In this issue: More at summit.org » pg. 2 From the president’s desk: » The latest Ferguson, Detroit, and America announcements and the news » pg. 6 Doc’s recent reading on the Southern Baptist » Find us on Facebook Convention and higher summitJan./Feb. 2015 education » Check our Twitter Volume 15 Issue 1 feed: @summitmn Why the Socialist Option for Urban Problems Will Never Work Christopher Brooks is from the impulses and influences of cor- a Summit faculty speaker rupted human beings. So the history of and author, economist, socialism in every place it has been applied Christian apologist, and is that it has produced more oppression pastor in urban Detroit, and poverty for those it aims to help. The Michigan. As a pastor who stories of governments robbing their own understands the power of people of the most basic necessities — of God’s justice, he’s worked tirelessly to further food, water, shelter — are told by countless the biblical worldview in his urban context, millions who have been subjected to this building healthy relationships between people form of flawed economics. Sadly, the pre- of every race, nationality, and socio-economic dominant and most forceful approach to class. With the riots in Ferguson, Mo., and economic equality in urban communities the growing anger around race relations has been shaped by Marxism. The rheto- in the U.S., we thought this excerpt from ric of most socially concerned politicians Pastor Brooks’ recent book Urban and community activists is laced with the Apologetics and his presentation at Sum- speech of class warfare and the offer of an mit’s 2014 Adult Conference would provide ever-growing government that will rescue thoughtful insight into the issue. individuals from their pain. Not only is socialism a failed economic From Urban Apologetics by Christopher model, but it is also an attack against God. Brooks, ©2014, published by Kregel Publi- No longer are people encouraged to look cations, Grand Rapids, MI, pages 139-144. to the Lord for their salvation; rather, they Used by permission. at the expense of the weak. are told that God cannot help you, but Karl Marx, in The Communist Marx and his socialist contemporaries government can. Without a doubt, govern- Manifesto (originally published in 1848), realized the dilemma that they were ment has its place, and we should all hope summarized his narrative of the world by trapped in: the vicious cycle of those for righteous leaders who will act justly. proclaiming that “the history of all hith- with power enslaving those who lacked However, we must guard ourselves from erto existing society is a history of class strength of voice or resources. So the an- developing a governmental dependency. struggle.”1 In another writing he goes on swer for them was a just government that This risk is just as great for the rich as it is to declare war on religion, in particular would force the rich to share their goods for the poor. Whenever we expect govern- Christianity, by asserting that “religion is with the poor. In the socialist mind, the ment to ensure outcomes instead of sim- the opium of the people.”2 His writings underlying assumption is that the wealthy ply guaranteeing opportunities, we have convey a deep intelligence, certainly, but have amassed their possessions through replaced God and become dependents of an even deeper hostility to religion. For oppressive means and on the backs of the the state, whether we are rich or poor. Marx, God did not exist and thus could multitudes of working poor. Again, in the So what is the solution? In my opinion not rescue humanity. Yet he realized that words of Marx, “The history of all ... soci- no one speaks more eloquently and bibli- humanity was flawed and that, as the great ety is a history of class struggle.” If God is cally on these issues than Father Robert English historian Lord John Acton once not an option for our salvation and we are Sirico, cofounder and president of the observed, “power tends to corrupt, and haunted by the knowledge that we desper- Acton Institute, and Dr. John Perkins, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”3 This ately need a savior, then we will turn to the founder of the Christian Community De- means that man cannot be self-governed state as our Messiah. velopment Association. Both men have a because our nature is corrupted and, The problem with this solution is that profound understanding of the gospel and given the opportunity, we will dominate humans run the state. There are no gov- how the Christian worldview can produce one another and pursue personal success ernments that are truly theocratic and free See urban apologetics page 3 from the president’s desk a word from dr. jeff myers

Reading about the shooting of vulnerable than ever. Some say such and government Michael Brown and the subsequent problems inevitably result from ur- corruption. And we riots in Ferguson, Mo., brought back a banization. But like it or not, cities are can make a bigger lot of unsettling memories. the future. In 1800, only 3 percent of difference on those issues than we real- Born in Detroit, I lived most of my the world’s population lived in cities. ize. In a Leadership Journal article titled first 10 years in a suburb adjoining By 2050, it is estimated two-thirds of “To Transform a City,” Pastor Timothy Detroit’s city limits. In 1967, our city the world’s population will live in large Keller wrote that the tipping point for dissolved into riots in which 43 people cities. community change is somewhere be- died, more than 1,000 were injured, Imagine this: six billion people tween 5 percent and 15 percent of the and 2,000 buildings were destroyed. I packed together with others of population.1 Christians make up far was just a tiny child when it happened, different racial groups, religious affilia- more than 5 percent of the population, but even I could sense the anger and tions, and political opinions. Think of even in urban areas. If they will live fear that wrapped each conversation, the daily challenges of protecting our out their Christian convictions in their every trip to the store or to Tigers neighborhoods, they can restore hope stadium. If a biblical world- and peace. My friends and I responded to our “ It’s already happening, even in plac- parents’ wariness by acting tough. view is true, it is true es like Detroit. According to econo- Before I even needed all the fingers on even for thorny mist and pastor Chris Brooks, whose one hand to display my age, I knew how thoughts are featured in these pages, to raise my middle finger and choose issues of race rela- Christians are leading the way in De- words that would curdle the ears of tions and poverty troit’s comeback. He told me that the any adult. I was offered hard drugs for church I attended growing up, which the first time at age 7, and I remember and urbanization was nearly abandoned for many years, watching police remove the body of is now the center of a city-wide prayer our neighbor after he died from a drug and government movement. Too, hundreds of people overdose. I vividly recall slipping un- corruption. are participating in Pastor Brooks’ in- der my bed in panic at the sound of a ” tensive apologetics conferences. gunshot in the street. Dr. Jeff Myers At present, many of our cities are My parents left Detroit just before Exhibit A of secularism’s headlong I turned 10 years of age. It was a mass families from crime, of making a living descent into hopelessness. Yet this is exodus. Between 1967 and 2000, half of or getting food, or even of providing not inevitable. First John 4:18 says, Detroit’s residents abandoned the city. basic health care and sanitation. “Perfect love casts out fear.” God cares The rioters in Detroit — and Newark The Bible is our only hope. Aside about cities. We should too. and Los Angeles and presumably from embracing a biblical commitment Please join me for our 2015 Summit those in Ferguson, Mo., as well — to the dignity of each person, adult conference March 8-13 and meet thought they were bringing justice. servanthood, and economic steward- the legendary Christian apologist Josh Instead, they terrified people, destroyed ship, the world’s experiment in urban- McDowell, as well as Naghmeh Abedini, property, and severed the already ization will continue to be a disaster. whose husband is being held as a prisoner hemorrhaging artery of trust that Loving our neighbor will increasingly for his faith in Iran. Go to www.summit. makes community possible. mean seeking the welfare of the city org to secure your seat. When cities come unraveled, (Jeremiah 29:7). Notes everyone with the means to do so If a biblical worldview is true, it is 1. Timothy Keller, “To Transform a City,” LeadershipJournal.net, March 7, 2011, leaves. Only the poorest and most true even for thorny issues of race re- http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2011/ vulnerable remain, poorer and more lations and poverty and urbanization winter/transformcity.html?start=1

Page 2 Jan./Feb. 2015 urban apologetics continued from page 1

economic shalom among the poor. given equal access to education, em- unhelpful to the poor. Father Sirico is noted for his view that ployment, and entrepreneurship oppor- I realize that for some this sounds those who truly care about economic tunities, and is allowed to achieve based an awful lot like the greedy capitalism justice for the poor must ask themselves upon one’s own hard work and ingenu- that produced the 2008 economic col- what type of economy would best help ity. I am not advocating for a rugged lapse. Suffice it to say that any approach the poor. A bad economy will always individualism, rather a community that to economics can go terribly off course produce bad results, especially for the fi- shows its compassion by ensuring that and become harmful when selfishness nancially powerless. In Sirico’s opinion, everyone will have the right to learn and rules the day. The only remedy is for Christian capitalism has proven to be work. I am also mindful of the balanced Christians to promote an economic the most effective means for helping en- admonishment found in Galatians 6:2- model that doesn’t lose sight of God. sure financial freedom for all. He states, 5, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so My assumption is that a person who “Capitalism offers wide ownership of fulfill the law of Christ. … But let each produces and manages wealth with the property, fair and equal rules for all, one test his own work, and then his rea- full awareness that she was created by a strict adherence to the rule of owner- son to boast will be in himself alone and moral God and will one day have to give ship, opportunities for charity, and the not in his neighbor. For each will have an account to Him on how she used the wise use of resources.”4 to bear his own load.” resources that He blessed her with will To some this may sound naively opti- Notice the way the apostle Paul bal- behave more honorably and mercifully. mistic, but Father Sirico spells out and ances the call for Christians to advocate She will also be a more careful steward explains his philosophy of the virtues for a compassionate community that of her money, even her charitable giv- of a market-based economic approach acts justly by helping those who are in ing, making sure that she is investing in in his book Defending the Free Market: The a weakened or vulnerable condition, the people and projects that will have Moral Case for a Free Economy. The under- while at the same time discouraging an the greatest impact on humanity for the pinnings of his view on what makes an unhealthy reliance on others by uphold- glory of God. economy just and good is a right cos- ing the responsibility we each have for This type of financial vision has great mology. Our cosmology is our belief self-sufficiency. As apologists who care potential for helping the poor rise out on how the world has been created and deeply about a world that is socially just, of poverty and the rich to voluntarily the practical principles that should im- these are the things we should fight for. distribute their wealth to causes that pact the way we live as a result of these We should oppose any barrier that lim- will bring about justice for all. Father beliefs. For Father Sirico, cosmology Sirico said it best: “Capitalism, rightly begins with the fact that an all-powerful The free economy understood and pursued, has lifted un- and all-good God who has created the “ told millions out of abject poverty and universe has also made man with intrin- is a dream worthy allowed them to use skills and talents sic dignity and in His image. Therefore, they would never have discovered, and a moral economy is built upon two of our spiritual to build opportunities their grandpar- pillars: first, cultivating humanity’s de- imaginations. ents never dreamed were possible. The pendence upon God as creator and sus- ” free economy is a dream worthy of our tainer; second, a moral economy, which spiritual imaginations.”5 preserves a person’s intrinsic dignity by Father Siricio The Power of Applied Compassion ensuring equality of opportunity, not Having much in common with equal outcomes. its a person’s ability to be educated and Father Sirico philosophically, Dr. John Over time, wealth redistribution and employed. But we should also stand Perkins challenges us even further in one-way charity only cause people to against the type of toxic charity that cre- the area of application. As a man who feel incapable of providing for them- ates generation after generation of gov- came back to Mississippi after leaving selves. Dignity is derived from the right ernment dependency. A governmental and finding success in California, Dr. to enjoy the happiness that comes from policy that curbs a person’s affluence by Perkins has dedicated his life to trans- earned success. True prosperity and forcing the reallocation of their hard- forming broken communities with the empowerment come when a person is earned income is both unbiblical and See urban apologetics page 4

Jan./Feb. 2015 Page 3 aurban look atapologetics our world fromcontinued the desk from of page dr. david 3 noebel, continued from page

love of Christ and effective compas- with an “arm’s length” mentality. the hope that lies within us! And this we sion. Unfortunately, he has found that If we were to summarize the meth- will do with gentleness and respect. many Christians are guilty of giving lip ods of these two voices for justice, we Notes service to justice but being unwilling would say that economic freedom for 1. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Com- to roll up their sleeves in tangible ways. the poor can only be achieved in a free munist Manifesto (London, England: Penguin To cure this, he has established certain economy where gifted leaders are com- Books, 1967), 62. core values that govern the Christian mitted to living among those whom 2. Karl Marx, Early Political Writings, ed. by Community Development Association, they serve and advocating for fairness Edward J. O’Malley (Cambridge, England: one of which is a commitment to “re- in opportunities for education, em- Cambridge University Press, 1994), 57. location.”6 This is simply a recognition ployment, and entrepreneurship. Our 3. John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, April 5, of the fact that one of the greatest chal- willingness to embrace this philosophy 1887, in Historical Essays and Studies, ed. by lenges in our urban communities is the as urban apologists will produce results J. N. Figgis and R.V. Laurence (London: Mac- escapism that has led many to leave the and overcome any barrier that attempts millan, 1907), 504. inner city in search of success, thereby to limit the credibility of our message. 4. Robert Sirico, Defending the Free Market: creating a vacuum of leadership. Perkins Our examination of the major ethical, The Moral Case for a Free Economy (Wash- encourages Christians to move into and religious, and social challenges to the ington, DC: Regnery Publishing, 2012), 6. to work in the poorest communities in gospel has revealed that in order to be 5. Ibid. America. He is convinced that our pres- an effective witness for Christ, we must 6. Christian Community Development Asso- ence will bring about transformation embody the truth that we believe and ciation, accessed March 12, 2014, www.ccda. from the inside out. But it will never be never shy away from giving an answer org/about/ccd-philosophy. accomplished if we continue to operate to anyone who asks us for a reason for Christopher Brooks’ Summit Adult Conference 2014 Address: What you think about God and his liberated from? What do the people of mother before that, then what does he creation are the two most important the city need to experience freedom expect? aspects of who you are. You can’t have from? Those of you called to help the eco- a corrupt root system and get righteous My burden is for Detroit. I tell people nomically down-trodden, ask your- fruit from it. I love Summit because all the time, I’m not in Detroit by force, self, “What is really working?” Don’t they know how to marry orthodoxy I’m in Detroit by choice. In Detroit, we let sentimentality drive you. Look at (right belief) and orthopraxy (right face brokenness every day. Brokenness people as individuals and figure out living). creates bondage. It’s not just an urban what brings empowerment. Never do Today I’m talking about how the problem. It’s a universal, ubiquitous for someone else what they have the gospel of Jesus Christ brings freedom problem. Devaluing human life pro- capacity to do for themselves, because to cities. Throughout scripture, we see duces a bondage of violence. it strips them of dignity. that God has a heart for people in cit- It also creates a bondage of depen- Here are five things we can do to ies. Adam had his Eden, Jesus had his dency. I live in a city that, much to our bring the gospel to our cities: Jerusalem, David had his Bethlehem. shame, receives about half a billion Embrace the power of a city Paul said, “I have to get to Rome.” dollars in food stamps every year. Part theology. Tim Keller says, “Christians Chris Brooks has his Detroit. of the reason I stand strongly against should strive to be known for their love What city has God placed on your an aid-based solution to the problems for cities, their commitment to justice heart? Ask the Lord, “How can I be of the poor is because I’ve seen the de- and mercy, and their love for their an agent of love, salvation, transforma- pendency it’s created. If a young man neighbors.” tion, and freedom here.” Look around grows up in a home where his mother I’m conservative, but I think we of- and ask, what does this city need to be received food stamps, and his grand- See Brooks’ address page 5 PagePage 44 NovemberJan./Feb. 20152014 aBrooks’ look at address our world fromcontinued the desk from of page dr. david 4 noebel, continued from page

