Blog | Reproach of Men

Twisted to Fit

Today, LewRockwell.com posted a speech given by Laurence M. Vance at the June 8, 2008, Future of Freedom Foundation’s conference on “Restoring the Republic: Foreign Policy and Civil Liberties.” In this speech, Mr. Vance spoke specifically on the subject of Christians and war. In his speech, he critiqued “Christians” severely for their support of war. He also drew no distinctions about what makes one a “Christian,” and where, in Scripture he finds the support for his contention that war, in and of itself, is wrong for a Christian to engage in. In the very first paragraph of his “talk” he states:

“If there is any group of people that should be opposed to war, torture, militarism, the warfare state, state worship, suppression of civil liberties, an imperial presidency, blind nationalism, government propaganda, and an aggressive foreign policy it is Christians, and especially conservative, evangelical, and fundamentalist Christians who claim to strictly follow the dictates of Scripture and worship the Prince of Peace. It is indeed strange that Christian people should be so accepting of war. War is the greatest suppressor of civil liberties. War is the greatest destroyer of religion, morality, and decency. War is the greatest creator of fertile ground for genocides and atrocities. War is the greatest destroyer of families and young lives. War is the greatest creator of famine, disease, and homelessness. War is the health of the state.”

And if ever there were a broad brush, Mr. Vance has used it. About four-fifths of the things given in the first sentence do not even belong together. If we examine this list, we find some things that are strongly supported by Scripture, and others that Scripture expressly condemns. However, according to Mr. Vance, for one to be a Christian, one must oppose all items on the following list:

“If there is any group of people that should be opposed to war, torture, militarism, the warfare state, state worship, suppression of civil liberties, an imperial presidency, blind nationalism, government propaganda, and an aggressive foreign policy it is Christians . . .”

If we take this list at face value, according to Mr. Vance, King David could not have ever been a Christian.

Why?

Because King David engaged in virtually everything on this list almost his entire life. Now, was everything David did right and proper Scripturally? No, obviously not. However, there are only three specific incidents of transgression the LORD God was displeased with:

The unlawful and improper transport of the Ark of the Covenant. (I Chronicles 13, 15)
The matter of Uriah the Hittite’s wife. (II Samuel 11-12)
The numbering of Israel. (I Chronicles 21)

Funny how that only when it came to building the temple was King David told by the LORD God that his wars prevented him from doing that. (I Chronicles 22:6-8)

However, before going further, I suppose it ought to be established whether King David was a Christian or not, seeing that most do not believe that believers in the Old Testament were.. In a word: yes, King David was a Christian. The proof of King David believing in Christ to come is throughout the Psalms. The proof that people were saved in the time of the Old Testament by grace through faith in Christ (or the Messiah) to come is extensive in Scripture and I have written about it in the following articles:

Where Did the Old Testament Saints Go?
A Departure
A Departure, Pt. II
A Departure, Pt. III

Any proper study of the Scriptures will indeed show that, as Christianity is defined (a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ – the Saviour), all believers in the Old Testament were (and still are) ((An understanding of what it means to be “in Christ” is essential to understanding how one, once born again, will never leave the status of “in Christ.”)) Christians. This applies to everyone from Adam and Eve forward. (Hebrews 11:4)

To return to the issue at hand: how can it be that someone who has a degree in Theology, and claims to have studied the Scripture, have such a remarkable lack of understanding of what the Scripture states about war, its origin, what a born-again child of God’s relationship to, and view of war ought to be? Instead, the extent of Mr. Vance’s citation of Scripture in his speech consists of three (3) verses, one of which is taken out of context and another is only partially quoted. Mr. Vance fronts his citations with the following paragraph:

“The early Christians were not warmongers like so many Christians today. They did not idolize the Caesars like some Christians idolize President Bush. They did not make apologies for the Roman Empire like many Christians do for the U.S. Empire. They did not venerate the institution of the military like most Christians do today. They did not participate in the state’s wars like too many Christians do today. If there was anything at all advocated by the early Christians it was peace. After all, they had some New Testament admonitions to go by:

* Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
* Live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18)
* Follow peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14)”

Then, Mr. Vance goes on to begin the next paragraph with the statement:

“Aggression, violence, and bloodshed are contrary to the very nature of Christianity.”

