Superbowl 44 is in the books – complete with great action, high drama, surprise plays, and a few new records for America’s biggest sporting event. The NFL’s flagship game this time lived up to most of the hype and provided viewers with one of the better games in recent memory. The 31-17 victory by the Saints of New Orleans was the first ever championship in the franchise’s rather disappointing history. The win was also an emotional lift for the area that has struggled ever since that disaster that was Hurricane Katrina.
Unfortunately for the Colts all-star quarterback Payton Manning the contest may well tarnish his otherwise amazing legacy and give his detractors added fuel about his not being able to come through in the big games. Manning has won just one Superbowl, which is not quite enough for football immortality when considering his legendary regular season statistics and near miraculous performances.
Manning’s counterpart, Drew Brees, won the game MVP and tied a record for the most completed passes in the mega-event. When accepting the coveted trophy after the game, the outspoken Christian said, among other things, “God is great”.
The Superbowl is the pinnacle of football, and of all professional sporting events for that matter. Winning it guarantees one a unique place in a small famed fraternity. But with that said, its true importance in the larger scheme of life and death is questionable at best. The reality is that few, other than the respective team’s fans and the victorious players themselves, will be able to even recall who won this, or any Superbowl, ten years down the road. Like anything in life, things that have only earthly value will eventually have no real or lasting impact in the eternal realm. Without question, winning a championship, on any level, is a superbly great feeling – but again for exactly how long?
When Brees stated that ‘God is great’ his praise also revealed a basic, but equally great, theological truth. Not only does Scripture indicate the infinite power and greatness of the Creator, but it assures that His greatness will endure throughout time and eternity. His glory will never, ever fade away as will all earthly accomplishments, no matter how great they may seem at the time.
Titus chapter two speaks to and confirms the absolute greatness of both the heavenly Father and His Savior-Son, Jesus Christ. In verses 11-14 we find, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Then, too, Hebrews 4:14 echoes that truth and specifies the official spiritual office of the Savior. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Also, the greatness of what He accomplished through His sacrifice on the cross is spelled out in Hebrews 2:3 – but in question form. “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”
Superbowl 44 was a great game, characterized with some great moments, as achieved by great players. The joy and satisfaction for the victorious teams and fans alike may well last a lifetime. But then what? What comes next?
As the glory of great earthly moments begins to fade, and they all will, all that will matter will be owning an intimate knowledge of God’s infinite greatness. What will ultimately count is a true possession of personal faith in the great redemptive promises of Christ, as passages like 2 Peter 1:2-4 boldly proclaim!
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Breez had it right. God is great as is being one of His special people!
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Contrast in Beginnings
A sobering contrast in the western hemisphere exists between the founding of Haiti and the United States—the poorest and richest nations respectively.
Pat Robertson was harshly criticized for mentioning the startling truth that Haiti’s beginning was associated with a demonic pledge to obtain Haitian independence. Robertson did not say, as some alleged, that the earthquake was a direct result of God’s punishment. What he did say is that Haiti’s independence from the French was linked with a pact with the Devil, and Haiti has had trouble ever since. I am extremely careful to disassociate the quake from God’s specific judgement. What is apparent however is apparent is the historical record of Haiti’s voodoo beginnings.
A Wikipedia article sets out the issue saying, “The most historically important Vodou ceremony in Haitian history was the Bwa Kayiman or Boi Caiman ceremony of August 1791 that began the Haitian Revolution, in which the spirit Ezli Dantor possessed a priestess and received a black pig as an offering, and all those present pledged themselves to the fight for freedom. This ceremony ultimately resulted in the liberation of the Haitian people from French colonial rule in 1804, and the establishment of the first black people’s republic in the history of the world and the second independent nation in the Americas.”
The first independent nation in the western hemisphere was the Uuited States, which began in a prayer meeting honoring the Bible’s God. The account can be found on a number of websites. This one is from the American Christian History site.
Unable to meet in the traditional location for fear of retribution from England’s rule, the Continental Congress leaders assembled in Carpenter’s Hall in September of 1774 and voted to have a minister come and read Scripture, a decision that was not a simple one according to a letter written by John Adams to his wife:
“...When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer. … Accordingly, next morning he appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form; and then read the Collect for the seventh day of September, which was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember this was the next morning after we heard the horrible rumor of the cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience.
“It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.
