I had decided to retire from bloggersphere, but I have an itch that needs to be scratched and I think blogging is the only answer. Many institutions of higher learning advocate that all cultures are right for those within those cultures. Truth about right and wrong is determined by those within a culture and not by those of a different culture. Some will go so far as to suggest that what Hitler did was right from Germany's perspective and who are we as non-Germans do condemn what happened. These same professors and institutions will condemn America for standing in judgment of other nations and their behavior. Who are we to condemn Castro or Hugo Chavez? The only culture or government that America can rightfully criticize is our own. This is one of the reasons that our institutions produce so many "hate America" students. Many of those graduating from these institutions are gaining increasing power in America. Those who hate America love France and other European governments and cultures.
My blog is generated by an event that occurred in Phoenix, Arizona this week. An 8 year old girl was raped by 4 boys, ages 9-14. When the 8 yr. old girl was returned to her father, he said he didn't want her. Police sergeant, Andy Hill, explained that the parents of the 8 yr. old were from Liberia and that in Liberia, a rape victim is viewed as responsible for what happens to her and that the rape is viewed as bringing shame on the family name. As Americans should we say, "who are we to criticize their culture?". If the Liberians accept it as right for them, then we are in no position to critize their values, after all, values have no authority beyond cultural endorsement. Then why do those who argue such, express so much hostility toward slavery. As long as a culture prefers slavery, why is slavery o.k.? Surely such examples as slavery and an 8 yr. old rape victim being rejected by her parents are enough to demonstrate that some things are right everywhere, all the time and with everyone. Some cultures are morally inferior to others. America is not perfect and we deserve some of the cricism that comes from Muslim countries who accuse of corruption and immorality as evidenced by hollywood and our tolerance of evil. Yet I believe that most women and christians would prefer America to the intolerance of the Islamic societies who sit in judgment of us.
Pray for sanity and common sense to return to higher education and those in positions of influence over government and society.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The Most Difficult Problem Christ faces in the world
Kansas Law Enforcement Officers have charged Scott Roeder with entering a church building and gunning down one of the church's ushers. George Tiller fell victim to the gunman's wrath. If you didn't know it, you know now that Tiller was a famous physician who performed late term abortions. Pro-life causes had repeatedly pointed to Tiller as representing the kind of medical practice in America that threatens the lives of the unborn and that is responsible for taking the lives of innocent children. Those who would like to see Roe vs Wade overthrown by the Supreme Court would obviously like to see abortions such as those performed by George Tiller to come to a halt. Most Pro-life advocates believe that late term abortions are murder. However, most Pro-life advocates believe that to murder to stop murder is not a solution that an individual has a right to pursue. Its murder to take one's life without a legal basis whether performed by an abortionist or an anti-abortionist. Until the law is changed, abortion is legal. No matter how much we abhor the act, individuals have no right to take the law into their own hands.
The irony of taking the life of a man in a church and doing so in the name of Christ is not lost on the enemies of Christianity. According to witnesses Roeder's car had an anti-abortion sticker on it, as well as the fish , a symbol of Christianity. A number of political causes will be encouraged by the act of the murderer of Tiller. The anti-gun movement will receive a great deal of free advertisement from this act. The Pro-choice movement will be able to gain support for silencing critics of abortion doctors. Keith Olbermann blamed Fox News for this despicable act, and especially Bill O'Reilly who had referred in the past to George Tiller as "Tiller, the baby killer". Olbermann recommended that his viewers quarantine Fox News. He encouraged his viewers to ask waiting rooms across America, whether Doctors or other waiting rooms, to discontinue carrying Fox News. If they refuse to do so then change Doctors. The anti-Christian movement will find encouragement by the evidence that the accused had the fish symbol on his car. The result of this crime may be millions of dollars worth of free advertisement for the views we have just mentioned.
In Romans2:17ff., the apostle Paul wrote the following:
"Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; If you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law. if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--you, then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal...do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
Paul's argument could have just as easily been applied to Christians as it was to Jews. What if the rhetorical question was "You who preach pro-life, do you commit murder?" In other words you preach opposition to murder by murdering? Such behavior leads to the name of Christ being blasphemed in the world. Many facts will come out in the next few months that are not known at the moment, but for now, the name of christianity and the cause of pro-life have been damaged greatly by the behavior of one who has chosen to be identified with Christ.
