Defining Religion by Culture

Non-radicalised Muslims and many political Centrists will say the Terrorists aren't real Muslims at all. Their actions contradict the true nature of Islam.

The Right insists that the Terrorists are real Muslims and in fact their actions express the true nature of Islam.

Capitalism and Hybrid-Communism

http://ericmargolis.com/2015/01/the-tsunami-facing-cuba/

Excellent insights here. Reading about Vietnam and looking at China I've often thought about the futility of the embargo. While Vietnam and China are hardly perfect open societies, they have vastly improved when compared to their condition in the 1970's. While the VC and NVA stopped the United States, today it's starting to look like the US model won the war.

http://www.voanews.com/content/more-us-brands-heading-to-communitst-vietnam/1730978.html

Interesting changes. I'm not sure they're a good thing. But interesting.

I am not Charlie

What happened in France was indeed tragic but it's also tragic that for all the attention given to this, round-the-clock news coverage, demonstrations, world leaders on parade etc, few seem to care about the mass slaughter in Nigeria. It's received some coverage, but nothing like the coverage in France.

2 Timothy 1.8-12

2 Timothy 1.8-12 Notes

The Corrupting Influence of Money: An example in the American Church

I had an interesting exchange recently with an old acquaintance who also happens to be a conservative Lutheran pastor. I harped for a moment about middle class values... my normal line about security and respectability being values cherished by the middle class and yet absent from the New Testament. He had asked, and I was attempting to explain to him my financial situation which usually leads most people I know to wonder what's wrong with me? Am I stupid? They know I'm not. Why are we always so poor and struggling? Am I insane? Why don't I do something about it? Something different? Usually they pull out the Einstein quote on me which I quickly repudiate as worldly wisdom and unbiblical rubbish.

2 Timothy 1.1-8

Notes on 2 Timothy 1.1-8

Insurance Games

I don't need to dwell on how the Insurance Industry is corrupt and how misleading many (if not most) of the agents are. The ones that aren't are often just ignorant of how their industry functions and under what principles it operates.

Looking Forward to the End of All Wars

Recently I re-watched 'To End All Wars' a movie about British POW's building the Burma Railway during WWII. I wanted to revisit it because I recalled the screenplay was written by a Christian, in fact one who was associated with Theonomy.

The American Legal System on Display via Podcast

http://serialpodcast.org/

Some of you may have already heard of this podcast. I listened to it as it was been released week by week. It was interesting but a little frustrating too.

I think the takeaway for us is that it provides a reasonably detailed yet understandable and certainly gritty portrayal of the complexities of the justice system. It unquestionably dispels any assurance that such cases are cut and dry. When you consider questions regarding the nature of evidence and witness testimony you realize that many convictions are in fact somewhat dubious.

Society and Economics are not Analogous to Baseball

I'm not going to labour the Sowell/Walter Williams criticisms but this one just struck me as a perfect summation of their 'aw shucks' down-home simplicity... and its consequent misrepresentation and danger.

Williams basically criticised liberal appeals to the Rule of Law... because in our society we change the 'rules' all the time.

Orban and Reagan: Drug Testing and Loyalty

Hungary's Viktor Orban has made the news a couple of times recently. The Budapest government has been increasingly moving toward the 'Right'... though no one on the American Right can seem to agree on what that term means.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (7/Final)

Sowell:

It would never occur to the busybodies that multinational corporations are expanding the options of the poor in third world countries, while busybody policies are contracting their options.

The CIA Report and False Repentance

I guess we're supposed to be impressed. The United States government is displaying repentance, and doing an act of penitence by releasing the report on post-9/11 CIA sponsored torture, kidnapping and secret prisons.

Is this news?

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (6)

Sowell:

That arbitrary and unsubstantiated assumption underlies a wide spectrum of laws and policies over the years, ranging from urban renewal to ObamaCare.

Cheap Oil and Geopolitics

While it cannot be proved, the current OPEC decision to sustain current production levels and thus drive the price of oil down even further causes one to wonder...

Cui Bono? To whose benefit?

Christians in Kenya Should Denounce Militarism in All Forms

Christians in Kenya should denounce their government for playing the American stooge and getting involved in the Somali War. I am not suggesting they lobby, try to take over, or politically agitate. But it should be known that Christians don't support the action and Christians should refuse to play any part in executing the Kenyan government's policy.

