Another Lovely Screed From Brannon Howse

So I just received this in my email box:

Posted: 09/14/09



Is America at a Dangerous Tipping Point for Receiving God's Judgment?

By Brannon Howse

This is one article in our new, 48 page, free, full-color magazine you can order here: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/digest.shtml


Other articles include:

Understanding Fabian Socialism and What it is Doing to America
The Strategy and Purpose For Destroying America's Economy
The Similarities Between The Churches in Germany that Allowed Hitler and the Churches in America Today
Why They Need a Crisis and The Youth of the Working Class
How Should Christians Respond To What is Happening to America?
The Anti-Christian Individuals That Have Brought America to the Brink of Self-Destruction and Why They Are the Heroes of Academia and the Mainstream Media
How and Why This Can Be the Greatest Hour For the Church


I believe America is at a dangerous tipping point for receiving God's judgment for two reasons. The first reason is America's withering support for the nation of Israel. This began under the Bush Administration but has rapidly advanced under the Obama Administration. In early June of 2009, President Obama traveled to Egypt to deliver an address to the Muslim world. In his speech President Obama cited what he called the holy Koran numerous times. This is the very book that calls for Muslim to murder the Jews as well as Christians.

Of course Brannon assumes that the Koran calls Muslims to kill unbelievers being a bible literalist but the majority of Muslims interpret those verses differently. But playing by Howse's game---how about these lovely bible verses:

Numbers 31:16-18 (New International Version)
16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

Luke 19:26-28 (New International Version)

26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."

The Triumphal Entry
28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Continuing with Howse's screed:

Days before his trip to the region President Obama declared that Iran has the right to a nuclear facility for energy. Why do they need a nuclear facility for energy when they have all that oil? We all know they want a nuclear bomb. Obama has clearly thrown Israel under the bus; by weakening Israel's national security and making them vulnerable to a nuclear strike by Iran. In addition he has increased Iran's threat to America's national security. Since 1998, Iran has been practicing shooting a missile off a cargo ship. If one missile, with a nuclear war head, was launched from international waters over the United States and detonated only a few miles above the center of our nation, an electronic magnetic pulse could very easily put America back in the mid 1800s technology wise by damaging vital electrical devices such as America's power-grid and our military defenses. Military experts and scientists have testified before the U.S. Congress and declared that the only way our enemies could bring us down militarily is through an EMP bomb.

What a moron---Iran can't hurt Israel as Israel already has it's own stockpile of nuclear arms to deploy if any of it's enemies threaten it's borders. No it's wackjobs like Howse that have thrown Israel under the bus by making biblical Israel which has always been spiritual into a United Nations created landmass.

Howse again:

In Genesis 12:3 God says that He will curse those that curse Israel and bless those that bless Israel. I believe one of the only reasons God's wrath has been delayed for America is because of our support for Israel and now America has almost completely withdrawn this support and I believe it puts us at great risk for being cursed by God.

The second dangerous national tipping point that is inviting God's wrath is found in the book of Nahum. The prophet Nahum shows up in Nineveh about 150 years after Jonah to tell the nation that God is not going to give them the chance to repent this time but His wrath is going to come upon them. Why? Because in Nahum 1:11 we read that the people had begun to "plot evil against the Lord." Rejecting God is one thing; plotting evil against him is the tipping point for national judgment. In fact in Nahum 3:19 we read, that their national "injury has no healing, your wound is severe." One translation says, "Your wound is incurable."

In fact, when God finally chooses to bring His judgment on America, it would be a waste of time to even pray for mercy. No need for a national day of prayer. In Jeremiah 7:16 God Himself declares to Jeremiah not to pray for Judah. "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or a prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me: for I will not hear you." In Jeremiah 15:1 God tells Jeremiah, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people." Then in Ezekiel 14 God says that when a nation sins against God in persistent unfaithfulness He will stretch out His hand against it. In verse 14 God says, "Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves."

Yeah because we see how well God judged Nazi Germany in the 13 years that the Holocaust went on. Also if God wanted to judge America, God would have done it already---but since we aren't God's Chosen Nation anyway---this is sheer nonsense.

Howse continues:

On June 1, Obama signed a proclamation that declared June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Pride Month, 2009." Combine America throwing Israel under the bus and our nation plotting evil against the Lord, and I think we may be at, or near, that tipping point. The next few months will reveal whether this is true or not. But it has become very clear that America is not on the side of God when our nation has murdered nearly 50 million unborn children, states are rushing toward homosexual marriage, God is outlawed in our nation's public schools, the criminalization of Christianity is greatly increasing, only 1% of adults have a Christian worldview and false-teaching and pagan spirituality has become mainstream.

Gasp---the sheer horror---how dare we love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Many more people are being killed in the illegitimate war that you support. God should be kept out of schools as state-led religion is heretical and as Roger Williams says:

forc’t Worshpp stincks in Gods nostrils. 2 That it denies Christ Jesus yet to be come, and makes the Church yet National, figurative and Ceremoniall. 3 That in these flames about Religion, as his Matie his Father and Grandfather have yielded, there is no prudent Christian way of preserving peace in the World but by permission of differing Consciences.

Also we are a secular republic not a theocracy. Pagan spirituality---what? You mean like the Neo-Platonism of Fundamentalism, church buildings, temples, pulpits, crosses, paper-printed scriptures, etc.

Back to Howse:

Abraham Lincoln said, "I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side."

In 2 Corinthians 3:17 the Apostle Paul writes: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom". The question for America is have we rejected the things of the Lord and thus His Divine providence and protection? In other words, is God judging America? I think the answer is yes.

Founding Father Dr. Jedidiah Morse wrote:



"Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all the blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."

Engraved on the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. are these words of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president:

" God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."

George Washington wrote: "We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself have ordained."

George mason, The father of the Bill of Rights, speaking at the Constitutional Convention declared: "As nations cannot be rewarded or punished in the next world, so they must be in this. By an inevitable chain of causes and effects, Providence punishes national sins by national calamities."

Again we are not God's Chosen Nation and these ideas have general secular meanings in a Deistic sense.

