Friday, June 24, 2016
Thought Police Interrogate Academic Over Accusations Of Unauthorized Discourse
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Will Russell Moore Become A Theological McLarenite?
Today, Brian McLaren has branded himself as a Christian that advocates a number of positions that many other Christians would have a hard time accepting. For example, one can follow his spiritual path from a stance downplaying the relevance of the Afterlife such as the eternality of Hell and that the Kingdom of God is not so much about everlasting life in Heaven but rather about establishing utopia here on Earth to co-officiating at his son's gay wedding.
However, about 25 to 30 years ago, one would have probably have had to have been quite skilled at socio-theological forecasting to predict how far McLaren would have fallen off the deep end. For at around that time, McLaren was an academic with a specialty in literature laboring to establish a post-denominational church with the desire to get back to the simplicity of the Gospel truth all sincere Christians profess.
Those wanting to get in on what is near the ground level of a similar phenomena only need to watch Southern Baptist Commission On Ethics & Public Policy President Russell Moore. For while at the moment holding to a foundational theology sounder than Brian McLaren's, one can now hear Moore's articulation of a certain number of beliefs that is setting him down a path not all that markedly different than the one Brian McLaren has previously trodded.
This is evident in the column published by Russell Moore titled, “Why This Election Year Makes Me Hate The Word 'Evangelical'”. In those remarks, Dr. Moore announces that he no longer wants to be known as an “evangelical” because the connotations that have accrued surrounding the term subverts the cause of Jesus. Instead, Moore clarifies that he is a “Gospel Christian”.
As in regards to the other word games played by those in the arenas of public policy, who could possibly object to the term “Gospel Christian”? For such a phrase, much like the founding motivations of McLaren's Cedar Ridge Community Church, brings to mind the primary narrative of Scripture though which the remainder of divine revelation is understood and brought to life in the heart and soul of each professing believer.
But as in the case of other terms bandied about in the media such as “choice”, “equality”, and “tolerance”, those invoking the term “gospel” often do so for the purposes of imbuing it with meanings altered enough to undermine the traditional understanding as well as support for those one must view as one's opponents or adversaries.
Moore writes, “Part of the problem is that more secular people have for a long time misunderstood the meaning of 'evangelical', seeing us almost exclusively in terms of election-year voting blocs or our most buffoonish television personalities.” Moore is himself tottering close to becoming one of these if he is not careful.
What is so wrong if activist Evangelicals are seen primarily as a voting bloc and why is it the fault of the average Christian that realizes that now is the time for all good men to come to the aide of their country? For apparently Dr. Moore has no problem with reducing Evangelicalism or “Gospel Centered Christianity” to a set of platform positions when it apparently advances the agenda preferred by Russell Moore.
Moore continues, “The other problem is the behavior of some evangelical leaders. I have watched as some of those who gave stern and windy speeches about 'character' in office during the Clinton administration now minimizing the spewing of profanities, .... race-baitingm and courting white supremacists ... [and] debasing public morality and justice through the casino and pornography industries.”
Have not Moore and his closest associates not done the same thing? Donald Trump has verbalized gruff things that have gone over the line, particularly in reference to Megyn Kelly, Karli Fiorinia, and Heidi Cruz. However, at no time did Donald Trump “race bait”.
In regards to “race baiting”, all that Donald Trump did was call for the enforcement of U.S. immigration law and proffer as suggestions a number of proposals such as a wall that might protect the lives of Americans living in what has become a dangerous area. How is this any different than the policies implemented by the Jewish State of Israel which so many Evangelicals are so chummy with that they conveniently overlook the hostility of this competing world religion to Christianity's most fundamental tenet that Jesus is both Messiah and God?
If Russell Moore is going to stand rigorously by the principle that it is essentially sinful for ethnic groups or nationalities to advocate policies that are more favorable to the particular group in question, instead of sitting on the board of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, shouldn't he resign from that position and publicly repent of the organized ethnocentricism he goes out of his way to condemn when it is supposedly engaged in by White people? For in his column, Russell Moore condemns Donald Trump for courting White supremacists.
Mistaken as that pernicious ideology is on a number of points, perhaps disaffected Conservatives and even Evangelicals have decided to give that disreputable element a hearing because many average Americans that have never done a thing to injure a Black person or another minority are fed up with churches and denominational leaders that live higher up the socio-economic ladder beating the mere pewfillers over the head about how horrible Black folks and illegal aliens have it. That message is further compounded by the assumption promoted that somehow the average American is at fault for the misery allegedly endemic among these supposedly oppressed demographics when in reality such is often the result of many in these particular ethnicities failing to exercise self control and a little delayed gratification.
