http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070524/27596_Study:_Christian_Teens_Confused_About_Heaven.htm

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:21)

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.(Galatians 5:4-5)

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)
    

U.S. official: Blair to be named mideast envoy

Members of the quartet, the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia, will give their public blessing and announce that Blair has agreed to take the job in simultaneous statements from their capitals and New York, the official told The Associated Press.

The official, who insisted on anonymity because the statements are still being drafted, spoke after being briefed on a meeting of quartet representatives held earlier Tuesday in Jerusalem.

The quartet gathering came a day after the Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian leaders held a summit in a unified stance against Hamas and its stunning takeover of the Gaza Strip. Monday's summit at an Egyptian resort on the Red Sea was meant to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Western-backed Fatah party was severely weakened by the Hamas victory. The Hamas takeover has left the Palestinians with two governments - Abbas' new Cabinet based in the West Bank, and the Hamas rulers of Gaza, who are internationally isolated.

Three U.S. officials said Monday that discussions on naming Blair to the envoy post had been completed and the issue was on the Quartet's Tuesday agenda.

Blair himself did not rule out the idea on Tuesday.

"I think that anybody who cares about greater peace and stability in the world knows that a lasting and enduring resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential," he said in London. "As I have said on many occasions, I would do whatever I could to help such a resolution come about."

Deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey would not discuss Blair's prospects.

"They have talked about the idea ... of having an envoy, having someone who would be available on behalf of the quartet to work on a variety of issues, including efforts to help support the development of Palestinian Authority institutions," Casey told reporters.

The senior U.S. official said the quartet had agreed on a job description for the special envoy position that Blair will assume shortly after leaving office on Wednesday, the senior official said, disputing reports in the Israeli media that Russia was holding up an official announcement.

"The Russians are the least enthusiastic about creating the position and least enthusiastic about Blair, but they didn't object," the official said. "No one objected."

Blair's new job will deal primarily with helping the Palestinian Authority build political institutions and will not, at least at first, involve direct mediation or negotiation between the Palestinians and Israelis, the official said, noting that the quartet itself "retains the right to be the interlocutor between the Israelis and Palestinians." http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/06/us_official_blair_to_be_named.php

I know. I know. "So are you saying that Tony Blair is the Beast?"

Not at all.

But it is interesting that the so called Quartet of Nations has turned to the option of a single endorsed envoy to attempt to hammer out a peace accord in the region.

Even the Russians signed on to the deal.

What will come out of this? The most likely result is that Tony Blair will discover that the full contact politics of Great Britain look like a day at Chuck E. Cheese next to dealing with Israel and her neighbors. Many have tried to fix this intractable mess, made some fine speeches, collected their Nobel Peace Prizes and walked away with the Promised Land a bit worse for the wear.

Tony Blair will probably be no exception to this rule.

But there will come on the scene an envoy who will occupy this role and shock the world with his success.

The cry of "Peace and Safety!" will be heard as the world takes a collective sigh of relief.

But this coming miracle man will end up fulfilling the time honored warning, "If something looks too good to be true, it's because it is."

How interesting that the very diplomatic channel the Bible anticipates is now being put into place.

And another key Biblical truth comes into sharper focus.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:1-11)

---

Scott's Blog 6/25/07
Who Is Jesus Christ?

Christianity Spreading in Iran via Multimedia

 

Iranian Muslims in growing numbers are coming to know and accept Jesus Christ through satellite-TV, internet and other media outlet, reported Open Doors Middle East field worker Stefan De Groot.

“New media is becoming increasingly important in the future to strengthen the church,” De Groot said, according to Open Doors.

Formerly, Muslims in restricted countries such as Iran usually only come to Christianity through miraculous experiences such as visions or dreams, noted the group; Christians are prohibited from evangelizing under Iranian laws.

While the government tolerates ethnic Christians, allowing them to hold services, guards regularly stand in front of church doors to decide if a person entering the sanctuary is an ethnic Christian. New converts to Christianity put their lives at risk and face persecution from families, friends, employers and authorities when they denounce Islam. Both lifelong believers and new converts have reportedly been imprisoned, beaten and even murdered.

“In spite of this pressure, the house church movement has seen spectacular growth,” De Groot said. “This is not happening just because of dreams and miracles…The majority of people now come to faith through the multimedia, and especially satellite-TV. Nobody can control which programs Iranians watch.”

De Groot noted that Christian satellite program producers are receiving stories of people who have converted to Christianity after watching their station.

SAT-7, the first Arabic language Christian satellite channel broadcasting into the Middle East, also noted exceptional growth in Iranian house churches during an interview with The Christian Post in April. SAT-7 has a viewership of 8-10 million in the Middle East and North Africa.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070621/28097_Christianity_Spreading_in_Iran_via_Multimedia.htm

The reason this article caught my eye was because we are seeing a very similar move of God through the internet arm of Scott Richards Live.

