FOLLOW-UP

Well, I just watched said-video (see previous post below). I cannot embed it here, so you will have to (or, you may want to) watch it over there.

Let me just conclude by quoting what I find to be a hilariously funny description by Justin Taylor (author of said blog in previous post) of Rob Bell as being "studiously ambiguous in terminology." Having seen his videos in meetings at church, I can fully attest to this unvarnished truth! I have never read or heard a better way to describe his teaching style.

That is a classic case of an intellectually honest assessment. Justin is being charitable here, as we all should be. That is the hilarity of it! Rather than engaging in emotional name-calling, Taylor calls it like he and most people see it.

Thanks, Justin.

THE POWER OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

Holy cow! (A good former Roman Catholic can say that guiltlessly.)  But I digress.

I want to state somehow the vast importance of Internet communication, particularly social networking (Twitter, Facebook, email, and blogs).  This is how many beliefs are discovered, cultivated, and, when necessary, abandoned.

Here is the path I followed to find a seismic issue brewing among the Christian community in real life and cyberspace: universalism. Not only that, but a universalism seemingly promoted if not taught or embraced by a leading preacher in the Christian world: Rob Bell.

I am not willingly engaging in name-dropping/name-calling or whatever. But I feel I am standing on good, solid ground when I post these links to show you how I found a very hot issue - hell - at the very core of his and others' error, namely, that there is no such thing.

I want to retrace my "steps" from my email alert that my income tax return had been accepted, and that I could "tweet" and "Facebook" my glee for all the world to see how TaxACT Online got me there!

Naturally, I clicked on both links, the one leading to Facebook, and the other leading to... Twitter! Here, I found among my tweets one from someone who posted a link to "The Lesson of David Swing." This blog post is about false teaching in the church, and has a link to "information" about Rob Bell being, or showing signs of being, a universalist-- one who embaces the false doctrine that no one goes to hell, and everyone goes to Heaven. So the gospel is an exercise in fertility?

Now, this article riveted my attention! It is found in the Gospel Coalition blog, and has updates at the end which shed more light (see Updates 2 and 3 at the bottom of it). It also includes a video of Rob Bell saying things which made (and make) many a knowledgeable Christian sit up and take note, though not in a good way-- but in an alarming way!

I have yet to watch the video. I will do so now and comment forthcoming...

WORLDVIEW LEGACY

I am seriously considering changing the name of this blog to "Worldview Legacy" because:

1. No one reads this blog.
2. ...and number two, this blog will be up here on the "Internets" forever!!!

With that said, let me parenthetically express my dismay that Internet Explorer did not allow my toolbar in Blogger.com to function correctly, to wit, embolden my font! Well, I just closed IE and opened Google Chrome instead! Fine.

As I was saying, this blog is turning into a legacy, what with almost seven years of posting goin' on, I can't help but think I'm onto something!

God bless and save the Internet in its totality!

THE FUN CONTINUES

Here at Worldview Window, we pride ourselves (myself) on accurate, amateur, blog journalism. Whenever we can, we uncover a mystery by supplying relevant, hard-hitting links to news sources and commentary worth reading about.

Now for the meat. By way of Rush Limbaugh's site, I found an article in The UK Daily Mail Online which, as usual, does nothing to vindicate the anti-"Truther/Birther" movement (those who wish to put "President" Obama's constitutionality, or lack thereof, to rest). Once again, no light has been shed, no clarity has been achieved. But a lot of hot air and obfuscation has been perpetuated in this account as well. What else can "they" do but stall and throw nebulous statements of certainty at the issue.

I am still not convinced that Obama is not hiding the fact (I think) that he was not, in fact, born in the USA. Why the secrecy, obfuscation, and controversy over a supposedly settled issue?

Because it is not settled. Yet. Stay tuned.

OK, WORDPRESS IS COOL

Well, I just wanted to chime in on WordPress. I like it, for what it's worth. It's free, like Google Blogger. But it has shortcomings in features available (for free) which Blogger provides (again, for free).

This is the world of choices we live in, thank God.

VANISHING POINT

Today I had a pleasant surprise: I found out my former boss READS MY BLOG!!! Now I have three readers (myself, a good friend, and he)!

All kidding aside, I know there are also robot programs that comment on my blogposts with nonsense or advertisements. That's encouraging. Even "code" likes my blog!

So, why do I call this blog post "Vanishing Point?" Because I feel (and think) that there is a time when a blog's usefulness (marginal utility) diminishes to zero. That is, its relevance to the blog owner's life and concerns--be they political, religious, economic, social, and so on-- may change. Even though he or she may feel differently about it, the readership (thank God for them) may still enjoy and derive some intangible benefit from it. This is good, and is an encouragement to me the author as a point of inspiration to continue the endeavor.

Which brings me to my point: out of sheer thankfulness, I can now focus my efforts--such as they are (LOL)-- on a wider audience.  Fifty percent wider! Now that's progress.

STILL OPERATIC ON UBUNTU

I seem to be in a Linux (Ubuntu) frame of mind lately, as far as blogging is concerned. Even though I am listening to American Vision's Gary DeMar speak about Matthew 24, I am still blogging the praises of Opera and Ubuntu (see previous posts). Both Linux and eschatology are fascinating and interesting.
Mind you, there are drawbacks to running Linux. There is no Internet Explorer in a Linux world (yet). There are limits to browser functionality in Linux versus Windows, which is why I praise Opera so much lately. I am finding out just how limited the other browsers are, and how Opera overcomes those limitations (usually).
Thanks for visiting.

SURPRISED BY OPERA

As a retro journey to Linux excursions-gone-by, I am blogging about a pleasant surprise I experienced with Opera (the web browser) in Ubuntu Linux (which I have previously blogged about).

It seems that Opera has out-performed other browsers on my Linux desktop (Firefox, Chrome). In terms of media players (extensions/add-ons that play in the browser window), Opera is, well, a pleasant surprise. It has proven again and again that it makes playing media on different websites possible when other browsers fail.

Another key feature which has proven its functionality in this context is Lastpass. Opera installs this tremendous add-on for you, once you have visited the appropriate page and clicked on the easy-to-follow links and popup boxes. With the other browsers, you need a certificate in Linux-based file management to install this and other add-ons programs. :(

Well, that's all for now. Listening to The Antipodean Hour is one of my favorite occasional Preterist Pastimes.

LIGONIER IN UBUNTU

The itch to blog is sometimes a difficult one to scratch. But I usually enjoy doing so at the playing of some video which I find edifying, such as that found at Ligonier.org. Mind you, this link will probably expire before or soon after you access it. 

