Understanding the Islamic Practice of Beheading

The internet is being flooded with graphic pictures of beheaded Christians of late. The Bible says that in the last-days, beheading specifically will be a method of martyrdom. Christians will be killed specifically for their “testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God.” This week we saw the “people of the cross” beheaded for that very reason. Read the following scriptures: I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Matthew 24:9 All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. John 16:1-4 Jesus warns His disciples that they will be hated and put to death because of their belief in him. Here in the US Christians get worked up when people say Happy Holidays, instead of Merry Christmas”, but our brothers and sisters, who have identified themselves with Christ in other parts of the world are being killed. Not only that, but the ones who kill them literally think that in doing so, they are offering a service to God. We may imagine this possible for people who lived in the dark ages, but not today! Fifteen years ago you might have difficulty believing this article, but after thousands of murderous chants of alluha akbar, and the carnage we see on the news every day, maybe now it will be understood for what it is. Only people with firm conviction that one’s God commands this behavior could carry out such barbaric acts and think it praiseworthy. People are not committing these atrocities because they are unemployed and don’t have better things to do! In the face of this evil, many choose to accept the lesser of two evils- the idea that a few people within an otherwise good religion are responsible. This has given rise to the current debate: whether the evil is “Islam” or if it is a practice of some of its adherents (extremists). The idea that it is an entire religion insults our sensibilities, and more specifically is seen as insulting to its adherents. For those reasons, it is much easier to accept that some radicals, possibly under the influence of some wayward spiritual leaders, have “hijacked the religion”. While, an honest cursory look at Islamic beliefs, history, and “holy writings” does not support that conclusion, it is politically incorrect to say so. If one even seriously considers it as true, they better prepare to be deemed as hateful, narrow minded, bigoted and evil. Take beheading for example. Did these radicals just make this up as a dramatic form of execution, so they could get the world’s attention? Absolutely not. While it may be seen by many as some new form of barbarism, it is a practice sanctioned and practiced by Muhammad himself. Beheading does not defy the practice of Islam. Just the opposite is true. It is the exercise of a well-established practice of Islam by faithful Muslims. Extremist, by definition is a fanatical ideology, which is outside the mainstream. To believe that the practice of Jihad as a sacred duty is new to Islam, or that beheading is the abhorrent behavior of a few is mere ignorance. Beheading is not only commanded as a specific method of killing ones enemies in the Quran, but the preferred method of killing by Muhammad and many of his followers. If you grew up a Muslim a thousand years ago or ten years ago, you are leaning the same things from your sacred writings: Aba Hakam was severely wounded but still alive when Abdullah, the servant, of Muhammad, ran up, put his foot on Aba Hakam’s neck, got hold of his beard and started insulting the fatally wounded man whom his own people had named the father of wisdom. Abdullah cut off Aba Hakam’s head and carried it to his master. "The head of the enemy of Allah!" exclaimed Muhammad joyously; ---- "Allah! There is none other god but he!" - "Yea There is no other!" responded Abdullah, as he cast the severed head at the Prophet’s feet. "It is more acceptable to me;" cried Mohammad, hardly able to contain his joy, "than the choicest camel in all Arabia.” (The examples of Muhammad) “Strike terror (into the hearts of) the enemies of God and your enemies.” (Surah 8:60) “I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them. It is not ye ho slew them; it was God.” (Surah 8:13-17) You learn about your beloved prophet, and how the greatest among you will be those who are most like him. For that person, what other form of killing would appeal as much as beheading, and what other words would be deemed more appropriate for the occasion than “Allah is great”? The mass slaughter and dismemberment of enemies has been a kind of signature for those faithful followers of Muhammad who desire to emulate him. This is as true for historical conquests as it is today. Whatever Muhammad said or did is considered just as authoritative and inspired as the very Quran itself. The actions of Muhammad dictate the model for living that Allah has ordained for all Muslims, just as to a Christian, they are to live as Jesus Christ lived. The conduct of Muhammad is not only idealized, but commanded to faithful followers: If you love Allah, then follow me (Muhammad). -Sura 3:31 (Shakir). Ye have indeed in the Apostle of Allah a beautiful pattern of (conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day. -Sura 33:21. If you want to learn about a revered Muslim, do a search and read about Khalid bin al-Walid al-Makhzumi- otherwise known as The Sword of Allah. It ought not to surprise us then, when you do an internet search on terrorists named Khalid, you end up with a long list of names, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed- the mastermind who was the architect of the 911 attacks. While the world is not overrunning with people naming their children or those who voluntarily rename themselves Adolph Hitler, those who take the name Khalid-The Sword of Allah are too numerous to count. As are the stories of the great multitudes who have been beheaded by the faithful followers of Allah. Another interesting man who named himself The Sword of Allah is Tamerlane the Conqueror. He was notorious for creating a gigantic pyramid of 90,000 enemy heads, to incite terror into anyone who would think of opposing him. His empire stretched thousands of miles, encompassing parts of Turkey, India, Iran, Afghanistan, and also Kyrgyzstan (were Tamerlan Tsarnaev) was born. It could be just a coincidence that, the Boston Marathon Bomber’s namesake was the 14th-century Muslim ruler who killed 17 million people (5% of the population of the world). Then again if you were brought up in a warrior jihadist culture, it would be far less surprising. What I hear argued almost daily is the idea that “these atrocities are carried out by a “few” Muslim extremists, but this is not Islam.” The essence of this argument is that a few bad Muslims are tarnishing an otherwise good religion. To that argument, I ask one simple question: What does Islam teach the faithful about killing non-Muslims? Two examples suffice to make my point, without even addressing the verses that deal with Christians and Jews. 1. It is allowed and even encouraged, due to the law of law of Qisas. The logic is that if you are against Islam or the prophet, you may legally be killed. For example: Killing a cartoonist who used an image of Mohammed in a cartoon is considered justice, not murder. 2. Killing of non-Muslims (kaffirs / unbelievers or infidels) is ordained in too many places to cite. In the Western world, we see ourselves as innocent, because we did not attack them and we are in our homeland. But to the Islamic faithful, we are an enemy if we have not confessed Allah. If a person rejects Allah, Muslims are allowed to kill them. It is not haram (forbidden/illegal) to kill a kaffir. Muslims are allowed and even commanded to fight against the unbelievers and even seek them out where they are in order to force them to convert to Islam or accept death. This is not an extremist view, but the very teaching and example of Muhammad. If you encounter (in war) those who disbelieve, you may strike the necks -Surah 47:4 (Khalifa)When ye encounter the infidels, strike off their heads. –Surah 47:4 Muhammad, as a military leader authorized the butchering of captives, the raping of women and the enslavement of children. The holy books of Islam, history and current events demonstrate that the religion reproduces the actions of its founder. I acknowledge that there are many peaceful Muslims in the world who do not pursue the path of those who have been called Islamic Extremists today. They have chosen to interpret the Quran differently, and emphasize other teachings in priority over the violent ones. Many of us have wondered why they are not more outspoken. The reason is that they are very aware that the faith they embrace calls upon Muslims who are faithful to commit similar acts of violence upon Muslims who are deemed unfaithful or apostate. Unfortunately for them, this often includes those who associate with non-Muslims, do not participate in Jihad or are considered lesser Muslims. These teachings fuel the bitter violence between various sects of Islam such as Shiite and Sunni, toward the goal of purifying Islam from strains of ‘heretical’ thought. The killing of those who bring shame includes people who commit shameful acts and is the basis of what is commonly called ‘honor killing’. Those who western people would call ‘good Muslims’, because they are peaceful, are identified by other Muslims, as ‘bad Muslims’ who should be killed for their shameful unfaithfulness and cowardice.

