Wow. Have we not gradually slipped into Tyranny?
Being 70+ years of age, I recall the freedoms I had back in the 40s.
Since then, those more equal than myself have defined and proscribe my "freedoms" such that I am now a Serf.
In the vernacular, Wassup?
When, in God's good providence will a legion of Shamgars rise?
The sooner, the better, since my days have been determined.
Big, Dumb, and Ugly
Pearcey Report
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Miraculous versus Moral
Absent any consideration of the 1st through 3rd Century, succeeding generations of believers came to rely on the Miraculous versus the Moral as it came to considerations relative to the Kingdom’s advance.
Each succeeding generation seems to have forgotten the parable of the leaven in the lump of dough.
To me, personally, 2 things are obvious: 1) the lump of dough is to be and will be leavened, and 2) we haven’t the foggiest idea as to what the final product will look like.
In both areas we have failed, historically, and abjectly.
Might we not be more judicious in our focus on teaching the word rightly handled while affording folk to be “…fully persuaded in their own minds…”
Just a thought
Each succeeding generation seems to have forgotten the parable of the leaven in the lump of dough.
To me, personally, 2 things are obvious: 1) the lump of dough is to be and will be leavened, and 2) we haven’t the foggiest idea as to what the final product will look like.
In both areas we have failed, historically, and abjectly.
Might we not be more judicious in our focus on teaching the word rightly handled while affording folk to be “…fully persuaded in their own minds…”
Just a thought
Mad Dog of the Middle East
Observing our President abjectly demonstrating obeisance to a foreign dignitary, it dawned on me where the real politick power lies.
No, it is not Achmadinnejad, though he is a bull in a china closet or maybe a rabid dog running wild.
But, in comparative terms he is a piker compared to Benyamin Netanyahu.
The later is far more likely to promote a catastrophic conflagration in the Middle East to the detriment of nations with little to no interest in the area, save for oil.
Maybe, this is ultimately for the long-term best.
Zionism will suffer a significantly long-term setback, the West will be forced to re-think its perspective and priorities, the East will rise to assume a new and long-term role in civilization’s march, allowing Christianity time to reassess its fascination with Zionism and return, after years of suffering, to a more biblically oriented Gospel of the kingdom focus.
Hey…this is just one man’s focus having observed 60+ years of Evangelicalism’s infatuation with a biblically bankrupt ideology.
Oh, well; we live and hopefully learn
No, it is not Achmadinnejad, though he is a bull in a china closet or maybe a rabid dog running wild.
But, in comparative terms he is a piker compared to Benyamin Netanyahu.
The later is far more likely to promote a catastrophic conflagration in the Middle East to the detriment of nations with little to no interest in the area, save for oil.
Maybe, this is ultimately for the long-term best.
Zionism will suffer a significantly long-term setback, the West will be forced to re-think its perspective and priorities, the East will rise to assume a new and long-term role in civilization’s march, allowing Christianity time to reassess its fascination with Zionism and return, after years of suffering, to a more biblically oriented Gospel of the kingdom focus.
Hey…this is just one man’s focus having observed 60+ years of Evangelicalism’s infatuation with a biblically bankrupt ideology.
Oh, well; we live and hopefully learn
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
A Tribute
Approximately sixty years ago, it was my good fortune in the providence of God to be adjudicated by the Juvenile Court of MN and placed under the supervision of a Probation Officer whose name I cannot recall and who subsequently effected my residence in The Victory Farm for Boys in Ortonville, MN.
The ministry of the Victory Farm for Boys did not last long after my departure in 1955; maybe another 5 years.
At that time, Jim and Barb Larsen were the resident house-parents, both of whom came to be my surrogate parents, to my great delight and good fortune.
Words cannot do justice to their impact on my life. Each served as a role model. Jim, as a father and husband; and Barb as a wife and mother.
Through their lives and ministry I came face to face with the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, again, in the good providence of God had my eyes of understanding opened to the Truth.
Through their lives I was able to experience a "normal" childhood.