ten spend more time on what we are him, and in our conversation he says, whom I have sent into exile from against rather than what we’re for. “You know what we need around here? Jerusalem to Babylon: Build hous- Great ideas capture the heart through More good guys like you.” I told him es and live in them; plant gardens human stories. We need to tell stories he could be that guy; he didn’t have to and eat their produce; take wives of how the gospel transforms cities. Of- import one. We talked for an hour, and and have sons and daughters; take tentimes our liberal friends win their began a relationship. The only way I wives for your sons, and give your arguments not because they’re right could have that conversation is for love daughters in marriage, that they but because they specialize in human to cast out fear. may bear sons and daughters; mul- stories. Embrace the power of the Christian tiply there, and do not decrease. Embrace the power of common worldview. The Bible is the story of But seek the welfare of the city grace. Gabe Lyons says, “What the the whole world. Chuck Colson said, where I have sent you into exile, church is missing is the theology of The Christian worldview is more and pray to the LORD on its be- common grace … the grace that causes consistent, morally rational, and half, for in its welfare you will find us to say like the Psalmist, the Lord is more workable than any other be- your welfare. good to all, and his compassion is over lief system. It beats all other con- Are you building houses, families, all, and all he has made.” In my commu- tenders in giving credible answers businesses, and gardens in your com- nity, what does the grace of God look to the great questions any other munity? like when it’s applied to my atheist or worldview must answer. Ques- Embrace the power of collabora- Muslim neighbors or drug-dealers? tions like, where did we come tion. Vince Lombardi, the great foot- Does God have any grace for them? from, what is the human dilemma, ball coach, says, “Individual commit- The number one reason why most what can we do to solve the human ment to a group effort, that is what people don’t want to do evangelism in dilemma? The way that we see the makes a team work, a company work, a Muslim communities or in urban poor world guides the way we work to society work, a civilization work.” None communities like Detroit is fear. And change the world. of us can do this alone. Get involved in it’s not just a black fear; there’s a white Here’s what he’s saying: The Chris- your local church, that’s where you le- fear as well. As a pastor, I’m always en- tian worldview, when put up against verage relationships. We can do more couraging people to not be afraid. Part other worldviews, always wins. Chris- together than we can apart. of the problem is we have a fear-based tians have to go from defense to of- Acts 16:9-10 says, “And a vision ap- fight-or-flight mentality. When you fense. peared to Paul in the night: A man of have a love-based metanarrative of the Embrace the power of created Macedonia was standing there, urging world, the goal is not to conquer your calling. Andy Crouch says, “Christians him and saying, ‘Come over to Mace- neighbor but to love and influence should be known for cultivating what is donia and help us.’ And when Paul had them into a relationship with Christ. best for human culture. … We should seen the vision, immediately we sought Last summer, we renovated many be known as creators, people who dare to go on into Macedonia, concluding houses and gave away a house to a sin- to think and do something that has that God had called us to preach the gle mom who is a school-teacher with never been thought or done before, gospel to them.” two children. Part of my job during something that makes that world more I encourage you to pray until you get the project was to walk up and down welcoming, thrilling, and beautiful.” a vision of where God wants you to the street and pray for people. I came What are you doing to make your minister. Just as the Macedonian man up to this drug-dealer who had two community more welcoming, more was crying out “please come help us,” cell phones going. I introduced myself thrilling, and more beautiful? there are groups in your own backyard as Pastor Brooks, and he tells the guy Jeremiah 29:4-7 says, that are crying out for help. We should on the phone, “I gotta go. A pastor just Thus says the LORD of hosts, see our communities as people God came to visit.” I asked if I could pray for the God of Israel, to all the exiles wants to save.

NovemberJan./Feb. 2015 2014 Page 5 a look at our world news and commentary

Editor’s Note: Our President Emeri- same-sex marriage. One night, Mr. tus, Dr. David Noebel, helps us with Southern Baptists remain firmly op- Walker and more research by sending 20-30 pages posed to homosexuality, citing biblical than a dozen of clippings of each month’s news. authority, and see the legalization of gay Southern Baptists To see the complete list of Doc’s marriage as proof of the deterioration and gay-rights ad- clippings, go to www.summit.org/ of Christian values. Some evangelicals vocates gathered in a suite away from resources/the-journal/, open the and Baptists outside the SBC have be- the ballroom where more than 1,300 at- PDF, and scroll to page 9, or call us at gun advocating change — raising ques- tendees met for the public portion of the 866.786.6483. tions about interpretations of biblical conference. Southern Baptist prohibitions and supporting Christians The meeting “exceeded both sides’ ex- Convention/Sexual in same-sex relationships. Though SBC pectations as far as cheerfulness, friend- Orientation pastors this week, while suggesting liness, and authenticity of the conversa- greater engagement with gays, reiterated tion,” Mr. Walker said. “We disagreed, NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A gathering the practice of homosexuality is a sin. but we disagreed very well.” of Southern Baptists here opened this Southern Baptists and gay-rights sup- Southern Baptists have complained week with Albert Mohler, stalwart head porters had clashed before this week, in they are often portrayed unfairly by gay- of the Southern Baptist Theological print and online, but rarely had direct rights supporters as bigots, out of touch Seminary, apologizing for “denying the personal contact. with modern culture. The personal reality of sexual orientation,” but saying “Everyone’s talking about each oth- meetings “help defy caricature,” Mr. orientation “can change.” er. We needed to start talking to each Walker said. It closed with a pastor saying “no one other,” said Andrew Walker, director of Some gay-rights advocates at the con- goes to hell for being homosexual,” but policy studies for the SBC’s Ethics and ference said their greatest worry is for he added Christians must remind gay Religious Liberty Commission, which teens growing up in strict evangelical friends and family members that “the hosted the three-day conference. households who may be shunned by day of judgment is coming.” Though gay-rights advocates and their families for coming out as gay. The statements from the largest and Christians who back same-sex marriage While the private meetings offered one of the most conservative Protes- weren’t invited to speak, a small group hope, advocates said, they were disap- tant denominations made waves in the attended to observe and meet informal- pointed by speech in some public ses- religious and gay communities. Some ly with Southern Baptists, including Mr. sions, including from Christians who praised the Southern Baptist Conven- Walker. described themselves as “struggling with tion for softening its tone and message “What’s significant is not the content same-sex attraction.” when discussing homosexuals. Crit- of the meetings, but that there were But many SBC pastors and leaders ics complained that nothing really had meetings at all,” said Justin Lee, execu- encouraged Baptists not to shun gay, les- changed. tive director of The Gay Christian Net- bian, and transgender — or LGBT — But others who attended said a shift work. “It allowed us to humanize one people, as well as gay family members. was taking place. In private meetings another and form relationships.” In a sign of the practical struggles and one-on-one encounters during the Both groups noted that each side faces Baptists face, some of the conference week, Southern Baptists and gay-rights pressure from its constituents, who may focused on advice. “What if you get in- advocates said they established relation- see such meetings as paving the way for vited to a same-sex wedding ceremony?” ships they hope will carry both sides an accommodation they don’t support. Russell Moore, president of the SBC’s through a time of deep cultural change, “No one ceded their ground on any is- Ethics and Religious Liberty Commis- particularly as the church navigates is- sue,” Mr. Walker said. “Neither side was sion, was asked. “In that case, I would sues such as the increasing acceptance of brandishing the white flag.” not attend the wedding. I would attend

Page 6 Jan./Feb. 2015 a look at our world continued from page 6

the reception,” he said. In that way, he Commission of the New England As- pening at Gordon. … They were antici- said, a Baptist could say, “I love you and sociation of Schools and Colleges pating this as a falling of the first domino, I’m here with you. I disagree with you, (NEASC), one of six regional accredit- and they aren’t surprised it happened but I love you.” ing agencies, asked Gordon for a report in Massachusetts.” Brown noted that Mr. Mohler, head of the theological about whether its conduct policy for- NEASC “pinpointed one action of one seminary, said he hoped the conference bidding “homosexual practice” meets leader on a topic on which good people would make Christians “motivated to be NEASC’s requirement for “nondis- differ, and threatened the entire future of unafraid to engage with LGBT persons.” criminatory policies and practices in a fine school.” Mr. Mohler this week met with Matthew recruitment, admissions, employment, But a statement from the Council for Vines, an openly gay Christian author evaluation, disciplinary action, and ad- Christian Colleges and Universities said, who argues the Bible doesn’t prohibit vancement.” “NEASC has been clear in its commu- lifelong same-sex marriage. NEASC President Barbara Britting- nication that Gordon’s accreditation is “I think all evangelical Christians are ham told me, “We didn’t have any prob- not at risk. The Higher Education Op- having to learn anew how to discuss lem with any other part of the school’s portunity Act requires accreditors to these issues,” Mr. Mohler said policies,” which also include prohibi- respect institutional mission, and in the “It’s not like anyone is suddenly pro- tions of sex outside marriage, drunken- case of religious institutions, their reli- gay,” said Mr. Vines. But, “it feels like a ness, blasphemy, profanity, theft, and gious mission specifically.” Mary Ellen new era.” dishonesty. She also said, “We accredit Petrisko, president of the Accrediting — Tamara Audi Boston College, which is a Jesuit school, Commission for the Western Associa- The Wall Street Journal and they only want Jesuits to teach the- tion of Schools and Colleges, told me, “I October 31, 2014 ology. We have no problem with that.” do not believe that the Gordon College Higher Education When asked why Gordon should situation is the beginning of a trend that have to produce a special report regard- will endanger the accreditation of reli- Christian colleges value accredita- ing its opposition to homosexuality, gious schools.” tion from secular agencies as a quality Brittingham said, “How society thinks Withdrawal of accreditation is very assurance mechanism, but also because about LGBT people has changed drasti- rare and has been done only once by without it their students will lose fed- cally in the last 15 years or so, and Gor- NEASC since 1988 — in 2010, when eral financial aid and may have trouble don seems to be saying that one group a school had serious financial problems. gaining acceptance to graduate school. of people can do certain things, but But this is also the first time that an ac- So accreditation is a potential weapon another group of people cannot.” She crediting agency has demanded a report in the hands of agencies influenced by also said NEASC has a good relation- in relation to rules concerning homo- the agenda of gay rights activists. This ship with Gordon and that withdrawal sexuality. So questions remain: Will worries some education leaders in the of accreditation could not happen next Christian colleges be evaluated based wake of news from Gordon College in September, when the report is due. She on consistency with their own mission Wenham, Mass., while others say there’s said the worst possibilities at that time and values, or will they be judged by nothing to fear. would be some form of probation or a someone else’s? And if accrediting agen- The Gordon story, in brief: Gordon more formal inquiry. Later, she emailed cies demand changes, will those colleges President, Michael Lindsay, bravely me about the probation issue and said, “I give in? joined some other Christian leaders was speaking hypothetically in the gen- — Dave Swavely in signing a letter to President Barack eral sense, not about Gordon College.” World Magazine Obama asking for religious exemptions David Brown, a professor at North- November 1, 2014 to a proposed ban on federal funding for land International University, says, institutions that “discriminate” against “Leaders in Christian higher education LGBT employees. In September, the are keeping a close watch on what is hap-

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2015 Adult Conference: TRUE – Discovering the Essence of Our Faith

A Summit for grown-ups? Yes! Make plans now to attend March 8-13, 2015, for the Summit Adult Win- ter Conference. Keynote: Josh McDowell – One of the most articulate Christian apologists of our day, Josh will be displaying several ancient scrolls and historical artifacts that will take your breath away. Also featured will be Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Pastor Saeed Abedini, whose story has grabbed headlines as he languishes in an Iranian prison for teaching Christianity. Straight from the time of the apostles, Naghmeh’s story highlights the cries of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. For more information visit www.summit.org/conferences/adult

