As a Christian, this article made me quite angry but I am
thankful that Walter Russell Mead and Mary Habeck are clear in what they
advocate. Though couched in deceitful terms and reliant upon a perversion of
Christian doctrine, their transparent idealism accommodates an attempt to
expose their error and indeed the evil they advocate. And it is just that. Their
form and framing of it and their ideals that govern them are especially
pernicious in that their agenda is promoted in the name of Christ.
25 November 2018
24 November 2018
The NASB 2020
updated April 2019
There are some noteworthy changes taking place in the pending
edition of the New American Standard Bible, set to be released in 2020.
I count these changes as unfortunate and the episode serves
as yet another warning. Though the publishers of the NASB defend their use of
gender-inclusive language on non-feminist/non-egalitarian grounds, I am not convinced.
Not one bit.
False and Dangerous Coverage Surrounding the INF
I have listened to several reports dealing with the US
withdrawal from the INF, or Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty which was
signed by Reagan and Gorbachev in 1987.
Almost all the reports I've heard give only the US side of
the story and buttress Washington's claims that Russia is in violation of the
treaty and thus since it has been rendered practically obsolete, the US
withdrawal only reflects the on-the-ground
reality and will afford Washington the legal cover for further production
of intermediate range weapons. Russia is clearly made out to be the villain.
But this hardly the whole story.
23 November 2018
A Murder in Mali
I had almost deleted The Intercept from my bookmarks. The
news magazine started out as one of the most interesting and cutting edge news
websites in the aftermath of the Snowden affair but has since been appropriated
and even dominated by reporting more or less in line with the Left-wing of the
DNC. It went from being Anti-Establishment to being reformist and advocating
many of the pseudo-Left views represented by people like Bernie Sanders. For
some time it has seemed like Glenn Greenwald is about the only reporter left
who has anything interesting to say.
18 November 2018
Reformation Myths
This article typifies the myth-making surrounding the
Reformation. First, we're told that before the Reformation you couldn't read
the Bible in your own language. It's as if until the Reformation no one had
even tried or attempted to translate the Scriptures. The only way you could
access it (we're told) is if you had taken holy orders.
17 November 2018
Bolsonaro's Biblical Principles
The symbolism was both powerful and by some estimations
poignant. With the Bible and the Brazilian Constitution on the table before
him, Jair Bolsonaro proclaimed the people must learn to 'coexist with the
truth'.
The Real Economy
The economy is booming we're told. It's the best ever, the
president assures us. Of course economics is hardly an exact science. Or some
would argue it is no science at all. Even many of the markers, statistics and
concepts used to illustrate and explain it are in many cases subjective.
I drive around and see a lot of 'Help Wanted' signs and
indeed a lot of people seem to be upbeat about the economy. The stock market
has certainly climbed to unprecedented levels.
But does this really mean the economy is booming?
11 November 2018
Tibetan Turmoil and Intrigue
The current Dalai Lama is 83 years old.
His death will create something of a crisis as the Panchen
Lama is incognito. Effectively second in command the Panchen Lama also plays a
critical role in the selection of the new Dalai Lama. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima who
was selected as the Panchen Lama was taken by Beijing in 1995 when he was but
six years old. He hasn't been seen since but it is believed that he is still
alive in captivity.
08 November 2018
Xi Jinping Reads the Writing on the Wall: China Prepares for War
https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2018/10/30/US-Japan-start-biennial-Keen-Sword-military-exercise/9731540906625/?sl=12
There have been a few headlines regarding Xi Jinping's call
for the Chinese military to 'Prepare for War'. The Chinese leader wasn't
suggesting that war is about to begin, but was signalling that he sees war between
the United States and China as inevitable.
This statement was made two days after retired US general Ben
Hodges stated that there was a 'very strong likelihood' that China and the
United States would be in a state of war within 15 years of today.
Dispensationalists and Evangelicals Dripping in Blood
American Evangelicals love Faustian bargains. The trade-off
with the world has been at the core of the movement since its post-WWII
inception. Bit by bit the movement has dismantled the theology and ethics of
the New Testament in order to seek power and influence.
