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)

Track the Growing Threat of Islam

Track the growing threat of Islam at Jihad Watch, and contend with Islam at every point. We must not let Muslims get a foothold in the the U.S., as they did in Europe and are now taking over Europe.

Don't be so neutral and pluralistic, that you become unable to distinguish right from wrong.

Burning Korans (Qurans) on 9/11/2010 ?

By now you've probably heard about the plans to build a mosque on the 9/11 Ground Zero site, and how pastor Terry Jones and his little church in Gainesville, FL, planned to burn Korans on 9/11 in protest of the mosque and the offensiveness of the planned building site.

Then after calls and visits from government officials, a televised speech by Mr. Obama, Muslim death threats for the pastor and for U.S. soldiers in Muslim countries; and after meeting with a Florida imam, during which the imam said they would relocate the planned mosque, the pastor called off the Koran-burning event.

Now it's come to light that the plans to build the mosque on the 9/11 site are continuing, despite Trump offering to buy the development site. I guess the imam lied.

AFA's OneNewsNow has reported on this news, and as always, has an interesting take on these developments. They have a story/commentary regarding the "hypocrisy" of the U.S. government in condemning the Koran burning, although the U.S. military burned Bibles last year in Afghanistan.

A few thoughts I have about this story, so I can wrap up this post and retire for the night:

1) Planning to build a mosque on the site of the Islamic terrorist attacks is offensive, deliberately provocative, and a gloatingly evil thing to do. What are they going to do? Have the grand opening September 11, 2011? Arrogant wickedness.

2) People are concerned that our U.S. military might be killed by Muslim terrorists if Christians burn Korans in Florida. Isn't the U.S. involved in a war in Muslim territory? Aren't our U.S. servicemen's lives in danger right now? Aren't Muslims out to kill U.S. servicemen right now? Aren't we at war, at least in part, because of the attacks of 9/11/2001? If you're so worried about their lives, Mr. Obama, then why don't you bring them home, like you campaign-promised you would two years ago? I guess Mr. Obama lied.

3) The Islamic Allah is a false god, and the Koran is not holy. It is unholy and demonically-inspired.It is good to destroy evil books, for they propogate evil ideas and evil acts (Matthew 15:19; Acts 19:18-20) Like all people who have not been regenerated by the Holy Spirit for the sake of Jesus Christ in the plan of the Father from all eternity, Muslims are under sin's dominion. They need the gospel, and it's Christians' duty to love their enemies by giving them the gospel. It is also Christians' duty to love their enemies and their brethren by restraining evil in the socio-political sphere. Extortion, such as threatening and plotting to kill people if copies of the Koran are burned, is evil in Jehovah's sight and, I think, still illegal (so far).

4) The U.S. government is not being hypocritical by condemning the Koran burning, while ordering the Bible burning. It's being ANTI-CHRISTIAN. They are anti-Christian, and they are acting in conformity with those anti-Christian beliefs; there's nothing hypocritical about it. Notice why the pietistic Christians think it's "hypocritical," though? Because the pietistic Christians believe in the myth of pluralism/neutrality. Are the AFA people saying they would be happy with anti-Christian practices, as long as anti-Islam practices are allowed, too? Is that their "principle" they want to stand for?

5) The myth of pluralism/neutrality is being exploded before our eyes (yet AGAIN). Oh Lord, please let the Christians understand that neutrality is a myth, the way the Muslims understand so well. They know how to manipulate the language of it, though; check out the WSJ article, "religious freedom and diversity." Hah! They know what the pietistic Christians and humanists will fall for!

(Note to Christians: Non-Christians are not morally opposed to bearing false witness. Another note to Christians: A person cannot lie about something and not lie about that same thing at the same time. Note 3 to Christians: Pluralism is a myth and breaks the law of non-contradiction. Note 4 to Christians: Wake up! And I say that with love, yet urgency.)

6) Appeasing insanely evil people is a mistake. Evil extortionist murderers do not get to control our actions. If we give into them, instead of restraining their evil, as best we can within our sphere of delegated biblical authority, we will become their servants and be abused by them, and they will become stronger and even bolder.

7) Hey, good on Trump! New Yorkers with even an ounce of the work of God's law on their hearts (Rom. 2:14-16) must be sick about this thumb-nosing mosque at the site of their city's devastation at the hands of Muslim terrorists. It's obviously gone beyond mere economics for the Marxist Muslims, though; they're single-mindedly, and un-neutrally, committed to their ideology at all costs.