Dressing for Worship

This post is in response to a question: "OK so I have been reading 1 Corinthians 11 over and over and I don't get the whole covering your head thing. We don't do it today but should we? Whatever wisdom you may have to share on this would be great! Thanks" Disclaimer: My answer is slanted toward women,because a woman asked me the question. For me this is an opportunity to highlight the importance of CONTEXT in the study and interpretation of scripture. When you read a passage that you don't understand, it is helpful to first ask yourself "what particular application the author (in this case Paul) has for the recipients of the letter (in this case members of the Corinthian church). Corinth, a coastal Grecian city about 50 miles South of Athens, was a place that had “temples for all the gods" (Greek Mythological ones), and the goddess of Aphrodite was the largest, most popular one. Hers was the largest temple in the world at the time. She was known as the great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and procreation. She was depicted as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged Eros (Love)- the cupid like character with the bow and arrow. She is the one usually depicted in classical sculpture and frescoes in the nude, with others adoring her beauty. Her temple was serviced by “courtesans”, who in that day were politely called "Guest-loving girls.” Similarly, we respectfully call a prostitute a: "call girl" or "escort". Understanding the context of Paul's letter is crucial to its interpretation. Paul is writing to a group of people who live in a sexually promiscuous pagan culture, world famous to sailors and traveling salesman. Historically, the Corinth of Paul's day was a cosmopolitan center for empire-wide commerce. Due to the pluralistic culture of the city, it was home to many peoples and religions. Corinth was famous for its shrines and temples, not only of Aphrodite, but also Poseidon; Apollo; Athena; Hercules; Jupiter; Isis,...etc. Worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was aided by more than a thousand prostitutes in service to the temple by day and city by night. An unveiled woman in Corinth was a servant of Aphrodite, otherwise known to us, as a prostitute. The abundance of pagan life in Corinth presented many problems for the church, some of which Paul specifically addressed in his letters. There, Christians existed as a minority in a sea of pagan Roman beliefs, as well as other Eastern religions. Living in this kind of culture led to loose morals because most of the church members were new converts to Christianity. In fact, the expression: "To Corinthianize" literally meant - to induct someone into promiscuous sexual debauchery and drunkenness. Similarly, a word fashioned from the name of a city still in use today that is our term "to Sodomize", which bears its name from the biblical city of Sodom that describes violent homosexual rape. In Corinth, the sexual practices were strongly associated with worship and service to the many pagan deities. These practices were the norm, not the exception. In short, Corinth was Sin City. Las Vegas, New Orleans and Los Angeles may someday be as immoral as Corinth. This being understood, Paul’s issue had to do with distinguishing Christians, from their pagan surroundings. To paraphrase, Paul was saying ‘We don’t worship God with an orgy. Instead, we are to honor God with our bodies (second half of 1 Cor 6). We do not celebrate the supper by getting drunk and stuffing ourselves with food (latter part of Chapter 11).’ So we need to understand that the reference to a particular hairstyle or dress is addressing a much deeper issue, than personal style or ritual. Paul’s concern was that the Corinthian Christians were not to worship God as they had their pagan deities. They were to be intentionally set apart, because when they dressed in a particular way, they were making a statement about themselves and God. With the context of the scripture understood, now we can do the work of translating the meaning into our cultural context. In the US, we have much liberty and freedom. We can wear whatever we want. But, would it be pleasing to God for us to dress the same as prostitutes, because we have the liberty to do so? Obviously not. We have more instruction on dress from 1 Tim 2:8-10, which instructs women who lead worship to dress modestly. Why? Because when we worship God, our attention is supposed to go to God, not to the body of the woman who is leading worship.(This is the reason many church choirs wear robes- by the way) Does God know the nature of men? I think so. Similar instruction is given in 1 Peter 3:1, 3-4. Can you imagine the mixed messages sent in a Christian worship setting for a male first time visitor who sits next to a woman dressed like one of the “guest loving girls” of the Temple of Aphrodite? I guarantee you he would not be hearing the sermon! Remember that Paul is writing to real people, and these are real world issues they were dealing with. Because God’s word is timeless, it also speaks into our culture. I want to get very practical, because that is what Paul was doing: “Women- It's fine to dress sexy for your husband, but your body is not for public display, especially in the context of a worship service to God." Paul includes teaching on marriage in the midst of dealing with these other pagan ideas. Worshipers of the gods did not have sexual boundaries like those who worship the the living God of Christianity. When a woman dresses to draw attention to her sexuality what response is she likely to stimulate? Attention from those who desire to have sex with her either literally or in fantasy. A woman can be attractive and dress beautifully, without putting the focus on her sexuality. Again, speaking plainly: Sexy dress in our culture includes - bare midriffs; bellybutton jewelry; short skirts; low cut blouses; low rider jeans; thongs and other undergarments that are intentionally made visible; some makeup applications; tattoos in the small of the back; tight fitting clothing ...Etc. While it might seem obvious that these dress styles draw attention to one's sexuality, and not one's spirituality, dressing sexy has become acceptable to many Christian women. In our culture, like Corinth, dressing to express sexual promiscuity is then norm. Paul is saying, that this should not be the case, otherwise Christian women will be indistinguishable from pagan women, both in and out of church. A woman who dresses in such a way to arouse sexual attention of any man who lays eyes on them, is not honoring God with her body. So, Does God care how you dress? Yes. God cares how we dress, much more than we might imagine. Do we know how Jesus dressed? Not really.We do know how he he was clothed before they crucified him, (symbolic). We also know he took off his outer robe to wash the disciple’s feet (symbolic). Where is our attention drawn? It’s drawn to his actions, in obedience to the Father in Heaven for a spiritual purpose. Have you ever wondered why we have sculptures and paintings of many kings, philosophers, and nobles, but none of Jesus? His clothing style and appearance was not emphasized so that we would focus on his life, his teachings and his sacrifice. We should take care that the way we dress, does not distract others from the worship of God in all walks of life, not just in church.

Why a Beast Feast

As our church annually hosts an event called the "Beast Feast"- a celebration of the goodness and bounty of God's creation and a time of fellowship with other outdoor enthusiasts. I have over the years been asked by many people to defend the practice hunting, fishing and of eating animals. Usually this comes in the form of an email or a message left on my phone by someone who has moral opposition to eating animals, who are offended that a church would host such an event. You may have been asked to give such a defense, or you may simply wonder what the Bible has to say about the subject. As I always go to the scriptures for guidance, I have discovered that the proper relationship between humanity and animals is important and sacred and is addressed in a great number of texts in the Bible. With the Bible as a guide, I have reached some general conclusions: Animals are not equal to man, yet have also been created by God. We both share creature status, while humanity alone is an image bearer of God. Animals are suitable for clothing, food, and even companionship, but are not to be treated cruelly or for sexual fulfillment. As appointed stewards of all creation we have a responsibility to God and will be held accountable for that stewardship. Animals are markedly different in that they are not assigned this same responsibility to God. My values are pretty much in alignment with that. I hunt, fish and enjoy the consumption of plants and animals that I or others have killed and prepared for food in clear conscience. While eating meat is not an obligation, the scriptures give us the freedom to choose. I also respect others who choose to abstain from eating animals. Many appeal to the question, "What would Jesus do?", supposing that Jesus would be a vegetarian today. I prefer the question "What did Jesus do"? Jesus wore clothing, including sandals. He rode a donkey that someone else owned. He ate bread and fish regularly, and fed the multitudes the same. He called fisherman to be his disciples. Jesus frequently dined with others, never calling negative attention to what was served. He told the parable of the prodigal son which included a feast with beef as the main course (fatted calf). And he annually celebrated the feast days, which in the case of Passover included Lamb as the main course.

