I just found out I am in trouble. Pope Benedict XVI approved a document saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and the Roman Catholic Church provides the only true path to salvation. I am pretty sure that in John 14:6 Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in Acts 2:21 Peter tells us “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I see nothing about the Catholic Church, the Pope or any priest being part of my salvation.
The argument that other churches do not have ‘apostolic succession’, making them inferior, also has me scratching my head. Paul went to the gentiles to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. None of those believers would have had any ‘apostolic succession’ since Paul was not one of the twelve. In fact, Jews for Jesus would have a better claim of ‘apostolic succession’ than the Catholic Church, since the apostles mainly taught Jews.
The Pope did get one thing right when the report stated "Christ 'established here on earth' only one church". That Church was called the Way in Acts. That Church consists of anyone who believes that Jesus was God in the flesh, he lived a sinless life, was crucified for everyone’s sin and rose from the dead overcoming death, that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation, that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, and that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God.
If you believe what was just stated, I do not care what denomination you are. Anything other than that is manmade and that is when the problems begin. Diverting from scripture is when Satan gets a foothold.
I was glad to see the Pope does not see me as a total loser. In referencing non-Catholic Churches the document stated "In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church." Looks like I dodge a bullet and can go back to reading the Bible instead of going to the confessional.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Celebrity Cience – Part II Global Warming v. Global Norming
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, ... When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Show me the Money
Global warming is all the rage these days. Celebrities want to save the world by sending everyone (but themselves) back to the Stone Age. Scientists want government money to study the phenomenon and then suggest solutions that will require even more government money be sent to them for implementation. Poor countries love it because they can get the UN to redistribute money from the wealthy countries (US, UK) to their dictator’s bank account (and everyone will wonder why nothing was accomplished with all those billions of dollars). Liberal politicians love it because they have an excuse to redistribute money from the wealthy (middle class) to scientists and dictators and keep their environmental voters happy. The real story can be found by following the money and the lies that propagate the ‘crises’.
If you do not think it is about the money, consider that on May 22, 2007 Oxfam, a so called aid agency, stated that coping with the ravages of global warming will cost $50 billion a year. Their solution is for the United States to pay 44% of that cost. That is $22 BILLION each and every year that will come from your pocket and mine. Their rational is that developing countries cannot and should not be expected to foot the bill for the impact of rich countries' emissions, completely ignoring the fact that developing countries are the worst polluters.
Nothing New
American media has predicted global disasters for over 100 years. Each one was going to kill billions. In 1895 there was an imminent ice age, in the 1920’s a half degree increase in temperature led to global warming hysteria that lasted until the 1950’s, in the 1970’s it was another ice age and then in the 1980’s it was back to global warming.
Reality
There is no debate that the Earth has warmed slightly. The debate is whether it is manmade or part of a regular climate cycle. Going through the information that is available is a daunting task. For those of you who may be on the verge of believing that global warming is manmade and an inevitable catastrophe, lets run through just a few of items being tossed around regarding global warming. You can then do your own investigation to further educate yourself.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Global Warming is Manmade.
Global Norming Reality
There is no scientific proof that global warming is manmade. There are a lot of people that want you to believe there is proof, but this is just people taking a warming trend and blaming it on mankind.
However, there is proof that global warming is directly linked to the Sun’s solar output. The World Climate Report states “When the sun is more energetic and putting out more energy, the Earth tends to warm up, and when the sun cools down, so does the Earth”.
We are currently in the midst of an active Sun cycle. Mars and Neptune are currently experiencing global warming in tandem with the Earth. Better ban Suburbans and Expeditions from those planets before we have a Universal catastrophe.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
The Earth is warming.
Global Norming Reality
The global temperature has risen an astounding 1/2°C since the 1950’s. My body temperature fluctuates more than that each day.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Snow and Ice and Glaciers, Oh My.