Nothing an enemy can do to us is nearly as damaging as the disobedience of God's people. When the advocates of the cause violate the cause, they do more harm than all voices of its critics. May all of us be reminded that even in criticizing an evil, we must do so in a way that brings glory to God. We may at times feel so passionately about a cause that we have a hard time being civil with the opponents, but God's cause is never advanced by ungodly behavior. My prayer is that the murderer of George Tiller will be brought to justice and pay the price that he thought murderers of infants should pay. Government is the body that has been entrusted by God with punishing the evil and until the law has been changed we can do nothing about abortion except seek to persuade our neighbors and elected officials to embrace a pro-life position and exert influence that might lead to the limitation and eventual removal of statutes permitting legal abortion.
The irony of taking the life of a man in a church and doing so in the name of Christ is not lost on the enemies of Christianity. According to witnesses Roeder's car had an anti-abortion sticker on it, as well as the fish , a symbol of Christianity. A number of political causes will be encouraged by the act of the murderer of Tiller. The anti-gun movement will receive a great deal of free advertisement from this act. The Pro-choice movement will be able to gain support for silencing critics of abortion doctors. Keith Olbermann blamed Fox News for this despicable act, and especially Bill O'Reilly who had referred in the past to George Tiller as "Tiller, the baby killer". Olbermann recommended that his viewers quarantine Fox News. He encouraged his viewers to ask waiting rooms across America, whether Doctors or other waiting rooms, to discontinue carrying Fox News. If they refuse to do so then change Doctors. The anti-Christian movement will find encouragement by the evidence that the accused had the fish symbol on his car. The result of this crime may be millions of dollars worth of free advertisement for the views we have just mentioned.
In Romans2:17ff., the apostle Paul wrote the following:
"Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; If you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law. if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--you, then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal...do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
Paul's argument could have just as easily been applied to Christians as it was to Jews. What if the rhetorical question was "You who preach pro-life, do you commit murder?" In other words you preach opposition to murder by murdering? Such behavior leads to the name of Christ being blasphemed in the world. Many facts will come out in the next few months that are not known at the moment, but for now, the name of christianity and the cause of pro-life have been damaged greatly by the behavior of one who has chosen to be identified with Christ.
Nothing an enemy can do to us is nearly as damaging as the disobedience of God's people. When the advocates of the cause violate the cause, they do more harm than all voices of its critics. May all of us be reminded that even in criticizing an evil, we must do so in a way that brings glory to God. We may at times feel so passionately about a cause that we have a hard time being civil with the opponents, but God's cause is never advanced by ungodly behavior. My prayer is that the murderer of George Tiller will be brought to justice and pay the price that he thought murderers of infants should pay. Government is the body that has been entrusted by God with punishing the evil and until the law has been changed we can do nothing about abortion except seek to persuade our neighbors and elected officials to embrace a pro-life position and exert influence that might lead to the limitation and eventual removal of statutes permitting legal abortion.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Miss California
I haven't posted much lately because I think that what I say is mostly an echo reverberating back to the author. I have refrained for some time in commenting on the plight of Miss California, Carrie Prejean, but alas I can no longer restrain myself. Carrie's fate has won her more publicity then money could ever have bought her. Just today it was announced that she will debut on Fox News with an hour long hosting appearance.
As a Christian I'm not too fond of beauty contests because I think they send a message that teen girls in America don't need to hear. Having said that, I realize that not all would agree with me. So, while I would have advised Carrie to pass on beauty pageants, I nevertheless am troubled by what happened to her as a result of her answer to the question about gay marriage. I heard her answer several times and walked away each time thinking that she was as kind as she could be in expressing her answer and convictions. The bombastic response of Perez Hilton and others of the gay marriage movement was beyond the pale of human decency. She was called every name in the book, most of which I cannot repeat. She was the target of all kinds of threats. Denounced as "out of touch" in a state that voted by a 52% margin to prohibit gay marriage.
