November 2006 Archives

As unto the bow the cord is;

So unto the man is woman;

Though she bends him, she obeys him;

Though she draws him, yet she follows;

Useless each without the other.

  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As quoted in Verses of Virtue, edited by Beall Phillips.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 30, 2006 | Permalink

Congratulations to the 2006 G.A. Henty Essay Contest winners — Rylan McQuade, Molly Anderson, Courtney Anderson, and Daniel Ross. The 2006 essay topic was: “How G.A. Henty’s works remind us of God’s providence throughout history.” View photos of the winners and read their essays.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 30, 2006 | Permalink

Pastor Kevin Swanson is one of the most compassionate men I know. But compassion is not his only virtue. This week, he demonstrates the skill of a master physician of analysis as he surgically addresses one of the great cancers on the internet. For a strong dose of preventative medicine for the soul, make sure to read “Yellow-Bellied Bloggers.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 30, 2006 | Permalink

Come to TheRebelution.com tonight at 9:00pm EST for a live discussion on the Jamestown 400.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 30, 2006 | Permalink

For those of you who would like additional clues and insights into Vision Forum’s Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt, make sure to visit TheRebelution for a live interview chat later his week. I recently agreed to grant an exclusive live web interview with Brett and Alex Harris of TheRebelution to discuss The Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt. The interview chat will be broadcast live — as fast as our fingers can type — on TheRebelution at 9pm EST on Thursday, November 30. During the interview I will release at least one significant new clue, will provide insights into a couple of key catalog clues, and will try to shed some light on a number of common questions that appear to be on the minds of our Jamestown 400 super-sleuths.

I am delighted to offer this exclusive interview with Brett and Alex Harris, twin sons of home school pioneer Gregg Harris. The boys have done a tremendous job over the last two years live blogging at the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Given the many thousands who are currently engaged in the Jamestown 400, I hope this interview will prove encouraging and helpful.

Submit Questions and Stay Tuned

Brett and Alex are accepting questions concerning the Jamestown 400 (this includes clues — hint, hint) by e-mail at info@therebelution.com, some of which they will ask me during the online interview on Thursday, November 30. Be sure to send them a note with any perplexities concerning the treasure hunt that you would like for us to discuss. No promises that you aspiring sleuths will get all of the answers you are seeking, but don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this unfolding mystery!

The Jamestown 400 is a grand exploration into the feats of our intrepid forebears who dared to do great things for God. Those who follow their providential path with perseverance and pluck will have opportunity to find 400 real gold coins at the end of their search.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 27, 2006 | Permalink

Arguably, John Smith was one of the most capable and manly individuals in American history. More than any other individual, he was the providential tool of God to hold the Jamestown colony together. Note that he was given an opportunity play a similar role for the Pilgrim fathers.

“In 1619 Smith himself offered to act as a guide to the Pilgrims, but they turned down his offer, probably because of their precarious financial position, or because of a commitment to Myles Standish. Smith’s experience might well have helped through the first winter. He said as much later: “Their humorous ignorances caused them for more than a year to endure a wonderful deal of misery with infinite patience.”

Quoted in Pilgrim: A Biography of William Brewster, by Mary B. Sherwood, Great Oak Press, 1982 pg. 139.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 17, 2006 | Permalink

Though I have grave concerns with the ID movement, I find the concerns mentioned by the neo- Darwinian Michael Ruse to be telling:

“With wife [of Michael Behe], Celeste, doing the homeschooling of quite a few of these nine offspring, the Behe household is indeed stretched, but according to Darwinist opponent Michael Ruse, it bodes well for the future of ID. He quipped, ‘Even if you can’t beat us with your arguments, you’re likely to take over by overpopulating us!’”

Thomas Woodward, Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006), p. 66.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 17, 2006 | Permalink

Congratulations to the growing wave of people who have deciphered key clues in the Vision Forum Catalog and are beginning to enter the heart of the Jamestown 400 hunt. Each day the number is growing. We know who you are. We are proud of you for your persevering spirit, keen analysis, and attention to detail. Great job. You are in for a lot of fun. You will learn a tremendous amount of history and will be exposed to a great deal of fascinating intrigue and adventure.

The stakes are high. One person will be going home with 400 American Gold Eagle Coins (donated for the Jamestown 400 by a corporate sponsor) buried in the Jamestown, Wiliamsburg, Yorktown historic triangle vicinity. Because the stakes are high, some of the mysteries are challenging—challenging, but certainly not unattainable. (The buried treasure is of sufficient value that it would certainly help the winner to get out of debt, buy land for his children, serve as investment capital for a business venture, fund a small film, or even provide a healthy bride’s price for a potential father-in law with big expectations for suitors. In any event, I am confidant the winner can find good use for the prize.)

Some of you might have fun with this as a family over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Perseverance is key. Just remember every time you feel like you are “hitting a wall” that the universe of active Jamestown 400 sleuths is relatively small when considered in light of the prize at the end. This means you have a real shot at the buried treasure if you persevere. Of course, the prize is simply a very fancy way of encouraging you to “study to show yourself approved” when it comes to the providence of God in American history. Remember also, that in addition to our grand prize, one thousand other people who first make it through the initial phase of the hunt will receive a special token of appreciation from Vision Forum and will be inducted into “The Order of the Jamestown 400.”

Stay tuned to Doug’s Blog next week for an important announcement for our super sleuths.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 17, 2006 | Permalink

“You can’t celebrate an invasion.” Mary Wade of the 2007 Jamestown steering committee

“For a whole year or more we shall celebrate the fact that a bunch of British buffoons who knew nothing of what they were doing colonized a swamp for the sake of Christianizing Indians.” Virginia Gazette

2007 will be the first national centennial event in American history in which our leaders officially want to diminish, lament, and apologize for the influence of Christianity, Christian law, and Christian heroism in the planting of the American people and the foundations of the American Republic. This unprecedented embarrassment over our Christian history by the organizers of a centennial event is a national shame. (Vision Forum Ministries believes our sons and daughters must be our history as a people. We will be in Jamestown next year with a special week of unforgettable and distinctively Christian events designed to cultivate gratitude in our children, even as we give honor to the Lord. More on this later.)

For the Tercentennial (1907), millions came to remember the providence of God in laying the foundation of a free republic through the legacy of the Jamestown settlement. These included diverse individuals, few of whom likely questioned the Christian origins of the nation. Among the millions who came to celebrate the historic event were foreign dignitaries including the royalty of Europe and the military leaders of Japan, as well as Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Teddy Roosevelt, and Booker T. Washington.

For 2007, the Queen of England will be returning to Jamestown. Due to her longevity as a reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth will be the only international leader of note to have attended both the 350th and the 400th anniversary.

Read more about it at “Queen Elizabeth to visit U.S. for Jamestown anniversary”

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 16, 2006 | Permalink

As a special service to my blog readership, I want to let you know that registration is now available for our 2007 Father and Daughter Retreat. Historically, this event has filled within about seventy-two hours of notification for registration so I want to encourage you to sign up soon if you would like to attend. The Lord has been kind to make this a very special and life-transforming event for many thousands of fathers and daughters, and I pray it will be a blessing for you as well.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 14, 2006 | Permalink

“How can the Church of England say that Christian compassion includes the killing of disabled babies either through the withdrawing or withholding of treatment or by active euthanasia?”

The future of Western Civilization may come down to our view on life. We know that all those who hate God, love death. Conversely, those who love God, will love life.

By now, most of us realise that the battle between life and death is hitting very close to home. Many Christians have already conceded the premise that unwanted or inconvenient children should be prevented from coming into the world by separating life from love through various drugs or procedures that pervert the natural function of the womb or cut off the seed. Others are now considering whether it is a “mercy” to let Granny starve to death when her quality of life is not what they want it to be.

At Vision Forum, we gave our heart and soul to fight for the life of a little baby named William Goforth. We have continued to fight for the lives of other children in imminent crisis situations through our legal staff and our Life and Liberty Medical Fund. Often these battles are very unpopular. Some of the most vitriolic opposition comes from professing Christians themselves who don’t want to be inconvenienced by caring for life. But we fight these battles because we believe that life is precious. We fight them because we believe that the most unwanted and unlovely lives to the eyes of man are precious in the eyes of God.

Through the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, and elsewhere, we have warned that when Christians concede on the foundational principles of life and biomedical ethics, when they accept the lie that some life is not worth living, or that some of the helpless should not be helped—that the groundwork has been established for Margaret Sanger’s hellish vision of a “brave new” eugenics-driven society.