“...After this Mr. Duche, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself (Dr. Samuel Cooper, well known as a zealous patriot and pastor of the church in Brattle Square, Boston) never prayed with such fervor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime – for America, for the Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here ....
“Dr. Jacob Duche’s prayer in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia given at the first meeting of the First Continental Congress in September, 1774 says,
‘Our Lord, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of Kings, Lord of Lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth, and reignest with power supreme and, uncontrolled over all kingdoms, empires, and governments, look, down in mercy, we beseech thee, upon these American States who have fled to Thee from the rod of the Oppressor, and thrown themselves upon Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only upon Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause.’ Duche ended, ‘All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.’”
Dr. Peter Lillback, author of the website article, says that George Washington was part of that prayer meeting.
In 1875, the Library of Congress produced a placard summarizing the founders’ reports on the impact that this first prayer had on the Continental Congress. It reads,
“Washington was kneeling there, and Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side there stood, bowed in reverence, the Puritan Patriots of New England, who at that moment had reason to believe that an armed soldiery was wasting their humble households. It was believed that Boston had been bombarded and destroyed. They prayed fervently ‘for America, for Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston,’ and who can realize the emotion with which they turned imploringly to Heaven for Divine interposition and – ‘It was enough’ says Mr. Adams, ‘to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave, Pacific Quakers of Philadelphia.’”
The contrast between the Haitian voodoo ceremony and the Congressional prayer meeting is stunningly obvious, and the divergent fortunes of the two original republics in the western hemisphere has been clear ever since. Haiti’s present hope is still our original hope. Let us all pray that true biblical spiritual revival will come to Haiti.
Dave Virkler
Pat Robertson was harshly criticized for mentioning the startling truth that Haiti’s beginning was associated with a demonic pledge to obtain Haitian independence. Robertson did not say, as some alleged, that the earthquake was a direct result of God’s punishment. What he did say is that Haiti’s independence from the French was linked with a pact with the Devil, and Haiti has had trouble ever since. I am extremely careful to disassociate the quake from God’s specific judgement. What is apparent however is apparent is the historical record of Haiti’s voodoo beginnings.
A Wikipedia article sets out the issue saying, “The most historically important Vodou ceremony in Haitian history was the Bwa Kayiman or Boi Caiman ceremony of August 1791 that began the Haitian Revolution, in which the spirit Ezli Dantor possessed a priestess and received a black pig as an offering, and all those present pledged themselves to the fight for freedom. This ceremony ultimately resulted in the liberation of the Haitian people from French colonial rule in 1804, and the establishment of the first black people’s republic in the history of the world and the second independent nation in the Americas.”
The first independent nation in the western hemisphere was the Uuited States, which began in a prayer meeting honoring the Bible’s God. The account can be found on a number of websites. This one is from the American Christian History site.
Unable to meet in the traditional location for fear of retribution from England’s rule, the Continental Congress leaders assembled in Carpenter’s Hall in September of 1774 and voted to have a minister come and read Scripture, a decision that was not a simple one according to a letter written by John Adams to his wife:
“...When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer. … Accordingly, next morning he appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form; and then read the Collect for the seventh day of September, which was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember this was the next morning after we heard the horrible rumor of the cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience.
“It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.
“...After this Mr. Duche, unexpected to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself (Dr. Samuel Cooper, well known as a zealous patriot and pastor of the church in Brattle Square, Boston) never prayed with such fervor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime – for America, for the Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here ....
“Dr. Jacob Duche’s prayer in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia given at the first meeting of the First Continental Congress in September, 1774 says,
‘Our Lord, our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of Kings, Lord of Lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon the earth, and reignest with power supreme and, uncontrolled over all kingdoms, empires, and governments, look, down in mercy, we beseech thee, upon these American States who have fled to Thee from the rod of the Oppressor, and thrown themselves upon Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only upon Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause.’ Duche ended, ‘All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Savior. Amen.’”
Dr. Peter Lillback, author of the website article, says that George Washington was part of that prayer meeting.
In 1875, the Library of Congress produced a placard summarizing the founders’ reports on the impact that this first prayer had on the Continental Congress. It reads,
“Washington was kneeling there, and Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side there stood, bowed in reverence, the Puritan Patriots of New England, who at that moment had reason to believe that an armed soldiery was wasting their humble households. It was believed that Boston had been bombarded and destroyed. They prayed fervently ‘for America, for Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston,’ and who can realize the emotion with which they turned imploringly to Heaven for Divine interposition and – ‘It was enough’ says Mr. Adams, ‘to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave, Pacific Quakers of Philadelphia.’”
