Monday, November 17, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
How Much History Is One Obligated To Study?
Isn’t that akin to saying that if you don’t possess a physician’s or nurse’s level of knowledge of anatomy that you don’t appreciate the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Everybody’s got different things they are interested in.
It is commendable to have a knowledge of church history.
But I don't see the point of laying on a guilt trip on those that really aren't into the topic as an avocation or hobby.
Should the bookworms not that great at math beyond balancing a checkbook be condemned for not being skilled in what is often described as the language in which God wrote the universe into existence?
It is commendable to have an understanding and appreciation for church history.
However, if one becomes to absorbed in the discipline, isn't there a danger of keeping stoked to too intense a degree ancient disputes of long ago?
Just how worked up should the believer still be over the Defenestration of Prague?
by Frederick Meekins
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Church History Sermon Fails To Consider Profound Lesson
That might provide a degree of comfort if one's biological family is urging one to engage in blatantly anti-Biblical behavior.
However, such a grandiose sentiment itself needs to be circumscribed by carefully delineated boundaries.
You will always have a higher priority to those through whom you came into the world.
There is something downright shameful regarding some of these missionaries that will willingly die on behalf of the Pygmies in the African bush but hardly give a second thought to their aging parents here in America.
In classical Christian thought, this is the idea of subsidiarity, that your most profound obligations are to those closest to you.
Secondly, by insisting that a more profound loyalty is owed to one's church family than one's biological family can expose the gullible to a shocking litany of potential abuse on the part of church leaders.
For Jim Jones will live in infamy for conditioning numerous followers to place obedience to church structure over the well being of spouses and children, with the coercion and manipulation he subjected them to in the isolation of the jungle ending with hundreds dead.
It is a shame that a sermon purporting to admonish the need for the Christian to heed the lessons of history failed to take into account one of the twentieth century's most profound.
By Frederick Meekins
It is commendable to have an understanding and appreciation for church history. However, if one becomes to absorbed in the discipline, isn't there a danger of keeping stoked to too intense a degree ancient disputes of long ago? Just how ticked off should the believer still be over the Defenestration of Prague?
It is commendable to have a knowledge of church history. I don't see the point of laying on a guilt trip on those that really aren't into the topic as an avocation or hobby. Should the bookworms not that great at math beyond balancing a checkbook be condemned for not being skilled in what is often described as the language in which God wrote the universe into existence?
In terms of the civilian sector, a veteran is no more entitled to a particular occupational position than any other qualified applicant. An associate knows of a veteran in the corporation where both are employed that is quite lackluster in terms of the execution of the assigned tasks and another that is an academy graduate that is appallingly indecisive in terms of management style.
National Cathedral Surrendered To Islamists
Yes, these are Islamists.
If just interested in quietly practicing their Islamic faith, they'd simply find somewhere else to prayer.
Will women be allowed to participate?
The National Cathedral has embraced the libertine sexual agenda so wholeheartedly that the bells were rung following a Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage like a war had ended or a new monarch crowned.
How many mosques or Islamic centers are open to distinctively Christian prayers?
Click On The Headline
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
For Thinking It's So Evil, Preachers Can Certainly Rattle On About Harry Potter's Specifics
But what if a youngster, particularly as they move into the adolescent and teenage years, is able to discern spiritual truth from deception for themselves?
If that aptitude is irrelevant to the discussion, what about these ministers and teachers that go beyond the message that witchcraft is to be avoided but can themselves go into exacting detail regarding the plot twists of the Harry Potter saga that it is obvious that they have either read the books or seen the movies?
That is akin to simply not warning of the dangers of pornography but being able to critique how convincingly particular actors in that debauched genre are able to pull off roles as pizza delivery lads or coeds needing the dormitory plumbing snaked.
Should they be called upon to repent as well?
What gives this occupational class an exemption to research this material first hand but not the remainder of us?
If we are to be forbidden from investigating these things on our own, how do we know that the line they are pedaling us is really true?
By Frederick Meekins
Ebola: The Blood Serpent & The Horsemen Of The Apocalypse
Monday, November 10, 2014
Are Certain Evangelicals As Obsessed Over Sexual Identity As Radical Gay Activists?