On a daily basis we are provided a report that charts the traffic at ww.ScottRichardslive.com. It not only tells us how many people are visiting the site, but also a country by country break down of where the hits come from.

In the last three months we have seen regular traffic from China, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Vietnam and yes, Iran. In case you aren't aware, these are countries that are essentially closed to outside missionary activity. In fact, in most of them, sharing the love and truth of Jesus is an offense worthy of the death penalty.

How did these people either saved or seekers find out about the ministry? Google searches? Word of mouth? Happy "coincidences"?

I have no clue.

But these amazing people are there - and they are listening. Every day.

It reminded me of the words the Apostle Paul wrote from prison as the time of his execution was drawing near.

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,  for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (II Timothy 2:8-10)

When get ready to begin a Scott Richards Live broadcast, I remember that our "family of listeners" reaches far beyond the reach of our radio affiliates. I pray that God will take His word and specially minister it to the hearts of those literally risking their lives to join us. And I pray that the questions and answers would comfort, encourage and strengthen those who are shining lights in the darkest places we can imagine.

Could I ask you each day to join me in prayer that God's unchained Word will change this world not just one question, but one life at a time?

Sir Isaac Newton's Bible Study Notes

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401099-details/The+world+will+end+in+2060%2C+according+to+Newton/article.do

Jesus tells us in no uncertain terms that the day and hour of His return for His people will be a sudden, unexpected and unpredictable event.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44)

When Jesus said "no one knows" He meant "no one". Not just most of us (discoverers of gravity excepted, void where prohibited, your mileage may vary), but none of us.

It seems that Sir Isaac Newton based his prediction on converting the 1290 days mentioned in Daniel 12:11 into years. He then began his countdown with the founding of the Holy Roman Empire, bringing his projected date to 2060 AD.

Beyond the problem with no man knowing the day or hour, Daniel 12:11 ties the 1290 days to a prophetic event called "the abomination of desolation". This is when the Antichrist goes into the Temple in Jerusalem and declares himself God. (See Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15-22 and II Thessalonians 2:3-4)

No mention of the Holy Roman Empire is to be found there.

Sir Isaac's speculations are no doubt intricate and involved, but they simply do not pass Scriptural muster.

Which teaches us an important lesson.

If you were to get in a time machine and travel back to the early 1700's, and had the opportunity to meet Sir Isaac Newton it would be an amazing privilege. Most of us would be blown away by meeting one of the most famous scientists in all of human history. Now imagine if you had the chance to sit down and study the Bible with this man.

 

 What would you say when he told you he had calculated the date of the coming of Christ?

It would be all too easy to say, "You go Isaac! Who am I to challenge your calculations? You are the calculating king!"

But ultimately we have to decide who our final authority on this issue will be - Sir Isaac Newton, or Jesus?

No disrespect intended, but let's hope we would take Jesus six days a week and twice on Sunday!

To be "fair minded" with Sir Isaac Newton, there was a right on motivation behind his calculations. In the same writing he states,

"This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, and by doing so bring the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail."

www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401099-details/The+world+will+end+in+2060%2C+according+to+Newton/article.do

Talk about nothing new under the sun! In Newton's days just as ours there were people damaging the trustworthiness of God's Word by making crazy predictions. It is easy to see the high level of respect Newton had for the Word of God, so much so that it caused him pain to see it become the subject of "rash conjectures".

I felt the same way when I saw  the book "88 Reasons Jesus Must Return in 1988" make the front page of the newspaper!

Sir Isaac Newton was also right on when he drew the following conclusion. As the London Daily Standard reported;

But he got at least one thing right – in another document, he interpreted biblical prophecies to mean that the Jews would return to the Holy Land before the world ended. Newton, who died 280 years ago, wrote that the end of days would see "the ruin of the wicked nations, the end of weeping and of all troubles, the return of the Jews (from) captivity and their setting up a flourishing and everlasting Kingdom".

The most important lesson we can learn from these letters of a brilliant scientist who loved God and His Word is pretty simple. When it comes to the things in Scripture that are plain and straight forward (salvation by grace through faith, the divinity of Jesus, the doctrine of the Trinity, the authority and inerrancy of the Word) we need to stand without compromise.

But on other issues we need to have our convictions, but hold them in a spirit of humility and teachability. Like Sir Isaac Newton we will probably end up being right on some things and wrong on others. But what a wonderful prospect to know that one day we will understand God's plan perfectly.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (I Corinthians 13:9-12)

The world will end in 2060, according to Newton

In a letter from 1704 which has gone on show in Jerusalem's Hebrew University, Sir Isaac Newton uses the Bible's Book of Daniel to calculate the date for the Apocalypse.