The sincere Christian is obligated to admit that Donald Trump is hardly a role model when it comes to important aspects of his individual character. However, it seems that bold “Gospel Christians” such as Dr. Moore are as guilty of the selective outrage that he has accused his coreligionists of when it comes to certain celebrities and public figures.
Some Christians might have gotten a little cozy with a candidate that wasn't quick enough to distance himself from those perceived as White supremacists (which in this era run amok in political correctness can be defined as little as failing to commence the automatic self-denunciation for simply being White as command of entrenched elites and social engineers). However, a number of Southern Baptists with whom Moore is closely associated are disturbingly reluctant to distance themselves from C.J. Mahaney.
To say that C.J. Mahaney is a controversial pastor would be an understatement. Not only under Mahaney's ecclesiastical leadership did child molesters get by relatively unscathed. He also ran the Covenant Life Church he pastored in Gaithersburg, Maryland along the lines of a cult.
For example, it was not enough for members to show up regularly for the Sunday morning and even the Sunday evening services. They were also expected to participate in a number of prisoner of war style encounter groups referred to as discipleship meetings where they were to spill their innermost secrets included as to how they kept their homes.
Moore writes, “We have been too willing to look the other way when the word 'evangelical' has been coopted by heretics and lunatics. This sort could deny creedal Christianity and gospel clarity with impunity, as long as they were on the right side of the culture war. Thankfully, this sort of evangelicalism is not the future.”
Perhaps Dr. Moore might prefer an Evangelicalism where believers are to overlook any number of abuses on the part of those that articulate not only the required doctrine but also a number of additional peculiarities to let it be known in the process how much they despise the traditional American way of life. Usually such statements take the form of detailing how horrible White people are and how the institutionalized church ought to exercise direct control over areas of your personal life over which God did not originally provide much detail other than a few broad principles He'd probably rather you figure out on your own how to implement.
Like Brian McLaren that went down this path before him, Russell Moore possess the ability to articulate his particular understanding of the Christian faith before a number of generational demographics. It is just unfortunate that each of these figures has grown increasingly liberal as this ability has earned each of them wider circles of acclaim.
By Frederick Meekins
Friday, June 17, 2016
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Headline Potpourri #87
It's one thing that aspects of the X-Men movies differ in detail from the comics. However, can't the producers take the time to keep the films consistent with one another? And if more than 20 years have elapsed within the past three movies, shouldn't at least Professor X and Magneto have appeared to age?
A pastor commented that some young people treat church as a place to go on a date. And the problem? There is nothing in the Bible saying your mind has to solely be on God in the confines of the church structure. The same ascetic would then turn around and toss a fit if the same couple went to the movies. Would he rather woo be pitched in bars?
How is Donald Trump suggesting that radical Hispanic or Islamist judges might be biased against him appreciably different than these tolerancemongers that are applauded and fawned over for decrying White man's law and the imposition of Western standards upon backwards cultures and societies?
If possible, it is better to take care of aging family in a home setting. However, zealots insist you are under religious obligation to care first hand for the declining elderly round the clock because your parents raised you. By this standard, would parents be negligent if they took a child to a medical facility to address issues that can't be cured with chicken soup and cough syrup?
It was remarked on “The Worldview In Five Minutes with Adam MacManus” that God must apparently be protecting parental rights because a Norwegian family has been reunited after the children were removed from the home over a religious dispute. Applying this reasoning, had the children not been returned or in reflection upon the number of families languishing under the heel of assorted social welfare systems around the world, couldn't one conclude that apparently God is not protecting or cares all that much about parental rights? Seems a rather poor criteria either way by which to assess the importance of this sort of thing in light of God's preferences for humanity.
Russell Moore has correctly observed that Donald Trump is likely a lost soul needing to repent. After all, the candidate did confess that he really didn't have anything he felt that he needed to be forgiven of. However, given that Moore has himself celebrated the demise of what he has categorized as “cultural Christianity”, by that definition what does the real estate mogul's soteriological state have to do with a fitness to hold presidential office?
It seems June is celebrated as Immigrant Heritage Month in a number of communities. As part of these commemorations, it should be pointed out that when most of our ancestors arrived here, most were required to adhere to clearly delineated standards, were expected that this land would be their primary loyalty, and that from this end were free to book passage back to their respective trashpile.
