McCarthy's Ghost: Ted Cruz, Cicero, the Unitary Executive, Justice Sunday and Evangelical Hypocrisy

Ted Cruz sees himself as a Cicero, warning the dying republic of the dangers of Empire. In truth he's a demagogue and a buffoonish one on the order of Joseph McCarthy. And in that sense, quite dangerous. And though he will likely run in 2016, he (as opposed to Obama) was really and truly born outside of the United States.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (3)

Sowell:

The political left has long claimed the role of protector of "the poor." It is one of their central moral claims to political power. But how valid is this claim?

Leaders of the left in many countries have promoted policies that enable the poor to be more comfortable in their poverty. But that raises a fundamental question: Just who are "the poor"?

Sound Byte Theology and Distortions of Biblical Non-Violence

Listening to a Calvary Chapel affiliated radio show I was disappointed to hear the 'experts' proclaim that pacifist Christianity was basically the province of theological liberals. Bible-believing Christians it was argued would never embrace such a position. The host and guest were good Christian America advocates who believe being patriotic goes hand in hand with being a Biblical Christian.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (2)

Sowell:

What happened when old-fashioned ideas about sex were replaced in the 1960s by the bright new ideas of the left that were introduced into the schools as "sex education" that was supposed to reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases?

Both teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases had been going down for years. But that trend suddenly reversed in the 1960s and hit new highs.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (1)

Thomas Sowell's columns appear on a regular basis in my local conservative newspaper. For years I have read his columns and have been baffled as to why so many conservatives and in particular conservative Christians are quick to praise him.

Evolving Ethics- Morally Corrupt Politicians and Commentators

For the past several years we have heard social conservatives criticise and cynically berate Obama for his changing position on homosexual marriage. When he took office he was formally against it, and then his position 'evolved' and he came to embrace it.

Sacral Orthodoxy

Why are Christian friends forwarding emails and posting on Facebook various messages from Glenn Beck ruminating about life and spirituality? Even worse he expresses gratitude for his daughter's participation in the life of the temple... why is this something worthy of a 'share' or 'like'?

Some Historical and Theological Commentary on Unger's The Fall of the House of Bush

This is not a book review per se, rather some selected comments regarding this work that pertain to the larger set of issues frequently discussed here. Unger weaves together a tale of the Bush family and the social forces at work that helped bring Reagan to power...with HW Bush in tow and of course later GW Bush as the saviour of the Christian Right. People have forgotten. For all the talk of Obama as being treated as 'messiah', it wasn't that different in 2000-2001. It was Unger's discussion of the Christian Right and how it interplayed with American and international politics that most interested me.

Scripturalism vs. Systematics

He would probably be distressed to know I'm linking to his post from my website, but I wanted to share this little gem. This is a great little example of resisting the urge to systematize and seek coherence. This is letting the text speak and letting your doctrine be formed by the text. This is the right way to read Scripture. When we try to create systems what we end up with is reductionist frameworks that in some way diminish the fullness of the text and because we reduce its scope, we ultimately distort it.

Christians Committed To Scripture Do Not Celebrate Veteran's Day

As a Christian I will not be thanking veterans today. I am a veteran who is ashamed. I did not defend your freedom. I did not serve America. I was a stooge and part of a cult and a murder machine. When God saved me He also opened my eyes to the idolatry of Nationalism which as a pagan had gripped my heart and afflicted my conscience.

Inbox: What about refusing to vote as a form of protest?

I know this is a position some advocate and yet that's not really how I would look at it. If I want to protest within the confines of 'the system' then I will vote for candidates who are outside of the establishment. I will vote against incumbents and vote in ways that practically enforce term limits.

Iraq and WMD in 2014

As expected I see the Right is circulating stories that Bush has been vindicated and that Iraq had WMD in 2003. This is incorrect and reflects the same misunderstanding present during the hysteria of 2001-2003.

HSLDA and its Values

This is a good example of why I have never had any interest in HSLDA.