March 2008

I’m a big fan of apologetics.  I listen to the likes of William Lane Craig, Hank Hanegraaf and Greg Koukl almost daily.  Most people, though, hear “apologetics” and immediately tune out, thinking that it’s the domain of academics and people who like to argue.  The Bible, though, has a different view.  In I Peter 3:15, we are told to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”  That leaves the serious Bible student, then, needing a place to get started.

Stand to Reason, the apologetics training organization founded by Greg Koukl, just announced the availability of one of their most popular resources, Tactics in Defending the Faith, as bite-sized chunks in 14 weekly emails.  When you sign up, you simply tell them when you want to start receiving the emails, and just sit back and wait.  Getting started in your effort to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” could not be easier, or cheaper.  Sign up today!

This debate, set to take place next month in OKC, looks quite interesting.

“Grace Bible Church of Oklahoma City announces the 2007 Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield Lecture Series featuring a debate on The Christian’s Final Authority: The Bible or The Church? Father Mitchell Pacwa and Dr. Eric Svendsen will engage this timely question. The debate will be held Friday, May 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Meinders School of Business of Oklahoma City University located at N.W. 27th and McKinley Avenue on the eastern edge of the OCU campus. This debate is open to the public free of charge.”

“Fr. Pacwa will represent the position that the Roman Catholic Church is the only infallible interpreter of Scripture or Sola Ecclesia Romanus. Dr. Svendsen will contend for Scripture alone as the final authority for the believer or Sola Scriptura.”

My only question: who’s going to represent the third way, “prima scriptura“?

Update: As it turns out, the debate to which I referred took place last year (it’s no wonder my critics say I’m stuck in the past). THIS year’s lecture series will feature Gene Edward Veith on “The Church and Culture,” and will take place on Friday, May 9. Dr. Veith, whom I admire (and who is a native Oklahoman by the way), will be superb. Click here for details, and I apologize for the confusion.

Last night, as I drove back from my parents’ house after our Easter celebration, I had a lot of time to think, as any late night drive with two young children is wont to offer. As we drove, we passed by a billboard, and it got me to thinking about a funny story (in an oh-my-goodness sort of way) a couple of friends of ours once told my wife and me. It had to with P.F. Chang’s, their son, and some unexpectedly hot noodles. Read the rest of this entry »

The Learning Channel is currently running the third season of Jon & Kate Plus 8. I have recently been introduced to this reality show, but I am quite fascinated with the group dynamics of this young couple and their family of twins and sextuplets.

It’s an interesting experience in my house on Monday nights now. My wife and I have been married for 10 months, and it seems like she and I each carry an opposite gene.

I want to watch Jon & Kate, and she prefers to watch CSI:Miami. How odd is it that the husband is interested in a reality show about a couple with a bunch of kids and the wife prefers to watch a crime show? Fortunately, both shows don’t come on at the same time, so I have my preference at 8 p.m., and she gets to watch Horatio speak his overdramatic lines at 9 p.m.

So what is it about this show that appeals to me?

It could be that as an inexperienced husband I find it educational to watch another couple whose lives are on display to the world, observing how they relate to each other, how they fight yet work out situations.

It could be that I like making my wife paranoid with the thought I could actually consider wanting a set of multiple kids and will have us rush out to meet with a fertility doctor. Fear not, though. Jon & Kate have no bearing on when we decide to have children.

What I do find appealing about the show is some of the things TLC does not emphasize. Jon and Kate Gosselin are committed Christians, and they do have pro-life convictions.

When discovering Kate was pregnant with six, her doctor attempted to provide comfort with the suggestion of reduction. Kate emphatically said on the show that her response was “we will NOT discuss reduction.” That sound byte was a major selling point for me.

I found the Gosselins’ website, and reading their story was priceless.

“I have learned that I am not at all in control of my own life—God is,” Kate writes. ”He owns every facet of my very being! What great relief to know that all that stress does not have to sit on my shoulders anymore! I give it to God and he takes care of it for me! I have learned to be grateful for everything I have.”

