Scott's Blog - 9/29/06

When You Don't Know What to Do Next...

It is always a kick when I get a chance to meet members of our SRL listening family. Since we know each other only by voice, some are kind of shocked when we are first personally introduced.

"Boy you look different than I imagined.." (Personal note: Never ask the obvious follow up - "In what way?")

"Wow, I thought you would be shorter. " 

Or my personal favorite:

"You are a lot older than I thought you'd be."

The reason I think face to face contact is such an eye opener for some people is that radio, by definition, is a behind the scenes kind of business. For instance, did you know that most days, my end of SRL originates from my home office in Oro Valley, Arizona? I am connected by a special kind of digital line to the studios of KNKT in Albuquerque, New Mexico. KNKT is the place where your toll free calls are taken and the program is mixed together. The resulting product is then sent by digital line to KSRD in Saint Joseph, Missouri and then up linked into a satellite feed available across the country.

If that sounds a bit like the man on the flying trapeze, it is only because it is.

Thanks to the dedication and expertise of the engineering staff, most days go off without a hitch.

Today, however was different.

One crucial button wasn't pressed in the studio, and so as the program time grew near I didn't receive the audio portion of SRL in my head set. 

With five minutes to go, still no audio.

Then three.

Then two. 

One.

SRL start time came up on my clock. There was still not a sound in my head set. What do you do?

I  let about 20 seconds go by ( an educated guess as to when the program would start), breathed a quick prayer for mercy, and let 'er rip.

When I went to the first caller on line, I had no clue as to whether I was talking only to myself, or if there would be a response when I asked, "How are you doing today?"

God blessed and I could hear the caller. The SRL program went on, and we had a tremendous time sharing in God's Word.

After the program wrapped up, I spent some time thinking and praying about what had just transpired. And I wanted to share an important principle that the Lord wrote on my heart in a very personal way.

Life is all about the unexpected. In fact, if a day in my life goes just as I expected, that is an unexpected thing! When the unexpected hits, there is a question that flashes through all of our minds.

"What do I do next?"

When I served on staff at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, California , my pastor Chuck Smith had a pearl of practical wisdom he had discovered from 50 years of ministry - "When you don't know what to do next, always fall back on what you do know to do."

In the case of today's edition of SRL, I had a choice. I could get confused, frustrated or flustered when I couldn't hear the program. Or I could proceed under the assumption that I was on the air. If I wasn't, I wouldn't lose anything by going on, business as usual. If I was on the air and I decided to wait until I could hear something, we would have a whole lot of  dreaded "dead air".

Keeping on with what we know to do is the best option not only when there is no sound in our head phones. But also when we are praying and the answer doesn't seem to come. 

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)

Keeping on with what we know to do is the best option when we need a healing, but nothing seems to change.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (II Corinthians 12:7-10)

Falling back on what we do know to do in the Christian life can not only give us practical direction here in this life, but an amazing prospect for the next life.

35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
       37 “ For yet a little while,
      And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
       38 Now the just shall live by faith;
      But if anyone draws back,
      My soul has no pleasure in him.” ^{(Hebrews 10:35-38)}

Scott's Blog - 9/28/06

God and Little Green Men?

Let's open up the SRL mailbag and take on a question that is literally "out of this world".

Thanks, Nina, for raising a question on the minds of many people. I have to confess the first time I ever read the Bible was when I was told there were UFO's described in the book of Ezekiel.

There are two issues we have to resolve if we are to discover a truly biblical perspective on this issue. First, does God's Word allow for life on other planets? Second, what are people experiencing when they encounter a UFO?

It is clear there is no definitive statement in the Bible that there is life on other planets. This either indicates that extraterrestrials don't exist, or that God did not consider it important that we know about them. Personally, I believe that the more we understand some basic Biblical truths, the less likely it seems that ETs are out there.

ETs and the Impact of the Fall

The Bible clearly tells us that when Adam disobeyed God on this planet, it had a universal impact.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Romans 8:19-22)

Man's sin did not just effect our own world, but the entire creation. We see in this universe the principles of destruction and decay that extend far beyond this earth. If there were other intelligent creatures in the universe, why would a decision made on another planet by another species effect them?

ETs and the Incarnation

When God chose to enter in to His physical creation He did so as a human being.

6 For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Even in His glorified state, Jesus is described in ways that are still quite human.

12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lamp stands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters. (Revelation 1:12-15)

If there are other creatures out there, why does our Savior consistently appear in human form?

ETs and the Inception of the New Creation

Just as in the beginning Adam's fall on this planet had and has universal implications, so the return of Jesus to this planet will have a similar impact. 

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (II Peter 3:10-13)

When Jesus completes His 1,000 year reign on earth and judges the unrighteous of all generations, then the entire universe will be recreated. Earth once again seems to be the centerpiece of God's creation. What happens here effects everywhere else. 

What About All Those UFO's?

When we see reality from a Biblical frame of reference (as opposed to the special effects driven, evolutionary fantasies of science fiction) it seems clear that we are quite unique in the universe. So what are people experiencing when they encounter a UFO? Information science specialist Dr. Werner Gitt offers a compelling perspective.

How, then, should one understand the UFO phenomena and all the associated ‘hype’? In the German magazine Focus, it was recently stated ‘90% of UFO reports turn out to be humbug, but there is a residual 10% which are not easy to dismiss.’⁵ ‘Humbug’ refers to natural phenomena such as heavenly bodies, noctilucent clouds, ball lightning, and man-made objects such as glowing blimps.

The article quoted sociologist Gerald Eberlein as saying:

‘research has shown that people who are not affiliated with any church, but who claim that they are religious, are particularly susceptible to the possible existence of extraterrestrials. For them, UFOlogy is a substitute religion.’⁶

The Bible goes somewhat deeper in this matter, identifying a supplementary cause and effect—2 Thessalonians 2:9–11:

‘Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.’

The Bible gives a description of reality concerning all living things. The living God reveals himself as the Triune One, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In heaven there are the angels, who also serve mankind on the earth.

There is another reality—that of the devil and the demons. Ephesians 2:2 talks about the ‘prince of the power of the air’, whose reign is on earth.

The devil has his own repertoire of deception in the form of various occult practices and a multitude of religious rites. Could it be that, behind those unexplainable reports, is the work of the arch-deceiver?⁷ UFO reports, by definition, remain nebulous and not identifiable. People who do not know Christ are easily fascinated by all sorts of phenomena which are difficult to explain. For Christians there is Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:4 to ‘Take heed that no man deceive you.’ The best antidote to deception? Paul exhorts us, in 2 Timothy 2:15, to study the Scripture, so we might be ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’.

Scott's Blog - 9/27/06

Meekness and the No Spin Zone?

It has been said that a good illustration is to a sermon what raisins are to a bowl of oatmeal. As pastor of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson, I have found people will remember a story a lot longer than they will remember the passage we studied!

As you can imagine, we pastoral types are always looking for a vivid picture that can cause a Biblical principle to come alive.

Imagine my shock when I found a beautiful illustration of one of my favorite verses in the New Testament in the "No Spin Zone" of the Fox News Channel, The O'Reilly Factor.

If you have been a follower of Scott's Blog, you know I have taken host Bill O'Reilly to task for some particularly ill informed takes he has had on the Scriptures. (See Scott's Blog 4/19/06) But on yesterday's O'Reilly Factor program, I watched as Bill, in my opinion, hit a spiritual home run.

His interview was with comedian Bill Maher, the host of HBO's debate show "Real Time". 

Bill Maher
Born:	January 20, 1956 River Vale, NJ, USA
Occupation:	Comedian Talk Show Host Writer Producer Actor
Website:	www.billmaher.com

Bill Maher - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maher had become the center of a controversy surrounding a new segment of the CBS Evening News. Maher was invited to be a guest commentator on any issue he wished to discuss. When Maher, an atheist, said he wanted to share his views on religion, he was encouraged to share on any other topic. When he refused, his spot was cancelled. This interview on The O'Reilly Factor took an interesting turn when Maher was given his chance to express his views on "organized religion."

O'REILLY: Yes, I'm shocked. I'm going to give you a chance now to tell millions of people all over the world what you wanted to say about religion on CBS, but you only have about 30 seconds. Go.

MAHER: Well, I probably would have said that I'm only the last in a long line of people to speak out against organized religion and to say that it's dangerous and a mass psychosis. And all you have to do is look around the world from story to story to story to understand that.

I mean, why is Iraq falling apart? Why couldn't we get anything done in Iraq? It's because there are two religious sects who are basically at each other's throats because of a succession from the prophet in the Seventh Century.

O'REILLY: I got it. OK, that's pretty interesting. So Mother Teresa is a psychotic?

MAHER: That's right, Bill. Load the issue with Mother Teresa.

O'REILLY: I believe she was a religious person.

MAHER: Yes, OK.

O'REILLY: I believe that Catholic charities are in every country in the world, healing the sick and working with the poor.

MAHER: Can I answer your question?