At the same time, I must acknowledge the gracious acceptance on the part of my classmates at Ortonville High School. Without their acceptance, life would have been miserable. With their acceptance, life was awesome.
For their acceptance and contributions, (the Larsen's most especially and my classmates as well) the extent of which I only came to appreciate in my later Adult years, I am eternally grateful.
May their tribe increase.
The ministry of the Victory Farm for Boys did not last long after my departure in 1955; maybe another 5 years.
At that time, Jim and Barb Larsen were the resident house-parents, both of whom came to be my surrogate parents, to my great delight and good fortune.
Words cannot do justice to their impact on my life. Each served as a role model. Jim, as a father and husband; and Barb as a wife and mother.
Through their lives and ministry I came face to face with the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, again, in the good providence of God had my eyes of understanding opened to the Truth.
Through their lives I was able to experience a "normal" childhood.
At the same time, I must acknowledge the gracious acceptance on the part of my classmates at Ortonville High School. Without their acceptance, life would have been miserable. With their acceptance, life was awesome.
For their acceptance and contributions, (the Larsen's most especially and my classmates as well) the extent of which I only came to appreciate in my later Adult years, I am eternally grateful.
May their tribe increase.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Well, then. What Next?
Well, then: what does that mean?
Bottom line: every man does that which is right in God’s eyes!
Immediately, one expects to hear cries of “Anarchy”!
I personally find it strange when folk cry “anarchy” while at the same time holding to Romans 2:14,15 AND Common Grace.
Admittedly, Adam’s Stain is deep and pervasive.
Still, the goodness of God is such, IMO, that ADAM never completely governs creation. If such were the case, i.e. Adam’s stain completely obtained, it ought to be “hell on earth”.
Irrespective of the awfulness of sin’s impact in time, it cannot be compared with the horrors of Hell, how long those horrors obtain!
Believers are never, can never, be managed by “anarchistic” tendencies. Believers are ever and always subject to “…the law of Christ…”.
The question needing to be addressed is: how does the Law of Christ manifest itself in the life of a believer living under Mao, Benito, Adolph, Margaret, Ronald, GW. Hugo C, or whomever?
Typically, IMO, Evangelicals have trumpeted “passive submission” to authority, with the implication of servile obedience. This mind-set, IMO, only served the advance of evil, however well intentioned.
Bottom line: every man does that which is right in God’s eyes!
Immediately, one expects to hear cries of “Anarchy”!
I personally find it strange when folk cry “anarchy” while at the same time holding to Romans 2:14,15 AND Common Grace.
Admittedly, Adam’s Stain is deep and pervasive.
Still, the goodness of God is such, IMO, that ADAM never completely governs creation. If such were the case, i.e. Adam’s stain completely obtained, it ought to be “hell on earth”.
Irrespective of the awfulness of sin’s impact in time, it cannot be compared with the horrors of Hell, how long those horrors obtain!
Believers are never, can never, be managed by “anarchistic” tendencies. Believers are ever and always subject to “…the law of Christ…”.
The question needing to be addressed is: how does the Law of Christ manifest itself in the life of a believer living under Mao, Benito, Adolph, Margaret, Ronald, GW. Hugo C, or whomever?
Typically, IMO, Evangelicals have trumpeted “passive submission” to authority, with the implication of servile obedience. This mind-set, IMO, only served the advance of evil, however well intentioned.
The believer and Government
Passive Obedience and the New Covenant.
Does the New Covenant inculcate a mind-set of passive obedience on the part of the believer as it pertains to the issue of submission to “the powers that be”?
Under the Old Covenant administration, obedience was the watchword since God was the Ruler of an ethnic entity under His divine tutelage administered via Covenant Document, King, Priesthood and His servants, the prophets.
But, all this changed that last evening when the Lord Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant; a Covenant distinctly different from the Old Covenant. This difference was signaled in Jeremiah’s prophecy, Jeremiah 31:31-34 and during Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7: but I say unto you…).