It was only two days ago that Donald Trump confirmed that the title would remain with her. In his support of her, he mentioned that her position was no different from that articulated by President Obama. The question that begs to be asked is why Hilton and other gay marriage advocates have not bashed President Obama as they have Carrie. The answer seems quite simple. Her defense was based upon christian values she learned from the bible. Most gay marriage advocates are at the same time critics of christianity and the Bible. In advocating gay marriage, they are at the same time trying to diminish the influence of christianity.
Aggressive athiests, gay marriage advocates and apologists for terrorists have in common a hatred for christianity that transcends all other views they have toward enemies of our country and our culture. If asked to pick between Osama bin Laden and James Dobson, I have no doubt that many would take their stand with Osama. We must live and evangelize in an environment where anti-christianity is on the increase and the volume is being turned up to almost a deafening screech.
What do we do? We must do what christians have done for 2,000 years, tell the old old story of Jesus who loves even his enemies so much that he is willing to die at their hands. We will not surrender our convictions in order to find acceptance from those who hate us, but neither will we stoop to behaving according to their value system which means anything goes as long as it is directed toward our enemies. Genuine love is even more absurd to some critics of christianity than are our views on abortion and homosexuality. Never surrender to hate, but love the haters into surrender to the Lord. This is the only strategy for victory that our Lord has provided us.
As a Christian I'm not too fond of beauty contests because I think they send a message that teen girls in America don't need to hear. Having said that, I realize that not all would agree with me. So, while I would have advised Carrie to pass on beauty pageants, I nevertheless am troubled by what happened to her as a result of her answer to the question about gay marriage. I heard her answer several times and walked away each time thinking that she was as kind as she could be in expressing her answer and convictions. The bombastic response of Perez Hilton and others of the gay marriage movement was beyond the pale of human decency. She was called every name in the book, most of which I cannot repeat. She was the target of all kinds of threats. Denounced as "out of touch" in a state that voted by a 52% margin to prohibit gay marriage.
It was only two days ago that Donald Trump confirmed that the title would remain with her. In his support of her, he mentioned that her position was no different from that articulated by President Obama. The question that begs to be asked is why Hilton and other gay marriage advocates have not bashed President Obama as they have Carrie. The answer seems quite simple. Her defense was based upon christian values she learned from the bible. Most gay marriage advocates are at the same time critics of christianity and the Bible. In advocating gay marriage, they are at the same time trying to diminish the influence of christianity.
Aggressive athiests, gay marriage advocates and apologists for terrorists have in common a hatred for christianity that transcends all other views they have toward enemies of our country and our culture. If asked to pick between Osama bin Laden and James Dobson, I have no doubt that many would take their stand with Osama. We must live and evangelize in an environment where anti-christianity is on the increase and the volume is being turned up to almost a deafening screech.
What do we do? We must do what christians have done for 2,000 years, tell the old old story of Jesus who loves even his enemies so much that he is willing to die at their hands. We will not surrender our convictions in order to find acceptance from those who hate us, but neither will we stoop to behaving according to their value system which means anything goes as long as it is directed toward our enemies. Genuine love is even more absurd to some critics of christianity than are our views on abortion and homosexuality. Never surrender to hate, but love the haters into surrender to the Lord. This is the only strategy for victory that our Lord has provided us.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
NOTRE DAME AND THE UNBORN
Controversy has raged within the Catholic Church since the announcement of the President of Notre Dame that President Obama would be their commencement speaker for graduation this year. No religious body has taken a more pro-life stand than the Catholic Church and many Bishops are irate that a speaker who is the most influential pro-choice person in the world has been selected as their commencement speaker and will in addition receive an honorary degree from the institution. Normally such honorary degrees are granted only to those who share the values embraced by the church.
One of my favorite Law Professors in America is Mary Ann Glendon. She is a Professor of Law at Harvard University. She is the author of several books and essays dealing with law, and has also written extensively on "life issues". When President Bush was looking for candidates for the Supreme Court, her name arose and I would have gladly supported her nomination. While Bush did not choose her for the Supreme Court position, he did choose her to be Ambassador to the Vatican.
