Transgender 6th-Graders?

This article, "Panel rules against Orono school in transgender bathroom access," reports that a boy who thinks he can existentially and autonomously pervert God's reality that he is a boy and become a girl instead, aided and abetted by his perverted parents, have filed a lawsuit against the school (and they had filed one previously against a government elementary school).

This is wrong on so many levels. But I'll just pick a few.

Notice how throughout the article, the boy is referred to with the use of feminine pronouns. Here's a sample:

"The school’s response stated that the district accommodated the child by training the staff, educating the students, giving the transgender student her own bathroom, giving her her own locker room and meeting with her parents almost daily."

You'd never know the reporter was writing about a boy. Bizarre.

The article also says that the boy used the girls bathroom and was harrassed, picked on, and called names by the other children. You think?

Notice how subversion to immorality and rebellion against God is referred to as "training" and "educating" in the paragraph quoted above.

There is no neutrality, is there?

And if you are a Christian parent with your children still in government school...why? If you are a Christian parent with your child in a "private" school that has "adjusted policies" to get accreditation or vouchers...why?

If you think this kind of evil sexual perversity is rare in the schools, you might be interested in site called 101 Reasons to Homeschool Your Kids. (Entries go back to 2003, try searching by state.)

Please don't expect the perverse and humanist worldly media and government "education" system to guard, protect, and raise your children for you. According to God's word, that is parents' responsibility.

The only salvation from the sin and moral degradation of our children and our parents and our civil government and our society, in this world and the next, is the law and gospel of Jesus Christ.

UPDATE 10/06/2010:

It might be helpful to read Greg L. Bahnsen's brief article entitled, "The Ethical Issue of Transsexuality."

The Success of the Gospel

found on Sermon Audio this morning:

"The success of the Gospel exasperates its enemies." -- Matthew Henry

Helps for the Problem of Children Who Won't Drink Milk

from Good Housekeeping's Book of Menus, Recipes, and Household Discoveries (1922, 15th Edition printed December 1926), under the chapter entitled "Discoveries Concerning Children," comes the following pieces of advice from two readers:

Winifred was one of the little girls who would not drink milk, regardless of her mother's efforts. Her aversion seemed so great that mother finally stopped insisting. Then Winifred started to school. She immediately began asking for two pennies each day for recess lunch, which consisted of crackers and a glass of milk. Her mother was astounded, also elated, and asked why she wanted milk at school but refused it at home. Winifred's answer solved the question, "Well, mother, at school we drink it through a straw, and I can't smell it." --Mrs. A. R., Ind.

Perhaps your child will not drink his milk. Perhaps you are to blame for placing a large glass of milk before him and bidding him "drink it all"! There is a better way. A small pitcher and a little, flat-bottomed wine glass will do the trick. Pour a little milk at a time from the pitcher into the tiny glass and watch your child delight in taking every drop. If the child is old enough, let him pour it himself. This is a healthful method, for the milk will never be taken in large gulps. --Mrs. G. H. S., N. J.

The Great Debate over Baptism and the Covenant

For anyone--credo-baptist, paedo-baptist, or "on the fence"--interested in more about the topic of baptism and the covenant, I highly recommend the audio presentation by William O. Einwechter called "The Great Debate over Baptism and the Covenant," sold by Vision Forum. Mr. Einwechter is a covenantal baptist, theonomist, pastor, husband, and father of ten. His presentation is Biblical, well-researched, charitable, and thorough, including responses to paedo-baptist objections.

Are the Children of Covenant Believers Members of the Covenant by Baptism?

Over at Iron Ink, I commented on an article where the blog author gave his answer to the question, "Is It Possible to Be Both Theonomic and Baptist?" This led to a "discussion" over baptism and the covenant.

The paedo-baptist commenters said such things as as: we don't evangelize our children because we assume they are saved, God commands believers to bring our infants to the baptismal font, bringing the gospel to your children and waiting for a profession of faith before baptizing them is "wrong" and encourages "making a decision for Christ" (Arminian) soteriology, and babies born of believers are saved and in "the covenant."