The purpose of the meeting was to reflect upon and address those that embrace Catholic teaching on marriage and the family but also experience homosexual temptation.
But instead of encouraging those that are struggling to live the right way despite the desires of their flesh, some have instead decided to criticize the goal of reconciling these combating inclinations.
Ryan Dobson, the slovenly tattooed beatnik son of James Dobson of Focus On The Family, is quoted in a ChristianNews.net article as saying, “Sexuality is not an identity; sexuality comes from one's identity. My identity does not come from my intimate relationship with my wife; my identity comes directly from my relationship...with God.”
Those words can be a powerful encouragement for those struggling against this variety of sin --- both homo and heterosexual.
However, haven't those affiliated with Focus On The Family over the years such as James Dobson and Albert Mohler carved out for themselves lucrative niche ministries guilt tripping those not married by the age of 25?
In essence, these ministers and scholars have come dangerously close to reducing individuals to little more than their sexual identities.
In these circles, it is not simply enough to teach that heterosexual marriage is the only relationship in which the manifestation of carnal affections is not a profound sin.
On his broadcasts and audio recordings, Mohler has suggested that churches should actually interrogate and verbally harass young adult singles as to why they have not yet married.
Our identity is indeed grounded in Christ and not over what elicits a stirring in the loins.
As such, perhaps it is about time for churches to leave alone those that have not fallen into open sin in this area of their lives and lend sensitive support rather than condemnation to those that have requested assistance in battling these particularly vexing temptations.
By Frederick Meekins
Because God in Christ worked out the plan of salvation in a particular moment of time, I don’t see how it follows that the true Christian is obligated to have a lifelong love of history to the point where you read the discipline regularly. Isn’t that akin to say that if you don’t possess a physician’s or nurse’s level of anatomy that you don’t appreciate the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit? Everybody’s got different things they are interested in.
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Crazed Futurist Insists Occupy Movement More Civilized Than The Tea Party
On the other hand, he congratulated the Occupy Movement as a more mature perspective.
So on what grounds is a movement morally superior that defecates on police cruisers and desecrates churches to one that for the most part upholds as an ideal as little reliance upon government as possible?
Is There A Reason The Pentagon Can't Procure Its Own Candy?
Now, as in the case of Thanksgiving and Christmas, assorted propagandists are laying it on thick with assorted forms of guilt regarding what these youngsters have accumulated as a result of their own gumption and achievement.
In the latest manifestation of the false altruism racket, youngsters are admonished to surrender their confections for distribution to the armed forces.
Let the kids keep their own candy.
Shouldn't the question to ask be why can't adults in the military get their own candy?
At one time, weren't soldiers issued chocolate bars and the like for the purposes of seducing foreign prostitutes?
Perhaps there should instead be a lobbying campaign to Congress or the Pentagon to include candy as a part of standard rations.
The claim is made that these youngsters don't need the candy they've collected for a number of health reasons.
So then why is it being applauded as a noble undertaking to engage in the nutritional sabotage of the military service personnel of the United States of America?
By Frederick Meekins
In commenting on the proliferation of media technologies that allow for the individualization of media consumption, it was remarked that the syncronicity of everyone watching a program at the same times has been lost. What does that matter? It has been years since I've actually talked to an individual about a television program both parties involved in the conversation actually watched anyway.
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
Has The Pope Abandoned Christianity In Favor Of A Platonic Mormonism?
If this wasn't bad enough, Pope Francis further elaborated, “God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life.”
In other words, Pope Francis is not so much a Christian but rather a Platonist.
Christianity holds that God brought forth the world from nothingness.
John 1:3 reads, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Colossians 1:16-17 stipulates in concurrence, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Platonism, on the other hand, believes in accord with the assumptions hinted at in the Pope's statement that matter exists eternally and independent from God.
God merely reshaped to the best of His ability that which was already there.
Pope Francis is to be commended for his attempt to preserve the metaphysical freedom of human beings in playing a role in determining their eternal destiny.