"Ubuntu," for the unwashed masses, is a version of Linux which I installed (somehow) on my Windows-based PC. I am playing a video from Ligonier's Together for the Gospel 2006 Conference. Kind of boring, but it fills a void.

Well, thanks for reading.

OPERA IN UBUNTU?

This is a test post using Opera in Ubuntu.

REDISCOVERING LINUX AGAIN!!!

In the past, I have used this blog to chronicle my ventures into open source software. Perhaps a scan of posts-gone-by in my Blog Archive (on the right side, scroll down a bit) will yield the accounts of my brief excursion into Linux, which ended in utter disgust because of its continual need for fixing and my endless investigations into how to do so. "Exasperating" is the word I would use here.

But, lo and behold, Ubuntu has redeemed Linux from my OS anathema. It can be a little slow at times. In fact, my computer "crashed" (froze) while I was using Ubuntu to surf and play multimedia. Oh well, I just restarted it (rebooted in Ubuntu) and it has been performing admirably for the most part.

I am playing a media file in Firefox using Ubuntu's plug-in player, the name of which escapes me, and I hope to revisit it for future reference. RhythmBox is the iTunes equivalent for Ubuntu. Very impressive features.

Though simpler looking, Ubuntu Linux can be extremely entertaining and more fun to run than Windows. This has been a free review of Ubuntu Linux 10.04 LTS (Long Term Support).

OH, NO, I'M NOT EVANGELICAL!!!

Here is the latest snippet of discouragement which I encountered while exploring Praxis Church online. I found it in their study guide to the sermon, "The Survivor's Guide to the Apocalypse."

"Debates about eschatology (the study of end times) go back to the very beginning of the Christian faith. In fact, Paul deals with such discussions in 2 Timothy 2:18. Men named Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching that Jesus’ second coming had already occurred and so the people were waiting in vain. Paul calls this teaching “irreverent babble” that could lead people astray. Ironically, I think much of the recent debate about Eschatology could be described the same way." [emphases mine]

Here is the clincher:

"Full preterism—which insists that every prophecy and promise in the NT was fulfilled by a.d. 70—is not a legitimate evangelical option, for it:

• denies Jesus’ future bodily return;
• denies the physical resurrection of believers at the end of history; and
• denies the physical renewal/re-creation of the present heavens and earth (or their replacement by a “new heaven and earth”).

However, preterists who (rightly) insist that these events are still future are called “partial preterists.” [bullet points added]

Why does a sincere challenge by fellow Christians toward preterism engender this struggle within me to run back to futurism? Can I be that wrong, that I am utterly deluded by preterism's simplicity-- its logical conclusions, its water-tight explanations, its contrarian reputation, its minority report among evangelicals? I don't know.

I know condemnation is not from the Lord to His people. I know who it comes from.

Still, I feel I must justify my position, such as it is, or abandon it completely. So help me God.

POST-ELECTION POLITICAL PARODY

Allow me to indulge in a little irreverent revelry after a huge victory for conservative/Christian/Republican citizens of our USA.




Follow the line of arguments put forth by classical liberalism in response to common sense and reasonable discourse. What fun!

A MILLENNIAL POST

Today (more precisely, this morning), I installed a link to my brother's website, "Postmillennial Christian" (see under Great Links and My Favorite Sites to the right).

APOLOGETIC

What kind of a lame, lifeless, non-post was that (see previous post)? I mean, did the world suddenly become perfectly aligned with the Word of God, that I did not have to blog about something? What gives?

I've been collaborating with a friend of mine on his website, Apocalypse of Christ. If you visit my page, Eschatology in a Nutshell, you will see (indeed, if you visit) what he and I have been hashing out from the Scriptures and from other Preterists (Christians who came to believe in the fulfillment of the Scriptures as Jesus said they would be).

I understand this is the minority report in terms of mainline Christianity (a safe place to be?). Perhaps life circumstances and temporary insanity have plagued my senses and forced me into a corner of "seeing" the Bible through New Covenant eyes. We don't agree about everything. But we agree we should find the truth!

BLOG: THE MOVIE

To blog, or not to blog. That is the question.

I must say, with all of this excitement and hoopla about the movie, "Social Network" (a movie about the creation of Facebook), I am waiting for a Peter-Benchley-type novel to be converted to a full-length feature film called, "Blog." Steven Spielberg, suit up!

Well, I am only kidding. I think.

OUR LORD, COME

Here is a very interesting article which I read just now and thought I would share:

"Maranatha! What Difference Does It Make?"

It is by Mark D. Roberts, a pastor/author/speaker/blogger by his own admission. I seldom read his blog articles, but this headline grabbed my attention, especially in light of my current obsession with eschatology.

As you may or may not have noticed, I have Dr. Roberts' website (blog) listed on My Blog List on the right side of my blog. Just a very interesting tidbit of background on why we say what we say, regardless of the theological weight we place upon it. Let us be mindful of its fulfillment and ongoing implications.

PRETERISTS UNITE!!!

My good friend (and fellow Preterist-in-progress, whose name shall be "Kerry" at this point) and I have discussed fulfilling a request by Gary Demar to bring about some sort of formulation online or in print regarding the Preterist understanding of eschatology, which is the study of last things in theology. We shall happily undertake this endeavor (did I say we shall enjoy it?)!

What I intend to do is create a page on his site, Apocalypse of Christ, about preterist eschatology and the myriad Scriptures supporting it. Not that Scripture can support "anything," but that Scripture can be interpreted because of it. That is our underlying and overarching belief, that preterism "unlocks" Bible prophecy like other interpretive systems only wish they could. Hint of boasting in the Lord, no doubt. Repentance is forthcoming and conditional upon our inaccuracy, the Lord willing.

Well, without further ado, I want to lay down the groundwork for this labor of love. A "project" implies an end. I suppose we could arrive at our destination, which is a comprehensive-- if not exhaustive-- eschatology, answering most "end of the world" questions which Christians and all people should be asking.

POSTMILLENNIALISM AND PEACE WITH GOD

While I have the day off, and therefore, the time to do this, I want to post a link to American Vision for a glowing article on post-millennialism's positive influence in the world. It is called, "The Power of Giving a Book," by Joel McDurmon. It shows one of postmil's many success stories.

I do this because I want to maintain an open mind about eschatology. I realize no one person is 100% right about everything. But, collectively, we born-from-above Christians can pool our resources and come up with something closer to the truth than if we otherwise go it alone.

Thanks for your readership.

BODY VS. BODIES

I was listening to Marquis Laughlin reading Philippians 2-4 at BibleGateway.com, and heard two very interesting phrases: "our lowly body"; and "His glorious body."(Philippians 3:20-21)

At this point, I recalled hearing (or reading) a commentary on Paul's use of the singular form of the word "body" here. This is very significant (if you're a preterist) because Paul is referring to a singular noun in the first-person plural sense, i.e., "our lowly body"-- not bodies!