The famous scientist

The note reveals a deeply spiritual side to a man more usually regarded as a strict rationalist. Newton, known as the founder of modern physics, secured a royal exemption from ordination in the Church of England – something normally expected of academics in his day – so he would not have to follow its teachings.

But he confidently stated in the letter that the Bible proved the world would end in 2060, adding: "It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner."

The document reveals that Newton predicted the world will end in 2060

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23401099-details/The+world+will+end+in+2060%2C+according+to+Newton/article.do

The conclusion? Contrary to the pet theory of the "Separation of Church and Mind" crowd, one of the most brilliant scientific minds of all time devoted quite a bit of his thought life to the message of the Bible.

Not because he wanted to put those "crazy creationists" in their place, but because he was one.

As the Associated Press noted in their coverage of the story, the Newton papers "complicate the idea that science is diametrically opposed to religion."

As noted philosopher Bugs Bunny would put it - "Ehh! Could be!"

This convergence of faith in God and the use of reason He has instilled within us is no surprise to those who know the Lord and His Word.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
         And the firmament shows His handiwork.
 Day unto day utters speech,
         And night unto night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2)

The fact is that God has ordered the glories of His creation as a way of pointing man back to the Creator. But the creation can tell us only so much about the Lord. In it we see His power and majesty. But we also see the ruin and distortion that has been introduced into the universe because of sin.

We need something beyond the creation itself to answer questions the scientific method will never solve - Why are we here? Who is this Creator? Can we know Him in a personal way?

This is what we have in the Bible. How interesting that later on in Psalm 19, King David celebrates the priceless gift of Scripture.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
         The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
         The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
         The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
  More to be desired are they than gold,
         Yea, than much fine gold;
         Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
  Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
         And in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalm 19:8-11)

Sir Isaac Newton was wise enough to see their was no disconnect between faith and reason.

Will we?

The fig tree is a consistent image of the people of Israel in the Scriptures (see Hosea 9:10, Joel 1:7). So what is the state of God's fig tree following the events of last weekend?

The bad news - Iran's influence surges

As we detailed in this space on Friday, the civil war in the Gaza Strip has in effect created two separate Palestinian entities. Hamas has not only dominated this territory, but has done so in a way that has burned the bridge with their counterpart in the West Bank, Fatah. In a gesture that demonstrates the near finality of the divide between these two groups, Hamas troops assaulted the former home of the late Fatah strongman Yasser Arafat. They not only blew in the front doors with rocket propelled grenades, ransacked the estate right down to the plumbing fixtures, but also stole Arafat's Nobel Peace Prize right off the wall!

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181813047962&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The prime movers behind this conflict?

An aide to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday Iran had encouraged Hamas to use violence to take control of the Gaza Strip.

"Iran supports non-democratic groups in Palestine, Lebanon and in Iraq and we hold Iran responsible for encouraging Hamas to carry out its coup in Gaza," senior Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/872421.html

While the world's eyes were focused on the uprising to the south of Israel, another troubling development was occurring to the north.

One year later, rockets return to Kiryat Shmona

Three Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel yesterday, but there were no injuries reported, and the Israel Defense Forces believes that the incident is unlikely to recur.

IDF sources also predicted that the government will not order a military response to the launch, as it would prefer not to reignite the conflict with Lebanon after 11 months of quiet on the northern border. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/871969.html

Although the instigators behind these attacks were unknown, the incident was a clear reminder that Iranian backed Hezbollah units were still an undealt with threat.

The good news - Fatah is turning west

Arafat's successor Mahmoud Abbas is a consumate politician. As he sees the threat from Iranian proxies in Hamas, he seems to be realizing that Israeli occupation maybe isn't as bad as it was cracked up to be. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered an interesting insight into a potential policy change by Fatah.

In an interview with Army Radio Netanyahu said that "the lesson to be learned from our one-sided operations, which are hasty, poorly planned, and don't take into consideration what we're leaving behind, is that they can lead to the creation of a copy of 'Hamastan', or this 'Islamistan' in the West Bank, as it currently exists in Gaza."

"The reason there isn't already a 'Hamastan' in the West Bank is the fact that the Israel Defense Forces are deployed there with all their strength," he added, referring to the violent takeover of the Gaza Strip staged by Hamas over the past week. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/871836.html

Do you catch the irony here? The only reason Abbas had a place to run and hide was because of the hated Israeli Defense Forces. Hamas was certainly ready to take on Fatah, but they were not going to get into a knock down drag out fight with the IDF. And now Abbas is going to launch what amounts to a counter attack on Hamas by appealing to the west to isolate Gaza diplomatically and economically.