O'REILLY: Sure.

MAHER: Can I?

O'REILLY: Absolutely.

MAHER: OK. There's nothing Mother Teresa or charities are doing that they couldn't do without the silliness of religion attached to it.

O'REILLY: But they do it because Christianity says love your brother, help the poor. This is a philosophy.

MAHER: And that's...

O'REILLY: Isn't that great? Isn't that good? Go ahead.

MAHER: And that's a wonderful sentiment. Jesus as a philosopher is wonderful. There's no greater role model, in my view, than Jesus Christ. It's just a shame that most of the people who follow him and call themselves Christians act nothing like him.

O'REILLY: Most of them? Most Christians are bad?

MAHER: In this country. Well, most Christians don't act Christ-like.

O'REILLY: Most?

MAHER: If they would call themselves Christ-likes instead of Christians, maybe it would remind them to act like Jesus.

O'REILLY: OK, so the 65 million Catholics in this country, 85 percent of the population is Christian, 300 million of us, and most of them aren't doing a good job in their Christianity. Is that what you're saying?

MAHER: Well, most people who are religious in this country are like the cafeteria Catholics. They pick and choose from the religious parts that they want to follow.

The ones that make the headlines, the evangelical Christians, are usually the ones who are behind everything that represents intolerance and bigotry. I notice, for example, that they're very often the ones who are hardest on drug use.

It's very hard for me to imagine Jesus Christ going up to a medical marijuana sufferer and taking the joint out of his mouth and saying, "Good luck with your bone marrow disease, but that's a very bad method..."

O'REILLY: Jesus would never do that. You know why? He'd just cure the guy.

MAHER: Yes, I do.

O'REILLY: He'd just cure him. And you know, right away he wouldn't have any use for any medicine.

OK, Maher, now listen. You know you're coming across as a bigot, an anti-Christian bigot, because nobody can possibly make a judgment about that many people that they're not good Christians.

I'm just pointing it out, because you and I go back a long way, all right? And I don't think you're a bigot. I don't.

MAHER: I'm not a bigot.

O'REILLY: But I think you come across as a bigot. Here's a very specific question. Your fellow traveler in the world of atheism is Rosie O'Donnell. On her program she says evangelical Christians are just as bad as these fanatical Muslim killers. Do you subscribe...

MAHER: I disagree with that.

O'REILLY: Oh, my God.

MAHER: I disagree with that completely. That's right. Because one reason why the west is superior, in my view, as far as tolerance is because, yes, we have preachers like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who in my view say crazy things, but nobody takes them that seriously here.

In Saudi Arabia they speak out against homosexuals and then they chop off their heads. Government sanctioned beheadings in chop-chop square in Mecca. OK. We don't chop off their heads, certainly not government sanctioned, in this country.

O'REILLY: Good point.

Thank you for being on the program, as always.

MAHER: Thank you.

O'REILLY: Watch "Real Time with Bill Maher.

MAHER: That's it?

O'REILLY: Do the Christian thing. Give Bill a break and watch his program.

 

Now, you might be thinking, what Scripture do we see illustrated here?

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. (I Peter 3:15)

O'Reilly's conduct in this interview was a perfect illustration of making a spiritual defense with "gentleness and reverence". Instead of blasting Maher's over the top reference to belief in God as "dangerous and a mass psychosis", he simply asked a reasonable question and let Bill Maher try to defend his charge that compassion and charity were examples of  psychotic behavior. When Maher went on to make a clearly bigoted and judgmental statement concerning Christians in this country, O'Reilly carefully made a distinction between the character of Bill Maher the person, and Bill Maher's philosophy, avoiding a descent into pointless name calling.

Challenging the silliness of anti-Christian stereotyping and bigotry, without condemning the person representing it is a real accomplishment. Thanks, Bill, for a great illustration of I Peter 3:15!

Scott's Blog - 9/26/06

The Living Bible

I must confess to being a child of the Seventies.

Yes, I had long hair and out of control side burns.

Yes, I wore bell bottom pants.

No, I never owned a pet rock or a Chia Pet for that matter.

But I will admit the first Bible I ever read was called "The Way". It was a Jesus Person friendly rendition of The Living Bible.

 

The Living Bible is an English version of the Bible by American publisher and author Kenneth Taylor released in 1971. Unlike most English Bibles, the volume is a paraphrase. Mr. Taylor was quoted as having said that he paraphrased the American Standard Version as a project for several years, largely while commuting to his job in Chicago by subway.

Taylor never intended for his paraphrase to be used as the reader's sole source of Biblical knowledge, or as an aid to serious, scholarly study, but rather to put the basic truths of the Bible in language which could readily be understood by the typical reader without a theological or linguistic background, and that he had never represented himself as a professional Bible scholar or his work as a translation.

The Living Bible was a best-seller in the early 1970s, largely due to the accessibility of its modern language, which made passages understandable to those with little or no previous background in Bible study. A year after the 1971 release, the Living Bible was the most popular Bible sold in America.

I have to admit that I no longer read The Living Bible. As I grew in my walk with the Lord I started to wonder why there were all these footnotes that said "implied" in the TLB. I also recognized the value of a word for word translation of the Bible versus a paraphrase. But for the first few years of my Christian walk, I believe the Lord used The Living Bible to make His truth accessible to me.

That is our mission, isn't it? To take God's truth and (without compromise) make it accessible to those on the outside looking in.

In that sense, there is a more profound definition of a "Living Bible" than anything that made it into a tie-dyed back pack in the groovy 70's. 

 Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. (II Corinthians 3:3)

It has been said that our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. 

I was reminded of this truth today when I got a call from my trusty assistant pastor Beau Ouellette. Beau oversees our youth ministry and is our administrative do-it-all man at Calvary Christian Fellowship. He even rescues me from the computer tar pits as I put together Scott's Blog each day.

But for the last few days Beau has been on a mission. A childhood friend from back in Southern California tragically lost his life last week. The family asked if Beau could come out and lend some needed spiritual support. Beau was asked not only to speak at his friend's memorial service, but has been put in a place where he has been fielding the questions of the heart that rise to the surface in such times of loss. 

He has been a "Living Bible".

Here is a thought I would like you to consider. 

The time may come when a similar set of circumstances rocks the lives of people you know. Perhaps they would never feel comfortable coming to a church service, talking to a pastor, or calling a Bible Q and A program. But they will listen to you.

Next time you listen to Scott Richards Live, don't just see it as a time to deepen your understanding of the Word. Realize this could very well be God's training ground for you - a spiritual boot camp that can prepare you for your moment when God uses you to be a "Living Bible" - perhaps the only Bible your friends and loved ones will ever read.

Scott's Blog - 9/25/06

Digital Discernment?

Mark Twain once noted, "The problem with most folks isn't what they don't know. It's what they do know that just ain't so." 

When we take a look at our modern culture, Mark Twain's words seem absolutely prophetic. Since most people tend to believe that truth is in the eye of the beholder, feelings have taken the place of facts. Even when we turn to the pages of a newspaper, or flip on the evening news we are greeted with what is called "advocacy journalism" less concerned with telling us who, what, where, when and why, than telling us how the reporter thinks we should feel about it.

Whether we call it passion or bias, a look at even the front page these days leaves us wondering where factual reporting ends and heavy handed persuasion begins.

But don't worry - help is on the way.

Computers taught to sort opinion from fact

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is funding a research project designed to teach computers to scan text and then sort opinion from fact.

The project involves Cornell University Professor of Computer Science Claire Cardie and associate professors of computer science Janyce Wiebe of the University of Pittsburgh and Ellen Riloff of the University of Utah.

The consortium is one of four University Affiliate Centers to conduct research on advanced methods for information analysis and to develop computational technologies that contribute to national security.

"Lots of work has been done on extracting factual information -- the who, what, where, when," explained Cardie. "We're interested in seeing how we would extract information about opinions."

The scientists will use machine-learning algorithms to give computers examples of text expressing both fact and opinion and then teach them to tell the difference.

The only problem with this technological break through? The program has to be developed by human beings. Human beings come custom equipped with a well developed package of biases.

You got biases. I got biases. All God's children got biases. Philosophers call them "axioms" - a series of unprovable assumptions that determine the way we look at the world. 

Consider the challenges our computer will encounter in a quest for a Joe Friday-like "Just the facts, Ma'am" perspective on the world.

"This fossil is an ancestor of modern man."

" This canyon was carved out by millions of years of erosion."

" The Christmas Star was a comet."

In construction these are statements of fact. But in content they are affirmations of unprovable axioms.

If I believe that man is the product of random mutations over millions of years I will see primate bones as my ancestor. 

If I believe the biblical account of our origins in Genesis 1-2, I will see the remains of a chimp-like creature, nothing more.

If I believe that everything we see today can be explained by gradual processes happening over time, I will be amazed at what one little river could do.

If I believe the Biblical account of a global flood in Genesis 6-8, I will see a monument to God's power and a not so subtle reminder of His ability to judge wickedness.