Hmmm. "Our... body" sounds as though to say we Christians are all part of the same body (of Christ).  I'll buy that.

In Ephesians 3:4-6, Paul says:

"When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Would Paul be implying that, collectively, the Body of Christ (the church) would be like His glorious body? Would he be referring to a spiritual body instead of a physical one, in that case?

Just a thought.

CRAZY FOR THEOLOGY

Yes, it's true: I am a closet Preterist, with Futurist tendencies.

That's a good thing, right?

I mean, the possibility that I'm wrong about theology is far greater than the possibility that I'm right. And I'd rather admit I was wrong, than go on thinking I was right, when I wasn't. Does that sound crazy?

As long as Scriptures come up that seem to suggest if not mandate a bodily resurrection, I'm not ruling it out. There are plenty of futurists out there who will lend a credible warning to us followers of Christ who think maybe Jesus came in 70 AD as He said he would, that we're not Christians!

I believe in the Second Coming of Christ! I just think He came already. He is here!

Atheists use Jesus' own words "against" Him. They say, oh, He said He would return "soon." Oh well, I guess He forgot to come! Here we are, 2000 years later (almost), and He still hasn't "come again." Then they assert, that's why I'm not a Christian!

Late night musings.

HERE I STAND... NO, WAIT!

Another Scripture which ruptures my infallible belief in Preterism is Matthew 10:28.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[f1]"(Matthew 10:28 ESV)

[Footnotes]

=============

[1] 10:28 Greek Gehenna

Hmmm. "Destroy both soul and body." Sounds like a physical body got thrown into eternal punishment (Gehenna).

GOOD NEWS

I've been seriously looking into this whole preterist thing. I mean, being told I am in heresy, and I am embracing a false (another) gospel is bad, bad, bad. I have done everything in my power to re-educate myself in the ways of futurism, i.e., watched a Greg Laurie sermon on the Second Coming of Christ, and read Calvin's Institutes about the resurrection of the flesh. This, and praying that God would deliver me from false doctrine must be a good start on the road to repentance, recovery, and reform, right?

Well, I guess it's working. Now I'm scared out of my wits to even "go there" anymore. Blood really is thicker than water!

Gosh, now what am I? A confused, recovering (full) Preterist. May the God of the Bible have mercy on me and all those nasty full-preterists out there on the Internet. Aarrrgh!

THE NEW WORLD OUT-OF-ORDER

For those of us who have been monitoring, albeit informally, the progress of the New World Order (a la Alex Jones and others), I happily stumbled upon an article on Townhall by Victor Davis Hansen, the esteemed historian/farmer who can melt petrified wood with his liquid "dulcet-toned" voice on Hugh Hewitt's radio show.

The article, "The New Old World Order," describes a host of problematic tendencies by independent nations to revert to their ancient rivalries and hostilities, in spite of the best intentions of the Bilderberg Group and others who were hoping (and planning) for a nice, clean world takeover.

Oh, well. I guess we will have to reform human nature (wink, wink, nod, nod) before that takes place. Until then, we civilized Christians and others will have to settle for World War III.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

Can I wax nostalgic for a minute or two?

I was just thinking about how nice it was to be "self-sufficient," when I had a full-time job with benefits. Then I am reminded of the restrictions on those perks which I enjoyed "under the whip" of my employer. No offense intended, just a comment on reality.

Now I am haunted by another reality: starting over (by God's grace). I am not feeling assured at all about my future, except for my salvation through Jesus Christ. My economic situation is taking a lot of my mental energy these days, and it can be taxing (pun intended).

While I enjoy the "freedom" of unemployment to a certain extent (sleeping in 'till 6am, eating lunch when I'm hungry-- not on a schedule, driving around looking at the world around me instead of being stuck inside of a building all day), that joy is tempered by financial considerations. Like I said, I am enjoying it while I can.

I do not want to be herded in with the "moochers" of society. I do have some decent prospects for employment. But, rightly so, I am feeling a twinge of guilt about not pursuing it as hard as I should.

FROM ROCK-AND-ROLL TO THE ROCK

Here is a link to Preterist TV, where you can watch Marty Angelo give a very thorough testimony to Steve Schneider ("Steve Saint John") on Steve's "Prison Outreach Worldwide (POW) Ministries" radio program.

There, now that I've linked all that stuff up, I can enjoy the rest of the videos. Marty has a very peaceful demeanor and warm tone in his conversation with Steve. Not to brag, but my connection to Steve is that he came to speak at my church's singles ministry class for four weeks while our regular teacher went on a very adventurous vacation. Steve was also the keyboardist for the Christian group Petra back in 1979-80. Both are awesome, God-using speakers.

I highly recommend both of their ministries' resources.

WORLDVIEW RETOOL

The itch to blog must be scratched. One cannot resist the urge, especially while listening to audio podcasts of the Covenant Creation Conference on Preterist Radio.

I just got through watching The Obama Deception and Endgame, both produced by Alex Jones.

Being unemployed affords me the "luxury" of watching and listening to worldview-changing media which, I pray, will equip me to serve the Lord better.

GOOD NEWS... RIGHT?

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."(I Corinthians 11:26 ESV)

I searched for "1 corinthians 11:26" on Eschatology.org , and found this article by Don Preston, who I believe is the driving force (or one of them) behind the current Preterist Reformation. It is called, "Until He Comes."

Incidentally, as I began listening to a podcast of Ed Stevens on Preterist Radio, I thought of the term Preterist Reformation. To my delight, Mr. Stevens used (if not coined) that very concept in his program! Well, you know the old saying about thinking alike...

After reading the section in Until He Comes on Christ's second coming and the Lord's Supper, I now know that Mr. Preston has indeed respectably and credibly defended the preterist interpretation of this passage.

Wow!

REFORMED PRETERIST

The nice thing about having a blog is you can post a well-(or at least, much-)thought out piece about whatever you want.

In this post, I want to register my concern about my own view of the Second Coming of Christ.

I understand and embrace the preterist view of Christ coming in judgment in 70AD. Jesus did say,"Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.(Matthew 24:34)

Amen.

Yet, I am currently struggling with the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 11:26.

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. "

Well, since He came in judgment on Jerusalem (and the Old Testament/Covenant) in 70 A.D. , then why do we still celebrate the Lord's death if He came already?

Hmmm... Makes me wonder how preterist I can be. This is a wonderful dilemma because it forces me to search the Scriptures, my heart, and other people's insights into what the Word of God really teaches. Of course, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would guide me to all truth, in Jesus name.