 Much like the stealing of Arafat's Peace Prize, this is a defining moment for Fatah and Abbas. They have burned any bridge left of support from Iran. Fatah must play ball with both the US and Israel if it is to have any hope of survival.

Running true to form, look for Abbas to try to wrest concessions from Israel in the name of strengthening his leadership, but if Hamas can be isolated, the threat from the south of Israel could still be neutralized. Iran may have overplayed its hand in this civil war.

Let's pray that this is the case.

Its Astrium division says it will build a space plane capable of carrying fare-paying passengers on a sub-orbital ride more than 100km above the planet.

The vehicle, which will take off from a normal airport, will give the tourists a three-to-five-minute experience of weightlessness at the top of its climb.

Tickets are expected to cost up to 200,000 euros (£135,000), with flights likely to begin in 2012.

"We believe it is the will of human beings to visit space and we have to give them the possibility to do that," said Francois Auque, the CEO of Astrium.

"Astrium is by far the largest space company in Europe, so we are very knowledgeable in all these matters. We believe our concept is extremely safe, extremely comfortable and cost effective," he told BBC News.

The production model will use normal jet engines to take off and climb to 12km. From there, a rocket engine will kick the vehicle straight up, taking it beyond 60km in just 80 seconds. By the time the rocket shuts down, the craft should have sufficient velocity to carry it above 100km - into space.

As the plane then begins to fall back to Earth, the pilot will use small thrusters to control its altitude, guiding the vehicle into the atmosphere from where it will use its jet engines again to return to the airport.

The total journey time will be about one-and-a-half hours.

Astrium says there will be room for four passengers on each mission. Towards the top of the climb, these individuals will be able to float free in the cabin and look through large windows at the planet below.

The passengers would get a few minutes of weightlessness. Mark Newson, designer of the craft commented, "There must be millions of people who have dreamt of this since they were kids."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6749873.stm

What will it be like to see the earth from space? To experience weightlessness for the first time?

Thrilling? Exhilarating? Perhaps even nauseating! (They don't call the airplanes used to simulate weightlessness "Vomit Comets" for nothing!)

But I have a deep suspicion that the people who pony up over a quarter of a million dollars for this one and a half hour thrill ride may also experience something else after landing.

A major let down.

Why?

Because I believe that when we look beyond the clouds, or even into the glorious display of the stars, we aren't looking for a physical experience. We are looking for a spiritual reality.

And when we don't find it, well, even a trip to the edge of space gets filed into the "Been there, done that, what's next?" compartment of our souls.

But here is what keeps me looking at the clouds.

God has promised His people there will come a day when a physical and spiritual trip beyond "the surly bonds of earth" will be a reality.

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. 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. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Now this ultimate thrill ride the Bible calls the Rapture has even a trip on a suborbital space ship beat all to pieces.

First, there is no need to worry about a malfunction or pilot error. When the Lord takes us up He will never let us down!

Second, there will be a far more lasting effect on us than an hours worth of memories. We will be eternally changed by this trip.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
       “ O Death, where is your sting?
      O Hades, where is your victory?” (I Corinthians 15:50-51)

Third, there is no cost to this trip, as the Pilot has already paid for our faire.

And most importantly, look who is waiting at our destination.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."(John 14:1-6)

I believe that God has hot wired into our hearts this longing for a journey that no mechanized device can ever realize.

So the next time you look at the clouds, remember He is coming with clouds. They may very well be the very ones Jesus will catch us up into.

The next time you look at the heavens, remember there is a spiritual reality that even the glories of this universe can only hint at.

And remember the One Who will welcome us home.

Now that will be the ride of our lives.

---

Scott's Blog 6/13/07

The Book of Ruth

The biblical Ruth and Ruth Graham both understood the value of commitment in relationships.

It was that kind of commitment that saw her marriage through the challenges of Billy's meteoric rise to national prominence.

It was that kind of commitment that held fast, even when they could only pray for their rebellious son.

It was that kind of commitment that kept them together through the twin trials of public commendation and condemnation.

It was that kind of commitment that caused she and Billy to love each other more at the end of their days than the beginning.

Ruth Graham will always be remembered for her loyalty, her faith, her wisdom, and her sense of humor.

But she will most be remembered as a woman who knew how to love.

(Photo: The Washington Post)

 

Peter Fechter lies dying after being shot by East German border guards. This photo achieved international notoriety, 1962.

In the 1950s, Khrushchev predicted: "We will bury you." But in the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health, even want of the most basic kind--too little food. Even today, the Soviet Union still cannot feed itself. After these four decades, then, there stands before the entire world one great and inescapable conclusion: Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor.