But in positing the cosmology that he does, what guarantee are we provided that the system won't go spiraling out of control or that the promises made by God are even trustworthy?
For example, if God did not bring matter nor the laws governing physical substance into existence and is Himself subject to these limitations as inviolable standards rather than by His own volition, why ought we to believe that He is able to cause a virgin to conceive a son, and for that son to rise from the dead after dying upon a cross so that we might have the forgiveness of sins and beatific eternal life?
For are not these greater contraventions of how the universe operates than to bring the cosmos into existence within the span of six literal days?
In Luke 5 in the account where Jesus heals the paralytic lowered through the roof, Christ inquires in verse 23, “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?”
Thus, if the laws of nature cannot be suspended as the Divinity sees fit, on what grounds ought we to believe that He really has paid our debts in full?
On old adage asks is the Pope Catholic.
Maybe so, but these days it seems that, in terms of his foundational presuppositons, he might be trending Mormon but hopefully with a much less active sex life. By Frederick Meekins
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Church's Opposition To Holidays Borders On The Cultic
In an anti-Halloween sermon, the pastor remarked that any parents that have taught their children about Santa Claus are guilty of having lied. He then remarked how delighted he was of his son for having responded to an inquiry that Santa Claus was a wicked elf from the north. So the moral of that story must be that falsehoods are acceptable then they advance the family theological agendas and pecularitiies.
In a sermon condemning Halloween and nearly all other holidays, the pastor suggested that if you enjoy the accouterments of a particular celebration, you can partake of it at another time of year. As an example, he suggested saving your marshmallow peeps until May or June.
But if you are required to live your life in such a controlled and contrived manner, aren't you still living still beholden to that particular holiday? And more importantly, isn't such an individual still seeking the approval of man rather than God?
In an anti-Halloween sermon, the pastor made the argument that Trick Or Treating was wrong because the custom encourages children to dress up as something they are not and to hoard something that “appeals to the flesh” (that being candy). So in the case of this preacher, it would not be a sin for him to dress as a donkey because he's certainly a dumb you know what.
In a sermon on Halloween, it was claimed that the customs of Halloween are designed to take children away from God at an early age. Couldn't something similar be said about legalistic churches and Christian schools pushing children away from God with too many nitpicky and asinine rules?
The pastor devoted a portion of his assorted tirades exposing that Frosty the Snowman was based on a lie. Who over the age of six believes he is real? Even the History Channel hasn't stooped that low yet. By singing about Frosty, you are no more worshiping Frosty than you would be worshiping Calijah The Wooden Indian or worshiping The Gambler by singing those classic songs.
Particularly unsettling and disturbing were the verbal confessions members of the congregation were expected to engage in order to receive approval and affirmation from the pastors and elders.
One gentleman confided how much he had wanted to celebrate Christmas the previous year but instead submitted himself to the eldership of the church. Buddy, the elders might have say as to whether or not the church building is decorated for Christmas. However, they don't have any say whatsoever as to what you do in your home.
In being prodded further by the leadership as to why he no longer celebrated Christmas, this individual responded because the authority in his life had instructed him as such. At no time did he clarify whether or not by that he meant the Holy Spirit or rather merely those holding position at church. If you are going to relent to pastoral control over your life to such an extent, please for the sake of your family, decide for yourself now if you are going to let the pastor sleep with your wife and molest your kids when he comes asking or drink the sour Kool Aid when he orders it.
Another seeking approval during this protocultic ritual admitted in her confession to tossing out a Fischer Price Nativity set because of the adoration her granddaughter exhibited towards the Baby Jesus figurine. The grandmother reflected, and rightfully so to a certain extent, that often we prefer the adorable Baby Jesus that is not a depiction of the Christ of wrath and judgment.
But shouldn't we be cautious about tossing out the messianic baby with the baptismal water? Isn't there a profound and beautiful truth in God in Christ condescending to our level by becoming one of us?
There are indeed both gentle and wrathful sides to God. And in the spirit of the Book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and purpose to contemplate each of these under Heaven.