31 October 2018
Matthew Shepard: A Sodomite Martyr and Saint
The Episcopal Church has been apostate for some time. Long
before the flagrant sodomite Gene Robinson was elected bishop in 2003 the
Episcopal Church had been in a state of sharp doctrinal decline. The
denomination began to turn away from Scriptural authority in earnest and ordain
women back in the 1970's but many conservatives held on until Robinson's
ordination. At that point they began to peel off and either join the Anglican
Church in North America or leave the Anglican heritage altogether.
So in other words, anyone even remotely interested in
Biblical and historic Christianity has broken with American Episcopalianism.
27 October 2018
Brunson Postscript
As a follow-up to this post:
It remains to be seen what he will do, but given that he's
eagerly making the rounds on the news circuit there is the real possibility
that he will grow quite wealthy as a result of this experience.
23 October 2018
The Khashoggi Affair
First let it be stated that there's little doubt that agents
of the bin Salman government killed Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. The dissident
journalist had angered the Saudi regime and clearly was targeted for
assassination.
The Western media Establishment has gone haywire and the
coverage has been relentless....
And yet consistently shallow and as a result misleading.
21 October 2018
Brunson's Testimony Negated
It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I am
critical of the events that led up to the release of American pastor Andrew
Brunson.
I don't doubt his innocence and that he was caught up in a
geopolitical tug-of-war between Washington and Ankara. Erdogan lost the
showdown and as a consequence has egg on his face. Brunson was freed which (as
Christians) is something we should all rejoice in but sadly the circumstances
surrounding his freedom are in fact a source of concern... and for American
Evangelicals yet another mark of shame.
From Brunson's perspective, I'm sure he just wanted to be
released and who can blame him?
03 October 2018
Cold War II: Update from the Armenian Front
They're calling it the Armenian Velvet Revolution. It's
velvet because it was soft and non-violent and was (supposedly) in the spirit
of the peaceful 1989 uprisings that removed the communists from power in
Czechoslovakia.
30 September 2018
French Fighter Jets, the BJP and 2019 (updated)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45636806
N.B.- I had to make some changes to this article. Modi has just stunned everyone by cutting a deal with Putin. The narrative has shifted. These moves will certainly be the talk of the town for the people within the military-intelligence complex. For them this shift will be a far bigger story than the Supreme Court circus.
The information here is hardly earth-shattering but nevertheless indicates and confirms a few points.
N.B.- I had to make some changes to this article. Modi has just stunned everyone by cutting a deal with Putin. The narrative has shifted. These moves will certainly be the talk of the town for the people within the military-intelligence complex. For them this shift will be a far bigger story than the Supreme Court circus.
The information here is hardly earth-shattering but nevertheless indicates and confirms a few points.
India is clearly expanding its military and making plans for
the possibilities of a two-front war. The ever closer Pakistan-China alliance
and the fact that India has fought wars with both countries means that New Delhi
believes it must plan accordingly. A future conflict could quickly become
multi-faceted and escalate into a regional war.
28 September 2018
GCHQ: Spying on Brussels at America's Bidding
This won't exactly endear London to the folks in Brussels and
it demonstrates once again that the UK (more than ever) is Washington's
lap-dog.
27 September 2018
Social Upheaval in Modi's India
India is experiencing a strange dynamic. The Modi government
is involved in a clampdown against dissidents and the RSS paramilitaries are
harassing Christians and others who are deemed less than Indian.
26 September 2018
The EU, Nationalism and Censorship
Politico reports that European Justice Commissioner Vera
Jourova has given a speech in Vienna in which she discussed the problem of
rising nationalism.
22 September 2018
Trump +610: Mueller Probe Misperceptions and Whitewater Ghosts
The media campaign is relentless. And yet who can deny, Trump
has compromised himself at various points. He's corrupt and in clear violation
of numerous laws and precedents. In terms of policy, his opponents make noise
but then largely capitulate. There are dozens of issues that could be pursued
but instead the focus is almost exclusively on the Anti-Russia campaign.
15 September 2018
Ukrainian Autocephaly in the Context of Orthodox Ethnophyletism
The linked articles (below) provide a Roman Catholic analysis
of the pending schism within Eastern Orthodoxy. The issue is over Ukraine.