Letters on the Cross IHS

Letters on the Cross, What do they mean? Part 2 Now that you know about INRI, you may have noticed that the cross in our sanctuary has the letter IHS on it. The "IHS motif" is popular inmany different styles and is often super-imposed on each other to form a single icon or emblem similar to a personal monogram of your name using your initials. Because the letters have been used with different meanings in the past it is difficult to say emphatically, like we can with INRI, what IHS means, because it has over time, had various meanings assigned to it. "IHS" is an abbreviation for “In hocs sign,” which is an abbreviated version of in hocs sign vinces.” This phrase is in Latin, translated to mean “in this sign, thou shalt conquer.” This symbol was often used on battlements and weaponry to give divine assistance in battle to assure victory. Similar thinking motivated the incorporation of crosses themselves into shields and swords… etc. during the crusades in the middle ages. The symbol of the cross itself was believed to have divine power and similar thinking goes into the crossing of oneself or being crossed over with water during baptism in some traditions, desiring God’s blessing from above. Another assigned meaning is that the symbol is representative of the first three letters of the name "Jesus" in the Greek alphabet. ‘Jesus' in Greek: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. In technical language: the first two characters, iota (Ι) and eta (Η) are almost identical in appearance to the Latin 'IH'. Since there is no correlating Latin character for the third character sigma (Σ), the pronunciation gives us a close approximation to the Latin 'S', giving us the set 'IHS'. In plane words: The letters form a monogram of the name of Jesus, like the initials of your name. Early church history records the name of Jesus or some of his other titles shortened, particularly in symbols or art. The letters IH and XP (for Jesus and Christ) are numerous before the third century. These Greek monograms, along with several others, continued to be used in Latin during the Middle Ages. This type of abbreviation is seen around Xstmas time, although many Xstns find this use offensive, thinking that people are taking Christ, out of Christmas. It is also prevalent in Christian art and stained glass windows. Another popular symbol that uses this kind of lettering is the Ichthus (ΙΧΘΥΣ). The Greek word for fish is also used as a Christian acronym of Greek words: I=Jesus, Ch=Christ, Th=Theou (God's), U=Uios (Son), S=Soter (Savior). Thus, IChThUS means "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior". There are a few other interpretations of letters 'IHS'; the most popular being an acronym of the Latin: Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Saviour of man). In Latin: Jesus Hierosolymae Salvator (Jesus, Saviour of Jerusalem); Iesus Habemus Socium (Jesus is our companion); In Hoc Signo spes mea (This sign, the cross, is your hope); In Hoc Signo Vinces (By this sign you shall conquer); In Hoc Salus (Safety). In German: Iesus Heiland Seligmacher (Jesus, Redeemer and Saviour). In English: In His Service Whatever perspective is adopted to explain the "IHS" insignia, there is no single definitive meaning. Regardless of intent, a symbol has no particular meaning unless one is assigned to it. In other words the IHS on the cross in our sanctuary is meaningless to you, unless you assign meaning to it. In a similar fashion, it does one no good to wear a W.W.J.D (bracelet), or a cross, or a fish beyond adornment, if you don’t know what it means or assign it a meaning, it is meaningless. Madonna was once quoted that she loved crosses because a naked man hung on one. Religious symbolism is effective precisely in the measure in which it is helpful to the average person to understand an assigned deeper meaning. For example: The lighted candle is typical of the illumination of and spread of the gospel, but to others it is a representation of ongoing prayers. The giving of rings in a marriage ceremony is originally a pagan practice that has been given a “Christian” meaning of never ending love and fidelity. As for the letters on the cross in our sanctuary… if one of the historical possibilities assists you in your worship, then adopt it as your own. Because I am a student of history, I would lean toward one of the simplest, oldest and easiest to remember - The initials of Jesus inscribed on the cross. It reminds me of his great sacrifice and the empty cross reminds me of his victory over his death on the cross. If were a soldier serving in a holy war against Islam extremists, I might very well adopt the In Hoc Signo Vinces.I don’t know what you would choose, but if the symbol is to mean anything, you need to be intentional about making that choice.

INRI Not Just Letters on the Cross

INRI - What do these letters, commonly printed on top of the cross mean? Answer: The letters to which you are referring are "INRI." When crucifixions were commonplace, throughout the Roman Empire, it was customary to affix a board at the top of the cross detailing the crimes of the crucified person. This board was called titulus cruces. The letters "INRI" is an acronym of the Latin title that Pontius Pilate had written over the head of Jesus Christ on the cross, as recorded in John 19:19. The Roman procurator Pilate was reluctant to crucify Jesus because he could see no real justification. At that time, Jews had a treaty with Rome for self-government. The Jewish priests complained to Rome (Pilate) that Jesus was interfering with their self-rule, by establishing that he was a king. When Pilate challenged Jesus to deny this, Jesus did not refute the charge. With no denial forthcoming, Pilate announced a 'guilty by default' verdict. The priests demanded the death penalty. Pilate attempted to spare his life by offering the release of either Barabbas, a convicted murderer and thief or Jesus, who was well known for his good deeds. He was appealing to a Jewish custom of releasing a prisoner at the time of the Passover. His attempt failed when the Jews chose to release the notorious criminal. Therefore, the crime for which Jesus was crucified was 'King of the Jews', and this was duly painted on the titulus. The soldiers mocked Jesus for this so called crime by accenting his Title by placing a crown of thorns on His head and a dressing him in a scarlet robe. Pilate's title for Christ was written in three languages- Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The Early Church adopted the first letters of each word of the Latin (which later became the primary language in church) as a symbol and it appeared in many early paintings of the crucifixion. This title in Latin is "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum." That is: Iesus: Jesus, Nazarenus: of Nazareth, Rex: King, Iudaeorum: of the Jews. Latin uses "I" instead of the English "J". This title recognizes who Jesus truly was and is at the very moment he finally fulfilled all that the King of the Jews was to do for his people. He died for the sins of all who place their faith in him. By this work, he made the people of God to be far more than those who are Jews by birth. Rather, the true people of God are all who believe in Christ for salvation: If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29) So when we see the letters, we are reminded that Jesus, our King, died in our place and paid for the sins of his people.