On the docudrama “Barbarians Rising”, Jesse Jackson was briefly interviewed in regards to Hannibal because the Carthaginian general was African and presumably Black. So would such a genetic analogy qualify Howard Stern to lecture the viewer regarding Judas Maccabeus?
Homeschool activist Kevin Swanson in a Generations Radio broadcast seemed a bit ecstatic that Social Security payments could be cut by as much as 30% by 2024 as a result of projected budget shortfalls. Perhaps families and individuals should prepare for that by directing to the care of the elderly the tithes that they would instead donate to the institutional church and ministries. Especially if these funds go to cover the expenses of other family members, there really is not a legitimate moral argument professional religionists can make against such a financial strategy.
The cover advertisement of the May 5, 2016 issue of Variety Magazine says of the Fox drama “Empire” that the drama is “Grounded in something real and the most important show on TV.” Would the same thing be said if this program was about White people? Were grandiose sociological explanations proffered as to why the antics of J.R. Ewing were obligatory viewing?
In an analysis of the David and Goliath narrative, it was said regarding King Saul's armor that true Israelites did not wear such tactical apparel because that would be to rely on earthly means in battle. Was this a Biblical command or simply a human cultural adaptation? Furthermore, given that America is not Old Testament Israel, such a fact has little bearing on US military policy.
Fuss is being made that the La Raza to which the judge Donald Trump is condemning is not the La Raza that is the leftwing activist group. That is irrelevant. For would a White judge be allowed to belong to any organization that referred to Whites positively or in any fashion suggesting that Whites as a race ought to affiliate with others primarily for the purposes of advancement resulting from genetic loyalty?
In the 6/6/16 issue of America, an article dealing with political involvement lists economic justice as one of the primary issues of concern to American Roman Catholic Bishops. That is code for confiscation under the threat of force from those that have in the name of those that do not for the purposes of bureaucrats allocating as such state functionaries see fit. As such, should resource endowed institutions such as the Roman Catholic Church be forced to surrender a significant portion of their holdings on behalf of other denominations or religions organizations that might not be so well of in terms of finances and property?
On a show on global exploration, it was observed that dogs are a part of human society the world over. But perhaps it should be clarified in some parts of the world they are considered little more than menu items and mistreated in vile contempt.
During a ceremony where John McCain was recognized for his willingness to acquiesce to the demands of liberal elites, the Arizona Senator called for respectful civil discourse. Was he referring to the variety of such articulated when he contemptuously referred to Ted Cruz as a hobbitt? For what the Senator was saying in that instance is that the average voter should sit down and shutup. For in Tolkein's narratives, hobbitts representd the virtue of the common person and what such individuals can accomplish in a time of crisis.
Its seems that the mass shooting of an Orlando gay nightclub was declared a likely a terrorist incident within a matter of hours. Ironically, this is by the same administration no doubt still insisting that the Fort Hood attack was workplace violence.
Contrary to the assertion made in a pulpit, why shouldn't you push back when attacked especially physically? Doesn't propagating such docility in a church open people up to victimization? Isn't it better to teach not to start fights and to look for escape routes if possible but be sure to finish a fight if backed into a corner?
Despite his travails, it is pointed out that Joseph never says anything “belligerent” to his brothers. Where does it say because of that we are obligated to be walked all over? Isn't it propagating this mindset of never saying anything that results in holocausts and destroyed cultures? So were “Sandusky's kids” supposed to have retained a quiet and meek spirit while being brutalized?
Shooting at a gay bar in Florida the same day a jihadist caught on his way to attack the LA pride parade. If you believe the government propagandists that these incidents not linked, I have a bridge you might like to purchase.
By Frederick Meekins
Monday, June 13, 2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Headline Potpourri #86
If Republican elites such as the Bushes and the Romneys are remaining aloof from the convention over differences of policy and procedure regarding a particular likely nominee, why are the rest of us obligated to lavish the party machinery with our time and treasure when the moneyed secret societies instead have their way in the selection of a candidate.
The cover story of an issue of New York Magazine warns never has our democracy been so ripe for tyranny. Interesting how the establishmentarian media failed to raise this valid warning when they were celebrating erection of Greek temple facades and the suggestion that all of history should be reckoned in relation to Obama for him accomplishing little more than popping out of his mother half Black.
On an episode of Generations Radio, Kevin Swanson insinuated that mothers working outside of the home are to blame for increases in autism because the Amish seldom suffer from the affliction. Swanson went on to insist that the way contemporary Americans live their lives results in the genetic changes bringing about this condition. Perhaps on an additional episode the homeschool activist could elaborate upon the genetic diseases that do plague the Amish as a result of the indirect inbreeding that takes place as a result of a stretched and shallow gene pool.