Would it be better to deny this obviously spiritually sensitive and receptive child the tender side of Jesus and instead replace Him only with the hard-edged disciplinarian Jesus that the most thoroughgoing Fundamentalists seem to have a preference for? About the only thing the child is going to retain of this entire encounter is that granny tossed out such a beloved toy or decoration. Her family will no doubt sit around twiddling their thumbs years down the road baffled as to why the child is no longer close to God.
A pastor opposed to the celebration of Christmas remarked that no one that has considered the material he has made available regarding the subject and prayed seriously about the topic has told him that despite these that they will continue celebrating the holiday. The statement was made to promulgate the impression that there is little chance for the true believer to come to any conclusion other than that of this particular pastor.
However, there are at least two other alternatives.
Firstly, the individual believer could have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that there is something more profoundly wrong in that particular congregation than the celebrating of Christmas. Concluding such, they retreat hastily from that particular assembly and flee to another house of worship.
Secondly, they might have considered what the pastor had to say, came to a different conclusion, and felt their was no need to inform the pastor of the decision. Especially in light of those matters where the individual is granted some measure of personalized conviction, it is not really the preacher's business what goes on in your home. If this brand of theology and ecclesiology makes such a fuss over Roman Catholic confession, they can't really then invoke some kind of expectation that you are obligated to blab about everything you do.
In these churches where the congregations don't celebrate Christmas, is it out of a desire to please God or have they been so brainwashed by the pastor that they are afraid of ticking him off?
A pastor can repent of celebrating Christmas as much as he likes. However, it is really not his place to homiletically manipulate and coerce you into doing so.
By Frederick Meekins
Monday, November 03, 2014
Student Punished For Healthy Eating
Human canine teeth will next have to be removed because those are pointy like a knife. Click ON The Headline
Friday, October 31, 2014
Those claiming to be the direct theological descendents of the Puritans insist that one of the primary reasons that the celebration of Christmas ought to be avoided is because the festival is Roman Catholic in origin. So what if the Roman Catholics propagated a similar message regarding Thanksgiving Day being established by Puritans?
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
The cover story of the 11/10/2014 edition of the Nation is titled “Abortion: No More Apologies. It Is Time To Claim Abortion Rights As A Social Good”. Weren't similar things said at the time in reference to Nazi racial hygiene laws, separate but equal public accommodation, and the reason why American Indians need to be shunted away onto reservations?
Threat Of Hell Underlies Heaven's Initial Appeal
The author writes, “In short, a Christianity without hell would be a fearless, trusting, loving, divinely inspired source of good in the world.”
Maybe so.
But it must asked, what then is the point?
For if either we all get to Heaven or Heaven is as nonexistent as this mythologized Hell, why bother going out of one's way to consider the claims of the Gospel message or to abide by the basic rigors of Biblical revelation?
As much as these progressives brainwashed to oppose the notion of enlightened are loathe to admit it, there are few motivators greater than an aversion to pain and suffering.
By Frederick Meekins
Presbyterian Minister Downplays Physiological Aspects Of Mental Illness
That is because it is ultimately Christ that delivers the victory.
And does that include maladies that were once considered demonic in origin such as epilepsy or schizophrenia?
It might be the role of the minister to provide prayer in the resolution of these afflictions as well.
But if the cause of the illness lies in the realm of the biologically physiological, does not Christ also work through a physician for the alleviation of that variety of suffering?
By Frederick Meekins
Are Christian Broadcasters Losing Resolve To Stand Against Transgenderism?
Comments crossing over the line into profanity would not be publicly acceptable.
But isn't there a place for good old fashioned judgment and shame?
This student wasn't caught in his own home crossdressing.
If this behavior is not to be subject to appropriate condemnation, is it really all that wrong to begin with?
How do we know that the lad in question really identifies as a woman or simply had an overwhelming compulsion to view a lush, emerging bosom?
If a boy wiggled his way into the girls changing area for that reason would Christian broadcasters be fumbling all over themselves verbally in regards to a school system that applauded such deviancy?
Yet isn't that lewdness less morally depraved than someone so obsessed with the body of the opposite gender that they are willing to have themselves mutilated in pursuit of such lust?
By Frederick Meekins