I go back to the cross, back to the old Protestant Reformation mantra: reformata et semper reformanda.

Reformed and always reforming.

SOUND BITE OF THE WEEK

Here is a really decent video of "President" Barak Obama talking with Turkish university students in Istanbul on April 7, 2009. I was tripped up by his comment in minute 34:00 of the video:

"And I also think that people were encouraged that somebody like me who has a background of living overseas, who has Muslims in his family -- you know, that I might be able to help to build bridges with other parts of the world."

Since when did the constitution warn us not to elect a person who lived overseas? He knows what the real controversy is about: not his family's mobility and religion; but, about his own truthfulness.

Sorry, this video does a lot of damage to his credibility in my eyes. You can watch it at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/The-President-Talks-with-Students-in-Turkey

You can read the transcript at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-barack-obama-student-roundtable-istanbul

ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND

I don't know whether this post will contribute to the discussion, or detract from it. But I feel the need to rectify my perspective.

It's all about Jesus, not my eschatology.

I searched for and found a decent video with the song, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand." All praise and glory go to God.

Here is an excellent treatment (rendition) by Crystal Lewis. Enjoy, and praise the Lord.

CAN WE TALK?

The reason I named this post, "Can We Talk?" is that I feel the need to clarify my position on eschatology. I read Acts 1:11 this morning. It shook my fledgeling preterist worldview to its core. I am still working through the rubble. It is the account of Jesus' ascension into heaven.

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

I don't see how it could be any clearer. I know and believe the preterist interpretation of the Lord's predictions about his coming again in judgment on Jerusalem in 70 AD. But this verse says something in addition to that.

I have seen and read William Bell's fine article, "He Came In Like Manner: A Study of Acts 1:11." But I fail to embrace his position without reservations.

Perhaps I need a little more enlightenment. I pray for such, in Jesus' name, amen.

300: A FINITE NUMBER... RIGHT?

Well, intrepid blog readers. I have achieved my 300th post!!! And here it is:

I am listening to Sam Frost discuss his paper, "Full Preterism and the Problem of Infinity." In it, he challenges the ubiquitous concept of the infinity of God. I have held to this concept virtually all of my life! No, I did not comprehend it. But I did apprehend it.

Preterism, for the unwashed masses, is an eschatological viewpoint that says the prophecies which Jesus and others put forth in the Bible came to pass in 70 A.D. regarding His return and the end of the age (Old Testament or Covenant). "Full Preterism" says that Jesus returned in judgment to Jerusalem and will not be back physically.

Frost has his own show on Preterist Radio. It is called, oddly enough, "The Sam Frost Show."

Because of a conversation I had with a friend who was instrumental in persuading me to consider the claims of the Bible in light of full preterism (FP), I started reading Frost's paper and listening to his shows on this subject. Therefore, I have been contemplating this Greek concept of infinity.

"Infinity" has historically permeated the doctrines of the Christian faith. Indeed, it has always explained the unexplainable to me. But now, a challenge from Sam Frost has awoken those of us who are listening.

As a Christian, I must take infinity with a grain of salt. It means, according to Frost and others,"unbound." Of course I agree.

The controversy is over "the end of history," or "the end of time," because of its prima facie disagreement with preterism.

It is a commonly held belief that Jesus will return to earth, physically, to consummate "all things." He will, according to the majority opinion in the Church, bring an end to time and usher in the eternal reign on earth of His Heavenly Kingdom.

But in the FP (full preterist) scheme, it is an interesting concept. On the one hand, I hold to a fulfilled interpretation of Scripture. On the other hand, I see Frost's logic and have to agree with it.

Well, does this mean that Christ will return... again? Physically?

I think not. But this is a paradox (apparent contradiction) par excellence for us mere mortals. After all, He reigns... NOW!!! He is here ("I am with you always..." Matthew 28:20)

Frost makes a very credible defense, or apologetic, for his position-- which was also that of Athanasius, a church father. I feel he deserves a hearing before any of us passes final judgment on this very interesting viewpoint worthy of our consideration. Jesus will be happy to lead us to all truth.(John 16:13)

LIVE-BLOGGING WITH RC SPROUL

It has been my wont of late to listen to RC Sproul online (Ligonier.org) while blogging. This is a tolerable addiction, in my view.

For some reason, hearing "the dulcet tones" of Dr. Sproul's voice while expounding some deep theological subject is stimulating to my creative processes, in this case, for blogging.

Well, how much weirder does it get? I am glad you asked.

I also discovered a cool typing tutorial online called TypingWeb. I could say that one item on my "bucket list" is to learn typing. I can now practice the "home row keys" as of earlier today. Woo hoo!

More Internet merriment must surely follow this...

FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!!!

As a public service to all of my readers who use Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007 and Hotmail (aka Windows Live Hotmail), I am pleased to post these links to my long-awaited solution to the perennial dilemma of connecting Outlook to Hotmail.

First, there is the solution: Use a Windows Live Hotmail Account in Outlook

And the fix: Outlook Hotmail Connector 32-bit

I have tried for years, but failed (not me, of course-- Windows, heh, heh!)

I am awestruck by the versatility and ability of Outlook to manipulate these static pieces of electronic communication with massive capability and pinpoint precision.

Gosh! What I was missing!

Next post: real worldview issues that matter to you... like the World Cup 2010!

BOSTON VS. LA

Between posts about worldview issues, I am watching the final agonizing minutes of Game Seven of the NBA Finals on ESPN on ABC. Agonizing because I want the Boston Celtics to win, but the LA Lakers are being annoyingly good in the clutch. Kobe Bryant is on the FTL, and... making them. Darn!

Boston (Ray Allen) misses, and LA makes it. Throw away the script. It won't help. Aaaugh.

300... ALMOST

Just a side note: I am closing in on 300 blog posts!!!

Count 'em. No, wait. Blogger does it for me...

Now on to significant stuff.

RANDOM

Okay, the moment of inspiration drove me (led me?) to this post. Now what?

I am preparing to start up new courses in my program of online study toward certification in computer usage and applications. Well, well, well.

I am also listening to RC Sproul at Ligonier.org. Some days, he has the balm of Gilead in his voice and teaching. Jesus sent us His own Spirit, "another comforter," and He does His work effectually indeed!

IT'S A RACE!

Having worked on the 2010 U.S. Census project since March, I have since modified my stance on "race" and ethnicity. I used to take it all in stride, this idea of black and white "races." Then I became reactionary through Answers in Genesis and their teaching the "human race" as the only race. Fair enough. I defended it.

Then I began thinking about the U.S. Census questionnaire and its use of the term race, which was extremely confusing to not a few respondents. Many were incensed at the questions.

