August 2007 Archives

We are in the midst of a great work of family reformation. Not only are the hearts of many fathers turning to their children, but the hearts of many children are returning to their fathers. Now a new film from the authors of So Much More: The Remarkable Influence of Visionary Daughters on the Kingdom of God challenges the modern feminist paradigm and communicates a beautiful vision of hope for a generation of fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters who are attempting to recapture the culture of of the Christian family for Christ with a presuppositionally biblical ethic. Their new film, The Return of the Daughters, will premiere this October during the week of the Christian Filmmaker’s Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. The film presents a fresh and encouraging perspective on the blessing of daughters following the biblical pattern of being under the covering of their fathers, and serving alongside of them, until they are given in marriage.

Of their book So Much More, Crystal Paine writes:”If there is one book outside of the Bible that I would recommend you have your daughters read, it would probably be this one. I have never read another book which discusses the cultural issues currently facing today’s young women in such a Biblical manner. I have been privileged to get to know the Botkin girls over the past few years and there is no book I have been more excited to promote or endorse than this one! Get the book. You won’t be disappointed.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 31, 2007 | Permalink

Recently Ann Coulter commented on the likelihood that in a new Clinton Administration, Janet Reno would return to power. Coulter continues her article by pointing out that Reno killed more innocent people than any of Bush’s attorney generals:

“Let’s compare attorney generals:

Civilians killed by Ashcroft: 0

Civilians killed by Gonzales: 0

Civilians killed by Reno: 80

Reno’s military attack on a religious sect in Waco, Texas, led to the greatest number of civilians ever killed by the government in the history of the United States. More Americans were killed in Waco than were killed at any of the various markers on the left’s via dolorosa - more than Kent State (4 killed), more than the Haymarket Square rebellion (4 killed), more than Three Mile Island (0 killed).”

Geoff Botkin has observed:

Members of the church were suspected of technical violations of firearms laws. But administration and media rationale for the use of overwhelming genocidal force centered on family association with cult members, the practice of home education, the practice of corporal punishment, and the practice of having “hours-long twice-daily biblical lessons.”[1] Reno’s Treasury Department report on the actions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (issued in October, 1993) found the attack to be “tragically wrong,” but for reasons of tactical strategy. The lesson America learned from Reno’s Justice Department: the government must act harshly against Christian religious groups ‘regarded as unorthodox or spurious.

[1] Time Magazine, May 17, 1993

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 31, 2007 | Permalink

During the 1980s and ’90s, many Christian parents were turned into the state by relatives and fellow “Christians” because these parents engaged in an “abusive” and strangely cultic practice called home education.

Sometimes the persecution came in the form of tirades from the pulpit, gossip on Sunday morning, or ostracism from “normal,” non-cult-like Christians who sent their children to government schools. Other times the persecution came in the form of state intervention, and even seizure of the children—for their good, of course.

As with the modern Internet, these accusers of the brethren did not have to look the families they were condemning in the eye. They did not have to support the assertion of abuse or cult-like behavior. They did not have to prove any of the subjective and often fabricated charges of abuse that they submitted to the state. All an accuser had to do was to claim abuse, or mention the “C” word, and the system would be triggered. All they had to do was to place the phone call and make the accusation.

Accusers could even formally request anonymity when turning families into the state, and still anticipate that the parents they were accusing of abusing their children with spanking or home schooling would be under a mandatory investigation by Child Protective Services.

This “anonymous tip” approach lent itself nicely for personal vendetta. It meant that a disgruntled family member, neighbor, or “fellow Christian,” could ruin the reputation of their brother, rob them of large sums of money in legal fees to defend their family, and fundamentally disrupt their lives—perhaps forever—with complete impunity. And they never had to worry about a guilty conscience for turning their neighbor into the state. They could retain a tremendous air of self-righteousness because the accusers had secretly conducted a trial in their own minds from which they had infallibly determined that the Christian parents that had offended them in church last week with their legalistic dress code, or intolerant view of music, were clearly cultic in their perspective. Having found them guilty of being cultic or culti-like, the notion of home school child abuse was an inescapable corollary.