Now, whatever evidence Mr. Vance has for his contentions concerning early Christians, he certainly does not use the Scriptures to support it, and indeed mixes things that are valid Scripturally, with things that are invalid. For instance, it is true that aggression, violence and bloodshed are incompatible with spreading the gospel. But, they are ordained and given to the state by the LORD God. The assertion that “early Christians” did not participate in state wars is patently against what the Scripture plainly states concerning Cornelius and many others in the Roman army:

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:1-4)

What we find in this chapter is Cornelius’ obedience to God in sending for Peter, Then Peter coming to Cornelius’ house and preaching the gospel to Cornelius and all his house and close friends. During Peter’s preaching we find the following occurs:

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:44-48)

Now, we will search in vain to find where Peter explains to Cornelius that he must leave the Roman Army to serve God. Why? Because it is not there, and it is not there because it is not required nor demanded. In fact, the relationship of the child of God to military service was explained much earlier by John the Baptist as he preached the gospel and prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ:

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. (Luke 3:10-18)

If we note what John told the soldiers, we will note the absence of any demand they leave military service. Rather, he tells them to uphold their duty in a right and just manner, ((The statement “Do violence to no man,” does not mean to avoid combat in the line of duty. What it means in the context given is to not arbitrarily and capriciously, wantonly do harm to someone simply because you can. It is a frequent temptation for armed soldiers, especially stationed in a foreign land, to lash out and unnecessarily strike someone simply because they can.)) and be content with their wages. He does not say “Don’t go to war.” or “Leave the military.” or Don’t support the Roman empire’s wars.” Those statements, and others like them are notably absent throughout the New Testament. Surely, if a Christian serving in the military were such a serious issue, don’t you think the LORD God would have addressed it directly?

To be continued . . .

Predators

Prayer Rug (114K)

This is a day and time in which one must be utterly cautious about the associations and influences that are allowed into one’s life. The picture above illustrates this rather well.

I went to check the mail yesterday and lo and behold, I had a rather stuffed letter in the box from Saint Matthew’s Churches. This is not the first time I have received things from them as they mass mail. It is very much like a fisherman casting out a net to catch whatever he can. Unfortunately for those caught in the net, it is the end. The analogy to what Saint Matthew’s Churches is doing with their mass mailings is very apt.

This particular mailing included a “Prayer Rug” that has instructions at the bottom of it, which state:

“Look into Jesus’ Eyes you will see they are closed. But as you look you will see His eyes opening and looking back into your eyes. Then go and be alone and kneel on this Rug of Faith or touch it to both knees. Then please check your needs on our letter to you. Please return this Prayer Rug. Do not keep it.”

On the back of this “rug” it also states:

“”This St. Matthew 18:19 Bible Prayer Rug is soaked with the power of prayer for you. Use it immediately, then please return it with your Prayer Needs Checked on our letter to you” It must be mailed to a second home that needs a blessing after you use it. Prayer works. Expect God’s blessing.”

Oh, I didn’t mention that the letter STRONGLY pushes sending “seed” money to “multiply God’s blessing” and that you can get a “Prosperity Cross” that will be sent “free of charge” just for returning the “Prayer Letter” with the option checked for the “Prosperity Cross, blessed by the church.” However, right below that option, is the option for sending your “seed gift.”

Predators. Only the desperate, lonely, ignorant, and uninformed would fall for this scam. The really despicable part of this is the use of the LORD’s name for their dirty work. They certainly don’t use Jesus’ picture or portrait as there were no pictures then, and He never sat for a portrait. Moreover, nowhere does it describe His physical features in any detail so that one could even begin to paint an accurate portrait of Him. In fact, all the “paintings of Jesus” came about over one hundred years AFTER Christ died, arose, and ascended. I would think it would be nigh impossible to get any accurate description of the appearance of a person one hundred years after they left this earth. In short, the “paintings of Jesus” are a scam and lie of the Devil as well. By the way, the “Jesus” portrayed in the picture above, doesn’t have JEWISH feature one. Nope, the “Jesus” portrayed above has white EUROPEAN physical features, not Semitic features.

The Lord Jesus Christ was a JEW. Get over it. As pertaining to the flesh, my LORD and SAVIOUR is a Jew of the House of David, King of Israel. As pertaining to the soul and spirit, He is the Word, the Second Person of the Godhead.

The “person” portrayed above, I don’t know who “he” is, except to say that “he” is of the Devil. Additionally, if you read the “instructions” for the “prayer rug” you surely noted the admonition to stare into “Jesus’ eyes” until you see them “open” and then go and pray. This is nothing more than self-hypnosis. However, it does open one up for demonic influence and control. It is very dangerous.

It strikes me that Saint Matthew’s Churches as very much like Satan himself — a predator preying upon those who do not know any better, and who cannot or will not resist the lure of prosperity. However, like the lure the fisherman uses, this also contains a hook to trap and snare the unwary.

It is regrettable, shameful and dishonorable what Saint Matthew’s Churches are doing. I wonder what those involved in this scam will say when they stand before the real Jesus at His throne of judgement?

BTW, I didn’t keep the “Prayer Rug” or the letter — I burned them. I would advise everyone else to do the same.

Ignoring the Obvious

Well, if it can be ignored, it cannot be that obvious.

Really?

Yes, it can. And how.