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Literature declares “the existence of an unseen spir- Not so fast, says Larry Siedentop in In- itual world … in addition to the physical venting the Individual. In this wide-rang- Three-fourths full or one-fourth emp- world in which we live.” And for those ing work of intellectual, cultural, and ty? I recently read one new Christian who want to see the play as well as read political history, Siedentop, an emeritus book that blasts William Shakespeare it, Ryken says the 1987 BBC production Oxford fellow, argues that liberalism, for sub-Christian thinking, but then of Hamlet, with Derek Jacobi and Claire secularism, human equality and natural received Leland Ryken’s Shakespeare’s Bloom, is the best film version. rights, the social contract, and the shield- Hamlet (Crossway, 2014), an 83-page —Marvin Olasky ing of the private from the public and analysis that high-school and college World Magazine of society from the state should not be students should consume. He notes that November 1, 2014 treated as innovations of modernity in Shakespeare’s plays “assume the same Whence come the principles of mod- either of these ways. Instead we should kind of reality the Bible does with such ern liberal societies — “liberal” in the understand these essential features of Christian beliefs as the existence of God classical sense of devotion to human lib- the modern West as products of Chris- and Satan, heaven and hell, good and erty, with a private sphere protected by tianity itself. evil, and punishment for sin.” natural rights, the equal moral dignity For Siedentop, “Christian moral be- Ryken, for more than 45 years a of individuals, freedom of conscience, liefs emerge as the ultimate source of the Wheaton professor of English, lists the and a limited state? When and how did social revolution that has made the West providential events that happen in the Western societies come by such founda- what it is.” The peculiar insights and second half of Hamlet: a traveling troupe tional ideas of human freedom? commitments of Christianity took many of players visits so Hamlet can get them One usual account is that the Renais- centuries of development to unfold in to perform the mousetrap scene; he sance and the Enlightenment drove such all their dimensions. But it is notable passes by the door of Claudius as the discoveries, that in the several centuries that Siedentop draws his story to a close murderer is kneeling in prayer; Polo- from Machiavelli to Mill, the Western with the 15th century: The foundations nius rather than Claudius is behind the mind (in Jefferson’s words) “burst the of liberalism were in place before the curtain; Gertrude happens to grab the chains” of “monkish ignorance and su- Renaissance and Reformation, before poisoned chalice. Ryken says another perstition,” with outmoded religious Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke, before author could have made these all chance beliefs being at least modified and often the Enlightenment and the revolutions occurrences, but “Shakespeare (as al- jettisoned in favor of “the unbounded of the 18th century. Rarely does a revi- ways) shows his theological allegiance exercise of reason and freedom of opin- sionist history topple so many pillars of by turning the chain of events in the di- ion.” Prior to modernity, in this account, conventional understanding. rection of Christian faith in God’s provi- all is gloom and oppression. And rarely has it been done so well. dence.” A variant of this view is to exalt the Siedentop writes with a clear elegance, Ryken points out that when Hamlet’s ancient cities of Athens and Rome, the in over two dozen pithy chapters that friend Horatio entreats him to back out birthplaces of both republican govern- move the reader briskly through almost of the Act V duel, Hamlet replies, “We ment and political philosophy, as early two millennia of history. He begins in defy augury. There is special providence exemplars of freedom and secular gov- the ancient pagan world of Greece and in the fall of a sparrow. If [death] … be ernment. Then the thesis is that Renais- Rome, where religion was essentially a not now, yet it will come. The readiness sance humanists and early modern theo- family cult, where the city was built on a is all.” Hamlet rejects pagan notions of rists came up with the new doctrine of polytheistic “confederation of cults,” and fortune telling, alludes to Jesus’ famous natural rights, but only in an encounter where notions of human equality had es- remark about God’s care even for spar- with the thought of the ancient pagans, sentially no political or moral purchase. rows, and becomes, in Ryken’s words, shunting the “dark ages” of Christen- This closed world is burst open by Saint “an example of Christian courage.” dom to the sidelines. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles who Ryken also notes that Hamlet “wagers on human equality,” preaching a

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salvation available to all — and therefore Major figures in the story include Au- The modern heirs of medieval liberal- also a conscience in each human being, a gustine, Charlemagne, Pope Gregory ism, taking a more atomistic and utilitar- moral agency and responsibility resting VII, Gratian, Abelard, Duns Scotus, ian line than their forebears, create, in in each human soul. The most important and William of Ockham. Each of them Siedentop’s view, a “liberal heresy” that relationship in each human life, for Paul’s played a role in advancing the cause of “deprives liberal secularism of its pro- Christian evangelism, is not the son’s or equal freedom and dignity for “all souls,” foundly moral roots.” Hence the “embar- daughter’s relation to the family, or the helping to clear a space where the indi- rassment” of contemporary Europeans citizen’s relation to the city, but the indi- vidual could stake his claim against the as they thrust away any recognition of vidual’s relation to God. These individu- pretensions of “superior” birth, “natural” the Christian foundations of their civili- als, like the God in whose image they are authority, or the refinements of reason. zation. They have privileged the secular made, are free. Thus they have claims on And with them all Siedentop seems over the religious, and made enemies of their fellow men, in ethics, law, and poli- comfortably at home, wearing his learn- two institutions — church and state — tics, claims untrammeled by questions ing lightly, while candidly relying also on that grew up together as brothers. But of rank, status, family, or membership in favorite historians old and new: Fustel “secularism is Christianity’s gift to the cult or tribe. de Coulanges and Guizot in the 19th world,” Siedentop says, and it is not a This was explosive stuff. The noble century, Peter Brown and Brian Tierney doctrine of “non-belief or indifference” hero and the great prince were sup- in the 20th. but a way of supplying “the conditions planted by the humble saint, lifted to This is not a flawless book. My non- in which authentic beliefs should be glory by his obedience to the divine law specialist eyes spotted a careless error formed and defended.” Those who raise of charity. The poor had the same access about the Resurrection in one place, an the banner of “secularism” while they to grace as the rich — perhaps more ac- oddly inverted reading of Plato’s Republic attack religious belief as retrograde, ir- cess. Social identities took a back seat to in another, and a superficial understand- rational, or tyrannical are sawing off the basic human dignity and moral equality. ing of what the author calls American limb on which they sit. Western men — and women — entered “fundamentalism” in the conclusion. Those on the religious side of our “a world in which individual conscience But these are small defects in a book that culture wars, who rightly worry about rather than assigned status provided the is extraordinarily rich in explaining the contemporary liberalism’s corrosive ef- foundation for social relations.” Dignity central developments of Western civili- fect on moral norms of conscience and now attached even to work, which the zation. its increasing attachment to statism, ancient pagans had disdained. And the As challenging as Siedentop’s book should imbibe Siedentop’s caution not ambiguities of Christian belief and doc- will be to academics in various schools to mount a counterrevolution against trine gave new impetus to the cause of of thought, it also contains very impor- liberalism or secularism properly un- learning. tant insights for people engaged in the derstood. Far from there being any fun- Siedentop’s tale radiates outward and public square, especially where religion damental incompatibility between the ranges forward into the foundations of and politics intersect. For those who Christian faith and political doctrines of the medieval city, the death of slavery champion the cause of “secularism,” it human equality, natural rights, and indi- in Christendom, improved understand- will be a salutary shock to learn that the vidual choice, the latter should be recog- ings of marriage, property, and corpo- very idea of the secular is a Christian nized as the offspring of the former. rate organization, the struggle for the one — that in the Christian ideas of the One hears in certain Christian intel- “liberty of the Church,” the develop- individual, of the conscience, and of the lectual circles today a note of despair ment of canon and civil law, the evolving Church as the body of Christ lay all the that the American experiment in liber- notion of a sovereign state, and the con- predicates for a politics of freedom, of alism has run its course, and the view version of the classical idea of natural law individual choice, and of limited state that our political order has had, from into the medieval (no, not the modern) authority occupying a sphere separate its very birth, a predisposition of impla- idea of natural rights. from religious authority. cable hostility to Christian faith and the

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moral character of society, a hostility be- State residents decide whether to allow Southern states. coming more and more apparent in our the state’s legislature to debate passage of Referendum opponents portray time. The American Founders, in this laws protecting unborn children. themselves as defending an Alamo of account, did not “build better than they Fourteen years ago, the Tennessee Su- abortion liberty against hordes of fanat- knew”: They built with termite-infested preme Court tried to cut off such debate ics — but along with their television timbers, and we know it now because by declaring that the state’s constitution buys they benefit from free publicity in the house is falling down around us. demands a “right to abortion.” With magazines such as Mother Jones, which But the American Founding did not neighboring states such as Alabama and headlined a recent article, “The Nation’s spring full-grown from the brow of John Mississippi increasing their protection Biggest Abortion Battle Is Playing Out Locke (about whom much more could of some unborn children during those in Tennessee.” In reality, they look more be said both pro and con). Nor is the years, Tennessee has become an abor- like Santa Anna. anti-monkish ignorance of Thomas Jef- tion destination: One out of four abor- Another reality check: Passage of ferson our only ancestral idea. The po- tions in Tennessee now kills an out-of- Amendment 1 would bring about noth- litical doctrines of our Founders’ liberal- state baby. ing radical, since the U.S. Supreme ism sprang also from the sturdy faith of The Tennessee ballot this November Court allows only minor changes in the John Witherspoon, from the theology features “Amendment 1,” which would abortion regime. Some lives would be of Jonathan Edwards, from the natural- reopen the debate. The amendment de- saved, though, through likely legislation rights teachings of medieval canonists clares that “nothing in this Constitution such as a 24-hour waiting period to re- and philosophers, from the insights into secures or protects a right to abortion or duce abortion coercion, informed con- the free human will of Saint Augustine, requires the funding of an abortion,” and sent requirements so that women have and from the caritas for all souls that we asserts that the legislature is free to pass accurate information regarding fetal de- see in the letters of Saint Paul. We would laws concerning abortion. velopment, and inspection of abortion do well to remember whence we really At least 20 county governments have facilities that would reduce the number came, to recover our own story, and to approved resolutions backing Amend- of southern-fried Gosnells. tell it all over again. ment 1, but the pro-abortion side is out- —Marvin Olasky —Matthew J. Franck fundraising pro-lifers. The campaign to World Magazine The National Review defeat Amendment 1 took in more than November 1, 2014 November 17, 2014 $1.5 million in July, August, and Septem- UNCW has long been committed to Abortion ber, while proponents raised $631,576. a philosophy of multiculturalism, which On Oct. 10, the pro-abortion side had suggests that all truth is relative. (But “On November 4, 2014, Tennes- $1.6 million on hand and planned an ag- who knows if that’s really true!) It is the see voters by a solid margin backed gressive get-out-the-vote and television kind of worldview that allows us to turn Amendment 1, a measure that gives ad campaign. a blind eye to evil simply by denying that state lawmakers more power to restrict The list of anti-Amendment-1 contri- evil exists. It also allows us to maximize and regulate abortions.” butions is heavy with Planned Parent- sexual liberty by renouncing all forms of —The Tennessean hood affiliates. The April/May/June moral judgment. Unfortunately, two of November 5, 2014 published statement, for example, in- UNCW’s feminist administrators have On Nov. 1, 1835, Davy Crockett left cluded $189,500 from Planned Parent- veered off the script and become moral his Tennessee home and headed to Tex- hood of Middle and Eastern Tennessee, crusaders in the name of “reproductive as, where four months later he died at the $50,000 from Planned Parenthood of justice”—much to the embarrassment of Alamo. This Nov. 4, the eyes of pro-lifers the Great Northwest (Seattle), and oth- the hire administration (author’s note: and pro-aborts throughout the United er large contributions from Planned Par- that last ms-spelling was intentional as States will be on Tennessee, as Volunteer enthood groups in southern California, was the sarcasm). Massachusetts, Kansas/Missouri, and

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After putting on UNCW name tags to UNCW has 12 official student political tify their sexual choices. NARAL mem- show that they speak for the university, groups. Of those 12, only one has the of- bers seek to murder children in order to Amy Schlag and Katie Peel decided to ficial backing of a university office with justify their sexual choices. That’s even pose in public for a photo op in front of its own budget line. The group is the worse. a large sign reading “Good Women Have NARAL student group. The office is the To put this all in perspective, take a Abortions.” The picture, which features WRC, which recently announced that it moment to consider the kind of self- the husband and wife couple (they were is officially “affiliated” with the NARAL loathing it takes to actually believe that “married” in Massachusetts) also shows group. Now, Peel’s husband, Amy Schlag, “good women have abortions.” Do them high-fiving in front of the sign in a is providing additional funding through Schlag and Peel really think their moth- show of their mutual support for the kill- the LGBTQIA Resource Office. ers are bad people for having them in- ing of innocent children. This isn’t the first time Schlag has stead of killing them? If so, they need to Schlag and Peel are familiar names to teamed up with the WRC in an effort be sent to counseling centers, not put in those who regularly read my column. to encourage students to get abortions charge of diversity centers. Schlag is the director of the LGBTQIA and to later praise the students for do- The time has come for our new inter- Resource Office at UNCW. Peel is the ing so. When Schlag was co-director of im chancellor ([email protected]) director of the WRC at UNCW. Both the WRC, she sponsored an event where to step in and put an end to all of this expend considerable taxpayer resources “I Had an Abortion” t-shirts were sold taxpayer funded moral inversion. Good celebrating abortion and lobbying for to students. Yes, you heard that right. interim chancellors abort bad adminis- various leftist causes. This isn’t the only UNCW students were actually encour- trative offices. They don’t let them -con time they have come out (no pun in- aged to wear t-shirts boasting that they tinue to reproduce. tended) in actual favor of killing inno- had killed their own children. —Mike Adams cent children. They routinely celebrate Nor is this the first time Schlag has pro- Townhall.com abortion. They also demand that tax- moted the idea that abortion doctors are October 30, 2014 payers back their decidedly pro-murder heroes. Last year, her office sponsored a Higher Education position. film celebrating the life of George Til- On October 22, Schlag and the LG- ler, the slain partial birth abortionist. In Christian colleges value accredita- BTQIA Resource Office sponsored a Schlag’s view, even those who murder tion from secular agencies as a quality NARAL event on campus. The event fully developed babies are heroes. We assurance mechanism, but also because was promoted by her office through the are no longer simply withholding moral without it their students will lose fed- use of “Abortion Providers Are Heroes” judgment from these people. We’re actu- eral financial aid and may have trouble fliers, which were printed at taxpayer ally praising their actions as “heroic.” gaining acceptance to graduate school. expense and posted around campus. Like any good wife, Katie Peel is right So accreditation is a potential weapon The event specifically praised doctors there with Amy praising the act of mur- in the hands of agencies influenced by who murdered innocent children in the dering helpless children in the womb. the agenda of gay rights activists. This womb back when it was illegal to do so. In a recent email promoting her favor- worries some education leaders in the And, yes, they actually characterized the ite student group, Peel called NARAL wake of news from Gordon College dismemberment of innocent children a “reproductive justice” group. Calling in Wenham, Mass., while others say trapped in the womb as an act of hero- NARAL a reproductive justice group is there’s nothing to fear. ism. Those are their words, not mine. about as insane as calling NAMBLA a The Gordon story, in brief: Gordon The problem is not that taxpayer re- sexual liberation group. President, Michael Lindsay, bravely sources were used to fund this particu- For the record, I did not mean to com- joined some other Christian leaders lar event. The problem is that NARAL pare NARAL to NAMBLA. That would in signing a letter to President Barack is getting special treatment that other not be fair to NAMBLA members who Obama asking for religious exemptions official student groups are not getting. only seek to rape children in order to jus- to a proposed ban on federal fund-