The contrast between the Haitian voodoo ceremony and the Congressional prayer meeting is stunningly obvious, and the divergent fortunes of the two original republics in the western hemisphere has been clear ever since. Haiti’s present hope is still our original hope. Let us all pray that true biblical spiritual revival will come to Haiti.
Dave Virkler
If They’re Awake, They’re Online
It is not shocking to anyone with kids, and to some without, that an entire generation of children and teenagers are fully submerged and hooked on screens through various forms of electronic media.
The Kaiser Family Foundation has just released a new study on the younger generation’s excessive online habits. They discovered the average to be more than 7 1/2 hours a day. That’s one third of their lives or nearly one half of their waking moments! Then add the ability and tendency to multitask, and they estimate that some absorb up to a combined 11 hours of media content in any given 7 1/2-hour time frame.
Over the last ten years, every type of media has seen an increase but one – reading. The report also noted the following device statistics. Some 66 percent of kids now own their own cell phone and 76 percent own an iPod or other MP3 player. The average American home owns 3.8 televisions, 2.8 DVD or VCR players, one or more digital video recorders, two computers, 2.3 console video game players, and other devices like the now old-fashioned CD players and radios.
Also discovered was that a surprising number of these ‘wired homes’ rarely turn all of their TV’s off! In addition, an increasing number of media devices are now invading kid’s bedrooms. Presently, a stunning 71% of 8-18-year olds have their own televisions there and half via cable. Another third own laptops with the majority of those having access to some form of high speed web capacity.
But the most sobering and frightening reality of it all might be that most kids have few, or no, concrete controls or limitations placed on how they use all of the above technology. Parents are sometimes unaware while others just don’t seem to care. Maybe they feel that their kids are generally good, or different, or even immune since they live in decent, or even church-going, homes. After all, they maintain, how harmful can all it all really be? To this attitude the Scriptures would offer the advice of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”T
his ‘head in the sand’ parental view is part two of the problem – maybe even the largest of the two. It blindly allows precious children to be engrossed and, worse, ‘enlightened’ by whatever immoral or abnormal philosophy happens to infiltrate these highly susceptible minds and hearts. And this does not even count the other side of the two-edged sword of fast-growing sedentary lifestyle characterized by obesity and a lack of the most basic levels of physical fitness.
Unfortunately, the church of Jesus Christ is far from immune to this current cultural trend. Christians seem unable to realize the subtle, but very serious, reality that all sin first originates in the mind. James 1:14-15 points the pattern out like so. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” It is proven and obvious that what enters the mind most often eventually controls the heart and then the body. This is particularly disturbing when considering how much precious time the typical kid, and even many adults, come under the negative influence of the secular mindset versus the positive impact of the few hours a week often spent on spiritual pursuits.
Not every single detail of every single idea coming from the modern culture is destructive or dangerous in and of itself. The larger issue should not be whether something is mentally or spiritually detrimental in some way. Instead, it should consider if something is helpful, positive, or inspirational in any way. Does it build up the mind and strengthen the soul or just waste far too much precious time and energy? Even those things that are basically decent and even enjoyable can be harmful if they distract the mind from what should be the proper priorities and purpose for life. This is especially true for Christians who are to love, obey, and serve God first and foremost. Matthew 6:33 sums it up briefly and concisely. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Christian adults are largely responsible before God for the thoughts and ideas they purposely invite into their minds. Also, those who are parents are likewise culpable for most of what shapes the thought processes of their impressionable younger children. Ignorance in this sphere will not be a suitable excuse when all stand before their Creator as His word has stated precisely the type of mental input His people should seek and absorb, and share.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8)
Bill Breckenridge
The Kaiser Family Foundation has just released a new study on the younger generation’s excessive online habits. They discovered the average to be more than 7 1/2 hours a day. That’s one third of their lives or nearly one half of their waking moments! Then add the ability and tendency to multitask, and they estimate that some absorb up to a combined 11 hours of media content in any given 7 1/2-hour time frame.
Over the last ten years, every type of media has seen an increase but one – reading. The report also noted the following device statistics. Some 66 percent of kids now own their own cell phone and 76 percent own an iPod or other MP3 player. The average American home owns 3.8 televisions, 2.8 DVD or VCR players, one or more digital video recorders, two computers, 2.3 console video game players, and other devices like the now old-fashioned CD players and radios.
