Samson's Jawbone

A friend of mine, who is a Christian musician who was prominent in the 1970's, wrote this on his Facebook page after President Trump issued his executive order on immigration; Compassion is a Christian value and I believe an American one as well.  Closing the borders of our country based on religion defies imagination.  I'm not naive.  I understand that terrorists are looking to enter our country, and I am for all the background checks and law enforcement we need to do to make sure they aren't allowed in.  But my faith, and I'd like to think basic human decency, demands that I not turn a blind eye to the suffering masses who are fleeing war ravaged regions of the world.  How exactly to meet their needs will be debated, but surely Christian folks can agree that Christ taught us to serve the least of these. Compassion shouldn't be a partisan issue.  The book of Matthew speaks to me today… "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and...

Since President Trump rescinded the Obama executive order giving federal benefits to children of illegal aliens once again many in the church have promoted a false view of what the Bible says about immigration. The Catholic Church has recently stated that Matthew 25 requires countries to allow any person in need into their country.  It says nothing of the sort.  We have addressed "the least of these my brethren," in another post. This passage neither advocates a social gospel nor requires an "unrestricted opening to immigration. I understand that the Catholic Church has a different understanding of biblical authority and hermeneutics then the Protestant one does, and frankly, while I disagree with their understanding of the text find the view consistent with some Catholic teaching. I am far more trouble when I some evangelicals talk about DACA. The ignorance of the Christian Church on this matter is startling. Recently Southern Baptist leader argued for a restrictive...

The last several nights a few people in Ferguson, Missouri have rioted, looted and burned the city as a tribute to Michael Brown. The Black Lives Matter  movement, has made him a martyr for their cause. The founders of this movement would have us believe that Michael Brown was gunned down by a calculating, callous and racist Officer Daryn Wilson while Brown's hands were raised as he called out, "don't shoot!"  Three autopsies, including one paid for by Mr. Brown's family, and a Grand Jury established the the incredulity of this scenario .  While Mr. Brown's death is a grievous loss for his family, and while there are police officers who pull their gun's as an act of racial animus, the police are often the scapegoats for those who wish to deny the breakdown of the African American culture, and by black politicians and clergy who exploit the deaths for their own power and fame. Leaders of this country especially those in the Obama administration h...

The Supreme Court of the United States has a history of unjust, unconstitutional or political decisions. It has been the tool liberals have used for accomplishing their agenda, which cannot pass either through direct vote or legislation for most of this century. The Gay marriage decision exemplifies liberalism's use of  the courts to advance its unpopular agenda. Evey time Gay marriage has been put to a vote (as recently as 2014) even the most liberal states have rejected it. The recent OBERGEFELL ET AL. v. HODGES, DIRECTOR, OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ET Al.,           upheld the legality of same sex  marriage in all 50 states and US territories. The decision created "a right to dignity" protected by the 14th Amendement, and nullified the first, ninth and tenth amendments.

Last night I watch an argument between two news commentators about the Christian view of the current border crisis. One commentator a professed Christian passionately asserted that as Christians we were obligated to open our doors as a nation to anyone who wants to come in. In view of the many commands in scripture to take care of the poor, helping the immigrant is an obligated of any nation governed by Judao-Christian, Therefore, she asserted that a biblical world view required Christians  support open  borders and let anyone who wants to come into their country. As long as our rich country has the resources to help the poor we cannot deny them entry. The other, a professed Catholic, said that while we had an obligation to clothe, house and protect anyone living among us there was nothing in a Christian commitment that required a nation to open its borders.  The subject of immigration is a hot button  in some Christian circles today. You can not raise the issue wi...