If I believe that miracles cannot happen, I must find a more respectable reason for a phenomenon the Bible describes.

If I believe that nothing will be impossible with God, and that God guided the people of Israel through the wilderness in a remarkably similar way, the Christmas Star is no mystery at all.

In a real way, where we end up is where we start. Like our computer example looking for facts, each of us will see and interpret the facts based on our axioms. This is why King Solomon, a man who had a pretty fair reputation for processing reality, wrote these famous words:

“ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
      And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10)

What is your personal programming based upon?

Scott's Blog - 9/22/06

Happy New Year?

Did you know that today is New Year's Eve? In Israel they are celebrating the start of the year 5767 since the creation of the world!

At sundown today the celebration called Rosh Hashanah begins. It is intended to be a time of introspection - taking a good long look at how life has gone the past year. It is also a time to make changes, like our tradition of making New Year's resolutions. 

In Israel today, reports tell us the mood surrounding Rosh Hashanah is decidedly somber.

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah, or new year, which begins at sundown Friday, offers a chance to turn over a new leaf and to ponder the passing months.

The passing year -- 5766 since the creation of the world according to Jewish tradition -- took Israel through some of the most dramatic moments of its recent history.

It began with Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip after 38 years of occupation, saw the disappearance of veteran leader Ariel Sharon and the election of the radical Islamism Hams movement in the Palestinian territories.

And now the year ends shortly after the Lebanon war, which many here consider a failure both politically and militarily.

The year 5767 is beginning with Israelis disappointed in their government, angry over the mistakes of the Lebanon war and deeply pessimistic about any breakthroughs in the all-but moribund Middle East process.

Former left-wing MP Rossi Said paints a bleak picture, both of the year passed and the one about to begin.

"This was a year which, unfortunately, has heavy ramifications and an impact on many years to come. We are in the midst of a severe crisis from the political, social, security, diplomatic and moral point of view.

"We are buried under a mountain of problems," he says. "And unfortunately, I can't see any breakthrough in the next year."

At his kiosk in downtown Jerusalem, Ariel Elias thinks quietly for a long time before giving his judgment on the past year. "It was a very difficult year, and I can only hope for a better one this year," he finally says.

"The war in Lebanon changed everything for Israel and the government."

As you can see maintaining perspective is what Rosh Hashanah is all about. I thought it interesting timing that on this of all days we received a very relevant question at our e-mail address
studio@scottrichardslive.com.

Pastor Scott,

I was recently told by a fellow Christian, who holds to the replacement theology point of view, that "all dispensationalists believe that Jews do not need Jesus for salvation because we say they are still God's chosen people, and God still has plans for them in the future."

I am a dispensationalist myself and I know that dispensationalists absolutely believe that there is no other name by which we must be saved than Jesus.  Having Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as ancestors is a special privilege, but ancestry alone, is just as ineffective for salvation on this side of the cross as it was on the other.  I have tried to convince him that he misunderstands our position, but he thinks I am a one-of-a-kind dispensationalist and not representative of the overall group.  

I feel that you can help out since you are widely known and unashamedly hold the dispensationalist position.  Please explain how we can simultaneously believe that Israel is still God's chosen people, but that individual Jews must trust in Jesus for salvation like everyone else.

Thank you.


Sincerely,


Randy

Thanks for a great question Randy. One of the most debated issues in the modern Christian world is God's place and plan for the Jewish people. As you mentioned, there are those who believe in what is called Replacement Theology. This point of view states that God is finished with the Jewish people as a nation. The promises we find in the Old Testament have now been spiritually applied to the church. Dispensational Theology states that God still has a place and a plan for the Jewish people. The promises God makes to the sons and daughters of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be fulfilled quite literally in a yet future time.

The best way to answer your question as to how we can simultaneously believe that Israel is still God's chosen people, but that individual Jews must trust in Jesus for salvation like everyone else is to take a look at how the Bible itself maintains this balance.

A highly educated Jewish man named the Apostle Paul clears up this issue for us.

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”(that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:1-13)

Here we see that there is no other way for either Jews or Gentiles to be saved but through faith in Jesus. The question then is asked, so is God finished with Israel? 

Paul gives us more insight.

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:


      “ The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
      And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
       27 For this is My covenant with them,
      When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

God still has a plan for the Jewish people. At this present time, it is His will for individual Jews to find faith in their promised Messiah Jesus. But we are also told that after a point in time when "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in", God will again deal with this world through the Jewish people. I believe this will happen during the final seven year period of time called the Tribulation. (See Revelation 7 and 11 for the decidedly Jewish nature of outreach during that time)

Rosh Hashanah is about to begin in Israel. It is not just a time to look back, but also a time to consider that God's promises and plans for the Jewish people (and us!) will never fail!

Scott's Blog - 9/21/06

Stranger Than Fiction

Have you ever read one of the "Left Behind" series books?

The aspect that draws me in to these novels is the ability of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins to take biblical predictions and paint them into plausible modern scenarios. Most of us have wondered what it would be like to see the aftermath of an event like the Rapture. The "Left Behind" series makes such a predicted event (see I Thessalonians 4:15-18) come alive in our imaginations.

Granted, the reviews for this series are not all positive. Many have expressed a roll of the eyes skepticism, not just toward the series, but also toward their lay out of end times prophecy in general. "Oh, come on. The entire world following a Satanically inspired leader? A one world religion? The mark of the beast? Persecution of all those who don't go along? In this day and age? Get serious."

There certainly are those who find the whole idea that we are precariously perched on the edge of what the Bible calls the End Times pretty far fetched. Imagine the response of such people when they encounter a prediction like this.

"When the world has become psychologically ready to accept the government of God and when general conditions have become favorable to the idea of the rulership of the truth, God will permit the new Messiah to launch his final revolution....A few selected individuals...will be the first ones to respond to his call, and will be drawn to him like iron to a magnet in that first hour of his appearance.....On seeing the fulfillment of many of the signs promised in the traditions, a large number of unbelievers will turn towards his new religion. Those who persist in their disbelief and wickedness shall be killed by soldiers of the new Messiah. The only victorious government in the entire world will be that of his new religion....His new religion will be the religion of everyone....The new Messiah will offer his religion to the Jews and the Christians; if they accept it they will be spared, otherwise, they will be killed....It seems unlikely that this catastrophe can be avoided....Warfare and bloodshed [are] inevitable."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. LaHaye and Jenkins are at it again. Must be a speech from one of the characters in their pot boiler novels telling everybody what the Antichrist is going to do when he comes on the scene."

Or is it?

The quote you just read was a slightly altered version of a quote from a book by Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini,  a professor at the Religious Learning Center in Qom, Iran, and one of the country's most respected Shiite scholars. In his book, Al-Imam al-Mahdi, Amini describes the the signs of the coming of the Moslem messiah, the Mahdi, in great detail. Here is his unedited quote.

"When the world has become psychologically ready to accept the government of God and when general conditions have become favorable to the idea of the rulership of the truth, God will permit the Mahdi to launch his final revolution....A few selected individuals...will be the first ones to respond to his call, and will be drawn to him like iron to a magnet in that first hour of his appearance.....On seeing the fulfillment of many of the signs promised in the traditions, a large number of unbelievers will turn towards Islam. Those who persist in their disbelief and wickedness shall be killed by soldiers of the Mahdi. The only victorious government in the entire world will be that of Islam....Islam will be the religion of everyone....The Mahdi will offer the religion of Islam to the Jews and the Christians; if they accept it they will be spared, otherwise, they will be killed....It seems unlikely that this catastrophe can be avoided....Warfare and bloodshed [are] inevitable."

When we see the increasing instability of world politics, combined with both a rise in fanatical Islamo-fascism in the East and an abandonment of commitment to Biblical truth in the West, it appears the stage for such a prediction is being set. The tipping point for the rise of this new "Messiah" may very well be the catastrophic conditions that follow after the Rapture of the church.

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2:3-9)

The Christ rejecting world both East and West may very well get a world leader who can bring them prosperity and peace. Whether they will like it when they do is another question.

Scott's Blog - 9/20/06

Legalism or Love?

Let's open up the SRL mailbag and take a look at an issue that can spell the difference between religion and a real relationship with God!

Hi Scott,

I have many, many questions but I will only ask you one at a time...

 I have been reading through Genesis, Exodus, and now Leviticus.  God gave Israel 250 plus laws, it seems, and even today we obey some while other we don’t.  Why is that?  For example, in our times we take very serious the law of profaning God’s name, adultery, lying, just to name a few.  However, there are so many others that we do not even consider.  For example, tattoos, Leviticus 19: 33-34 where it speaks about treating foreigners with kindness, not shaving our beards, and many others.

 My question is why we obey some and not all. Leviticus 8 and 9 are very bloody chapters, nonetheless cool.  It is wonderful to know God!