8) Christians should repent of our sins, including our national sins, including for promoting and preaching "neutrality" instead of the crown rights of King Jesus Christ, who is the risen and ascended King of kings, and pray for forgiveness that God would not bring judgment on our nation or "appoint terror" (Lev. 26:15-17) over us through wicked idolators (Dan. 9:13-15).

9) We shouldn't feel sorry for or pity (Deut. 19:13; Deut. 19:21) the Muslims for the "threat" of having some copies of the Koran burned in protest of their murder and approval of murderers and then flaunting the murder with the building of a mosque on the scene of the atrocity. I think it was the WSJ that sympathetically murmured about how "vulnerable" the Muslims feel because of the possibility of a Koran-burning event. Which would make someone really feel vulnerable in reality--a "threat" of your "holy" book being burned in a distant state, or death threats from insane jihadists who know where you live and go to church?

10) This is probably the most courage I've seen U.S. Christians display in quite awhile. I'll be praying for this pastor and congregation in Florida. That God will be with them and give them strength and the wisdom to do the right thing.

Thou shalt not kill. (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17)

My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. (Psalm 7:10-17)

For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. (Psalm 37:10-15)

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. (Prov. 8:13)

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.(Prov. 28:4)

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matt. 12:30)

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11)

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1 Pet. 3:12-16)

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Tim. 1:8-11)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 Jn. 4:1-3)

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4)

National Confession of Christ Jesus as King of Kings

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. (Is. 33:22)

From the above quote from the book of Isaiah, we see not only how the founders of the United States came up with the three branches for our federal government (judicial, legislative, executive), but also that the state is to serve God as his federal (representative) minister (servant) of righteous judgment in civil affairs. This is from where we in the West get the idea of "civil servant." (See also, Romans 12 and 13, where the nation-states are charged with being ministers of God for the protection of the godly and the punishment of evildoers, where the civil state has been given that jurisdiction by God in His Word.)

God has instituted three forms of government for human society--family, church, state. Each has its own hierarchy, jurisdiction, and sanctions; and each is directly accountable to Jesus Christ, Ruler over all. (In this post, I'm mainly focusing on Christ as Lord of the nations, and the peoples' obligation to confess Christ as their Lord--nationally, corporately--and to bow the knee to Him (Ps. 95:6; Is. 45:23; Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:9-11), willingly now, or reluctantly at the Last Day.)

In the Bible, God explains that Christ is the King of kings (1 Tim. 6:12-16; Rev. 17:14; Rev. 19:16). All judges and rulers of the earth are to serve the LORD with fear and kiss (or pay homage to) the Son, the Messiah (or Anointed) of God, lest He be angry and the civil states be destroyed (Psalm 2).


from "National Confession Primer," by William Gould, in Explicity Christian Politics: The Vision of the National Reform Association, edited by William O. Einwechter, The Christian Statesman Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1997:

"The Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) explicitly teaches the duty of national confession:

Every nation ought to recognize the divine institution of civil government, the sovereignty of God exercised by Jesus Christ, and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the will of God. It should enter into covenant with Christ and serve to advance His Kingdom on earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and threatens the continued existence of the government and nation (Chapter 23, paragraph 4).

It is the duty of every Christian citizen to labor and pray for his nation's official and explicit recognition of the authority and law of Jesus Christ, Preserver and Ruler of nations, and for the conduct of all governmental affairs in harmony with the written word of God (Chapter 23, paragraph 6)."

from "National Confession Primer," by William Gould, quoting the Testimony of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (Pittsburgh: Crown and Covenant Publications, 1980).

Where Sin Abounded, Grace Did Much More Abound

The salvation won by Christ for His people is a salvation of all in His creation that was destroyed and corrupted by sin (the turning away from obedience to God's righteous ways). In this interadvental period, we Christians have been saved (justified), are being saved (sanctified), and await God's final redemption (glorification) in His second coming on the Judgment Day, the final day of history (Matt. 13:24-53; Rom. 5:10-21; Rom. 8).

The gospel is indeed offered to all for their salvation, but the power of it appears not everywhere: and that it is the savor of death to the ungodly, does not proceed from what it is, but from their own wickedness. By setting forth but one Salvation he cuts off every other trust. When men withdraw themselves from this one salvation, they find in the gospel a sure proof of their own ruin. Since then the gospel invites all to partake of salvation without any difference, it is rightly called the doctrine of salvation: for Christ is there offered, whose peculiar office is to save that which was lost; and those who refuse to be saved by him, shall find him a Judge. But everywhere in Scripture the word salvation is simply set in opposition to the word destruction: and hence we must observe, when it is mentioned, what the subject of the discourse is. Since then the gospel delivers from ruin and the curse of endless death, its salvation is eternal life.