Global Norming Reality
Changes to the snow cap of Kilimanjaro and glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are the most common examples of Global Warming.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro's snow cap has been shrinking for around 100 years. Most of the disappearance happened pre-1953. The snow cap is disappearing due to reduced snowfall cause by a weather shift. Climatologists acknowledge the icecap has come and gone before.
Greenland
Do you think the inhabitants of Greenland were being facetious when they named it Greenland? Greenland was a Viking agriculture society from 1100 to 1500AD. It was abandoned during the mini ice age in the 1600’s. If the glaciers melt, Greenland is just getting back to normal.
Antarctica
There is evidence documented by the British Antarctic Survey which shows that the ice shelfs retreated 9,500 years ago and did not reform for 1,500 years. "Thus, the present loss of ice shelves cannot be assumed to be a consequence of Man-made climate change, unless and until a cause can be identified". British Antarctic Survey
Just My Opinion
As Christians we are to be stewards of Earth. I do not want to breathe dirty air or drink polluted water any more than the next person. But it seems to me that you would have to be an ego maniac to think that you could impact, positively or negatively, something as finely tuned as God’s creation. You also need to be self centered to assume that just because you are alive today makes today “normal’.
Global warming is about the money, not saving the planet. At the risk of offending the GEICO Cavemen, unless you can show me that cavemen were driving around in SUV’s 10,000 years ago causing global warming, I will stick with global warming being a part of a natural rise and fall of Earth’s temperatures. Now keep your hands off my wallet.
You belong to your father, the devil, ... When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Show me the Money
Global warming is all the rage these days. Celebrities want to save the world by sending everyone (but themselves) back to the Stone Age. Scientists want government money to study the phenomenon and then suggest solutions that will require even more government money be sent to them for implementation. Poor countries love it because they can get the UN to redistribute money from the wealthy countries (US, UK) to their dictator’s bank account (and everyone will wonder why nothing was accomplished with all those billions of dollars). Liberal politicians love it because they have an excuse to redistribute money from the wealthy (middle class) to scientists and dictators and keep their environmental voters happy. The real story can be found by following the money and the lies that propagate the ‘crises’.
If you do not think it is about the money, consider that on May 22, 2007 Oxfam, a so called aid agency, stated that coping with the ravages of global warming will cost $50 billion a year. Their solution is for the United States to pay 44% of that cost. That is $22 BILLION each and every year that will come from your pocket and mine. Their rational is that developing countries cannot and should not be expected to foot the bill for the impact of rich countries' emissions, completely ignoring the fact that developing countries are the worst polluters.
Nothing New
American media has predicted global disasters for over 100 years. Each one was going to kill billions. In 1895 there was an imminent ice age, in the 1920’s a half degree increase in temperature led to global warming hysteria that lasted until the 1950’s, in the 1970’s it was another ice age and then in the 1980’s it was back to global warming.
Reality
There is no debate that the Earth has warmed slightly. The debate is whether it is manmade or part of a regular climate cycle. Going through the information that is available is a daunting task. For those of you who may be on the verge of believing that global warming is manmade and an inevitable catastrophe, lets run through just a few of items being tossed around regarding global warming. You can then do your own investigation to further educate yourself.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Global Warming is Manmade.
Global Norming Reality
There is no scientific proof that global warming is manmade. There are a lot of people that want you to believe there is proof, but this is just people taking a warming trend and blaming it on mankind.
However, there is proof that global warming is directly linked to the Sun’s solar output. The World Climate Report states “When the sun is more energetic and putting out more energy, the Earth tends to warm up, and when the sun cools down, so does the Earth”.
We are currently in the midst of an active Sun cycle. Mars and Neptune are currently experiencing global warming in tandem with the Earth. Better ban Suburbans and Expeditions from those planets before we have a Universal catastrophe.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
The Earth is warming.
Global Norming Reality
The global temperature has risen an astounding 1/2°C since the 1950’s. My body temperature fluctuates more than that each day.