I'm speaking of Biblically faithful Christians, not the Sacralized rulers who are the children of Colonialist Christendom and various forms of Protestant and Roman Catholic Dominionist theology.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (5)

Proto:

As the Church continues to apostatize my hope is that the Remnant will come together with a real sense of community. The Amish figured this out long ago. It's not due to their stance on technology, though that is a factor, but they do hold common values. They're not the same values as the Jews or Armenians, but their community has common values. Right now American Christians are still enthralled with the possibilities of American cultural success. This vision and the ethics that go with it are individualist and won't allow such people to function within a community. There has to be some self-denial. Americans aren't good at that and at present there are numerous popular theologies which reject the very notion.

Mortgage and Debt Relief: A Middle Class Subsidy

In financial circles there are rumbles concerning the extension of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. Normally if you're granted relief, the amount that you were forgiven is counted as a loan, as income and thus is taxable.

Ex-Nazis and their Government Sponsors

Today the local Christian radio station belatedly reported the fact that even Nazi hunting groups are acknowledging the death of Alois Brunner, the SS officer and former assistant to the notorious Adolf Eichmann.

Through the Looking Glass: A Journey into the Fantasy World of Thomas Sowell (4)

Proto Cont...:

People caricature the poor and speak of multi-generational poverty. There are some women who keep having kids in order to stay signed up for subsidies and they're pretty wicked for doing that. But for others, and let's face it, most people don't want to have a bunch of kids, as soon as their kids are school age, you must enter a job seeking programme or you get cut off. And at that point if you're eligible for a job and you turn it down, you're cut off.

Tax Credits are Subsidies in Principle and Practice

If you're opposed to subsidies for the poor, then you cannot maintain any integrity and claim a tax credit. Credits are little more than subsidies.

Qualifying for a subsidy suggests that you've met certain conditions which grant an exception. You don't have to 'do' the same thing everyone else under normal circumstances is required to do.

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.

Non-Citizen Voting and National Review

Before you embrace the hysteria being generated by the National Review article regarding non-citizens voting in US elections, at the very least have a look at these two posts...

The Spiritual War in Africa and The Enemy Within

Whether you think churches should be taxed or not is to miss the salient point. This story is heartbreaking.

http://af.reuters.com/article/idAFL6N0S532020141013?sp=true

Here's the slideshow that goes with it:

http://www.reuters.com/article/slideshow/idUSKCN0I104B20141012#a=1

We are engaged in a true war, a spiritual war and the enemy is among us. The enemies of the Kingdom are enthroned within the Body of Christ, the Temple of God. They are counterfeits making merchandise of God's people- both their earthly assets and their souls.

The Coming Collapse and Compassion for the Lost

To be honest I'm surprised more of this isn't happening...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/14/us-usa-pennsylvania-grandmother-idUSKCN0I327M20141014

It was probably the first time in his life he ever heard the word, "No!"

In the end, it's all about ME!

I heard this today on the radio...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_la8CUQWyN0

The Christian answer to cultural narcissism-

Christian Narcissism

It's just the culmination of a long process that began in earnest back in the 19th century. I guess if you stay one step behind the culture you can convince yourself that you're not being self-focused.

That's not easy to do in a capitalist-consumer society!

My Apparent Bloviations or Musings of a Windbag

Recently I read something and saw myself referred to as a pompous windbag.

Well!

The Children of Molech

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=824300630954724

These people are profoundly sick.

And why did this link come to me from a professing Christian who praised its content?

The Obama-Ebola Connection

I've been so blind. I should have seen it right off.

The lady I'm working for passed through Cleveland Ohio a couple of days ago. She was disturbed that she had entered the Ebola Zone as it were.

Houston Subpoenas Continued....

Today I specifically listened to anything related to the Houston Pastors Subpoena story and I found the Christian media to be guilty of all the sensationalism and shallow sound-byte reporting they accuse the mainstream media of. That's nothing new.

No one will give the full story.

The city of Houston passed the ordinance regarding discrimination against cross-dressers etc...

I'm not disputing the fact that this is a terrible law. That's really not the issue here.

