Evangelisation and the American Right's Allies in Israel

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Msgr.-Shomali:-anti-evangelisation-law-in-the-Knesset-violates-'freedom-of-conscience'.-58028.html

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is a centrist when compared to his coalition partners, understands the critical need for US Evangelical support and while he undoubtedly views his American backers as useful idiots and does not want to see their brand of Christianity flourish in his country, he doesn't want to unnecessarily antagonize them – and thus has (since this initial writing) made moves to counter this legislation which would block their missionary work. Besides given the near uprising over his proposed reform of the judiciary, he's got much bigger problems and needs his American backers at a time like this.

Charging Admission for Worship

It's one thing for Christian musicians to compose works that are informed or influenced by the faith and the ideas associated with it. But when such music is labeled 'Christian' then several important lines are blurred. It becomes a form of 'sacred' music in the minds of many and as such its performance can be associated with worship.

The Offensive Nature of Missile Defense Systems

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/03/06/south-korea-kill-web/

This ship has long sailed and the situation between North and South Korea is a bit different due to the geopolitics, unresolved conflict, and sheer proximity, but the systems outlined in this article demonstrate what must be called the offensive nature of missile defense systems.

When Criminal Trespass is Legal

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/greenpeace-protesters-cleared-of-charges-for-blockading-russian-ship

This story from back in January never gained any traction. It was but one of many of a similar type that seems omnipresent within the news but never subject to analysis or question.

The Rotten Harvest of a Popular Homeschool Ethos

https://www.christianpost.com/news/austin-bomber-was-christian-homeschooled-opposed-gay-marriage-abortion-221869/

A recent conversation led me to revisit the Austin Bombings back in 2018. In some respects I'm surprised there hasn't been more of this sort of thing – more Christian Terrorism as it were.

There are many people of similar mindset and developing in the same matrix of ideas. Some can't deal with all the implications and pressures and become radicalized.

A New App in China

https://www.christianpost.com/news/chinese-christians-must-register-to-attend-church-service-report.html

No, this isn't about TikTok but about a state sponsored registry app for Christians within China and the reporting failures of the Evangelical infotainment, tabloid, and spin factories that try to pass themselves off as news.

The Witherspoon-Princeton Controversy

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/should-john-witherspoons-statue-remain-at-princeton.html

The Capitalist decadence masquerading as Cultural Revolution is now targeting the statue of John Witherspoon at Princeton University. Witherspoon was a pivotal figure in the school's history and is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a slaveholder, the activists of the hour want his statue (or monument) removed and his legacy tarred.

The Dynamics of Perseverance

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/preserved-god

Leaving aside the misguided (though not unexpected) use of a Winston Churchill quote, the problem with Parsons' argument is that he doesn't define what saving faith is. And interestingly if you get a half-dozen Confessional theologians into a room and ask this question, you'll likely end up with a heated debate and a lack of consensus.

The Meaning of Blinken's Trip to Central Asia

https://eurasianet.org/blinken-strikes-reassuring-tone-in-dialogue-with-central-asian-partners

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a recent trip to Central Asia and despite attempts by Western media to spin the visit in a positive light – it is being almost universally acknowledged as a failure. The Central Asian states refuse to back US-sponsored resolutions in the UN that would condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and they clearly rejected Blinken's overtures – recognizing them for what they are, an attempt at warmongering.

More Just War Lies

https://issuesetc.org/2022/06/29/1802-just-war-dr-jonathan-shaw-6-29-22/

The fact that Jonathan Shaw is a retired military chaplain already discredits him and identifies him as one sold out to the military machine, and one that was willing to make endless compromises in order to do so. Military chaplains are not worthy of any regard or respect. They are to be rebuked.

That said, let's consider some of his points with regard to the Just War tradition.

The Ethics of Cobalt

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara

Listening to this sad and disturbing but already well documented story of Cobalt mining in the Congo, I found myself frustrated on multiple levels.

An Encounter with Mr. Covid

We finally found a church that we want to attend. Unfortunately it's an over an hour away and in a direction that we almost never go and has never appealed to us. We don't like the drive and the culture changes a bit over that way. Our entire area could be characterised as Trump country, with some areas voting for him in the seventy and eighty percentile range, but this town has always been on the extreme. Even during the peak of Covid, the town in question always had the highest counts and was the most recalcitrant to any kind of mitigation efforts. We just don't like the place much but we found this church that (all things considered) has been somewhat encouraging.

Western Finance: Feeding on the Chaos

https://scheerpost.com/2023/02/16/zelensky-signs-agreement-with-jp-morgan-on-ukraines-reconstruction/

Profits are on the rise. The railroad industry is booming and Norfolk Southern is buying back stocks to increase their value even as they throw crumbs at the people in East Palestine, Ohio.  Utility companies across the United States and the world are raising prices even amid what are in some cases record profits.