Howse rambling on like the Fundamentalist tool that he is:

I believe God uses the same template to judge nations and I believe that template can be understood by studying what God said would happen to the nation of Israel if they did not obey God and follow His precepts and principles. I believe God always warns nation's before He judges them and in doing so gives them the chance to repent. However, if the nation does not repent, God's judgment will become more severe. In reading what God said He would do to the nation of Israel if they continue in their rebellion against God as found in Deuteronomy 28, Leviticus 26, and Isaiah 5, it is in many ways like reading the newspapers here in America.

Read on: Here.

Is John Piper The New "Jerry Falwell"?

Compare these quotes from the late Jerry Falwell:

Fundies: Katrina is Gods punishment on abortionist!!!
by AHiddenSaint
Share this on Twitter - Fundies: Katrina is Gods punishment on abortionist!!! Tue Aug 30, 2005 at 09:08:36 PM PDT
So when do fundies go to far?
Salon":

Two days after 9/11, Jerry Falwell took to the airwaves to proclaim that God had allowed the United States to be attacked because "the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians" had tried to transform America into a secular society. Just this weekend, wingnuts from the Westboro Baptist Church turned out at the funerals of two fallen soldiers to say that God is punishing the United States in Iraq for its tolerance of homosexuality back home.

For another disgusting chapter in the conservative book of divine retribution, look at the reaction to the catastrophic attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Men of faith such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson did not mourn the loss of life, grieve for their countrymen or even seek to rally the nation. Instead, appearing on the 700 Club, they sought to cast blame and attribute the terrorist attack to Providence angered by the sin and debauchery of conservative enemies:

FALWELL: "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"
ROBERTSON: "We have sinned against Almighty God, at the highest level of our government, we've stuck our finger in your eye. The Supreme Court has insulted you over and over again, Lord. They've taken your Bible away from the schools. They've forbidden little children to pray. They've taken the knowledge of God as best they can, and organizations have come into court to take the knowledge of God out of the public square of America."

Read more: Here.

To these proclamations by one of Calvinazism's leading darlings, John Piper:

The Tornado, the Lutherans, and Homosexuality
August 20, 2009 | By: John Piper | Category: Commentary

I saw the fast-moving, misshapen, unusually-wide funnel over downtown Minneapolis from Seven Corners. I said to Kevin Dau, “That looks serious.”
....
According to the ELCA’s printed convention schedule, at 2 PM on Wednesday, August 19, the 5th session of the convention was to begin. The main item of the session: “Consideration: Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality.” The issue is whether practicing homosexuality is a behavior that should disqualify a person from the pastoral ministry.

The eyewitness of the damage continues:

This curious tornado touches down just south of downtown and follows 35W straight towards the city center. It crosses I94. It is now downtown.

The time: 2PM.

The first buildings on the downtown side of I94 are the Minneapolis Convention Center and Central Lutheran. The tornado severely damages the convention center roof, shreds the tents, breaks off the steeple of Central Lutheran, splits what’s left of the steeple in two...and then lifts.

Let me venture an interpretation of this Providence with some biblical warrant.

1. The unrepentant practice of homosexual behavior (like other sins) will exclude a person from the kingdom of God.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

2. The church has always embraced those who forsake sexual sin but who still struggle with homosexual desires, rejoicing with them that all our fallen, sinful, disordered lives (all of us, no exceptions) are forgiven if we turn to Christ in faith.

Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

3. Therefore, official church pronouncements that condone the very sins that keep people out of the kingdom of God, are evil. They dishonor God, contradict Scripture, and implicitly promote damnation where salvation is freely offered.

4. Jesus Christ controls the wind, including all tornados.

Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41)

5. When asked about a seemingly random calamity near Jerusalem where 18 people were killed, Jesus answered in general terms—an answer that would cover calamities in Minneapolis, Taiwan, or Baghdad. God’s message is repent, because none of us will otherwise escape God’s judgment.

Jesus: “Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:4-5)

6. Conclusion: The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin. Turn from the promotion of behaviors that lead to destruction. Reaffirm the great Lutheran heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture. Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality. Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform left and right wing sinners.

Read full text here: Here.

Caught from Wretched Daily Updates August 20, 2009.

I especially like this sentence: "Turn back from distorting the grace of God into sensuality." What---you mean like fundamentalist Calvinists distorting God's grace into a license to excuse Calvin's theocratic tyranny and executions. I'd venture to say that the ELCA as well as the more progressive reformed, Calvinist, protestant, Baptist, Arminian, etc. bodies have already turned from distorting God's grace---that's why they are not fundamentalists of either the Reformed or non-reformed stripe.

See also He Lives: John Piper has a rare Strikeout in which a Piper fan even calls out Dr. Piper's comments.

There Is Something Very Wrong With This Picture

Thanks to Ruckmanism.Org:

Can you believe this? The latest book by Peter Ruckman features a painting on the front cover of the KJV dying on the cross instead of Christ. Click here to see the cover.

I found the link for Ruckmanism.Org on the Fundamentalist version of Wikipedia: The Ministry Of EJ Hill & Friends' article on Peter Ruckman. They are right on Ruckman, but you should check out what they say about Billy Graham:

Classification
Abortionist [1|3] - Ecumenical [2|7|8] - False Teacher [1] - Freemason [4|5|6]

I wonder how anyone in their right mind could call Billy Graham an abortionist? Another article to check out is the one on Brian McLaren, if you can stomach it. Ahh....the joys of late night web browsing.

Anyways, if you got yourself with something more refreshing: The Rev's Rumbles: America's 'Emerging Church:' Will a New Post-Evangelical Christianity Reflect More Tolerant Views?, since the retired Rev. Anderson gave me a shout out:The Rev's Rumbles: Todd Friel Responds To Dr. Tiller's Murder---I figured I'd return the compliment.

Todd Friel Responds To Dr. Tiller's Murder

Once again, Todd is full of hot air and his kind of rhetoric is what ultimately leads to these type of acts of "Christian Terrorism." I have nothing further to add, so what are your thoughts?

Also, here's something just as disturbing---John Meunier’s Blog: Bring a gun to church day. No not John Meunier, but the subject of his post:

I am not making this up.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky pastor is inviting his flock to bring guns to church to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Second Amendment.

Fundamentalists Never Cease To Be Laughable

Here is a post from Bruce Prescott: on the subject: Mainstream Baptist: Mohler Contemptuous of Islam:

Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mohler Contemptuous of Islam

While the Pope makes a visit to the Middle East trying to defuse conflict between Christians and Muslims, Southern Seminary President Al Mohler fans the flames of conflict with a religiously arrogant and contemptous blog that denounces extending any respect to Islam.