The Houston Pastors and Their Sermons

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/City-subpoenas-pastors-sermons-in-equal-rights-5822403.php


http://abc13.com/news/pastors-sermons-subpoenaed-amid-hero-fight/350929/


This story is rightly upsetting some folks. It is indeed outrageous.


But I'm always a little suspicious of Christian reporting. Since it is politically motivated I generally find it to be less than truthful, usually omitting some essential facts. It's sad that Christian reporting is generally unreliable.

And that's true here.

The New Basis for Ecumenicalism

When you venture back into the 19^th century you'll find an ever present fear among Protestants... Roman Catholicism.

Little did they realize the pope's political power would soon end. The Unification of Italy was a disaster for the papacy. The popes would strike back at Enlightenment Republicanism and Nationalism by claiming Papal Infallibility even as their lands were about to be taken from them. The Papal States, the kingdom in central Italy ruled for centuries by the popes was no more. And the dream of a Holy Roman Empire, a united Catholic Christendom had already been consigned to the dustbin of history.

The Aggressor and the Defender: Perspectives Change Interpretation

In no way do I mean to advocate moral relativism nor am I arguing that we should empathize with ISIS.

But consider...

The (Good) Coalition vs. the (Evil) ISIS

It must be stated the United States is an empire of violence. George Bush and Barack Obama have killed more people that Al Qaeda ever did. The United States assassinates, tortures, mutilates and spreads massive violence and unrest. Just because its methods are (at times) less dramatic in terms of television doesn't mean they are any less violent or spectacular on the ground. Bombs kill people. The United States uses destructive weapons that infect and trouble areas for generations to come. The United States has only helped foster violence and enhanced the weaponization of the region.

This is not a case of good vs. evil. This is evil vs. evil.

This is the Christian interpretation of these events. There's precious little wisdom or truth being given to us in our contemporary commentaries. When we think in terms of the US/NATO standing for good and ISIS as being purely evil then we will misread the situation and our solution will also be flawed.

No one will shed any tears when ISIS is gone but how many Christians will say the same about the United States?

And yet to much of the world it is the United States that is the Evil Empire, the rogue state, the terrorist nation and without doubt is the greatest purveyor of widespread violence and destruction across the face of the earth.

Repent or you shall 'all' likewise perish.

Missionary Emails from the ISIS Frontline

As I said, ISIS is a monstrosity. There's no ambiguity there. That said, be careful. There's a flurry of information out there right now and a lot of it is propaganda. There are many people who are trying to stir up the US public to demand for a heavier military intervention.

Sandy Hook a False Flag?

DELUSION (dəˈlo͞oZHən/) noun

noun: delusion; plural noun: delusions

1. an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder.

There are some Christians so blinded by Americanism and their lust for political power that they have fooled themselves into believing that gun ownership and the glorification of gun culture is somehow a Christian virtue.

Halloween: Pagan, Christian, Does it matter?

updated October 2017

Since it's that time of year again I am providing links to pertinent articles for those who haven't read them and might be interested.

http://proto-protestantism.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-2011-and-lprs-issues-etc.html

http://proto-protestantism.blogspot.com/2010/10/all-sacralists-eve.html

http://pilgrimunderground.blogspot.com/2016/10/halloween-compromise.html

Righteous Government

I keep seeing Proverbs 29.2 banners being posted by Christians.

When the righteous are in the authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn.

Why weren't they posting these when Bush was president?

Do they really think he was righteous?

No one is suggesting Obama is, but I'm puzzled by this. What US administration has been righteous? If the answer is none, which it surely is, then why post this now? Is this motivated by a Biblical-Kingdom worldview or a political one?

If the Constitution is the criteria, then Bush and Obama are morally equivalent.

If it's the Bible, then I don't see how Bush would be any better than Obama. They both have promoted evil, deception, theft and death.

Was Reagan righteous? I guess we can't have that discussion because already Ronald Reagan has been elevated to the realm of mythological hero. The real Reagan administration, its actual record and legacy have been flushed down the memory hole.

I love the Scripture too, and love to see it quoted, but woe to those who use it for political ends. They are in fact profaning God's word. They are no different than the false prophets of old.

Vote for Huckabee and you'll have peace...peace

Ben Carson on 2016: Anarchy, Martial Law and No Election?