The Bible from God's Perspective

I realize that a lot of people have problems understanding the Bible. There are a number of reasons for this, one being that it is a very complex book. The Bible is not completely linear historically from beginning to end; it has history, poetry, doctrine, and prophesies…etc. In other word's it is unlike any other book we have ever read. So I want to give you a way of looking at the scriptures that may help. Instead of looking at the Bible from our perspective alone, it helps to think of it from the standpoint of God’s work. The Bible records various kinds of disclosures from God: dreams, visions, direct writing (the tablets of the Law), messages through prophets, the words of Jesus, and the accounts of the people who knew Jesus. God led some to record the things that were passed down through oral tradition and others wrote previously unknown information. The Apostle John wrote what he observed: from the life of Jesus in his Gospel; from his experience and the testimony of others in the book of Acts; and of his revelation from Jesus in the book of the Revelation. It’s important that we remember that it’s all from God as a revelation to us. We usually think of revelation as only the disclosure of what was previously unknown. But that is only part of what is involved. For example, Luke knew many historical and geographic facts before he wrote the book of Acts. However, their precise combination of what he knew and what God revealed as a combination was a revelation, by the work of the Holy Spirit called inspiration. The entire Bible is Gods revelation to us. So what is a revelation? It is a revealing or communication of something enlightening or astonishing. A revelation from God is the revealing of a divine truth to human beings. We desperately need this information, because we are not able to discover these spiritual realities by ourselves. For example: without the Ps. 19:1–6; and Rom 1:19–20 we might either think the stars are some kind of deity (like the ancient Greeks) or randomly occurring fiery masses (like the modern atheist), rather than something created to display the glory of God. But the most important revelations have to do with our spiritual condition in relation to God. When we know the nature of God – both his wrath and his mercy; the sinful nature of humanity, the existence of a future judgment, etc., we realize that we are in need of a solution for our predicament. The things we can know about God from observing creation or ourselves (what theologians call general revelation) cannot help us with our sin problem. To put it into metaphor, we are in the dark about the spiritual nature of all things until God sheds light on it. Through the Bible we have a special revelation of God and His purposes for humanity. Ask yourself this question: How could you know God or His will for our lives without the Bible? Unless He Himself tells us, how could we ever know for sure the answers to the questions which matter most to us? Understanding that the Bible is a written revelation to us from God is an essential starting point that helps us figure out its meaning. The Bible is not a simple book. Could any book that proposes to reveal the nature of God, man and all eternal concerns be expected to be an easy read? But without its great truths we have no answers to the great questions which concern our soul. Without it, we are left with the very limited knowledge of man. History, math and science don’t help us in the realm of the spirit and soul. God’s revelation is a beacon of light in a very dark world and without it we merely stumble around in the shadows searching for a way out.

Increasing your Bible Vocabulary

Names are very significant in the Bible, whether they are people or places. Sometimes adding a single Hebrew or Greek word to your working knowledge can open new horizons of understanding. Take for example the name of the place BETH-EL. Maybe you have seen a churches by the name Bethel. Ever wonder why? Read on and you'll have your answer. Bethel is a town on the border of the territory of Ephraim (Josh. 16:1–4), at an important road junction 11 miles north of Jerusalem. Abraham built an altar there, Jacob had a dream there (Gen. 28:10–22), and named it Bethel: House (Beth) of God(El), which is the meaning of the Hebrew name. We also find Beth in Bethlehem (house of bread), Bethesda (House of grace) and Bethshan (house of quiet). Maybe when all my children leave the home I will re-name it Bethshan. You might recognize the similar el prefix or suffix in other Hebrew words like Immanuel, (God with us) Elijah (Jehovah is God), and Israel (He struggles with God)- The name given to Jacob when he struggled with God. Understanding a little word like El can also open doors of comprehension in your worship of el. By the way, you can usually read the meanings of names in the footnotes of any study Bible. I hope this vocabulary lesson will help you understand God's word better than before. Enjoy the word today.

The History of Abortion in Relation to Christianity

Whether it be a part of health care legislation, law (Roe vs. Wade in America) or a conversation about an “unwanted” pregnancy, it is especially important that Christians are aware of our tradition, and what the Bible teaches about abortion. Abortion has been practiced throughout the world from ancient times, but the fear of death and lack of access to physicians who performed “safe” abortions placed natural limitations on the practice. In classical paganism, abortion and euthanasia was common and widely approved. The performing of abortions and doing harm was specifically prohibited for physicians who had taken the Hippocratic Oath (4th Century BC and thereafter). This oath to the gods was a step towards saving human life and not performing abortions, but those who lived by this law were the exception. One of the great triumphs of the growth of Christianity in the western world was to greatly diminish the practice of abortion and infanticide in those parts of the world. Christianity gave the pro-life movement another dimension as the church of Jesus Christ swept through the Roman world, setting standards in medicine, culture, and public policy. Christianity had this effect because what the Bible teaches about human life. If you look for “abortion” in a concordance you won’t find it, as that term was not used by the people of that day, but scripture is not silent on the subject. The biblical foundations for prohibition on induced abortion are found in the doctrines of creation and incarnation. The starting point for a biblical understanding of human nature is the truth that human beings are created in God’s image (imago Dei). It is clear from Genesis 1:26–27 that human beings are distinguished from all other creatures (kinds), by our bearing the likeness of our Maker. The image applies to Jew and Gentile, religious and irreligious, young and old. The issue here is not complex. If someone is human, that person bears the divine image and his or her life is sacred. It’s genetic. With the recognition that human life is sacred, the scriptures guide our actions. This foundation underlies the commandment “Do not murder” (Ex 20:13) and provides a straightforward response to abortion, because it applies to all human beings, from the beginning of life to its end. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood shall be shed by man, for God made man in His image.”) This teaching is also of central importance in the use of human embryos for research and cloning. There is only one logical position one can take from the scriptures: those who are human are made in the divine image and should not be murdered. The main argument against this truth comes in the debate of when a human life begins. That is where the doctrine of the incarnation comes in. When we celebrate Christmas, we remember that the incarnation of the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took human form and did so from the beginning of human biological existence. He did not just come as a man. The incarnation began with conception. Mary was told by the angel that she would conceive by a miracle, the human life of the Son of God. Shortly afterward she visited Elizabeth, where John the Baptist’s first testimony to his kinsman and Lord is given. As a six month fetus, he leaped in his mother’s womb at the presence of the days-old embryonic Jesus (Lk 1:39–45). With the theological foundations of imago Dei, and the incarnation, the many references to unborn life in the prophets, Job, and especially Psalms (particularly Psalm 139) take on powerful significance. For this reason, cultures that have remained Christian have a reverence for God, and laws by church and state that prevent the large scale practice of abortion. Many of these laws prohibiting abortion have since been abolished, even in Christian nations. The influence of the church held fast in the western world until naturalist philosophy, and Darwinian evolution theory displaced the predominant Christian view of man. The devaluing of human life with naturalism and atheism has set the stage for the practice of abortion to re-emerge on a grand scale. In the last 40 years the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Italy, and Australia have legalized abortion. Add this to the nations where it is already legal like Russia and China, the world’s abortion leaders, and you have a worldwide abortion rate that is greater than any point in history. The combination of: modern medicine’s advanced abortion procedures; the decline of Christian influence; the legalization and accessibility of abortion in more countries, is yielding an estimated 42 million aborted babies per year worldwide. Nations who maintain a predominantly Christian influence are the world leaders in low abortion statistics and they all have laws against it. Like the physicians who originally took the Hippocratic Oath, Christians find themselves going against the cultural current of the world. If we are to change this grievous trend in our own country and the world it will be through the spread of Christianity and the reestablishment of the biblical teaching of the sanctity of human life. When nations recognize the authority of our creator and God’s word, rather than men’s, the culture and public policy will change. Wayne DeVrou