After the arrogant and contemptuous way Mohler and other fundamentalist takeover leaders treated the Mainstream and moderate Baptists in their own denomination, I have exceedingly low expectations for civility from any of them. But, lives are at stake in the Middle East and around the world when people like Mohler persist in fomenting a clash of civilizations.

Mohler would not consider it respectful to him as a person if an Imam had said:

"We can respect Christian people for their contributions to human welfare, scholarship, and culture. We can respect the brilliance of Christian scholarship in the Roman era and the wonders of Christian art and architecture. But we cannot respect a belief system that denies that Mohammad was a prophet, insists that he was a demon-possessed pedophile, and encourages soldiers to evangelize millions in occupied lands." (Note: This is a hypothetical quotation, not an actual quotation)

Why would he think that any Muslim feels respected when he says:

We can respect Muslim people for their contributions to human welfare, scholarship, and culture. We can respect the brilliance of Muslim scholarship in the medieval era and the wonders of Islamic art and architecture. But we cannot respect a belief system that denies the truth of the gospel, insists that Jesus was not God's Son, and takes millions of souls captive. (Note: This is an actual quotation)

Frankly, in my experience, I find Muslims more respectful of Christianity than I find Evangelical Christians respectful of Islam. When will Evangelicals learn that it is possible to respectfully disagree?

Posted by Dr. Bruce Prescott at 10:20 AM

I have to agree with Tauratinzwe's comment:

Tauratinzwe said...
What do you expect of Mohler? He's contemptuous of committed christians also if they don't bow down to him.

I must add too that Mohler must also be jealous of Islam's hold on the Middle East via fear and theocracies in certain countries---after all that is Mohler and his cronies' goal to Christianize America by fear and establishing a Calvinazi theocracy here in America. No thanks, I'll pass on a theocratic police state---for we saw how well it worked out in Geneva especially for the Anabaptists and in the Puritan colonies. I'd rather keep America a secular nation where we have the freedom to choose our religious expressions or non-religious expressions without fear of being put to death. I'm not sure if it would get that bad if Mohler and the Religious Right did succeed in establishing a fundamentalist theocracy but some of their statements scarily allude to it especially in their defense of Calvin's atrocities such as:

Calvin’s Persecution

I think the scariest thing Todd says is this about Calvin’s role in the execution of Michael Servetus:

Now, putting the execution aside, which of us has it right, and which of us has it wrong here? Whose attitude — forget the execution — whose attitude is more biblical and more correct? … one is tolerant, the other one is intolerant of heresy. Period. It’s that black and white. So were they wrong or are we wrong?

This is like saying, “Except for the part that is wrong, who is right or wrong?” The issue at point is not whether we should hate heresy. It is whether people should be killed for it. You can’t put that aside. It’s not rational only to discuss the attitude about heresy, since people on both sides are against it. Same with the abortion issue — all of us know that some babies are unwanted, and they’re expensive — but the issue isn’t the reasons for it, it’s the murder part!

Todd also says:

… the government was designed and put in place to make sure that people kept in line. And according to the Bible in Romans 13, God puts governments in place to protect people and to make sure that people follow the rules. So if the government happens to be so closely linked with the church, like it was in Geneva — if one of the rules was blasphemy or correct theology on the Trinity, they must have understood that crime in a much deeper way than we do to have somebody executed for not understanding the Trinity (or for theology).

So time and culture determine what is right and wrong. This is a slippery point to make in this argument. Todd is unwilling to view our current culture through this lens, and especially unwilling to look at the Islamic states this way. If he’s going to defend the Reformers’ persecutions by saying it’s the government’s responsibility to enforce the rules, then I have a new rule for Todd. You’re not allowed to play the Paul Washer clip about the young boy who was shot by the Muslims for refusing to deny Jesus. You can’t have that both ways — either religious persecution is right or it’s wrong. It’s that black and white.

See also: WOTM Transcription 2008-08-22, Hour 1, Defense of Reformers and listen to the clip of Al Mohler's disciple, Todd Friel: here. Imagine the arrogance if this came about today.

Fundamentalist Wackjobs At Their Finest

Go to Prom, Get Suspended, School Says
AP
posted: 22 HOURS 6 MINUTES AGOcomments: 1659filed under: National News, Weird NewsPrintShareText SizeAAA

FINDLAY, Ohio (May 8) - A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.
Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School's prom Saturday.
Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school's rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.
The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.
Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.
"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.
Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.
"I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid," Frost said. "I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end."
England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.
"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.
The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music "is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people's hearts and minds."
England said Frost's family should not be surprised by the school's position.
"For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous," he said. "It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to."
The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School's view of prom.
"I don't see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts," Craig Kupferberg said.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-05-08 12:13:47

Frost's stepfather is right--- "the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom"---but with fundamentalists, logic doesn't apply.

Kristen Dalton Won Fair And Square

Many in efforts to try to make it seem as if the Miss USA Pageant was somehow rigged and that Miss California was the true winner of the competition try to somehow tie her lost to her personal stand on same-sex marriage. Brannon Howse and his band of Right-Wing nutcases at Worldview Weekend try to brand idiot judge, Perez Hilton with using hate speech. Listen: Here . Brannon Howse of course believes hate crimes are ok as long as they support his views, but when the shoe is on the other foot---he is the loudest to yell hate crime and persecution. Of course, Brannon believes that Miss California supports the traditional and biblical view of marriage---even-though there are several views of marriage within the bible. However, I do believe Perez Hilton is an idiot for his comments about Miss California---even-though, I do not believe in her views---her answer to her question was respectful and not arrogant like fundamentalists:

Miss USA 2009
Hilton served as a judge for the Miss USA 2009 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009. During the Q&A portion of the contest, Hilton's question came to the Miss California representative, Carrie Prejean. Hilton asked:

“Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?”

Prejean responded:

“Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. You know what, in my country, in my family, I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offence to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you.”

Here are Kristen's scores which proves she won fair and square:

During the broadcast, viewers were able to follow the judging action during the swimsuit and gown portions of the competition as the judges' aggregate score was displayed. Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton had the highest scores of the contestants in both sections with a 9.198 in swimsuit and a 9.470 in gown.