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ing for institutions that “discriminate” land International University, says, Homosexuality against LGBT employees. In Septem- “Leaders in Christian higher educa- ber, the Commission of the New Eng- tion are keeping a close watch on what “This is why a man leaves his father land Association of Schools and Col- is happening at Gordon. … They were and mother and bonds with his wife, leges (NEASC), one of six regional anticipating this as a falling of the first and they become one flesh.” accrediting agencies, asked Gordon for domino, and they aren’t surprised it —Genesis 2:24 a report about whether its conduct pol- happened in Massachusetts.” Brown “If a man sleeps with a man as with icy forbidding “homosexual practice” noted that NEASC “pinpointed one ac- a woman, they both committed an meets NEASC’s requirement for “non- tion of one leader on a topic on which abomination.” discriminatory policies and practices in good people differ, and threatened the —Leviticus 20:13 recruitment, admissions, employment, entire future of a fine school.” evaluation, disciplinary action, and ad- But a statement from the Council “Males committed shameless acts vancement.” for Christian Colleges and Universities with males and received in their own NEASC President Barbara Britting- said, “NEASC has been clear in its com- persons the appropriate penalty for ham told me, “We didn’t have any prob- munication that Gordon’s accreditation their perversion.” lem with any other part of the school’s is not at risk. The Higher Education —Romans 1:27 policies,” which also include prohibi- Opportunity Act requires accreditors “In the same way, Sodom and Go- tions of sex outside marriage, drunk- to respect institutional mission, and in morrah and the cities around them enness, blasphemy, profanity, theft, the case of religious institutions, their committed sexual immorality and and dishonesty. She also said, “We ac- religious mission specifically.” Mary practiced perversions.” credit Boston College, which is a Jesuit Ellen Petrisko, president of the Accred- —Jude vs. 7 school, and they only want Jesuits to iting Commission for the Western As- “Mr. Mohler [Southern Baptist teach theology. We have no problem sociation of Schools and Colleges, told Theological Seminary] this week met with that.” me, “I do not believe that the Gordon with Matthew Vines, an openly gay When asked why Gordon should College situation is the beginning of a Christian author who argues the Bible have to produce a special report regard- trend that will endanger the accredita- doesn’t prohibit lifelong same-sex mar- ing its opposition to homosexuality, tion of religious schools.” riage.” Brittingham said, “How society thinks Withdrawal of accreditation is very about LGBT people has changed dras- rare and has been done only once by —Tamara Audi tically in the last 15 years or so, and Gor- NEASC since 1988 — in 2010, when a Editor’s Note: Not only does the Bi- don seems to be saying that one group school had serious financial problems. ble speak to the subject of homosexu- of people can do certain things, but But this is also the first time that an ac- ality, but the science of biology also another group of people cannot.” She crediting agency has demanded a re- speaks to it. And if that isn’t enough for also said NEASC has a good relation- port in relation to rules concerning ho- the serious thinker, what about Imman- ship with Gordon and that withdrawal mosexuality. So questions remain: Will uel Kant’s Categorical Imperative: Act of accreditation could not happen next Christian colleges be evaluated based only according to that maxim whereby September, when the report is due. She on consistency with their own mis- you can, at the same time, will that it said the worst possibilities at that time sion and values, or will they be judged should become a universal law. Defend- would be some form of probation or a by someone else’s? And if accrediting ers of homosexuality have three strikes more formal inquiry. Later, she emailed agencies demand changes, will those against them before they come to bat. me about the probation issue and said, colleges give in? NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A gathering “I was speaking hypothetically in the —Dave Swavely of Southern Baptists here opened this general sense, not about Gordon Col- World Magazine week with Albert Mohler, stalwart head lege.” November 1, 2014 of the Southern Baptist Theological David Brown, a professor at North- NovemberJan./Feb. 2015 2014 Page 13 a look at our world from the desk of dr. david noebel, continued from page 13

Seminary, apologizing for “denying the “Everyone’s talking about each oth- cal households who may be shunned reality of sexual orientation,” but saying er. We needed to start talking to each by their families for coming out as gay. orientation “can change.” other,” said Andrew Walker, director of While the private meetings offered It closed with a pastor saying “no one policy studies for the SBC’s Ethics and hope, advocates said, they were disap- goes to hell for being homosexual,” but Religious Liberty Commission, which pointed by speech in some public ses- he added Christians must remind gay hosted the three-day conference. sions, including from Christians who friends and family members that “the Though gay-rights advocates and described themselves as “struggling day of judgment is coming.” Christians who back same-sex marriage with same-sex attraction.” The statements from the largest and weren’t invited to speak, a small group But many SBC pastors and leaders one of the most conservative Protes- attended to observe and meet infor- encouraged Baptists not to shun gay, tant denominations made waves in the mally with Southern Baptists, includ- lesbian, and transgender — or LGBT religious and gay communities. Some ing Mr. Walker. — people, as well as gay family mem- praised the Southern Baptist Conven- “What’s significant is not the content bers. tion for softening its tone and message of the meetings, but that there were In a sign of the practical struggles when discussing homosexuals. Crit- meetings at all,” said Justin Lee, execu- Baptists face, some of the conference ics complained that nothing really had tive director of The Gay Christian Net- focused on advice. “What if you get changed. work. “It allowed us to humanize one invited to a same-sex wedding cer- But others who attended said a shift another and form relationships.” emony?” Russell Moore, president of was taking place. In private meetings Both groups noted that each side fac- the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty and one-on-one encounters during es pressure from its constituents, who Commission, was asked. “In that case, I the week, Southern Baptists and gay- may see such meetings as paving the would not attend the wedding. I would rights advocates said they established way for an accommodation they don’t attend the reception,” he said. In that relationships they hope will carry both support. “No one ceded their ground way, he said, a Baptist could say, “I love sides through a time of deep cultural on any issue,” Mr. Walker said. “Neither you and I’m here with you. I disagree change, particularly as the church navi- side was brandishing the white flag.” with you, but I love you.” gates issues such as the increasing ac- One night, Mr. Walker and more Mr. Mohler, head of the theological ceptance of same-sex marriage. than a dozen Southern Baptists and seminary, said he hoped the confer- Southern Baptists remain firmly op- gay-rights advocates gathered in a suite ence would make Christians “moti- posed to homosexuality, citing biblical away from the ballroom where more vated to be unafraid to engage with authority, and see the legalization of than 1,300 attendees met for the public LGBT persons.” Mr. Mohler this week gay marriage as proof of the deteriora- portion of the conference. met with Matthew Vines, an openly gay tion of Christian values. Some evan- The meeting “exceeded both sides’ Christian author who argues the Bible gelicals and Baptists outside the SBC expectations as far as cheerfulness, doesn’t prohibit lifelong same-sex mar- have begun advocating change — rais- friendliness, and authenticity of the riage. ing questions about interpretations of conversation,” Mr. Walker said. “We “I think all evangelical Christians are biblical prohibitions and supporting disagreed, but we disagreed very well.” having to learn anew how to discuss Christians in same-sex relationships. Southern Baptists have complained these issues,” Mr. Mohler said Though SBC pastors this week, while they are often portrayed unfairly by “It’s not like anyone is suddenly pro- suggesting greater engagement with gay-rights supporters as bigots, out of gay,” said Mr. Vines. But, “it feels like a gays, reiterated the practice of homo- touch with modern culture. The per- new era.” sexuality is a sin. sonal meetings “help defy caricature,” —Tamara Audi Southern Baptists and gay-rights sup- Mr. Walker said. The Wall Street Journal porters had clashed before this week, in Some gay-rights advocates at the October 31, 2014 print and online, but rarely had direct conference said their greatest worry is personal contact. for teens growing up in strict evangeli- PagePage 1414 NovemberJan./Feb. 20152014 aa looklook atat ourour worldworld fromfrom thethe deskdesk ofof dr.dr. daviddavid noebel,noebel, continuedcontinued fromfrom pagepage 14

Jackie Hill-Perry considers herself ning song “Same Love” that says, “And wages of sin equal death finally clicked.” not merely an agent of change, but its I can’t change even if I tried, even if I “What I had been taught in church embodiment as well. wanted to.” until the age of 10 coincided with the A Christian spoken-word poet from “I think we’ve made God very little if truth in my conscious that a holy God Chicago, Ms. Hill-Perry professes to we believe that He cannot change peo- and just God would be justified in be a former lesbian — a change she as- ple,” Ms. Hill-Perry said on Wade-O sending me, an unrepentant sinner, to cribes to God. Radio. “If He can make a moon, stars, hell,” she said, “but also that this same God, she says, “not only changes and a galaxy that we have yet to fully God sent His son to die on my behalf your affections and your heart, but He comprehend, how can He not simply and forgive me if only I believe.” gives you new affections that you didn’t change my desires?” She left her girlfriend and returned to have.” Now married to a Christian man, Thousands of people on social media church. The next year, she met her fu- the 25-year-old poet is pregnant with shared her comments — with approv- ture husband at the first spoken-word the newlyweds’ first child, which is due ing or condemning remarks of their event where she performed “My Life as Dec. 13. own. She estimates that about 40 per- a Stud.” Over time, she lost her attrac- Her debut spoken-word album “The cent of the messages she has received tion to women and gained an attraction Art of Joy” will be released for free on have been negative. to Mr. Perry, whom she began dating Nov. 4 by Humble Beast record label. “On Twitter, this girl wrote me like three years later. Ms. Hill-Perry’s experience runs 15 different tweets, pretty much say- Now pregnant with a girl, Ms. Hill- counter to pronouncements by gay ing that I was delusional, in denial, and Perry is concerned her daughter will rights groups that exclaim sexuality as brainwashed,” Ms. Hill-Perry told The face persecution for sharing her beliefs an inherent, immutable characteristic. Washington Times. by the time she reaches 25 years old. What’s more, her assertions come amid After she married Preston Perry, an- “I think we’re moving toward a time wide-ranging reports about the psy- other Christian spoken-word poet, in in our society when, in the next 20 to chological dangers of so-called “repara- March, another Twitter critic accused 25 years, Christians are going to see a tive therapy,” which aims to change the them both of being gay and marrying massive amount of persecution when orientation of homosexuals. to “play God to a bunch of ignorant it comes to the topic of homosexual- But she remains steadfast in her be- people.” ity, and there will be no such thing as lief that anything is possible with God Ms. Hill-Perry says she was sexually tolerance for Christianity,” she says. as she meets criticism — and outright abused by a family friend when she 5. “[People will believe that] if you’re a contempt — for speaking out about Around the same time, she experienced Christian, you are a horrible human be- her experience. And thanks to her near- gender confusion that had coalesced ing, period.” ly 65,000 followers on social media, into an attraction to women when she “The true church of Jesus Christ will as well as encouragement from famed turned 17. She became sexually active still stick to the Scriptures,” Ms. Hill- Baptist theologian John Piper, Ms. Hill- with her first girlfriend, and then an- Perry says. “Now, those buildings that Perry’s story has been far-reaching. other. She became a regular at gay clubs have people in them where the authori- “The word of God itself, apart from and at gay pride parades in St. Louis. ty of God doesn’t trump their own feel- Jackie Hill, testifies that people can While lying in bed in October 2008, ings and emotions, I see a whole bunch change,” she said in a July 2013 report she reflected on her lifestyle and had of turning away from the faith — turn- on Wade-O Radio, a syndicated Chris- an epiphany that she addressed in her ing away from truth.” tian hip-hop broadcast based in New spoken-word piece “My Life as a Stud”: —David Daniels Jersey. “Then, one day, the Lord spoke to me. The Washington Times She was criticizing a lyric in rapper He said, ‘She will be the death of you.’ November 3, 2014 Macklemore’s Grammy Award-win- In that moment, the scripture for the