And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! http://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan/speeches/wall.asp

a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:31-36)

A memorial of over 1,000 crosses and a segment of the wall for those who died attempting to cross. The memorial stood for nine months in 2004 and 2005 before being demolished by the Berlin government.

EXCLUSIVE: Hilton Calls Barbara Walters From Jail -- 'God Has Released Me'

Christopher Hitchens knows more about many things than I do. Right or wrong, his grasp of history exceeds mine, as does his knowledge of current events and even certain religions, mainly Islam. But there are a few topics in which I have greater expertise than Hitchens. Given his apparently naïve and curiously modernist view of human knowing, (”Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith.” p. 5), I may know epistemology (the philosophy of knowledge) better than he. Likewise with philosophical ethics. I am quite sure that I have much more knowledge of what it’s like actually to be a Christian than Christopher (whose name in Greek means “Christ-bearer” by the way). I’m sure he’d quite happily grant me this advantage over him. And I’m positive that I know the New Testament and the field of New Testament studies better than Hitchens. This isn’t a matter of boasting. One would hope that somebody with a Ph.D. in New Testament actually had a bit of expertise in the field. While Christopher Hitchens was traveling the world as a journalist, I was burrowed into the library at Harvard, studying ancient languages and documents, and reading more New Testament scholarship than anyone other than a scholar would find valuable.

Therefore, as I read god is not Great, wading through Hitchens’s rhetorically-charged version of many purported facts, I was especially attentive to his statements about the New Testament and related scholarship. Would he get these “facts” right? Would he say things that most honest scholars, no matter their theological persuasion, would affirm? If Hitchens scored relatively high in his truth score when it came to the New Testament, then I’d be inclined to believe him about other things as well. He would have shown himself to be a careful thinker, researcher, and writer. If, however, Hitchens scored low in his New Testament truth score, if he made obvious errors and biased misstatements, then I would tend to question his reliability about other statements of fact as well.

The bad news for Christopher Hitchens is that he gets a low mark for accuracy when it comes to his statements about the New Testament and New Testament scholarship. In fact, I found fifteen factual errors in this material. I also identified sixteen statements that show what I consider to be a substantial misunderstanding or distortion of the evidence, even though a few scholars might agree with Hitchens. That’s why I distinguish between factual errors and misunderstandings/distortions, in an effort to be clear and fair.

If my evaluation is anywhere near correct, this does not reflect well upon god is not Great, since the New Testament material comprises only about 6% of the whole book. How many other errors fill the pages of this book? I’ll let suitable experts answer this question. But the obvious implication of what I discovered is that Christopher Hitchens is not a reliable reporter of facts, probably because has not done his homework adequately. He is, after all, a brilliant man with an inquisitive and well-tuned mind. Given my evaluation of his errors in the field I know best, however, I’m inclined to question his statements of “fact” concerning many other things. And my disbelief is not a belief. It’s a reasonable conclusion based on the facts of Hitchens’s numerous mistakes and misstatements. http://markdroberts.com/?p=94

I must admit that I have had similar questioning experiences with the way popular media presents the message of Christ. A few years ago I was interviewed by a major Southern California newspaper for the annual story on the true meaning of Christmas. I pointed out that there were a lot of traditions surrounding Christmas that didn't pass Biblical muster. I mentioned that the "Magi" of Matthew chapter two were probably far more than three in number, and that there was a case to be made that they were emissaries from the Parthian Empire, Rome's number one enemy to the east of the promised land. Imagine my surprise when I was quoted in the paper as saying that the Wise Men were from the "Parmegian Empire"!

It made me  sound like I believed they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and grated Italian cheese!

The lesson? I think two jump out at us here.

Just because something gets published doesn't mean it has the facts straight. I would encourage you to go back to http://markdroberts.com/ and follow along as he details some of the subtle and not so subtle errors that made it into print in Hitchens' book.  These errors go a long way toward not only undermining the main point of "god is not Good", but also the credibility of its author to speak on the subject.

Second, I think Mark D. Roberts makes a very valid point in admitting that Hitchens may very well be more well versed in other areas than he is. But when it comes to the New Testament this is not the case.

One of the things that gives me great confidence in sharing my faith even with extremely skeptical nonbelievers, is my conviction that I probably know more about Jesus than they do. After all, I not only read His Word daily, but I have also come to know Him personally. There are those who can run circles around me discussing some scientific take on dark matter or quantum mechanics. But my job in the discussion is to steer the focus back to the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

I have had discussions where people have said to me, "Why should I believe you? I believe in what Carl Sagan said. He was much smarter than you or I will ever be!"

I've learned to reply, " That may be true. But Carl Sagan is dead. I find the view of Jesus Christ far more credible because He rose from the grave. Would you like to talk about the historical evidence for the resurrection?"