In Great Britain (soon to be Lesser Britain — if the current pace continues) guns have been severely restricted for quite some time now. This was ostensibly done to “stop crime,” particularly “gun crime.” However, as any cursory internet search will yield, the ban has been, and continues to be a total failure. However, that does not satisfy the over-educated and lacking common sense individuals that seem to rule the land of my ancestors. No, apparently the fact that crime has increased since guns were severely restricted, and the fact that the vast majority of British tourists in America feel safer in America than they do back home, ((America’s ‘safety catch’))does not seem to impact the judges, sociologists and lawmakers in Great Britain at all. No, not in the slightest.

I must say the temptation to poke lots (and I mean LOTS) of fun at “not so” merry ole England is very hard to resist. Why? Because there stands an elephant in the collective living room of Great Britain — and it’s quite large.

The problems of man’s nature are apparently becoming somewhat of a nuisance to Sir Igor Judge, the President of the High Court Queen’s Bench Division. Apparently, he doesn’t think that anyone ought to carry a knife in their pocket. After all . . . well . . . hold your breath and you can read for yourself the “enlightened” judge’s comments from the bench (please do not throw things at your computer monitor when you read this):

“Carrying a knife or offensive weapon without reasonable excuse is a crime which is being committed far too often by far too many people,” he said.

“Every weapon carried about the streets, even if concealed from sight, even if not likely to be used or intended to be used, represents a threat to public safety and public order.”

“That is because, even if carried only for bravado or carried for some misguided sense that it would be used in possible self-defense, it takes only a moment of irritation, drunkenness, anger, perceived insult, or something utterly trivial like a ‘look’, for the weapon to be produced.”

“Then you have mayhem, and offences of the greatest possible seriousness follow, including murder, manslaughter, GBH, wounding and assault.”

“Offences of this kind have recently escalated. They are reaching epidemic proportions. Every knife or weapon carried in the street represents a public danger and, therefore, in the public interest, this crime must be confronted and stopped.”

“The courts will do what they can to reduce and, so far as it is practicable, eradicate it. In our view, it is important for public confidence in the criminal justice system that the man or woman caught in possession of a knife or offensive weapon without reasonable excuse should normally be brought before the courts and prosecuted.”

“Even if the offender does no more than carry the weapon, even when the weapon is not used to threaten or cause fear, when considering the seriousness of the offence, courts should bear in mind the harm which the weapon might foreseeably have caused.” ((Knife crime is epidemic, top judge claims))

Well, so we should all be disarmed, right? Not hardly. The problem with crime goes all the way back to The Fall. You are not going to solve crime by removing so-called “weapons” from the street. No, all you will do is make more victims of crime, and you will drive people to find other items to use as a weapon.

The real problem here is the problem of our nature. ((Why They Hate the Second Amendment)) We are all, including the uppity, nonsensical Judge Igor — evil. Since we are all evil, removing supposed weapons out of the hands of individuals does not change anything at all about the heart of the individual. All the weapon is, is an external manifestation of some thing in the heart of that person. It is impossible to determine what the thing that drives them to carry something as a weapon, actually is. Sorry, we have no ability to regulate the heart and thoughts of a person. Funny how the Founding Fathers of America knew that, and this idiotic judge does not. After all, that is precisely why the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution exists. After all, it was Madison and Hamilton that penned the Federalist 51, which states:

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. ((Federalist 51))

Hopefully, the quote makes sense (perhaps to some over-educated folk it won’t) and there is an understanding that, since we are all evil, there must be checks and balances (“such devices”), in and out of government. The greatest check on crime is to arm everyone — period. It will surely make a very polite and orderly society. Why? Because nobody wants to end up DEAD.

Now, obviously the powers that be in Great Britain (and here) would like for one to believe that guns and knives are the most dangerous weapons out there. Sure, most would agree with that too. However, that is not the case. In fact, guns and knives fall far behind the single, most dangerous weapon of all — words.

Yes, WORDS.

Just how did Adolph Hitler rise to power? Ever hear of Mein Kampf? What about all of Hitler’s speeches? You know, old Adolph never pulled the trigger on a single Jew. Yet, somehow he managed to be personally responsible from the deaths of six million of them. Moreover, he plunged the world into a massive war. How did he do it?

WORDS

What about Karl Marx? You know, The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital? He gave a cohesiveness to the religion of Materialism and collectivism and launched a war against private enterprise and Capitalism. He also is ultimately responsible for the death of millions in the communist purges of various regimes. Why? Because they believed the words of Marx and his buddy Engels.

In fact, words have been and are, responsible for the deaths of more individuals that all the guns and knives put together. After all, words commanded that the gas be turned on in the chambers at the camps. Words brought about the mass starvation of Ukrainians by the Soviets in the 1920’s. Words inflamed the Hutus to murder their fellow countrymen, the Tutsis in Ruanda in 1994. Pol Pot used words to great effectiveness in Cambodia, commanding the murder of 1½ million of his own countrymen. And I could go on, and on, and on . . .

