Is the Reverend Wright a Brother in Christ?

Jeremiah Wright, Evangelicals’ Brother in Christ, Christianity Today (5/7/2008)

The subtitle of the above post: Go ahead and disagree with Obama’s pastor. But remember: He’s family.

Jason Byassee, the author of the above post, argues that Evangelical Christians need to take the Reverend Wright seriously, because he is a Brother in Christ.

On the other hand:

James White recently spoke to the issue of Wright’s theology by quoting extensively from Wright’s teacher and favorite theologian, James Cone. (Wright references Cone and Cone’s contemporary, Dwight Hopkins, several times in the above video, starting at about 02:15.) White briefly and powerfully makes the case that Cone is a racist and, furthermore, a heretic outside the Christian faith. If White is correct, and Wright is on board with Cone’s Black Liberation Theology, are Evangelical Christians obligated to interact with the Reverend as a Brother in Christ?

Sometimes I Weep

Texas Woman Convicted for Operating Swinger’s Club Involving Young Children

I do not believe I am an overly sentimental type of guy, but as I read this horrible story this morning, I could not keep from weeping. I am sure my sensitivities to this particular kind of brutality are heightened as a relatively new father (my oldest is three), but I am - for better and/or worse - usually a rather stoic fellow. Yet, I continue to weep and pray for these children. Only God’s grace and mercy can save these little ones now.

It seems the depths of our depravity are as unfathomable as the heights of God’s goodness. I am sobered and brought low before Almighty God by the reality that this wickedness is in me.

Come, Lord Jesus! Come soon!

I Love the White Horse Inn!

Several months ago, Drew (of the formerly famous Sign of Jonah) introduced me to the White Horse Inn podcast. I absolutely love it, and think you will too!

The White Horse Inn is hosted by Michael Horton and features co-hosts Kim Riddlebarger (Riddleblog), Ken Jones and Rod Rosenbladt. (See all men’s bios here.) Horton et. al. tackle all sorts of relevant theological issues with an intellectual depth and seriousness that is both humbling and heartening. I learn more from this podcast than virtually all others combined (and I listen to a lot of podcasts).

If you podcast, check out the White Horse Inn. You won’t regret it.

Lakeland Revival & Roman Catholic Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages may be defined as journeys made to some place with the purpose of venerating it, or in order to ask there for supernatural aid, or to discharge some religious obligation.

- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia

I was talking to a friend the other day about the “revival” in Lakeland, Florida. We talked about the similarities between charismatics flocking to these revival sites (Lakeland, Pensacola, Toronto, Brownsville, etc.) and Roman Catholics visiting various apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

Just a thought…

A Self-Inflicted Crisis?

Michael Ramirez, Investor’s Business Daily

This is one of my pet peeves; something that occasionally drives me to a foaming-at-the-mouth rage. While gas prices hover just under $3.50/gallon in my neighborhood and the nation frets over an energy crisis, a plethora of legitimate options are available to us: domestic oil drilling, increased oil refining capacity, clean coal, nuclear power, etc. But how does our government respond? It responds by childishly frittering away our tax money on ethanol and wind mills.

I feel a tantrum coming on…

Anyway, this cartoon made my day.

Hey, Ladies!

My sister-in-law took these photos of Lydia and her cousin recently.

James White on Richard Dawkins

I haven’t read any of Richard Dawkins books’ in their entirety, but I have read and heard enough snippets of him, Hitchens, Harris, et. al. to recognize an intentional (and rather shallow) meanness in their presentations. I don’t think this will ultimately serve their cause well.

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P.S. I’ve been listening to James White and Steve Gregg debate Calvinism the last few days. It has been a very interesting conversation. If you’re interested, you can get all five mp3s here.

I Love Life! Walk 2008

The Blatzkritters will be participating in the I Love Life! Walk this year on May 17. We are asking those who feel so lead to support us, and more importantly, support the Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center by donating here.

My sister-in-law has been volunteering for this Pro-Life organization for the past few years and our church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, also works with Amnion.

Thanks & God Bless!

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Below is a letter from my wife:

Dear Friends and Family,

Jim and I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center in the I Love Life! Walk on Saturday, May 17th. Amnion CPC provides free, life-saving assistance to pregnant women in crisis. We will be walking as a family in honor of our two children, Lydia and Titus, and the baby that I miscarried.

One in four women will end their pregnancies due to lack of compassionate care and practical assistance. It is our goal to help Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center provide women with the following free services: pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counsel for the young woman, man and parents throughout the unplanned pregnancy, maternity and baby supplies, evangelism and bible studies, post abortion grief counseling, middle and high school abstinence presentations.  Please join us by pledging support of our participation in the I Love Life! Walk or by directly contributing generously to Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center. Your tax-deductible contribution will fund innovative outreach and awareness programs for underserved women in crisis in our community.

Whatever you can give will really help! We truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress.

Thank you so much for your time and support of this important outreach to help moms find hope for their future and their baby’s future! Every step counts for life!

Your Friend,
Katy Blatzheim

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Now playing: Rose Blossom Punch - Par Avion
via FoxyTunes

They are Night Zombies!! They are… Democrats?

I saw this yesterday and had to share. While I recognize zombies reside on both sides of the aisle, I thought this was particularly apropos in light of the mindlessness of Obamamania.

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Now playing: Sugar - Man on the Moon
via FoxyTunes

Why You, Christian, Cannot Vote For Barack Obama

On Saturday, 3/29/2008, Barack Obama said at an event in Pennsylvania,

“When it comes specifically to HIV/AIDS, the most important prevention is education, which should include — which should include abstinence education and teaching the children - teaching children, you know, that sex is not something casual. But it should also include - it should also include other, you know, information about contraception because, look, I’ve got two daughters, 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby…”

God forbid his daughters might take responsibility for their “mistake”. Good grief! If any young women were ever positioned in life to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, surely the Obama girls will be. Daughters of a wealthy, intact and loving family, there would be no reason for these girls to acquire an abortion other than convenience. Of course, it would not be difficult to conceive a young woman having an abortion when her father refers to the contents of her pregnant womb as some kind of cruel punishment or disease.

This is not Pro-Choice. This is Pro-Abortion.

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Now playing: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Baltimore
via FoxyTunes