If we focus on politics, philosophy, or even matters of personal morality we may say some good and important things to non believers. But unless we focus on the Person of Jesus Christ, I believe we have missed a golden opportunity.

If there was ever a brilliant and learned man who had every right to speak eloquently on matters of deep thinking and the fine points of comparative religion and philosophy it was the Apostle Paul. Consider for a moment his approach to effective ministry.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,  that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (I Corinthians 2:1-5)

To paraphrase Pascal -Who do you want to bet your life on?

Christopher Hitchens?

Or Jesus Christ?

WASHINGTON – Two-thirds (67 percent) of all converts to Islam in the United States came from a Protestant background, according to the first nationwide survey to measure the demographics, attitudes, and experiences of Muslim Americans.

Not much was formerly known about the Muslim American population in terms of their attitudes and opinions, but the new survey by the Pew Research Center found that Muslim Americans, in comparison to the rest of the world, have the unique feature of consisting of a relatively large number of converts to the religion – nearly a quarter. Almost all conversions are native-born (91 percent) and almost three-fifths (59 percent) of converts to Islam are African American.

Most converts to Islam gave as reasons for their conversions: the appeal of Islam’s teachings, the belief that Islam is superior to Christianity, or that religion “made sense” to them.

Only 18 percent of converts said family reasons, such as marrying a Muslim, was reason for conversion. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070523/27580_Poll:_2_of_3_U.S._Muslim_Converts_Left_Christian_Roots.htm

How could a person who has been exposed to God's truth turn from faith in Jesus to following Mohammed?

Believe it or not, trading in God's truth for human speculation is not a new phenomenon. Consider these words of warning from the Apostle John.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (I John 2:19-22)

John's description of spiritual defection is especially relevant to times like these. In fact, if we apply the truths we find in this passage we can be fully protected from the next variation of false teaching that will sooner or later come our way.

The Real Deal?

Have you ever wondered why the church has had so many problems down through time? The fact of the matter is that in any gathering of believers there are contenders and pretenders, wheat and tares, sheep and wolves in sheep's clothing. Jesus will one day sort out who is who among His people, but until that time, cults and false teachings can also do the same thing. J. Vernon McGee once said, "The cults do a great service. They remove dead wood from the church." The exodus to Islam is populated by people who may have known something about God, or they may have even known people who knew God, but they themselves never came to know Jesus personally.

A Real Relationship?

What is the difference between a genuine Christian and a clever counterfeit? The anointing from the Holy One, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as a non Spirit filled Christian. Unfortunately there are plenty of people who play at religion without this personal relationship with God. Sooner or later, those who lack God's love as the power source of their lives turn to legalism. Interestingly there is no more slavishly legalistic system than Islam.

A Real Understanding?

It is interesting that one of the reasons given for conversion to Islam is that "it made sense". The famous basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar said that he converted to Islam because it's concept of God was easier to understand than the idea of the Trinity. But if we are really dealing with the nature of the true and living God, would it not make sense that the truth of His essential nature might be something that would be a bit beyond our ability to fully grasp? Islam flatly denies that Jesus is God. Jesus said,

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”(John 8:24)

Those who walk away into Islam, as well as the rest of the cults deny their Savior.

How can we make sure we aren't the next sad accident statistic on the Highway to Heaven? Ask yourself:

Do I find myself drawn to strange and sensationalistic takes on the Bible? Or am I letting my roots go down deep into the nurturing soil of His Word?

Have I really been born again? Is the love of God evident within my life? Am I becoming more like Christ in my character?

Am I more concerned about what I do for God, than what God has done for me in Christ?

Is my loyalty to my Savior something I would never compromise?

Unless we answer these crucial questions for ourselves, someone else will!

The ChristiaNet.com survey found 60 percent of Christian women admitting to having significant struggles with lust; 40 percent saying they were involved in sexual sin in the past year; and 20 percent struggling with looking at pornography on an ongoing basis.

"We are seeing an escalation to the problem in both men and women who regularly attend church," said ChistiaNet.com president Bill Cooper.

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070605/27799_Porn_Addiction_Flooding_Culture%2C_Church.htm

Pornography addiction has a way of being referred to as an emotional, relational and psychological problem. There is no doubt that it is. But we may have missed the very aspect of this plague that gives it its power. Have you ever stopped to consider that the roots of pornography are essentially spiritual?

Why do people get involved with pornography? The bottom line is they are attempting to meet an unmet need. The need in this case is one of physical intimacy.

It doesn't take a seminary degree to figure out that God has designed a place for this need to be met - in the one man/one woman commitment for life we call marriage.