I mention Professor Glendon because Notre Dame also invited her to speak at the same event as President Obama, but her presentation would have been an acceptance speech for an award that she was receiving from Notre Dame. When first notified she was not told that Obama would be delivering the Commencement address. She was excited about her award and being invited by Notre Dame. However, when she saw that the President of Notre Dame was using her presence as a defence for inviting President Obama, she had second thoughts. In this month's issue of FIRST THINGS magazine she published an open letter to the President of Notre Dame. In her letter she declined the award and the opportunity to be on the same platform with Obama. As a Catholic she had an issue with his presence and the awarding of an honorary degree to him. She pointed out that a Commencement was no platform for a debate and that it should be about the graduates and their accomplishments.
Notre Dame illustrates what I spoke about in my last blog. Christian institutions of Higher Learning are more and more distancing themselves from the views of their formative faiths. I could see Universities among churches of Christ salivating about the possibility of the President of the United States speaking at a commencement service, no matter what views he might hold on "life issues". The sad thing is that I'm not convinced that leaders in Churches of Christ would protest as much as leaders in the Catholic Church have protested about the selection of Obama. For whatever reason the "life issue" just doesn't seem to resonate as much with us as it does the Pope and Bishops. That is one of the major reasons that Christian ethicists have grown more friendly with the Catholic Church than many protestant groups. While there are significant and important issues which are troubling about the Catholic Church, one must give credit where credit is due.
I wish that Churches of Christ and other Christian fellowships had more people like Mary Ann Glendon who would give up worldly awards from prestigious universities in order to make a moral stand. I'm sure we have people who would do the same as she has done, but maybe don't receive the same amount of attention because we are not nearly as large as the Catholic Church. I reiterate as in my last post, that I believe in higher education and I have great appreciation for colleges and universities that have emerged from churches of Christ. However, the politics, credibility, and public image are so important that its hard to remember theology and moral issues when they threaten these other concerns.
May I say that I continue to pray for President Obama and have the highest respect for the office of President of the United States. However, sometimes in the interest of the service of God and life we need to disagree in meaningful ways even with the President of our United States. Therefore, I applaud Mary Ann Glendon for her stand as a Catholic against the best known Catholic institution in America.
Controversy has raged within the Catholic Church since the announcement of the President of Notre Dame that President Obama would be their commencement speaker for graduation this year. No religious body has taken a more pro-life stand than the Catholic Church and many Bishops are irate that a speaker who is the most influential pro-choice person in the world has been selected as their commencement speaker and will in addition receive an honorary degree from the institution. Normally such honorary degrees are granted only to those who share the values embraced by the church.
One of my favorite Law Professors in America is Mary Ann Glendon. She is a Professor of Law at Harvard University. She is the author of several books and essays dealing with law, and has also written extensively on "life issues". When President Bush was looking for candidates for the Supreme Court, her name arose and I would have gladly supported her nomination. While Bush did not choose her for the Supreme Court position, he did choose her to be Ambassador to the Vatican.
I mention Professor Glendon because Notre Dame also invited her to speak at the same event as President Obama, but her presentation would have been an acceptance speech for an award that she was receiving from Notre Dame. When first notified she was not told that Obama would be delivering the Commencement address. She was excited about her award and being invited by Notre Dame. However, when she saw that the President of Notre Dame was using her presence as a defence for inviting President Obama, she had second thoughts. In this month's issue of FIRST THINGS magazine she published an open letter to the President of Notre Dame. In her letter she declined the award and the opportunity to be on the same platform with Obama. As a Catholic she had an issue with his presence and the awarding of an honorary degree to him. She pointed out that a Commencement was no platform for a debate and that it should be about the graduates and their accomplishments.
Notre Dame illustrates what I spoke about in my last blog. Christian institutions of Higher Learning are more and more distancing themselves from the views of their formative faiths. I could see Universities among churches of Christ salivating about the possibility of the President of the United States speaking at a commencement service, no matter what views he might hold on "life issues". The sad thing is that I'm not convinced that leaders in Churches of Christ would protest as much as leaders in the Catholic Church have protested about the selection of Obama. For whatever reason the "life issue" just doesn't seem to resonate as much with us as it does the Pope and Bishops. That is one of the major reasons that Christian ethicists have grown more friendly with the Catholic Church than many protestant groups. While there are significant and important issues which are troubling about the Catholic Church, one must give credit where credit is due.