Global Warming Scare Tactic
Snow and Ice and Glaciers, Oh My.
Global Norming Reality
Changes to the snow cap of Kilimanjaro and glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are the most common examples of Global Warming.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro's snow cap has been shrinking for around 100 years. Most of the disappearance happened pre-1953. The snow cap is disappearing due to reduced snowfall cause by a weather shift. Climatologists acknowledge the icecap has come and gone before.
Greenland
Do you think the inhabitants of Greenland were being facetious when they named it Greenland? Greenland was a Viking agriculture society from 1100 to 1500AD. It was abandoned during the mini ice age in the 1600’s. If the glaciers melt, Greenland is just getting back to normal.
Antarctica
There is evidence documented by the British Antarctic Survey which shows that the ice shelfs retreated 9,500 years ago and did not reform for 1,500 years. "Thus, the present loss of ice shelves cannot be assumed to be a consequence of Man-made climate change, unless and until a cause can be identified". British Antarctic Survey
Just My Opinion
As Christians we are to be stewards of Earth. I do not want to breathe dirty air or drink polluted water any more than the next person. But it seems to me that you would have to be an ego maniac to think that you could impact, positively or negatively, something as finely tuned as God’s creation. You also need to be self centered to assume that just because you are alive today makes today “normal’.
Global warming is about the money, not saving the planet. At the risk of offending the GEICO Cavemen, unless you can show me that cavemen were driving around in SUV’s 10,000 years ago causing global warming, I will stick with global warming being a part of a natural rise and fall of Earth’s temperatures. Now keep your hands off my wallet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Episcopal Priest and Islam
An Episcopal priest converted to Islam in 2006. She attends mosque on Friday’s, yet continues to preach at her Episcopal church on Sunday’s. She considers herself to be 100% Muslim and 100% Christian. I would dare to say she is 100% neither.
The most basic problem is the divinity of Jesus, his dying on the cross for our sins and his resurrection to overcome death. Islam accepts none of this and views Jesus as merely a prophet. Without the Christian understanding of Jesus, there is no Christian. All you end up with is another manmade religion.
What bothers me the most about this is not one misguided person and the damage she is doing on Sunday mornings. What bothers me is the Episcopal Church and its actions.
A quote from the article is “Redding's embrace of Islam has been affirmed by her bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, who thinks the interfaith possibilities are exciting”. Exciting!! Are you nuts? Pull your head out of the sand buddy. The two religions are not compatible.
The other part from the article that amazed me was as follows:
“She was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1984 but has always challenged her church, calling Christianity the "world religion of privilege."
She has never believed in the Christian doctrine of original sin, and for years she struggled with the nature of Jesus' divinity, the Times said, concluding Jesus is the son of God insofar as all humans are the children of God, and that Jesus is divine, just as all humans are divine — because God dwells in all humans. “
Why did the Episcopal Church ever ordain her? Being a priest/pastor/preacher is not a job that any yahoo who can pass a few theology classes should be doing. Leading people to the truth can only be done by people who believe the truth.
So we have an Episcopal Church where whatever faith works for you is good with them, Jesus is just a nice guy and gay is OK. Can they be sued for damaging Christianity?
The link for the full article is:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56244
The most basic problem is the divinity of Jesus, his dying on the cross for our sins and his resurrection to overcome death. Islam accepts none of this and views Jesus as merely a prophet. Without the Christian understanding of Jesus, there is no Christian. All you end up with is another manmade religion.
What bothers me the most about this is not one misguided person and the damage she is doing on Sunday mornings. What bothers me is the Episcopal Church and its actions.
A quote from the article is “Redding's embrace of Islam has been affirmed by her bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, who thinks the interfaith possibilities are exciting”. Exciting!! Are you nuts? Pull your head out of the sand buddy. The two religions are not compatible.
The other part from the article that amazed me was as follows:
“She was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1984 but has always challenged her church, calling Christianity the "world religion of privilege."