Yahoo featured a link to a Huffington Post article titled “5 Reasons I Hate Religious Christianity”. Will this be one of a series of articles to include similar titles such as “5 Reasons To Hate Observant Judaism”, “5 Reasons To Hate Devout Islam”, and “5 Reasons To Have Practicing Homosexuals”?
Russell Moore accused Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton of representing the moral sewage of reality TV. Does he intend to enunciate similar condemnation of C.J. Mahaney for allegedly covering up child abuse and for pastoring churches that attempted to micromanage the lives of the congregants?
A Yahoo headline lamented, “Fears Of Trump Drive Immigrants To Become Citizens”. In other words, migrants should continue to reside here without declaring loyalty if we are to view an impetus for such people to become citizens as negative.
Hillary Clinton insists gun violence often occurs in areas damaged by pervasive racism. In other words, it's Whitey's fault when Tyrone gunsdown Shalonqueesha.
Not drafting women is not about protecting women. Their lives are no more valuable then men's. It's actually about protecting the lives of the men that would end having to pick up the slack in combat situations. Even if exempted from combat situations, is there some reason women can't be compelled to render some form of involuntary servitude? They certainly don't mind living the confines of the home to labor elsewhere these days and do not making breeding for the glory of the state their foremost priority.
During the Obama regime, businesses and schools have been forced to alter their patterns of operation to placate the purveyors of perversion. How much longer until this tyrant or his successor attempts to dictate the doctrine taught inside the church in America as transpires especially in European countries.
On The Five, Eric Boling pondered in light of the transgender bathroom brouhaha if a man considered himself to be a woman, would he also qualify for government assistance or grant programs for women to establish businesses? Nearly as much an outrage as men urinating in front of little girls ought to be government funds going to assist anyone for a reason not really based upon actual accomplishment but solely as a result of inherent biology. For did not the Obama regime justify this endeavor to upend this aspect of the American social order on the grounds of needing to end discrimination wherever it might be found?
What a hypocrite. The town newspaper published an article about a local Baptist pastor that did his doctoral research how the COMMUNITY has become more diverse and less White. Even prior to the publication of this municipal propaganda, he resigned his position from this particular church to pursue a ministry opportunity in Canada, probably the Whitest country in North America.
Senator John Thune has issued a letter demanding that Facebook respond to allegations that the social network's administrators suppress trending conservative news. As disturbing and outrageous as that happens to be, doesn't it pale in comparison to an official of the U.S. Government making threats against a private organization? For what is to prevent similar arm twisting against conservatives or the religiously motivated that also present information to favor their own particular worldview or agenda?
The rumored antagonist of the proposed Justice League film is Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid's generals. Isn't this character a little obscure to catch the attention of the general viewing public? Even I barely care. He had better be featured for the purposes of readying for Darkseid's arrival or this is going to flop.
In a graduation oration, President Obama contemptuously mocked what he categorized as an endless wall to keep out immigrants. Will he as enthusiastically oppose the proposed increase in the height of the fence surrounding the White House?
In an age where it is apparently acceptable for a grown man to whip out his wiener in the presence of a little girl in the ladies' room, unless Donald Trump raped them, why are we to get all jacked out of shape if he has enjoyed a few women in his day? They probably liked the attention at the time. If a woman does not like men fawning over her and, well, asking her to model certain outfits, perhaps she would prefer another line of work. Didn't liberals set the precedent with Bill Clinton that this kind of hankypanky was off limits in terms of criticism and scrutiny? If women are going to have meltdowns over this, why should we think they will be able to endure the horrors of frontline combat?
The African American Museum in Washington, DC frankly looks like the Jawa sandcrawler in Star Wars.
Responding to protests on the part of Sanders' supporters following the theft of the Nevada caucus, Democratic Party Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz demanded civility on the part of the offended and outraged. Would she have called for such if instead the agitated consisted of a BlackLivesMatter mob looting businesses and burning private property to the ground?
A pastor lamented that in his neighborhood visitation, a number did not open the door when it was knocked upon but later noticed that the material was taken inside. Firstly, the occupant is under no obligation to open the door. Secondly, is this pastor as receptive to operatives of the Watchtower that come knocking on his door?
It was remarked in a sermon that often the ones smiling in a crowd are Christian. And the Scripture backing this up? Maybe some people just aren't the type to smile with little provocation. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, if you don't think a particular believer's expression is sufficiently joyous or Christian, just think how much sadder they'd look if they didn't know Jesus.