I won't be putting Iron Ink in the side bar because of the error of hyper-Calvinism promoted on their blog.

However, I will be responding to the comments in this article over a series of posts.

The Baptist Catechism on Baptism

Q. 96: How do baptism and the Lord's Supper become effectual means of salvation?
A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper become effectual means of salvation, not for any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ (1 Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; 1 Cor. 3:6-7), and the working of the Spirit in those that by faith receive them (1 Cor. 12:3).


Q. 97: What is baptism?
A. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19), to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with Him (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:27); of remission of sins (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38, 22:16); and of his giving up himself unto God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4).


Q. 98: To whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance toward God, faith in and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other (Matt. 3:6, 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38, 8:36-38).


Q. 99: Are the infants of such as are professing believers to be baptized?
A. The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither command or example in the Holy Scriptures, or certain consequence from them to baptize such (Prov. 30:6; Luke 3:7-8).


Q. 100: How is baptism rightly administered?
A. Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the party in water, into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, according to Christ's institution, and the practice of the apostles (Matt. 3:16; John 3:23; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:38, 10:48; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12), and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men.


Q. 101: What is the duty of such as are rightly baptized?
A. It is the duty of such as are rightly baptized to give up themselves to some particular and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Acts 2:41-42, 5:13-14, 9:26; 1 Pet. 2:5; Luke 1:6).

It Isn't Work*

It isn't work, if you like to do it,
It isn't work if it gives a thrill,
If always pleasant thoughts imbue it,
If you do it gladly and with a will.

It isn't "housework"--dusting, mending,
Scrubbing floors and baking things,
Washing dishes and pans unending,
To one who laughs and smiles and sings.

It isn't work, if you find good measure
Of cheer and sun in every minute.
It isn't housework--it's home pleasure,
With a little love and laughter in it!

* I don't know the author. If anyone finds out, please tell me in a comment. Thank you, GentleDove.

Hoagies & Stogies (Reformed, Men-Only Theological Debate and Fellowship)

October 2nd, for Reformed men (men only, no women or children) in the San Diego, CA area.

From Blogorrhea:

"What is Hoagies & Stogies?
Hoagies & Stogies is a men’s fellowship for reformed, theological debate; it was created by one of my elders before he was an elder. When he was ordained, he got too busy, and he gave the reins of the ministry to me. The men gather for a simple meal of hoagies, with home-brewed beer, or soft drinks. After a while, we all refill our glasses, and those who are so inclined light up their best stogies and kick back and enjoy a theological debate. But if you are not a smoker (like me), or not a drinker (or not both!), you are still welcome. (You can consider it your mission to ensure that Christian liberty is exercised with due charity!)"

Brief Theonomy Explanation

I enjoyed this brief explanation of theonomy occasioned by a disagreement on some discussion thread on American Vision, I think.

"...The humanist, however, will assert all types of accusations and hysteria against the theonomist expressing its outrage that theonomy teaches that treason against the family, and not the State, is punishable by death. The Christian humanist is likewise appalled because we assert that adultery, for example, is a crime as well as sin, no different than murder is a crime as well as a sin. He then imagines some ecclesiastical hierarchy and "Theocratic State" is really at bottom of the theonomists thinking. This is in only in his imagination.

Another example might be the dietary laws, while most theonomists recognize these have been changed, humanists will assert all types of outlandish arguments that we might outlaw pork and lobster, for example. Of course, they will assert such arguments in disparaging jest. Their alternative is the FDA regulating every single bite of food you can purchase anywhere, you open your refridgerator and you'll find governmentally regulated cheese, milk, meat, eggs and in the end a governmentally regulated 1.6 gallon federal flush. But, oh, the horrors of possibly finding pork or lobster verbotten! :lol: It's all really quite silly and simply the necessary tactics utilized when they know they have no valid argument against our thesis..."