As an attorney at the Home School Legal Defense Association who defended these parents against the “C” word, I watched innocent mothers and fathers undergo tremendous persecution at the hands of professing Christians who believed that it was weird and cultic to home educate. It was not uncommon for pastors, parents, and relatives to raise the “C” word, not merely to other Christians, but to social workers—all done in the name of protecting children from the cultic behavior of these home school parents. I saw parents turned in to the state for abuse under the pretext that they spanked their children, had home births, allowed their children to eat too much sugar cereal, did not visit the dentist enough, worshiped in home churches, or did not vaccinate, just to name a few of the “evidences” of abusive and “cult-like” behavior.

Usually, when a case actually made it to court, those hoping to curtail the rights of home school parents would argue their position by employing what came to be described as the “Phantom Abuser Argument.” The argument followed this line of reasoning:

“Unregulated home education inescapably leads to abuse. This abuse is dangerous and harmful to children. At all cost abuse must be stopped. Even if the family on trial is not personally guilty of abuse, surely somebody out there is. Yes, somewhere out there is an abusive home school parent. How will we stop that person from abusing their children if we do not regulate all home schooling? That means we need to send a message to all home educators. It means the only way to really wipe out abuse, is to convict the non-abusive family of a crime.”

Our response was usually this: “Show us the abusive home school family? Where are they? They are certainly not the people currently on trial. Where is this phantom home school abuser? You can not expect this court to accept an argument against the family on trial, based on unsubstantiated, general references to some phantom home schooler who you claim must be out there and must be guilty of abuse because—“everybody knows they are out there.”

Our argument usually won the day. It won the day, because it is illogical and dishonest to attack the credibility of individuals with unsubstantiated references to injured third parties. And thanks to a quarter of a century of such carefully made arguments, the blessing of the Lord, and the tireless efforts of the Home School Legal Defense (and their leaders: Mike Farris, Mike Smith, and Chris Klicka), the rights of home educators have been advanced in the courts, and the perverse treatment of law-abiding home schooling Christian at the hands of the cult-watchers has been curtailed.

But the threat of persecution remains.

There is nothing new under the sun. There always have been and will be accusers of the brethren, scoffers and unscrupulous individuals who seek to divide the body of Christ. The battlefield may change shape and size, but the issues are essentially the same. As we press forward into the 21st century, we should aspire to be like the sons of Issachar who understood the times, were blessed of God and given positions of leadership. This means marking those who bring false accusations, or who prepare the body of Christ for great persecution by throwing around the “C” word to describe people who may differ on matters which clearly fall within the pale of orthodoxy.

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 29, 2007 | Permalink

New considerations are necessary in the church to discern how to use the internet for the glory of God. This is evidenced by many uncharitable situations like this one: Frank Page SBC president was involved in a blog discussing controversial issues, and reports that “the blog degenerated quickly into a personal attack place”

The Greenville News reports, “The bigger issue, Page said, is that members of local churches have taken to using blogs to carry on bitter debates about problems within their own congregations.” Page pleaded, “For Christ’s sake, for the sake of the lost, stop!”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2007 | Permalink

Last week, I posted Geoff Botkin’s insightful article “The ‘C’ Word and the Coming Persecution of the Church in America” in which he exposed the way the “C” word (i.e., cult cultic, cult-like) has been unleashed by “infantile Christians” to “weaken the Faith each time it is recklessly bantered about in Christian circles.” He noted that “the government has taken notice of this childish indignation Christians can manufacture against one another.”

Whether the tactics are advanced by the agenda-driven “infantile Christians” of whom Geoff Botkin writes, or agenda-driven leftists in the Press, there is remarkable similarity of subversive tactics employed by hate-mongers of the far Left and “Christian” Left against believers of all stripes who defend the biblical family against the spirit of the age.