While Constantinople has the historical claim of episcopal primacy, Moscow has
for centuries held the upper hand in terms of the Orthodox world. This coupled
with Moscow's 'Third Rome' doctrine has created some rather interesting
dynamics.
09 September 2018
The Empty Nike Controversy
I find this whole discussion to be somewhat silly but it's
getting so much attention that I feel compelled to say a quick word.
New Testament Christians don't show reverence to the flag and
don't participate in patriotic rites and ceremonies. While I don't 'take a
knee' I don't stand for the national anthem and I will not say the pledge of
allegiance. That's fairly basic to me but I realise Evangelicals in their
confusion and distortion of the Scriptures believe the exact opposite is not
only right but mandatory and something that should be performed with great zeal
and a spirit of devotion.
Encouraging reports from Central Asia
Regardless of what you think of Open Doors and Brother Andrew,
these reports are encouraging. Many of these organisations can be disappointing
at times and are not above doctrinal criticism... and in some cases the reports
from abroad are mixed. Sometimes it's disappointing to find some bad doctrine
is creeping in. We can pray for them and pray that as these churches are in
their formative stages they will come under solid teaching.
06 September 2018
Real World Elements in The Bourne Legacy (2012)
As a follow-up to the piece I wrote about Jason Bourne
(2016), I thought some might be interested in a similar piece on the 2012 film.
Not as popular as the Matt Damon installments this movie also
contained some interesting and suggestive elements. In some ways this episode
took on a slightly more science-fiction based theme.
01 September 2018
Suicide and Therapy: Sufficiency Denied and Disparaged
This article came up as a suggested read in light of a
'pastor', one Andrew Stoecklein's suicide. I don't know anything about him, I
can only go by what I see and read and to be honest it's not something I'm
interested in giving more than a few minutes to.
In one sense I am hardly surprised that such 'Church' leaders
are collapsing into scandal and now suicide. And yet who ever heard of such a
thing? While the congregation is grieved I'm sure, what a startling thing to
realise they were being led by someone so unqualified, so apparently divorced from
New Testament Christianity! But so it is with modern Evangelicalism. Its rotten
fruit is plain for all to see. Evangelicalism is built on a false foundation.
Seeking friendship with the world, they've lost their way and they no longer
know what the solutions are. They don't even know what questions to ask.
28 August 2018
Beijing's Clampdown on Registered and Underground Churches
The Chinese are really engaged in big clampdown right now.
I'm not sure if many Americans are able to figure out why. There is an aspect
of this related to Xi Jinping's attempt to consolidate power and assert his
authority but there's a larger context too. China is feeling threatened. Trump's
moves vis-à-vis Taiwan, trouble brewing in Xinjiang and Western reporting about
it, trade war with the United States, uncertainty about North Korea, growing
tensions in the South Pacific, confrontations with Japan, a standoff with the
Vatican and the list goes on.
27 August 2018
John Owen and Oliver Cromwell's Irish Campaign of 1649
This article encouraged me. Having embraced Calvinism in the
mid-1990's I followed paths that led me to the Puritans and as someone inclined
toward Congregationalism I had a special affinity for figures like the theologian
John Owen.
26 August 2018
Ironies Surrounding Media Coverage of McCain
John McCain has died and has (most likely) gone to hell. But as is so often
the case the world doesn't see it that way and they pay tribute to one that
served the Beast they all clamour to worship.
Is it not ironic that the so-called 'Liberal' media not only
lavishes praise on McCain and calls him a 'war hero' but all seem to forget his
record of endless warmongering and militarism? Über-nationalism and militarism
are suddenly values of the 'Left'? I guess it could be if you live in the degenerate
fantasy world of Dinesh D'Souza but for those who are interested in actual
thought, political or otherwise this seems problematic.
Or is it that the American 'Left' doesn't actually disagree
with McCain's posturing? The so-called 'Leftist' media has in fact long been a
champion of American militarism. On many points it's not 'Left' at all. It is thoroughly
Right-wing when it comes to Wall Street and the Pentagon, even while it
clamours to support sodomy, feminism and a host of other evils. In so many ways
America is an evil empire and in that sense they are right to celebrate the
legacy of John McCain.