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Constitution our founders quoted those men of the There were 55 men who assembled “Enlightenment” who believed in the in what we now call the Constitutional Some skeptics today like to argue that Lord — e.g., Montesquieu, John Locke, Convention. Research shows that 50 the founding fathers purposefully left Sir William Blackstone. to 52 of those men were members in God out of the Constitution. They say In his The Spirit of Laws, Baron Mon- good standing of Trinitarian churches. that a “Godless Constitution” was the in- tesquieu wrote: “We shall see that we Many of them were even presidents and tended design of the document — and owe to Christianity, in government, a founders of Bible societies. they’re wrong. certain political law, and in war a certain Certainly, Benjamin Franklin was not First of all, the authors of the Consti- law of nations — benefits which human a Trinitarian, nor a member of such a tution not only mention God, they even nature can never sufficiently acknowl- church. Yet after weeks of wheel-spin- mention that Jesus is God. They do this edge.” ning at the convention, on June 28, in the ratification clause. This was done I used to have a Sunday school teacher 1787, Dr. Franklin delivered a speech, “in the Year of Our Lord” 1787. who became born again while earning asking them how it is that they had for- But some skeptics object. Yet law pro- his Ph.D. at Yale. He studied John Locke gotten to seek God’s help. fessor John Eidsmoe, author of the book in depth. Locke not only wrote his He said, “In the beginning of the con- Christianity and the Constitution, notes in Second Treatise of Civil Government, test with Great Britain, when we were response to their objection: “Saying this which was influential to our nation’s sensible of danger, we had daily prayer [ratification] clause is not really part of founders, but he also wrote The Reason- in this room for divine protection. Our the Constitution is like saying the attes- ableness of Christianity. As my teacher prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were tation clause is not part of a will.” read Locke in his own words, he came to graciously answered. All of us who were The general response of the skeptic is embrace Christ. engaged in the struggle must have ob- to dismiss the “Year of Our Lord” as just Sir William Blackstone, the great Brit- served frequent instances of a superin- a custom. Custom, shmustom. The lead- ish jurist, was important to our founders tending Providence in our favor.” ers of the French Revolution, who really and is still quoted by the Supreme Court He went on to say, “I have lived, Sir, a did espouse a secular Enlightenment phi- sometimes. Blackstone wrote of “the law long time, and the longer I live, the more losophy, changed their calendar a couple of nature and the law of revelation” — convincing proofs I see of this truth years after America’s Constitution in or- like “the laws of Nature and of Nature’s — that God governs in the affairs of der to explicitly repudiate Christianity, God” in our Declaration of Indepen- men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the so that time would not be measured in dence. ground without His notice, is it probable “the Year of Our Lord.” (About a dozen The two key founding documents in that an empire can rise without His aid?” years later, Napoleon restored the Chris- American history are the Declaration He asked that they pray. A variation of tian calendar.) of Independence and the Constitu- his request for prayer was accepted — To understand America’s founders, we tion. The first explains why we exist as so on July 4, they all attended worship have to realize what Dr. Michael Novak a nation. Not only does the Declaration together at a local Christian church and of American Enterprise Institute has mention God four times, most impor- prayed together. After they met, much said. He observed that thinkers we call tantly it says that our rights come from of the acrimony had died down; and men of the “Enlightenment” are really of the Creator. they were able to produce the Constitu- two sorts. There are those who believed The Constitution explainshow we tion. And again, Franklin was one of the in God and those who didn’t. exist as a nation — how we are to func- least religious/orthodox of our nation’s The French Revolution was history’s tion. The Constitution is predicated on founding fathers. first secular revolution — and, inciden- the Declaration. When skeptics claim Some of today’s skeptics say that that tally, spilled rivers of blood. They chose the Constitution doesn’t mention God any mention of God in government to follow the unbelieving thinkers of (which it does, in the ratification clause), is “unconstitutional.” That ironically the “Enlightenment” — e.g., Voltaire, they ignore that the latter is predicated would make the Constitution itself “un- Diderot, Rousseau, David Hume. But on the former. constitutional”! I don’t think so. PagePage 1616 NovemberJan./Feb. 20152014 aa looklook atat ourour worldworld fromfrom thethe deskdesk ofof dr.dr. daviddavid noebel,noebel, continuedcontinued fromfrom pagepage 16

—Jerry Newcombe ance, which includes being capable of carefully crafted to preclude the imposi- Worldnetdaily.com listening to people with views that might tion of laws and ordinances that trample November 11, 2014 differ from yours. on these rights. The Houston issue goes The recent, questionably unconsti- Many of us who are Christians have far beyond free speech and homosexual tutional moves by the City Council of strong beliefs that inform our thinking rights. It warns us of what can happen if Houston to subpoena the sermons of on many issues, but in no way should we are not vigilant in guarding our hard- five area ministers, as well as internal those beliefs lead us to demonize or won freedoms. Fortunately, a firestorm correspondences dealing with social is- treat others unfairly. The same applies of immediate protests appears to have at sues, should have the American Civil to Muslims, Jews, every other religious least temporarily rolled back what was Liberties Union and everyone else who group, and atheists. When our universi- an egregious assault on all Americans, believes in free speech and religious free- ties attempt to shield students from hear- whether they realize it or not. dom up in arms. ing the opinions of those with whom the We can never allow civil authorities We as Americans must guard every administration disagrees, they are not to censor or control the content of re- aspect of our Constitution and recog- only being intolerant but are teaching ligious sermons, or we will eventually nize when it is being threatened. One the next generation those same destruc- become a completely different country of the great dangers in America today tive ideas that will eventually dissolve with far fewer rights than we currently is extreme intolerance in the name of the cohesiveness of our society, leading enjoy. Freedom is not free, and those tolerance. For example, in this Houston to our downfall. who do not jealously guard it will lose it. case, it is presupposed that the pastors in Perhaps a dose of maturity on all sides —Ben Carson question may have said something that would put an end to the mindless name- The Washington Times was objectionable to the homosexual calling and baseless accusations against October 27, 2014 community. In order to prove that we those with whom we disagree and in- Are the people of the United States are tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle, stead lead to civil discourse that can be owed at least the opportunity to make we as a society allow gays to be intoler- constructive. After all, it is frequently an argument, before philosopher-kings ant of anyone who disagrees with them easier to learn from those with whom we in robes change the meaning of their in any way. Of course, gays should be disagree than from those with whom we Constitution? We would have thought able to live in any manner they choose as always agree. Also, conversation erases so. Are they owed an opinion that at least long as it does not infringe on the rights many misconceptions that drive hatred. takes a stab at rational justification for of anyone else. And of course, ministers That is the reason that famed commu- the most consequential change in law, should be able to preach according to nity organizer Saul Alinsky, in his book politics, and culture inflicted on them the dictates of their conscience as long as Rules for Radicals, stated that you should by the federal courts in a generation? We they are not forcing others to listen. This never have a conversation with your would have thought that too. concept of “live and let live” is an essen- adversaries, because that humanizes But the justices of the Supreme Court tial ingredient of harmonious living in a them, and your job is to demonize them. ducked these responsibilities in Octo- diverse society. We cannot pick the side When your agenda is to fundamentally ber, denying appellate review of deci- that we want to castigate for intolerance change a society, it can be a much easier sions by three federal circuit courts to while letting the other side get away with task when you stifle conversation and impose same-sex marriage on five states. it without comment. debate. This choice nearly immediately brought Perhaps it is time for Americans to Our Founders were very concerned the number of states with same-sex mar- take an honest look at what it means to about free speech and religious free- riage to 24 — only a few of them hav- live peacefully in a diverse society com- dom because they came from countries ing chosen it democratically — and posed of people with many different where these basic elements of Ameri- that number will rapidly climb to 30 points of view. This requires true toler- can life were compromised. The First when these three circuits impose their Amendment to the Constitution was

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redefinition of marriage on the remain- can be done right now? The four liberal sue thoughtlessly: Many outlets have ing states in their jurisdictions. At that justices, on the other hand, may not be adopted the phrase “marriage equal- point, with a new meaning of marriage ready to foist same-sex marriage on the ity” as though it were a neutral descrip- reigning in the majority of the country, whole country, fear¬ing the backlash tion of what is at issue. And the courts, it will be very hard to turn back. that would be caused by a transparently above all, short-circuited the debate by The Supreme Court set this train in politi¬cal ruling that could not be con- pretending that the country had already motion in 2013. Justice Kennedy and nected to the text, history, or principles adopted same-sex marriage in principle the Court’s liberals struck down part of of our Constitution. Their choice to when it ratified the Fourteenth Amend- the Defense of Marriage Act, finding its shrink from tak¬ing this step may be the ment. attempt to protect the definition of mar- best thing about this bad news. The redefinition of marriage is often riage as the union of a man and a woman And we do think the American peo- said to have served the cause of liberty. unconstitutional because — well, he ple will have cause to regret same-sex Yet defining marriage as the union of a never quite got around to explaining marriage. To disconnect marriage from man and a woman restricted nobody’s what part of the Constitution it violated. sexual complementarity is to redefine it freedom. Same-sex couples were free to Federal courts took the ruling as an invi- so completely that other prin¬ciples are live as they chose; they lacked only offi- tation to find all the old mar¬riage laws lost. The divorce revolution has dam- cial recognition of their unions. The new unconstitutional on various theories. aged both perma¬nence and fidelity as dispensation, on the other hand, comes The Court now refuses to say whether basic features of marriage — but with with actual threats to the freedom of as- the laws do or do not violate its under- marriage redefined so that child-rearing sociation and religion. standing of the Constitution. is no longer central to its reason for be- In that new dispensation, constitu- Under the Supreme Court’s rules, ing, they begin not to make sense. Nei- tional legitimacy comes from a con- four of the nine justices can accept a case ther does lim¬iting marriage to couples, fluence of the polls and the dominant for review. Why weren’t there four jus- or even forbidding marriage between opinion of judges rather than from fol- tices willing to review these cases? The the closest blood relations. Polygamy lowing the established process of law- simplest explanation is that so far there and “polyamory” are therefore the next making. The courts — first state courts, has been no “circuit split,” with contrary obvious developments. then lower federal courts, and finally the rulings from dif¬ferent federal appeals Indeed, the redefinition of marriage Supreme Court — have not made us a courts. But that’s more an excuse than undermines its funda¬mental purpose: freer or more equal country, just a less an explanation here: The justices take to steer people toward patterns of sexual self-governing one. plenty of cases in the absence of such be¬havior that facilitate the flourishing —Judicial Activism, Judicial Abdication division, if they think they’re important. of the children that sex sometimes pro- National Review And what could be more consequential duces. If its purpose is instead to facili- November 3, 2014 than whether the people get to decide tate the emotional happiness of adults, Climate Change the legal meaning of our society’s most it is hard to see why the govern-ment fundamental institution? should be involved or why a formal in- “The sulfur dioxide (SO2) emit- The four conservative justices, fear- stitution is necessary. ted from the Holuhraun eruption has ful of what Justice Kennedy will do if We have never really had a debate over reached up to 60,000 tons per day and he has the chance, seem to prefer kick- these ideas about marriage, for various averaged close to 20,000 tons since it be- ing this partic¬ular can down the road reasons. Conservatives too often rested gan,” notes Pall Stefanson in a Septem- for now. That strategy probably can’t be their case on tradition and majority sen- ber 25 report for Iceland Review Online. sustained until the next Court vacancy timent, which proved worthless when “For comparison, all the SO2 pollution during a Republican administration, majority sentiment turned against tra- in Europe, from industries, energy pro- but what else — they might think — dition. The media have covered the is- duction, traffic, and house heating, etc.,

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amounts to 14,000 tons per day.” not rising long before next summer. there would be no life on Earth. And the Holuhraun eruption, which The Icelandic Met Office has this week The original source of atmospheric began in late August, is but one of many warned of “strong indications of ongoing CO2 is volcanoes. The Earth’s early at- active volcanic eruptions that Iceland, magma movement” around the volcano mosphere had a thousand times the the land of fire and ice, has been experi- prompting them to raise the aviation CO2 of today’s atmosphere. This CO2 encing lately. A few miles away, Iceland’s warning to orange, the second highest, was recycled through rocks, life, and the Bardarbunga volcano is also causing and sparking fears the crater could blow oceans. concern. A September 12 report for at any moment. Through time, this CO2 has been se- Iceland Review Online noted that SO2 The region has also this week been hit questered into plants, coal, petroleum, from the eruption was four times the by a magnitude-four earthquake — the minerals, and carbonate rocks, resulting previous record and that residents were strongest for almost 20 years, officials in a decrease in atmospheric CO2. complaining of sore throats, stinging said. The atmosphere now contains 800 eyes, and headaches from the sulfur pol- The British Met Office said the effects billion tonnes of carbon as CO2. Soils lution. of an explosion on Britain’s weather de- and plants contain 2000 billion tonnes, Weather.com reported that sulfur pends on the wind direction in the up- oceans 39,000 billion tonnes, and lime- fumes from the Icelandic volcanoes are per atmosphere. stone 65,000,000 billion tonnes. The even bothering people on Norway’s Spokeswoman Laura Young said: “If atmosphere contains only 0.001 percent coast 800 miles away. the upper winds are north-westerly, it of the total carbon in the top few kilome- Anthropogenic Global Warming vs. will have an effect on our weather. If the tres of the Earth. Volcanic Global Cooling? upper winds are westerly then it won’t.” Deeper in Earth, there are huge vol- A report by the (U.K.) Express specu- The newspaper’s sensationalizingumes of CO2 yet to be leaked into the lated that a major Bardarbunga eruption aside, Iceland’s volcanic activity might atmosphere. So depleted is the atmo- could bring on a mini ice age. — in rational minds — serve to draw sphere in CO2, that horticulturalists “Icelandic volcano could trigger Brit- attention to the natural variables (vol- pump warm CO2 into glasshouses to ain’s coldest winter EVER this year,” canoes, ocean currents, solar activity, accelerate plant growth. ran the Express headline, while the sub- clouds, water vapor, etc.) that dwarf the Our planet has about 1,000 volca- title warned: “BRITAIN could freeze in human impact on climate. Australian noes on land, such as Holuhraun and YEARS of super-cold winters and mis- scientist Ian Plimer — geologist and Bardarbunga, but most of our volcanoes erable summers if the Bardarbunga vol- volcano expert, professor of geology at are under the sea. “Some 85 percent of cano erupts, experts have warned.” the University of Adelaide, and profes- volcanoes are unseen and unmeasured, According to the Express report, sor emeritus of earth sciences at the Uni- yet these heat the oceans and add mon- Depending on the force of the explo- versity of Melbourne — is one of the strous amounts of CO2 to the oceans,” sion, minute particles thrust beyond many scientists who have tried to inject notes Dr. Plimer. “Why have these been the earth’s atmosphere can trigger DE- sensible consideration of the effect that ignored?” he asks. CADES of chaotic weather patterns. volcanoes and earthquakes contribute In a video lecture at the Institute of Tiny pieces of debris act as billions to the production of atmospheric CO2. Geology and Geophysics at the Univer- of shields reflecting the sun’s light away In a 2009 Op-Ed in The Australian sity of Adelaide (which can be viewed from earth, meaning winter tempera- titled “Vitriolic climate in academic hot- here), Professor Plimer notes that the tures could plunge LOWER THAN house,” Dr. Plimer wrote: more than 10,000 earthquakes that oc- EVER before while summer will be de- To demonise element number six cur each year release massive amounts void of sunshine. in the periodic table is amusing. Why of CO2 that has been sequestered in the The first effect could be a bitterly cold not promethium? Carbon dioxide is an various mineral formations. CO2 is but winter to arrive in weeks with thermom- odourless, colourless, harmless natural one of many variables that affect the cli- eters plunging into minus figures and gas. It is plant food. Without carbon, mate, and its effect is very slight in com-