John Calvin, Commentary on Romans, 1:16

Excerpt from "The Crown Rights of Jesus Christ" by Andrew Sandlin

"This is what salvation is all about: restoring former rebels to their rightful place as obedient servants of God (Rom. 6:16-17).

Man's sin, like Lucifer's, constituted cosmic rebellion. The penalty was death (Gen. 2:17). God's program of redemption is calculated not chiefly to dismiss that penalty (though this it certainly does), but rather to restore man to his rightful place as an obedient son called to exercise dominion in the earth (Ps. 8:4-8; Eph. 1:3, 10, 18-23). Keeping sinners out of hell is merely the by-product of God's plan to reinstall covenant-keeping man in his original task as His vicegerent in the earth (Gen. 1:27-28). This is why the godly are placed in the earth: to extend His kingdom and His righteous reign throughout the whole earth (Rev. 2:26-27)...

...A salvation that merely keeps souls out of hell is, as Rushdoony notes, fire insurance; it is not biblical salvation."

from Andrew Sandlin's essay, "The Crown Rights of Jesus Christ" in Explicitly Christian Politics: The Vision of the National Reform Association, edited by William O. Einwechter, published by The Christian Statesman Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1997.

Thrilling News-I'm an Aunt!

I'm thrilled to announce that my sister and brother-in-law are expecting their first child early next year! The due date of my precious little niece or nephew is March 23, 2011. I'm already planning my next visit to North Carolina!

Thank you, God, for this gift of new life!!

With a Smile and a Song

My favorite Disney movie, which I view as a Christian allegory (despite the fact that Walt Disney was not a Christian and did not make "Christian movies"), is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. These are the lyrics from my favorite song from that movie:

With a smile and a song
Life is just a bright sunny day
Your cares fade away
And your heart is young

With a smile and a song
All the world seems to waken anew
Rejoicing with you
As the song is sung

There's no use in grumbling
When the raindrops come tumbling
Remember, you're the one
Who can fill the world with sunshine

When you smile and you sing
Everything is in tune and it's spring

And life flows along
With a smile and a song

Why Christians Have Not Been Successful in the Debate against "Same-Sex Marriage"

An excerpt from Mr. William O. Einwechter's 2006 article found here:

"Evangelical Christians are not doing very well in the debate over “same-sex marriage” and other issues in regard to “gay rights.” Why is this? Let us consider two factors.

First, Evangelicals do not appeal to Scripture in the public debate, but base their arguments on reason and “natural law.” By so doing they surrender the only real authority and power they have (Isa. 8:10; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12) and are forced to stand on the same ground as their opponents. Not only does this method disarm the Christian, it is also disingenuous. The leading reason why Christians reject homosexual behavior is because the Bible teaches them to do so. In refusing to stand up and say this, especially since their opponents know that their chief objection is based on the Bible, they appear to be dishonest and ashamed of their faith. It is much better to be bold and forthright in defending biblical morality by using the Bible! Even if their enemies reject their arguments, Christians cannot help but gain a measure of respect for their honesty and courage.

Second, Christians seem blind to the hypocrisy of treating homosexual conduct so seriously and adultery and divorce so lightly. Evangelicals cry out that they must defend “traditional marriage” against the danger of “gay marriage.” But the greatest threat to traditional marriage is not from without but from within; from the rampant adultery and divorce that is found in heterosexual marriages. Churches preach against “gay marriage” (and rightly so), but tolerate adultery, divorce, and adulterous remarriage within their own memberships. The divorce rate among Christians is a disgrace. The church is so morally compromised by adultery and sexual sin (e.g., addiction to pornography and fornication) among its heterosexuals that it has lost its power to confront the plague of homosexuality."

Time to Impeach Judge Vaughn Walker

No doubt you've heard that a sodomite judge has tyrannically overturned Proposition 8 in California.

I've included a letter below sent out from American Family Association (AFA). How much better if they had included in their letter that Judge Walker is accountable not only to the U.S. Congress, but far more importantly, to the Judge of all, the Lord Jesus Christ. The written record of His accountability standards for civil magistrates? Christ's holy Scriptures, the Bible.