See also: Miss California and Perez Hilton Act Like a Couple of Pageant Queens. I'm just sorry that this stupidity has taken away from celebrating in the joy of Kristen becoming Miss USA---not just because she's a Wilmington local and a member of FBC-Wilmington, but because she won---she is the best one to represent our country.

Ron Howard Versus The Catholic League

Ron Howard Defends His 'Demons' From Catholic League
PopEater
posted: 2 MINUTES AGOcomments: 293filed under: Fight!, Gut Reactions, Highbrow, Movie NewsPrintShareText SizeAAA'

Angels & Demons' director Ron Howard has taken the fight back to Catholic League head honcho William "Bill" Donohue, who is accusing the Hollywood star and author Dan Brown of "smearing" the Vatican "with fabulously bogus tales" in the upcoming 'Da Vinci Code' prequel. In recent weeks, Donohue has released a series of Op-Eds and press releases slamming Howard and the film, which follows Robert Langdon (played by Tom Hanks) as he teams up with the Church to thwart an attack against the Vatican. In a piece for the Huffington Post, Howard asks "What, exactly, is anti-Catholic about that?" Donohue attacks Brown for incorporating well-known conspiracy theories in his books, such as in 'Demons' where it is said the Catholic Church massacred members of the Illuminati -- a short-lived secret society composed of the power elite -- in the 1600s. In reality, the group did not exist until 1776. "It would be a lie if we had ever suggested our movie is anything other than a work of fiction (if it were a documentary, our talk of massacres would have referenced the Inquisition or the Crusades)," Howard responds.
"And if fictional movies could never take liberties with reality, then there would have been no 'Ben-Hur,' no 'Barabbas,' 'The Robe,' 'Gone With The Wind,' or 'Titanic.' Not to mention 'Splash!'" In a press release on the Catholic League's Web site, Donohue takes a bite out of Hanks as well. "Were it not for savaging Catholicism, few would care about the duplicity of Brown and Hanks. But they are obviously not content to spin mysterious tales absent an anti-Catholic animus." Howard finds one thing that he and Donohue have in common: "we both like to create fictional tales, as he has done with his silly and mean-spirited work of propaganda." "Since Mr. Donohue has, in effect, smeared me by claiming I am smearing his Church, I want him to know this: I have respect for Catholics and their Church, and know they accomplish many good works throughout the world." "And I believe Angels & Demons treats the Church with respect -- even a degree of reverence -- for its traditions and beliefs." The film hits theaters on May 15.

2009 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2009-04-21 09:13:42

And we should get this worked up over a work of fiction because? Granted anti-Catholic bigotry exists in the world---mostly in the thoughts and ideas of Reformed Fundamentalist Protestants and Independent Fundamentalist Baptists and other fundamentalist groups because of their anti-ecumenical stance and/or what early Protestants said. Shouldn't we as Christians be more concerned with these more real and concrete examples of anti-Catholicism then? Examples such as by: King James Onlyists like Jack Chick, Peter Ruckman, Gail Riplinger, etc. And Fungelicals like John MacArthur and John Hagee, etc.

Todd Friel Bashes Rick Warren's Ecumenical Inaugural Prayer

Why?



Answer: Because he is Conservative without being a fundamentalist racist/bigotry spouting Spurgeon/John MacArthur/John Piper worshipping Calvinazi nutjob.

According To A Right Wing Fundamentalist Website...

I'm a Secular Humanist.

Here are my test results:

Your classification is: Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker

Your score is: 55 points of 166 possible, 33%

Scoring/Ratings Chart
Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker 75% - 100%
Moderate Biblical Worldview Thinker 50% - 74%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker 25% - 49%
Socialist Worldview Thinker 0% - 24%
Communist/Marxist/Socialist/Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker under 0%

Results for Age Group: 26-35
Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker 64.6%
Moderate Biblical Worldview Thinker 20.0%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker 5.7%
Socialist Worldview Thinker 3.3%
Communist/Marxist/Socialist/Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker 6.5%



Total Results for Everyone
Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker 56.2%
Moderate Biblical Worldview Thinker 26.4%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker 9.6%
Socialist Worldview Thinker 3.4%
Communist/Marxist/Socialist/Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker 4.3%

Even better is the laughable suggestions to save my soul and change it into a brainwashed Right Wing Extremist Fungelical bible literalist:

Click here to view global results for all test takers


See the Test Frequently Asked Questions.
To improve your biblical worldiew or that of your teen we recommend the following things:

Attend a Worldview Weekend near you.
Send your 16 to 25 year olds to a two-week Summit camp in Colorado. (You will find a link to their web page on every page of our website)
Adults should consider a one week Summit experience at our Adult/Educators Conf held at the Navigator's Glen Eyrie Conference Center.
Begin teaching or attending a 13 week course of study entitled Thinking Like A Christain. This course is for sale at our onlne bookstore at www.worldviewweekend.com
Read the following worldview books which are available at our online bookstore at www.worldviewweekend.com
Mind Seige by Dr. Tim LaHaye and Dr. David Noebel
God & Government I, II, and III by Gary DeMar
No Retreats, No Reserves, No Regrets, by numerous authors
Original Intent by David Barton
Reasons for Believing By Frank Harber
The Battle For Truth, by David Noebel
Revised and Expanded Answers Book by Ken Ham
Thinking Straight in a Crooked World by Gary DeMar

Then retake the test and see what improvements you or your teen have made.
For a refutation of this statement the following statements:

If you want to study the original source of law, then study the previous decisions of judges since our laws are always evolving based on the most recent decisions of our nation's judges.

Since God is not the author of law, the author of law must be man. In other words, the law is the law simply because the highest human authority, which is the state, has said it is law and is able to back it up by force.

Please see John Eidsmoe, Christianity & the Constitution (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987, 2003).