To simplify things (for myself anyway), I like to call race another word for ethnicity because that is what it historically boils down to. The Israelite "race," for example, was not permitted by God to intermarry with other nations, or races, in the Old Testament. This would pollute the purity of God's people and compromise their position in His economy and kingdom. I may conclude that God was very concerned about race back then.

In the New Testament economy, God has allowed the progressive dilution of races to the point where most marriages are of necessity mixed-race marriages. Because Jesus/God gave the apostle Peter the vision of clean and unclean animals to eat (which signified Jews and Gentiles being declared equally valid and eligible for salvation in the New Testament economy), we may conclude that God has removed that restriction because in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek... (Galatians 3:28)

This begs the question: any questions?

ARE WE THE SAVAGE NATION?

The fun part about blogging is pretending that someone is actually interested in your postings. This is an incurable delusion which will be abated once a new blog entry is posted.

Now then, we must get down to brass tacks (as I am wont to say in this blog). Perhaps life experiences are what inspire me to reach higher, deeper, and longer for better blog posts. Something usually gets my creative juices flowing.

Well, enough pomposity. Have I said something here in this blog today that is profound and worth preserving in the annals of cyberhistory? Wait. Think about it...

For some strange reason, I am listening to Michael Savage's "The Savage Nation" radio program. Why? Because I feel an unusual burst of bellicose patriotism, where Mr. Savage has the temerity to speak his mind and, at the same time, inspire me to support his God-given, constitutionally-supported right to free speech.

I don't usually listen to The Savage Nation, but I hear a hopeful defiance in his broadcast, and a passionate plea for common sense. A return to fearless discourse is indeed refreshing.

A REFRESHING PERSPECTIVE

By way of a friend's website, Apocalypse Delusion, I found this article on American Vision. It is a refreshing summarization of the healthy and optimistic perspective of those Christians who hold to a dominion theology. I say that advisedly because there are serious aberrations of this doctrine which distort the true gospel (which all people should want, but unfortunately do not).

It grabbed my attention and succeeded at inspiring me to post another blog entry-- no small task! It appeared yesterday, but I got it today. I would call it a Christian To-Do List that will indeed change the world for the better, as it has done so admirably and permanently in the past.

I would recommend that every Christian read this article, or something equally inspiring and informative.

Dominion is the name of the game here. It is a war being fought right now all around the world. If we who are Jesus' salt and light give up the fight, we cannot expect the world to be a better place, but a far worse one. If Islam or any other false religion wins the day, and the hearts of many, then we can only expect "9/11" on a daily basis.

False religion, and false eschatology, are a deadly pair. Together, let us repent of both.

SPRING CLEANING

I just thought I would jazz up my blog a little, spruce it up, you know.

I hope you notice. It's not a big change or overhaul. But it's significant enough to warrant a warm fuzzy feeling inside (of me-- of you, I don't know). I hope it does.

It is every blogger's dream to elicit warm and fuzzy feelings inside of his or her readers. What is lacking in editorial content and literary skill is made up for in spades by the warm fuzzies. Maybe.

Well, at this point, I have to admit I lack that significant content and insight, biting wit and sarcasm in this blog post. But then, don't I always?

Not to disappoint, I conclude this venture into self-gratifying bliss (as I listen to my own widget, "Live365 Radio," available to the right of this post) by signing off unceremoniously.

;)

JUST ANOTHER CONTROVERSY

What succinctly stated tidbit of wisdom might I impart to the digital diaspora out there in the blogosphere? Assuming, again, that there exist in reality--not just in my mind-- readers of my blog, let me digress for a moment.

The issue of illegal immigration to the United States of America, and Arizona's much-maligned attempt to remedy this problem, is at the forefront of much discussion on talk radio today. Having today off from work, I have availed myself of much of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, two of my favorites (when I agree with them). And today, they did not disappoint.

I love it when the left-brained, logical, rational side of the debate eats the lunch of the right-brained, emotional, popular side. At times, it inflames me to hear the left liberals characterize those with whom I agree as racists, anti-immigrant bigots, etc. It also fuels my convictions.

Funny how their demonstrations and protests are far more violent and destructive than any of ours. They are the truly compassionate patriots, except when you disagree with them.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

You know, sometimes you just have to watch a video like this after watching multiple bad-news-videos about violence and so on around the world today. It uplifts the spirit and refreshes the soul. You be the judge.

The Lord's Prayer

ARIZONA, LEAD THE WAY!

Here we go again. The people who want absolutely nothing to be done about illegal immigration are crying foul (what else can they do?) once again. And the rest of us are relieved that some of our leaders (and most of our citizens) are for such reforms as have been advanced lately by our governor and elected representatives in Arizona. We are indeed thankful.

I am sure you have either heard, read, or seen reports about Arizona leading the charge to protect our borders because the Federal government hasn't! I was recently reminded that people who migrate back and forth in search of work are called "migrants," as opposed to "immigrants," who stay put in their new digs. The need for such drastic reform is obvious to all. Witness the recent killing of a Douglas rancher and the ongoing drug cartel war spilling across the border into our land!

I am momentarily listening to Sean Hannity on the radio, and have been encouraged by the public discourse regarding Arizona's actions of late. But I am especially encouraged by the show of support from many conservative voices whom I generally trust to defend justice and mercy (Micah 6:8).

Although my knowledge of this law is limited now, I intend to remedy that. It is, as far as I can tell, a good thing. I feel protected, although I sympathize with those immigrants who simply did whatever they could to get here and start a new and better life. God bless them. But we have to draw the line somewhere. Perhaps a compromise is in order. Let us see what happens.

I am willing to hear both sides, but I only have so much tolerance for the shrill, socialistic rants of mindless nonsense that clouds the issue. Does not a sovereign nation have the right to protect itself from clear and present danger to its citizens?

Yes. I say, "Right here, right now," to borrow a phrase from Mr. Hannity's program announcer.

A LITTLE TEXT EDITING

Well, I've done it: I've taken the plunge and, at least for this entry today, changed the font to ... Verdana!!!

I am flabbergasted at the amount of stuff you have to know in order to publish a web page, let alone edit it!

Now I will publish this post. As you can see, the program-- not I -- changed the font back to whatever it was before.

Wait! I've been ripped off! The font on the published blog did not change!!! What gives, Blogger? What gives, Google?

Ad fontes! To the source (from the Reformation)!

ENTITLEMENT

As part of our ongoing efforts to secure a prominent position in the social networking industry, we here at Worldview Window have slightly revised our overall appearance to reflect that commitment.

"We here...?" That would be me. A truly presumptuous comment to say the least. But fun.

Now, what to call this blog post. Hmmm...