 Carlos

Thanks, Carlos, for raising an issue that most believers find confusing. There are many people in our culture who believe we are saved by keeping the 10 Commandments. When we become Christians we suddenly discover that we aren't saved by being good enough to please God.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Notice we aren't saved by good works. But we are saved for good works. God really does care about how we live our lives. And so He provides us His commands to show us how to live in a way that pleases Him and will bless us. There are a few questions we need to ask in order to understand the place of God's commandments in our lives.

The Purpose of Commandments

Because we are saved by faith in Jesus and not by our own works, some will say the law of God has no more relevance for our lives. The Bible tells us that the law does have an important purpose in our day - to point out our need for a Savior.

8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. (I Timothy 1:8-11)

God's law works like an MRI machine. It can show us clearly what is wrong with our lives. It simply can't cure what is wrong with our lives. The law of God is holy, righteous and good. The problem is, we aren't! 

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:22-23)

The purpose of the law is to reveal, not heal sin.

The Place of Commandments

Before we are saved, God doesn't want to talk with us about good works. No good work can make up for all the bad works we have done. But once we place our faith in Christ, God does want to talk with us about good works. Not the 613 commandments we find in the Old Testament, but a new way of living called the law of love.

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Some will ask, "So which Old Testament Commandments are we to keep, if we are to fulfill this law of love?" 

There are two kinds of Old Testament Commandments that we are not to keep today. First, the ceremonial commandments concerning Temple sacrifice and offerings are impossible to keep because there is no Temple. We are also told that Christ has fulfilled all the Old Testament sacrifices and offerings when He died on the cross.

11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:11-18)

The other commandments we are no longer obligated to keep are the civil laws we find in the Old Testament. These were given to govern God's chosen people Israel. We find in these laws statutes for growing crops, types of clothing, various foods that the people were to eat and refrain from eating.

The Permanency of Commandments

So which commandments are we to keep today? A good rule of thumb is if we see a commandment taught by Jesus, practiced by the church in the book of Acts, and explained in the letters of Paul, Peter, John, James and Jude, we are to observe them. We don't observe them to be right with God, but because we are right with God.

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:11-14)

Scott's Blog - 9/19/06

And the Beat Goes On

With the attention of the world galvanized on the uproar surrounding Pope Benedict's remarks on Islam, you would think that sensitivity and tolerance of issues as personal and volatile as religious convictions would be the order of the day.

And you would be absolutely wrong.

Last night NBC premiered a new show called "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" that purports to show the back stage realities of putting on a Saturday Night Live style comedy program. The opening episode plot centers around the network banning a "smart and funny" skit called "Crazy Christians."

Media Research Council president Brent Bozell comments:

Producer-writer Aaron Sorkin uses his first script to throw sharp knives and rusty razors at the Americans who've lobbied for less filthy television. The show begins with an improbable "standards and practices" censor telling the producer of the fictional "SNL" that he can't run "Crazy Christians" because "what do you want me to say to the 50 million people who are gonna go out of their minds as soon as it airs?" The producer cracks wise: "Well, first of all, you can tell 'em we average 9 million households, so at least 41 million of them are full of ..... Second, you can tell 'em that living where there's free speech means sometimes you're gonna get offended."

But Hollywood writers know that in a free-speech society, people are free to denounce Hollywood's shows when they are vile and disgusting. There's also a remarkable double standard at work here. While denouncing the free-speech rights of "crazy Christians," Hollywood exercises its own restrictions, zealously avoiding on camera the many social taboos -- smoking cigarettes, say -- to which it subscribes.

What Hollywood likes is having the almighty power to offend -- to "challenge" society, as they like to describe it -- freely. But only some people are sought out for offending. For every supposedly crazy parent who worries about sex, violence and smutty talk on TV, perhaps there's another supposedly crazy parent who worries about different offenses, such as Twinkie commercials or scenes with cool, beautiful people smoking cigarettes. But those parents don't get mocked by scriptwriters. It is those with religious objections who get singled out.

But Sorkin wasn't done lecturing. When his skit is axed, the outraged fictional "SNL" producer bounds onto the stage and unleashes a lecture on live television. It's what Sorkin has probably wanted to say about network executives (and their alleged overreaction to those crazy Christians) many times: "The two things that make them scared gutless are the FCC and every psycho religious cult that gets positively (excited) at the very mention of a boycott." Sorkin was so impressed with his own insult that it reruns later in the show in fictional news clips.

As if this exercise in trampling the sensitvities of the spiritually minded wasn't enough, consider what the Peacock network has lined up for November.

NBC PLANS MADONNA CRUCIFIXION IN TV CONCERT
Mon Sep 18 2006 18:38:19 ET

NBC has given the green light to include Madonna-on-the-Cross footage in an upcoming November Sweeps concert special!

In the show, Madonna, wearing a glittered crown of thorns, descends on a suspended mirrored, disco ball-type cross singing her hit 'Live To Tell.'

NBC suit Kevin Reilly said Madonna considered the crucifixion a highlight of her show.

"We viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate," NBC explained.
DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006®

Funny, isn't it? In the name of making bold artistic statements, the Mainstream Media has no problem with mocking Christ, or those who follow Him.

But how often do we see edgy, "smart and funny" scripts called "Maniacal Muslims"? When is Madonna going to descend from the rafters in a sequined prophet Mohammed costume? When will Monty Python make their searing satire "That Bumbling Buddha"? 

Don't hold your breath.

Why this double standard? 

The first reason is practical. Hollywood knows that all they have to fear from dumping their latest load of blasphemy on the public is a boycott, or a protest march that will only increase interest in their product. 

The second reason is spiritual. Jesus gave us an important heads up concerning the controversy that would always surround Him.

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.' (John 15:18-25)

It is crucial that we are not surprised by the continual volley of insults Jesus receives. It is equally  important that we don't try to win stinking contests with skunks. As we learned with the DaVinci Code dust up (See Scott's Blog 5/16/06), the best response is to turn an attack into an opportunity - using these controversies as a launch point for sharing the love of God and the truth of a living relationship with Him in Jesus.

Scott's Blog - 9/18/06

None of the Above?

There is an old saying that goes, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." As our culture has moved farther and farther away from a belief in absolutes, we have increasingly lumped the concept of truth into that same category. We are careful to use qualifiers in conversations on controversial subjects. It is considered a sign of enlightenment, or at least good manners, to interject phrases like "This is how I see it.." or "This is what I believe.." when discussing things that really matter. 

How far has this sense of polite uncertainty affected us? Consider an eye opening survey recently conducted by Baylor University. The results spawned an interesting editorial response from the Los Angeles Times.

Multiple-Choice God

At the risk of raising an uncomfortable question - which response is right? Certainly there is nothing wrong with a good solid dose of humility when we approach matters that do fall into the realm of the negotiable issues of life. But what about the essentials? Is it possible to have a sense of certainty about matters that will effect us both for time and eternity? 

And quite frankly, Who God really is, and how He relates to us can be accurately placed in our personal file under "matters of life and death."

The issue comes down to how we will decide to search for truth in this life. If God is silent or uninvolved in our lives then let's keep taking surveys and hope that eternity gets decided by majority vote. 

But what if God has spoken?

This is the issue the Apostle Paul raised to a group of first century truth seekers who worked in a "think tank" called the Aeropagus.

24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:24-31)

Did you catch the point the Bible makes here? There is a right and wrong answer when it comes to God. This is not determined by philosophy, popular opinion, or speculation - but by revelation. God has told us Who he is, and how we are to relate to Him. How do we know this is the case? His message can be verified by the historical reality of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In light of this, perhaps we need to add another category added to the Baylor survey - 

E. The God we find revealed in the Bible.

Scott's Blog - 9/15/06

A Fiery Reaction?

I was always taught that there were three things you didn't talk about in polite company - politics, religion and your opinion of the behavior of your host's house pets. 

These days it is tougher and tougher to avoid the first two out of three. Especially if your job description is "Pope of the Roman Catholic Church."

Muslim fury grows at Pope's speech

Muslim activists burn an effigy of Pope Benedict XVI during a protest in Srinagar, India.

 

The furore over comments made by Pope Benedict about the Islamic concept of Holy War continues to grow. British Muslims joined in, fiercely criticising his remarks.

The pontiff was accused of falling into "the trap of bigots and racists" with the comments he made on a visit to Germany.

What did Pope Benedict say that was so (literally) inflammatory?

The Pope's speech quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and an educated Persian on the truths of Christianity and Islam.

"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the Pope said.

"He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached'."

Benedict described the phrases on Islam as "brusque", while neither explicitly agreeing with nor repudiating them.

The Vatican appears to be in full damage control mode, particularly in light of the upcoming planned visit of the Pope to Turkey. It appears that his reception will be chilly at best.

Turkish Lawmaker Compares Pope to Hitler

The comments raised tensions ahead of his planned visit to Turkey in November - his first pilgrimage to a Muslim country.

Salih Kapusuz, a deputy leader of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party, said Benedict's remarks were either "the result of pitiful ignorance" about Islam and its prophet, or a deliberate distortion.