Here is a bias breakdown of my test results:

Your detailed question breakdown follows:
Section: Civil Government section score: 50%
Moderate Biblical Worldview Thinker
As long as government is serving the purpose for which God created it, government is approved by God. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
American founding fathers violated New Testament principles when they founded America. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The more a government resembles a pure democracy the more disorder and confusion occur. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Individual freedoms would be advanced and protected under a one-world government under United Nations authority. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Under some circumstances Christians are called to disobey the laws of government. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Making the incomes of its citizens as equal as possible should be one of the top priorities of any legitimate government. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The founding fathers had no biblical reason in mind when they made America a Constitutional Republic instead of a pure democracy. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
A God given responsibility of government is to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Section: Economics section score: 25%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
The Bible states that money is the root of all evil. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The biblical purpose for wealth is to provide for one's family, proclaim the Gospel, be a blessing to others, test your stewardship and one's loyalty to God. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
It is the responsibility of the federal government to create wealth. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Physically and mentally healthy adults that do not work should not be protected from suffering the consequences of their actions. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Making as much money as you can is more important than whether you have a good reputation. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
All forms of government-sponsored socialism stifle economic growth and prosperity to one degree or another. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Christians should be directly opposed to a state lottery for numerous biblical and economical reasons. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
When you study the Bible as a whole, it becomes clear that God is very supportive of an economic system that is based on private property, the work ethic, and personal responsibility. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Section: Education section score: 25%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
The federal government should fund school-based health clinics which would include safe-sex counseling. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The federal government should be directly involved in determining which students go to college and which students go into the work place and what jobs they hold. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The federal government should require that only a federally licensed teacher be permitted to teach or instruct a child in an educational setting. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Science, history, literature and other advanced educational skills and facts can be taught without a religious or philosophical foundation. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Values clarification courses or situational ethics should be taught to students in our educational system. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The federal government should require students to pass a national test before graduating from high school. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Section: family section score: -33%
Communist/Marxist/Socialist/Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
Since it is her body a women should be free to end her pregnancy with an abortion. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The federal government should pass legislation allowing doctors and family members to decide when a loved one should be put to death based on the individual's quality of life. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Homosexual marriages should be legalized. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Section: law section score: 19%
Socialist Worldview Thinker
If you want to study the original source of law, then study the previous decisions of judges since our laws are always evolving based on the most recent decisions of our nation's judges. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Civil disobedience by Christians is always wrong and unbiblical. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The original intent of our founding fathers was a form of government that was free to set its own policy only if God had not already ruled in that area. Our founders believed that our man made laws were not to contradict the laws of God. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Legislating morality is a violation of the separation of church and state. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The wording "separation of church and state" is found in the U.S. Constitution. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The separation of church and state must be enforced, prohibiting the acknowledgment of God in the public schools, governmental buildings, meetings & property. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
There are no specific, God-given principles related to law, or if there are, they should not be the foundation of today's legal systems. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Since God is not the author of law, the author of law must be man. In other words, the law is the law simply because the highest human authority, which is the state, has said it is law and is able to back it up by force. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Our judicial system should allow judges, through their decisions and rulings, to guide and shape the foundational basis of law. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
There must be absolutes if there is to be moral and legal order. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible specifically instructs the people of a nation to base the selection of their judges on biblical principles. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible states that the government does not bear the sword in vain. Numerous verses throughout the Bible make it clear that capital punishment administered by the government, for those that have committed capital crimes, is biblically acceptable. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Ten Commandments originally provided a basis for our legal and political system creating justice and peace. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Section: Religion section score: 48%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
One of the Ten Commandments is, "thou shalt not kill;", thus it stands to reason that God is opposed to war and nations going to war. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Family, church and state are institutions ordained by God. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible is a reflection of God's character and nature. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
To know God we must study the Bible and be taught by the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
While there is evidence for the defense and reason of a biblical worldview and the claims of Christ and Christianity, it is impossible to please God without faith. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Every person who has ever lived on earth, but Adam and Eve and Jesus Christ, was born with a sin nature. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Holy Spirit does not really exist. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
God is the Creator of the universe. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
God had no beginning and has no end. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Ultimately every individual will bow their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible and a biblical worldview played an instrumental role in building our American civilization, original laws and form of government. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible is a consistent revelation from beginning to end. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Your worldview is the foundation of your values and your values are the foundation of your actions. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
All religions are equally true. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The Bible is God's revealed Word and should be the basis of our worldview. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Jesus was crucified on the cross but was NOT physically raised from the dead. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
If God does not exist, all things are permissible. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Believers should not only base their philosophy in Christ, but they should know how to respond to the critics and skeptics of Christianity with the reasoning and basis of our biblical worldview. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
God is the creator of all life. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
There is more than one way to God. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
There is a Bible verse that states that God helps those that help themselves. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Satan is real. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Individuals must ultimately face the consequences of their actions before a Holy God. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
A good person can earn his or her way to heaven if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
A Christian can develop a biblical worldview for every major area of life by studying the Bible from beginning to end in context. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
The Bible, rightly divided, should be the foundation for all our beliefs, actions, and conduct. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Both Secular Humanism and Marxism are religious worldviews. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Section: Science section score: 12%
Socialist Worldview Thinker
There is no reason why a biblically-minded Christian should be opposed to human cloning. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
If the research and theory of a group of scientists contradicts the Word of God, the error is with the scientists, not the Bible. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
There is no evidence for a world-wide flood. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Adam and Eve were fictional characters that never really lived. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The more one discovers about the universe, the more one discovers design. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
God used the process of biological evolution to create the world as we know it today. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Biological evolution (life from non-life to human beings) runs contrary to reason, science and history. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Life begins at conception. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
Section: social issues section score: 43%
Secular Humanist Worldview Thinker
Truth is either nonexistent or unknowable. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
One of the greatest virtues one can posses is the virtue of tolerance as defined by our postmodern world; namely, we accept everyone's lifestyles as equal. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
The Bible says, judge not lest you be judged, which means we are not to judge the choices or behavior of a person as right or wrong. We all make mistakes, and thus we should not judge someone's actions or behavior according to any particular standard. Your answer: Strongly Agree (-1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Biblically minded Christians should look at the issues of the world as falling into one of two categories, the secular and the sacred. Your answer: Strongly Disagree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Pastors and Christians that speak out publicly against homosexuality should be prosecuted for hate speech and a hate crime. Your answer: Tend to Agree (0 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Truth is discovered by man, not created by man. Your answer: Tend to Agree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree
If it "works" for you then it must be true. Your answer: Tend to Disagree (1 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Disagree
Immoral ideas that are put into practice have consequences. Your answer: Strongly Agree (2 points)
Correct answer: Strongly Agree

Take the test yourself here: Worldview Test.