My opinion, for what it's worth, on the election: Some have suggested we write in the name of Jesus, next week, to make a statement, because of misalignment of faith. We need not write in the name of Jesus, because He did not enter this race. It would be a wasted vote. Jesus is already King of Kings, not because of an election, but because of his innate sovereignty. We do of course vote for Jesus, anytime we submit to his authority. His authority over us will guide us in the discernment process.I do believe that how we vote reveals our convictions about God and our neighbor. Others have been advocates of abstaining from voting, as it is a choice of one evil over another. We always hope to choose the lesser of two evils, because no one on earth is perfect. We all fall short of the glory of God. It is my conviction that not voting, as a Christian is irresponsible, and demonstrates, not only poor stewardship of a gift from God, but also a lack of love for our neighbor. Many in this Nation live in spiritual darkness, and do not have the Holy Spirit to guide their decisions. If a believer votes in the fear of God to honor his moral requirements, it is to the betterment of the nation, as it may keep evil at bay, enough to avoid the wrath of God. On the positive side of things, it may even bring the Lord's blessing upon us. We let the word's "God Bless America" roll off our tongue pretty easily, but do we really expect God to bless a nation that does not honor him as God? Politicians frequently say "And May God Bless the United States of America" at the end of their speeches, with little regard to what the speech was about. I ask, "what would need to be in the speech that would cause America to Bless God?" Many vote according to political loyalty. I have both Democrats and Republicans in my heritage. As parties change, our loyalty to them can change as well. There was a day when Democrats and Republicans were much closer together in relation to moral behavior. They had different views on economics and role of government, but were in agreement in moral code for the most part. The Democratic party of today has championed government funded abortion, sexual immorality, homosexual marriage, anti-Israel policies, pro Hamas policy, and fiscal irresponsibility. While the Democratic party was not founded on these principles, the official platform of the party of today is taking on a disposition of rebellion against Godly living. I've even heard people say "You can't be a Christian and also be a Democrat." I don't agree with that, but as the party continues to depart from Godly principles the party will continue to alienate the Christians who remain. Finally, as the primary purpose of government in the Bible is to guard the good and protect the weak, I will cast my vote for the party or persons who I believe will best be able to do that. In this election that will be Mitt Romney. In addition to the moral reasons, I believe the projection of weakness and dhimmitude toward Islamic nations has increased the threat to our National Security, and weakened our rapport with Israel.According to the scriptures, the enemy of Israel is an enemy of God, as they are "the apple of his eye". I believe the long term effect of our current course is one that will embolden our enemies and weaken our relationship with our allies. In a world that has ever increasing threats, the one area the current administration has decided to cut, is the US military.

“I am a Christian, but already have a Tattoo” (A follow up to Are Tattoos and Christians Compatible?)

Many Christians have tattoos that remind them of their rebellious days; others an organization they served with; their life before they were converted; or something done on a whim. Whatever the reason, many of them knew little or nothing about what the Christian tradition or scripture has to say about them. I believe there are two causes for this. One is the lack of clear teaching in the church, and the other is the way many of us make everyday decisions.
We live in an age where the church as a whole has gone silent on a great number of things, and as a result, people are more easily led astray. The message of the church has in many cases, shifted from proclaiming the truth that we are sinners by literally identifying sin, while calling people to repentance, to a “seeker sensitive” message that will bend over backwards not to say anything that will offend. As a result, even the people who grow up in the church become quite comfortable with the things of the world. The church has adopted the terminology of the world, rather than the word. We say “living together”, “co-habitation” or “significant other”, instead of fornicators. “Intoxicated” or “under the influence” instead of drunk; “Cheater, instead of adulterer”. The term “Welcoming and Affirming Congregation” is not a church that welcomes people who are sinners who need the forgiveness of God. It is a description of a church that welcomes people without condemnation of sin at all. Over time it becomes harder to discern the difference between right and wrong, worldly or godly. When the power and authority of the Word of God is diminished in the church, there is a moral decline.
As individuals, we share a similar culpability. We really don’t mind not being called out on our sin, because we really don’t want to turn away from it. We all, when caught in a lie, would rather believe we were just kidding, or spoofing. This is what is described in 2 Timothy chapter 4: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ”
The truth is, we are not so spiritually submitted to God, as to seek first his kingdom and righteousness in our daily choices. It is easy to not seek God’s will, his word, and make choices that may not honor him. We make choices about what to eat and drink; what movie to see; how to spend our money; what to say;…etc., without seeking God’s will. So, why would that be any different when deciding to get a tattoo?

It is the Christian parent, and the churches responsibility to give clear instruction and each of us are responsible for our own decisions from that point forward. To those whom much has been given, much will be required. Knowing the truth, and not acting in accordance with it, is not the same as an ignorant choice. The Lord treats us no different than we do our children. Here is a simple illustration. If a child uses profanity, but is innocently repeating a word heard on the school bus, it is not the same as a teen who cusses out his parents.

I want to make clear that by explaining why tattoos are wrong, I am not condemning people who have chosen to be tattooed. I am not labeling them rebels, or suggesting that Christians with tattoos are spiritually deficient. I am teaching, so that the people of God will know the truth of the matter and repent, or choose not to do it in the future. The challenge with tattoos is that we wear them visibly on our skin, not like other past sins which are easily forgotten.

While I am convicted that it is a sin to get a tattoo, I also believe it is a sin to judge a person by their appearance (a much more common sin in the church). We deceive ourselves if we value the truth in one scripture, but discount another. I don’t have any tattoos, but I have prejudged people by their outward appearance. However, you wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t told you. The good news is, that God does not judge a man for outward appearance 1 Samuel 16:7
How should Christians treat people with tattoos? We should be diligent to know their hearts, and love them as we would have them love us. It is the ultimate expression of hypocrisy to accept God’s forgiveness for our sins, and not be gracious to someone else. If you have difficulty with that, imagine how people would look at you if your sins were printed on your clothing. Would you feel loved if you were rejected because of your “appearance”?
So you are a Christian and have a tattoo: Put into practice that which you now know. Not only about tattoos, but the value of God’s word and how we should treat one another. Saul was a Christian killer, before he came to know Jesus! He didn’t keep on his way. He asked for forgiveness and changed his course. All of us have violated God’s laws, and are sinners, whether our transgression is visible or not. One visible mark I wear of sin is on my right knuckle. The scar is from the braces of the kid I punched in the mouth when I was in ninth grade. I repented for that sin, and know that I am forgiven. When I get to heaven, the scar will not be there. Until then, it serves as a reminder that I am a sinner…saved by the grace of God.

A trip with the "boys"

The following is a page from my "2011 Fishing Journal": June the 27th marked the first of 4 days with the boys on the water. Chase was home on leave from Camp Pendleton, so he, Ben and I went north for some trout fishing. Ever notice that going North for almost anything is better than going South? Anyway, the goal was to teach them the skill of fly fishing and inland trout was our primary target (we brought the spin tackle as a backup). If you have ever fly fished for anything you hoped to have for dinner, you know why you need a back up plan. We ended up using both; landing numerous nice bass, a couple pike, countless bluegills and small to medium trout.

We didn’t count the bass and gills, but we caught a total of 30 trout. In correlation to our experience: I caught 17, Chase caught 8, and Ben caught 5. I was very proud of the boys, as they really had to stick with it to fish for trout, when gills and bass were so numerous and easy to catch. They were highly motivated to catch their elusive quarry, and their perseverance paid off. On the water, in the camp and navigating cross country to a wilderness lake, we made some memories those few days in the tic filled North woods. One morning in particular stands out in my mind. It was day three. I woke early, about 4:30am, to the to the wailing, yodeling and tremolos of a pair of Loons.