I wish that Churches of Christ and other Christian fellowships had more people like Mary Ann Glendon who would give up worldly awards from prestigious universities in order to make a moral stand. I'm sure we have people who would do the same as she has done, but maybe don't receive the same amount of attention because we are not nearly as large as the Catholic Church. I reiterate as in my last post, that I believe in higher education and I have great appreciation for colleges and universities that have emerged from churches of Christ. However, the politics, credibility, and public image are so important that its hard to remember theology and moral issues when they threaten these other concerns.
May I say that I continue to pray for President Obama and have the highest respect for the office of President of the United States. However, sometimes in the interest of the service of God and life we need to disagree in meaningful ways even with the President of our United States. Therefore, I applaud Mary Ann Glendon for her stand as a Catholic against the best known Catholic institution in America.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tony Blair's speech
Check out Tony Blair's speech delivered on April 22nd at Chicago Global Affairs Conference. The speech may be found on REAL CLEAR POLITICS.
Prayer Concerns
I am sure that most who read this blog are regular communicators with God. This morning I have been reflecting on the concerns that should be ours if we are Christians and Americans. So in addition to your personal prayer needs and issues may I suggest that if you have not already done so, include the following in your prayers:
(The following are not listed in any order as to importance)
1. Our government leaders both elected and appointed. While much that is going on today, as will be evident from some of my later concerns in this list, is inconsistent with my values and aspirations for America, I nevertheless need to heed Paul's admonition to pray for our leaders. If I haven't prayed for them, then their mistakes are my mistakes also.
2. Pray for our schools, both primary and graduate levels. Teachers are under so much pressure from political correctness and their unions that it is hard not to be intimidated into going along to get along. Also those in administration are obviously hesitant to cross any political correctness lines for fear of lawsuits from ACLU or families with "out of control" children.
3. Pray for Christian schools and universities. Many in higher education are more concerned about how they are viewed by accrediting agencies and other well known schools of higher learning than they are about biblical teachings and church concerns. A PHD cannot advance if he simply sounds like those in his church or those of the past. He must be cutting edge or he will be looked upon as "out of touch" with the latest and greatest. As our universities depend more and more upon donations from those outside their religious tradition, they must sound less and less like an echo of their church roots. They must invite more and more speakers that are well known in the larger religious community, regardless of what they are known for. Brian McLaren has spoken on some of our campuses recently, and I have no problem with that, provided their is some balance offered that encourages students to consider not just the pros but also the cons of what such speakers have to offer. McLaren is the leading voice of the "emerging church" which is a postmodern view of christianity which sees doctrines as divisive and even suggests that Buddhists, Hindus and others may embrace the Christ without knowing it, and thus enjoy all the blessings of Christ. Maybe those campuses that invite such speakers provide a penetrating critique, but knowing a little bit about how such institutions operate, I wonder.
I am not trying to put down higher education, in fact I believe in it more than most, but we need to know the kind of cultural pressures that are influencing such institutions. During the last couple of years of the Center for Christian Education's existence we were seeking approval from the state of Texas and the accrediting agency of Bible Colleges. During that process I had the opportunity of meeting with the appointed representative of the State Board of Education on numerous occasions. I discovered how much the State and accrediting agencies determine the operation and curriculum of private universities. Believe me, Abilene, Pepperdine, Oklahoma and others have more to fear from these sources than from the criticism of churches and christians. The Christian colleges and universities struggle with two poles: the church with which they identify and the state and regional accrediting agencies. Christian universities cannot and should not be the same as the schools of preaching in our fellowship. Since the Supreme Court of Texas has ruled that the State cannot control private christian colleges some of the schools of preaching have started offering degrees. I am torn between the two concerns, one that Christian truth not be compromised and two that schools of preaching really don't offer a curriculum that is equal to a Bachelors Degree. Yes, schools of preaching may offer more Bible, but a Degree is society's assurance that certain standards exist, and that one can assume a certain level of education exists that includes more than Bible. There are a number of fraudulent degree mills. Citizens need to have some means of determining the credibility of institutions of higher learning and this requires standards and laws. In spite of all that is done, some still peddle their wares and some fall prey to their promises. I think of one that has preyed on those in churches of Christ. Some of our graduates fell prey to such because in their minds they believed they had earned an equivalent to not only a Bachelors but even a Masters. The degree mill provided such for a relatively small financial investment. I too believed that the Center offered a quality education on par with many legitimate degree programs, but there were still additonal courses that would need to be taken to meet Culture's expectations of one with a Masters degree. If students had taken such courses in an accredited Junior College or University then their education was first class, but without those coursed they did not meet Society's expectations and should not received such a degree. Thus we need protection from those who offer degrees without meeting the standards presumed to exist in a degree program.