From AFA:

Time to impeach Judge Vaughn Walker

Contact your representative today and urge him to start impeachment proceedings

August 5, 2010


Dear Friend,

Yesterday (August 4), U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker single-handedly overturned California's Prop. 8, which elevated protection for one-man, one-woman marriage to its state constitution.

In doing so, he frustrated the express will of seven million Californians who went to the polls to shape their state's public policy on marriage.

Since marriage policy is not established anywhere in the federal Constitution, defining marriage, according to the 10th Amendment, is an issue reserved for the states. Judge Walker never should have accepted this case in the first place.

Under Judge Walker, it's no longer "We the People," it's "I the Judge."

In addition, Judge Walker is an open homosexual, and should have recused himself from this case due to his obvious conflict of interest.

What can be done?

Fortunately, the Founders provided checks and balances for every branch of government, including the judicial branch. Federal judges hold office only "during good Behaviour," and if they violate that standard can be removed from the bench.

Judge Walker's ruling is not "good Behaviour." He has exceeded his constitutional authority and engaged in judicial tyranny.

Judges are not, in fact, unaccountable. They are accountable to Congress, which can remove them from office.

Impeachment proceedings, according to the Constitution, begin in the House of Representatives. It's time for you to put your congressman on record regarding the possible impeachment of Judge Walker.

A Response from a Theonomic Paedo-Baptist

I’m in the middle of reading Greg L. Bahnsen’s No Other Standard: Theonomy and Its Critics. What a dear Christian brother Dr. Bahnsen was! I look forward to seeing him in the resurrection.

And what a great and wonderful providence of God that I should read these words two days after hearing my pastor’s story.

An excerpt from No Other Standard:

“…to say that equal civil protection cannot and should not be afforded without qualification to any and all “religious” commitments is not at all to imply that the civil magistrate has the right to take unto himself ecclesiastical authority. Just as surely as the Old Testament forbade kings to arrogate priestly functions to themselves (e.g., the case of Uzziah in 2 Chron. 26), the New Testament separates “the keys” of the kingdom from the “sword” which the state bears (cf Matt. 16:19; Rom. 13:4; 2 Cor. 10:4). There is no Biblical warrant for thinking that the civil magistrate has either the competence or the divinely given authority to settle all religious matters of doctrine.

The law of God does not, contrary to popular misconception, allow the civil courts to judge heretics or resolve theological disputes between different schools of Christian thought. Thus theonomists readily and fervently insist upon the “pluralist” [GD: “pluralism” among Christian denominations] view of the state found in our best Reformed heritage and even the U.S. Constitution. Lutherans should not use civil power to persecute Presbyterians (and vice versa, etc.), and the federal government should not establish Presbyterianism (or Anglicanism, etc.) as the state church.

There is indeed a line to be drawn beyond which the civil magistrate is not to step in matters of faith and worship. But the theonomist would argue that this line is to be drawn by the exegesis of God’s written word—not by some authority higher than the Bible, nor by the equivocal slogan of “equal protection for all,” nor by some individual’s interpretation of the lowest common denominator in religion. Religious liberty is too precious a commodity to be grounded upon anything other than God’s authority, expressed in His infallible and unchanging, written word. It must be understood and applied in theonomic fashion.”

Bahnsen, No Other Standard, pdf version, Institute for Christian Economics, 1991, p. 188

An Open Letter to a Theonomist Paedo-Baptist

Dear Theonomist Paedo-Baptist:

I'm writing to you because I've read many of your books, ordered many CDs from you, and attended at least two conferences put on by you. I share a reformed viewpoint and a theonomic ethical viewpoint with you, and Theonomy in Christian Ethics by Greg Bahnsen is one of my favorite books after the Holy Bible.

I have looked for opportunities to support a variety of theonomic causes and organizations and speakers, and to speak a word about the authority of all of God's word and His righteous law as the standard for life and godliness first for Christians and then for all the world, as we believers, by God's grace, work out the Great Commission.

I belong to a reformed baptist church assembly.

Thinking highly of you and your ministry, I want to ask your opinion about something.

My pastor recently spoke against theonomy (and Christian reconstruction) to our congregation, and this talk is on our church's web site as well. In his teaching, he shared something that he said he knew for a fact actually happened (and I certainly believe him).