Read the entire response here.

Unfortunately, the "Les" person here being responded to appears to be a Baptist.

May I say something to my Baptist brethren?

I would recommend that before any Reformed Baptist anywhere publicly, on a discussion thread or a sermon or a blog article or anything, argues against theonomy, that he make effort to UNDERSTAND what he is talking about.

Please, for the sake of your Reformed Baptist brethren and for the sake of the Lord of intellectual honesty and truthful witness-bearing (Jesus Christ), learn what theonomy is.

Your pastors are not good sources because they don't know what it is either. They haven't bothered to read the books by theonomists which explain the theonomic position.

Find out what theonomy is from theonomists--read their books and articles, listen to their speeches. That way, you can be sure that you are getting an accurate representation of theonomy. Hearsay is more likely to be a misrepresentation than a representation, especially with silly books such as Theonomy: A Reformed Critique (TARC).

(If you've read TARC, you might consider reading No Other Standard by Greg L. Bahnsen, in which he defends theonomy against the critics. One interesting thing he does as a preface before each chapter is quote the critic, and then then quote one or another of his other books, showing this has already been answered. He charitably assumes that the critics have bothered to do their homework and actually have read that which they are critiquing.)

We don't want Baptists to further exacerbate their existing reputation of going into theonomy debates ignorant.

Even if you disagree with theonomy (and preferably before you disagree with theonomy), at least know what it is.

Strawman arguments (including ad hominem, fear-mongering, and vague suspicion) are worthy only of dismissal, and the one who argues thusly gains a reputation for fallacial argumentation and, possibly, stupidity or laziness. The only argument a theonomist will be interested in is a Biblical argument.

At least read Theonomy in Christian Ethics by Greg L. Bahnsen first. Thoroughly and with an open Bible.

And if it really is just too much to bother with, then please don't assume that you "pretty much get" the "gist" of "where those people are coming from." This is fearful imagination talking, with nothing but hearsay and vague suspicions to go on. Don't speak false witness or gossip. Just stick with reading the Bible as if it were the Word of God and True. You can't go wrong that way.

Just because our paedo-baptist brothers are wrong in their belief that covenantal and reformed Biblical theology requires the baptism of infants (unbelievers), doesn't mean we have to parade our own ignorance.

A Sweet First Grace

It is fun to prepare a meal together with a small child or children, in which they help to stir or add ingredients, etc. While cooking the meal together, explain to the child that God knows us and created us to be born in our family, that all our food and everything that sustains our lives is a gift from God. A gift we should be thankful and grateful for, every time we eat. (Note: allow extra time when cooking with children! It will help your patience levels :) )

A prayer to teach a small child to memorize and recite before a meal is this:

For what we are about to receive,
May the Lord make us truly thankful.

You might beforehand tell them about the exciting time Paul was on a ship with soldiers and sailors, who all fasted and worked hard for two weeks to navigate the ship because they feared the ship was going to wreck in a storm! And Paul counseled them to eat for their health and well-being. Then he gave thanks to God in the presence of all before they all ate together with good cheer. And God saved them all, although the ship was lost (Acts 27).

P.S. Small children also like to clean up and wash dishes with you. Allow extra time. Make sure everyone has their apron on (or a tea towel tied around them) to hang up afterward to dry ;)

Jesus Christ Is the Resurrection and the Life

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

(John 11:23-26)

The Bible

I love this description. I've seen it in a pocket Gideon Bible and on a bookmark. It's how I think of and feel about the Bible.

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Sad News

In the secret wisdom of God, He has ordained that we would only have the fragile life of my nephew in our lives for a short time. He was stillborn last evening, at 13 weeks old from conception. All we can do is trust that this is in God's hands and that He knows best.

Theonomy Resources: On Burning Books and Demolishing Idols

Awesome post over on Theonomy Resources on the irrational evil of pluralism (despite the "good intentions" of many, many of the proponents of pluralism).