This rambling stream of consciousness reveals my own ambivalence when it comes to the issue of higher education. It is out of this ambivalence that I realize more than ever the need for prayer. The wisdom of more than Solomon is needed to address this issue. Pray for our schools, the professors, students and administrators.
4. Pray for President Bush and for those who served in his administration. He may have thought that once he was out of power that the criticism would end, but such has not been the case. The latest onslaught concerns "interrogation techniques". May the milk of human kindness be expressed in prayer for him, his family, and others who served with him.
5. Pray for Christians who believe it is their duty (a little used word now days) and responsibility to fight for the lives of the weak and those unable to fight for themselves. As a result we stand opposed to abortion and euthanasia, as well as embryonic stem cell research that involves the destruction of life. According to the Director of Homeland Security, we are a threat to the security of the homeland and need to be monitored closely by local and regional police and safety officials. Some Christians may be intimidated and silenced by realizing how they are viewed by government officials, however, we need to say with Peter and John "we must obey God". Our resistence to laws and policies will be expressed by freedom of speech and prayer. I know of no one who agrees with me in my opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell destruction who would bomb a clinic or research lab. I am more concerned about Bill Ayers and people who have actually attacked our institutions and our citizens then I am Christians who oppose abortion, but then I'm not the Director of Homeland Security. If she knows more about me and others than we know, mayb e she will reveal her sources.
6. Pray for Pakistan and other countries in the boiling Middle East. Pakistan is not far from collapsing. The Taliban is gaining every day in Pakistan. Should its nuclear power come under the control of the Taliban, well we know the probable scenario that would follow. We need to pray for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama. Decisions they make concerning our policies in Pakistan may decide our childrens future.
7. Pray about the issue in Iran. May the Secretary of Defense Gates advise the President in a wise manner and may God's sovereignty over Iran prevent their gaining nuclear weapons.
8. Pray that political discourse in America might focus more on issues and their merits rather than polarization through vile name calling and accusations without foundation.
9. Pray, pray, and pray some more about the future of Christianity in our homeland on earth. Christianity is not thriving, but Hinduism, Buddhism and secularism are. Since 1990, surveys show that Christianity has grown by 5%, while Buddhism has grown by 170% and Hinduism by 230%. However, the largest growth has been in those who embrace no religion. The number has grown from 13 million to 38 million. Our God is alive and as active as ever, but something is wrong with Christianity in America. We need God to lead us out of our malaise and paralysis. Christianity will not disappear from the world, but it may decline in influence in America. We need to thank God for its rapid growth in other parts of the world. America may sooner than we realize become a mission point for churches in Africa and South America.
10. Pray for our children and our families. Families are being redefined to include gay marriage and other arrangements such as living together in all kinds of combinations. Fewer and fewer children are growing up in a stable environment that includes a loving and dedicated father and mother who provide them nurturing, security and discipline. As goes the church and family so goes the nation.
Feel free to respond to my blog with additions to my list and interaction with my suggested prayer concerns.
(The following are not listed in any order as to importance)
1. Our government leaders both elected and appointed. While much that is going on today, as will be evident from some of my later concerns in this list, is inconsistent with my values and aspirations for America, I nevertheless need to heed Paul's admonition to pray for our leaders. If I haven't prayed for them, then their mistakes are my mistakes also.
2. Pray for our schools, both primary and graduate levels. Teachers are under so much pressure from political correctness and their unions that it is hard not to be intimidated into going along to get along. Also those in administration are obviously hesitant to cross any political correctness lines for fear of lawsuits from ACLU or families with "out of control" children.