Fundamentalist Praying For Obama To Fail

If you think Todd Friel is a nutcase read this from another Fundamentalist nutcase:

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Pray Obama Fails?
This article by Joseph Farah explains why:

Many American Christians believe, as an article of faith, that we are to pray for the success of our leaders.

It has become a sort of conventional wisdom among soft-minded believers. The biblical proof-text for this misguided way of thinking is Romans 13:1-4:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

"Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

What could be more clear-cut? At face value, it would seem the Bible is telling us government is a God-ordained good and that we are not to resist its terrors.

Many a coward has been bolstered in his conviction against challenging tyranny by not reading too deeply into the Scriptures. Yet, nowhere does the Bible ever suggest evil rulers are to be obeyed. When the rule of men conflicts with the commands of God, the Bible leaves no doubt about where we should stand.

That's why I do not hesitate today in calling on godly Americans to pray that Barack Hussein Obama fail in his efforts to change our country from one anchored on self-governance and constitutional republicanism to one based on the raw and unlimited power of the central state.

It would be folly to pray for his success in such an evil campaign.

I want Obama to fail because his agenda is 100 percent at odds with God's. Pretending it is not simply makes a mockery of God's straightforward Commandments.

So you will not see me joining in the ritual of affirming Obama and his mission in public or private prayer this week – or any other week.

Instead, I uphold the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:14: "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." And I take warning from Isaiah 9:16: "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."

And please don't tell me about "rendering unto Caesar."

It's important to consider the circumstances and the audience behind Jesus' instructions to "render unto Caesar." The Sadducees were attempting to trap Jesus into advocating open contempt for Caesar. He recognized their wicked and hypocritical little game and answered them with a totally truthful response that astonished everyone.

But think about it. There are two components to Jesus' words. We are to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," but we are also to "render unto God the things that are God's." Well, everything ultimately belongs to God. But, most of all, this injunction by Jesus instructs us that government laws cannot trump God's laws – ever.

If government commands you to do evil, as a Christian you must resist. There is no alternative. Citing the "render unto Caesar" line is an apologetic for accountability to God – nothing more, nothing less.

Furthermore, it needs to be pointed out that in America we don't have a Caesar. Never have, never will. You see, our system of government is called a free republic, and it is based on the concept of constitutional self-government. We have no "rulers" in America – except ourselves and our God. We believe in the rule of law, not the rule of men.

This is an important distinction, not a semantic one.

Nowhere in the Bible does it teach us to obey evil rulers. Nowhere.

This is a time for principled biblical resistance, not phony Christian appeasement.
posted by Kennyo at 12:04 AM

I must say that I agree with his statement against the Calvinazis abuse of Romans 13 but to call Obama an "evil leader" is absurd.

I've Tried To Keep Politics Off Of Here...

But this is too rich:

Dr. James Dobson, of Focus on the Family has published a letter trying to "scare" Christians into voting for John McCain. It is a fictional letter written by a Christian in 2012, four years after Obama is elected. Frankly, it is one of the most offensive things that I have ever read. I believe that it important for Christians not to be scared or bullied into voting one way or another. I'm tired of hearing people say that McCain is the way Christians need to vote, hearing about how pastors have said it is "unchristian" for people to vote for Obama, and seeing Church signs pushing their parishioners one way or another.

Read more from my friend Christina Whitehouse-Suggs' Livejournal.

Read Dobson's actual letter: Here.

Here is Christina's letter of response:

Dear Dr. Dobson,

I am so very tired of your ranting about politics and theology, claiming that all good Christians agree with your views. Your most recent fictional letter is yet another brick in the fundamentalist wall you continue to build around your narrow-minded kingdom. I'm sure others are saying they are appalled and outraged at your sensationalist tactics, but I'm far past that. For years you have not shown yourself to be concerned with anything that lines up with the message of the risen Christ.

If you truly consider yourself a follower of the Jesus portrayed in the Gospels, then you need to write a letter of apology to Senator Obama, as well as the entire Democratic party. Your work of fiction is the most vilifying piece of trash I've read since the Left Behind series. As Christians, we should be active in the political process but never stoop to such low-handed, strong-armed tactics.

Rev. Christina Whitehouse-Suggs

I must say I actually agree with Christina's letter moreso than Dr. Dobson's eventhough I may be a registered Republican (though I don't support either party). However, being thoroughly Baptist---I respect Dobson's right to believe as he chooses, but I believe Dobson went too far here. Especially, since coercive faith is against basic, fundamental and standard Baptist principles or as Roger Williams would say: “forc’t Worshipp stincks in Gods nostrils.”

Write your own response letter: Here.

Todd Friel's Absurd Comments About Brian MacLaren

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Commentary:

At 0:54 Brian says that he is a plethora of denominations as truly Jesus is not limited to our denominational identity---I don't see why Todd thinks that's so wacky.

At 1:45 Brian explains that Jesus and truth aren't limited to Christianity as Jesus is truly Lord of all regardless of their beliefs. (See John 4:1-15 and TheoPoetic Musings: Intensive Gospel Study: John 4)--also, see this video:

---apparently Todd doesn't agree that Jesus is Lord of all. Also in 2:19 Brian believes in the orthodox view of holistic truth---apparently Todd heretical-ly rejects holistic truth.

At 2:46 Todd once again fixated on judging others' beliefs brings up hell---though I can agree with Todd that hell is a real theological concept---we still mustn't judge others beliefs just as Jesus didn't tell the Samaritan woman that she was going to hell for not believing as the Judean Jews did.

At 3:33 once again Todd speaks nonsense---dominioninism and Kingdom theology are not one in the same. Kingdom theology is putting the Lord's Prayer in action. Todd and his cohorts at Way Of The Master are dominionists trying to coerce people into buying into their conservative political views such as their anti-evolution/anti-abortion in all cases ideologies by setting guilt traps---see http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/podcast/2008/10/14/october-14-2008-hour-2/ for example. Brian is not a dominionist and he is correct Jesus spoke more about life here on earth rather than an afterlife.