BLOG OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Instead of my usual routine of visiting the news sites before blogging, ostensibly so I'll have something to say, I decided on a whim to visit my blog first.

Well, at the risk of sounding self-serving (which it may be), I felt encouraged by what I blogged recently. I even edited a recent post.

Right now I'm listening to a podcast of Preterist Radio from their archive of preterist-oriented programming, particularly 17:11 (based on Acts 17:11, where the Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians because they searched the Scriptures).

I know it goes against the tide/grain/majority report/conventional wisdom/traditional doctrine of dispensational, premillennial, pretribulational rapture theory. But it's fun.

SOCIAL NETWORKING SOLO

Sometimes the best thing to do is just sit down at the ol' PC and listen to a good podcast or something, and just blog your brains out. Sometimes that's exactly what it looks like I did!

I believe social networking is the natural outgrowth from our need to connect with each other in a fast-growing world, where time and location are increasingly limited. In a time when such conditions threaten to isolate us completely from one another, the Internet and its attendant blessings save us (by the grace of God) from extended solitary confinement.

Blogging is a good way to overcome the complete sense of isolation one gets when one refers to oneself as "one."

But seriously, the natural thing to do when one is all alone in a world of solitary solo artists who spend much of their spare time alone is blog. I know that sounds redundant, but you get the idea.

It is a "crapshoot" (pardon the expression). Maybe someone is reading your blog. Maybe they aren't.

But you are. God, you, angels, and demons-- not a bad starter audience. I would count on God, angels and yourself as supporters. Anyone else is a benefit of perseverance.

How to end a post like this?

Solo.

RUNNING THE HUMAN RACE

Is that a catchy title or what?

It brings attention to the question which came up today in a piece on the KTAR website about the 2010 U.S. Census and its confusing queries about race and ethnicity.

I too was stumped by the separate questions, and wondered if I was both white and Hispanic-- not that there's anything wrong with that :)

Help me out here. Can we not just call ourselves part of the HUMAN RACE, and leave the question forever answered in the affirmative for all humans? I am a firm believer in this assertion, and abhor the idea that some of us are part of a different race. Let us repent of this subtle deception forever.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against recognizing ethnic origins. That's all well and good. It's in the Bible. But I feel the "race" question is already settled.

REVIVAL IS WHAT WE NEED

Just a thought: while reading (scanning) the headlines at the Arizona Republic's website, it occurred to me that all the good things that happen in the world can be attributed to God, because the Bible says:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

I like the way the Holman Christian Standard Bible says the first part: "Every generous act..." This is actually closer to the Greek, according to my Jay Green translation.

This gives me pause, and I wonder if God will not plant another revival seed somewhere in the world today and let us see His work in the hearts of people who desperately need Him in their lives. We will indeed see the effects of this work in our lifetime, if He chooses to do so.

May God be praised for His gracious deliverance from all evil in Jesus' Name.

CALL ME CRAZY...

Every now and then, I get the sinking feeling-- the sneaking suspicion-- that no one reads my blog.

"Call me crazy..." goes the old saying, but if anyone is reading my blog, God bless them. Perhaps a few (if any) family and friends, a sprinkling of strangers, and me. That's it. No Hugh-Hewitt-like following, that's for sure.

Well, the pity-party is over.

This is the one venue where I get to exercise my nitpicky perfectionism.

No wonder nobody reads this thing!

CLASH BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE

Today I ask you, my dear readers, what would a blog about worldview, especially a Christian one, be without a post about church persecution in our own backyard.

I hope I don't sound like I enjoy blogging about it, per se. But I enjoy it when we (the Church militant) gain a victory over oppression, albeit legally.

Witness the case in Gilbert, Arizona, as reported by FOXNews.com. I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Alliance Defense Fund, who is defending the Oasis of Truth church against the town of Gilbert. The whole story can be found on ADF's website.

It shows the hypocrisy and double-standard applied to Christian churches, but not to everything else that meets regularly in homes and may cause minor traffic issues.

My money is on the church, and ADF.

THE FACE OF FRAUD

If fraud had a face, it might look something like James Sikes, the California real estate agent who has a shady financial past and a dubious reputation for such things as his latest escapade: scamming Toyota.

Witness the article on him on FOXNews.com. I was mildly angered by the apparent duplicity in his account of what happened when his Toyota Prius' gas pedal supposedly got stuck at 94 mph on a San Diego freeway.

As a veteran of reading news stories and driving, and that would describe most thinking adults, I doubt the veracity of such an incredible story because the most obvious remedy was not exercised: throw the stick shift into neutral! This was suggested by someone, and his response was, "You had to be there..."

Really? We weren't there. But you were.

"Twenty-three minutes later," according to the article, he was guided by a police officer safely to a stop. I have to wonder if this is not another scam by Mr. Sikes attempting to recover from his financial losses. I don't doubt his desperation, but I have to wait and see if this really happened.

Sorry if I'm wrong. But I have to say it sounds like a scam.

MEXICO'S SAVIOR?

Let the mariachis begin!

Carlos Slim, Mexico's son and the world's richest man has emerged amid the heap of superlative wealth to claim the title which used to belong to our own Bill Gates. His first-place showing of $53.5 billion beats Gates' $53 billion second-place position.

My question is, what can he do to help fix the broken economic and political machine that is Mexico?

ITCH TO BLOG SCRATCHED

Well, intrepid blog readers, it is once again time to post an entry in my five-plus-year-old web log. What? Oh! I meant blog. Just testing you.

Blessed is the man or woman who does his or her work and finally feels the need to blog and socially mediate! It will scratch an itch, to borrow a phrase, and renew a sense of inspiration and creativity (something new under the sun) within the heart. It is a good feeling, especially when one has faith in God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ by the power and working of the Holy Spirit.

It might even engender feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction. Blessed indeed.

ON SAFARI

Out of sheer and utter boredom, or some kind of inspired mundanity, I will post a link to Safari, Apple's web browser par excellence.

When a web browser outperforms your expectations, generally speaking, you want to recommend it to the world. That's what blogs are for.

Yet, for some odd reason, while I was composing this post and simultaneously downloading the latest versions of Safari and iTunes/QuickTime together (you know how Apple does it), my Safari browser crashed and/or closed itself before I could finish this post. How rude!

[I found out later that Windows shut down Safari due to an executable file which turned out to be harmless as far as I can tell.]

Well, not to be denied, I had to restart my download and resume posting. Fun, fun, fun...

It looks like my progress meter is showing that Safari is done downloading and iTunes/QT is in progress. Sometimes--somehow--technology and the great minds behind it redeem themselves quite admirably. Or it could be that I'm in an unusually good mood today. A combination of both is my humble assessment. Nevertheless, I credit the Holy Spirit with this one for sure.

