The Importation of Garbage!

We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. --- 2 Peter 1:19 - 2:2

It happened back in the 19th Century with Germany being one of the main spawning grounds for it. The United States was still a bit young, but growing and developing. It was blessed from its beginning because of the "foundation" which had been laid by our founding fathers. Woven into the foundational documents were statements which acknowledged the existence of Almighty God and the need to trust Him. And the Bible was held to be a very special book -- it was God's inspired Word and completely trustworthy -- what was revealed was true and humans were to conform to that truth so revealed and live lives which demonstrated conformity to that revelation which had come from the Creator of this mighty universe!

However the Bible was not so regarded in some other parts of the world --- things were quivering a bit in the continent of Europe with Germany being one of the main nations involved. The "theological" kettle was being stirred fervently with something called "Higher Criticism." It basically boiled down to the fact that certain persons became self-appointed "authorities" regarding the Bible and began to do a detailed "autopsy" on it which resulted in a Bible you would barely recognize and really wouldn't want to believe!

Miracles didn't really happen as reported, Jesus wasn't really born in the manner as reported (miracle of the virgin birth), didn't really do those miracles attributed to Him, didn't really come back from the dead after crucifixion, and isn't going to return to this world again as claimed! There's a host of other "stuff" the "theologians" came up with which won't be detailed here such as the authorship of the first 5 books of the Old Testament and other off-the-wall junk.

By the way, a good definition of a theologian to keep in mind when you begin to confront some of this stuff as it is spread around by a pastor or church leader in the area where you live, is this -- "A theologian is a blind man in a dark room at midnight looking for a black cat that isn't there!"

The great tragedy is that the stuff which was spawned in Germany and a couple of other countries or so was imported to the United States! Controversy broke out in the United States in the early 1900's over the reliability and integrity of the Bible.

This thing acted like a cancer -- it began to grow and spread -- a number of seminary professors had become "infected" -- this theological "garbage" began to be taught to students who would become future ministers in churches and evidence is overwhelming that a lot of them bought into it.

If we are not in harvest time as a result of the "rebel" seed sown for well over a century, we are certainly close to it. And God will see to it that we will indeed reap as we have sown over the decades!

By their own admission many who profess to be Christian in their faith also admit to neglecting the reading and study of the Bible. But why take time to explore it if it is full of contradictions and you never can be sure whether it is true or not?

The result is that it's a bit like a super buffet -- you just kind of wander through and pick out what might have some special meaning to you and sort of hope for the best. But you can never really be sure!

Mainline denominations have really been ravaged with this theological garbage imported from the European continent plus the damage done from those who rose up from within our republic. These also fired a few salvos of pure unadulterated unbelief into the Scriptures.

The cracks in our nation's foundation are becoming more obvious due to our growing acceptance of sexual immorality in a variety of expressions, establishment of our own special brands of idols, unethical and dishonest practices, and a decaying spirituality which makes God sick!

If as a nation we refuse to repent and turn to God seeking forgiveness and mercy, there is nothing else left to expect but to be on the receiving end of His wrath. One thing sure, nobody will feel like dancing in the streets when that happens. Oh, by the way, have you read the book of Revelation lately?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Animal Rights People & Polar Bear Cubs -- Ugggh!

His name is Knut -- cute little fellow born early in December at a zoo in Berlin, Germany. His mother rejected him and his brother with the result that the brother died, but Knut was rescued by a zoo keeper and was given round-the-clock attention. He has gotten a lot of publicity and his pictures have warmed the hearts of a lot of people with some notable exceptions!

Seems some animal rights people are up in arms about this "rescue" and are going on record that Knut should have been left to die because that's what would have happened out in the wild.

Further, according to the "animal rights" people, Knut should not be cared for by humans -- in the words of one such person, "Hand-rearing a polar bear is not appropriate and is a serious violation of animal rights."

It apparently has not dawned on such people that all living creatures which are residents of a large number of zoos all over the world are "hand-reared" in that they are fed by humans, provided living quarters by humans, and treated by humans when they are ill!

A couple of questions here -- do these people show an equal concern for the "rights" of unborn children -- or is their position one in which you just let them die by mutilation and murder by the thousands each week since that is "nature's way?"

