Some Comments on Theonomy

For some helpful and entertaining commentary I recommend the essay available here:

http://theonomists.blogspot.com/

While few Theonomists wish to still lay claim to the name, the general concepts are alive and well.

Forgotten Moldova

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russia-tries-to-keep-moldova-from-getting-close-to-eu-a-956597.html

With everything going on in the Ukraine I've been wondering why there hasn't been more discussion about Transnistria, Moldova, Abkhazia and the 'game' going on in Central Asia. A larger perspective on the geopolitics and history since the end of the Cold War would help people to understand why the US/EU and Russia are in this tug-of-war over Ukraine.

Bitcoin Creator Exposed?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/us-bitcoin-inventor-idUSBREA252D820140307

Of course he doesn't want to be identified!

With as many curses as the Internet has brought and all the potentialities for government power, there are also the blessings and opportunities.

Multinational Industrial Agriculture: A Spoke in the Imperial Wheel

Through Wikileaks we learned that the Bush administration wanted to punish EU countries that wouldn't accept the importation and use of genetically modified (GM) crops. This wasn't the first time the administration went to bat for Monsanto and the 'Big Agra' conglomerates.

Even a blind squirrel gets an acorn every once in awhile.....

But in the case of Palin I don't think she really got an acorn. I too used to live in Wasilla Alaska but just living there didn't make me an expert on geopolitics.

An ICBM test turned into a propaganda point

Several times today I heard an example of irresponsible news reporting.

The Russians just tested an ICBM and of course this made the news because of the current crisis in Ukraine... or 'the' Ukraine depending on your politics.

The Opt Out: The Supreme Court's contribution to the undermining of the Affordable Care Act

Advocates and defenders of the Affordable Care Act cheered in 2012 when the Supreme Court upheld the legislation. Rather than a mandate, mandatory participation was viewed as a tax and on those grounds was able to stand and not violate the various Constitutional concerns.

Put No Confidence in Princes: The Romeike Asylum Case

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/03/supreme_court_wont_hear_german_home_school_case/

I feel terrible for the Romeike family. While I do not agree with those that they've thrown in with or those that have taken up their cause, I still empathize with their situation.

The Scary State of Law Enforcement and the Judiciary

Many will have already heard of this case but it continues to make the news. The 'West Memphis Three' is another sad tale of out of control investigators and prosecutors who desperate to solve a case end up convicting innocent people. And then when exposed, rather than admit they were irresponsible in their investigation, do all they can to continue to destroy the lives of the innocent people they have incarcerated. In many cases the actual guilty parties end up escaping.

The Euxine Crisis: Russia, America and Europe

One of the primary reasons the United States invaded Panama in 1989 was to ostensibly protect the lives of its citizens. Few were convinced of this as the timing was more than a little coincidental.

A Few More Comments on Vocation

This is a recent edition of Issues Etc.... dealing with the topic of Vocation.

http://issuesetc.org/2014/02/28/3-the-dignity-of-christian-vocations-edie-wadsworth-22814/

In this programme the guest specifically speaks of our work being sanctified and led by the Spirit. I don't believe this is warranted from a study of the New Testament.

The Fall of the House of Gothard

http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/28/conservative-leader-bill-gothard-placed-administrative-leave-following-abuse-allegations/

Very interesting. The article also mentions Doug Phillips of Vision Forum. Phillips is the son of the late Howard Phillips a name well known in Theonomic and Christian Right circles.

The End of Posse Comitatus

Here's another interesting tale regarding the use of agents provocateurs. In this case it was the US military attempting to infiltrate peace and veteran groups involved in anti-war activities.

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/25/exclusive_inside_the_army_spy_ring

Textual Criticism and Canon

I'm reposting this with an additional link. Kruger does a good job casting the issue of Canon in theological rather than strictly historical terms. This is essential to understanding the issues and helps explain the contemporary struggles over this issue.