Todd at 3:36-4:10 misconstrues the Gospel as being about 3 propositions only, which he says scripture states---but he is wrong of course---scripture states that Jesus alone is the Gospel. Preaching, repentance and faith are means to viewing the Gospel (Jesus) but not the only means---Todd left out love, service, prayer, etc. Also---Luke 4.18-19, quoting from Isaiah 61 states:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Brian in 4:12-5:56 raises the issue of redemptive violence in the act of crucifixion which is a valid assessment---even if I don't entirely agree with his conclusions as Jesus willing sacrificed Himself in the face of evil and the world's violence. Todd however arrogantly chastises Brian by saying atonement by blood is the only way which eventhough I believe in blood atonement---I believe people are free to question the necessity of such a violent act of forgiveness. However, Todd's beef is not that but Brian's support of the Christus Victor view of the atonement (which is what the Early Church believed and is supported by scripture ie. I Corinthians 15: 53-58) rather than the Penal Substitutionary view of atonement, which Todd idolizes, because John Calvin first formulated the theory in it's present day form (by reading in legal terms into the bible---because Calvin was trained first as a lawyer before becoming a Magisterial Reformer).

In 6:46-7:31, Todd as usual appealing to Charles Spurgeon (who believed in the Calvinist heresy of individual predestination) to try to somehow prove that Brian is a heretic. It's interesting considering Todd's heretical fungelical teachings such as: that all sins are sins of the flesh fighting against the spirit/the flesh is evil, which is nothing short of Neo-Manichaeism and semi-Docetism.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What are your thoughts?

Southern Baptist Scholar Links Spouse Abuse to Wives' Refusal to Submit to Their Husbands

Bruce Ware, Professor of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

This news is old, but since I'm late on the Blogging scene, I thought I'd repost this article by way of my friend, Christina Whitehouse-Sugg's Facebook note even if it has been Blogged about several times I wish to offer my response:

You've got to be KIDDING me!!!Share
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:34am
I heard about this last week but simply couldn't believe it...I should've known better. For those of you who haven't kept up to date on Southern Baptist theology lately, here's one of their most prominent theologians arguing that husbands beat their wives because the women aren't submissive as the Bible says they should be.

I feel sick to my stomach.

The text is copied below, but here's the link:
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=10675
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Southern Baptist Scholar Links Spouse Abuse to Wives' Refusal to Submit to Their Husbands

Bob Allen
06-27-08

One reason that men abuse their wives is because women rebel against their husband's God-given authority, a Southern Baptist scholar said Sunday in a Texas church.

Bruce Ware, professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said women desire to have their own way instead of submitting to their husbands because of sin.

"And husbands on their parts, because they're sinners, now respond to that threat to their authority either by being abusive, which is of course one of the ways men can respond when their authority is challenged--or, more commonly, to become passive, acquiescent, and simply not asserting the leadership they ought to as men in their homes and in churches," Ware said from the pulpit of Denton Bible Church in Denton, Texas.

In North Texas for a series of sermons at the church on "Biblical Manhood & Womanhood," Ware described his "complementarian" view as what "Southern Seminary as a whole represents."

Commenting on selected passages from the first three chapters of Genesis, Ware said Eve's curse in the Garden of Eden meant "her desire will be to have her way" instead of her obeying her husband, "because she's a sinner."

What that means to the man, Ware said, is: "He will have to rule, and because he's a sinner, this can happen in one of two ways. It can happen either through ruling that is abusive and oppressive--and of course we all know the horrors of that and the ugliness of that--but here's the other way in which he can respond when his authority is threatened. He can acquiesce. He can become passive. He can give up any responsibility that he thought he had to the leader in the relationship and just say 'OK dear,' 'Whatever you say dear,' 'Fine dear' and become a passive husband, because of sin."

Ware said God created men and women equally in God's image but for different roles.

"He has primary responsibility for the work and the labor and the toil that will provide for the family, that will sustain their family," he said. "He's the one in charge of leadership in the family, and that will become difficult, because of sin."

Ware also touched on a verse from First Timothy saying that women "shall be saved in childbearing," by noting that the word translated as "saved" always refers to eternal salvation.

"It means that a woman will demonstrate that she is in fact a Christian, that she has submitted to God's ways by affirming and embracing her God-designed identity as--for the most part, generally this is true--as wife and mother, rather than chafing against it, rather than bucking against it, rather than wanting to be a man, wanting to be in a man's position, wanting to teach and exercise authority over men," Ware said. "Rather than wanting that, she accepts and embraces who she is as woman, because she knows God and she knows his ways are right and good, so she is marked as a Christian by her submission to God and in that her acceptance of God's design for her as a woman."

Ware cited gender roles as one example of churches compromising and reforming doctrines to accommodate to culture.

"It really has been happening for about the past 30 years, ever since the force of the feminist movement was felt in our churches," Ware said.

He said one place the "egalitarian" view--the notion that males and females were created equal not only in essence but also in function--crops up is in churches that allow women to be ordained and become pastors.

Ware said gender is not theologically the most important issue facing the church, but it is one where Christians are most likely to compromise, because of pressure from the culture.

"The calling to be biblically faithful will mean upholding some truths in our culture that they despise," he said. "How are we going to respond to that? We are faced with a huge question at that point. Will we fear men and compromise our faith to be men-pleasers, or will we fear God and be faithful to his word--whatever other people think or do?"

Ware offered 10 reasons "for affirming male headship in the created order." They include that man was created first and that woman was created "out of" Adam in order to be his "helper." Even though the woman sinned first, Ware said, God came to Adam and held him primarily responsible for failure to exercise his God-given authority.

Ware also said male/female relationships are modeled in the Trinity, where in the Godhead the Son "eternally submits" to the Father.

"If it's true that in the Trinity itself--in the eternal relationships of Father, Son and Spirit, there is authority and submission, and the Son eternally submits to the will of the Father--if that's true, then this follows: It is as Godlike to submit to rightful authority with joy and gladness as it is Godlike to exert wise and beneficial rightful authority."

Bob Allen is managing editor of EthicsDaily.com.

Copyright © 2002-2008 EthicsDaily.com

And here were my responses on her note:

Ben Currin wrote
at 1:21am on July 17th, 2008
Yeah, I just saw that on another messageboard---it seems consistent with the fundamentalist calvinazi thinking of today. Check out: http://adventuresinmercy.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/only-men-shine-with-the-direct-light-of-god-john-macarthur-on-women/, http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Extraordinary-Women-Shaped-Bible/dp/0785262563/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b or even worse: http://www.amazon.com/Calling-Women-Macarthur-Bible-Studies/dp/0802453082/ref=sr_1_63?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216270239&sr=1-63, http://www.amazon.com/Exemplary-Husband-Biblical-Perspective/dp/1885904312/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216271870&sr=1-10 and http://www.amazon.com/Excellent-Wife-Biblical-Perspective/dp/1885904088/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b .