It is a slow download, but I am in the mood to wait and learn in the meantime of other things online.

May the God of the Bible grant you deliverance from any heaviness and worry resulting from this economic nightmare we are living under. I pray for His peace and comfort in you today in His Son Jesus Christ's name, amen.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

How did 2000 years of Biblical tradition, knowledge, and scholarship get it wrong?

I must ask this question immediately after coming to grips with a view of Scripture I have never held before, namely, preterist.

I am currently investigating for myself the claims of such learned men as Don Preston, William Bell, and others on this view. It is worth looking into.

More to come...

ANOTHER FAVORITE

Q. When does a website become a favorite?

A. When one spends precious many minutes listening to podcast after short, sweet, hard-to-beat podcast, a broadcaster is sure to have entered the inner sanctum of the human heart and won some measure of closely-held confidence.

Quiz over. You win.

LewRockwell.com is the latest addition to my "Favorites" list of web sites on this blog. I woke up early today and found a new podcaster that piques my interest in things socio-political, economic, and/or religious (Biblical). "The Best-Read Libertarian Website in the World," is not your average website of this sort. Check it out.

My last favorite entry was AD70.net, which you may find in a previous post.

PRETERIST PERSUASION

The nice thing about blogging is you can post something you believe in, even if it's brand new to you (and perhaps your readers). In this case, it's preterism. AD70.net is the site for Preterist Radio Podcasts, which I have just recently begun listening to. A.D. 70 is the year Jerusalem was destroyed after a three-and-a-half year war with the Roman army.

It was such an unprecedented kind of destruction and suffering inflicted on anyone at any time on such a large scale, that the Roman army consigned one of their captives, a Jewish general named Yosef Ben Matityahu (later Titus Flavius Josephus, to chronicle the awful situation. So we have The Jewish War as a record of the "end of the world."(Matthew 28:20)

The Greek word translated "world" in the KJV is actually aion or "age." Other translations, such as the NIV, translate it that way. This is why it is good to consult other Bible versions and the original languages.

ISLAM IS HERE

Just as a public service, by way of blogging, I would like to post the following link as a so-called Religion of Peace Update:

STUDENT KILLS PROF

I will give you three guesses as to the student's religious affiliation. No, he is not a Christian, conservative, or Republican. But he did carry out the demands of his "faith."

Welcome to the New Crusades.

LAMENTATION

It's hard to know what to post and what not to post in a blog. Supposedly, the eyes of the world and Satan are watching my every word--waiting for me to get tripped up in self-indulgent bloggery as I verbally dig my own hole and avoid godly correction. Or so I think.

I am in the Book of Lamentations in the Bible. I feel I am living in the same scenario as that painted by the prophet Jeremiah. Flapping in the breeze, hung out to dry in the sun, devoid of life-giving water, I cling to the remnant of my once-vibrant faith in God and struggle daily to maintain some semblance of godly living--whatever that looks like.

Perhaps the LORD will have mercy on me, unmerited though it is. Totally undeserved favor is what I crave most. Repentance is the call of the day. "Ichabod!" No glory.

Knowing Jesus will not leave me nor forsake me, I press on. Limp, halt, crippled by sin, I walk--no, crawl--to the cross. Calvary is my only hope, forgiveness is my prayer. Presumption and pride are my sins. God's grace is my only shelter.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
over life's tempestuous sea;
unknown waves before me roll,
hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

Hope truly comes from Jesus. Listen.

IE KUDOS

This has nothing to do with worldview, politics, religion, or anything else--but browsers! Namely, Internet Explorer and its wonderful ability to import favorites from Firefox and put them in their respective folders automatically.

I generally refrain from using IE simply because it's a pain to use, and slow. But for online classes through my community college, IE is required for optimal performance. Or so they say.

In any event, I found IE to be deficient in its selection of favorites which I've created. So I simply clicked on the File menu, chose Import and Export, and clicked which browser's favorites I wanted to import to IE. Done.

Within mere seconds, IE imported all (I suppose) of my favorites from Firefox. Having all of my stored favorites is a great comfort. It takes a very long time to save sites for future reference, as you well know.

Well, I won't bore my readers with further kudos to IE-- at not least until I find another feature which saves the day (and my sanity).

ITALY, AMERICA UNITE!

I read an article today by the American Vision organization and thought I would post it here. It is a description of the situation going on in Italy where a European court has struck down the right to display crucifixes publicly. It is a direct attack on the religious liberties which the Italian people must protect. The article reads in part:

"The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg declared the public display of crucifixes in schools in Italy illegal. This was in response to a complaint filed by a Finnish-born mother who sued the schools for displaying the crucifixes. Crucifixes in the classrooms of public schools in Italy are mandatory by law, and that law is approved by the majority of the population, whether they believe in Christ or not. But the Court in Strasbourg decided against the democratic opinion of the Italian people and declared the law illegal."

The article goes on to talk about the deficiency in American Christianity to wage the same battles it won in eras past (American Revolutionary War, abolition of slavery, civil rights, etc.), and how we must be revived by the Spirit of God--the same spirit which raised Jesus from the dead and quickened our spirits to be born again.

"If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

Revival breeds reformation, and Heaven knows we badly need it in this country. The Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ know too well the real battle that is out there. We have been spoiled by our prosperity and affluence (indeed blessed), only to compromise the gospel for social and political expediency. May God deliver His people from complacency and raise up a standard in the land for the cause of Christ.

In Jesus' Name.

VETERAN'S DAY

It is inspiring to see the military pull together in the face and wake of Islamic terrorism in its ranks. I have no doubt this psychiatrist needs to be exorcised as well as treated for his well-deserved wounds. May God grant him the grace to wake up and realize how good those brothers- and sisters-in-arms were whom he killed in cold blood and in the name of a false god.

May God have mercy on this country for allowing such enemies of the gospel, and of our nation, to attain such positions of authority and trust, only to betray their true identity and intentions.

May God bless the men and women of our military, keepers of the freedom we all need and cherish.

CALLING ALL ARMINIANS: READ THE WHOLE BIBLE!!!

In scouring YouTube for James White videos yesterday, I came across an alarming headline in the Related Videos frame: "Calling All Calvinists: A Call to Repentance." If that's not a provocative statement, I don't know what is.

Over the course of yesterday and today, I have watched all four videos in the series. Wow! How can such a talented and beautiful Christian sister be so hateful and wrong about so many things in one--let alone four--videos? She snarls, hisses, and spits her vitriol continually throughout the series at the name and adherents of "Calvinism." I put that in quotes because she has so grossly misrepresented it that I cannot equate true Calvinism with her sick caricature of it.