As dawn came the lake was covered with mist, and smooth as glass. I woke the boys, and after they warmed by the fire, they went out in the canoe to try again for the finicky trout. I heard Chase announce to Ben “Today we’re gong to get you a trout Benner”. Though he had worked hard, and had lost one, he hadn't boated any in two whole days of fishing. The campsite was high on a hill overlooking the lake, and I could see them working around the lake through the fog. The still waters magnified their voices, and though far away and above, I could hear their every word. I sat by the fire, listening…taking in the sites and sounds. At first it was almost like spying; sneaking up on their canoe from a quarter mile away. But, then the individual words lost their meaning.

I listened to the tones in their conversation; serious, then laughing, then the glee mixed with the important business of netting each other’s fish. The sound of my boys, who are now more man than boy, sharing something good, on the water, was like music in my ears. Their work was frequently interrupted by the excitement and joy of catching trout…one after another. On second thought they were not sharing something good…they were sharing something great. It’s easy to be a sibling, and you can genetically be called a brother, but what I was listening to was brotherhood. I sat near the fire, sipping my coffee, listening….soaking it in.

Can't Help but Smile

I have a tendency to go into deep theological waters on my blog, so I decided to lighten up a bit and share a page from my "2011 Fishing journal"... I hope this story makes you smile and motivates you to share your good gifts with someone else...

I wet a line for the first time of the season on June the 16th. A little late in the season to be out for the first time, but this trip was worth the wait. I had the opportunity to share the sport with a Dad, who had little fishing experience and his autistic son of 5, who really wanted to go fishing. Nothing fits that bill, like bluegills, so we headed for a golf course with the gear, some crawlers, and little Jack in tow. Not only are those little pond’s filled with fish; they are not heavily fished, and have few snags, which is a good combination when you’re five years old.

Plenty of action is what we were going for and the pond did not disappoint. Their whole family decided to come, so I brought a couple extra rods. Fun was had by all, but especially little Jack. Every time his bobber went under and his pole would bend from a 3” bluegill, he would let out a squeal of delight that echoed for a mile! If you have a strong aversion to smiling, this sight and sound is the cure. It was a better noise than the ripping drag followed by “fish on!” in a Salmon derby. Promise to self: “Share the joy of fishing with the children”.

Are Tattoos and Christians Compatible?

“I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church”. C. H. Spurgeon

After making a reference to tattoos in Sunday’s sermon, I have been asked whether it is acceptable for Christians to get tattoos. A glance at many church goers would yield the answer yes, but don’t rush to your conclusion based on popular culture, even when you see it in the church. People have many reasons to get “inked” these days, and their reason alone is enough to justify the action. Tattoos can identify you with a social group (gang, military); proclaim an ideology (swastika); accentuate your sexuality; express rebellion; invoke spiritual powers; make the body a canvas for artwork to attract attention...etc. Where it was once common to see them on gang members and biker types, we now see them on the athlete; the girl at the fast food service counter; waitress or hip pastor with custom “I’m a Radical Christian” T-shirt. The once taboo practice of brandishing tattoos has now become so common that the average Christian sees nothing wrong with it, and even wears them with pride.

The scriptures never endorse the practice and specifically link the practice to paganism. God’s people are commanded not to mark or cut their bodies in Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you, says the Lord.” Verses 23 through 28 were commands to avoid pagan practices. Many say this passage does not apply today because it deals with the pagan religious rituals of the people living around the Israelites of that day. But, if God desired His people to be set apart from these practices, back then, why would God approve of it now? It’s a fact that tattooing the body is the practice of modern day pagans, and the command to be set apart from false religion remains.

Throughout history the tattoo bears the mark of paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, and mystical spirituality. The tattoo has NEVER been associated with Christianity, until this generation. The only explanation for this current change is that the church has become so conformed to the culture that we dismiss God’s word and deny the reality of spiritual powers at play in this world.

If you will not be persuaded that tattoos are distinctly pagan, from the scriptures, then you may be convinced by those who are tattoo experts. The following quotes are from books documenting the spiritual and religious origin of the tattoo:

"Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 73)
"In Fiji, Fromosa, New Zealand and in certain of the North American Indian tribes, tattooing was regard as a religious ceremony, and performed by priests or priestesses."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64) [Ronald Scutt, in his exhaustive book, Art, Sex and Symbol covers the history and culture of tattoos. He documents that most of the time; tattoos are connected to spiritual, religious and mystical purposes.] Brackets mine.
"Many native tribes practiced therapeutic tattooing. The Ojibwa, for instance, tattooed the temples, forehead, and cheeks of those suffering from headaches and toothaches that were believed to be caused by malevolent spirits. Songs and dances that were supposed to exorcise the demons accompanied the tattooing ceremony."

[Hambly] "retailed a wealth of examples which he had culled from field work by anthropologists in many parts of the world. Tattooing was supposed to: prevent pain; protect against gunshot wounds; cur illness; confer superhuman strength; preserve youth; enhance the supernatural powers of a shaman; ensure the survival of the soul after death; identify the soul in the hereafter; attract good luck; protect against witchcraft; ensure the protection of a deity; confer occult powers; prevent drowning; exorcise demons; ensure the protection of a totemic animal or spiritual guardian; record a pilgrimage to a holy place, etc. . .
In the myths of many cultures tattooing was of divine origin. The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which secrets were known only to members of the priestly caste. Anthropologists were often misled because their informants either did not know or would not reveal the secret significance of the rituals and taboos. Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 90, p. 158)
"The reasons why puncturing the skin should be regarded with some degree of awe are not far to seek, for in the first place, there is the drawing of blood, which to the savage world over is full of significance as a rejuvenating and immortalizing factor. There is in addition to the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter. . ."
(Hambly Wilfrid D. 1925. The History of Tattooing and its Significance, p. 233 [Dr. Hambly, is a tattooist historian and researcher, who writes over and over, that tattoos are based on pagan spiritual and religious rituals.] brackets mine.
"The origins of tattooing came from ancient magical practices. . . "
(Laurie Cabot, Power of the Witch, cited in Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated by Dr. Cathy Burns, p. 301) [Famous witch and author] brackets mine.
Rolling Stone magazine describes famous tattoo artist Paul Booth during his tattoo as, ". . . allowing his clients' demons to help guide the needle." (Rolling Stone magazine, March 28, 2002, p. 40)
Any serious study of the origin of the tattoo will reveal a spiritual foundation of demonism, paganism, and the occult. The tattoo is much more than just a body decoration or a layer of ink cut into the skin. In fact, the tattoo in many cultures is a vehicle for the invocation of spiritual powers. If there is really no debate in this, then why would a Christian want to imitate this practice?
What about getting a tattoo of a name of your child; butterfly; cross or even a verse from the scriptures? This question is based on the assumption is that tattooing is neither good nor bad, but neutral. With this faulty assumption, tattoos seem harmless, or even good, depending on the chosen design. But, if it were a redeemable act, then why would God forbid it specifically in his word, without modifiers? It is the manifestation of our human pride that reorders what God “meant to say”, so that we can rationalize our sin. The words spoken in the garden by Lucifer himself, “surely God didn’t mean”, should strike a cord in our conscience whenever we do the opposite of what God clearly instructs. It is a mistake to think that we can take something with evil origins and use it for good.
I frequently hear Christians nonsensically proclaim that they are "marking themselves for Jesus". What does it say about ourselves when we begin instructing God on the proper use of something he has forbidden? It’s similar to the argument heard from Christians who cohabitate without marriage, like unbelievers, who believe they are not living in sin. Doesn’t it seem absurd that we could in any way fornicate in a God honoring way? Yet, we protest by arguing: “Well, God understands our sexual desires; after all, he made us this way?” Is Jesus our Lord, or are we his?
Why are tattoos displeasing to God? While the Lord has not explained the reasons, we can infer by context that they mar his created image, and assign glory to the image put on the skin, or another object of worship. Another reason is that the wearer is subjecting themselves to spiritual powers that we may be unaware of. The fact that many tattooists believe in these powers and even invoke them, while applying their craft, should make us wary. "Some tattooists in the West are experimenting with ritual tattooing. This method of working incorporates doing a ritual to create a sacred space in the area where the tattoo is positioned. Often incense is burned and the gods invited to bless the proceedings." (Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 75)
Our own reasoning or the argument that “others say it is good, acceptable, or a right thing to do” without regard to what God’s word says on a matter is very dangerous. After all, we are not our own judge, and we must answer to God, not others for our actions. In Sunday’s Milwaukee Journal, I read of a church in Michigan that has a tattoo parlor in the church, as an outreach! Many modern evangelistic efforts conform to the patterns of the world to attract others, but this is not consistent with how the scriptures instruct us to spread the Gospel. We are called to be a light in this darkened world. Our responsibility is to challenge and confront the world, not conform to it. If the only reason not to get a tattoo was to set ourselves apart from false religions it would be enough. Israel was commanded to be set apart, holy, for the use of the Lord. Their downfall was due to the disobedience of this command. The church has been commanded the same thing, and it is unfortunate that we so quickly follow in the same error.