BND Agents in Kosovo
Is this a 'covert cock-up' as Der Spiegel puts it or is the
well known German daily engaged in cover-up and damage control?
I dug these articles up from 2008 because to me they
represent reasonably clear examples of the strategy of tension, false flag
operations and attempts by the US/NATO (in this case via the
Bundesnachtrichtendienst or BND) using terrorism to achieve strategic goals.
22 August 2018
Israel's Murder Machine
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/israel-behind-assassination-of-syrian-rocket-scientist-nyt-reports-1.6358886
The US has always tended to obscure its assassinations using
proxies and agents that provide government agencies a degree of plausible deniability.
And yet many a car accident, suicide and sudden illness are more than a little
suspicious... and if there's still some doubt the media will play its part and
quickly shut-down any attempts to suggest otherwise.
19 August 2018
The US Government and Militant Salafism: An Alliance of Convenience
Even the mainstream press is acknowledging the fact that the
US is in a functional alliance with Al Qaeda. To qualify, I am not suggesting
that there's some kind of coordinated effort or that US agents are giving
direct orders to AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) commanders. For years
there have been some who have argued for this kind of direct relationship but I
don't believe there's much evidence to support it.
16 August 2018
Norwich's Byzantium
I am reasonably informed when it comes to the history of the
Byzantine Empire and yet that said, its 1100 year history is complex and is
worth revisiting from time to time. I've read several books on it in the past
but one I've never tackled is Norwich's well known and much acclaimed three
volume history.
15 August 2018
Ukrainian Fascism
For those following the twists and turns of the
Ukraine-Russia saga this piece was helpful in that it provided something of a
chronological framework for the fascist movements in Ukraine.
Why did the Washington Post seemingly switch gears and
suddenly acknowledge what many in the alternative media have been saying for
years? That the Euromaidan uprising was fueled (at least in part) by Neo-Nazis
and subsequent to the 2013 uprising (or coup) the Far Right has played a
relatively prominent role in shaping the Ukrainian government.
12 August 2018
Russians Murdered in the CAR
The Anti-Russia machine churns on but unlike most of the
mainstream coverage, this story is actually interesting. The UN approved a deal
for Russia to sell arms to the military of the Central African Republic. Of
course this is spoken of in negative terms by Western mouthpieces like the
Washington Post. Without a hint of irony or shame Western media outlets have in light of this story pointed to Moscow as fueling conflicts and warmongering.
10 August 2018
Dissident Satraps and Arms Sales
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2018/07/13/pakistan-chooses-turkish-t129-attack-helos-to-replace-aging-fleet/
The helicopter being referred to is a Turkish variant of the
well known Italian Augusta. The Turks have modified the design making it more
suitable for operations in Anatolia and the Pakistanis are interested. Their Bell manufactured Cobra fleet is aging.
08 August 2018
21st Century Conscription, Militarism and Exemption
For a few decades it seemed as if military conscription was
something that would soon fade into memory, at least for Western nations. Many
countries were doing away with it, even the über-militarist United States.
Basically ending conscription had more or less become
associated with a host of Western modernist norms and progressive reforms. With
the abolition of the death penalty, anti-racism laws and many other forms of
legislation we're all too familiar with, the ending of forced military service
seemed to be part of the package.
The fact that this trend seems to be reversing is both a
cause for concern and a sign of the times.
05 August 2018
The Threat of Enforced EU Values
http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/3692/EU_proposes_to_close_mosques_that_do_not_adhere_to_EU_values
While it is to be somewhat expected and to a degree
understandable that the EU would propose banning literature and organisations
that promote anti-state violence it's a little troubling to read that they're
contemplating closing mosques that 'do not adhere to EU values'.
04 August 2018
Congo on the Knife-Edge: Kabila, Bemba and the 2018 Election
At this point Joseph Kabila has nothing to lose, he knows
everyone is scheming against him. His father was assassinated and while his
motives are undoubtedly motivated (at least in part) by self-interest, his
departure will also signal a serious change for the DRC.