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parison to many other factors. More- beneficial; it is the elixir of life for most after another. The center has the spe- over, man’s contribution of CO2, SO2, of our planetary ecosystems, and to label cifics of the various media attributions and other greenhouse gases is relatively it as a pollutant is, therefore, grotesque linking climate change to, among other minor when compared to the contribu- rather than merely just wrong. phenomena, a claimed boost in the tions from natural sources. [Moreover,] the amount of carbon number of wildfires in California; melt- — William F. Jasper dioxide produced by human industrial ing ice in the Antarctic allegedly causing The New American processes is less than 5 percent of natu- the Earth’s gravity to shift; the potential October 20, 2014 ral emissions from the atmosphere and loss of red hair in Scotland; professed So-called liberals love to belittle those ocean. [And] most important of all, de- increases in UFO sightings; a supposed who don’t unwittingly buy every wild spite carbon dioxide being a greenhouse danger to the existence of pasta in Italy; climate assertion — especially those pre- gas, no evidence exists that the amount an unsubstantiated reported increase tending that human economic activity is humans have added to the atmosphere in the spinning rate of the planet; and a at the root of all ills on the planet. Such is producing dangerous warming, or, in- purported explosion in the number of heretics are disparaged as “deniers.” Yet, deed, any measurable temperature rise large gatherings of walruses. when it comes to the science involved, at all. Yet, as Matthew Johnson of the MRC the accusers have rare intelligence — as Making matters worse, with the pos- has pointed out, discussing the con- in, they rarely show intelligence. sible exception of halitosis, virtually all tention of that claimed record walrus Consider the difference between human heartbreaks large and small have “haulout,” there is evidence of large- “carbon” and “carbon dioxide.” Back been linked by prominent politicians scale walrus gatherings dating “all the in the day, as those of us of a certain and activists to climate change — and way back to 1604.” The Associated Press age are wont to say, it was a rare junior- excitedly hyped as newsworthy by the “reported similar gatherings of walruses high science student who confused the mass media. How dispassionate do you in 2007, 2009, and 2011 — some near substances. These days, however, it has think was Newsweek’s recent diatribe on the same location as the current haulout become near religious dogma that haz- the subject? The piece was titled: “Ebola on the coast of the Chukchi Sea.” As ardous global warming is the product of and Climate Change: Are Humans Re- part of the accounts conveyed by the emissions from power generation using sponsible for the Severity of the Current major television networks, he noted, hydrocarbon-based fuels. This point was Outbreak?” there were claims that the ice was melt- among several mentioned in a recent Then there was the “report” on ing, thus causing the walruses to seek piece by Bob Carter and Tom Harris. CNBC.com by Terry Tamminen that out land. “But according to the Aug. 30, (Carter is former professor and head of was titled “Hey UN — It’s Time for Ac- 2014, Daily Mail (U.K.), the Arctic ice the School of Earth Sciences at James tion on Climate Change.” Tamminen cap expanded for a second year in a row, Cook University in Australia. Tom Har- is a former secretary of the California growing extensively.” ris is executive director of the Ottawa- Environmental Protection Agency and Activists would have us believe that based International Climate Science a co-founder of the R20 Regions of Cli- only the ill-informed or ignorant could Coalition.) mate Action, so you just might be able hold beliefs other than their own. In- As they wrote, “even prime ministers to guess his slant. To buttress his case, he deed, the oh-so-esteemed Robert F. and presidents now misuse ‘carbon’ as a cites a psychologist who says that “Stone Kennedy, Jr. recently opined that climate shorthand for ‘carbon dioxide,’ and then Age” brains are responsible for our being skeptics should be imprisoned, compar- label it a pollutant to boot.” so self-interested and short-sighted not ing such unenlightened souls to war Actually, continued Carter and Harris to recognize environmental threats. criminals. in the Washington Times for September The Media Research Center (MRC), On the other hand, disabusing that 30, carbon dioxide is environmentally which ably keeps track of such matters, notion, one finds (among many others has taken note of one such absurdity who could be cited) a former NASA

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scientist who is willing to publicly de- Heritage Foundation, continues: Atlantic hurricane season was the scribe global warming as “nonsense” The U.N. World Meteorological Or- least active in 40 years, with zero and to disagree that climate change is a ganization released videos of “weather major hurricanes. man-made problem, saying it is “abso- reports from 2050” that predicted dire • There has been no trend in the fre- lutely stupid” to blame recent floods in weather, including a forecast for the U.S. quency or intensity of tropical cy- the U.K. on human activity. Les Wood- that highlighted temperature spikes, me- clones, and global cyclone activity cock, an emeritus professor of chemical ga-droughts, and massive flooding from and energy are near their lowest thermodynamics at the University of distant hurricanes. levels since reliable measurements Manchester, made those remarks to the The wheels have fallen off all of these began by satellite in the 1970s. Yorkshire Evening Post. Noted the profes- predictions. As stated by Roger Pielke • There is no long-term trend in sea- sor: “The term ‘climate change’ is mean- Jr., an esteemed climate scientist who level increases. ingless. The Earth’s climate has been testified before Congress last July: “It is • The Palmer Drought Severity In- changing since time immemorial. ... The misleading, and just plain incorrect, to dex shows no trend since 1895. theory of ‘man-made climate change’ is claim that disasters associated with hur- • Flooding in the United States over an unsubstantiated hypothesis.” ricanes, tornadoes, floods, or droughts the last century has not been cor- Still, isn’t Kennedy from a famous have increased on climate timescales ei- related with increases in green- family? And didn’t he marry a movie ther in the United States or globally.” house gas concentrations. star? It turns out that most warmist beliefs Hmm. That sure sounds different from Guess whose comments got more me- are based solidly on fatuous fictions. the emissions at the “People’s Climate dia coverage? How about all the climatic catastro- March,” where demands were that we Perhaps it is the track record of the phes, triggered by man’s activities, that press governments to regulate “a world alarmists that should be drawing more we keep hearing about? (Telling signs safe from the ravages of climate change.” attention? The Daily Signal’s Brett at the recent climate march in New York This is, unfortunately, not a debate Schaefer has had the temerity to check said “Flood Wall Street,” for example, where the best argument wins. Power how some of those doom-and-gloom and “Stop Capitalism. End the Climate politics — including controlling econ- predictions have panned out. He writes: Crisis.”) Well, unsurprisingly, propagan- omies by fiat when legislating doesn’t Remember when former Vice Presi- dists are misusing the truth. Consider work — is what is involved. Even if one dent A1 Gore warned in 2007 that the some actual facts, as summarized by grants that it would be a good thing to Arctic “could be completely gone in the Benjamin Zycher of the American En- mitigate climate change, the positive re- summer in as little as seven years”? In- terprise Institute (in somewhat abbrevi- sults of the proposed solutions would be stead, the Arctic ice cap has grown sub- ated fashion here): insignificant, especially when compared stantially and is more than 40 percent • There has been no trend in the fre- to their expense. larger than in 2012. quency of strong (F3 to F5) tor- A real climate scientist, Patrick Mi- Remember the U.N. Environment nadoes in the United States since chaels, has explained how little would Program prediction that climate change 1950. be accomplished through the use of would lead to 50 million refugees by • The number of wildfires is in a the regulatory blunderbuss. The Envi- 2010? Apparently, UNEP hopes that long-term decline. ronmental Protection Agency’s own you don’t, because it quietly scrubbed • It has been eight years since a computer model, noted Michaels in the its website of the prediction when those Category 3 or higher hurricane Daily Caller, “easily shows that President climate refugees failed to materialize. landed on the U.S. coast; that Obama’s proposed regulations would Then there were the other warnings long a period devoid of an intense reduce global warming by around 0.02 about the weather. Schaefer, a fellow in hurricane landfall has not been of a degree Celsius by the year 2100. Ac- international regulatory affairs at the observed since 1900. The 2013 tually, the true number is probably even

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smaller because that calculation assumes erated power production. If he gets his Revolutionary Technology Programs a future rate of warming — there hasn’t way, we are more likely to discover that unit in an interview with Aviation been any for 17 years now — quite a bit the true threat is a government eager to Week. “You could put it on a semi-trail- higher than it is likely to be.” use any excuse to usurp power. er, similar to a small gas turbine, put it The fact that the move won’t do much, — William P. Hoar on a pad, hook it up, and can be run- however, doesn’t mean it won’t be The New American ning in a few weeks.” costly. It will hurt. And that is the plan November 3, 2014 Fuel for the CFR is plentiful. It runs — though that part is not being empha- Nuclear Fusion on deuterium and tritium. Deuterium sized by the White House. is derived from seawater, and tritium As pointed out by Nicolas Loris, an Nuclear fusion could provide virtu- is obtained from lithium in a breeding energy and environmental specialist, ally unlimited amounts of energy for reactor. Although the tritium is radio- the administration and its activist allies the world. But the problem of harness- active, you don’t need much of it to have been considering various ways to ing fusion reactions for practical ap- run the reactor, which means there’s no implement their schemes; these include plications has been an elusive one for risk of a nuclear meltdown. cap-and-trade programs, additional decades, never progressing beyond the Unlike current nuclear reactors that regulations, and outright tax increases. experimental stage — until now. operate using nuclear fission, fusion re- Each would attempt to restrict emis- Last month, Aviation Week & Space actors don’t generate radioactive waste. sions and “inflict higher energy costs on Technology reported on a nuclear fusion Once a CFR fusion reactor reaches the American families and businesses.” As a concept being developed at Lockheed end of its useful life, users can dispose result, families would pay more to use Martin’s famous “Skunk Works” R&D of its radioactive parts much as they less electricity. The costs would reverber- lab. The device, called the Compact dispose of medical waste today. ate throughout the economy as affected Fusion Reactor (CFR), is reported to “There is no long-lived radiation,” industries pass higher costs onto con- be conceptually “small and practical says McGuire. “Fission reactors’ stuff sumers. Simply put, consumers would enough for applications ranging from will be there forever, but with fusion consume less and producers would pro- interplanetary spacecraft and commer- materials, after 100 years then you are duce less, resulting in income cuts, jobs cial ships to city power stations.” good.” destroyed, and lost economic output. The current state of the art in fusion Lockheed Martin plans to have a The economic pain stemming from reactors, the International Thermonu- working CFR prototype in five years, the EPA’s regulation would spread clear Experimental Reactor (ITER), and a full production unit in 10. throughout the country, but some now under construction, is not expect- —Michael Cochrane would be harmed more than others. A ed to be online until the late 2020s. World Magazine tax that increases energy prices would Aviation Week’s report states that the November 5, 2014 hit America’s poorest families the hard- ITER, with a power output of 500 Cuba/Human Trafficking est. The median family spends about five megawatts, will cost an estimated $50 cents out of every dollar on energy costs, billion, will measure around 100 feet Western cultures don’t approve of hu- but low-income families spend about 20 high, and weigh 23,000 tons. man trafficking. Yet it’s hard to find any cents. Lockheed’s CFR, by comparison, journalist, politician, development bu- ... Particularly alarming is the damage will generate around 100 megawatts, reaucrat, or labor activist anywhere in the EPA regulations would inflict on but fit into a transportable unit mea- the world who has so much as batted an America’s manufacturing base. suring 23 x 43 feet. eye at the extensive human-trafficking President Obama would like Ameri- “That’s the size we are thinking of racket now being run out of Havana. cans to believe our most urgent threat is now,” said Thomas McGuire, an aero- This is worth more attention as Cuban climate change caused by human-gen- nautical engineer in the Skunk Work’s doctors are being celebrated for their

