Sevens Meme
Prosthesis tagged me to answer these questions.
A. Seven things to do before I die
B. Seven things I cannot do
C. Seven things that attracted me to [my spouse or significant other or best friend]
D. Seven things I say most often
E. Seven books (or series) I love
F. Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over if I had the time)
G. Seven people I want to join in, too
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Environmentalism: wilderness, wasteland, or garden?
A recent book by E. Calvin Beisner entitled Where Garden Meets Wilderness: Evangelical Entry into the Environmental Debate gave me the idea for this post (you can hear Beisner talk on the environment here and here).
There are at least three possible views when it comes to how we view environmentalism – the leftist ‘Wilderness’ view, the rightist ‘Wasteland’ view, and the more balanced ‘Garden’ view. The extremes are lack of concern for the environment, or virtual worship of the environment, while the Garden view is one possibility between the extremes. Which camp do you lean towards?
Causes of same-sex attraction
NARTH has a nice reprint of an original article from The Catholic Standard & Times which discusses the roots of homosexuality. The author, Dr. Richard Fiztgibbons, contributed to the Catholic booklet on this issue called Homosexuality and Hope.
The main section titles are:
- Weak Masculine/Feminine Identity
- Distrust of Men/Women
- Gender Identity Disorder
- Narcissism and Profound Selfishness
- Dysfunctional Family Life
Hypocrites, virgins, and sinners: what issues do you oppose?
Recently, I was accused of choosing a stance on an issue because I was favoring my own situation. Specifically, since I have married a formerly illegal immigrant Mexican, my moderate stance on immigration (which is different from my more conservative positions on most issues) was questioned, and I was accused of making my stance based on convenience, not conservative conviction.
Such an accusation, if taken seriously and without being defensive, forces one to examine the reasons WHY they take stances, and how those stances compare to one’s current habits, as well as one’s history. And how our stances, compared to our history and current practices determines whether we are hypocrites, virgins, or sinners.
The extreme middle, the healthy right and left
When discussing extremism, we must remember that there is an extreme middle position.
Oxymoron? Not really. There is a difference between healthy balance
and an ‘extreme,’ compromised middle. In fact, the erroneous middle is a classic logical fallacy, often called the Middle Ground fallacy:
- Position A and B are two extreme positions.
- C is a position that rests in the middle between A and B.
- Therefore C is the correct position.
But I would like to explore this error in more detail, so that we can also identify a healthy compromise.
Why the term ‘Christian soldier’ is not an oxymoron
Previously , I have put forth the assertion that pacifism is NOT biblical, but of course, this confuses many. I think that the root of the confusion comes with confusing two different areas of life:
- The two kingdoms: this world v. God’s coming kingdom
- The two levels of personal interaction: individual v. societal rules for interaction
- The two foci for attack: attacking people (and their character) v. attacking ideas
What is an extremist?
Lately around here, we have seen accusations of being part of the "extremist right" or "extremist left." But what is the difference between an extremist and a person with healthy convictions?
Thoughts On the Great Commission
Author’s note: I originally posted this on Daddypundit on November 15, 2004. I’m reposting it here in response to danielg’s post on Why Most Churches Suck as well as Aaron’s comment that most churches don’t emphasize discipleship enough. As you can see from this post, I agree with Aaron’s statement on discipleship. This is a topic I intend to explore further in an upcoming post.
The Great Commission – Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Seeking Balance
A few years ago, I subscribed to a wonderful magazine (now defunct, unfortunately) called Life@Work Journal. The magazine was a Christian publication geared towards believers in the marketplace. Each issue would focus on a particular subject. One of the most memorable issues was the issue on balance.
Book Review: Dred Scott’s Revenge by Judge Andrew Napolitano
America has had a difficult history when it comes to racial issues and often the government has done more harm than good according to an excellent new book by Judge Andrew Napolitano entitled Dred Scott’s Revenge. Click here to read my review of the book.