01 August 2018
Nicaraguan Sorrows
The situation in Nicaragua is tragic and yet it is but part
of a larger sweep of recent history.
Many of us remember Daniel Ortega from the 1980's and the
Contra War which followed in the wake of the Sandinista Revolution of 1979.
Ortega led the country from 1979-1990 when he was forced from office. And yet he made a political comeback, winning
the 2006 election and has held power ever since. And yet Ortega II is cut from
a different cloth. While still a hero and icon to some on the left, the new
Ortega is a figure of compromise and corruption.
31 July 2018
Paisley and the May Government
This story is probably most interesting to me because it
involves Ian Paisley Jr., son of the more famous Paisley who died in 2014. The
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) founded by Paisley Sr. in 1971 is currently in
a coalition with Theresa May's Tories and while I've always followed British
politics to some extent, I have as of late been paying a little closer
attention.
Paisley's movement has followers in the United States and
there are longtime bonds between Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church and
American Fundamentalist circles, particularly the Anti- Billy Graham factions
centred on Bob Jones University.
29 July 2018
Livi: A window into the mindset of dissident Roman Catholics
The linked article by Andrea Tornielli rejects the views of Vatican
critic Antonio Livi but nevertheless provides significant insight into both the
mindset of dissidents like Livi and how conservatives in the mainstream might
criticise thinkers like him. Overall I found it a very informative read.
Growing numbers of conservatives are concerned about Bergoglio-Francis
to be sure but the real divide continues to be over the Vatican councils and
their legacy.
27 July 2018
Data Collection, The Watchtower and the Judiciary
The Jehovah's Witnesses are breaking the law. They're keeping
data files on the houses they visit. They must be stopped.
There are many Christians and non-Christians that would agree
with these statements and yet there's an inconsistent bias at work.
23 July 2018
Christian Persecution in Nepal
Rarely gaining much attention in the international news,
Nepal is garnering attention due to its position between India and China and
increasingly it's receiving focus due to religious tensions.
A majority Hindu nation, there is great concern and hostility
to Christian proselytism and the Himalayan republic is starting to put pressure
on missionaries and church leaders. Laws which were passed last year are now
being implemented and as of August 2018 sentencing guidelines are set to become
significantly harsher. Many fear the state will look the other way if mob
violence is used against Christians.
21 July 2018
South Korea's Almost Coup
The actual story here is that the South Korean (ROK) army
doesn't act independently of the US. While officially the US doesn't take over
operational control unless a war breaks out, practically speaking the South
Korean military is a creature of Washington.
17 July 2018
The Trump Trap
It's fairly obvious now what was happening. The timing of the
Mueller indictments was pretty suspicious, just days before the Helsinki
Summit.
I think it's safe to say it was a trap, a set-up.
Trump was deliberately placed into a Catch-22. First he was
denounced for meeting with Putin. This got everyone watching, even many people
who don't pay a lot of attention to the news. Some tried to warn him but Trump
is not one to listen to reason.
Repeatedly he was pushed to confront Putin on the collusion
conspiracy narrative. Trump walked right into it.
Did he realise it as he stood at the podium?
16 July 2018
Lopez-Obrador, PES and Mexican Evangelicals
Now that Lopez-Obrador has won, we're all waiting to see what
will become of him. He's been one of the big players at the centre of Mexican
politics for some time and like Nixon he's one of the few able to make a
successful comeback.
Many people are excited and believe he represents real reform
and will put a stop to the pervasive corruption that has taken over Mexico
these past couple of decades. Many hope he will end the Drug War which has
largely destroyed Mexican society.
And yet as many have pointed out, during the campaign he was
long on talk and yet pretty short on the details. Additionally there are many
indications pointing to a reality that he's not as 'Left-wing' as many seem to
think he is.
15 July 2018
Brussels is not Being Idle: The EU, Albania and Macedonia
Despite all its woes the EU is looking to expand. The only
countries left within the European orbit that aren't part of the EU are countries
like Norway and Switzerland which have no interest in joining, nations like
Ukraine and maybe Georgia which are riddled with controversy, states like
Belarus and Moldova which are hostile to Brussels and the handful of Balkan
nations which are a source of contention.