Of all the multitude of reality shows that have been aired and are currently airing, I don’t know if there ever could be one with a greater impact of planting seeds of the gospel as well as providing a positive pro-life message than Jon & Kate Plus 8.  

In honor of our Lord, I wanted to post some of the words from one of the best hymns in the Baptist Hymnal, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Verse 1
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Verse 4
To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true, Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.

Now ponder the words from “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed”:

Verse 1
Alas, and did my Savior bleed And did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head For sinners such as I?

Verse 2
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, And love beyond degree!

Verse 4
But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘Tis all that I can do.

A Christian leader I greatly admire has a new book out. Chuck Colson has penned The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe it, and Why it Matters. I have not yet read it, but after coming across two interviews with him about the book, one with Newsweek and one on the Bible Answer Man Program, I just had to order it.

Of course, I cannot say until I actually read it through, but the book appears to closely parallel my favorite of the early Church’s creeds, The Nicene Creed.

Here is the teaser: “The word ‘Christianity’ conjures up many pictures, depending on who defines it. But Chuck Colson asserts that the faith ‘given once for all’ is an invitation to a wonderful vision of life, open to all who will come. The Faith invites all who will — whether believers or skeptics — to explore the basic doctrines of Christianity and find out for themselves what it really means to be called a disciple of Christ — and how to live as a disciple.”

In an age in which doctrine is becoming increasingly unfashionable within Christian circles (and increasingly more necessary to combat error), this sounds like just the book that was needing to be written. So thanks, Chuck!

I once drove by a billboard with that profound message. It now appears that the prestigious Royal College of Psychiatrists agrees, at least with the latter portion.

A friend passed along a news story from The Times, “Women may be at risk of mental health breakdowns if they have abortions, a medical royal college has warned. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says women should not be allowed to have an abortion until they are counselled on the possible risk to their mental health.” Read more here.

This piece is one small part of the larger raging debate going on in Britain whether to limit “abortions… from 24 weeks to 20 weeks.”If you are an avid reader of this blog, you would know that Britain along with almost every other nation in the world has more restrictive abortion laws than do we.

It’s going to take more than slogans and billboards to change this. What can you do?

Recently, a proclamation was made by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the issue of the environment and climate change.

I haven’t come to a definite conclusion on what to make of this. I did notice BGCO executive director/treasurer Dr. Anthony Jordan was listed among the signatories of the declaration.

Christians should be good stewards of the land and not hold a reputation of being irresponsible with natural resources. I have no difficulty in recycling and having a “green-friendly” approach to living.

I also believe that Christians should have the proper perspective of living obediently and remembering God alone is responsible for providing all things for us to enjoy (I Tim. 6:17) and His plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2), even by an interpreted climate change.

Father Jonathan has a regular column on the Fox News website. Of course, he and I will differ on certain theological issues, but he regularly gives a perspective that will cause me to ponder.

He gave his commentary on the SBC leaders’ environment proclamation, and there’s a passage that provoked my usual pondering.

“I think we can learn a great deal from this environmental debate,” he said. ”Being ‘green’ is the newest semi-spiritual movement to sweep American culture. Part of its success can be attributed to the hollow and thirsty hearts of millions of Americans who long for spirituality and want to take part in the adventure of doing good for others, but who are fed-up with what they consider harsh and senseless demands of religion and its hypocritical leaders. They have found in environmental activism a moral cause.”

He is correct. There are many “hollow and thirsty hearts” in our country. However, I do question what he means by “harsh and senseless demands.” If such demands are biblical, then it doesn’t matter if someone interprets them as harsh, and they certainly wouldn’t be senseless.

But here’s what I can appreciate from both the SBC leaders and Father Jonathan. The sanctity of life is a greater cause.

“Any policy that puts the defense of the earth above the interests of human life is unacceptable,” the priest said.