Apparently, a paedo-baptist theonomist brother told my pastor's baptist friend, that, although he loved him like a brother, if they (theonomists) ever gained power, he (the baptist brother) would have to be executed for heresy because he would not baptize his infant children. My pastor, thank God, did qualify his anecdote with the statement that it was only the "radical end of the theonomic movement spectrum" who believe this way, not all theonomists. Unfortunately, the damage is done.

Would you be willing to publicly take a stand against this kind of executing-brethren talk? I feel confident in stating that this kind of thinking and talk is most injurious to a theonomic revival ever taking place in American churches. Unfortunately, I do not know if this person was ever disciplined for his evil speech to his baptist brother, or what happened after this conversation took place.

What would you think if you heard that a reformed baptist theonomist told a paedo-baptist brother that if they ever gained power, the paedo-baptist brother would have to executed for heretically baptizing unbelievers because in the administration of the Old Covenant, Israelites were instructed to circumcise their (male) babies at 8 days of age?

Now, I don't think for a moment that God's law calls for executing baptist believers--no, not even of a dispensational stripe--or paedo-baptist believers, for that matter, of course. However, there are currently many who will never pick up any pro-theonomy book *ever,* and will shun theonomy as a grave error, and will teach others to do so, because there are people who claim to be theonomist who apparently actually believe that God's law calls for executing "heretical" baptist brothers (despite their oh-so-heartwarming regret at having to do so).

You may find this to be something worth addressing.

I do not run in paedo-baptist circles, and I have no idea how widespread this horrific misconception of God's law is among theonomic paedo-baptists. In your experience, do many theonomic paedo-baptists think this way?

Sincerely,
GentleDove

UPDATE: Please read A Response from a Theonomic Paedo-Baptist.

"Home" by Edgar A. Guest

It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home,
A heap o’ sun an’ shadder, an’ ye sometimes have t’ roam
Afore ye really ‘preciate the things ye lef’ behind,
An’ hunger fer ‘em somehow, with ‘em allus on yer mind.
It don’t make any difference how rich ye get t’ be,
How much yer chairs an’ tables cost, how great yer luxury;
It ain’t home t’ ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o’ wrapped round everything.

Home ain’t a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it’s home there’s got t’ be a heap o’ livin’ in it;
Within the walls there’s got t’ be some babies born, and then
Right there ye’ve got t’ bring ‘em up t’ women good, an’ men;
And gradjerly as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn’t part
With anything they ever used—they’ve grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an’ if ye could ye’d keep the thumb-marks on the door.

Ye’ve got t’ weep t’ make it home, ye’ve got t’ sit an’ sigh
An’ watch beside a loved one’s bed, an’ know that Death is nigh;
An’ in the stillness o’ the night t’ see Death’s angel come,
An’ close the eyes o’ her that smiled, an’ leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart,
An’ when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an’ sanctified;
An’ tuggin’ at ye always are the pleasant memories
O’ her that was an’ is no more—ye can’t escape from these.

Ye’ve got t’ sing an’ dance fer years, ye’ve got t’ romp an’ play,
An’ learn t’ love the things ye have by usin’ ‘em each day;
Even the roses ‘round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they ‘come a part o’ ye, suggestin’ someone dear
Who used t’ love ‘em long ago, an’ trained ‘em jes t’ run
The way they do, so’s they would get the early mornin’ sun;
Ye’ve got t’ love each brick an’ stone from cellar up t’ dome:
It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it home.

From Collected Verse of Edgar Guest
NY: Buccaneer Books, 1976, page 12

How Shall the Young Direct Their Way?

This was an "Anonymous" comment I made on this wonderful post on Lady Lydia's blog:

Here are the lyrics to a hymn that probably "bit the dust" in a lot of churches that went "contemporary" and "neo-whatever," How Shall the Young Direct Their Way.

How people must have praised God with such thanksgiving in their hearts when they sang this hymn for Him teaching them the way they should go, and "safely leading" them.

Nowadays, people seem to believe for some reason that it's all up to them, God provides no answers, they're on their own to carve out a slice of life for themselves. How sad!

How shall the young direct their way?
What light shall be their perfect guide?
Thy Word, O Lord, will safely lead,
If in its wisdom they confide.
Sincerely I have sought thee, Lord,
O let me not from thee depart;
To know thy will and keep from sin
Thy Word I cherish in my heart.

O blessed Lord, teach me thy law,
Thy righteous judgments I declare;
Thy testimonies make me glad,
For they are wealth beyond compare.
Upon thy precepts and thy ways
My heart will meditate with awe;
Thy Word shall be my chief delight,
And I will not forget thy law.