"He has a dark mentality that comes from the darkness of the Middle Ages. He is a poor thing that has not benefited from the spirit of reform in the Christian world," Kapusuz was quoted as saying by the state-owned Anatolia news agency. "It looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades."

"Benedict, the author of such unfortunate and insolent remarks, is going down in history for his words," he said. "He is going down in history in the same category as leaders such as (Adolf) Hitler and (Benito) Mussolini."

But do you catch a bit of irony here? It seems that the response to being criticized for a history of violence, is a violent demonstration.

Salih Kapusuz is outraged at his faith being judged and condemned. So he judges and condemns Pope Benedict as another Hitler or Mussolini.

Perhaps if Islamic leaders wanted to present a persuasive argument that they are truly a religion of peace they could start by issuing fatwas clearly stating that suicide bombers who take the lives of civilians are not martyrs, but murderers. Perhaps they could build confidence in the West by stating that Osamma Bin Laden is a leader of a cult of violent murder and not a Muslim. Perhaps they could declare that the 9/11 terrorists like Mohammed Atta are not in heaven, but in hell for their sins. 

I am not holding my breath waiting for any such statements.

There is another point this controversy brings to the forefront. One of the most basic truths of Christianity is that we have a priority to persuade unreached people of the truth of Christ's message.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)

Here we see a balance of truth that can give us powerful practical guidance. We are to share our faith openly and boldly in this world. Certainly there are those who will passionately and violently oppose the message of Jesus, but what else is new? But we are to share in a way that builds bridges, not barriers. We are to speak the truth in faithfulness to God and His Word. But we are to remember that the people we are speaking to are so loved by God He gave His Son to save them. 

I have the sneaky feeling that maintaining that balance is going to become more and more crucial as the time of the Lord's return draws near!

Scott's Blog - 9/14/06

The Ultimate Question of 9/11

Did you get the opportunity to see any of the programs devoted to the fifth anniversary of 9/11? The news cycle has rolled on, and the focus of the country has shifted to other things. But as I look back on the overall theme of the coverage of that tragic event, including the controversial ABC mini series "The Path to 9/11", it seems that most people were looking for someone to blame.

Some even go beyond finger pointing at one administration or the other and take the question to a higher level. 

If God loves us, why does He allow things like the 2,832 horrific deaths that happened on that day? 

Answers in Genesis provides a soul searching video devoted to that crucial question, filmed on site of another question raising event, Hurricane Katrina.

What is God's message when man's inhumanity to man wrecks havoc in this world? What does God say to people who suffer immensely for no other reason than being in harm's way?

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:1-5)

I have a friend who describes wasting time on side issues as "Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic." Could you imagine being on the Titanic that awful night when it struck the ice berg? Could you imagine anything more pointless than refusing to get into a life boat until someone gave a sufficient answer as to who was to blame for the ship going down? 

No one can ever accuse Jesus of "rearranging deck chairs." Instead of launching into a lecture on philosophy, He goes to the most personally applicable part of the reality of life in a fallen world. Sin has wrecked God's once perfect creation. Death is coming for each of us. Rather than wasting time finding someone to blame, better to find the One who can save our lives eternally. 

Have we personally received His offer of rescue? Or are we still looking for someone to blame?

Scott's Blog - 9/13/06

Does America Have a Future?

Let's go to the SRL mailbag and tackle a question that hits close to home!

Hi Scott,
I'm an avid listener and fan of your show; I've received so much wisdom
about valid questions that have never occurred to me.  I have a question
based on what I heard during Jack Hibbs' broadcast on KNKT earlier today.
Jack said he doesn't know why the US isn't one of the nations mentioned in
Revelation despite its position as a world power.  I've been pondering this
all afternoon and wonder if you could shed some light on it?
May God continue you to Bless you,
Dawn

Thanks, Dawn, for a question that really does stir up a lot of curiosity among students of Biblical prophecy! There are all kinds of speculations concerning the ultimate destiny of the United States in God's plan for the Last Days. It seems that events like the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks only intensify the desire we have for answers. 

I read with considerable interest Mark Hitchcock's recent article on how the events of that fateful day have jolted quite a few pieces of the prophetic picture into place.

Prophetic Shift of Gears
Significance of 9/11
by Mark Hitchcock

Five years ago, in the solemn wake of September 11, I made the statement in one of my books that it appeared that the events of 9/11 and its aftermath had a major stage-setting effect on the events of the end times. That a kind of "prophetic shift of gears" had occurred on that day. That many of the major players in the Biblical end time scenario appeared to be rapidly "shifting" into place. As I look back over the last five years, and gaze ahead to what's looming on the horizon, I believe this statement even more today than I did five years ago.

Here are seven of the major players and places that moved into another gear on 9/11.

First, 9/11 shined the spotlight on the Middle East unlike any time in modern history. While the Middle East had become more and more of a world focus due to Israel and oil, a whole new, evil dimension was added—terror. The Middle East is the now the nexus of the three great international concerns: Israel, oil, and Islamic terror. For the events of the end times to occur the Middle East must the center of world focus. This piece of the prophetic puzzle is now in place.

Second, 9/11 set the stage for Islamic nations in Ezekiel 38-39 to invade Israel. As one reads that names of the nations that will invade Israel in the end times in Ezekiel 38:1-7, it looks like a "Who's Who" of Israel's enemies today, especially Iran. The close, developing ties between Russia (Rosh) and Iran (Persia) have been greatly accelerated since 2001.

Third, 9/11 moved Israel front and center. It became increasingly clear that Islamic hatred for America was due in large part to our stalwart support of Israel. Osama bin Laden speaks out frequently against Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has uttered a long litany of vicious statement against Israel and the Jewish people. Israel and Jerusalem will become more and more of a burdensome stone to the nations in the days ahead as the world faces increased threats of terror (Zech 12:1-2).

Fourth, the attacks on the U.S. highlighted how vulnerable the world's only superpower is to terror attacks. All Americans are now painfully aware that we have a bullseye on our back. America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy. Many have begun to wonder if our absence could be because we fall prey to some devastating nuclear jihad on American soil. While no one knows for sure what will happen to America, 9/11 raised this scenario as a real possibility.

Fifth, the terror of that day and its effect on security, showed the willingness of people to sacrifice personal rights and privacy for safety and security. Since 9/11, there's been a dramatic increase in surveillance, searches, and security. Almost immediately after 9/11, all kinds of talk erupted about national ID cards, biometric scanners, etc. This situation is ripe for a person to come on the scene and adapt this developing technology to exercise iron-fisted control over the world.

Sixth, 9/11 has shown the need for more and more global cooperation between nations to fight the worldwide terror threat. This was demonstrated recently when British and U.S. intelligence, working in tandem and with Pakistan, discovered an advanced terror plot to blow up U.S. airliners over the Atlantic Ocean. In our new world, globalism is necessary for survival, but it's also setting the stage for one man to rule the entire world.

Seventh, the events of 9/11 have made the coming Middle East peace treaty of Daniel 9:27 more desired and necessary than ever before. Peace in the Middle East is the number one international priority.

While no one knows what else may happen between now and the time of Christ's coming, it appears that 9/11 had a major impact not only on our nation and the world, but also moved the world into another gear as we accelerate toward the end times.

Dr. Mark Hitchcock is contributing editor of the Left Behind Prophecy Club newsletter. He is pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmonds, Oklahoma and a nationally recognized prophecy author and speaker

Did you catch fourth point in this article? There are many who believe that the reason the United States is not mentioned specifically and clearly as a player in the Last Days is that we may be reduced to rubble prior to the rise of the Anti-Christ. As we see unstable regimes like North Korea and Iran developing a nuclear capability, combined with a fanatically self destructive ideology and a not so subtle track record of aiding and abetting terrorism, such a bleak scenario is not out of the realm of possibility. 

There is, however, another perspective that can not only explain the absence of the United States as a major force in the End Times, but can also serve as a powerful motivator for impacting our friends and neighbors with the Good News of Jesus. 

Could you imagine what a post- Rapture America would look like?

Recent surveys indicate that over one third of Americans characterize themselves as Bible believing or Born Again Christians.

In a nation with a population approaching 300 million, this would mean that in a blink of an eye 100 million Americans would vanish off the face of the earth.

If you have ever had to wade through the traumatic tangle of paper work and complications that the sudden departure of one person creates, you get the picture.

Millions of homes, without owners.

Millions of bank accounts, without signers.

Millions of cars, without drivers.

Millions of community, civil, political and military leaders - gone in a twinkling of an eye.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (I Corinthians 15:51-53)

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18)

What will be left behind?

If the sudden, unforeseeable deaths of 3,000 Americans on 9/11 nearly ground this country to a halt, what conditions will the sudden, unforeseen departure of 100 million Americans create on the ground?