![552655: Dred Scott"s Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/5/552655t.gif "552655: Dred Scott"s Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America") | Dred Scott’s Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America By Andrew Napolitano / Thomas Nelson |
The Rise of Homeschooling
A new report from the U. S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics shows a dramatic rise in the number of students that are being educated at home. Dr. Albert Mohler provides some details from the report:
Homeschooling
was the choice of families for 2.9 percent of all school-age children
in the United States in 2007, involving 1.5 million students. By
comparison, in 1999 only 850,000 children were homeschooled. By 2003,
that number was up to 1.1 million. This report indicates significant
jumps in homeschooling as compared to other educational options. In
fact, the report reveals that the actual number of American children
whose parents choose homeschooling for at least part of their education
exceeds 3 million. According to the report, 1.5 million children are
exclusively homeschooled while another 1.5 million are homeschooled for
at least part of the school week.At this point, the picture
grows even more interesting. When parents were asked why they chose to
homeschool their children, 36 percent cited a desire to provide
children specifically religious or moral instruction. After that, 21
percent of parents pointed to concerns about the environment of
schools, 17 percent cited dissatisfaction with educational quality in
the schools, and 14 percent cited "other reasons." Among those "other
reasons" was a concern for more family time together.Higher
numbers of parents with college educations and greater family incomes
are now homeschooling. This trend points to the fact that homeschooling
is increasingly the option of first choice for many parents. This
pattern is also revealed in increasing numbers of college students,
primarily young women, who indicate that they desire a college
education so that they will be better equipped in years ahead to be
homeschooling parents.
It's no great surprise to me that there has been such a tremendous
rise in the number of families choosing to homeschool. In the nine
years we've been homeschooling we've seen exponential growth among our
homeschool community.
But the most crucial points in Dr. Mohler's essay come at the end of the post:
Homeschooling is now a major force in American education, and
Christian parents have been in the vanguard of this movement. For many
Christian parents, homeschooling represents the fulfillment of the
biblical mandate for parents to teach their children. These parents
deserve our respect, our support, our advocacy, and our prayers. This
movement is a sign of hope on our educational horizon, and a phenomenon
that can no longer be dismissed as a fringe movement.As president of a seminary and college, I can attest to the fact
that questions about the educational aptitude of homeschooled students
are now settled. These students can hold their own as compared to
students from all other educational backgrounds. One other fact speaks
loudly to me concerning their education. Most of the homeschooled
students I meet at the college and graduate levels indicate an eager
determination to homeschool their own children when that time comes.Education cannot be reduced to statistics, but the trends revealed
in this new report from the Department of Education deserve close
attention. In our day, education represents a clash of worldviews.
Increasingly toxic approaches to education (or what is called
education) drive many schools and many school systems. In that light,
the fact that so many Christian parents are taking education into their
own hands is a sign of hope. As this new report makes clear, we should
expect homeschooling to be a growth industry in years ahead.
It's encouraging as a homeschool parent and as a Christian to see a
prominent pastor and seminary president embrace the choice that
thousands of families make. Homeschooling is not easy and families who
make this choice often face derision and ridicule from both friends and
families. Those who make the choice to educate their children at home
(either full-time or part-time) should be applauded and respected for
making this choice. While not everyone will agree that it is the best
choice for their own family it's important that those who don't
homeschool respect those who do and vice versa.
Looking at the New Deal with Amity Shlaes
One of the most fascinating books I have read over the last few months is The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression. Actually, in reading the book I was amazed at how much President Barack Obama's economic policies are like that of FDR. Needless to say, that was not comforting.
Recently I had the opportunity to talk with Amity Shlaes, author of the book. Click here to read more about our conversation and what she had to say about the current economic crisis.
Dilbert on Political Hypocrites
Via Hot Air, this strip from Dilbert had me laughing out loud:
Memo to Washington: before you start criticizing these executives for flying around in corporate jets how about you give up your own private jets first.
‘Time’ Publishes Definitive Obama Puff Piece
OMG, The Onion has published a hilarious article mocking the fawning of the MSM over Obama:
The article, which follows Obama for 12 days during his campaign, was
written by reporter Chris Sherwood, and is relentless in its attempt to
capture the candidate at his most poised and polished. Sherwood said
the profile easily trumps all other fluff pieces in its effort to
expose the presidential candidate for who he really is: "an awesome
guy."