Yes, words are extremely dangerous. So dangerous perhaps they ought to be banned altogether.

What?

That won’t work?

Why not? After all, Sir Igor thinks that banning knives will change the behavior of his countrymen. Somehow he thinks that getting knives “off the street” will “stop crime” when crime is a result of the heart of an individual, and has NOTHING TO DO with the instrument the individual carries.

Oh, as for banning words — that’s been tried already. It netted the world the lovely experience of the Dark Ages. Thank the Catholic Church for that one. Oh, and while you at it, a Papal Bull calling for the death of “heretics,” is “just a bunch of words.”

No worries about Sir Ig(n)or(ant)’s words, right?

Gamblers and Gambling

Normally we think of gamblers as those who frequent the casinos, or the track, or bet on the outcome of games and sporting contests. Moreover, biblically, the engaging in such activity is patently wrong and condemned of God as it denies the sovereignty of God and does not acknowledge the working of God in the lives of each and every person. Plainly, the LORD God works in every person’s life, either to bring them to the point of salvation, or if they are born again, to cause them to grow in Christ. The following are the clearest and easiest passages of Scripture to remember concerning this.

For those who do not know the LORD (the lost):

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)

And for those who are born again in Christ:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Moreover, the LORD God is in control of and governs events today, just as He has been in control of events from the very beginning. Not that he chooses for individuals, but that he knows the outworking of all events, and choices that everyone makes. Even as He judged individuals and nations of old, He continues to do so today. One example of the LORD governing the events of old was the destruction of Sisera:

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. (Judges 4:4-7)

What the LORD did with Sisera is no different than what He has done in so many instances, which is use what was is in the heart of the individual to draw them to their own destruction. Sisera could not resist oppressing the children of Israel, and apparently missed no opportunity to do so. Thus the LORD placed an opportunity in front of Sisera, that Sisera could not resist — which led to Sisera’s destruction.

Now, we have a society that is obsessed with obtaining something for nothing. This is the attitude when one “bets” upon the outcome of something, or joins a “pool,” the draw is always “minuscule investment” and a “large return.” The reason that these things exist and flourish is only due to the hearts of the individuals who involve themselves in such activities. Those persons are drawn by the lure of something for little to no effort and work. Plainly, if we understand the LORD’s view of this heart and attitude, we can begin to understand what the LORD will do when a society is predominately populated by such people.

If we simply take a surface view of this mindset, we can see that the problems with this are manifold:

1. It encourages individuals to think that something can be got for little to no work. This, in itself encourages a bad work ethic and laziness.

2. All that ever happens in any gambling operation, pool, or lottery, is that money is simply transferred. No goods are produced, no raw materials supplied in exchange, and no service is performed. At least when someone cuts the grass and you pay them for it (a service), you are freed up to do other (hopefully), more important or demanding things.

3. Very few actually gain anything, and the vast majority lose repeatedly. This is nothing more that the oldest scam in the book. The promise and allure of gain, when in reality, the conditions are so stacked that only a minuscule ever gain anything. Just ask yourself: When was the last time a gambling operation went out of business due to bankruptcy? No, they only “go out of business” if they are busted by law enforcement.

4. When government supports the “lottery” for the purposes of “education” or other such governmental program, it becomes a tax on those least able to afford to pay extra taxes. Additionally, since someone will get some minuscule part of the lottery ticket sales, it becomes wealth redistribution. Unfortunately, it is redistributing “wealth” from ignorant and uneducated individuals who think they have a chance at winning, to some other individual, who will then have the daylights taxed out of them (50% of “winnings”) by the very government that supported the lottery in the first place. In all, it’s quite the racket.

However, all the above reasons are not the worst part of the effects of allowing a gambling mindset to become endemic in society. No, the worst effect is that it angers the LORD God as it implicitly denies His sovereignty and His commands to be diligent in labor. The LORD roundly condemns the deception inherent in any form of gambling, and He condemns the individuals who begin such activities. They know they are stealing from their fellow man by holding out a false promise.

So, what would the LORD do to such a people and nation — like the United States, which has embraced gambling wholesale? How about the following:

Shortage fears push oil futures near $140
By Carola Hoyos and Javier Blas in London
Published: May 20 2008 19:06 | Last updated: May 21 2008 10:57

Fears of a shortage within five years propelled long-term oil futures prices to almost $140 a barrel, further stoking inflationary pressures in the global economy.