You get the picture. It is equally possible that the reason the United States won't be a player in the End Times is because the event we know as the Rapture will render our nation a devastated shell of her former self. The Anti-Christ will have no problem dominating and exploiting what remains for his purposes.

This is where the "blessed hope" of Titus 2:11-14 gets exciting. If we as believers are doing our job, there may be more than 100 million gone on that unprecedented day. I would love to be a part of making sure there are so many gone from our nation at the Rapture that when we stand in heaven with the Lord, we will suddenly understand why the United States isn't mentioned in prophecy. As we share our faith, and shine with the love and truth of Jesus, we can be a part of solving this riddle of the Last Days.

Scott's Blog - 9/12/06

Beware of Weasel Words!

Have you ever run into someone who complained that Christianity just wasn't rational? Some skeptics declare that they feel much more comfortable basing their lives on the facts of science than the faith in God advocated by the Scriptures. 

At first blush, that argument sounds compelling. After all, every time we turn on a light, start the car, or make a cell phone call we are reminded of the benefits of science. It also seems that every time we turn on the TV we are reminded of the excesses and bizarre behaviors done in the name of "faith".

How do we as Christians respond to this challenge?

First we need to define what we mean by science. If by "science" we mean the fruits of pursuing the scientific method - discovering the reality of the universe by doing experiments that are observable, testable and repeatable - we as believers have no problems. The scientific method itself emerged out of a world view that believed that God was the creator of all things, and that He created natural laws and principles that could be discovered by man. Where we begin to differ is when people associated with science leave facts behind and engage in amazing flights of imagination fired speculation. 

A classic example of imagination masquerading as science hit the internet today with an eye catching headline.

Earthlike planets may be common

Gassy planets may help encourage formations Earthlike planets

Updated: 4:48 p.m. MT Sept 7, 2006

WASHINGTON - Earthlike planets covered with deep oceans that could harbor life may be found in as many as a third of solar systems discovered outside of our own, U.S. researchers said Thursday.

These solar systems feature gas giants known as "Hot Jupiters," which orbit extremely close to their parent stars — even closer than Mercury to our sun, University of Colorado researcher Sean Raymond said.

The close-orbiting gassy planets may help encourage the formations of smaller, rocky, Earthlike planets, they reported in the journal Science.

We now think there is a new class of ocean-covered, and possibly habitable, planets in solar systems unlike our own," Raymond said in a statement.

The team from Colorado, Penn State University and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Maryland ran computer simulations of various types of solar systems forming.

The gas giants may help rocky planets form close to the suns, and may help pull in icy bodies that deliver water to the young planets, they found.

"These gas giants cause quite a ruckus," Raymond said.

Water is key to life as humans define it.

"I think there are definitely habitable planets out there," Raymond said. "But any life on these planets could be very different from ours. There are a lot of evolutionary steps in between the formation of such planets in other systems and the presence of life forms looking back at us."

As many as 40 percent of the 200 or so known planets around other stars are Hot Jupiters, the researchers said.

At first glance, this is the announcement of an amazing scientific discovery. Earth-like planets? Deep oceans? Definitely habitable planets? Star Trek here we come!

But let's slow down for a moment.

Let's do a scientific fact check on this report. Let's go back through this article and highlight every statement that is based on speculation instead of observation (Hint: let's look for "weasel words" like "may" "could" or "think")

Here is an interesting exercise in being a critical thinker.

Gassy planets may help encourage formations Earthlike planets

Updated: 4:48 p.m. MT Sept 7, 2006

WASHINGTON - Earthlike planets covered with deep oceans that could harbor life may be found in as many as a third of solar systems discovered outside of our own, U.S. researchers said Thursday.

These solar systems feature gas giants known as "Hot Jupiters," which orbit extremely close to their parent stars — even closer than Mercury to our sun, University of Colorado researcher Sean Raymond said.

The close-orbiting gassy planets may help encourage the formations of smaller, rocky, Earthlike planets, they reported in the journal Science.

We now think there is a new class of ocean-covered, and possibly habitable, planets in solar systems unlike our own," Raymond said in a statement.

The team from Colorado, Penn State University and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Maryland ran computer simulations of various types of solar systems forming.

The gas giants may help rocky planets form close to the suns, and may help pull in icy bodies that deliver water to the young planets, they found.

"These gas giants cause quite a ruckus," Raymond said.

Water is key to life as humans define it.

"I think there are definitely habitable planets out there," Raymond said. "But any life on these planets could be very different from ours. There are a lot of evolutionary steps in between the formation of such planets in other systems and the presence of life forms looking back at us."

As many as 40 percent of the 200 or so known planets around other stars are Hot Jupiters, the researchers said.

If you are keeping score at home, we have 5 "may"s, 2 "think"s, 1 "possibly" and 1 "could be". How much of this article reports anything that is observable, testable and repeatable? Aside from the somewhat strange statement "Water is key to life as humans understand it." (As opposed to how parrots understand it?), and the fact some guys from a couple of universities and a NASA think tank constructed a computer model based on a series of unproven assumptions, we have no science here. We have philosophy. We have speculation. And in the contradictory statement "I think there are definitely habitable planets out there.", we have a declaration of faith.

Don't misunderstand me. The scientific method has given us everything from space flight to sure fire cures for athlete's foot. But when people who are scientists by degree, or profession engage in unfounded speculation, real science has been left in the dust.

When someone declares that they'd rather put their faith in science, we should be quick to ask, "Which kind?"

It is also important to remind our skeptical inquirer that there is not a single person who can get through one moment of the day without exercising faith - that is confidence in something we can't see, feel, hear or measure. We can't sit in a chair unless we have faith that the unknown quality called atomic glue will hold the chair molecules underneath us together. We can't even get out of bed unless we have faith that an unseen force called gravity will keep us stuck to our planet that is spinning at about a thousand miles per hour.

We all exercise faith, the real question is, is our faith invested in a worthy object.

Is the God of the Bible a worthy object of our faith? 

I will ask the skeptic three questions.

When we look around at creation do we see order or chaos? Randomness or design?

When we look within do we see a need for purpose and meaning? A sneaking suspicion that there must be more to life than meets the eye?

When we look back in time at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, do we see compelling evidence that God Himself has visited our planet?

It's not a question of faith or science. It's ultimately a question of where we will place our faith. The "May"s, "Could"s and "Definitely Think"s of speculation? Or the certain foundation of God's revelation. 

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

There is nothing irrational about that!

Scott's Blog - 9/11/06

What Can We Do?

How did you feel as you watched that image for the first time?

Shocked? Angry? Frustrated? 

On that awful morning five years ago, many of us experienced an overwhelming sense of helplessness. In the face of such monstrous evil, what can we do to make a difference?

I would suggest that now, 1,825 days later, that same question should still be at the forefront of our thinking. The simple, yet powerful words of the apostle Paul seem more on target than ever.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

So how can we practically make a constructive change in this Post 9/11 world?

Encourage a Soldier

As a result of the events of 9/11 there are men and women half way around the world from their loved ones, putting themselves in harm's way to stand for our safety and the security. You can make a difference by "adopting" a soldier! A wonderful organization called Soldier's Angels can connect you with a soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. By sending monthly post cards and a care package you can demonstrate God's love in a very practical way.

Evangelize the Lost

The events of 9/11 have called attention to the presence of well over a million Moslems in our country, many immigrating from nations where it is illegal to share the good news of Jesus Christ. How well equipped are you to understand Islam and effectively communicate God's love? A great resource for getting up to speed is found at the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry web site.

Extend yourself to Israel

No nation knows more about the first hand effects of Islamic terrorism than Israel. God's chosen are still picking up the pieces from the war with the Iranian backed Hezbollah. The Jewish equivalent of the Red Cross, Magen David Adom delivers emergency aid in times of crisis. You can become a friend of this vital service by making a heartfelt contribution. If you are also concerned with supporting those who are working to reach Israel with the message of her Messiah backed by practical expressions of God's love, check out the good work being done by For Zion's Sake Ministries .

There is no reason to feel helpless, even faced with events like 9/11. The answer to helplessness and hopelessness is to take a stand to do what we can to bring God's light and love to our circumstances. 

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

(Galatians 6:10)

Scott's Blog - 9/08/06

"Brangelina" Begs The Question

If you've been following the news (or even Scott's Blog 9/05/06) you know that one of the lead stories of the week was the apprehension of FBI Most Wanted List fugitive Warren Jeffs. 

His crime? 

Having a "nontraditional view of marriage". 

Warren Jeffs was the head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a splinter group from the Salt Lake City Mormon Church, this sect holds that the teachings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young regarding polygamy were still in force. Jeffs and his group also disagreed with the societal norm that marriage was for adults only.

The reason Jeffs sits in prison awaiting trial is simple. There is a cultural consensus that marriage should be monogamous, restricted to one man and one woman, and be entered into by freely consenting adults. 

But is that cultural consensus crumbling? Major evidence of a shift in our understanding of marriage hit the wires today as a result of an interview given by actor Brad Pitt to Esquire magazine.