One suspects this change, its impact and associated implications were not immediately apparent to “the twelve” when uttered by the Lord, Jesus and their subsequent understanding grew during the unfolding years following Pentecost.
One might be justified in recognizing the cautionary admonitions of Paul (Romans 13:1ff), Peter (1 Peter 2:13), and Titus (Titus 3;1ff) given the developing conflict with Rome on the part of the Jewish nation. I say cautionary in that none of the three explicate the implications of “submission” vs. “obedience”.
At that historical moment I suspect the typical auditor would equate the two as synonymous.
Yet, they are not.
For nearly two millennia, “Passive submission” has been the prevailing mindset of not only the believing community, but that of the non-believing community as well.
Might I be so bold as to suggest “passive submission” is not an aspect of a “leavening influence”?
“Passive submission” might also be known as conformity, compromise, adaptation?
I readily acknowledge the value of conformity, compromise and adaptation but only to the degree that truth precedes. If truth does not precede, then error, in its multitudinous forms obtains or holds the day.
“Incrementalism”, as a political strategy is legitimate, IMO, insofar as Truth leads error or Pragmatism.
But, in almost every instance where Truth has yielded to Pragmatism, Truth has been lost.
Does the New Covenant inculcate a mind-set of passive obedience on the part of the believer as it pertains to the issue of submission to “the powers that be”?
Under the Old Covenant administration, obedience was the watchword since God was the Ruler of an ethnic entity under His divine tutelage administered via Covenant Document, King, Priesthood and His servants, the prophets.
But, all this changed that last evening when the Lord Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant; a Covenant distinctly different from the Old Covenant. This difference was signaled in Jeremiah’s prophecy, Jeremiah 31:31-34 and during Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7: but I say unto you…).
One suspects this change, its impact and associated implications were not immediately apparent to “the twelve” when uttered by the Lord, Jesus and their subsequent understanding grew during the unfolding years following Pentecost.
One might be justified in recognizing the cautionary admonitions of Paul (Romans 13:1ff), Peter (1 Peter 2:13), and Titus (Titus 3;1ff) given the developing conflict with Rome on the part of the Jewish nation. I say cautionary in that none of the three explicate the implications of “submission” vs. “obedience”.
At that historical moment I suspect the typical auditor would equate the two as synonymous.
Yet, they are not.
For nearly two millennia, “Passive submission” has been the prevailing mindset of not only the believing community, but that of the non-believing community as well.
Might I be so bold as to suggest “passive submission” is not an aspect of a “leavening influence”?
“Passive submission” might also be known as conformity, compromise, adaptation?
I readily acknowledge the value of conformity, compromise and adaptation but only to the degree that truth precedes. If truth does not precede, then error, in its multitudinous forms obtains or holds the day.
“Incrementalism”, as a political strategy is legitimate, IMO, insofar as Truth leads error or Pragmatism.
But, in almost every instance where Truth has yielded to Pragmatism, Truth has been lost.
The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization
My first experience with Vishal’s work and am prompted to explore more.
Having just completed for the 3rd time Carey’s bio by his grandson, I was encouraged to read the author’s observations and will read his personal work on Carey.
The book is well written, each section promoting a thesis and illustrated with personal experiences. I felt as if I were reading Barzun, Stark, Paul Johnson with a touch of Schaeffer lurking in the background. Certainly, non-evangelicals will bristle as they read but, for me, an enjoyable experience on my birthday.
Sat down to read and continued to the end. Will obviously recall this birthday experience among the decades of others.
Having just completed for the 3rd time Carey’s bio by his grandson, I was encouraged to read the author’s observations and will read his personal work on Carey.
The book is well written, each section promoting a thesis and illustrated with personal experiences. I felt as if I were reading Barzun, Stark, Paul Johnson with a touch of Schaeffer lurking in the background. Certainly, non-evangelicals will bristle as they read but, for me, an enjoyable experience on my birthday.
Sat down to read and continued to the end. Will obviously recall this birthday experience among the decades of others.
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