Let your fountain be blessed,
      And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
        As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
      Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
      And always be enraptured with her love.
        For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman,
      And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? (Proverbs 5:18-20)

God is very much in favor of the true intimacy He has created to be enjoyed in marriage.

But there is a problem with marriage.

It involves people.

 It requires time and effort, patience and humility. It sometimes calls for denying ourselves and making sacrifices.

Marriage can be tough.

And when marriage gets tough, or even the self control necessary to wait for the joys of marriage gets tough, well, a very old voice starts calling.

It is the voice of Ashtoreth, the pornographically crafted idol that nearly destroyed the nation of Israel one life, one heart at a time.

"Ashtoreth 2.0" , as we might call it, doesn't require a space on our mantle. It waits for us on our lap tops, or HDTVs.

The images that can be easily accessed through the internet seem to require nothing from us at first. We feel that we are in control and can quit any time we want. But soon life becomes more and more ordered around these practices. Real relationships begin to suffer, and even die. Instead of being in control we are controlled.

We have become devotees of Ashtoreth. We have become modern idolaters. The only difference between us and King Ahab is the high tech nature of our altars.

How can these chains be broken?

First - pray.

If the power of this problem is spiritual, so is its answer. Pray through some of the Psalms that can guide us to the honesty before God we will need to break the hold of pornography in our lives.(Start with Psalms 51 and 32)

Second - bring the problem into the light.

Paul tells us in Ephesians,

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:


      “ Awake, you who sleep,
      Arise from the dead,
      And Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:8-14)

 Sin has a funny way of thriving in darkness and secrecy, but loses its power and dies in the light of honesty. Find a trustworthy believer with whom you can share this struggle.

Third - Say no to the temptation by saying yes to something better.

Devote yourself to making the relationship you do have all that God wants it to be.

A great place to start is by understanding what God's real plan for relationships is all about. Get a hold of a copy of "Love and Respect" by Dr. Emerson Eggerich (available on our Scott Richards Live.com resource page), and read it with your spouse. Even if you are not married, the thoroughly Biblical insights in this book can set you on the path to real relational fulfillment in your future.

Remember the cycle of addiction is often fueled by a sense of shame and isolation from the Lord. Remember that He knows you, and loves you. He wants the best for you in relationships and every area of life. God is for you, not against you. He can transform your heart and lead you to a joy and reality of the blessing of relationships that this world can only dream of.

Life is too short to settle for the deception of idolatry. Let's embrace the reality of God's love and allow that relationship to guard us from idols!

Family differences: Christopher Hitchens and Peter have disagreed about politics and about the invasion of Iraq - now they are arguing about God

At the heart of this book are two extraordinary, bold statements. One is a declaration of absolute faith, faith that religion has got it wrong, a mental thunderbolt of unbelief.

Christopher describes how at the age of nine he concluded that his teacher’s claim that the world must be designed was wrong. "I simply knew, almost as if I had privileged access to a higher authority, that my teacher had managed to get everything wrong."

At the time of this revelation, he knew nothing of the vast, unending argument between those who maintain that the shape of the world is evidence of design, and those who say the same world is evidence of random, undirected natural selection.

It’s my view that he still doesn’t know all that much about this interesting dispute. Yet at the age of nine, he "simply knew" who had won one of the oldest debates in the history of mankind.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/newscomment.html?in_article_id=459427&in_page_id=1787&in_a_source=

The ironic thing in this account is that Christopher Hitchens seems to have more in common with an awful lot of Christians I have met in my walk with the Lord.

Some have gotten upset when they hear that as Christians we need to know what we believe and why we believe it. They have had an experience with God and all this talking about "giving a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and reverence" (I Peter 3:15) just confuses the issue. I have some even quote the famous lines,

"You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!"

I think its a wonderful thing to share what Jesus has done in our lives personally. It is powerful to provide examples of how we can know His love intimately.

But if that experience isn't wedded to the facts of our faith, what God has done for us in history,

truth that will never change no matter what happens to us circumstantially,

we can find ourselves on shaking ground spiritually.

In fact, Paul tells us a stunning fact of spiritual life.

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.(I Corinthians 15:14-19)

The message? No matter how wonderful we might feel, if Jesus hasn't risen from the dead our faith is worthless.

It's great that we can tell people that Jesus has filled our hearts with peace and love. But how do we respond when someone says, "That's cool. But Transcendental Meditation does the same thing for me"?

When we realize that the peace and love of God we experience as Christians is tied into the facts of history, not some altered state of consciousness that can be explained psychologically, we discover a faith that is sturdy and durable. It doesn't come and go with the wind. A fact based faith is a powerful thing. It can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'.

The funny thing is that those who never grow in their knowledge of the facts of their faith, who settle for a "I simply know in my heart Jesus is real" kind of Christianity, really aren't too different than Christopher Hitchens' experience where he "simply knew" there was no God.