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work in Africa during the Ebola crisis. state secret. But human trafficking is not tion, or his son will not get a place at uni- Cuba is winning accolades for its in- new for Havana nor is it limited to the versity.” As with the workers in Curaçao, ternational “doctor diplomacy,” in which medical profession. In October 2008, a the regime keeps health-care workers it sends temporary medical profession- federal judge in Miami ruled in favor of under constant surveillance and confis- als abroad — ostensibly to help poor three Cuban workers who claimed they, cates their passports. Something about countries battle disease and improve along with some 100 others, had been that doesn’t sound voluntary. health care. But the doctors are not a gift sent by the regime to Curaçao to work When given the chance, many of those from Cuba. Havana is paid for its medi- off Cuban debt to the Curaçao Drydock trafficked have fled. In the last two years cal missions by either the host country, Co. The plaintiffs described horrific alone almost 3,100 Cubans have taken in the case of Venezuela, or by donor working conditions for which they were advantage of a special U.S. visa program countries that send funds to the World paid three cents an hour. that recognizes the exploitation of Cu- Health Organization. The money is sup- The Christian Science Monitor re- ban health professionals sent to third posed to go to Cuban workers’ salaries. ported at the time that the company countries. As punishment, the regime But neither the WHO nor any host “admitted that the Cuban workers’ pass- prohibits their families from leaving country pays Cuban workers directly. In- ports were seized and that their unpaid Cuba to see them. Getting certified to stead the funds are credited to the dicta- wages were deducted from the debt Ha- practice medicine in the U.S. can be long torship, which by all accounts keeps the vana owed the company.” Tomas Bilboa and arduous. lion’s share of the payment and gives the of the Cuba Study Group in Washington Doctors’ groups in Brazil have pres- worker a stipend to live on with a prom- told the paper that “these types of viola- sured the Brazilian government to de- ise of a bit more upon return to Cuba. tions are not out of the ordinary for the mand that Cuba raise the slave wage it It’s the perfect crime: By shipping its Cuban government.” Their attorney told was paying some 11,000 Cuban health subjects abroad to help poor people, the the paper that back home in Cuba, after workers in that country. But last week regime earns the image of a selfless con- they cried foul, their family members Brazilian federal prosecutor Luciana tributor to the global community even lost jobs and access to schooling and suf- Loureiro Oliveira said there is evidence while it exploits workers and gets rich off fered harassment from gangs. that Havana still keeps at least 75 per- their backs. According to DW, Germa- Making medical professionals an cent of the money designated by donors ny’s international broadcaster, Havana export product is provoking a doctor as salaries. She called this “frankly ille- earns some $7.6 billion annually from shortage in Cuba, which is exacerbat- gal” because it violates Brazilian labor its export of health-care workers. ing widespread privation in health care. law and said the Cubans should be paid This is big business, which if it weren’t A humane government might turn its directly. being carried out by gangster Marxists attention to this domestic misery, but That would be the end of Cuban do- would surely offend journalists. Instead there’s no money in that. Instead, Cuba gooding in Brazil. they lap it up. In an October 24 interview sells the labor of health professionals —Mary Anastasia O’Grady with World Bank President Jim Yong abroad even in the midst of persistent The Wall Street Journal Kim, CNN anchor Christiane Aman- dengue and cholera outbreaks on the November 10, 2014 pour lighted up when she talked about island. Wastebook Cuba’s health-care workers in Africa. Cuban doctors are not forced at gun- “Cuba clearly has something to teach the point to become expat slaves, but they This year’s Wastebook does not show world in its rapid response, doesn’t it,” are given offers they cannot refuse. As the $5,210 that the State Department Ms. Amanpour gushed. Mr. Kim agreed, Cuban doctor Antonio Guedes, who tried to spend on a blowup, human-size calling it “a wonderful gesture.” now lives in exile in Madrid, told the foosball field for an embassy in Belize. What the Cuban workers in the line of German DW, “Whoever does not coop- But the fact that the project isn’t in the Ebola fire are being paid remains a erate may lose his job, or at least his posi- Sen. Tom Coburn’s annual report on

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ridiculous spending choices is probably through the projects, debated the order Reid, Nevada Democrat, was closing up one of the biggest victories of the report, of the 10 most wasteful and drafted the shop before sending lawmakers home because it means the State Department report’s cover. This edition is designed for two months of campaigning before canceled the project after the senator’s to mimic the salacious supermarket tab- the midterm elections. staffers asked about it. loids in a commentary on how ridicu- Mr. Coburn had meetings stacked up It’s the other 100 projects in the report lous some of the projects have become. and reserved time to speak on the Sen- — including subsidies for professional Leading this year’s edition is $19 mil- ate floor, but he was going over the early sports stadiums and grants to study lion in salaries that the government paid write-ups of some of the Wastebook gambling monkeys — that the Oklaho- to workers who were suspended from projects with Mr. Foster, staff attorney ma Republican said should have taxpay- their jobs, usually because of miscon- Patrick Bailey, and Keith Ashdown and ers steaming. duct that would have resulted in out- Chris Barkley, who are the staff direc- Plenty of lawmakers talk about rooting right firing at a private company. Other tor and assistant staff director for Mr. out government waste, but Mr. Coburn highlights include the $50,000 spent to Coburn on the Homeland Security and makes a cause of it. He deploys staffers study whether sea monkeys’ swimming Governmental Affairs Committee. to peruse newspapers and dig through changes the flow of oceans, $450,000 The senator insists on highlight- government websites to spot the tens of that the Homeland Security Depart- ing projects from his home state of billions of dollars in pork, boondoggles, ment spent on high-end gym member- Oklahoma, figuring it’s only fair. He and extravagance that have contributed ships for staffers whose federal health encountered one on butterfly farming, to the government’s trillions of dollars of insurance already pays for gym benefits a $500,000 Agriculture Department debt. and the increasing number of veterans grant to a town on an Indian reservation Mr. Coburn is retiring at the end of this who get disability payments by claiming to help tribe members start raising and year after a decade in the Senate, mean- sleep apnea at a cost Mr. Coburn said selling butterflies. ing the 239-page, meticulously foot- could reach $1.2 billion. The $500,000 is enough to provide noted volume he is releasing Wednesday All told, Mr. Coburn identifies $25 bil- every member of the town a starter will be his final Wastebook as senator. lion in waste from the 100 projects. kit and still have more than $300,000 His departure is raising questions about Butterfly Farms left over, Mr. Coburn calculated. As of who, if anyone, will pick up his oversight Although everyone in his office from August, however, just 50 of the 845 tribe banner. interns on up contributes ideas, Mr. Co- members had signed up. “To bureaucrats and politicians, none burn is the one driving Wastebook. He The tribe wasn’t convinced it wanted of this is waste, which is why the only spots items throughout the year and to do the project until it learned it could way to stop wasteful Washington spend- fires them off in emails collected by his obtain federal funding — which is ing is by shining a light on it whenever legislative director, Roland Foster. exactly why the money is not a good and wherever it occurs, even if it is in By the time Wastebook rolls around, expense, the Wastebook concludes. your own state — especially when it is the authors have more than enough “I can’t imagine 300 people are in your own state,” Mr. Coburn told The items. The senator is a tough critic, going to be employed raising butterflies Washington Times. “That is why I think shooting down write-ups when he in Oklahoma,” the senator tells his every member of Congress should issue thinks expenses could be justified or staffers in one meeting. their own version of Wastebook so we demanding details for proof that the Not every project is a victory. One left can debate and set our national priori- government is truly profligate. on the cutting floor this year involved ties every year.” That was what Mr. Coburn was doing Pentagon sponsorship of a video game The Times was allowed to watch some on a busy afternoon in September while festival. Mr. Foster spotted an adver- of the decision-making behind this year’s other senators were rushing to finish tisement for the festival on the subway report as the senator and his staff talked business. Senate Majority Leader Harry and pursued the project, but in the end

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wasn’t able to get the Defense Depart- the project, and a day later quietly post- After the Government Accountability ment to disclose a cost figure. ed a change order to USASpending.gov Office reported that many of the docu- Agencies are increasingly balking at canceling the expense. ments the service sells to other govern- cooperating with fiscal watchdogs like It turns out the project was intended ment agencies are available online free Mr. Coburn who believe they have a for the U.S. Embassy in Belize and was of charge, Mr. Coburn demanded expla- right to know how the government is supposed to be used as a management nations. He then found out the agency spending their money. tool for leadership training and team- was selling his reports, too, causing him His office now enlists the Congres- building. But when Mr. Coburn flagged to demand an end to the “ridiculous situ- sional Research Service, with in-house it, department officials reconsidered. ation.” research staff, to make some of the inqui- A State Department official even The information service crafted a ries. Mr. Coburn also asks for help from praised Mr. Coburn, saying Secretary reply — but pointedly didn’t thank the Government Accountability Office, John F. Kerry, a former senator himself, him for his inquiry, figuring that would the chief investigative arm of Congress. admires Mr. Coburn’s work. sound “somewhat disingenuous.” This year, Mr. Coburn had the GAO “He was sincere as they come and “I recommend that NTIS not thank investigate the tens of millions of dollars cared about getting results, not grab- the senator,” Gail Porter, chief of pub- doled out to federal employees on “paid bing headlines,” the official said, asking lic affairs at the agency, told her col- administrative leave” — meaning they for anonymity to discuss the item. “So leagues in emails editing the draft reply. collect salaries even as many are on sus- it wasn’t a surprise when Sen. Coburn The emails were obtained by The Times pension for misconduct. asked his staff to tip off the department through open-records requests. “Wastebook is like a scavenger hunt. about a request an embassy had made The National Science Foundation It does not require a law degree or even to purchase a human foosball table for a also has been a frequent Coburn target years of D.C. experience, just some com- few thousand dollars.” — particularly the agency’s funding for mon sense and dedication with a leader The official said nothing was inherently political science research. Last year, Mr. who takes his role as a representative of wrong with the foosball system and Coburn managed to win an amendment taxpayers seriously,” Mr. Foster said. “If team-building exercises, but it wasn’t a that effectively halted federal funding for a 22-year-old intern can do this, why good use of money with belt-tightening political science papers, though the pro- can’t a chairman of a powerful commit- throughout government. hibition was dropped this year. tee with a staff of dozens and a budget of “Sen. Coburn gave us the heads-up, Political scientists were enraged at Mr. millions?” the order was canceled, and Sen. Co- Coburn’s move and mounted a fierce ‘The Real Deal’ burn quietly got a good result for every- campaign to defend their funding, in- The State Department’s human-sized one instead of blasting out a press release sisting that taxpayer funding was a mark foosball game says a lot about how to score political points,” the State De- of its importance. Wastebook is compiled. partment official said. “It was just a class The academics also took personal um- One of Mr. Coburn’s staffers saw the act by a genuine steward of the taxpayer brage at Mr. Coburn. Several of them project posted on USASpending.gov, a dollar. It reaffirmed for Secretary Kerry jokingly blamed the senator when fire website that resulted from a bill spon- that Coburn was the real deal.” alarms forced an evacuation of the hotel sored by Mr. Coburn and Sen. Barack ‘This Can’t Be Good’ at this year’s American Political Science Obama in 2006. The foosball system Not all federal agencies are as appre- Association convention in Washington. was one of a few game purchases posted ciative of Mr. Coburn’s work. One agen- The association didn’t respond to a re- by the State Department. cy he has battled is the National Techni- quest for comment about its battles with Mr. Coburn’s staff fired off an email cal Information Service, a Cold War-era Mr. Coburn. with questions to the State Department. agency that acts as a clearinghouse for Wastebook is just one of Mr. Coburn’s The department promised to look into government reports. projects. He was one of the first to sound

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a warning about bungled care at Veter- taken the approach of C.I. Scofield, that Free will in man is as fundamental ans Affairs clinics and issued a scathing these are two truths that must both be a truth as any other in the gospel and report last year blaming Congress for accepted but that cannot be reconciled. must never be canceled in our doctri- overwhelming the National Park Ser- “Both are wholly true, but the connect- nal statements. Man would not be man vice with low-priority projects, leaving ing and reconciling truth has not been without it, and God never robs us of the agency struggling to maintain some revealed.” In apparent agreement, James our true moral manhood in saving us. ... of its natural treasures. M. Gray, a past president of Moody Bible The decree of salvation must be looked His masterpiece, however, may be a Institute, suggested that “no one finite at as a whole to understand it. Some 2012 report by the permanent subcom- mind could hold God’s … sovereignty have looked at God’s choice alone and mittee on investigations exposing a So- and man’s free agency … both equally at ignored the means and the necessary cial Security disability fraud ring in West the same time. How necessary, however, choice on man’s part. Virginia. that both be duly emphasized!” A Commendable but Mistaken Zeal “I imagine for an agency, getting a call Likewise, William L. Pettingill wrote, Kenneth G. Talbot and W. Gary from Coburn’s investigators is like get- “God insists upon His sovereignty and Crampton assure us that “the sovereign- ting a call from 60 Minutes: This can’t be also upon man’s responsibility. Believe ty of God is … the most basic principle good,” said Bruce Reed, a former top of- both and preach both, leaving the task of Calvinism … the foundation upon ficial in the Clinton and Obama admin- of ‘harmonizing’ with Him.” In a similar which all [including Christianity itself] istrations. Mr. Reed worked with Mr. vein, A.T. Pierson, although a leading is built.” Loraine Boettner agrees: “The Coburn on the deficit commission run Presbyterian, declared that both “the basic principle of Calvinism is the sov- by former White House Chief of Staff sovereign will of God and the freedom ereignty of God.” Such fervor for God’s Erskine Bowles and former Sen. Alan of man” are taught in Scripture and that sovereignty is commendable. However, Simpson. “if we cannot reconcile these two, it is Calvinists have mistakenly made God Mr. Reed praised Mr. Coburn’s work, because the subject is so infinitely lifted the effective cause of every event that saying his reports on government waste up above us. Man is free. ... Thus the last occurs: “Whatever is done in time is provide a blueprint for anyone looking great invitation in God’s Book is an ap- according to his [God’s] decree in eter- to see how the government sometimes peal to the will.” R.A. Torrey agreed that nity.” But would a Holy God decree the goes off the rails in its spending deci- we should not “try to explain away the evil that fills man’s heart and the world sions. clear teaching of the Word of God as to today? Surely not! “Washington is full of politicians who the sovereignty of God [and] the free- Calvinism denies to man any real love to talk about waste. Coburn sends dom of the human will.” choice concerning anything he thinks or his team to go find it and name names, Unfortunately, neither John Calvin does. C.H. Spurgeon referred to “a class and that makes all the difference,” Mr. nor many of his followers today have of strong-minded hard-headed men Reed said. been willing to accept both sides of this who magnify sovereignty at the expense —Stephen Dinan biblical teaching. The result has been of [human] responsibility.” The Calvin- The Washington Times devastating in its consequences for the ist mistakenly believes that if man could October 27, 2014 gospel: that man can only reject Christ; make a genuine choice, even in his rebel- Calvinism/Free Will he cannot accept and believe in Him lion against God, it would be a denial unless he is sovereignly regenerated by that God is sovereign. Thus God must The apparent tension between God’s God. Calvinism refuses to accept what be the cause of all sin, beginning with sovereignty and man’s free will has been so many great evangelists have recog- Adam and Eve. Boettner argues, “Even a point of study and discussion — and, nized is vital. Edgar Mullins expresses the fall of Adam, and through him the sadly, of contention — among sincere very well the essential balance that is fall of the race, was not by chance or ac- Christians for centuries. Some have missing: cident, but was so ordained in the secret