3. Pray for Christian schools and universities. Many in higher education are more concerned about how they are viewed by accrediting agencies and other well known schools of higher learning than they are about biblical teachings and church concerns. A PHD cannot advance if he simply sounds like those in his church or those of the past. He must be cutting edge or he will be looked upon as "out of touch" with the latest and greatest. As our universities depend more and more upon donations from those outside their religious tradition, they must sound less and less like an echo of their church roots. They must invite more and more speakers that are well known in the larger religious community, regardless of what they are known for. Brian McLaren has spoken on some of our campuses recently, and I have no problem with that, provided their is some balance offered that encourages students to consider not just the pros but also the cons of what such speakers have to offer. McLaren is the leading voice of the "emerging church" which is a postmodern view of christianity which sees doctrines as divisive and even suggests that Buddhists, Hindus and others may embrace the Christ without knowing it, and thus enjoy all the blessings of Christ. Maybe those campuses that invite such speakers provide a penetrating critique, but knowing a little bit about how such institutions operate, I wonder.
I am not trying to put down higher education, in fact I believe in it more than most, but we need to know the kind of cultural pressures that are influencing such institutions. During the last couple of years of the Center for Christian Education's existence we were seeking approval from the state of Texas and the accrediting agency of Bible Colleges. During that process I had the opportunity of meeting with the appointed representative of the State Board of Education on numerous occasions. I discovered how much the State and accrediting agencies determine the operation and curriculum of private universities. Believe me, Abilene, Pepperdine, Oklahoma and others have more to fear from these sources than from the criticism of churches and christians. The Christian colleges and universities struggle with two poles: the church with which they identify and the state and regional accrediting agencies. Christian universities cannot and should not be the same as the schools of preaching in our fellowship. Since the Supreme Court of Texas has ruled that the State cannot control private christian colleges some of the schools of preaching have started offering degrees. I am torn between the two concerns, one that Christian truth not be compromised and two that schools of preaching really don't offer a curriculum that is equal to a Bachelors Degree. Yes, schools of preaching may offer more Bible, but a Degree is society's assurance that certain standards exist, and that one can assume a certain level of education exists that includes more than Bible. There are a number of fraudulent degree mills. Citizens need to have some means of determining the credibility of institutions of higher learning and this requires standards and laws. In spite of all that is done, some still peddle their wares and some fall prey to their promises. I think of one that has preyed on those in churches of Christ. Some of our graduates fell prey to such because in their minds they believed they had earned an equivalent to not only a Bachelors but even a Masters. The degree mill provided such for a relatively small financial investment. I too believed that the Center offered a quality education on par with many legitimate degree programs, but there were still additonal courses that would need to be taken to meet Culture's expectations of one with a Masters degree. If students had taken such courses in an accredited Junior College or University then their education was first class, but without those coursed they did not meet Society's expectations and should not received such a degree. Thus we need protection from those who offer degrees without meeting the standards presumed to exist in a degree program.
This rambling stream of consciousness reveals my own ambivalence when it comes to the issue of higher education. It is out of this ambivalence that I realize more than ever the need for prayer. The wisdom of more than Solomon is needed to address this issue. Pray for our schools, the professors, students and administrators.
4. Pray for President Bush and for those who served in his administration. He may have thought that once he was out of power that the criticism would end, but such has not been the case. The latest onslaught concerns "interrogation techniques". May the milk of human kindness be expressed in prayer for him, his family, and others who served with him.
5. Pray for Christians who believe it is their duty (a little used word now days) and responsibility to fight for the lives of the weak and those unable to fight for themselves. As a result we stand opposed to abortion and euthanasia, as well as embryonic stem cell research that involves the destruction of life. According to the Director of Homeland Security, we are a threat to the security of the homeland and need to be monitored closely by local and regional police and safety officials. Some Christians may be intimidated and silenced by realizing how they are viewed by government officials, however, we need to say with Peter and John "we must obey God". Our resistence to laws and policies will be expressed by freedom of speech and prayer. I know of no one who agrees with me in my opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell destruction who would bomb a clinic or research lab. I am more concerned about Bill Ayers and people who have actually attacked our institutions and our citizens then I am Christians who oppose abortion, but then I'm not the Director of Homeland Security. If she knows more about me and others than we know, mayb e she will reveal her sources.