Her persistent, out-of-context misapplication of Scripture is indeed breath-taking. I took the time to watch and see if she could convince me of how sinful and deceived I was, but she failed. Miserably.

The one question I have is this: why is she condemning and judging John Calvin and those who dare to agree with him on many things about God, while calling "Calvinists" to stop judging and condemning? Gosh, sounds kinda hypocritical to me.

Thank God there are many sound, Biblical responses to Monica Dennington's viscious attacks on us Christians--oops, I meant Calvinists. Many of them reside in Google's search results.

Here is one of the best. This is what real Calvinism looks like!

CLARIFICATION

It seems that a common misconception of Calvinism is the belief that, for example, Abraham would never have left Ur of the Chaldees had he been a Calvinist. After all, they claim, Calvinists don't do: they just pray.

I take great offense when someone slanders me, be it ever so slightly--especially when they use Calvinism as their justification. Do I do that to them? I notice "free will" believers go out of their way to attack Calvinism. Do I do that with "free will" people? No. I defend, to the best of my ability, what I believe to be sound doctrine from the Bible, based on what I've learned over the years from reputable Bible teachers who are known for their warm, evangelistic tone and knowledge of Scripture.

Do the names RC Sproul, John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson, John Piper, James White, and Charles Spurgeon ring a bell with anyone? None is infallible as a pastor, teacher, and preacher. But all are excellent in rightly dividing the Word of God.

Nine times out of ten, I agree with free willers! But they must have their fun and slander Calvin. They're wrong, but that doesn't matter to them. I'm a sinner like them. I know I must endure the growth process of sanctification as they must. It is indeed a blessing to be called a child of God.

When we decided to follow Christ, it was by the grace of God alone. Our wills were remade, reborn by the Spirit of God and His Word (Scripture and Jesus). Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

I only defend Calvinism because it gives God all the credit and glory for our salvation, and because I think it is very arrogant to believe that I know better than him or any other Bible scholar what the Bible teaches. He and many others have proven themselves to have a better, bird's eye view of things in Scripture. Nothing wrong with that, right?

I wish free willers could see that I agree with them 99% of the time, except when they slander Calvin (and me) with misconceptions of Scripture that neither of us believes!

CALVINISM UNDER FIRE... AGAIN

Well, it seems the issue of "Limited Atonement" (Particular Redemption) and other points of doctrine in the theological framework of Calvinism have come under scrutiny. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But I am weary of the opposition's neglecting the historical significance of probably the greatest proponent of Calvinism: namely, Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Spurgeon was a staunch defender of the Faith and a very outspoken defender of Calvinism (properly understood). He was also one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived, by any measure. His works live on in print and audio form. So many superlatives can be applied to his life and ministry that it almost goes without saying. He had his share of controversy against those who would compromise the gospel and change the message to suit unbelievers-- and thus damn their souls with false teachings.

How is it that the greatest Calvinist of them all (except for John Calvin the original, and probably the greatest theologian who ever lived), Charles Spurgeon, is overlooked as the best example of applied Calvinism? Somehow, I think if he were to apply for a job as a pastor in today's churches, he would be rejected out of hand because he professed to be a Calvinist.

Well, much debate will doubtless ensue on this matter. I intend to avoid sinning by engaging in vain controversy. I'd rather trust an all-powerful God Who can save His people in spite of their spiritual deadness and raise them to new life all by Himself without their "free will" helping Him.

Thanks for attacking Calvinism. It strengthens my faith in God, not myself. I feel much safer that way.

A BRIEF DISTRACTION

It has been my wont of late to get up early and blog about the chapter in the Bible I am currently in. Today is the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 21. First, I read it in my Bible. Next, I listen to it online at BibleGateway.com. Then, I go to SermonAudio.com and pick a sermon from among many on the chapter. While the sermon is playing, I blog.

I forgot to mention I also use e-Sword (see previous post and link on side) to view commentary and dictionary usage of words and passages. One thing I noted was the spelling of King Nebuchadrezzar's name. In Hebrew, it is Neb-u-chad-rez-zar. But the common English spelling is Neb-u-chad-nez-zar, with an "n" instead of an "r." I'm going with the R this time. Sorry, traditionalists.

In any event, scouring the Internet for Biblical resources yields an abundant crop of every variety. Sad to say, many are not teaching sound doctrine, but are fattening the wallets of their professors.

Blogging can be a distraction from the business at hand. So I shall cease and desist (for now) and take up my lament (or song) later.

EARLY MORNING EDIFICATION

While listening to a sermon on Jeremiah 20 by Timothy Dane (SermonAudio.com), I am feeling the desire to blog. There are many sermons on this chapter.

I just got through reading it on my own and also in e-Sword, a free program. Many free resources are available for this desktop gem, such as Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible.

It is a shame that Passhur, a priest in the temple at Jerusalem and chief officer in the house of the LORD (v.1), treated Jeremiah, a prophet of the LORD, so, well, shamefully.

It is a reproach on the priesthood when one of their own is mistreated by their peers. Such was the lot of Jeremiah. God will judge the persecutors of His people. Hallelujah!

UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER THINGS

It's always a challenge, if not a waste of time, to blog about something personal--like unemployment. Even though it is good to be out of the rat race for a while, it can be discouraging to think I lack what I used to have... a job! But not just a job: a position, a sense of accomplishment and value. Ahh, whatever.

I'm enjoying the time off, but regretting it at the same time. My health has not been what it used to be either. I seem to have mostly sleepless and rough nights with bronchitis or high BP. It may be diet related. So when I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, I'll do something about it. Otherwise, I'll just go on suffering and jobless.

Sorry to hang my heart on my sleeve today. I usually reserve my sentiments here for political and religious fervor. But today, I'm being a little honest. Heh, heh.

Looking forward to learning and practicing web design as a profession. Otherwise, who knows? I can always pretend to be a blogger. Writing here is almost as much fun as figuring out how to code HTML and CSS. Other programming languages beckon the unsuspecting IT-wannabe (that would be me) to their study and practice. But the foundations must be laid before the house can be built.

HOPE FOR THE WORLD

In spite of all the rhetoric, political wrangling, and conflict of every sort, it is our only hope to look to Jesus. He is the One sent by God the Father to us on earth. It is to our own misery that we do not reckon ourselves with that truth. He is our only hope.

Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. (Hebrew 12:2)

DOCTOR SCHIFF IS IN

I am a fan of Peter Schiff's, simply because he stands in the face of popular opinion and blows away any semblance of contradiction and controversy when he speaks truth. His is a refreshing perspective because it is hard medicine, realism instead of hype. The doctor has diagnosed the problem and it is up the the patient (us) to respond.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Peter Schiff
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview