understanding of the majesty of God. If the rebellion of the one before you comes from a willful blindness of this majesty, then how can he be helped by an evangelist with the same problem? The triviality, triteness, and silliness which characterizes much of evangelical Christianity will not be successfully covered with the whitewash of some argument. Why is it that our modern declarations of evangelical truth lack the triumphant and majestic tone of the prophet Isaiah? "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. There is not searching of His understanding" (Is. 40:28). It is this writer's conviction that this sense of God's grandeur has been lost from the church at large because of the widespread rejection of the Biblical understanding of who God really is. Nothing empties a man of himself quite so much as the realization that God is God in everything, and cannot be replaced by a creature in anything, including the creature's salvation.[10]Second, the apologist must be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude. Again, because the rebellion of man is rooted in a refusal to thank God, the more he is exposed to thankful Christians, the better. The mystery of thanklessness begins early. Who among us has not seen some puffy-faced, rebellious child refusing to thank some adult for something or other? There is something in the sinful nature of man which does not want indebtedness, and saying "thank you" to God is an intolerable indication of indebtedness.[11]If these two attitudes are evident, then they will be used by God to convict the hearer of his basic problem. This is not to say that words are unimportant. The words of truth are the nail which must be driven into the heart. The submission of the evangelist to God as God, along with his gratitude, is the hammer. The One who wields the hammer is the Holy Spirit; He is the One who gives repentance.ContentIt is crucial to remember that evangelism, and consequently faithful apologetics as well, may be divided into two aspects: law and gospel (not to be confused with the dispensational or Lutheran distinction). Much modern evangelism does not bear fruit simply because both these elements are neglected, or they are twisted.When law comes to an unregenerate man, he always does two things; he acknowledges it as true, and he hates it as true. It is not our position to seek to persuade him that he has an obligation to honor God as God, and to thank Him. He already knows this. It is a truth which he is suppressing in unrighteous. Consequently, the individual hears the law everywhere; in the Creation, in his own wicked heart, and from the evangelist.[12]In other words, we should not seek to get the person to whom we are witnessing to verbally agree to the Biblical view of man. He is the way God has made him whether he agrees to it or not. So we must assume the Biblical view of man. We speak on this basis. As we speak, we know that the one who hears knows, at some level, that we speak the truth. This is true however much he has suppressed it. It is on the basis of this that God judges men who reject the gospel. They rejected it, knowing it to be true.The content of our communication should revolve around two things; again, these are the two points at which men are rebelling. First, we must not be hesitant to speak of God as God. He is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things. We must not speak of a Higher Power, however man conceives him or her to be. We are Christians who serve the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, not devotees of some Fuzzy Benevolence in the Sky. But as we speak of God, it must be clear that these words have very clear definitions, and that the definitions are not man-flatterers. God knows everything; He oversees everything; He brought everything into existence; He is holy, righteous and good; He is a severe Judge and a loving Savior; He is present everywhere; the whole earth is full of His glory; from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. The twenty-four elders need to spend more time on their faces (Rev. 4:10-11).Second, we must emphasize, overtly, the obligations of all creatures to render thanks to God. Everything that has breath is to praise the Lord (Ps. 150:6). Too often, Christians assert that God is the Creator, without going on to apply the obvious ethical response -- thanksgiving. Suppose, for a moment, that we gave all the engineers and scientists in the world a titanic budget and the following task: to come up with a functional human hand, with all the options. A hand that would grow callouses when used, repair itself when cut, move with the dexterity of an accomplished pianist, and so forth. They could not do it with all the resources in the world. And yet, here I sit at my word processor, typing away with two of these things. And they were given to me. Free.We, as creatures, have an obligation to thank God. Those in rebellion who do not thank God need to be reminded of the obligation. God is God; He is not like we are. God is good; He daily gives to each of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, far more gifts than we can even keep track of (Matt. 5:45).As we testify to these things, the testimony has the force of law. It does what the law is supposed to do, which is to increase and reveal transgression (Rom. 3:20; 5:20). It condemns. It is no wonder these truths are suppressed. For non-Christians, there is no good news at all yet.After the law comes the gospel. The message of the cross and resurrection reconciles sinners to God, and part of this reconciliation is the dispelling of intellectual darkness. The futility of thinking is gone because the hardness of heart which produced it is gone. Hard hearts makes for soft heads. Because the Spirit of God has taken away the heart of stone, the way the man thinks is altered forever. Everything is not done at once, but the process has begun. Because the rebellion is over, the process of renewing the mind is established (Rom. 12:1-2).Cold Intellectualism?I Peter 3:15 instructs, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." Good reasons, good defenses come from good hearts. If I am only prepared intellectually, I am not prepared intellectually, [13] The representative of Christianity must have "sanctified" the Lord in his heart, he must have a good conscience, and then he must give his defense, and his reason for hope. The one to whom he speaks has not sanctified the Lord in his heart, and does not have a good conscience. This is why he is in intellectual darkness.As mentioned above, the popular dichotomy between the head and heart is a false one. But to use the terms assumed by it for a moment, if someone concerned for heart religion rejects the importance of "doctrine," the problem is not in his head. The problem is in his heart; it is not bearing the proper fruit. This is because if a man sanctifies the Lord in his heart, the result will be defenses and reasons.And if a Christian apologist, who is "into sound doctrine," lives a life that is an ethical stretcher case, then the problem in his heart will eventually show up in his thinking.