Samson's Jawbone

 One of the things that has concerned me in the last few years has been the liberalization of evangelicalism. Don't misunderstand me I have never been one to say that Pastor's and teachers should not teach what the scripture says about political issues. I believe that every spiritual truth has moral application and every moral act is political. While no one wants to hear a political speech from their pastor to ignore all political issues is neglecting the whole counsel of God. Even when a political issue is complex and may not have a specific biblical answer.  (for example, is the answer to crime in cities, more law enforcement or gun control?)  There are biblical and theological issues that inform those issues. One neglects his responsibility to truth when he avoids them.  While it may not be wise to endorse candidates, you can not ignore political issues all together. The gospel can and often should be integrated into every aspects of our lives including politics: ...

A friend of mine, who is a Christian musician who was nationally prominent in the 1970's, wrote this on his Facebook page after then President Donald Trump issued his executive order on immigration early in 2017; Compassion is a Christian value and I believe an American one as well. ... , 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 you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’  They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a...

This is how to understand the popularity of Trump. Samson's Jawbone: (R) is the New Scarlet Letter : In the Nathanael Hawthorne's  novel  Scarlett Letter  set  in June 1642 in the Puritan town of Boston, a crowd gathers to witness the p...

My first years of schooling were spent at Forest Hills Elementary School in Tampa. I have fond memories of the school except for one thing -- the air raid drills. We had regular practices preparing for nuclear war with Russia and an invasion of the Florida peninsula from Cuba. From time to time we were shown films prepared by the United States Office of Civil Defense, showing what our lives would be like in the bomb shelters, or how to recognize Russian or Cuban infantry if they were in our area. While walking between buildings the air raid would sound, we would hurl our bodies spread eagle with our hands over our head onto the ground, or if we were indoors we would get under our desks.  50 years later the drills seem ludicrous. These precautions would have done no good in a nuclear war. Since President Kennedy's showdown with Russia gave the country a feeling of safety, to a small elementary school boy the precautions seemed adventurous. Most of us preferred the Civil Defense...

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...