Here is how the strategy works: Paint opponents (usually Christians who oppose feminism and maintain patriarchal principles of male leadership) as very, very scary: (1) by comparing them to known extremists; (2) by characterizing their perspective with the most unflatering and extreme interpretation possible, (3) by attributing to them veiws they do not believe and practices they do not employ, (4) by using strategically placed innuendo to play upon the worst fears of readers or viewers; (5) by claiming as irrefutable evidence, undocumented and non-verifiable accusations from questionable sources, (6) by grossly taking quotes out of context, (7) by avoiding real research altogether; and (8) by erecting straw-men to distract viewers and readers from the actual issues at hand.

Enter Christiane Armanpour.

The same week we ran our “The ‘C’ Word and the Coming persecution of the Church in America” article, millions of viewers were exposed to a vicious attack on Christianity from CNN reporter Christiane Armanpour. Robert Knight offers these insights into the series:

Last Thursday night, in the third segment of a six-hour series called God’s Warriors, CNN served up a two-hour, heady brew of fear, distortion and manipulative media techniques to paint a scary picture of conservative Christians in America. The first two segments, featuring Muslims and Jews, reportedly racked up just over two million viewers per night. All three segments aired again late Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Reporter Christiane Amanpour generally effects the air of a National Geographic anthropologist trying to appear open-minded while exploring a slightly disturbing culture. However, she can’t quite conceal her hostility, making loaded statements in the guise of questions, such as this line to youth leader Ron Luce. Luce had just explained his group’s standards for girls’ modest dress...

AMANPOUR: “But Ron, that’s what the Taliban said. They kept women in their house because men couldn’t be trusted around them.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

“The greatest problem we have in the mission is talebearing — missionaries talking about missionaries, and passing on rumors and stories, and enjoying passing on rumors and stories — and they don’t have the facts.”

For salient and humorous observations by Alexander Strauch on this “plague,” click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

Question 145 of the Larger Catechism to the Westminster Confession of Faith provides a relevant challenge both to unruly Internet gossips and the readers who receive their ungodly reports.

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the Ninth Commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the Ninth Commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults;hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

This mother of eight children offers her perspective on the the doctrines shared by the Reformers, the majority of orthodox Christians of past generations, and this ministry on biblical principles of patriarchy.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

One News Now is reporting the remarks of former president of the Southern Baptist denomination Paige Patterson:

WARSAW - A Southern Baptist theologian has warned the World Congress of Families in Poland that the advance of feminism and “the marginalization of men” are threatening the home. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Paige Patterson says families need to be concerned that in America, 60% of college students are female. He predicts that in a few years, men will be increasingly underrepresented among “the intelligentsia” and will gradually cede leadership in many areas to women. Patterson laments that most of the women ascending to these new roles will maintain a major focus on a career, not on the family and on children.

“Instead of encouraging adolescents to cut the apron strings of mother and venture out into society, we are begging mothers not to cut the apron strings [to] their babies and catapult them prematurely into a menacing world,” said the two-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention. “Mom and hot apple pie have been replaced by institutional daycare centers and cold apple turnovers at McDonald’s.”

Patterson warned the more than 3,000 people attending World Congress of Families IV that the traditional family unit is now under attack worldwide. He said this assault was initially focused in Western Europe and North America, but has now spread to other societies that seemed immune to family disintegration.

A biblical model of the family is key to restoring social order in the world, stated the Southern Baptist leader. Although innocents continue to be executed in the womb by their mothers and divorce is “eviscerating family life on every hand,” said Patterson, there is still hope for the world.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

Moms and Dads, stop for a moment and watch this powerful clip posted by our friends at the American Family Association of Ray Comfort confronting people on the streets of Hollywood for their comfort patronizing blasphemy. Ray is one of the keynotes at this year’s San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, and he will be bringing some compelling messages on the antithesis between Christianity and Hollywood, as well as demonstrating to young filmmakers the way the visual media can be used to promote an aggressive apologetic for the glory of God.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2007 | Permalink

Happy Birthday, Son.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2007 | Permalink

Symposium on the Theology of Filmmaking: The number one problem of modern Christian filmmaking is a theological crisis that not only affects the story content of the film, but the production values as well. Seasoned filmmakers and aspiring artists alike will benefit greatly from building a tight, orthodox, theological grid for filmmaking.