Brangelina to Marry When Everybody Can Sep 08 2:56 PM US/Eastern

Brad Pitt, ever the social activist, says he won't be marrying Angelina Jolie until the restrictions on who can marry whom are dropped.

"Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able," the 42-year-old actor reveals in Esquire magazine's October issue, on newsstands Sept. 19.

There is no doubt that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie hold some "nontraditional" ideas about the family. They have adopted two children and recently welcomed one of their own without the benefit of marriage.

There is no doubt that the kind of "inclusiveness" Brad Pitt is referring to involves the ability of homosexual couples to marry. He certainly wouldn't include the restrictions against polygamy and underage marriage to be "dropped". No doubt "Brangelina", as the couple is known, would find Warren Jeffs "nontraditional" views as repugnant as the rest of us. 

But why?

If our traditional view of marriage can be stretched to flexibility concerning gender, why not number? Does objecting to Jeffs' sincerely held "lifestyle choices" make the rest of us "polyga-phobes"?

This brewing controversy reveals an important point. Our current societal definition of marriage is in essence a Scriptural definition of marriage. It is rooted in the conviction that God Himself is our Creator, and that one of the first and most beautiful gifts He gave to us was marriage.

18 And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:18-25)

Our society faces a choice. If we believe that God has spoken to us and given to us a definition of marriage, then standing for the traditional practice makes sense. If we doubt that God has spoken, and that feelings and the quest for personal fulfillment are our new compass headings, then all bets are off. In such a "Brave New World" any objection to any lifestyle choice can be met with a simple rebuke - "Who are you to say this is wrong?"

But understand, that same response works just as well for Warren Jeffs as it does for Brangelina. Being married to many spouses, marrying pre-teen spouses, adopting and having children without spouses, or having a spouse of the same sex are all equally valid, if God who created and defined marriage hasn't spoken. 

After all, who are we to judge?

But if God has spoken, His wisdom recorded in Proverbs 14:12 is becoming more challenging by the day.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
      But its end is the way of death.

Scott's Blog - 9/07/06

God's People and the Palestinians

"Can't we all just get along?"

Although that question was first asked following a destructive riot in Los Angeles, it seems to be repeated often these days, particularly when we look at the smoldering powder keg that is the Middle East. 

A question from the SRL mail bag raises the issue at the core of this conflict that threatens to engulf the entire world.

I really enjoy listening to your radio program on my way home from work.  I have a Christian friend/Co-worker.  She told me in her spare time lately that she has been doing a lot of reading on the fight in Israel/Palestine.  She said she is starting to believe that the land really does belong to the Palestine.  She asked me where can I direct her in the Bible that states otherwise?

Stephanie

Thanks, Stephanie, for raising such a relevant question. To get a grip on this issue we have to go all the way back to the book of Genesis. The term "Promised Land" comes from a blessing God gave to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." (Genesis 17:6-8)

This inherited home land is further defined in Deuteronomy 11:24.

24 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory.

Some have said that because of their disobedience and rebellion against the Lord, Israel has forfeited the right to the Promised Land. But God Himself tells us this is not the case.

19 And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 20 “Thus says the LORD: ‘If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, 21 then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. 22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me.’”
23 Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, 24 “Have you not considered what these people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD has chosen, He has also cast them off’? Thus they have despised My people, as if they should no more be a nation before them.
25 “Thus says the LORD: ‘If My covenant is not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth, 26 then I will cast away the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his descendants to be rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will cause their captives to return, and will have mercy on them.’" (Jeremiah 33:19-26)

What we are seeing now in our day is this promise being fulfilled. The Jewish people, miraculously preserved after nearly 1,800 years of exile, are a nation once more. The Bible predicts difficult times ahead for Israel, with enemies seeking their destruction from every side until Jesus returns. (see Zechariah 12) But God will demonstrate His faithfulness to His people and His promises.

An excellent overview of the historical roots of the current conflict between the Jewish people and the Palestinians can be found at Bible scholar and former TRW board member Chuck Missler's Web Site Koinonia House Online.

I would also highly recommend a two CD audio set called "Why They Fight - The Story of the Arab/Israel Conflict" by syndicated talk show host Michael Medved.

Scott's Blog - 9/06/06

Who Speaks For the Universe?

Have you ever seen one of those media ministers that seems to be in a running dialogue with the Almighty? I have no doubt that God still speaks today (See Scott's Blog entry 8/23 "Prophet or Loss?" for more details). But when someone begins to say that the Lord told them He needed some "quick cash" to complete a project, or supplied direct guidance on which shampoo would leave their hair full, yet manageable, I tend to get a bit suspicious. 

But today I came across a spokesman for a "higher power" that might beat out even the TV evangelists for a space in the Presumptive Prophets Hall of Pretentiousness.

Iranian president issues veiled threat to Bush, official news agency reports
Wed Sep 06 2006 11:30:01 ET

Iran's official news agency reported Wednesday what appeared to be a veiled threat from hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to President Bush.

During the same speech Wednesday, Ahmadinejad reiterated a proposal from last month to debate Bush, suggesting on Wednesday that the United Nations would be the ideal venue, his official web site reported.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency said Ahmadinejad had warned in a speech that anyone who refused to accept an invitation would suffer a bad fate. It said the statement was a reference to Bush's rejection of an invitation by Ahmadinejad for a televised debate.

The official news agency did not provide any exact quote from Ahmadinejad containing those words, but reported that he said them. It quoted Ahmadinejad directly as saying: "This is not a threat by me. This is a threat by the entire universe. The universal trend is against suppression. "DRUDGE REPORT FLASH 2006®

There is a technique in persuasion called "The people's choice". You may have seen it in action when someone comes up and says "You know, a lot of people around here are starting to think...." They present their complaints not as their own idea, but as the consensus of "the people".  When some one tries to pull that trick, simply ask, "And who are these people? Can you name a few? Maybe we should go and get them so they can share their opinion directly."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejhad has just taken this technique to a whole new level. It isn't Mahmoud who has a problem with George W. Bush. It's the entire universe. Mahmoud is simply the universe's humble spokesman. And the universe is very, very upset!

Wow.

This would be laughable if an unstable character like Ahmadinejhad was merely trying to appeal to the Biblically undiscerning for some "quick cash." But this is the president of a country actively involved in developing a nuclear bomb.

Mahmoud's prophetic performance put me in the mind of a sure and certain prediction from God's Word, and the only way to guard our hearts against these increasingly outrageous pronouncements.

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:13-16)

Scott's Blog - 9/05/06

Oh, Yeah? Says Who?

It has been said that the Bible presents reality with an unblinking eye. When we look to the Word of God we get the whole story on mankind, the good, the bad and the ugly. 

A particularly ugly chapter in the history of national Israel is recorded in the book of Judges. Following the glorious entrance of Israel into the Promised Land, we quickly learn two undeniable truths - We can't live on yesterday's spiritual victories and God has no grand children. The second saddest observation made in the Bible is found in Judges 2:10. Following the death of Joshua we are told,

When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.

Flowing out of that spiritual void came a kind of ethical system that seems uncomfortably familiar in our day. This unhappy book concludes with the saddest observation made in the Bible.

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

I couldn't help but think of that excellent summary of situational ethics when I heard about the latest arrest to grab attention on the cable news shows and the web.

Polygamist leader back in Utah

By JENNIFER DOBNER, Associated Press Writer Tue Sep 5, 4:25 PM ET

HURRICANE, Utah - Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was flown back to Utah on Tuesday to face felony sex charges involving the arranged marriage of an underage girl to an older man.

Accompanied by sheriff's deputies, he arrived at the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane shortly after noon, said Washington County Sheriff's Lt. Rob Tersigni.

An initial court appearance was expected Wednesday before 5th District Judge James L. Shumate, though the court typically conducts initial appearances via video link from the jail. A public defender could be appointed for Jeffs then if he has no attorney.

Jeffs, 50, had been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list until his arrest last month during a chance traffic stop near Las Vegas.

Even behind bars, he is considered the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamist sect with an estimated 10,000 followers, many in the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz. The sect broke away from the Mormon church more than a century ago and has been disavowed by the Mormons.

By some estimates, Jeffs has more than 40 wives and about six dozen children who have lived in million-dollar homes that cover an entire Hildale city block, surrounded by 14-foot brick walls and locked gates.

There is no doubt that Jeffs and his cultic practices rate about a 9.9 on the "Eew! Meter". But one question that seems to be avoided in this extreme set of circumstances still sits waiting for an answer - "Oh, yeah? Says who?"

Why is the idea of altering the traditional understanding of marriage as one man/one woman for life OK in some circumstances, but a sickening offense in others? Why is gay marriage considered progressive, while polygamy is oppressive? Why is one "nontraditional" definition of marriage a celebrated cause for civil rights rallies, and another a reason to lock a dangerous individual away?