The spot price of Nymex West Texas Intermediate hit a record $130.30 a barrel on Wednesday. On Tuesday investors had rushed to buy oil futures contracts as far forward as December 2016, pushing their prices as high as $139.50 a barrel, up more than $9.50 on the day. ((Shortage fears push oil futures near $140))

Notice how far into the future the “investors” have pushed the futures market for oil? How about 8½ years into the future! Now really, how could anyone have the foggiest idea of what will occur over the next 8½ years? After all, someone may discover how to produce electricity cheap enough and on a small enough scale to allow individual electric production (we’re almost there now) and the ability to charge an all electric, or fuel cell vehicle, off-grid at their own home. That would certainly put a dent in the necessity for oil wouldn’t it? Or, rail transport technology could become a lot more efficient and also reduce the need for oil. In short, any number of things could happen, from war on a global scale (a distinct possibility) to new technological discoveries that could render oil almost obsolete as an energy source.

In short, the “investors” in the futures market are doing nothing less than pure, outright gambling. Moreover, this surge of gambling is based solely on “fear,” and that is all.

However, it is a fitting judgement for a society that is consumed with gambling. The gambling of the supposed “investors” in the oil “futures market” (read “pool”) robs everyone of their wealth — including the investors themselves.

How?

Somebody produces the cars they drive, the food they eat, the clothes they wear, and everything else they have. When they collapse the economy due to their greed, just where will they get the things they need to live? Moreover, just how much will it cost them to get it. Moreover, since they will be perceived to be the “haves,” do they really think all the people they hurt in obtaining their wealth will let it slide right on by without so much as a word? No, I don’t think so. History has repeatedly shown that when such economic conditions occur, war almost always (if not always) results. Moreover, it is generally the “have nots” that target the “haves” in such cases. It’s awful hard to be “wealthy” when your dead.

Lovely thing to think about. But if we consider how God’s judgement works, we can certainly see it happening.

And who says God is not judging us?

Not From God

While looking through the classifieds the other day I ran across the following Help Wanted ad:

DIRECTOR OF Adult Discipleship for large membership church. Responsible for adult Sunday school classes, short-term studies, small groups, development, leadership recruitment and training. Bachelor’s degree in education or related field required. Experience in education or working with adults helpful. Salary commensurate with experience. Send letter and resume to Martha Barnes martha@fumcwired.com First United Methodist, Springdale, AR or fax to 479-751-4612

And to add to it, today I found this ad:

PART TIME pianist for vital, growing congregation. Interested applicants please send resume and 3 letters of reference to First United Methodist, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714, attn: Dr. L.E. Zehring, Director of Music Ministries. Phone (479)855-1158. Email fumcbv@cox-internet.com. Website www.LeadLearnLove.com

Now, to most of the world this may not seem out of place. However, for what is supposed to be, or purports itself as a New Testament church, this is ludicrous.

Why?

Well, the Scripture has something to say about how churches get the teachers, preachers, and various ministers that carry out the ministries in a New Testament church. For instance:

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: . . .(Ephesians 4:8-12)

And again from Acts:

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:1-2)

And from I Corinthians:

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (I Corinthians 12:7-11)

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (I Corinthians 12:18)

Now, could it be that the phrases:

“And he gave some”
“whereunto I have called them”
“For to one is given by the Spirit”
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

and the statement:

“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

are actually not intended of the LORD God to mean anything? Or, is it that, as far as the Methodist Church is concerned, the above statements are just the fabrications of men, and the Bible really doesn’t reflect accurately what God intends?

If so, why bother? Why not just advertise for the job position and call yourselves the Methodist Social Club? Why pretend? After all, if you are not going to depend upon the LORD God to provide for ministry positions as He plainly states He does, why pretend to be a New Testament church?

You know, it really would be better for all if the Methodist Church would simply quit pretending — that, or honestly return to following the LORD and His word.

Suppression

Ah yes, back to the “good ole days” where there exists no such thing as liberty of the conscience. Yes, you would never know this is America, nor would you know that the U.S. Army defends the United States of America. No, this is not the home of the likes of Patrick Henry, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, et al. Rather, “America” has chosen the road of persecutors and the thought suppression police.

The offense?

Preaching the gospel in church services!

Now, if the gospel cannot be preached in church services, just where can it be preached?

Worse yet, the offended party is a Brigade Chaplain at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Iraq, who told the Unit Chaplain, Stuart Kazarovich, a fundamental Baptist, that the term “born again” was unacceptable and not compatible with the Army. ((Military honchos ‘suppress’ chaplain’s Baptist services))

Gee, I wonder who told the Brigade Chaplain that he set Army policy? The problem with the Army and its response is typical Army (which is why I joined the Air Force 28 years ago, and retired 8 years ago) — they are dragging their feet on dealing with an uppity Brigade Chaplain.

Am I surprised by this?

No, not really. Fundamental Baptists have never been liked by hierarchal, pompous, “organized” denominations that call themselves “Christian.” Moreover, fundamental Baptists are less liked by Muslims and other pagan religions.

