Ron Paul has an article at LewRockwell.com in which he explains the realities of isolationism and how that relates to our current policies of intervention. I think it does a good job of how these kinds of policies always lead to problems. Obviously the article is short and there is much more that could be said but it points in the right direction.
The 2008 election season is coming really fast. With the republican primary here in South Carolina coming on January 19 it is becoming really important to decide who you will vote for. I want to recommend that everyone look carefully at Ron Paul. Read through the issues on his site. He is pro-gun, pro-life, and pro-constitution. He has a very clear understanding of how the constitution is the foundation of our federal form of government. Powers that were not given to congress should be left to the states. If you want lower taxes and a more responsible government vote for Ron Paul. Some will say he “can’t win” but they are making themselves part of the reason. Vote on principle not fear.
I switched my blog to WordPress over the weekend. I wasn’t too impressed with the direction of MovableType and this will give me lots more and better customizing options (without learning perl). Also check out my new theme.
jhyink pointed me to this funny video parodying Apple and other things. I had to share. Click to read more and view the video.
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Alastair has posted an excellent essay entitled The Primacy of the Imagination. A very helpful read.
In Ephesians 5:22 and following we find instruction for a wife to submit to her husband. Paul then continues in commanding the husband to love his wife. The following illustration of Christ and the Church is given:
“. . . Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27, ESV)
What does it mean when it says that Christ is sanctifying and cleansing the church (not individual Christians)? Who makes up this church? Are baptized members of the church who later fall away included? If the church is only made up of individuals who are truly regenerate then why does it need cleansed? If this cleansing is meant to really only refer to individual sanctification then why refer to the church?
The church is a living breathing organism that is in need of cleansing. Christ purchased her with his blood but impurities remain. Those impurities need cleansed “by the washing of water with the word” (ESV).
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Alastair has posted an very interesting biography of N. T. Wright. Very interesting read and seems to do a good job of pointing out most of the reasons for controversies concerning Wright.
In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul gives some crucial information that should affect our eschatology. The key is in verse 26 when Paul calls death the “last enemy.” Verses 23-26 taken as a whole show that death is defeated by the resurrection of believers. That resurrection of believers occurs at the Second Coming of Christ as stated in verse 23. The Premillennialist must explain how there can still be a multitude of enemies to be defeated 1,000 years after the resurrection of believers has already occurred. When “all rule and all authority and power” has been defeated, Christ will return to resurrect His own people. This resurrection is the defeat of death – the “last enemy.”
the Great Lands 