Interestingly Peter Hitchens shows that this kind of experiential foundation for faith doesn't work well for atheists either.

"It is astonishing, in one so set against the idea of design or authority in the universe, how often he appeals to mysterious intuitions and "innate" knowledge of this kind, and uses religious language such as "awesome" – in awe of whom or what?

Or "mysterious". What is the mystery, if all is explained by science, the telescope and the microscope? He even refers to "conscience" and makes frequent thunderous denunciations of various evil actions.

Where is his certain knowledge of what is right and wrong supposed to have come from?

How can the idea of a conscience have any meaning in a world of random chance, where in the end we are all just collections of molecules swirling in a purposeless confusion?

If you are getting inner promptings, why should you pay any attention to them? It is as absurd as the idea of a compass with no magnetic North. You might as well take moral instruction from your bile duct."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/newscomment.html?in_article_id=459427&in_page_id=1787&in_a_source=

Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

The Bible tells us that sooner or later we will discover an unexamined faith is not worth having.

Feelings and experiences have their place, but are no substitute for a sure and solid confidence in the fact of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

How well do you know the facts of your faith in Jesus?

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (I Corinthians 15:1-8)

(To shore up your faith in the facts of the resurrection, check out  the message "The Resurrection Factor - I Peter 3:15" at http://www.calvarytucson.org/Archive_Teachings/archive_Guest.htm )

COLDWATER, Mich. (AP) - Jack Kevorkian, the retired pathologist dubbed "Dr. Death" after claiming he had participated in at least 130 assisted suicides, left prison after eight years Friday still believing people have the right to die.




A smiling Kevorkian said the release was "one of the high points of life" as he paused near a white van that was waiting for him. He was accompanied by "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace and wore a blue sweater, striped shirt, striped tie, gray slacks, white socks and black shoes.

Throughout the 1990s, Kevorkian challenged authorities to make his actions legal - or try to stop him. He burned state orders against him and showed up at court in costume.

"You think I'm going to obey the law? You're crazy," he said in 1998 shortly before he was accused - and then convicted - of murder after injecting lethal drugs into Thomas Youk, 52, an Oakland County man suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease.

That conviction earned Kevorkian a 10- to 25-year sentence for second-degree murder. He was able to earn time off his sentence for good behavior. 
http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?content_id=72c0b0ba-5b3e-4d6e-a6aa-3f1664e555b5

"Dr. Kevorkian, basically ... was a ghoul. He is a man who took upon himself the right to defy the law in a country where we are supposed to live by law," Whiffin said, "so that what he was doing was absolutely improper."

Whiffin says Kevorkian's approach violated all levels of personal and medical ethics, and helped move America down a slippery slope of regarding the value of life. The retired surgeon says he sees that downward skid continued and enlarged today, including in the latest such effort in his own home state -- assisted suicide bill AB 374, which is in the California Assembly. http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/06/christian_doc_says_dr_death_vi.php

So what does God's Word have to say about this crucial issue?

To have a God centered perspective we have to understand that the Scriptures never view suicide (assisted or otherwise) in a positive light. The real tragedy of suicide is that it effectively cuts off any chance for God to work in the lives of those who choose it.

Perhaps the most famous account of suicide we find in the Bible is that of Judas Iscariot.

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,  saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”  And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.  Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. (Matthew 27:3-8)

Judas found the guilt of betraying Jesus unbearable, so he took his life in his own hands and ended it. He entered eternity bearing his own sin and condemnation.

But did you realize that Judas wasn't the only one who was burdened by overwhelming guilt that day?

Remember Simon Peter had also betrayed his Lord, denying that he even knew Him three times.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)

But God wasn't finished with Peter. Remember that after the resurrection he got the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Jesus not once or twice, but three times. (John 21:15-18)

What would have happened if Peter had followed Judas' example and had ended his life before the Lord could restore it?

What would have happened to Judas if he had stayed around long enough to see Jesus resurrected?

When we walk with the Lord, we realize that life isn't over until God says its over. Granted there are those who came to Jack Kevorkian because they had terminal conditions and seemingly unbearable pain. But there were also others who came to him who were not terminal, but had simply given up hope.

As Christians we should be supportive of the research going on in the field of pain management and control. We should support hospice organizations that allow those who are dying to depart in comfort and peace. But to support a point of view that set up "Dr. Death" to invasively end the lives of people in the back of his rusted van, using a poisoning device he called the "Mercitron" is clearly against medical ethics (i.e. "First, do no harm.") and Scriptural principle (see Luke 10:25-37).

God is the giver of life and the One Who determines the length of our days. Our view of this difficult and contentious issue must rely on that foundation.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)