The following then, is directed at the Brigade Chaplain of FOB Loyalty and his enablers in Iraq and Washington. They should recognize it. After all, spiritually, the folks doing the persecuting described below could well be their ancestors:

In Virginia, religious persecution, directed at Baptists and, to a lesser degree, at Presbyterians, continued after the Declaration of Independence. The perpetrators were members of the Church of England, sometimes acting as vigilantes but often operating in tandem with local authorities. Physical violence was usually reserved for Baptists, against whom there was social as well as theological animosity. A notorious instance of abuse in 1771 of a well-known Baptist preacher, “Swearin Jack” Waller, was described by the victim: “The Parson of the Parish [accompanied by the local sheriff] would keep running the end of his horsewhip in [Waller’s] mouth, laying his whip across the hymn book, etc. When done singing [Waller] proceeded to prayer. In it he was violently jerked off the stage; they caught him by the back part of his neck, beat his head against the ground, sometimes up and sometimes down, they carried him through the gate . . . where a gentleman [the sheriff] gave him . . . twenty lashes with his horsewhip.”

The persecution of Baptists made a strong, negative impression on many patriot leaders, whose loyalty to principles of civil liberty exceeded their loyalty to the Church of England in which they were raised. James Madison was not the only patriot to despair, as he did in 1774, that the “diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages” in his native colony. Accordingly, civil libertarians like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson joined Baptists and Presbyterians to defeat the campaign for state financial involvement in religion in Virginia. ((V. Religion and the State Governments))

Obviously you don’t care what the Scripture states about what you are doing, so I will let you know what former President James Madison thought of you and your ilk:

Letter from James Madison to William Bradford
James Madison
January 24, 1774
I want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as to the State and Liberty of my Country. Poverty and Luxury prevail among all sorts: Pride ignorance and Knavery among the Priesthood and Vice and Wickedness among the Laity. This is bad enough But It is not the worst I have to tell you. That diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages among some and to their eternal Infamy the Clergy can furnish their Quota of Imps for such business. This vexes me the most of any thing whatever. There are at this time in the adjacent County not less than 5 or 6 well meaning men in close Gaol for publishing their religious Sentiments which in the main are very orthodox. I have neither patience to hear talk or think of any thing relative to this matter, for I have squabbled and scolded abused and ridiculed so long about it, to so little purpose that I am without common patience. So I leave you to pity me and pray for Liberty of Conscience to revive among us. ((Letter from James Madison to William Bradford))

No Brigade Chaplain, you’ve not thrown Stuart Kazarovich in jail yet, but given time and opportunity I’m certain you would.

You child of Hell.

What in the World?

Grace Happens (36K)

You know, cell phones with cameras are interesting tools, particularly when you see something of interest and have no actual camera to photograph it with. A couple of days ago I was sent the picture above, which was taken by a cell phone camera and then e-mailed to me. The technology to do that is interesting, but the picture that caused that technology to be used is not.

I really do not know quite what to say about the picture except that it conveys an ignorance of what grace is, and a total disrespect for the LORD God who bestows it. No, according to the person who produced this bumper sticker, and the people who decide to plaster it on their vehicle, grace is just one of those things that “happens.” In essence there is no real reason for grace, it is just there randomly. It might happen to one person, and not the next. In all, it assigns a randomness to the actions of the LORD God (if that is even who or what they are referring to) that does not exist. No, everything the LORD God does is deliberate and planned as He knows all things at all times. The way I often put it when teaching or explaining it, is this:

God sees all time all at once, and differentiates every point in time from every other point in time.

So it is, that nothing is new to God as He is already in eternity future and yet is present in eternity past. He knows past, present, and future simultaneously. Time then, is a creation of God — He is the Author of time. Moreover, the LORD God doesn’t need time to exist.

Consider that for a while — if you don’t go around the bend a bit, you will begin to understand how the LORD looks at things.

Now, how does this bear on the ignorance displayed on bumper sticker above? Simple. Think about what I just explained about the LORD God and time, and then add the following to it:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (I Chronicles 28:9)

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:1-2)

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:16-17)

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

Now, I could quote from literally dozens of passages that all speak of the fact that the LORD God knows exactly what He will do with regard to each and every person that will ever live on the face of this earth from beginning to end. He assuredly knows what each and every person who is yet to be born will think and do throughout their entire lives. This also means that the LORD knew all our thoughts in eternity past, before He ever created this earth. In fact, the LORD knew in eternity past that I would be moved to answer the ignorance displayed above, and that you would read it. Remember, the LORD God knows every thought you have, and ever will have — and He knew so in eternity past. As the LORD said by the apostle Paul:

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. (Romans 9:10-18) ((This is not to say that Calvinists are correct. Rather, the rule for how the LORD God deals with man is expressed in Jeremiah 17:10, which states:

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.))

Thus, grace does not “happen.” To claim such, is to assign iniquity to God. The Scripture has a word for that, it’s called “blasphemy.”