Also discovered was that a surprising number of these ‘wired homes’ rarely turn all of their TV’s off! In addition, an increasing number of media devices are now invading kid’s bedrooms. Presently, a stunning 71% of 8-18-year olds have their own televisions there and half via cable. Another third own laptops with the majority of those having access to some form of high speed web capacity.
But the most sobering and frightening reality of it all might be that most kids have few, or no, concrete controls or limitations placed on how they use all of the above technology. Parents are sometimes unaware while others just don’t seem to care. Maybe they feel that their kids are generally good, or different, or even immune since they live in decent, or even church-going, homes. After all, they maintain, how harmful can all it all really be? To this attitude the Scriptures would offer the advice of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”T
his ‘head in the sand’ parental view is part two of the problem – maybe even the largest of the two. It blindly allows precious children to be engrossed and, worse, ‘enlightened’ by whatever immoral or abnormal philosophy happens to infiltrate these highly susceptible minds and hearts. And this does not even count the other side of the two-edged sword of fast-growing sedentary lifestyle characterized by obesity and a lack of the most basic levels of physical fitness.
Unfortunately, the church of Jesus Christ is far from immune to this current cultural trend. Christians seem unable to realize the subtle, but very serious, reality that all sin first originates in the mind. James 1:14-15 points the pattern out like so. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” It is proven and obvious that what enters the mind most often eventually controls the heart and then the body. This is particularly disturbing when considering how much precious time the typical kid, and even many adults, come under the negative influence of the secular mindset versus the positive impact of the few hours a week often spent on spiritual pursuits.
Not every single detail of every single idea coming from the modern culture is destructive or dangerous in and of itself. The larger issue should not be whether something is mentally or spiritually detrimental in some way. Instead, it should consider if something is helpful, positive, or inspirational in any way. Does it build up the mind and strengthen the soul or just waste far too much precious time and energy? Even those things that are basically decent and even enjoyable can be harmful if they distract the mind from what should be the proper priorities and purpose for life. This is especially true for Christians who are to love, obey, and serve God first and foremost. Matthew 6:33 sums it up briefly and concisely. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Christian adults are largely responsible before God for the thoughts and ideas they purposely invite into their minds. Also, those who are parents are likewise culpable for most of what shapes the thought processes of their impressionable younger children. Ignorance in this sphere will not be a suitable excuse when all stand before their Creator as His word has stated precisely the type of mental input His people should seek and absorb, and share.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8)
Bill Breckenridge
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Trafficking or Rescuing? - A Fine Line
Ten Americans are being held in Haiti on charges of child trafficking despite claims by theBaptist run "Haitian Orphan Rescue Mission" that they were simply trying to rescue traumatized children – and supposedly at the request of desperate parents there. The group planned to take the 33 kids, who ranged in age from 2 months to 12 years, to a hotel in the Dominican Republic but were stopped at the border for not having proper paperwork.
The Haitian government remains skeptical. Authorities insisted Monday that the Americans, however well-intentioned, must be prosecuted to send a strong message against child trafficking – a long enduring problem in the country.
Max Beauvoir, who is head of Haiti's Voodoo Priest's Association commented, "These types of people believe they need to save our souls and our bodies from ourselves. We need compassion, not proselytizing now, and we need aid — not just aid going to people of the Christian faith."
This extra mission of the "Haitian Orphan Rescue Mission" may have been a super cause butused a shaky method. In all likelihood, it was their compassion that drove them to try to doa helpful thing but in a harmful way. In hindsight, it would have been better had they tried to care for the needs of the youngsters on their home soil in Haiti until the fragile government there can sort out the chaos and lead hurting orphans into loving families.
As far as Voodoo Priest Beauvoir is concerned, he needs to reflect some and maybe reel in his negative attitude. Perhaps his gripe really comes more from being threatened. He needs to know that Christianity is made up of Christians and that Christians bear the very essence and image of the Christ for whom they are named and serve. And because of that, it has been His love acted on by Christian missionaries who alone run or support an estimated 2,000 primary schools attended by some 600,000 students in the country. That is a third of Haiti's school-aged population. Church groups also run vital hospitals, orphanages and food-distribution sites - all of which was happening even before the killer quake!