Symposium on Disney and American Filmmaking: This is a three-lecture symposium on how Christians can understand and interpret the creative philosophy, technological and artistic innovations, and theological influence of the “Mouse that Roared” on modern culture and movie-making.

Sound Design and Cinematic Storytelling: Filmmakers need to understand that every note tells a story. Music can make or break a film. In this updated version of one of our most popular teaching presentations, Geoff Botkin presents a survey of the successful use of music in recent movies and offers students critical insights for wisely scoring their own projects.

Inside a Nationally Broadcast Television Commercial Shoot: Hold on to your seats and watch a family of Christian filmmakers team up to attempt to set a speed record in the creation of one real, ready-for-broadcast television commercial in under 82.5 minutes. They will produce, shoot, capture, edit, color correct, compose music, sync music, create graphics and even write and send the client invoice. See the entire process live. This presentation alone is worth the price of admission!

Feature Film Camera Work: Panavision Training and Demonstration of 35mm Cameras: James Finn of Panavision will lecture on cinematography and the future of high-definition technologies. Finn will bring the famous Panavision camera with lenses so that students can learn about proper setup and handling of industry-standard 35mm film equipment. This presentation is a must for serious students of filmmaking.

Documentary Filmmaking: A Family-Friendly, Technically Strong Approach to a Culture-Changing Film Genre: Go behind the scenes of the production of a highly controversial Christian documentary film as you study the proper way to bring a project from concept to final edit.

From the Top of the World: High Altitude Experiences in Adventure Filmmaking: This summer, Film Academy faculty member David Rasmussen became one of the few professional cameramen in history to summit and film Mt. Everest, a project that he did in conjunction with the British Expeditionary Forces. He shares stories, techniques, and insights into this exciting filmmaking experience.

Exclusive Behind the Scenes with Stephen Kendrick from the Set of His New Feature Motion Picture: Last year, Stephen Kendrick blessed the Christian Filmmakers Academy students with his report of the work of God through his film, Facing the Giants (which grossed more than 30 million in box office and DVD sales!) This year, Stephen will take students behind the scenes from the set of his latest top-secret feature film project.

Lights, Cameras, Action! Mastering the Art of Lighting, Audio and Camera Techniques: Learn the proper philosophy and techniques of lighting, audio, and camera work from seasoned professionals. This is a critical lecture for aspiring filmmakers that may save you years of heartache that comes from never mastering basics of this important subject.

3-D Modeling and Sculpture Techniques: This interactive and visually rich lecture delves into 3D modeling of fluid organic shapes, surface detailing, and complex animation rigs for realistic characters.

Financing, Distribution, and Marketing the Independent Christian Film: It makes little difference how great your film project is. If you cannot finance, market, and distribute your product, your mission will fail. In this important lecture, independent Christian filmmakers will be introduced to a number of key strategies for making your film a debt-free, practical success.

Old School Techniques for New School Technologies: How to employ classic techniques and standards of excellence with new technologies so you can make better films on a limited budget.

Space is available on a first come, first serve basis, so sign up now.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 25, 2007 | Permalink

Cults do exist. They are wretched abominations which rightly should be denounced. But if people are going to raise the “C” word publicly, they had best be prepared to defend such a charge before the world, and if found guilty of defaming a legitimate work of Christ, they must be prepared to face the consequences which are rightly due to those who divide brethren and slander the servants of the Lord. Doug’s Blog, August, 2005

Guest Entry by Geoff Botkin

Li Ying is serious about the Christian Faith. She has been suffering in a Chinese prison for 2,335 days. She is serving a 15-year sentence for her role as editor of an underground-church magazine in China. In recent months, Li Ying’s mother has not been allowed to visit. Prison officials are increasing the pressure to get Li Ying to recant her faith and sign a document saying that she is part of an “evil cult,” meaning biblical Christianity. She refused to sign today. She will refuse to sign tomorrow.