You know, the really sad part of this is that supposed “Christians” tout this idea. I did a search of the web and most of the things that came up were either “Christian” or Christian related. The one exception was the first hit which was, well . . . I’ll let their “About Us” page say it:

Grace is a gift received simply because we declare it so;
a smile, a sunset, a hand extended, a life well lived.

What if we said, “Grace Happens”. What if we believed it.
What if we practiced it- and passed it along.

What would be possible?

There are a lot more people that believe Grace Happens
than you might imagine. LOOK AT YOU. Surprise!

Worse yet is the blog When Grace Happens, which is supposed to be run by a member of the “clergy” and in his profile he has his “information:” ((The man who owns this blog has since removed his profile. At the time of this post the profile was fully visible. Now, it has been removed for whatever reasons he deemed necessary.))

Age: 50
Gender: Male
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Zodiac Year: Rooster
Industry: Religion
Occupation: Clergy
Location: Rosenberg : TX : United States

By the way, what was that the LORD God said about astrology and consulting the stars? Didn’t the LORD God call that wickedness?

Or even this one: Grace Happens, run by the “Rev.” Ken Collins.

Is it any wonder America is under the judgement of God? Based upon the ignorance of this one doctrine alone, I really don’t think so. I am reminded of the admonition of my Lord and Savior during the sermon on the mount:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

Notice what the Lord Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me,”

I don’t think that calling Him your Savior, and then blaspheming Him by declaring “grace happens” is going to work in the day He judges you. After all, he knows exactly what you are thinking right now, and He knows every thought you will ever have.

Grace doesn’t “happen,” it is bestowed by the LORD based upon His criteria. To think anything else is wickedness.

Cowardice

Not that I agree with John Hagee or his doctrine (because I don’t), but when he described the Catholic Church as the “great whore” of Revelation, he made a statement that, in accordance with the Roman Catholic’s bloody history of persecution, fits the Catholic Church rather well. The problem is that Roman Catholic persecution was not confined to Jews. No, they decided to viciously persecute anyone they labeled a “heretic.” This persecution was not limited to individuals, but was applied to any group that would not submit to the “authority” of the Roman Catholic Church.

The problem with this persecution was that it was not the mild persecution that some folks in modern America have endured. Rather, it was along the scale and scope of what the U.S. Government did to the Branch Davidians at Waco, Texas. Actually, in reading the various historical accounts, it was much worse with whole villages and towns slaughtered simply because the Pope decided they needed to be wiped away for their supposed “heresy.” However, since the Pope had no armies of his own, he engaged and coerced the secular rulers under his influence to do the dirty work for the Catholic Church.

Now, Catholics can deny this and cry foul all they want, but their history is plain. So plain that even one of their own admitted to it.

“Were it not that the baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past twelve hundred years, they would swarm in greater number than all the Reformers.” (Cardinal Hosius, President of the Council of Trent: Hosius, Letters, Apud Opera, pp. 112, 113.)

Make no mistake, when the Cardinal states they persecuted with the “knife” he is not being flippant. (more…)

Agony

Today, the Associated Press reported on the flood conditions in Eastern Arkansas and the Delta areas of Mississippi and Louisiana. ((Mississippi River flood dooms promising year for farmers)) This really is no surprise to me as where I live are the headwaters of the White River that flows into Missouri and then back into Eastern Arkansas before joining the Mississippi River. In the past month and a half, we have had three or four major rainstorms and some tornados. The tornados didn’t do near the damage the rain did. All three branches of the White River, the Main, Middle and West forks of the White river all went out of their banks in every storm. The worst was about three weeks ago.

However bad it was here, our problems were only temporary as the rivers were back down within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Yes, pretty severe damage was done to some areas. Roads were closed and bridges had to be checked. We lost a couple of individuals in the storms due to the combination of high water and a low water bridge.

It is downstream that the problems magnified. First they had to open the floodgates of Beaver Dam. That caused severe flooding downstream of the dam. However, it was either that, or watch the water top the dam, which would not be good at all. Worse yet, the storms we received, the areas North and East of us got as well. So it is that North Central and Northeast Arkansas and Missouri received several inches of rain in the space of a day or so, and then received all the downstream runoff from both the White and Arkansas Rivers. (The Arkansas River journeys from Northeast Oklahoma down to Fort Smith and then travels the valley through Little Rock and on into the Delta area of Eastern Arkansas before joining the Mississippi) With both rivers in flood stage from the repeated storms, combined with the runoff from the upstream Mississippi River, the Delta is experiencing a severe flood.

Now, this is really not a new thing. Over the years this happens pretty regularly. According to the report:

“Bradway has farmed the same 1,000 acres for three decades. He’s had floods big and small in 14 of those 30 years.”

