Saturday, September 29. 2007
We must wonder why people of good will and well-meaning hearts, in the current leadership (and membership) of old line Denominations like the United Church of Christ and The Episcopal Church, are so committed to being “welcoming, affirming and inclusive” of people who are homosexual into their Churches [this means they approve of, even celebrate, homosexuality as both a sexual orientation and a lifestyle and believe gay and lesbian people should be welcome into positions of leadership, the same as heterosexual people, and not subject to any negative discrimination whatsoever on these matters] and willing to pay whatever price necessary to do so when there are other people of good will and well-meaning hearts in the same Denominations who are not committed to being welcoming, affirming and inclusive of people who are homosexual into their Churches.
What explains the tenacity (obduracy) of each group, especially when each insists and sincerely believes it is being faithful to Christ? Why do some believe a policy of inclusion is absolutely essential to a Christian Church and are (ironically) willing to exclude those who disagree? Why are feelings so rampant on both sides of this issue? It is not going away. Neither group of (at least nominal) Christians is going to back down or give in to the other.
Continue reading "MORAL AUTHORITY?"
Saturday, September 29. 2007
Many college students spend a semester studying abroad. Some go to Chicago. This Program there is informed by the following Neo-Calvinist Principles:"Rooted in the Reformed Christian tradition, we believe that the world exists as God's great handiwork. The world is not therefore merely a commodity, but has ultimate and intrinsic value in and of itself. As God's creation, the world is a living, breathing organism. It is a world that manifests itself in diversity which reflects the "multifaceted wisdom of God," unfathomable and present everywhere.""We believe in the concept of "common grace," that all people possess the image and likeness of the wisdom of God, and, regardless of one's faith perspective, each person has the capacity and obligation to contribute to the well-being of our society and the ecosystem.""We believe in a cultural mandate: that it is our job and calling to penetrate all aspects of life, including human institutions, to bring hope to the hopeless, to include the excluded, and to do our part in working for the redemption of the whole of society. Just as it is our duty as adult learners and as Christians to develop our own personal faith and to cultivate a high character as individuals, it is also our obligation to pursue social justice and to seek ways to counter and alleviate the world's pain as our pain. As one of the prophets said, we are called to seek the peace of the city, because our peace, security and prosperity in the city are bound up with the peace of others. We are all interconnected and linked with each other." "The colleges that sponsor Chicago Semester include Calvin College, Central College (Iowa), Dordt College, Northwestern College (Iowa), Hope College, and Trinity Christian College, which is also the program’s administrative and fiscal agent. These colleges are joined by Aquinas College, Briar Cliff University, Cornerstone University, Luther College and Spring Arbor University."http://www.chicagosemester.org/ask/director.htm
Wednesday, September 26. 2007
“Today almost all agree that faithful mission must also include social ministry. More and more prominent evangelical voices—think of Rick Warren!—now embrace ESA’s [Evangelicals for Social Action] longstanding call to empower the poor.”
“And even the National Association of Evangelicals’ official public policy framework embraces what ESA has long promoted—namely, a pro-poor and pro-life, pro-peace and pro-family, pro-creation care and pro-marriage agenda.” -Ron Sider ESA current website article
But, what do each of these topics mean and involve? Does “pro-poor” mean increased pro-welfare- food, housing, health benefits, etc provided by tax payers for all people who’s income is below the Federal Poverty level? Does “pro-life” mean anti-abortion on demand? Does it mean anti-capital punishment? Does “pro-peace” mean anti Iraq War? All war? Does “pro-creation” mean support of the Kyoto Agreements and blaming America for global warming? Does “pro-marriage” include the marriage of homosexuals? Does the NAE official policy embrace all of that? I am definitely pro-poor and pro-life, pro-peace and pro-family, pro-creation care and pro-marriage. But vague generalities aside, we must have definitions of these key terms and explanations of the means to achieve these goals, clearly spelled out. Only then can we see whether we are talking about the same things and work together.
Friday, September 21. 2007
What is the connection between Faith and Politics? Very broad question! I assume the question means my personal faith and my personal politics. To start with, what is “Politics“? Let us say the word refers to all that is involved in organizing and facilitating what is necessary or desirable for the efficient and productive local, state or national community, i.e.- civil government. What is meant by “Faith”? I am a Neo-Calvinist Christian.
Does the question mean "Do the doctrines I hold as a Neo-Calvinist influence what I believe about politics and political activism? Do they influence what I believe about the purpose of Civil Government? Do these Doctrines determine how I act as a citizen and how I vote? Does the question mean do the values or morals I hold as a Neo-Calvinist effect or determine any of these matters?" The answer to each question is “Absolutely, yes! Read more below to find out how. This is not the usual take on this subject.
Continue reading "FAITH AND POLITICS: A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THIS TOPIC"
Friday, September 21. 2007
I am thankful to receive positive email feed back about my devotional QT Thots, which I write and email twice a week to many people. I am very thankful to the Lord that He is blessing this ministry and that many apparently are being blessed by reading the QT Thots as well as passing them on to many others. They come from my own daily quiet time in the morning, as I mediate on the Scripture of the day- usually a Psalm. The one I sent out this morning follows this paragraph. I send these QT Thots only to those who ask for them, but gladly to those who do. If you are not receiving them now, but would like to receive my QT Thots yourself, please email your request to me at cfoxinstitute@verizon.net I would love to hear from you about that, as well as about the posts on this Blog. Thank you and God bless!