Updated 10/12/10 to add: All the posts in this series are great! Be sure to read them all!

Part 1 (also linked above)
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Greg Bahnsen on YouTube

I placed the link to Greg Bahnsen on YouTube permanently in the side bar (under the Theology, Worldview, and Action section).

WSJ: Burqa Is Banned In France

On today's Wall Street Journal front page (U.S. print edition) is an article about the burqa being banned in France. This was not on the front page of the European online edition, but it did make it to the top of the European section (tab).

Right next to that article is another article about the release of an American hiker after 13 months in an Iranian prison when her mother paid $500,000 "bail" (ransom). Extortion is the Islamic way. Is that the Christian way? If not, we Christians must reject pluralism and the "tolerance" of evil.

Before I give you some highlights from the article, let me ask a question: Is this about burqa, minarets, or immigration? Or is this about the failure of "tolerance" and "religious pluralism" and the myth of neutrality in the face of an uncompromising evil?

Some highlights from the "Burqa Is Banned in France" article:

"France risked the wrath of the Islamic world on Tuesday by banning burqas and other full-body robes worn by some Muslim women, in a long-debated move that shows the depth of concern of the rise of Muslim culture in Europe."

"The vote...came as a number of European countries are trying to figure out how to reconcile the values of modern Europe with more assertive expressions of Islamic faith."

"Switzerland, for example, banned the construction of minarets..."

"In Sweden, long known as one of Europe's most tolerant societies, an anti-immigrant party that has called for Swedish Muslims to integrate more is expected to win its first Parliamentary seat in this weekend's elections."

"France is facing criticism of its tolerance on other fronts...for its campaign to deport Gypsies..."

Reformed Baptist Fellowship: The Qur’an in the Light of God-breathed Scripture: Shirk, Surah 4:48

A very interesting post by James White on Reformed Baptist Fellowship: The Qur’an in the Light of God-breathed Scripture: Shirk, Surah 4:48.

As I've recently posted about how to evangelize a Muslim, this is very relevant. I appreciate his sum up of the monotheism of Christianity, and how best to present the doctrine of the Trinity to a Muslim:

"It is not that God “needs” a Son, as the Qur’an mistakenly says. It is that God has eternally existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to deny this revelation of God by accepting a lesser view of God that comes from a later self-proclaimed Scripture is to dishonor the testimony God has given of the Son."

Reformed Baptist Fellowship: A Mormon on a Mission

An interesting discussion is shaping up on Reformed Baptist Fellowship: A Mormon on a Mission regarding "religious pluralism" and the mission of Glenn Beck to spread a Mormon (LDS) view of history in the media. Check out the comments--very relevant to my recent posts about the myth of pluralism within a society.

How Can We Evangelize the Muslims?

In an earlier post, I suggested that the Christian response to Muslim threats and extortion should be to love them by 1) giving them the gospel and discipling them in Christ, and 2) by restraining their civil evil in the civil sphere by God's law exercised by the State (civil magistrate).

It's important to emphasize that the Christians' weapons of warfare, in terms of changing hearts, are not physical or material, but spiritual in nature (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Our way as Christians is not the Muslim way of "conversion by the sword"--threats, violence, oppression, and extortion. Christians understand that a heart change, repentence and regeneration, cannot be worked or performed by outward acts of the law, by "penitentiaries," or by force, or by violence. While civil laws and the State, if they are covenantally obedient to God's law, will restrain outward evil in society, they are powerless to effect a change of heart.

One primary way to love the Muslim people, as with all other unbelievers, is to evangelize and disciple them (Psalm 40:10; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 16:25-27. We cannot allow this evil to continue; we must evangelize every Muslim in the world, that God will call His own out of that religion of darkness into His light, and take their stony hearts from them and give them hearts of flesh, by His Spirit, through the Word (Ezek. 11:19; Ezek. 36:26; 2 Cor. 3:3; Rom. 10:17).