Here's the new link:

http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc318/

The State Department Game Concerning Language: Honduras, Egypt, Central and East Africa

The government rarely wants to specifically or openly endorse the overthrow of another government. To declare 'regime change' is a posture of war. Bush did it, but diplomats cringed. You only do something like that if you're ready to start shooting. These things are best done quietly especially if the reasons behind it are not something you really want to talk about.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jul/01/honduras-zelaya-coup-obama

This also happened in Egypt. Sometimes the government can support a coup while officially not endorsing it.

There are other times when the US projects certain values pertaining to Human Rights and yet is allied with regimes that systematically violate them. You can be sure the media won't cover it and if they do, it will be spun.

Wikileaks, Change and the Chain of Command

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ca1HsC6MH0

It's taken quite a bit of time but things are still being extracted from the Wikileaks releases. Much of the information has proven mundane but some of it is very instructive especially if collated with other available information.

The World's Wisdom and the Corporate-Political System

http://www.npr.org/2014/02/13/276448190/a-closer-look-at-how-corporations-influence-congress

This is a helpful discussion which illustrates how the corporate-political relationship works. I think if anything this reporter is a bit naive. I'm far more cynical than he is.

Dominion Mercenaries in Africa

I was reminded of this today. It's been quite a few years and I had forgotten about these incidents.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/bachmann-staffer-arrested-for-terrorism-in-uganda-in-2006/243711/

http://www.startribune.com/politics/200976111.html

A confusing mess to be sure, but it's interesting how these worlds overlap. American politics, business and Africa, not as strange of a brew as it might sound.

Thought-Crime, Entrapment and Blackmail

With the tracking of virtually all data and the synthesis and analysis of everything we're doing, we are reaching a point that is reminiscent of themes out of some of the most frightening dystopian fiction.

Thought-crime is becoming a reality.

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/judge-convicts-man-who-had-thoughts-about-shooting-up-theater-store/-/21048998/24220610/-/9cb76cz/-/index.html

This story is terrifying. I'm not defending the kid. He's more stupid than anything else. But he didn't actually 'do' anything. CBS also covered this a few weeks ago.

Unitary Power and the Praetorians

 

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/article/2014/02/10/the-nsas-secret-role/

This is an interesting story regarding the way the government is integrating meta-data and using it to target people. Obama has in every way continued the general trajectory of Bush administration policies with regard to the Terror-War... a permanent war which is fundamentally changing the way the American government functions.

People of the Book

We practice Family Worship in my home. Every day we attempt to read some portion of Scripture accompanied by discussion and the occasional hymn or two. I have impressed on my children the absolute wickedness of failing to acknowledge and show gratitude to the God who sustains and has saved us.

Nye vs. Ham

When I first heard Ken Ham would be debating Bill Nye I wasn't very pleased. I feared he would fare poorly and I'm sorry to say I was right. I can't imagine anyone would be overly impressed with his performance.

Selective Memory, Spin, and Possible Impeachment in 2015

Following up on the Pilgrim Path article (Angels of Light...) here's an example of selective memory.

http://news.yahoo.com/rep-paul-broun-back-obama-impeachment-171835906--abc-news-politics.html

Sometimes Actions Do Speak Louder Than Words

Empty Talk.

It's sad but that's what flowing from many Christian mouths... sometimes those that are speaking the loudest.

The Myopic Sacralism of Metaxas

While I was thawing out some frozen pipes this morning I heard this on the radio. I disagree with the BreakPoint commentary virtually every day, but this one inspired me to say something...

An Accurate Observation About the State of the Union Speech

I'm not normally a big Lew Rockwell fan. He's good on some things. He's great when it comes to criticizing state power but not so good when it comes to some other things.

But this statement conveyed exactly what I was thinking and feeling during that moment....

The Candid Kissinger and Elite Values

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR5p09NTrkg#t=27

"In Haig's presence, Kissinger referred pointedly to military men as 'dumb, stupid animals to be used' as pawns for foreign policy." 

– Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, The Final Days, p. 208

Of course that would have been more than a little insulting to Haig, a career military man. But Haig had never really been part of the 'grunt' world that Kissinger was referring to. From the beginning Haig was one of those officers on a special trajectory. Only certain types of people end up in the general class of officers. He was certainly the type of person to be 'in control'.

India, Pakistan and the US Pivot to East Asia

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/SOU-01-270114.html

There are many in Washington who would be quite pleased if India in failing to 'keep up' with China would be driven into the arms of the United States. This process has already been underway for some years. It would have probably happened sooner but for the policies of Indira Gandhi.

The Divide between Geopolitical Strategy and Public Perception

http://www.salon.com/2007/10/12/wesley_clark/

This news has been out for awhile and it's nothing too shocking but it was noticeably absent from the mainstream media.

Wesley Clark is the retired general who made a run for president back in 2004. I remember when he entered the race, I thought he would probably have a pretty good chance. Kerry being a New Englander would struggle to win over Southern and Midwestern swing voters. Kennedy had to pick Johnson in order to win that block.

A Proxy Battlefield and Potential Powder Keg in the Ukraine

http://ericmargolis.com/2014/01/dont-let-kiev-become-another-sarajevo/

Margolis accurately describes the danger and realities of the situation in Ukraine.

A little context might be helpful...

Dirty Wars, Alliances, Strategic Objectives and most important of all...Profits

http://www.constantinereport.com/alabama-coal-company-bankrolled-colombian-death-squads/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101493385

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/07/03/353432/-GOP-Backers-Drummond-Co-linked-to-Death-Squads#

http://www.drummondco.com/our-people/company-culture/

While you will not find these stories on the evening news or even in mainstream American newspapers, they're quite familiar fare. In this case we're speaking about US energy companies hiring death squads in South America. Shocking? Not in the least. People have been trying to sound the alarm about this for decades. This story comes out of Columbia.

Mohler's Dubious take on Downton Abbey

http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/01/10/downton-abbey-and-the-modern-age-what-are-we-really-watching/

Southern Baptist Seminary president Albert Mohler is considered one of the spokesmen and intellectual leaders of the Evangelical movement. He's also highly respected in Calvinistic circles as a leader who helped to recapture a large mainstream institution within the Southern Baptist Convention.

Faux-Victories and the Spread of Fear: Les Agents Provocateurs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/todd-gitlin/agents-provocateurs_b_3509981.html

This is but one link in a long story that can absorb a reader for many hours. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies have a long history of using Agents Provocateurs... planted infiltrators which not only gather evidence but seek to provoke political dissidents or criminal elements to commit crimes.

'Post'-ing Lies For Profit

Regardless of what you think about Food Stamps and other Great Society programmes it is instructive to realize that FOX news is using one of the oldest tricks in the book.

The Ailes-Murdoch Network- Entertainment and Loud, Poorly Attired Women

http://www.npr.org/2014/01/16/263063731/book-chronicles-the-building-of-roger-ailes-fox-news-empire

I remember before my conversion I really thought quite highly of Roger Ailes. This was several years before he was commissioned by Rupert Murdoch to start FOX news.

Lloyd-Jones on Authority

Reaching for Fox's Book of Martyrs I stumbled across another old friend...  Authority by DM Lloyd-Jones.

It's a small Banner of Truth volume only about 100 pages in length. I remember early in my Christian walk reading this and (it seems kind of simple now) grasping how central the issue of authority was.

Flip and Spin- US Foreign Policy and Apartheid South Africa

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/10/world/cia-tie-reported-in-mandela-arrest.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/cia-involvement-nelson-mandela-arrest-2014-1

Earlier this evening I was watching the recent Frontline programme on North Korea. Obviously many citizens reject the unbelievable propaganda which supports the Kim dynasty but fear forces conformity. While they may reject it, they're afraid their neighbour might be a true believer.

Drug Wars- Allies and Enemies in -The Game-

While the United States has long played a controlling and interventionist role in Mexican politics, it seems to have reached new heights with Felipe Calderon's escalation of the Drug War in 2006.