Consider now the decision by leaders of the Church of England to call for Christians to allow the starvation of little babies with severe handicaps and disabilities (..and notice the careful double-speak about some lives not being worth living).:

According to The Daily Mail

The Church of England has broken with traditional dogma by calling for doctors to be allowed to let sick newborn babies die.

Christians have long argued that life should be preserved at all costs - but a bishop representing the national church has now sparked controversy by arguing that there are occasions when it is compassionate to leave a severely disabled child to die.

And the Bishop of Southwark, Tom Butler, who is the vice chair of the Church of England’s Mission and Public Affairs Council, has also argued that the high financial cost of keeping desperately ill babies alive should be a factor in life or death decisions.

The shocking new policy from the church has caused outrage among the disabled.

A spokeswoman for the UK Disabled People’s Council, which represents tens of thousands of members in 140 different organizations, said: “How can the Church of England say that Christian compassion includes the killing of disabled babies either through the withdrawing or withholding of treatment or by active euthanasia?

“It is not for doctors or indeed anyone else to determine whether a baby’s life is worthwhile simply on the grounds of impairment or health condition....”

...In the Church of England’s contribution to the inquiry, Bishop Butler wrote: “It may in some circumstances be right to choose to withold or withdraw treatment, knowing it will possibly, probably, or even certainly result in death”.

The church stressed that it was not saying some lives were not worth living, but said there were “strong proportionate reasons” for “overriding the presupposition that life should be maintained.”

The bishop’s submission continued: “There may be occasions where, for a Christian, compassion will override the ‘rule’ that life should inevitably be preserved.”

Click here to read this shocking and appalling story.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 14, 2006 | Permalink

CNN is reporting today that the widows of two combat veterans sued the federal government in the U.S. District Court in western Wisconsin for not allowing Wiccan (Satanic) symbols on their husbands’ military headstones. The widows are alleging that the prohibition of the Wiccan pentacle, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, is unconstitutional. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs allows military families to choose any of the thirty-eight authorized headstone images. Currently, the Wiccan pentacle is not one of the thirty-eight “authorized” images. If the widows have their way, this will change. Click here to read the full story.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 14, 2006 | Permalink

For a helpful analysis on the Republican defeat in last week’s election, I encourage everyone to read my father’s press release and analysis of the election results: “Phillips Says the Republican Defeats Attributable in Large Part to the Demoralization of Conservatives by Bush Administration Policies.” From the press release:

“The November 7 election results are, to a significant degree, attributable to the policies of the Bush Administration in many areas... These include:

• appointment of open homosexuals to key positions....

• historically high subsidies to Planned Parenthood,

• failure to enforce existing immigration laws which require penalization of corporations which hire illegal aliens,

• promotion of a North American Union (NAU) scheme to merge the United States with Canada and Mexico,

Click here to read the rest of the report.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 14, 2006 | Permalink

Stay tuned for an up-and-coming report from Everyday News on the glories of creation as ENN correspondents Joshua and Samuel take to the clouds with their fathers in a hot air balloon.

Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. (Psalm 68:34)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

Shot by DWP from around 2,000 ft. from a hot air balloon.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

Shot by DWP this last Friday from 3,500 ft. in a hot air balloon.

Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. (Job 35:5)

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge. (Job 37:16)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

Shot by DWP from around 2,000 ft. from a hot air balloon.

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. (Psalm 36:5)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

Shot by DWP from around 2,000 ft. from a hot air balloon.

Psalm 104:3: “Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind.”

Psalm 68:34: “Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

Shot by DWP from a hot air balloon.

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. (Psalm 147:8)

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. (Proverbs 3:20)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

According to a report from the Associated Press, a new volcanic island has risen from the South Pacific near Tonga, based on reports from two vessels that passed the area. A crewman identified only as Haken said they could see the volcanic island clearly: “One mile in diameter and with four peaks and a central crater smoking with steam and once in a while an outburst high in the sky with lava and ashes. I think we’re the first ones out here.” To read the full article on this interesting development click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 13, 2006 | Permalink

This Veterans Day, cable networks and television stations around America are seeking to honor the veterans of the Second World War by airing Vision Forum’s powerful documentary, The League of Grateful Sons. This seventy-four minute film chronicles the journey that sons and grandsons took to the black sands of Iwo Jima on the sixtieth anniversary of the battle in honor of their fathers who fought there in 1945.