Nice.
A priceless moment in black politics
Getting a degree to be able to put the title "Reverend" before your name - $20K
Cost of air time given by the MSM to discuss your disagreement with Obama on blacks needing to take responsibility for siring children –
$ MILLIONS
Not realizing the microphone is on when whispering
"I’d like to cut his n*ts off"
Related Posts:
Jesse Helms: 1921-2008
This past July 4, Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. died. Helms is another conservative icon whom liberals love to hate and ridicule, not only for his longstanding outspoken positions against abortion, affirmative action, government arts funding, gay rights and AIDS research funding, but for his sometimes rude and racial remarks, thick southern drawl and less than pretty face (he’s no Ronald Reagan). Jesse on abortion and the 9/11 attack:
This is indeed another kind of
holocaust, by another name. At last count, more than 40 million unborn
children have been deliberately, intentionally destroyed. What word
adequately defines the scope of such slaughter? [After 9/11]
the American people responded with shock, sadness and a deep and
righteous anger — and rightly so. Yet let us not forget that every
passing day in our country, more than three thousand innocent Americans
are killed [through abortion].
Thomas Jefferson on Intelligent Design
We are all aware that Thomas Jefferson was one of the more skeptical founding fathers when it came to Christianity and religion. However, many might find it surprising to see that Jefferson found it inconceivable to think that there is no design or designer in nature (of course, he was pre-Darwin ;):
I hold (without appeal to revelation) that when we take a view of the Universe, in its parts general or particular, it
is impossible for the human mind not to perceive and feel a conviction
of design, consummate skill, and indefinite power in every atom of its
composition. (emphasis added)
The
movements of the heavenly bodies, so exactly held in their course by
the balance of centrifugal and centripetal forces, the structure of our
earth itself, with its distribution of lands, waters and atmosphere,
animal and vegetable bodies, examined in all their minutest particles,
insects mere atoms of life, yet as perfectly organised as man or
mammoth, the mineral substances, their generation and uses, it is
impossible, I say, for the human mind not to believe that there is, in
all this, design, cause and effect, up to an ultimate cause, a
fabricator of all things from matter and motion, their preserver and
regulator while permitted to exist in their present forms, and their
regenerator into new and other forms.
Upcoming Faith-based movies
Like contemporary Christian music in the early days, Christian film is very immature, preachy, poorly written schlock. But I can always hope that the quality will eventually go from poor mimicry to industry leading, as CCM has done in some ways. I know that Walden Media keeps backing family friendly and Christian content. Here are some upcoming films which might break the barrier that Thr3e and Facing the Giants almost did. But the titles show that these are still ideological in nature. We’ll see.
- Come What May
- Fireproof (same Director as Facing the Giants)
- Me & You, Us, Forever (straight to DVD ;)
- No Greater Love
- Standing Firm
For even more, check out Christian Film News.
Related Posts:
Bathroom Wars – Colorado lets trannies into opposite sex rest rooms
It seems that Colorado has passed a law allowing transvestites to use the bathroom of their choice. What a victory! Now men who think they are women can join women in the women’s rest room! How egalitarian. How comforting. I can just picture my 8 year old daughter in the bathroom while some guy in a dress delicately adjusts his johnson at the sink.
Even worse, I can see butch women trying to make a go of the men’s room without being harassed, and then trying to press harassment charges when men rightly ridicule them, asking them how big their own johnson might be. As I suggested (humorously) in Transgender Rights override women’s rights:
We can either separate men and women by their God-given biology, or we
need to create new spaces for the now FOUR possible genders.
Bill Maher ridicules faith in upcoming Religulous movie
For those who haven’t seen this interesting piece of sarcasm masquerading as a documentary coming, Bill Maher has created a documentary named Religulous that will have many religious people up in arms, and many anti-religionists cheering (though some atheists are already recoiling in shame and disgust). From the trailer:
"It worries me that people are running my country that believe in a talking snake."
"Santa Clause can hit every house in the world in one night…of course not…[but] one man hearing everyone murmur to Him at the same time, that I get."