14 July 2018
Azerbaijani Sabre Rattling
Few Americans know about the disputes between Azerbaijan and
Armenia. The Azeris are Turks, albeit they differ from their Anatolian cousins
in that they are mostly Shiite. It's almost as if their geography reflects
their identity as they are culturally split between the Turkic and Persian
spheres.
09 July 2018
The Context of Taiwan in 2018: A Brief Survey
China has been portrayed as pursuing a policy of aggression
in the South China Sea. Is it aggression or is Beijing responding to what they
perceive to be aggression on the part of the United States and its Asia-Pacific
satrapies?
07 July 2018
Bulgaria: The New Cold War and Evangelical Status
Bulgaria keeps coming up in the news and it's clear the
Balkan state has become a fault-line, a stress point in the great geopolitical
game that is Cold War II. I've written about some of the struggles over the
Bulgarian state, the tensions between Europe, Turkey, Russia and the US (via
NATO). It's a story of weapons sales, smuggling and much more. That struggle is
now playing out in this proposed bill that will affect Evangelicals... many of
whom are connected to Western Europe and the United States.
05 July 2018
NATO GDP's and the 2014 Narrative
Trump's criticism of NATO member countries is getting some
press and yet once again mainstream outlets like NPR and the BBC disappoint.
04 July 2018
Catholic Homeschooling
This story does not contain anything profound but is
noteworthy in that it suggests a shift on the part of Catholic conservatives.
Historically Catholics would have been pretty dubious about homeschooling.
01 July 2018
Ukrainian Orthodoxy and the Threat of Autocephaly
Orthodoxy is marked by its autocephalous churches. Each
nation, in good sacral fashion establishes its own episcopal hierarchy and is
headed by a primate. There is no pope in this system to tie the various
Orthodox bodies together.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is not a Model of Christian Womanhood
I grow weary of having to endure her praises and the notion
that she's somehow being persecuted for righteousness sake.
The job of White House Spokesman or Press Secretary is one of
the worst jobs there is. You can become famous and many have gone on to rather
lucrative careers in the media and yet it's not a job for the faint hearted...
or rather for the ethically strong.
For one must virtually abandon one's ethics and one's
obligations to maintain the position. Your family, your church and your God
must take a backseat because loyalty to the regime and the defense of it are
your priorities in life.
30 June 2018
Sacralism and Secularism in Morocco
This article demonstrates the true evil of sacralist culture,
Christian, Muslim or otherwise. It's evil because it's Bestial, seeking to
control and delineate every aspect of life and demands all citizens and
residents conform to the state's form of worship.
24 June 2018
The Cardinal at Bilderberg
The meeting took place in Turin earlier this month and as
usual many watch with great interest who attends and what the official agenda
is. Bilderberg, still shrouded in some degree of secrecy has attempted to
manage its image by coming out into the open.
Are all attendees part of a grand conspiracy? Are they akin
to members of a great freemasonry? Not exactly and yet those who entirely
dismiss or downplay the importance of such meetings also err.
18 June 2018
The ACLU Report on Immigrant Prisons and Children
The ACLU has released a shocking report on immigrant
detention centres and in particular the state of children kept in these
facilities. The media is covering this story but given the nature of the
accusations one would think this would be a major scandal.*
Many Christians will dismiss the story because it finds it
origins in an ACLU project, in this case with the University of Chicago.
16 June 2018
Further Balkan Intrigues and Questions
Just a couple of months ago six Turks associated with a Gülen
affiliated school were arrested (rendition style) by the Kosovar secret police.
They were then extradited to Turkey and are still being held.
15 June 2018
Weapon Sales and the Building of a Deep State
This article reports that NATO encourages Eastern European
members to develop, buy and operate new alliance equipment compatible with
older Soviet-era systems.
11 June 2018
Singapore 2018: An Alternate Narrative
The outcome of the Singapore summit is of course unknown but
I find several things striking. Or rather, what's striking is what is not being
said, how the summit is not being framed.
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