Here we are forced to make a choice. If we buy into Judges 21:25 thinking, there is no reason to see polygamy as anything else but another 'lifestyle" choice. But if we acknowledge that there may be something out there that is greater than personal preference or perspective, something called absolute truth, our perspective changes. If our concept of marriage is not arrived at by cultural consensus, but revealed from our Maker Himself, then there are boundaries that apply to everyone. There are solid guidelines to steer us toward fulfillment and away from frustration and practices that ruin lives.

Jesus himself defined marriage in this way:

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:4-6)

Our acceptance or rejection of what God says about marriage says a lot about us as a society. Only with a definition of marriage that rises above the level of the latest CNN/USA Today Poll can we make sense of even the most foundational building block of any healthy nation. If we reject a Scriptural basis for marriage, choosing to do "what is right in our own eyes", we might as well let Warren Jeffs go free.

Scott's Blog - 9/04/06

What a Way To Go

There are certain people who are such master communicators that we begin to see them not as performers, or pastors, or presenters, but as pals. We feel like we know them, that they are old friends and we have become a part of their inner circle.

Steve Irwin, a.k.a. "The Crocodile Hunter" was just such a personality. Sure, watching anyone belly flop into a muddy creek to half nelson an twelve foot snarling reptile is riveting television. But the thing that really made us connect with this seemingly crazed Aussie was his wide eyed passion for life. After sharing a slice of life with Steve and his wife Terri, (my nominee for "Good Sport of the Next Millennium") it was hard to walk away without finding a reason to slip the word "Crikey!" into a conversation.

I must admit it felt like losing a friend when this report came over the news this morning.

Steve Irwin killed by stingray

Steve Irwin with his American wife Terri at his Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland.
Photo: Russell McPhedran

 

David Williams and Lousia Hearn
September 4, 2006

Television personality and environmentalist Steve Irwin has died from a stingray wound while filming off north Queensland.

Friends believe he may have died instantly when struck by a stingray as he  filmed a sequence for his eight-year-old daughter Bindi's new TV series.

Irwin's friend of 20 years, Ferre De Deyne said Irwin had been struck by the stingray while filming. "The stingray just happened to be swimming around and out of the blue whacked his tail at him," he said.

"It is absolutely tragic. I have dived so many times with stingrays and they are usually very placid things," he said.

Known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter,  44-year-old Irwin was famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!"

'Non-survivable injuries'

Irwin had been filming a new documentary called Ocean's Deadliest with friend and manager John Stainton at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas about 11am.

"He came over the top of a stingray and the stingray's barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heart," Mr Stainton said.

"It's likely that he possibly died instantly when the barb hit him, and I don't think that he ... felt any pain.

"He died doing what he loved best." 

It is that last line that may be the greatest tribute of all. Could you imagine a man who often told us the virtues of "the second most deadly snake in the world" as he held it by the tail, going to his reward in a hospital bed or an extended care facility? 

And therein lies a life lesson for all of us.

Have you ever wondered what you would want to be doing when your time comes to meet your Maker?

I have always thought it would beyond cool to be sharing Christ with a non believer, telling them that Jesus was coming soon, and then vanish before them at the Rapture.

I have thought it would be wonderful to be in the midst of encouraging God's people to love Him and His Word when my call comes to go home.

I have imagined how beautiful it would be to have my final words be telling those I love most how much they mean to me.

And then it dawned on me. No one knows when our time will come. James 4:14 tells us, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."

None of us know when our last day here on earth will arrive. But I can increase the odds of going out in a wonderful way if I decide to share my faith with nonbelievers more often. Or seize every opportunity large and small to help connect God's people with the gift of his grace and truth. Or to make sure this day doesn't pass without letting those I love know how much they mean to me.

The Apostle Paul was a man who knew the power of living life on purpose and with passion. Shortly before his death he wrote these words.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (II Timothy 4:6-8)

What is your purpose for living today? What is your passion? No time like the present to pursue what really matters!

Scott's Blog - 9/01/06

Kosher Pork?

It was Christmas time, 1984. I was invited to be a guest panelist on one of those religious radio talk shows they would tuck away late on Sunday nights so as not to effect ratings. I always felt the brass at KABC radio in Los Angeles were missing out on a good bet. If controversy draws a crowd, Religion On the Line, would have been a ratings winner in drive time.

Oh, I know most of the times these programs consisted of liberal theologians patting each other on the back for the lack of conviction necessary to agree with each other on almost every issue. But throw a person into the mix who actually believed that God has spoken to us through the message of the Bible (i.e. me!) and things had a way of getting, well, interesting.

On this evening the host, Dennis Prager, took a call from a woman who was angry at a full page ad that the group Jews For Jesus had purchased in the L.A. Times. The advertisement presented a case for Yeshua (Jesus) to be the promised Messiah of the Jews. She felt it was insulting to Jewish people to run such an ad on the first day of Hanukkah.

Before I had a chance to answer, Dennis Prager jumped in and assured the woman that one could no more be a "Jew for Jesus" than one could have Kosher Pork.

Fast forward to today and we find this same debate and dismissal of the message of the New Testament is alive and kicking!

Comedian sues Jews for Jesus over pamphlet

By Daniel Trotta Fri Aug 25, 6:12 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jews for Jesus thought it was amusing to put comedian Jackie Mason's image on a pamphlet aimed at converting Jews to Christianity, but Mason found it no laughing matter and has sued the group for $4 million.

"I found it disgusting and obnoxious, and I find it even more disgusting and obnoxious that the spokesman for that organization says, 'Why doesn't he have a sense of humor about it?"' Mason, 75 and famously Jewish, told Reuters on Friday.

"It's like if they kidnap my children and say, 'So what, you never saw a child before?"'

Mason's lawyer filed the suit in New York Supreme Court on Wednesday, and Jews for Jesus on Friday asked a federal court to take the case.

It is now up to a federal judge to decide which court should have jurisdiction.

"As everyone knows, I am as Jewish as a matzoh ball or kosher salami (not to mention that I was an ordained rabbi)," Mason says in an affidavit in support of the lawsuit, which seeks an injunction halting distribution of the pamphlet, compensatory damages of $2 million and exemplary damages of $2 million.

Jews for Jesus, which says it has a mailing list of 150,000 people, has launched an advertising blitz on New York subways and earlier this year handed out thousands of pamphlets with a cartoon drawing of Mason with a text saying, "Jackie Mason ... a Jew for Jesus?"

"He's a public persona. It postulated that even someone as Jewish as Jackie Mason could come to faith in Jesus if he wanted to," said Susan Perlman, a spokeswoman for the group.

"It's humorous, hardly labeling him a Jew for Jesus. ... We thought it would be flattering to him," she said.

Mason was having none of that.

"First of all there's no such thing as a Jew for Jesus. If you believe in Jesus you're a Christian. That's the point of Christianity. You can't be a table and also a chair.

"I have to develop a whole new act now," said Mason, who accused the group of stealing his "schtick" of poking fun at the differences between Jews and Gentiles.

Perlman said Jews for Jesus were ethnic Jews "who have come to faith in Jesus as the promised messiah and savior.."

The issue of whether Mason's rights were violated will be decided in a court of law. But what of the issue of the possibility of being a "Jew for Jesus"?

First of all Jesus, in His earthly roots, was as much a son of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as anyone could ever claim to be. In Luke 3:23-38 we see His genealogy given through His birth mother Mary. In Matthew 1:1-16 we see His legal connection to His Jewish heritage through His foster father Joseph.

Secondly, Jesus went through the prescribed initiation ceremonies that every practicing Jew must go through, including circumcision (Luke 2:21), dedication, in the Temple, no less (Luke 2:22-24), and even following the prescribed attendance at Jewish feasts in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-49). 

Third, when it came to the practice of the covenant obligations and commandments given by G-d, Jesus passed the strictest evaluation possible. Standing in public debate before the religious experts of His day Jesus issued this remarkable challenge.

46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? (John 8:46)

I wonder if those who would deny the essential Jewish ness of Jesus would be willing to have their own claim put to such an exacting test? Could Jackie Mason produce an authentic genealogy tracing his roots directly back to Abraham? Could he say he was dedicated to G-d in the Temple? Has he observed every prescribed Jewish feast in Jerusalem as the law of Moses requires? Could he stand before those who know him best and claim to have kept the covenant without flaw, fault or failure?

The entire New Testament was written by Jews (with the exceptions of Luke and Acts). In fact the human author of the majority of the New Testament, a rabbi named Saul, presented these credentials of his essential Jewish ness.

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:5-6)

Rabbi Saul, who you may know as the apostle Paul said this about the message of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus),

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)

In the same conversation that night on Religion On the Line, I found it fascinating that the rabbi on the panel had no qualms with the Jewish ness of a person who practiced Buddhism, or Hinduism. But to be a Jew For Jesus - that was out of bounds.

Before the claims of Yeshua are dismissed as a gentile phenomenon, every thinking Jewish person should consider a statement this overwhelmingly Jewish personality Jesus made.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17-18)

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