And the real critical question is this -- is it true that to be an animal activist, such as the one who made the above quoted statement, the basic requirement is that you are not permitted to have an IQ level which measures above 47?

How Long Do You Have to Fight a War, Anyway?

It is with a measure of fear that I venture into this highly controversial arena and with the understanding that more likely than not my purpose will be misunderstood. In spite of that, here we go, taking the plunge into the pool of "politics & war" ------>

The 4th anniversary of our "war" in Iraq will take place on March 19, 2007. We also have a pot still simmering in a place called Afghanistan. Loss of military personnel in the Iraq mess is now approaching 3,200. And in that other place we still lose military people from time to time as well.

Now consider this: we really got involved in WW II with the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. We were involved in wars on two fronts. The Normandy invasion took place in June of 1944, although we were carrying out bombing raids before that, and there had been fighting in Africa, Italy, and Sicily. But it was all wrapped up with defeat of Germany in May of 1945 and Japan in August of 1945. Terms were unconditional surrender -- no sitting at a table and negotiating for weeks! It was the last time the United States had such a decisive military victory in war.

Then came Korea -- the Chinese got involved, so MacArthur as much as said, "If you're getting into this, then we'll go after your hide too!" Truman fired him and we "negotiated" a settlement. And so North Korea is more than a kind of "thorn in the flesh" today.

Then there was something called Viet Nam --- I guess you know we didn't come out too well in that one either, did we?

And then a thing called Desert Storm under the first Bush (no pun intended) and a tent was set up in the desert and we talked and signed papers and that kind of stuff and a guy named Hussein remained in power.

In between all these events were skirmishes of one kind or another with the prevailing idea now that military commanders are mere puppets on strings pulled by politicians and their appointees. Be careful where you aim your weapon and fire in spite of the fact that you are getting shot at from all directions! Now we're supposed to fight "clean" or "sanitized" wars -- is there really such an animal?

George Patton, highly controversial general of WW II era, expressed the desire that he wanted just Field Marshall Rommel (brilliant German armored commander) and he to take a tank and do battle with each other -- whoever won, that would settle it -- no more fighting after that. Forget about getting thousands of troops involved!

Perhaps the war business would slow down considerably if somehow the rule would be that only the leaders of nations who feel they must engage in conflict would be the only ones permitted to do battle and include their families -- just immediate families, not far out relatives -- just dad, mom, and the kids, and let them fight it out instead of sending other dads' and moms' kids into deadly conflicts! Maybe we can petition that one to be on the ballot for the next election, huh????

Back in 2003 we were repeatedly told (like some guy beating on a drum 24 hours a day) that Saddam Hussein and Co. were a massive threat to world peace -- he was a brutal dictator and had ruthlessly killed a lot of people during his vicious reign in Iraq -- he just had to be eliminated. So we got him taken out of power, but we're still bogged down and we are still in what some agree to be "war!" The number of victims as best can be estimated under Hussein's "reign of terror" is somewhere in the range of 1 million.

But brutality and murder weren't limited to Hussein and his sons -- since we invaded Iraq 4 years ago the victims of brutality, mutilation and murder in this country now number well over 5.1 million! They are persons who never had the chance to be born -- they were mutilated and murdered while still in their mothers' wombs in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Is it any wonder that the blessing of God Almighty has been withdrawn from this nation and now we are strictly on our own -- and real victory eludes us as does the proverbial "pot of gold" at the end of a rainbow? And this means that never again will we be in a position to demand "unconditional surrender!"

Furthermore, it is nothing short of hypocrisy of the first magnitude to expect God to bless this nation as we intentionally destroy on average about 100,000 of our own each month of the year!

Just something to think about and then sleep on as you lay your head on the pillow tonight.

BTW, just in case you are trying to figure out my "politics" by what I have just said -- forget it! I'm neither Democrat or Republican -- neither party has anything of significant value to offer the citizens of this republic at this point in time! Elected officials are too occupied with themselves and what grandstanding they can do to always be center-stage, while at the same time devising new ways to fatten the wallets in their pockets or the purses which hang from their shoulders! I am a non-affiliated registered voter in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, and yes, I do vote -- frustrating as that experience is each time I enter the ballot booth. :-(

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:....... the LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me........ The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth."
--- Deuteronomy 28:15,20,25