“We are proud of our deep and lasting commitments to moral issues like the sanctity of human life and biblical definitions of marriage. We will never compromise our convictions nor attenuate our advocacy on these matters, which constitute the most pressing moral issues of our day,” the SBC proclamation states.

The concern of raising the banner of environmental issues is holding it higher than what the Bible emphasizes. Let’s pray it will never fly above the pro-life standard.

According to a news source, “Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a prominent United States advocate for the right-to-die for terminally ill patients via physician-assisted suicide, stated on Wednesday that he intends to run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.”

“‘We need some honesty and sincerity instead of corrupt government in Washington,’ Dr. Kevorkian said while announcing his bid to represent Michigan‘s 9th congressional district.” In an age in which we need more right-to-life candidates, we get this.

The piece added, “He was released [from prison] in June of 2007 on parole due to good behavior.” I am persuaded by the argument that we should give criminals more time for bad behavior, not less for so-called good behavior. But I digress, as this news story is twisted enough.

According to a new Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission e-mail update: “The state Senate will vote this week on pro-life SB 1878, The Freedom of Conscience Act, which would protect health care professionals’ right to refuse to participate in the taking of an innocent human life.”

“In addition, the Oklahoma House of Representatives will vote this week on pro-life HB 3144, providing a woman an ultrasound of her unborn child which she may view prior to undergoing an abortion.”

I consider myself a conservative and 100% pro-life, but I am always excited to see groups and leaders who are of various political stripes speak out for life.

For starters, consider this rousing speech by Australian politician Christopher Pyne, a Liberal (capital ‘L’) member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993. [Click here and look for his "Speech to Right to Life Convention].

In other parts of the Anglosphere, our friends across the pond have an interesting petition drive: http://www.aliveandkickingcampaign.org/.

Then at home, there is the 95-10 Initiative launched by ‘Democrats for Life’ that is: “a comprehensive package of federal legislation and policy proposals that will reduce the number of abortions by 95% in the next 10 years.” Of course, that initiative was launched three years ago, so I guess it should be called the 95-7 initiative.

“Are you pro-life?” is often a question you hear. However, it usually inquires as to what one thinks, not does. I recently read a pamphlet, though, that is asking its readers to turn their beliefs into to action. “52 Simple Things You can Do to Be Pro-Life,” by Anne Pierson, is well worth the time.

It lists simple actions we can take, such as:

[ ] wearing the “feet pin,” the universal symbol for life

[ ] marching in a parade for life

[ ] babysitting for a single mother

[ ] writing a letter to the editor

[ ] giving financially to crisis pregnancy centers

[ ] volunteering your time for a crisis pregnancy center

[ ] holding a baby shower for a crisis pregnancy center

[ ] and most importantly prayer.

Many of the 52 action items listed I had already done, yet a majority I have yet to do. Some actions were in between. For instance, I have prayed for the pro-life cause, but have I truly prayed with enough fervor? Finally, the document listed a handful of not-so-easy pro-life actions, such as adoption, running for office or embarking on a new career within the pro-life movement.

At any rate, this publication provides a good opportunity to pause and take note of whether we simply believe pro-life, or are actually doing something about it.

Are you familiar with the Internet content filter, BSafe? If not, you should check it out, as it’s the best, Jerry, the best.

However, I was disappointed to discover that the filter blocks our blog, and plan to plead our case to the forces that be. That aside, I am a huge proponent of putting a filter on every computer, be it BSafe or another software.

In this dark age, we Christians must go out of our way to protect our children, our marriages, and our God-given purity. And if that means missing a few worthy blogs, so be it. After all, what profit it a man to gain the whole World Wide Web and lose his soul?

Update: Shortly after my post was published, the BSafe people contacted me and indicated that the reason our site was blocked is because it fell under the “Free Host” category, which are notoriously salacious and difficult to monitor. They agreed, however, to change our status to “Opinion” and therefore allow BSafe subscribers to read this blog. Just when I thought my estimation of their company could not go any higher, they do this.