Every Word Matters

Someone asked me an interesting and fun question recently that I thought I might share the answer with you. The Question? Did Methuselah die in the flood? In Genesis chapter 5, Moses recorded the genealogy of Adam, and we learn that Methuselah, lived 969 years- longer than anyone else recorded. Here is where you can get a pencil and paper out: If you take the age of Methuselah when Lamech was born (187), add to that Lamech's age when he begot Noah (182) and the age of Noah when the floodwaters came (600), you discover that Methuselah was 969 years old the year the Flood occurred [187+182+600=969].
Since Genesis 5:27 indicates this was the age at which Methuselah died, it is logical to conclude that he died the year of the Flood. However, the Bible does not indicate that he died as a result of the Flood, so it is important not to assume that he did. Not much is known of his character, but we do know about his family. He was the son of Godly Enoch, and his son Lamech prophesied with spiritual insight at the birth of Noah in Genesis 5:29.
We also have to consider the meaning of his name. When Methuselah was born, his godly father must have prophetically known of things to come, because Methuselah means “When he dies, Judgment”. It is not mere coincidence then, that the same year he died, God judged the sinful world with the great Flood of Noah's day.
We have one more very significant clue that might go un-noticed. Genesis 7:10 says: “And after the seven days the flood waters came on the earth.” Note, that it does not say after seven days, but after the seven days. So, why was it necessary for seven days to pass? According to the Jewish commentaries on this text, it was likely a sitting Shiva, a custom in which family members of the deceased sit and mourn for the loved one for a period of 7 days. The Rabbis explain that the person who died was Methuselah, and Noah and his family sat Shiva for him for 7 days.
While it cannot be concluded for certain, the scriptures indicate that the death of Methuselah, was the sign from God to Noah, that God’s judgment was eminent. It is my opinion that Methuselah died a week before the flood, not in it. It also shows us that God himself delayed the coming of the flood based on the merit of this great man for 7 days. This study reinforces the significance of the meaning of every single word in the scriptures. The meaning of the names and even the word “the”.

PhobiaNovusPhobia

As a child, I knew that a phobia was an irrational fear. I knew of some common psychological disorders like Claustrophobia (confined spaces), and Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), as well as the irrational fear of heights, flying, and germs. With the release of the latest Time Magazine: “Is America Islamophobic?”, those who oppose the Ground Zero Mosque, Franklin Graham, myself and the majority of American citizens have been identified as fear mongers and closed minded bigots. The press has introduced us to a whole new category of phobias lately that vilify those with differing opinions.
This is nothing new to me. As a pastor I have been called a homophobe, because I believe that homosexual acts are a sin. I don’t have an irrational fear of people who are homosexual, and their behavior does not hinder my day to day activities at all, but the label is given, whether I am seeing a psychiatrist or not.

Is fear not a good thing to have? In fact, rational fear is a very good thing, because it can save your life! Don’t we want our kids to fear being run over by a car when crossing a busy street? Fear of the Nile Crocodile is a good thing to have if the Nile River is your primary source of water. Fear of the growing radicalization of Islam is not irrational at all. For those families who are mourning their loved ones in New York, or thousands of other places around the world, where terrorists have achieved their objective, fear is not only rational- it is the very objective of the violence! If you were a 14 year old Pakistani girl, who’s best friend lost her eyes, nose and ears from an acid attack because she said "no" to a marriage proposal, would your fear of saying no to a proposal be irrational? If you lived in Poland in 1938 and your neighbors were disappearing would your fear of Nazi’s be irrational?
New terms have been created that are intended to silence people with legitimate concerns, and in an ironic twist, used to label those who voice opposition as fear mongers. Are all our new security measures that we are hassled with at airports, ferries, and sports events due to irrational fears too? The fact that our national security administration has shrunk back from naming Radical Islam as the primary danger does not negate the rational response. Am I an abortionphobe because I oppose abortion or a broccoliphobe because I don’t like that vegetable?

Airport security has the approval of the press to calculate risk and thereby protect the public from terrorists. But they would become "islamophobic profilers" if they were to focus on certain characteristics that identify those terrorists, such as an Terrorist harboring country of origin or one who faithfully attends the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia, because that would be totally irrational. Instead of the identifying the mosque as the learning center for two pilots of 9/11 and the Fort Hood Shooter, they print quotes like these: “We at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center reiterate our condemnation of this brutal murder. We continue to send our condolences and prayers for the recovery of all the families and victims of this godless act.” and “Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center is one of the largest and diverse Islamic Centers in the nation. We are committed to serve the community as a place of worship, education and social services.”

The greatest irony of all is that when Radical Islam succeeds in their goal of instilling terror into their enemies, their allies, the American press, identifies the real threat to the American ideal: Islamophobes. I think I am developing PhobiaNovusPhobia. (Fear of New phobias)

Getting More out of the Bible

I was recently asked “how can I get more out of scripture when I read it.” Like a meteorologist gets more out of looking at the sky than the average person because of their training, we too, with some simple disciplines can get more out of scripture than first meets the eye. So I am going to do a few blogs on the subject.. First installment- Look for word repetition and patterns in scripture. Word repetition can occur in Books of the Bible, as well as a single teaching within a book. Word repetition in scripture is sort of like underlining something or using bold print when we take notes- it provides and emphasis to something that is important. Take for example John 15:1-8 (NIV)

The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
a The Greek for prunes also means cleans.

I have made a word construction from three different words that are repeated in the teaching. In this text you can easily identify Branch, Vine and Fruit and repeated words. Identify how these words are used in conjunction with the rest and the passage comes alive. If therefore you understand the importance of these three words, you will understand the text more fully and it’s implications in your own life. You can apply this principle to almost every passage you study.

Crying Over Spilled Oil

The daily news stories of the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf is cause for great frustration, anger and sadness in me. Accidents happen every day. Plenty of well intentioned people cause harm to others when bad circumstances come together. My frustration in this debacle is that no one is pulling out all the stops to stop this river of oil, conveniently called "a leak" from polluting what God has put us in charge of! Instead of making every effort to clean it up, the politicians seem more interested in how they can spin it for their advantage.