Christianity is not unconcerned with meeting the most basic physical needs of the poor and downtrodden. Jesus repeatedly evidenced that during his short earthly ministry. And to expect Christians to show Christ's compassion for the physical and ignore the need for spiritual nourishment is, well, non-Christian and therefore unnatural. Missionaries are fully aware of the dire needs of the body. They know well that these material concerns must be addressed along side of man's most desperate need - the salvation of the soul.
Matthew chapter four records the experience of Jesus when He faced His famed temptation by His arch adversary. The writer says at the outset of the chapter, "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
The material that covers the majority of the planet is comprised of 2 basic elements - oxygen and hydrogen. Remove either, or alter the ratio, and you no longer have real water. The same idea is true of the Christian faith. James reveals the crucial nature of helping with the pressing material needs of others as a literal element of the faith. In chapter two he states, "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17)
Jesus also made known the value of providing for basic needs of the body using Himself as the illustration in Matthew 25:44-45. "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Meeting the temporal needs of the body in Christ's name is part of Christ's message. But dealing with spiritual needs of the human soul remains the supreme goal of the Creator. Paul shared this great truth in his first letter to a young pastor Timothy. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
God's consuming desire is to save all. And He does just that to all that come to Him in simple trusting faith. (Romans 10:13) As far as the appropriate time for proselytizing, Paul sheds the light of Scripture on that, too, in his follow-up letter to his son in the faith. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2)
If there was ever a group of people who find themselves 'out of season' it is the entire nation of Haiti. Their staggering physical and material needs today are extreme – rivaled and exceeded only by their need of the spiritual and eternal relief offered only by true and accurate Christianity!
Bill Breckenridge
The Haitian government remains skeptical. Authorities insisted Monday that the Americans, however well-intentioned, must be prosecuted to send a strong message against child trafficking – a long enduring problem in the country.
Max Beauvoir, who is head of Haiti's Voodoo Priest's Association commented, "These types of people believe they need to save our souls and our bodies from ourselves. We need compassion, not proselytizing now, and we need aid — not just aid going to people of the Christian faith."
This extra mission of the "Haitian Orphan Rescue Mission" may have been a super cause butused a shaky method. In all likelihood, it was their compassion that drove them to try to doa helpful thing but in a harmful way. In hindsight, it would have been better had they tried to care for the needs of the youngsters on their home soil in Haiti until the fragile government there can sort out the chaos and lead hurting orphans into loving families.
As far as Voodoo Priest Beauvoir is concerned, he needs to reflect some and maybe reel in his negative attitude. Perhaps his gripe really comes more from being threatened. He needs to know that Christianity is made up of Christians and that Christians bear the very essence and image of the Christ for whom they are named and serve. And because of that, it has been His love acted on by Christian missionaries who alone run or support an estimated 2,000 primary schools attended by some 600,000 students in the country. That is a third of Haiti's school-aged population. Church groups also run vital hospitals, orphanages and food-distribution sites - all of which was happening even before the killer quake!
Christianity is not unconcerned with meeting the most basic physical needs of the poor and downtrodden. Jesus repeatedly evidenced that during his short earthly ministry. And to expect Christians to show Christ's compassion for the physical and ignore the need for spiritual nourishment is, well, non-Christian and therefore unnatural. Missionaries are fully aware of the dire needs of the body. They know well that these material concerns must be addressed along side of man's most desperate need - the salvation of the soul.
Matthew chapter four records the experience of Jesus when He faced His famed temptation by His arch adversary. The writer says at the outset of the chapter, "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
The material that covers the majority of the planet is comprised of 2 basic elements - oxygen and hydrogen. Remove either, or alter the ratio, and you no longer have real water. The same idea is true of the Christian faith. James reveals the crucial nature of helping with the pressing material needs of others as a literal element of the faith. In chapter two he states, "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:15-17)
Jesus also made known the value of providing for basic needs of the body using Himself as the illustration in Matthew 25:44-45. "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Meeting the temporal needs of the body in Christ's name is part of Christ's message. But dealing with spiritual needs of the human soul remains the supreme goal of the Creator. Paul shared this great truth in his first letter to a young pastor Timothy. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
God's consuming desire is to save all. And He does just that to all that come to Him in simple trusting faith. (Romans 10:13) As far as the appropriate time for proselytizing, Paul sheds the light of Scripture on that, too, in his follow-up letter to his son in the faith. "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2)
If there was ever a group of people who find themselves 'out of season' it is the entire nation of Haiti. Their staggering physical and material needs today are extreme – rivaled and exceeded only by their need of the spiritual and eternal relief offered only by true and accurate Christianity!