The following ten networks will be airing The League of Grateful Sons on or around Veterans Day:

• World Harvest Television
• Inspirational Networks’ iLifetv
• Inspirational Networks’ International Network
• The NRB Network
• Daystar Television Network
• FamilyNet
• Cornerstone Television
• FaithTV
• Familyland Network
• The Liberty Channel

In addition to airing on these networks, The League of Grateful Sons will also be broadcast on 38 local stations (three in top 10 markets, including Atlanta, Allentown, and Detroit) in 18 states.

In all, The League of Grateful Sons will be available for viewing in more than 100 million households. For a complete station listing, including air dates and times, visit LeagueofGratefulSons.com.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 9, 2006 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 8, 2006 | Permalink

The Mystery of the Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 8, 2006 | Permalink

Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, author of the family memoirs Cheaper by the Dozen, died Saturday at the age of 98. Cheaper By the Dozen was a lighthearted look at the happy and frenetic life of a family of twelve children (six boys and six girls) whose parents (Lillian Moller Gilbreth and Frank Bunker Gilbreth) were management and efficiency experts. The story of the Gilbreth family inspired seven movies, only one of which I have seen—the 1950’s Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy version. That film contains a glorious scene where the father meets the local Planned Parenthood, pro-birth control worker at the door and delightfully responds to her inquiries by introducing her to his full quiver. The flabbergasted Planned Parenthood worker exits in a less-than-decorous manner.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 6, 2006 | Permalink

(To view this video clip, you must have QuickTime 7 installed — available as a free download.)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 3, 2006 | Permalink

I am not an exclusive psalmodist, but I do find it disturbing that so many churches simply pass on the biblical command to sing psalms. I am not a non-instrumentalist, but I do lament the musical illiteracy of the American church and wish that both churches and families would learn to sing in four-part harmony. In fact, I lament the fact that my own family is behind the curve and am currently hoping to do something about it. That is why I am so thankful for The Genevan Foundation for Cultural Renewal, a ministry of the Marcus Serven family. The Servans demonstrate the joy of a family working and singing together through this collection of Psalms set to music. O Sing a New Psalm and Songs of the Remnant are designed to teach church congregations and families to sing in four-part harmony. Each CD introduces 10 magnificent Psalms. First all parts sing together, then each part (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) is featured separately so your family can practice the harmony and praise the Lord with beautiful music!

Here’s a link to Songs of the Remnant & O Sing a New Psalm.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 3, 2006 | Permalink

(To view this video clip, you must have QuickTime 7 installed — available as a free download.)

When Stephen Kendrick and his brother decided to work with the people of their church and local home educators to produce a debt-free film for the glory of God, they purposed to avoid compromise and honor the dictates of their conscience each step of the way. In the end, they completed the feature film Facing the Giants for a mere $100,000. But the Lord who does exceedingly and abundantly beyond the expectations of man blessed them with opening week box office sales in excess of 1.3 million dollars. That was six weeks ago. The film is still going strong. At this point, it seems clear that between the ongoing theatrical release and up and coming DVD sales, Facing the Giants will easily exceed $20,000,000.00 in sales. That is a 200 to 1 return on investment. But more refreshing than the astonishing financial return on an independent Christian film, is the vision and spiritual committment of the filmmakers. Both at the Christian Filmmakers Academy and at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, Stephen blessed crowds of young men and women through his unabashed Christian faith, and his pure-hearted approach to changing the culture for Christ. I have included the following clip on today’s blog as one example. Enjoy it.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 2, 2006 | Permalink

When a [son] has married without his parents’ knowledge, he should recognize that he is paying a just penalty for his heedless behavior if his wife is unresponsive to him. He did not offer God and his parents the obedience he owed them, and he should not be surprised if he gets his just reward in the form of his wife’s defiance. (Consilium Sept. 1, 1560 As quoted in Sex, Marriage, & Family Life in John Calvin’s Geneva, Vol 1: Courtship, Engagement, & Marriage Eerdmans 2005 pg. 170)

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 2, 2006 | Permalink

(To view this video clip, you must have QuickTime 7 installed — available as a free download.)

