C. H. SPURGEON Mark 16:15-16

"No outward forms can make you clean,
The leprosy lies deep within."

Narnia at war

Most of this controversy is to be expected. I would say that there is probably something to some race concerns with Lewis. He certainly would not have our modern sensibilities about such issues. But those lining up against Narnia are sure to over sell the issue and turn Lewis's stories into something they are not. In the end the stories have a Christian view point and that is simply something that those who claim to preach tolerance can not tolerate.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1593201,00.html

Lion, Witch and Wardrobe and Jeb Bush

I think the more that read this book the better. It is a great piece of children's lit and should not be kept out of the class room because it has a Christian premise. It will hardly brainwash kids. If this author saw fit to read it to his daughter but is convinced it is covertly going to turn kids into... Gasp... Christians then he has some inconsistencies to deal with.

Miers Nomination

I have been watching the Miers situation for a few days now and have come to the conclusion that while she may not be the best pick, she is a fine and solid choice. I think other issues are boiling over with conservatives and her nomination is where the frustration is being vented. While I am not a fan of the NY Times I would have to say this is a pretty good story. I would like to add a comment to this story, that I really do not have much use for Gary Bauer. He seems to have a personal issue with the Bush family and sides against the President as often as he can, which supports my premise that a lot of this is not really about Miers. Everyone needs to calm down a bit.

Jonah...

...Goldberg's book is finally available for pre-order. He has been developing this for a number of years. Born out of his annoyance at being called a fascist for being a conservative, when really fascism is a socialistic system far and away from conservatism. Much closer to... well liberalism.

WFB

Seems that Mr. Buckley saw fit to write about the Dartmouth story himself here.

God and Man at Dartmouth

Anyone who has been to collage since Buckley's first book, God and Man at Yale, was publish would probably not be surprised by this story. Simply more signs of our country's need for revival. I do find it amusing in a sad sort of way how ridiculous and out right stupid the self proclaimed enlightened elites can be.

Durbin reads the Bible in Senate Committee

I heard some buzz about this on Rush today. That Durbin read something about or by Solomon. I was able to find something about it here. Normal kudos to the guys at NRO for this one. Durbin is my Senator and he invokes religion from time to time. He seems to show little understanding. Never the less this is wise advice to give and take. Makes me wonder since Durbin was once pro-life, when did you sell your wisdom for power Senator? Great observation by Edward on other lessons Durbin could learn from Solomon.

C. H. Spurgeon on Holy Water

Posted with all due respect to my Catholic and Orthodox bretheren. I love it when someone lets it fly and says what he really thinks. I am on a bit of a Spurgeon kick and this is classic.

"Holy water! bah!"
C. H. Spurgeon

plea for the end of faith

I will have to admit that Harris may have some valid points here on how misguided religion can run amok. But on the whole he is simple wrong and woefully out of balance. I think he would do well to study the French revolution. They turned the churches into "temples of reason", and the whole thing was a bloody brutal mess! His view is one dimensional and very dangerous. Christ is the light of the world. While there is much darkness in religion, if we focus on Christ there we find the only light. In reply that is where I would try and focus my case. On Christ. Not the good that religion may have done. I do not wish to simply offer people religion.

Pope Watch

Well I am back after vacation. Not much time to get plugged back into stuff much yet but this story did catch my eye. I continue to hope and pray that Turkey will be able to improve things for their Christian minority. The Orthodox church has been persecuted there for centuries, and continues to be to this day.

please, let's not call them "acts of God"

Here is a story I found recently by a Niall Ferguson.

So the upshot is that life is meaningless. Akin to what Homer Simpson once said about cartoons "Cartoons don't mean anything, they're just a bunch of stupid stuff that happens." Happily the sovereign creator of the universe is not Homer Simpson or Niall Ferguson.

There are a few things I think I would like to add to Mr. Ferguson's discussion here. First he does not show a deep understanding of Christian theology. I sense here that he sees pious Christians wanting to blame others sin for natural disasters. While that certainly does occur (very openly in Islam as well) it is not a well balance Biblical stance to take. Wesley was correct to say this is the result of the curse due to the sin of Adam. Genesis 3:17 But where many get into trouble is to assume they are better then those whom disasters happen to. As Christ said about a disaster that occurred in his day, "... and those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:4-5 (NKJV). How God uses these acts differently between his children and those who are not is well describe by C.H.S. in my prior post. But He is the judge and the sovereign of the universe.

We are simply called to recognize that the worlds is not as it should be. It is full of sin and cursed. But if we realize this and repent before God admitting our need of him, we are given new hope for a future world where Christ will reign.

Mr. Ferguson seems frustrated that people turn to God in these circumstances such as Katrina. He would rather they turn to what? Believe in random acts of nature? The reason many refuse to see it his way is because there is no hope there. People find hope when they turn to God. Mr. Ferguson does mention in passing at the end a desire for human unity. While this makes some sense there is still little hope to be found in one another. Our power to save is, to put it lightly, limited. Our ability to love deeply corrupt. Do we have eyes to see our blindness Mr. Ferguson? Given the depth of all of our sin it shows the amazing Mercy of God that we are not all swallowed up right now like some were in the OT.

John Piper address the passage of Luke 13:1-5 very well here.

The Barley-Field on Fire

One of the oldest theological questions is Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Here C.H. Spurgeon, who was no stranger to trials, explains how God disciplines his own. He does so out of love and with mercy. We ought to find great comfort in God's sovereignty over the affairs of men.


"As for their number, if God appoints that you have ten trials then there can never be eleven. As for the weight of your troubles, he who weighs the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance is careful to measure your troubles, and you will not have an ounce more than his infinite wisdom sees fit. It may seem that the devil has been turned loose on you, but remember he is always a chained enemy. There is a tether to every trouble, and it can never stray beyond that tether."
C.H.S.

Now here is something nice to see.

May God's light also shine on this city.

Give Thanks

As usual Christianity Today's Weblog is doing a great job covering what is going on spiritually with the Katrina aftermath. Give thanks in everything, and remember who is truly in control. No one can be certain of the future, and yet we plot and plan and count on things as if we could be.

Not only does God have a plan, but God, not humans, is in control, said one parishioner. '[The hurricane] was an awesome force of nature," said Paul Caporusso, 56, who lives in nearby Kenner and rode out the storm with a friend in the French Quarter. ''And it shows that if anyone had any delusions that we're in control in this life, they should just be slapped silly."

The Problem of Pain

The classic by C.S. Lewis is a great place to start for those who wish to explore the meaning of pain from a Christian perspective. Of course there is also the book of Job, and as I pointed out before John Piper has some great free resources in his web site. In the wake of Katrina let's turn to the right place to seek meaning.

"Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
C.S. Lewis

Katrina means pure

I was reluctant to post this one at first. But it is a good story, and for the most part it is the people of New Orleans making these observations. I think they are pretty gracious and trying to find the blessing in this catastrophe.

Evacuees ask God questions

Here is a link to a good story about evacuees who are trying to seek where God is in this. One of the first I have found on the subject.

Rehnquist RIP

Piper's take.

John Piper has many good free resources for those who wish to explore where God is in time of natural tragedy like Katrina or the Tsunami. We must have compassion for our neighbor and humanity, while keep our place in proper perspective to God. Check out his web site. Here is a great link to get you started.

http://www.desiringgod.org/library/fresh_words/2005/090205.html