Ben Currin wrote
at 1:26am on July 17th, 2008
Review of The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective:

77 of 142 people found the following review helpful:
Quotes Scripture Out of Context - Unbiblical, March 6, 2002
By Caralen Haymans - See all my reviews

I'm a 24 year old single Christian woman who has been a Christian for about 9 years. I recently started reading books on a woman's role in the Christian life. I was very emotional throughout the entire book because of the poor women who read this book deserve something better. Most women probably don't read the Bible while they are reading this book, so they probably don't realize that the author is ripping passages out of context. One example: she believes that it is easier for women to sin than men by quoting a passage about Eve being deceived and Adam not.
She instructs women to do everything their husbands say, even in questionable circumstances. The Bible says that we are not supposed to sin against our consciences and that other Christians are not supposed to ask us to do so.
The book puts husbands at such a lofty level - way above friendship and companionship. I am afraid that women will think that they will have to "worship" him and walk on eggshells around him.
The book says that women will have to have sex with their husbands whenever (and however) he wants to whether I want to or not, and to just "grin and bear it" or, as the author puts it, "suffer for righteousness sake".
Ben Currin wrote
at 1:27am on July 17th, 2008

This book, I sincerely believe, elevates husbands too high - and makes him an idol. This book does NOT leave the reader with the idea that marriage is a partnership. It left the impression that the worth of a woman is somewhere in-between a child and a slave. Wives must ask permission to do *anything* (including how to dress and wear their hair) and must do *everything* a husband says unless the Bible specifically says not to. Even in questionable situations - because "the husband always knows best".
If this is what marriage is supposed to be (a union between a master and a slave), I want no part in it. I want my marriage to be a union between friends (who aren't afraid to speak differing opinions) and equals before God.
Also, I don't like to be accused of being a "weak Christian" or in "rebellion" whenever I disagree with the author.

Ben Currin wrote
at 3:26am on July 19th, 2008
http://www.rickross.com/reference/fundamentalists/fund204.html

Ben Currin wrote
at 3:33am on July 19th, 2008
I read somewhere about some church that had to have male heads for female sunday school classes......crazy stuff.

Ben Currin wrote
at 3:57am on July 19th, 2008
http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:kHnz-7b95jgJ:www.ethicsdaily.com/doclib/upload/Queen-Jimmy_Carter_Was_Not_Alone.doc+Pastor+Mike+Queen,+First+Baptist+Church+Wilmington,+North+Carolina&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=30&gl=us

Also, check out this site:

Mary Hollings Whitehouse (Raleigh / Durham, NC) wrote
at 7:53am on July 17th, 2008
http://talibanrising.blogspot.com/2008/07/real-men-married-to-brotherhood.html

We might all end up on with our names on a list for reading this one, but it makes some good points.

Todd Friel's Arrogance About Ray Boltz and Clay Aiken

http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/podcast/2008/09/29/september-29-2008-hour-2/

--------Todd Friel at his most arrogant.

The Imperialistic Beatitudes

A revision of the Beatitudes that Imperialistic Christians like John MacArthur, Tim LaHaye, Pat Robertson, etc. would love---

Since no one has done so yet, I have taken the liberty to revise the Beatitudes as the Warmonger’s Beatitudes:

Blessed are the defense contractors: for theirs is the taxpayers’ money.
Blessed are they that kill: for they shall not comfort.
Blessed are the soldiers: for they shall bomb the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after blood: for they shall shed it.
Blessed are the vengeful: for they shall not show mercy.
Blessed are the war lovers in heart: for they shall see combat.
Blessed are the warmongers, for they shall be called the children of Mars.
Blessed are they which persecute for the state’s sake: for theirs is a government contract.
Blessed are ye when ye shall revile foreigners, and persecute them, and say all manner of evil against them falsely, for the state’s sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in the military: for so persecuted the military foreigners which were before you. (More...)

Also linked: Here.

SBC & Women

A little more on John MacArthur

John MacArthur Responsible For A Suicide
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MacArthur has been a central figure in several controversies, the most notable of which was the first time an evangelical church had ever been sued for malpractice. Kenneth Nally, a 24-year old seminary student, committed suicide in 1979. The following year, MacArthur and several members of the staff were brought to court to determine the legality of counseling people from the Bible rather than modern psychology, although Nally had been receiving psychological help elsewhere as well. After seven years of court rulings, challenges and appeals, the California Supreme Court found that the "evidence presented by plaintiff [was] insufficient to permit a jury to find in his favor."[2]

----

http://wordofmouthministries.blogspot.com/2007/07/john-macarthur-and-kenneth-nally.html

------Such a fine case of a bible literalist. If it were up to bible literalists, people with mild cerebral palsy such as myself wouldn't be allowed in church or even considered Christian, because the bible is clear, when taken literally: “No man who has any blemish or defect may come near my altar: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or is a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. For he has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. Because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary.” Leviticus 21:18-24 ---see this hate site for further details---which sounds all too much like a Nazi hate program.

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John MacArthur Says That The American Revolution Was A Sin

http://theroadtoemmaus.org/RdLb/21PbAr/Hst/US/AmRevGodly.htm

---but what do you expect from a nutcase who thinks Christians should've obeyed Hitler, Stalin, Sadaam et. al.

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See also: Spurgeon's Profanity for something different.

John MacArthur Denies Barth, Bonhoeffer And Niemoller's Work

http://undoislam.com/obey_hitler or http://www.rhettsmith.com/?p=813

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Weird stuff.

John MacArthur Is A Nutcase

This is old news: http://colorado.mediamatters.org/items/200706070004

Hear the sermon, in question here:

Parts 2 and 3 are here and here, but you can access them in the above video as well.


For the transcript see: http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/jm-233910.htm

-------But I would like to counter with this protest song that perhaps Pastor MacArthur has never heard:
http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/withgod.html ----------

It's arrogant to assume that God is on the side of any nation---let alone abandons that said nation, because of genetic causes of sexual expressions that God Himself created.