So that means that it really is not all that unusual to have floods in the Delta area. What makes it bad is the extent and timing of the flood. To begin, this is the worst flooding since 1973. The report states that the Mississippi is seven feet above flood stage:

“The river has not reached this level—about 7 feet above flood stage—since 1973.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a total of 855,750 acres are under either Mississippi floodwater or backwater from the Yazoo River, which drains much of the board-flat Mississippi Delta into the Mississippi River. About 273,000 of those flooded acres are cleared for wheat, cotton, soybeans, corn and other crops.”

Moreover, the first of the flood hit just when the winter wheat crop was supposed to be harvested:

The flood hit just as farmers were preparing to harvest wheat and plant corn, soybeans and cotton. Some, like farmer Brad Bradway, were forced to watch as water crept inch by inch over his 110 acres of wheat until his fields sat under 8 feet of water.”

And it has caused other farmers to delay planting crops:

“Others are now stuck waiting for the water to recede and the ground to dry before they can plant, guaranteeing a shortened growing season, yield reductions and lower returns. This comes after a drought has left much of the region parched for several years.

“At one point I had 300 acres under water and 240 acres too dry to plant,” Bradway said. “What’s wrong with this picture?”“

Add to this the following:

“Input costs such as fuel and fertilizer have risen dramatically in just a few months. Diesel around Vicksburg costs more than $4 a gallon—or more than $100 per tank for the ubiquitous diesel pickup—and fertilizer that went for $68 an acre last season now runs $100.”

And this bit of gamble:

“He’s not alone. The flood has taken not only money farmers invested in the field, but much of the profit they expected. Worse, most sold their crops in advance to take advantage of prices so high few could resist.

Bradway sold 1,000 bushels of winter wheat to a distributor for $7 a bushel. When the flood took his crop, he was still on the hook. So he paid $10.50 a bushel to another distributor for wheat to satisfy his contract. He hopes to turn a profit on soybeans this summer.”

Considering last year’s bad Easter weekend freeze that destroyed crops and forced replanting (which cost even more money) this is the second year in a row that we will see shortfalls in crops from areas that normally produce in abundance.

Wonder why?

For starters, we could take into account who it is that actually controls the weather — you know, the LORD God.

You don’t suppose the LORD would be trying to get our attention do you? I think so, and in a major way. Yet, we do not see any sign of acknowledgement this is the case. Neither do we see any sign of repentance.

Now, it should be understood that the way the LORD dealt with Israel is an example of how the LORD deals with all nations. Indeed, we can see in Leviticus, chapter 18 and Deuteronomy, chapter 18 how the LORD warned Israel about taking up the customs of the heathen nations they were to drive out of Canaan. The LORD applied the very same standard to Israel that He applied to the heathen nations. He expressly told them that if they did the same things the heathen nations did, they to would be driven out of Canaan.

Just guess how that applies to us in America? The reality is that God has never held a different standard for one nation versus another. Even Israel was not, and is not exempt from The LORD God’s standards for behavior and conduct of a nation and society. The only difference for Israel was that they would never be wiped off the face of the earth (like so many other nations have been). However, the reason for this is not that Israel is special in the sense of being exempt from the LORD’s judgement. Rather it is due to the covenant the LORD God made with Abraham. Hence, Israel and the Jews have nothing to feel special about.

So then, we can take certain statements the LORD God made to Israel concerning their judgement when they departed from following Him, and apply them to us in modern day America. The only thing we cannot say is exactly how events will fall. However, we can rest assured, if we continue to violate the will of God, we will, as a nation, be destroyed.

Fair warning.

Personally, I don’t really care to be around when the LORD finally lowers the boom on America. I’d really rather not see that happen. In Amos, the LORD God gave warning to Israel about their continued unwillingness to listen to Him. I really don’t like the last statement the LORD makes through Amos. It’s quite scary.

And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD. Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:6-12)

Hello, is anybody home, America? Or do you just want the agony of God’s judgement to continue?

Lawful and Unlawful

Yesterday, while out and about, I observed a bumper sticker on a car that stated the following:

“Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong”

Now, it should not surprise anyone that I saw this in Fayetteville, and immediately outside the confines of the University. Immediately I thought of the lack of understanding that accompanies this question as framed. I would expect this from a child with no background in history, or knowledge of society. Particularly, I would expect this of a child who had never read the Scripture.

In addressing this, first the rather simple logic of the deterrent effect of the death penalty, and the respect of the rights of others will be touched on. After that, we shall see what the LORD God has to say about the death penalty.

I did a Google search on this question as that would likely yield the best results. After all, if it’s on a bumper sticker, its probably on the internet too. I was not surprised to find that it was indeed on the web. What I was surprised to find were sites that had this question, and the answers given in response to it. To say the least, the answers reveal a lack of depth in the thought processes of the respondents. Need I say this does not (more…)