6. Pray for Pakistan and other countries in the boiling Middle East. Pakistan is not far from collapsing. The Taliban is gaining every day in Pakistan. Should its nuclear power come under the control of the Taliban, well we know the probable scenario that would follow. We need to pray for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Obama. Decisions they make concerning our policies in Pakistan may decide our childrens future.
7. Pray about the issue in Iran. May the Secretary of Defense Gates advise the President in a wise manner and may God's sovereignty over Iran prevent their gaining nuclear weapons.
8. Pray that political discourse in America might focus more on issues and their merits rather than polarization through vile name calling and accusations without foundation.
9. Pray, pray, and pray some more about the future of Christianity in our homeland on earth. Christianity is not thriving, but Hinduism, Buddhism and secularism are. Since 1990, surveys show that Christianity has grown by 5%, while Buddhism has grown by 170% and Hinduism by 230%. However, the largest growth has been in those who embrace no religion. The number has grown from 13 million to 38 million. Our God is alive and as active as ever, but something is wrong with Christianity in America. We need God to lead us out of our malaise and paralysis. Christianity will not disappear from the world, but it may decline in influence in America. We need to thank God for its rapid growth in other parts of the world. America may sooner than we realize become a mission point for churches in Africa and South America.
10. Pray for our children and our families. Families are being redefined to include gay marriage and other arrangements such as living together in all kinds of combinations. Fewer and fewer children are growing up in a stable environment that includes a loving and dedicated father and mother who provide them nurturing, security and discipline. As goes the church and family so goes the nation.
Feel free to respond to my blog with additions to my list and interaction with my suggested prayer concerns.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Its been a while since I posted. My wife Gloria's brother died a few days ago, and the dying process extended over about 10 days. We were trying to give attention to weightier matters than blogging. It seems that every experience of life exposes us to new awareness of matters concerning which we thought we were knowledgeable. In Jim's last days I became more aware than I ever had before that a person is aware of his surroundings and what is going on even if he shows little evidence of such by his appearance. Communication and prayer are heard and make a difference.
Also I became aware that hospice is not always helpful when subject to Medicare criteria. I have become somewhat suspicious of how hospice is brought into the picture when one is at a senior care center. Then when they are active I found that according to the hospice representatives their services are for crisis care only. They use the more politically correct terminology of "continuing care" which describes around the clock presence of a nurse in the room of the dying person. However, according to what hospice told us, such care is available only if medication has to be given more frequently than the care facility can provide. Just because a person has only hours to live is not sufficient basis for the presence of a hospice representative. When I asked the hospice representative what the definition of hospice care is, she answered "end of life care". My obvious response was, "isn't Jim dying?". Yes, she said but he's stable and does not appear to be in great pain, so medicare will not provide what they call "a sitter". The hospice provider HOSPICE PLUS in the end did provide continuing care, but they had threatened to discontinue it because "dying" is not a sufficient reason to provide "continuing care" only painful dying is sufficient.
My recommendation is that if you have a loved one who may be entering into a terminal state, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the provisions of hospice care. Apparently there will be a difference in the hospice care provided under private insurance and the hospice care provided under Medicare.
Also I became aware that hospice is not always helpful when subject to Medicare criteria. I have become somewhat suspicious of how hospice is brought into the picture when one is at a senior care center. Then when they are active I found that according to the hospice representatives their services are for crisis care only. They use the more politically correct terminology of "continuing care" which describes around the clock presence of a nurse in the room of the dying person. However, according to what hospice told us, such care is available only if medication has to be given more frequently than the care facility can provide. Just because a person has only hours to live is not sufficient basis for the presence of a hospice representative. When I asked the hospice representative what the definition of hospice care is, she answered "end of life care". My obvious response was, "isn't Jim dying?". Yes, she said but he's stable and does not appear to be in great pain, so medicare will not provide what they call "a sitter". The hospice provider HOSPICE PLUS in the end did provide continuing care, but they had threatened to discontinue it because "dying" is not a sufficient reason to provide "continuing care" only painful dying is sufficient.
My recommendation is that if you have a loved one who may be entering into a terminal state, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the provisions of hospice care. Apparently there will be a difference in the hospice care provided under private insurance and the hospice care provided under Medicare.
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