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, February 1, 2010
Legacies of the Printed Word
Controversial novelist J. D. Salinger died last week at age 91. Although quite prolific, his applauded and denounced book "The Catcher in the Rye," which sold some 60 million copies world-wide, is regarded as his prominent life’s work. The imaginary tale of the adventures and fantasies of Holden Caulfield, an alienated youth deeply offended by adult hypocrisy, brought rave reviews.
Many schools were convinced to make Salinger’s work mandatory reading, but this brought harsh denunciations from traditional educators and parents who found Salinger’s work mostly indecent trash. The Christian Science Monitor, quoted in an article by Halle Italie, said, "One fears that a book like this given wide circulation may multiply his kind (Caulfield) – as too easily happens when immorality and perversion are recounted by writers of talent whose work is countenanced in the name of art or good intention."
Their fears were well founded. Salinger was on the early cusp of a torrent of rebellious, salacious literature, trickling out in the ’50s and swamping the culture in the ’60s—all issued in the name of realistic literary freedom.
Published in 1951, "The Catcher in the Rye" fostered a latent youth rebellion and rejection of conventional values, which sent some over the moral edge. One such troubled youth was Mark David Chapman who identified with Caulfield’s anger, mimicked Caulfield’s adventures, retraced his adventurous steps in the Big Apple and finally murdered rock icon John Lennon at the Dakota Hotel on December 8, 1980.
Chapman carried the book with him when he pulled the trigger five times. He stated that the book would explain his actions. He also read from the book at his sentencing. Later, from prison, Chapman wrote to Salinger saying the author was not responsible for his violence toward Lennon, but the book had its effect nonetheless.
Other infamous criminals also influenced by "Catcher" are John Hinckley, Jr. and Robert John Bardo. How many perversions were inspired by J.D. Salinger is anyone’s guess.
At the time of the book’s publication, the first wave of its impact sped through moral discussions, and its exponents were heard to say, "No book has ever degraded anyone," or something similar like, "No book has ever inspired evil." The wise answer to this nonsense is always, "If that’s true, then no one has been exalted by a book either," which caused someone to ask, "Why are school systems spending millions on text books if they do nothing either bad or good?"
Salinger became a recluse, hiding out in his obscure New Hampshire home. In 1998, his paramour Joyce Maynard published a gross and revealing immoral insight into her eight-year liaison with Salinger. In 2000, his daughter, Margaret, wrote a book entitled, "Dreamcatcher," portraying her father in the most unflattering terms. She outlined his weirdness and declared that she "was absolutely determined not to repeat with my son what he done with me."
Salinger drifted through Zen Bhuddism, Hinduism, Scientology, and spiritual, medical, and nutritional belief systems including Christian Science, homeopathy, acupuncture, macrobiotics, the teachings of Edgar Cayce, fasting, vomiting to remove impurities, megadoses of Vitamin C, urine therapy, speaking in tongues, and sitting in a Reichian "orgone box" to accumulate energy. His marriages and sexual escapades were several. Perhaps it is a strange coincidence that the word "salacious" and "Salinger," have identical first syllables.
Salinger’s legacy is a morbid proof of rejecting the redeeming morality of the Bible. People are, indeed, what they eat, whether it’s regular food intake or printed fare. Feasting on Salinger is like eating garbage, while ingesting God’s Word gives nourishing life and peace and productivity.
Paul put it so in Philippians 4:8-9. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, "Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company (translated as "communications" in some versions) corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame."
Mark David Chapman should know. With the same middle name as Salinger (Jerome David), he identified with Caulfield’s unhappy life. Although making a decision for Christ earlier in his life, Satan’s influence crept in as it did with so many in the wrenching ’60s through rebellion, drugs and sex. In his prison quarters at Attica, Mark is a quiet, joyful, committed believer in God’s forgiving grace, freely admitting his guilt and thankfully knowing God’s gracious forgiveness. Through his wife, who resides in Hawaii, a ministry of distributing his printed testimony reaches prisoners around the world.
Salingers and their "Catchers" may come and go, but God’s Word is still supremely permanent. Romans 5:20-21 shows the surpassing grace of God. "…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Peter 1:23-25 says that believers have been "born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.’"