She has never believed in the Christian doctrine of original sin, and for years she struggled with the nature of Jesus' divinity, the Times said, concluding Jesus is the son of God insofar as all humans are the children of God, and that Jesus is divine, just as all humans are divine — because God dwells in all humans. “
Why did the Episcopal Church ever ordain her? Being a priest/pastor/preacher is not a job that any yahoo who can pass a few theology classes should be doing. Leading people to the truth can only be done by people who believe the truth.
So we have an Episcopal Church where whatever faith works for you is good with them, Jesus is just a nice guy and gay is OK. Can they be sued for damaging Christianity?
The link for the full article is:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56244
Sunday, June 10, 2007
They will know we are Christians by our...?
In John 13:35 Jesus said, "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Unfortunately today Christians are known more for what we are against than what we are for. The media and the political left like to portray us as wackos and extremists on par with the radical Islam factions we fight overseas; and often with good reason. From the Crusades to televangelists to fundamentalists who seem to want to make Jesus look bad, we haven't put the best face on Christianity. Certainly not the love Jesus would have us portray. I bring all this up because the Southern Baptist Convention is having their national convention in San Antonio this week. Yes the same group that made a laughing stock of themselves and Christians by telling people to boycott Disney. I pray that this week they seek God and make wise decisions that will affect Christianity in a positive way. Please guys, break out of your norm and do something loving this week rather than condemning the world and making the rest of us look foolish.
Blessings
Blessings
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Who needs them
Every morning I retrieve from the front of the house my Detroit Free Press, I only get it for the crossword puzzle, yesterday as usual I went out and got the paper. But a wonderful thing happened when I opened the paper to read it, inside was a section on scholars athletes in Michigan. I know how is that wonderful, let me explain. For any number of years we have had naturalistic philosophers tell us that the traditonal family is passe, out dated, no longer needed to raise children. After all didn't Ms. Hillary tells us that "it takes a village to raise children". Anyway back to the newspaper, without even knowing it the Detroit Free Press gave its tacit approval for the traditonal family, the family where there are both a father and a mother. There were approxiamtely 300 young men and women from around the state of Michigan who had been nominated by there schools to be the scholar athletes. Nothing big there, it is the practice of many states to honor the young people who displayed a quality of leadership both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Yet as I read the article that something surprising jumped off the page at me. Of the 300 or soo young people depicted only hndful came from an apparent non-traditional family. The majority came from what conservatives call a traditional family one where there is a father and mother. That speaks loudly, because even in the schools that would be considered inner city a majority of those special scholar atheletes had both parents listed.
What does all of this mean, maybe nothing but maybe it says that children thrive better, achieve more in a tradition family setting where there is a mom and dad than they do in so called progessive or non-traditional families where there may be a single parent or two parents of the same sex.
What does all of this mean, maybe nothing but maybe it says that children thrive better, achieve more in a tradition family setting where there is a mom and dad than they do in so called progessive or non-traditional families where there may be a single parent or two parents of the same sex.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Iraq is Arab for Vietnam
‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’ is a bumper sticker I saw recently. I thought about it and realized the bumper sticker was right. The similarities between Iraq and Vietnam are striking.
Vietnam
It was part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Communism.
Iraq
It is part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Islamic fascists (sometimes referred to as terrorism).
Vietnam
US was effectively going it alone and winning the war
Iraq
US is effectively going it alone and winning the war
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone we were losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone we are losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone it was a family feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone it is a religious feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media focused on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media focus on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Vietnam
Congress thought they could run the war from Washington and ignored input from those on the ground.
Iraq
Congress thinks they can run the war from Washington and ignors input from those on the ground.
Vietnam
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress thought they could score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Iraq
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress think they can score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Vietnam
Just when it looked like America would finish off the tyrannical Communist, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress forced pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Iraq
Just when it looks like America can finish off the tyrannical Islamic fascists, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress want to force pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Vietnam
After the troops were pulled out Communism was emboldened and spread, the US was embarrassed and weakened and Democrats blamed the military and Republicans.