This year, the SAICFF Jubilee Award for Best of Festival went to The Oath of Desormeau, a fifty-five minute film written, produced, and directed by the husband and wife team of Richard and Kristina Ramsey of Aletheia Stage and Film Company. Set in Napoleonic France, The Oath is a gripping allegory which shows how one man’s vow to protect two orphaned children is carried out even after he himself dies. The film incorporates important themes like honor, generational faithfulness, defense of womanhood, and personal integrity. The Ramseys also won the $1,000 Audience Choice Award by an overwhelming five-to-one margin. The humility, gratitude, family teamwork, and Christian vision of the Ramseys and their team was deeply moving to all of us.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 1, 2006 | Permalink

Four weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak face-to-face with George Barna of The Barna Group. We briefly discussed a number of subjects including family-integrated worship, church, home, and film. Of special interest to me were George’s comments that horror is the most influential film genre for modern young people (Christian or otherwise).

Also interesting is the rising fascination with horror as the genre of choice among professing Christian filmmakers. In the eternal quest for “relevance” (the fashionable codeword for status quo ethics), a new breed of cultural syncretists hopes to reach out to the world by competing with the world on the world’s terms. When it comes to “Christian horror films,” this sometimes means using truly vile and defiling images to communicate a holy theme. In my view, this is a mistake. Of greater concern than even these offensive externals (which seem inextricably linked to the genre) is the basic premise that darkness and fear should be entertainment.

One of the subjects we addressed last year, and then again at this year’s Christian Filmmakers Academy, is the duty of the Christian filmmaker to evaluate film genre from a presuppositional and biblical ethic. The truth is this: not all genres are created equal. Genres reflect philosophical and theological priorities. Some genres are so immersed in anti-Christian presuppositions that to divest them of their perverse worldview is to destroy the genre itself. Consequently, some genres are unredeemable. Pornography would be one example. Horror is another.

The horror film genre actually finds its origins in the twisted morality stories and rebellious gothic novels of the nineteenth century. One part proto-sci fi, another part evolutionary hypothesis, another part occult mysticism, and yet a fourth part early psychological intrigue, the gothic novels reflected lawless man’s fascination with the exploration of the dark side of the imagination. Their mission: titillate through fear.

As early as the horror-fantasy films of magician-turned-cinema innovator Georges Méliès in the 1890s, filmmakers exposed audiences to photographic tricks that allowed them to conjure up witches, devils, and imps. These spooky images were designed to produce humor and fear. The German Expressionist cinema introduced the twentieth century to some of the more sinister and enduring horror images designed to communicate doom and hopelessness. Vampires, devil worship, madness, Satanic eroticism, and lost souls were frequent themes of early horror classics from directors like Robert Weine, F.W. Murnau, Victor Sjostrom, and Paul Wegener. Many of these films, like the Fritz Lang sci-fi horror film Metropolis (1926), incorporated heavy social commentary that reflected strong anti-Christian and pro-Marxist sentiments.

The 1930s, ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s each brought their own twist on the horror genre, but the basic thesis that “darkness and fear is entertainment” was never in question. From the numerous gothic novel spin-offs of the ’30s, to the perverse fascination with the “undead” in the ’40s, to the 3-D craze and B-film epoch of the ’50s, to the psychological horrors and serial killer films of the 1960s, to the extreme occultims of the 1970s, and the various slasher series of the 1980s and ’90s, the horror genre has cultivated a national fascination with that which is evil and perverse. Horror has glorified the nightmare and taught Americans an ungodly fear of evil. To the extent that Christianity is incorporated into horror films, it is either openly ridiculed, or it is presented as a form of mystical superpower in the hands of special men who wield their own Christian talismans, incantations, and spells.

Horror is an example of a genre which was conceived in rebellion. It is based on a fascination with ungodly fear. It should not be imitated, propagated, or encouraged. It cannot be redeemed because it is presuppositionally at war with God.

Christians filmmakers can, of course, juxtapose good and evil, ungodly fear with godly fear, and the horrible consequences on man for departing from God’s law — but none of this qualifies as “horror” as the film genre was conceived and as it has been executed in its various permutations for more than one hundred years. Consequently, we should recognize that “Christian horror film” is an oxymoronic expression. Perhaps what is needed is a fresh new genre that allows us to explore complex themes, but in a sanctified and holy way. Or perhaps not.

But this much is sure: it should raise red flags when Christian writers or directors announce that they are making horror films for Jesus. As Christians, we must speak to our culture, but we must do so on God’s terms. We need less gore and more Gospel with gravitas. Building on the foundations of that which is idolatrous and despicable is no way to win a culture for Christ. It is the fear of the Lord, not the fear of the dark, which is the beginning of wisdom.

Posted by Doug Phillips on November 1, 2006 | Permalink