Since then tens of thousands of people have died and as usual the drugs keep coming. However, the Drug War is a massive business in and of itself and it must be asked... do those in power really want it stop?

Empirical Theology... The Road into Darkness

This is a very sobering testimonial from a young woman who has apostatized and is on her way to hell.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/07/15/the-atheist-daughter-of-a-notable-christian-apologist-shares-her-story/

It's very sad to read and I cannot imagine the grief and sorrow her parents are experiencing as a result of this.

Hoover's Secrets and the Integrity of Law in a Time of Social Upheaval

http://retroreport.org/stealing-j-edgar-hoovers-secrets/

I found this to be a very interesting little video (13mins) dealing with the activists who took pretty desperate measures to counter Hoover's FBI.

Sacral (Not Sacred) Architecture

http://issuesetc.org/2014/01/13/3-church-architecture-chad-bird-11314/

This programme deals with Church architecture and is critical of the Mega-Churches which have adopted the sports arena model for their meetings. The guest argues that Church architecture is theological.

The Raging Soul

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/515/good-guys?act=4

This is a link to a 1-hour programme but I'm only interesting in sharing the last 20 minutes. This link will skip you ahead to about 37:00, you'll pick up the story of a soldier. If you come in on the tail end of the underwater cave story it's immediately after that.

Gates the Rabshakeh

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/01/13/261419660/gates-obama-made-solid-decisions-but-was-swayed-by-factious-staff

Robert Gates is one of the nexus-players, one of the power brokers who navigate the spheres of power. Secretaries of Defense in particular wield massive multi-tiered influence in transcending the political, military and corporate worlds that make up the plutocratic Oligarchy of American Empire.

Unanswered and vexing questions concerning Angola and Africa at large...

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/economics/2012/04/moving-portugal-angola

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-14716410

What does the 21^st century hold for post-colonial nations like Angola? The end of colonialism created a host of new African nations but also unleashed a new round of bloodshed and exploitation.

The Presbyterian Gospel

http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc313/

This podcast is only for those who can stomach Presbyterian polity. I myself cannot...except that it reinforces one of my life maxims.

"I wake up every day, look in the mirror and thank God that I'm not a Presbyterian."

World War II Podcasts

'Angry Days' Shows An America Torn Over Entering World War II

After WWII, Europe Was A 'Savage Continent' Of Devastation

 

Here are a couple of interesting interviews from NPR's Fresh Air. Both deal with aspects of World War II that have been largely ignored by our culture and its myth-making endeavours regarding 'The Good War'.

Attack The System: An Interview with Todd Lewis

http://attackthesystem.com/2013/11/28/attack-the-system-an-interview-with-todd-lewis/

This is a long but interesting podcast. I appreciate the viewpoints of the guest. Anarchism is little understood in Christian circles, particularly those that are Conservative and wish to defend some form of the old establishment order.

A Power Grab Within the American Establishment

Who can see it? Everyone but the American public.

 

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/CBIZ-01-231213.html

 

It's well established that the US military-intelligence community often works in tandem with American corporate interests. In fact it has been a deliberate though unstated policy to weave the financial, military and intelligence communities together into a seamless garment. They each supplement each other and work toward promoting American power. This is the wonder and dominance of American power. Only Rome approached this kind of comprehensive dominance but even the City on Seven Hills pales in comparison.

Obama and The Left

The Obamacare We Deserve at ICH

I realize Michael Moore is less than popular in Christian circles and I will be the first to admit that his documentaries, while humourous are hardly objective, responsible or journalistic. That doesn't mean that they're completely false either.

The silliness is probably more of a commentary on the state of American audiences than Michael Moore. The average American can't sit through a real newscast (there aren't any on American television) let alone a real documentary. And this zombie-ish-ness is by no means restricted to 'liberal' audiences. All you have to do is watch a few hours of FOX if you have any doubts, or even better listen to some Rush Limbaugh, Beck or for a real straining of the old IQ... Sean Hannity.

Missionary Biographies

Though I have not been writing, I have not been idle.