It's important to understand their religion/ideology, how that works out into their culture, and therefore, how to best reach them with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. I list a few resources below that I hope will be of assistance to you.

In all the stories of Muslim conversions to Christianity that I have heard, it is done by 1) witness of the gospel in worked out in Christians' lives--the love, the high standard of Biblical morality, the warm hospitality shown to Muslims when they are invited to visit a meeting of a Biblical church or to visit the home of a godly Christian family; and 2) the word of God graciously shared.

Muslims believe that Islam is an extension of the (corrupted, they believe) revelations of the Pentateuch, the Psalms, and the gospels of Jesus. Many are very curious about Jesus and His teachings; however, never contrast Jesus favorably with Mohammad. It may be best to never mention Mohammad in your own conversation, though the Muslim may talk about Mohammad. Don't worry, the Holy Spirit will bless the Word of God, even apart from and void of our clever arguments about how true Christianity is and how false Islam is. (We Christians must be clear in our own minds, however, that Christianity is true and Islam is false.) If God works, then the Muslim's heart will be regenerated by His Word and Spirit.

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [GD: The Lord has delegated His earthly vengeance in some evils to the civil authority as His representative and minister, see the very next passage, Romans 13:1-5; therefore, this instruction is to Christians who are not acting in the capacity of civil magistrate.] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17-21,see also Prov. 25:21-22)"

More Resources:
* A Christian's Evangelistic Pocket Guide to Islam by Malcolm Steer
* Books and videos from Daniel Shayesteh, http://www.escapefromdarkness.org/
* Goëkson Cik, in Europe where the darkness is spreading, is courageously working to bring the gospel to the European Muslims. Here is an interview (for iTunes) by Gary DeMar with Cik (number 34, "Evangelism or Cannibalism").
* Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is a Christian organization that seeks to bring relief and the gospel to persecuted Christians around the world, including Muslim persecution. They give updates on Muslim attacks on Christians throughout the world. You can help by giving to this organization.
* The Persecution Project specifically aids Christians persecuted by Muslims in the Sudan.
* As I've mentioned before, Jihad Watch gives news and updates on Muslim attacks and threats around the world. (As we know, Muslims don't only attack Christians; they also attack Hindus, Jews, humanists, and other Muslims.)
* a YouTube video of a UK documentary about the persecution of ex-Muslim Christians in the UK.
* YouTube's Muslims4Jesus Channel

If you have other resources that have assisted you in your witness and evangelization of Muslims, or that you have heard as being a blessing to other brethren as they labor in this mission field, please name the resources in a comment.

"Victory Mosque" at Ground Zero

Today marks the 9th anniversary of the Islamic terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.

And today around the U.S. there will be protests against the proposed "victory mosque" at Ground Zero in NYC.

We Christians need to understand that the Muslims are talking "peace" and ecumenical brotherhood, pleading pluralism, because they are not yet in positions of power. Though they've obviously become more bold since the election of Mr. Obama to the U.S. Presidency.

This is how they worked when taking over Europe. Now they are the majority there, and the Muslim terrorism, threat, murders, tortures, and extortions are a way of life now for all who will not honor Islam, Muhammed, and the Koran.

From its inception in AD 600 to now, the Islamic way is "conversion by the sword." Opposite to Christianity and our Lord Jesus Christ, whose ways are pleasant and whose paths are peace (Prov. 3:17).

We MUST stand against Islam NOW, when they are in the minority in this country. The current placation, accomodation, and fearful pluralism advocated by prominent Christians and the humanist media is not the Christian, or even the pragmatic, response now.

Now is the time to reject pluralism and Islam definitively. Now is the time to be the Church Militant, not the "church wimpitant."

P.S. I am not a Zionist Christian. This isn't about eschatology. It's about standing, as followers of Christ, against evil, terrorism, oppression, and all who would oppose the Lord Jesus Christ.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Is. 5:20)

They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. (Is. 59:5-8)