Iraq
If troops are pulled out tyrannical Islamic fascism will be emboldened and spread, the US will be embarrassed and weakened and Democrats will blame Bush.
So yes, ‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’.
(and you thought that was a liberal bumper sticker, didn’t you)
Vietnam
It was part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Communism.
Iraq
It is part of the fight against the global spread of tyrannical Islamic fascists (sometimes referred to as terrorism).
Vietnam
US was effectively going it alone and winning the war
Iraq
US is effectively going it alone and winning the war
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone we were losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone we are losing and is was not worth the loss of life
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media kept telling everyone it was a family feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media keeps telling everyone it is a religious feud (civil war) and we should just get out.
Vietnam
US Congress and the news media focused on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Iraq
US Congress and the news media focus on a few bad apples in the military and call them all rapist and murders.
Vietnam
Congress thought they could run the war from Washington and ignored input from those on the ground.
Iraq
Congress thinks they can run the war from Washington and ignors input from those on the ground.
Vietnam
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress thought they could score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Iraq
Spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress think they can score political points by being anti-war and pulling our troops out.
Vietnam
Just when it looked like America would finish off the tyrannical Communist, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress forced pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Iraq
Just when it looks like America can finish off the tyrannical Islamic fascists, the spineless yellow belly Democrats in Congress want to force pulling our troops out by cutting the war funding.
Vietnam
After the troops were pulled out Communism was emboldened and spread, the US was embarrassed and weakened and Democrats blamed the military and Republicans.
Iraq
If troops are pulled out tyrannical Islamic fascism will be emboldened and spread, the US will be embarrassed and weakened and Democrats will blame Bush.
So yes, ‘Iraq is Arab for Vietnam’.
(and you thought that was a liberal bumper sticker, didn’t you)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Reverend Jerry Falwell
I just read the news about the death of the Reverend Jerry Falwell; I am deeply saddened at the loss of this man of God. Reverend Falwell was responsible for my desire to see the Christian worldview lived out in the political arena and it was because of Jerry Falwell that I took a great deal of interest. Back in the late seventies and early eighties Reverend Falwell created an organization that called for the return to the Judea Christian principles this country was founded upon. That organization The Moral Majority swept Ronald Reagan into office and propelled the conservative movement in America to the forefront. It also put Jerry Falwell in the crosshairs of those people who didn’t want to see the return of those values and principles upon which this nation was founded. The mainstream media did its best to discredit the conservative movement and Jerry Falwell in particular. The American people for the most part appreciated in some small way what Reverend Falwell accomplished.
Unfortunately today the culture in America is far worse off than it was before the advent of the Moral Majority. All the institutions that the Reverend Falwell fought so valiantly against, the abortion industry, the pornography industry each are thriving today; they thrive despite the efforts of Jerry Falwell. The conservative movement in America will miss the strong voice brought by Jerry Falwell and today let me offer my prayers and my thoughts to the Falwell family and to the congregation of the Thomas Road Baptist Church. Also let me offer my prayers for the administration and students of Liberty University. Today we mourn the passing of a great man of God and tomorrow we continue the fight to bring to bear a Christian worldview in this fallen world in which we live.
Unfortunately today the culture in America is far worse off than it was before the advent of the Moral Majority. All the institutions that the Reverend Falwell fought so valiantly against, the abortion industry, the pornography industry each are thriving today; they thrive despite the efforts of Jerry Falwell. The conservative movement in America will miss the strong voice brought by Jerry Falwell and today let me offer my prayers and my thoughts to the Falwell family and to the congregation of the Thomas Road Baptist Church. Also let me offer my prayers for the administration and students of Liberty University. Today we mourn the passing of a great man of God and tomorrow we continue the fight to bring to bear a Christian worldview in this fallen world in which we live.
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