American Christians should take some lessons from Li. She has learned a lot about serious, non-compromising spiritual warfare. She is willing to risk her life to publish the truth. She is not willing to allow the state to define the terms “evil” or “cult.”

Why? Li Ying knows the term “cult” is the perfect weapon of the anti-Christian state. With it, any government can enforce policies of arrest or genocide. With this one word, anti-Christian bureaucracies can eliminate Christian orthodoxy, the greatest enemy of the purpose-driven tyrant.

In America, the state has purposefully overgrown its Constitutional boundaries. It is now an outlaw government without a higher morality. This is why state hostility toward sane and principled Christianity is growing. Even non-believers can recognize this as dangerous. “Anyone who thinks that religion (meaning Christianity) is bad for society is out of his mind,” observes culture analyst Tom Wolfe.

The American state has lost all practical reference to its original moral foundations. Its growing bureaucracy, like the Chinese bureaucracy, now believes historic Christianity is bad for society. This bureaucracy is increasingly uncomfortable with principled, “applied” Christianity. Christian doctrines that strengthen the freedom of the traditional family are clashing stridently with the secular designs of today’s planned economy.

This great clash is noisy. It is not peaceful. Christians like Li Ying know that warfare involves conflict, and she stands her ground, even while suffering the torments of prison.

Li Ying could appease her tormentors and possibly be released to join a registered or approved Church which the government considers “good” for society. But she understands the dangers of a compliant church. How about the vast church-going American public?

There are millions of church-going Americans who do not represent the Faith of historic America or historic Christianity. Too many American churches now reflect the essence of a secular, state-dependent culture. Mainstream Christianity is desperately trying to conform itself to the heart and soul of a decadent and anti-Christian culture. It is succeeding. In the name of relevancy and salesmanship, a feel-good secularism is the new foundation of a church ready to appease the secular bureaucracy at all costs.

What does the secular bureaucracy want from the church? Co-existence on the state’s terms. Mega-compliance with all state requirements. Mega-churches can inspire this kind of compliance and do. So what happens when some Christian family fails to run with the herd? When any citizen fears the state, they fear noncompliance. They fear people who rock the boat. Wayward Christians could be turned in to the state, especially if that’s what compliant Christians “do.”

Or, they could simply be labeled with the “C” word.

Do American churchgoers know what happens when governments pretend to be on the side of Christianity, protecting society from dangerous religious extremists who attempt to apply rigorous forms of biblical morality? Orthodox Christianity is labeled “cultic” and is driven, by force, from society.

In order to destroy the church, anti-Christian governments can use a form of class warfare between compliant and non-compliant churchgoers. They need accusers who label serious Christians like Li Ying “cultic.” Once the “C” word is improperly used by the church, bureaucrats can take further liberties with the language and meaning.

American churchgoers need a strong, two-fisted warning: We must guard against the compromises of appeasement, and we must guard against the temptations to take up unwarranted reproaches against orthodox Christians who make us uncomfortable.

A professor at the Department of Religious Studies at the University of California has been researching the ways American Christians wrongfully accuse one another. “My working definition of a cult,” he reports, “is a group that you don’t like. And I say that somewhat facetiously, but at the same time, in fact, that is my working definition of a cult. It is a group that somebody doesn’t like. It is a derogatory term, and I have never seen it redeemed from the derogatory connotations that it picked up...in the 1930s.”

America has a problem. The “C” word has been unleashed by infantile Christians. For several decades it has been doing damage. It will continue to weaken the Faith each time it is recklessly bantered about in Christian circles. The government has taken notice of this childish indignation Christians can manufacture against one another.