[14] We cannot seal off one part of us from another. When people get out of a Biblical balance, they lose the very thing they deem most important. Pharisees worshipped the law, but in effect, destroyed it. Pietists say we must concentrate on the heart, but the result is a heart which does not produce the fruit it should. In the name of clean hearts, they produce rotten ones. Our more intellectual brethren neglect the heart, and consequently are really neglecting the head. In the name of sound minds, they destroy the basis and foundation of all clear thinking, which is practical obedience. [15]ConclusionThe Bible teaches that intellectual darkness is the result of rebellion, not the cause of it. Those who have been brought out of darkness have a responsibility to speak to those who are still in it. As they speak it is crucial to realize the source of intellectual darkness, and to address it through the demeanor of the speaker, and the content of what is said.If the apologist displays God's character and demonstrates thankfulness to Him, then it is far more likely that God's mercy will be demonstrated. These same two truths should spill over into the content of what is said. Until this happens, we will not see what has been absent from evangelical Christianity for hundreds of years: apologetics on fire.Notes[1] Lewis, C.S. , God in the Dock (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970), pp. 271-277.[2] I believe Marx was a good living example of the two fundamental tenets of atheists: (1) There is no God, and (2) I hate Him.[3] Johnson, P., Intellectuals (New York: Harper and Row, 1988) p. 46.[4] Ibid., p. 235.[5] It would also not be hard to fill another volume with names of professing Christians whose lives were less than admirable. But the problem of hypocrisy is an entirely different one. The immoral atheist is unwilling to live with the logical tension between his premises and his lifestyle; he wants them to be consistent. The immoral "Christian" is willing to be inconsistent.[6] Gordon Clark sees this same process in II Timothy 3:8. The false teachers had "deteriorated intellectually". Clark, G., The Pastoral Epistles (Jefferson: The Trinity Foundation, 1983), p. 173.[7] Some have sought to protect themselves from sin by looking at the final consequences of it. This is quite Biblical. (Prov. 5:1-23), but there are other places to look besides the divorce courts and skid row. I have encouraged myself to godly and moral behavior by considering the intellectual folly I have seen at a nearby state university. There, the wreckage in intellectual.[8] Of course, the attack on argument is itself an argument.[9] The two best examples of folly defended by scholars are Marxism and evolutionism. Here we have two patently ridiculous theologies, and the priests of these religions are teaching at our best universities. As often noted, the last bastion of Marxism in the world appears to be American universities.[10] Biblical theology, properly understood, is a joyous, victorious, militant, conquering faith. It has this effect because of the proper understanding of who God is, and what He has done in the cross and resurrection of Christ.[11] Have you noticed how our ungrateful culture doesn't know what to do with Thanksgiving? They want it to be Turkey Day.[12] The doctrine of man's total inability does not refer to his inability to recognize the law of God. It refers to this inability to recognize and love it at the same time. He can love it, provided he misunderstands it (zeal without knowledge), or he can understand it while hating it (the sinful mind is hostile to God). But he cannot, without the intervention of the Spirit, both understand the law and love it.[13] This point is often misunderstood by "pietistic" evangelists. They establish a false dichotomy between the heart and the head. assert that only the heart is important, and then take a stand for Jesus. But good hearts will produce intellectual fruit. To object, as they do, to "intellectualism" on behalf of heart religion is like a farmer objecting to apples on behalf of apple trees. True piety will always produce true learning.[14] I once wrote a letter to a pastor, making a point very similar to this one. He and his church were into what they called sound doctrine. Rather than pointing out the deficiency of love, which was a charge they were not doubt used to, I pointed out a doctrinal deficiency -- the low view of Scripture indicated through their disobedience. I received a copy of my letter back from him with a term of exchatological significance stamped all over it.[15] If a man won't obey God in how he treats his wife, then why would he obey God in how he thinks? Rebellion tolerated anywhere will spread everywhere.Copyright © by Covenant Community Church of Orange County 1990 Return to CRTA Root Page Return to CRTA

John Lynn is Insane!

Posted by John Richeson on August 1, 2009 at 12:30pm

An insanely good teacher that is. John, this is one of the reasons why I loved being in your audience in the Way Corps. My 18 year old daughter loved this. She said "Who is that guy? It would be awesome being in his class." We told her it was. Thanks for being the "real you", John.

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Guardian Angels?

Posted by Cindy Kuchmy Kelley on August 1, 2009 at 10:36am

The Pope said recently that the day he fell and broke his wrist (recently) his guardian angel was not available for some reason. Anyway, check this 10 minute video out and let me know what you think about "guardian" angels.

Romans 13 Shorter Version

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