In a sermon, Joel Osteen insisted that God does not want prayers about our illnesses. He prefers prayers about our dreams in terms of our most intense desires and aspirations. But if your sickness is of a sufficient duration or intensity, aren't most of your dreams focused upon your health being restored?
A Washington area TV station is to broadcast an expose on bartenders selling booze to pregnant women. Firstly, is it against the law to sell this legal product to women over the minimum drinking age in such a reproductive state? Secondly, is it not her body to do with as she pleases? If not, why does that principle apply in an abortion clinic rather than a bar? For the unborn baby has more of a likelihood of surviving the experience at the bar rather than the abortion clinic.
Shrieking banshees known as feminists are now on a rampage about the pink alternative of certain products costing more than the version marketed towards men. Do these equality activists also intend to advocate for the reduction of male auto insurance rates or the abolition of government handouts intended to advantage female enterprises and businesses?
It was warned on Generations Radio that our weekday idols take away from Sunday worship. But what about the danger of elevating the Sunday experience to a place where it is assumed that God can only be worshiped through the trappings and mechanics of formalized religious gatherings?
Fascinating how President Obama praises the entrepreneurs of the Communist dictatorship of Vietnam but lectures those of the United States regarding their endeavors “you didn't build this”.
WRC 4 broadcast a story about an Air Force wife in need of a new kidney. Does the station broadcast profiles of every other patient in need of a transplant as well as the occupations of the accompanying spouses? The anchors remarked what a wonderful opportunity to contribute to someone in such profound need. As such, do these propagandists plan to offer their own organs for extraction and reassignment to someone they don't even know or even really care about?
It has been argued that individuals should be allowed to utilize any public restroom of their choosing in order to relieve themselves or to engage in whatever form of public exhibitionism arouses them sexually. In an age where it is questioned if even the remaining minimalist standards should still be imposed, who is to say that the truly liberated individual should be required to confine themselves to a room before commencing the natural process of elimination? Think this sounds outrageous? Just wait another half century or so. For did not Diogenes pull this sort of stunt? And to this very day he is celebrated in many an Introduction to Philosophy or Western Civilization course as the epitome of a truly authentic individual.
On WMAL, it was remarked that selecting Martin O'Malley to run the Democratic National Committee would be a step backwards in terms of diversity. In other words, the former Maryland Governor is too White, possesses a penis, and that particular appendage is aroused most likely by women rather than other men.
Groveling on the world stage regarding the bombing of Hiroshima, President Obama admonished that the world needs to move beyond the fear that makes nuclear weapons necessary and instead embrace a posture of disarmament. But would he be so courageous if not guaranteed a place in the civil defense facilities designed to protect the planetary elites during an atomic crisis?
This has got to be the most mindless thing I've ever heard from a pulpit. It was suggested that one ought to drive around a neighborhood not so much handing out flyers regarding vacation Bible school but offering to drive children there. Try explaining this when the police are called about some weirdo asking kids to get in their car. If these are primarily immigrant children, if the parents can find their way deep into the United States far from any border, am sure they can find their way to a church in the neighborhood on their own.
In an analysis of “Captain America: Civil War”, homeschool activist Kevin Swanson condemned super heroes for saving people from threats the podcaster categorizes as superficial. But a movie is not a systematic theology. Taking this reasoning to its logical conclusion, should firefighters be condemned for pulling people from burning buildings instead of preaching from the periphery about the eternality of Hellfire?
During a PBS town hall, President Obama lamented the demise of civility in relation to the discussion of public issues. Does this condemnation extend to minorities looting wig shops and liquor stores repeatedly in response to unpopular court verdicts?
One child sneaks into a gorilla likely as a result of inattentive parents. As in the case of the Sea World orcas, before it's over with, there will be no zoos. Elites will continue to berate us as to why we should surrender still more freedoms but not be allowed to see these creatures.
PETA is not so much pro-animal as it is anti-human. Just ask the numerous animals that the organization has allowed to perish or actively brought about the deaths of rather than to be enjoyed in various capacities by humans.
In a stage play depicting the characters from Harry Potter as adults, Hermione Granger has been recast as a Black woman. Tolerancemongers will likely snap that one isn't supposed to look at color. Then why is it that the girl that plays Hermione and Ron Weasley's daughter just happen to split the difference in terms of flesh tone? Why not a pale Swede or a freckled Irish girl with flaming red hair? Most of the Weasley clan were gingers after all.
By Frederick Meekins