The president has used it as a platform to stop oil drilling in the Gulf, and for the global warming (pardon me, the climate change)agenda. Conservatives seem content to use the poor management of the situation as a whipping stick on the current administration. Oil companies have spent a lot of advertising dollars to reassure us how much they care about the environment. BP, despite it's incompetence, continues to tell us that they are doing everything they can.

Meanwhile, millions of people's livelihoods and likely billions of God's creatures are being wrecked every day. We came up with the technology to put men on the moon 40 years ago, but we can't seem to coordinate our efforts well enough to plug this hole?! I am not a rocket scientist, but has anyone thought of dropping a huge cement block over the thing? It is a sin against God and his wondrous creation, and people are treating it as a political opportunity. I weep along with the creation and those poor folks who live in the Gulf region.

I am appealing to a greater power- Dear Lord, please provide us with someone with the authority, means, and intelligence who can take charge and stop this flow of oil. And Lord, please help them get past the politicians to get it done soon. Amen.

Hebrew made simple

Comprehending the Bible can be a challenge, but with a little attention you can identify some trends in the Bible that will help you get more out of God's word.For example: The place BETH-EL: A town on the border of the territory of Ephraim (Josh. 16:1–4), at an important road junction 11 miles north of Jerusalem. Abraham built an altar there, Jacob had a dream there (Gen. 28:10–22), and named it Bethel:

House (Beth) of God (El)- which is the meaning of the Hebrew name. We also find Beth in Bethlehem (house of bread), Bethesda (House of grace) and Bethshan (house of quiet). Maybe when all my children leave the home some day it will become Bethshan!

You might recognize the similar el prefix or suffix in other Hebrew words like Immanuel(God with us), Elijah (Jehovah is God), and Israel (He struggles with God)- The name given to Jacob when he struggled with God.

Now that you know that el means God, and Beth means house, you will recognize them in hundreds of texts.

Faith Resurrected

Jesus’ disciples suffered martyrdom for their convictions, but other religious people also demonstrate changed lives because of their religious beliefs. Many have willingly given their lives for their faith: Muslims; followers of various religious teachers and political ideologies have inspired life changes and even martyrdom. But transformed lives, whether the disciples or others, does not prove that what they believe is true- It only proves that those who are willing to suffer and die for their religious commitments truly believe them to be true. Is there a difference then between the two?
In general, people committed to a religious or political message really believe it to be true. But belief in something does not make it true. Like other examples of religious or political faith, the disciples believed and followed their leader’s teachings. But unlike all others, the disciples had more than just their beliefs—they had seen the resurrected Jesus. This is a crucial distinction; their faith was true precisely because of the resurrection. Their doubts are well documented in the scriptures, until they witnessed the resurrected Jesus.
Think about it. Which is more likely—that an ideology we believe in is true, or that I and a number of others saw my wife Amy several times during the last month? If eternity rested on our conviction, would we rather base our assurance on the truth of a particular religious or political view, or would we rather have that faith confirmed with repeated cases of seeing someone? Hundreds of people witnessed that Amy was here, in the last month, as hundreds witnessed Jesus after the resurrection.
Unlike the world’s faiths, which rest on certain beliefs being true, the disciples both heard the unique teachings of Jesus, his many miracles and him after being dead and buried! Jesus was the only founder of a major world religion who had miracles reported of Him in reliable sources within a few decades. But most of all, He confirmed His message by rising from the dead. The disciples, both individuals and groups, saw Him repeatedly. Even two skeptics—James the brother of Jesus and Saul of Tarsus (Paul)—witnessed the resurrected Jesus.
No wonder the disciples were willing to die for their faith!

Abortion- A Wide Long View

Whether it be a part of health care legislation, a matter of law (Roe vs. Wade in America) or a conversation about an “unwanted” pregnancy, it is especially important that Christians are aware of our tradition, and what the Bible teaches about abortion. Abortion has been practiced throughout the world from ancient times, but the fear of death and lack of access to physicians who performed “safe” abortions placed natural limitations on the procedure. In classical paganism, abortion and euthanasia was common and widely approved. The performing of abortions and doing harm was specifically prohibited for physicians who had taken the Hippocratic Oath (4th Century BC and thereafter). This oath to the gods was a step towards saving human life and not performing abortions, but those who lived by this law were the exception. One of the great triumphs of the growth of Christianity in the western world was to greatly diminish the practice of abortion and infanticide in those parts of the world.

Christianity gave the pro-life movement another dimension as the church of Jesus Christ swept through the Roman world, setting standards in medicine, culture, and public policy. Christianity had this effect because what the Bible teaches about human life. If you look for “abortion” in a concordance you won’t find it, as that term was not used by the people of that day, but scripture is not silent on the subject. The biblical foundations for prohibition on induced abortion are found in the doctrines of creation and incarnation. The starting point for a biblical understanding of human nature is the truth that human beings are created in God’s image (imago Dei). It is clear from Genesis 1:26–27 that human beings are distinguished from all other creatures (kinds), by our bearing the likeness of our Maker. The image applies to Jew and Gentile, religious and irreligious, young and old. The issue here is not complex. If someone is human, that person bears the divine image and his or her life is sacred. It’s genetic. With the recognition that human life is sacred, the scriptures guide our actions. This foundation underlies the commandment “Do not murder” (Ex 20:13) and provides a straightforward response to abortion, because it applies to all human beings, from the beginning of life to its end. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood shall be shed by man, for God made man in His image.”) This teaching is also of central importance in the use of human embryos for research and cloning. There is only one logical position one can take from the scriptures: those who are human are made in the divine image and should not be murdered. The main argument against this truth comes in the debate of when a human life begins.
That is where the doctrine of the incarnation comes in. When we celebrate Christmas, we remember that the incarnation of the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took human form and did so from the beginning of human biological existence. He did not just come as a man. The incarnation began with conception. Mary was told by the angel that she would conceive by a miracle, the human life of the Son of God. Shortly afterward she visited Elizabeth, where John the Baptist’s first testimony to his kinsman and Lord is given. As a six month fetus, he leaped in his mother’s womb at the presence of the days-old embryonic Jesus (Lk 1:39–45). With the theological foundations of imago Dei, and the incarnation, the many references to unborn life in the prophets, Job, and especially Psalms (particularly Psalm 139) take on powerful significance.

For this reason, cultures that have remained Christian have a reverence for God, and laws by church and state that prevent the large scale practice of abortion. Many of these laws prohibiting abortion have since been abolished, even in Christianized nations. The influence of the church held fast in the western world until naturalist philosophy, and Darwinian evolution theory displaced the predominant Christian view of man. The devaluing of human life with naturalism and atheism has set the stage for the practice of abortion to re-emerge on a grand scale. In the last 40 years the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Italy, and Australia have legalized abortion. Add this to the nations where it is already legal like Russia and China, the world’s abortion leaders, and you have a worldwide abortion rate that is greater than any point in history.

The combination of modern medicine’s advanced abortion procedures, the decline of Christian influence, and the legalization and accessibility of abortion in more countries is yielding an estimated 42 million aborted babies per year worldwide. Nations who maintain a predominantly Christian influence are the world leaders in low abortion statistics and they all have laws against it. Like the physicians who originally took the Hippocratic Oath, Christians find themselves going against the cultural current of the world. If we are to change this grievous trend in our own country and the world it will be through the spread of Christianity and the reestablishment of the biblical teaching of the sanctity of human life. When nations recognize the authority of our creator and God’s word, rather than men’s, the culture and public policy will change.