Continue reading "MY BI-WEEKLY DEVOTIONALS (QT THOTS)"
Friday, September 21. 2007
The list of economic and social problems in our Country and Society are well known, being repeated continually in the media and especially by local and national political candidates. I do not despair over them. Christ is still King. I am still glad to be an American and I see and appreciate multiple blessings every where around me and in my life and Country.
Among things about which I do despair are people, who call themselves Evangelicals, living lives that are idolatrous (Idolatry being the most serious sin in the Bible) Our Country is awash in Materialism, Consumerism and Greed- the never ending addiction to wanting and then needing more and more money and things. This is behind much of what troubles our Nation. Seriously! Evangelicals are very much caught up in this, as much as pagan unbelievers. And they pass on these "values" to their children, even while they take them to Sunday School and "Acquire the Fire" Rallies or send them on "Mission Trips" for a week.
Christian men are being urged to attend another mass demonstration in the Nation's Capital next month to witness to their Faith and publicly renew their commitment to be the men, husbands and fathers God want them to be. Certainly, these are worthwhile goals. Many will find this a wonderful experience. BUT- Will their commitment include repentance and a turning away from these false gods, these idols? I confess I am cynically dubious. Yet, if one of the goals of the Rally is to change America (let alone the lives of the men and their families), this rejection of Materialism, Consumerism and Greed is absolutely necessary. Without it, there will be a huge "gap" in the event. I made that commitment many, many years ago. I do pray other men will do so, whether they go to the DC Rally or not. http://www.standinthegap2007.org/pages/
Thursday, September 20. 2007
Over and over it is said that today’s youth and young adults are not interested in Theology or Doctrine. And this is often said with resignation by seasoned Pastors with “Oh, well, therefore we should stop insisting on the importance of Theology and Doctrine and give the young people what they say they want." (This is usually a combination of subjective experiences and social activism, all preferably within “communities” which are often substitutes for marriage and/or and families).
I find this capitulation (surrender) by seniors, who should know better, to be very disturbing, to say the least. What is assumed about today’s youth and young adults is mistaken. They are interested in Theology and Doctrine. When they say they are not, they mean they are not interested in the classic and traditional Theology and Doctrine they associate with an older generation. They are caught up and controlled by the zeitgeist. They firmly believe in contemporary Theology and currently popular doctrines. What makes this even more sad is that they don’t really know much about the classic and traditional Theology and Doctrine that they denigrate and reject. I started to list some doctrines here that illustrate my point and ended up with a long list that covers just about everything. You name the doctrine, any doctrine, and there is now a “contemporary” take on it. The orthodox Christian Faith is at stake here. Thankfully, others are as alarmed as I am. The following is a good article, but I would add the word "good" or "sound" or "Biblical" before "Doctrine" in the title- http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070918/29357_Why_Doctrine_Matters.htm
Thursday, September 20. 2007
I have been dismayed to read of the Jena 6. The story sure sounds like an example of true old time racism, with 6 African American teens being treated very unjustly by the white power structure of a small southern town and County in Louisiana. The news about what is happening there has been spread by Black radio talk shows and DJ’s and on the internet by Black bloggers. More than 40,000 people are due to converge on Jena today to protest the very unfair treatment of these boys. One of them has been in jail for a year now, although the original charges against him have been dropped.
My concern here is why I never heard of this story in our local news. For that matter, I only heard of it in the national news yesterday. And today’s Washington Post carries the story. It was repeated in the Boston Globe
Tuesday, September 18. 2007
Many evangelicals I know question why we attend (actually, we are confirmed members of) the Episcopal Church. We worship in a local Parish that is conservative and has an orthodox Pastor (Rector). There are many such Parishes in the National Church. One of our sons is the Rector of one in Florida. But most Parishes and Clergy in TEC do not seem to be even remotely conservative or orthodox. Many, including Bishops, are outright heretics. There is a major announcement expected next week from the Bishops of TEC which will indicate whether the National Church wants to remain in the predominantly conservative world wide Anglican Communion (the third largest Christian Body in the world, behind The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches). Very possibly it will not. Individual Clergy, Parishes and Dioceses will then be on the spot as to their future loyalties. Some will, as others have already done, leave TEC to seek affiliation with conservative Anglicans eleswhere [long, complicated story] I myself am not committed to TEC, but I do want to continue to be Anglican, in solidarity with men such as John Stott and J.I. Packer and our son, Loren One major bright light in this dark picture is Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (TESM) It is in Ambridge, PA (near Pittsburgh). Our son is a graduate of this Seminary. The School is solid Reformed and Evangelical. Every year faculty and Staff reaffirm their commitment to its Statement of Faith. You can read it here. I thank God for TESM. Millie and I have been helping to support it from our tithe for many years. Please pray for TEC and the faithful remnant within it in these days of decision.
Tuesday, September 18. 2007
Here is an arresting comment taken from a review of the latest CD from the rock band TOOL“The Holy Spirit is the giver of all gifts. If someone elects to use those gifts in the service of God, good. But those gifts are not rendered dormant or defunct by virtue of our intent. An artist who explicitly rejects God, as many have done, nevertheless remains a "sub-creator," as Tolkien said, a creator in the Creator's image. We should be suspicious of our tendency to insist that God only shows up in the right places. Sometimes, pagan sources can most accurately reflect back to Christians the power and lasting impact of genuine witness. You never know when and where God might reveal himself.” http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2007/005/12.34.html
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