Rising star Ben Carson suggests there might not be a 2016 election. The country may be in a state of anarchy.

The Cost of Being America's Ally: Turkey's Pakistan Problem

Of course Turkey doesn't want to get involved in Syria. For the first time in a generation Ankara has moved toward peace with the Kurds. The last thing they want to do is jump into Syria, aid Kurdish fighters, earn the wrath of Islamists and further destabilize the border. And that's just for a start, there are plenty of other issues at stake.

America wants them to enter the fight. They'll fight if ISIS crosses the border, but to cross on their own is like slitting their own throat.

Skewed Perspectives

It's sad that so many people in Spain get worked up over a euthanized dog but don't react with the same zeal for the lives of black Africans.

The Nightingale Pledge and Financial Realities

I heard a medical professional bound for West Africa declare that "If we have the ability to help people, then we have the duty to do it."

He felt the sense of duty overrides the pending danger of Ebola. It reminded me of the Nightingale Pledge.

Truly a noble sentiment.

Unfortunately in the United States that duty is followed up with the threat of... After we've 'cared' for you, if you do not pay us the exorbitant and extortionist fees we charge, then we have the right and even the 'duty' to destroy your life and take everything from you.

So much for 'Do no harm'.

ISIS, Jugurtha and Zenobia

Now I've gone over all of this before but perhaps we can utilize some other examples from history to make this a bit more poignant.

In the late 2^nd Century BC the Jugurthine War broke out in North Africa leading Rome to intervene. As far as Rome was concerned this uprising, this rejection of the Roman geopolitical paradigm, constituted a threat to Rome's interest and thus they sent an army to deal with Jugurtha.

There were Jews living in Italy during the late Roman Republic. What was the Jewish response to Jugurtha? What was the response of the Old Covenant Diaspora? Certainly our situation in the New Testament is analogous. We too live in an empire. What were their 'worldview' teachers saying about what the 'Jewish' response should be... for Rome to deal with Jugurtha?

Ever Deepening Apostasy

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/10/06/3413180/methodist-clergy-escape-sanctions.html

You know your domination is in trouble when 'Bishop' Peggy represents the conservative position.

I know there are still some 'conservatives' in these mainline denominations but what I can't fathom is why they would stay there. I am well aware of the arguments about being 'good churchmen' but you have to ask at what point do you draw the line?

How far can it possibly go before you say enough is enough?

ISIS Considered in Light of the Constantinian Shift

In recent days not a few 'Christian' leaders have called for a more vigorous military engagement on the part of the United States to combat the threat of ISIS.

Truly a monstrous group, how should Christians respond to this? Is it indeed a Christian position to support the escalation of war, bombing and perhaps even a land invasion?

Politics seems to bring the various strands of Christianity together. Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders are united and most seem to insist a war with ISIS falls under the umbrella of Just War Theory.

What of those Christians who reject this theory as flawed and heretical? What of the Christians who reject the Constantinian model that creates a supposedly Christian version of statecraft? How do we respond? Will we dare to suggest that it's not 'Christian' to bomb ISIS?

Social Darwinism, Eugenics and Mythologizing the Past

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FmEjDaWqA4

This video came up in some previous discussions. I revisited it recently with my kids. We've been working through the late 19^th century and I believed this video to be both pertinent and helpful.

Texas Checkpoints, the War on Drugs and Highway Robbery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY7zYYrdkLQ

This video is enlightening, exposing yet another facet of this hopelessly corrupt and pointless cultural war. And like the sheriff says, they've failed. The social costs are beyond calculation.

Just as a supplemental note... It's not mentioned in the film but these checkpoints also function as a 'shakedown'. Many people pass through and just like in the video are ushered into a waiting room while the car is searched. Unlike the teenage fools in this film they are released, and it's only much later that they discover cash and valuables are missing.

The Church in Chiapas and The China Death Cult

I found this short video to be depressing on many fronts. I realize most of my audience will not agree with all of my concerns but for me there are so many things being revealed by this story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHH3SC_0yn8

First, Voice of the Martyrs on the one hand is getting information out for which I am thankful. But at the same time, they have an established track record of misrepresenting the politics in other countries. That was true in this video.