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counsels of God.” That unhappy conclu- generated? Isn’t that a New Testament cannot foreknow and control what He sion is necessitated by a concept of sov- term? What does Smith mean by “a will doesn’t foreordain, decree, and cause. ereignty that is required neither by the according to God”? Even Christians Here again, Calvinists are trapped in Bible nor by logic. don’t always do God’s will. A desire to contradictions. Another leading Pres- We have noted the admission by some know God? Surely all men are expected byterian theologian, A.A. Hodge, rec- Calvinists that man is free to respond to seek the Lord while He may be found. ognized the severe consequences of that to God. At the same time, however, the That God promises to be found by those extremist view of God’s sovereignty: doctrine of Total Depravity requires that who seek Him must imply that the unre- “Everything is gone if free-will is gone; he can respond only negatively and in generate can seek Him. the moral system is gone if free-will is opposition to God. Of course, that is not Nor does it help the Calvinist to say gone.” At the same time, however, he de- freedom at all. Philip F. Congdon points that man can only will and act accord- clared: “Foreordination is an act of the ... out: ing to his sinful nature and against God. benevolent will of God from all eternity Classical Calvinists may talk about How could it be God’s will that man determining ... all events ... that come to man having a “free will,” but it is a very defy His law? If sinful acts are admitted pass.” limited freedom! That is, a person may to come from genuine choice, then we Confronting a Vital Distinction choose to reject Christ — all people do have the same challenge to God’s sov- For the Calvinist to uphold his ex- — but only those who have been elected ereignty that the Calvinist cannot allow. treme view of control, God must be the may choose to accept Him. This is no Either man has a free will, or his sin is all cause of man’s total depravity and the “free will”! Are the open invitations to according to God’s will. As we have seen, negative response it produces. There is trust Christ in the Bible actually a cruel the latter is exactly what Calvin himself no way to escape this conclusion. If God hoax? I don’t think so. Are all people free taught and many Calvinists still believe, were not the cause of man’s sin, man to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ making God the author of evil. would be acting independently of God, as personal Savior for their sin? Yes. That Could it be that Adam’s nature was and that cannot be allowed for anything is why the call to missions is so urgent. actually sinful, though God pronounced in the Calvinist scheme. It follows, then, Freedom to Rebel but Not to Repent? him “good” when He created him? How that “He [God] could … have prevented How can there be any real freedom of else, except by free will, can his sin be ex- it [the fall and entrance of sin into the choice if only one kind of choice can be plained? The Calvinist escapes free will world], but He did not prevent it: ergo, made, and one, at that, which has been by declaring that even the sin of Adam He willed it.” Thus one must conclude, decreed eternally? To call this “free and Eve was foreordained and decreed “It is even biblical to say that God has choice” is a fraud. It is, however, the only by God. Pink argues, “God foreordains foreordained sin.” “freedom” Calvinism can allow. Arthur everything which comes to pass. His The only way, however, to defend W. Pink favorably quotes J. Denham sovereign rule extends throughout the God’s integrity, love, and compassion Smith, whom he honors as a “deeply entire Universe and is over every crea- in a world filled with sin and suffering taught servant of God”: ture. ... God initiates all things, regulates is to acknowledge that He has granted I believe in free will; but then it is a all things.” Then why did Christ tell us to man the power to choose for him- will only free to act according to nature. to pray, “Thy will be done on earth ...” if self. It is thus man’s fault and by his own ... The sinner in his sinful nature could all is already according to God’s will and free choice that sin and suffering are the never have a will according to God. For decree? common experience of all mankind. this he must be born again. It is fallacious to imagine that for God God has provided full forgiveness of sins Nowhere does the Bible support such to be in control of His universe He must on a righteous basis, and will eventually a statement; and this is one of Calvin- foreordain and initiate everything. In create a new universe into which sin can ism’s most grievous errors. Were Abra- fact, it would deny His omniscience never enter — a universe to be inhabited ham and Moses “born again,” i.e., re- and omnipotence to suggest that God by all those who have received the Lord

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Jesus Christ as Savior. God is exoner- fact, God can use man’s free will to help foreknew it. Calvin is very clear on this ated and man alone is to blame for sin fulfill His own plans, and He is thereby point: “Man wills with an evil will what and suffering. Such is the teaching of the even more glorified than if He decreed God wills with a good will.” Bible, as we shall see in depth. everything man does. There is neither biblical nor rational Calvinism rests upon a mistaken view Hear It From Calvin and Calvinists support for such dogma. Surely God in of what it means for God to be sover- In his classic, The Five Points of His infinite power and foreknowledge eign. Edwin H. Palmer tells us that God Calvinism, Palmer writes, “Although sin could fit into His plan even the most predestines untold multitudes to ever- and unbelief are contrary to what God rebellious thoughts and deeds of man- lasting torment “for the glory of His sov- commands (His perceptive will), God kind. He is perfectly able to frustrate, ereign power over His creatures.” Obvi- has included them in His sovereign de- prevent, or use man’s plans and deeds to ously, God could show His sovereign cree (ordained them, caused them to fulfill His will, and He can do so without power over His creatures in many ways certainly come to pass). ... How is it that destroying man’s ability to exercise free other than by decreeing their eternal a holy God, who hates sin, not only pas- choice. To make God the author of sin damnation, a fate surely not required by sively permits sin but also certainly and is to blasphemously misrepresent Him. sovereignty. efficaciously decrees that sin shall be? Limiting God The Bible teaches that God sover- Our infinite God presents us with some Why would an infinitely holy God eignly — without diminishing His sov- astounding truths.” ruin his own creation by purposely ereignty — gave man the power to rebel “Astounding” is the wrong adjective. creating sin? Why invent the elaborate against Him. Thus, sin is man’s respon- What Palmer admits astounds even him, story of “casting fallen angels out of sibility alone, by his free choice, not by a man who dogmatically defends this heaven”? Why cause mankind to sin in God’s decree. Calvinism’s basic error doctrine, is appalling to non-Calvinists, order to “forgive” them? How would is a failure to see that God could sover- including even non-Christians. Palmer that glorify God? Instead, in Calvinism eignly give to man the power of genuine expounds further upon this outrageous God becomes like the person who sets choice and still remain in control of the doctrine: a forest fire so he can “discover” it, put it universe. To acknowledge both sover- All things that happen in all the world out, and be a hero. It also turns God into eignty and free will would destroy the at any time and in all history —whether a fraud who pretends that Satan, though very foundations of the entire Calvinist with inorganic matter, vegetation, ani- God’s own intentional creation, was His system. mals, man, or angels (both the good and enemy. How absurd! This false view of God’s sovereignty evil ones) — come to pass because God Yet Calvinists persist in this unbibli- is the Calvinists’ only justification for ordained them. Even sin — the fall of cal and irrational doctrine, which they God’s saving only a select group and the devil from heaven, the fall of Adam, imagine defends God’s sovereignty but damning the rest. If one asks how a lov- and every evil thought, word, and deed actually diminishes it: “If God did not ing God could damn millions or perhaps in all of history, including the worst sin foreordain all things, then He could not billions whom He could have saved, the of all, Judas’ betrayal of Christ — is in- know the future. God foreknows and answer is that it “pleased Him so to do.” cluded in the eternal decree of our holy knows all things because He decreed all If one persists and asks why it pleased God. things to be.” On the contrary, God does Him, the response is that the reason is [If] sin is outside the decree of God, not have to decree human thoughts and hidden “in the mystery of His will.” then the vast percentage of human ac- actions to foreknow them. He knows all Free will does not diminish God’s tions ... are removed from God’s plan. beforehand because He is omniscient. control over His universe. Being om- God’s power is reduced to the forces of —Dave Hunt nipotent and omniscient, God can so ar- nature. ... Sin is not only foreknown by Berean Call range circumstances as to keep man’s re- God, it is also foreordained by God. In November 1, 2014 bellion from frustrating His purposes. In fact, because God foreordained it, He

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Education Africa/Ebola colonialism explains Third World pover- ty. That’s nonsense. Canada was a colo- “Connecticut governor Dannel Mal- Here’s how my Aug. 11, 2003, column ny. So were Australia, New Zealand, and loy’s commission on the Sandy Hook began: “Anyone who believes President Hong Kong. In fact, the richest coun- massacre is the predictable rogues’ gal- Bush’s Africa initiative, including send- try in the world, the United States, was lery of public-sector unionists, left-wing ing U.S. troops to Liberia, will amount once a colony. By contrast, Third World academics, and minions of the educa- to more than a hill of beans is whistling countries such as Ethiopia, Liberia, Ne- tion bureaucracies, and they think that Dixie. Maybe it’s overly pessimistic, but pal, and Bhutan were never colonies, yet they have put their finger on what went most of Africa is a continent without they are home to some of the world’s wrong in the life of mass murderer much hope for its people.” More than a poorest people. Adam Lanza: homeschooling. They decade has passed since that assessment, There’s no complete explanation for are using the Sandy Hook massacre as and little has changed to suggest a more why some countries are affluent while a pretext for demanding a practically optimistic outlook. Now Ebola threat- others are poor, but there are some leads. proctologic level of state oversight of ens the very existence of the West Afri- Rank countries according to whether Connecticut homeschoolers. Lanza was can nations Liberia, Sierra Leone, and they are closer to being a free market briefly homeschooled at the end of his Guinea. Moreover, the deadly disease is economy or whether they’re closer to high-school career, when his mother likely to spread to neighboring nations. having a socialist or planned economy. was overwhelmed by the challenges of Each year, The Wall Street Journal and Then rank countries by per capita in- dealing with her mentally ill son and had The Heritage Foundation publish an come. Doing so, we will find a general, been utterly failed by the same public “Index of Economic Freedom,” which though not perfect, pattern whereby institutions that Malloy wants to cast as measures economic liberty around the those having a larger measure of eco- homeschoolers’ overseers. (He was still world. Mauritius is the only one of the nomic freedom find their citizens enjoy- very much a part of the government’s 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to ing a higher standard of living. Also, if we education system, though, attending rank among the 10 freest economies in ranked countries according to how Free- student-group meetings at the nearby the world. Botswana is the second-fre- dom House or Amnesty International public high school.) Homeschooling est African country, followed by Cape rates human rights protections, we’d find had not one thing to do with Lanza’s Verde. South Africa used to be near the that citizens of freer market economies rampage, and neither public oversight top but has since declined. Of the other enjoy a greater measure of human rights nor officially credentialed expertise did sub-Saharan countries, 11 are rated as protections. You can bet the rent money a thing to stop it. Lanza had been seeing “repressed” and 26 are “mostly unfree.” that the correlation among free markets, public-school therapists since kinder- Eight of the world’s 20 least free econo- wealth, and human rights protections is garten and had received treatment at no mies are in Africa’s sub-Saharan region. not coincidental. less an institution than Yale. The govern- Poverty is not a cause but a result of With but few exceptions, most African ment-school unions and their political Africa’s problems. What African coun- countries are worse off now than they affiliates hate homeschooling for the tries need the West cannot provide. were during colonialism, both in terms same reason they hate school choice: They need personal liberty. That means of standard of living and in terms of hu- They are monopolists, and they will not a political system in which there are man rights protections. Once a food- endure competition. And if they have to guarantees of private property rights, exporting country, Zimbabwe recently politicize the murder of 20 children to free markets, honest government, and stood near the brink of starvation. Sierra have their way, they will.” the rule of law. Africa’s poverty is, for the Leone is rich in minerals — especially —The National Review most part, self-inflicted. Some people diamonds — has highly fertile land, and November 3, 2014 might disagree because their college is the best port site in West Africa, but it professors taught them that the legacy of has declined into a state of utter despair.

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Africa is the world’s most natural-re- sources-rich continent. It has 50 percent of the world’s gold, most of the world’s diamonds and chromium, 90 percent of the cobalt, 40 percent of the world’s po- tential hydroelectric power, 65 percent of the manganese, and millions of acres of untilled farmland, as well as other natural resources. Before independence, every African country was self-sufficient in food production; today many depend on imports, and others stand at the brink of famine. Though there’s a strong case for us to help with the Ebola crisis, the worst thing Westerners could do to Africa would be to send more foreign aid. For- eign aid provides the financial resources that enable Africa’s grossly corrupt and incompetent regimes to buy military equipment, pay off cronies, and con- tinue to oppress their people. It also pro- vides resources for the leaders to live lav- ishly and set up “retirement” accounts in foreign banks. —Walter E. Williams Townhall.com October 30, 2014

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