When Larry King asked Chapman whether or not the religion thing was merely a crutch, Chapman said, "Larry, if it’s a crutch, it is in the form of a cross."
With Salinger, it was all about corruption. With Scripture, it’s all about the cross. As H. G. Spafford wrote,
My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Dave Virkler
Many schools were convinced to make Salinger’s work mandatory reading, but this brought harsh denunciations from traditional educators and parents who found Salinger’s work mostly indecent trash. The Christian Science Monitor, quoted in an article by Halle Italie, said, "One fears that a book like this given wide circulation may multiply his kind (Caulfield) – as too easily happens when immorality and perversion are recounted by writers of talent whose work is countenanced in the name of art or good intention."
Their fears were well founded. Salinger was on the early cusp of a torrent of rebellious, salacious literature, trickling out in the ’50s and swamping the culture in the ’60s—all issued in the name of realistic literary freedom.
Published in 1951, "The Catcher in the Rye" fostered a latent youth rebellion and rejection of conventional values, which sent some over the moral edge. One such troubled youth was Mark David Chapman who identified with Caulfield’s anger, mimicked Caulfield’s adventures, retraced his adventurous steps in the Big Apple and finally murdered rock icon John Lennon at the Dakota Hotel on December 8, 1980.
Chapman carried the book with him when he pulled the trigger five times. He stated that the book would explain his actions. He also read from the book at his sentencing. Later, from prison, Chapman wrote to Salinger saying the author was not responsible for his violence toward Lennon, but the book had its effect nonetheless.
Other infamous criminals also influenced by "Catcher" are John Hinckley, Jr. and Robert John Bardo. How many perversions were inspired by J.D. Salinger is anyone’s guess.
At the time of the book’s publication, the first wave of its impact sped through moral discussions, and its exponents were heard to say, "No book has ever degraded anyone," or something similar like, "No book has ever inspired evil." The wise answer to this nonsense is always, "If that’s true, then no one has been exalted by a book either," which caused someone to ask, "Why are school systems spending millions on text books if they do nothing either bad or good?"
Salinger became a recluse, hiding out in his obscure New Hampshire home. In 1998, his paramour Joyce Maynard published a gross and revealing immoral insight into her eight-year liaison with Salinger. In 2000, his daughter, Margaret, wrote a book entitled, "Dreamcatcher," portraying her father in the most unflattering terms. She outlined his weirdness and declared that she "was absolutely determined not to repeat with my son what he done with me."
Salinger drifted through Zen Bhuddism, Hinduism, Scientology, and spiritual, medical, and nutritional belief systems including Christian Science, homeopathy, acupuncture, macrobiotics, the teachings of Edgar Cayce, fasting, vomiting to remove impurities, megadoses of Vitamin C, urine therapy, speaking in tongues, and sitting in a Reichian "orgone box" to accumulate energy. His marriages and sexual escapades were several. Perhaps it is a strange coincidence that the word "salacious" and "Salinger," have identical first syllables.
Salinger’s legacy is a morbid proof of rejecting the redeeming morality of the Bible. People are, indeed, what they eat, whether it’s regular food intake or printed fare. Feasting on Salinger is like eating garbage, while ingesting God’s Word gives nourishing life and peace and productivity.
Paul put it so in Philippians 4:8-9. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, "Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company (translated as "communications" in some versions) corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame."
Mark David Chapman should know. With the same middle name as Salinger (Jerome David), he identified with Caulfield’s unhappy life. Although making a decision for Christ earlier in his life, Satan’s influence crept in as it did with so many in the wrenching ’60s through rebellion, drugs and sex. In his prison quarters at Attica, Mark is a quiet, joyful, committed believer in God’s forgiving grace, freely admitting his guilt and thankfully knowing God’s gracious forgiveness. Through his wife, who resides in Hawaii, a ministry of distributing his printed testimony reaches prisoners around the world.
Salingers and their "Catchers" may come and go, but God’s Word is still supremely permanent. Romans 5:20-21 shows the surpassing grace of God. "…But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Peter 1:23-25 says that believers have been "born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.’"
When Larry King asked Chapman whether or not the religion thing was merely a crutch, Chapman said, "Larry, if it’s a crutch, it is in the form of a cross."
With Salinger, it was all about corruption. With Scripture, it’s all about the cross. As H. G. Spafford wrote,
My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Dave Virkler
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