I'm always reading new books as well as revisiting old ones. I'm not sure why but recently I was inspired to pick up and re-read a few missionary biographies.

The one "God's Smuggler" by Brother Andrew was a delight to read. When I read it many years ago I was still something of a Reformed partisan and thus was a little more critical of him. Now, I was able to appreciate him in a new light and couldn't help but chuckle as he was in part rejected by some of the Dutch Reformed because he wasn't properly 'affiliated'.

Self-Styled Christian broadcaster Paul Crouch dies aged 79

I was driving down a snowy road today when I heard this. I tremble whenever I hear about one of these guys dying. He has stood before the Judgment seat of Christ and I don't think it went well for him.

This one is gone, but I'm sure three more will quickly take his place.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/01/us-usa-paulcrouch-idUSBRE9B002Q20131201

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

The Lesser Magistrate Heresy

 http://vcyamerica.org/blog/2013/11/21/the-doctrine-of-the-lesser-magistrates

Here's a link to a CrossTalk programme. It's not a show I would recommend and to be honest I often have a hard time even listening to it. It's one of the worst programmes out there but out of morbid curiosity I listen every once in awhile. The guest Matt Trewhella is sort of the 'main guy' for really pushing the Lesser Magistrate doctrine.

Panama, North Korea, The Canal and America

Panama Seizes North Korean Ship Carrying Weapons of War

Hardly wishing to sound like an apologist for North Korea, what gives Panama the right to stop this ship? It is well known the Panamanian government is a puppet to American interests. Reagan for all intents and purposes undid Carter's Canal negotiations and GHW Bush killed thousands there to insure American hegemony.

Would-be Cops and Race in America

I don't usually spend a great deal of time following the sensational tabloid type news stories but this George Zimmerman case has been different. Why? Because I've noticed that in particular the Christian community has been active in following it and the blogosphere has also been quite busy with regard to this case.

Controversies surrounding Al Jazeera and their coverage of Egypt

I've been enjoying the coverage regarding Al Jazeera. They've been slammed because of perceived bias...it has been suggested they are promoting the cause of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

First I will only point out that the American public has not yet grasped or come to terms with the fact that the United States has backed yet another coup d'état and collaborated with yet another military regime.

Lone voices of truth in a world of lies

http://ericmargolis.com/2013/07/spying-run-amok/

The media spins, manipulates and often softens the news to flatter their corporate masters.

The politicians look right into the camera and lie. They speak of shock and disapproval. They say they're investigating and carefully monitoring. In reality they're either scheming of complicit.

Politicians care only about maintaining power. Nothing else matters.

American money backed anti-Morsi protests

This story has proven to be very controversial. People are shocked at the suggestion. Yet, if people knew a little more history they would realize this was expected and fits a long pattern going back (at the very least) to Italy just after WW2. This is an old tactic. The difference today? You can't pull it off as easy and remain in the shadows.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/07/2013710113522489801.html

Pan-Turkism and the 21st Century Great Game

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-319926-ihh-warns-of-possible-massacre-in-xinjiang.html

Central Asia is a key region in the post Cold War geopolitical game. Even during the Cold War American Intelligence services supported Pan-Turkism as a means to destabilize the USSR’s southern frontier…today’s ‘Stan’ countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Snowden in Moscow and Morales in Vienna

http://wikileaks.org/Statement-from-Edward-Snowden-in.html

An interesting statement from Snowden although perhaps I am more surprised that someone in his position is surprised by American actions.

Non-Independence Day in Egypt: Cautious Optimism or Impending Doom?

A few comments on the fall of Morsi and what’s happening in Egypt and the Islamic world.

It’s interesting how in this case even the mainstream media seems to acknowledge the Pentagon’s role in communicating with the Egyptian military.

The Camp David Accords which resulted in Sadat’s assassination was a geopolitical and diplomatic coup. Egypt was wrenched from the Soviet sphere and brought into the American column. The security mechanism which guarantees the status quo has always been the Egyptian military. This model replicated what the United States has done in Turkey, Chile and other nations as well.