The professor’s definition of “cult” has been institutionalized by careless, proud, and disobedient Christians. This is not the proper definition of the word and the professor knows it. His point is that Christians have abused the language, destroyed the word, and lowered the meaning to the most childish level of the playground insult. This is the only definition needed by the statist enemies of God’s people, who can criminalize anything they don’t like.

Can the household of faith recover some semblance of maturity and order, or will Christians become easy prey to our enemies? Can the word “cult” be redeemed? Yes, it can. It is the duty of all Christians to assume responsibility for every word spoken or written. It is also our duty to be holy and precise. Language has been given to us as a gift of God for representing His interests accurately and righteously. Gentlemanly theological discourse between Christian men is a great privilege and a great necessity in every age. But it is not righteous or just when one Christian refuses to have gentlemanly discussion with another and simply attacks him on the internet...or initiates this theological conversation with the state: “Go arrest that other Christian. I don’t like him. He’s part of an evil cult.”

The “C” word is an important word in the English language. It is important to the science of theology. There is such a thing as treason, heresy, and cultic activity. These are evils that must be properly defined and resisted with truth. We must address these evils accurately and biblically. Any compromise in the meaning of these words compromises the great weapons that can identify and defeat evil. Li Ying was fighting a righteous literary battle when she was accused of a great evil and silenced. Pray for Li Ying’s release. Pray for the freedom of her tongue and pen. And pray that bold, courageous, gentlemanly, accurate, restrained, and loving words would become the new standard for free discourse between Christians. We must redeem our language before we can redeem our culture.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 23, 2007 | Permalink

Movies produced by current Christian filmmakers suffer from at least one of two common disorders. Either they are in ideological conformity with the world or they have poor production quality.

Starting today, Christian filmmaking need no longer suffer from these disorders. Vision Forum’s new DVD set “From Script to Cinema” lays a foundation for developing the Biblical worldview and technical skills necessary for effective Christian filmmaking. Never before has such a comprehensive collection of information on Christian filmmaking been compiled. As its name suggests, From Script to Cinema takes film students on a panoramic ride from the techniques of story-writing to the tricks of film distribution.

Experienced Christian filmmakers introduce students to the Biblical principles important for making God-honoring films and the various skill sets necessary for making aesthetically pleasing movies. Students will learn why “casting down imaginations” is a prerequisite to good filmmaking and effective storytelling. Students will also learn arts of the trade such as how to write a treatment for a movie, plan a production schedule, animate a CG short, light a scene, and operate a camera. But that’s not all. On top of that, students will enjoy success stories in movie-making, instruction in legal issues for copyright and trademarks, and secrets for winning the SAICFF Jubilee Award.

And now, one of the instructors from this valuable series has released a companion resource. Isaac Botkin’s long-anticipated book Outside Hollywood will keep eager Christian filmmaking students flipping the pages. Isaac begins by calling Christian moviemakers to maturity in their craft. The following chapters reveal the story behind the birth and early success of Hollywood, and how militant Marxists and humanists from the Frankfurt School infected Hollywood with its anti-Christian, anti-family philosophies. Isaac unveils the secrets to combating these false ideas with Biblical and beautiful filmmaking. Outside Hollywood is not just a great one-time read; it’s a reference you will commonly consult.

From Script to Cinema and Outside Hollywood are “must-have” resources for Christians pursuing cinematic cultural leadership for God’s glory. For a limited time, get these two assets bundled together for a discounted price.

Click here to purchase.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 22, 2007 | Permalink

Special thanks to the Bowman brothers for this trailer submission.

(To view this video clip, you must have QuickTime 7 installed.)

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 22, 2007 | Permalink

These choice quotes are taken from Luther’s 1522 sermon called “The Estate of Marriage”:

The world says of marriage, “Brief is the joy, lasting the bitterness.” Let them say what they please; what God wills and creates is bound to be a laughingstock to them. The kind of joy and pleasure they have outside of wedlock they will be most acutely aware of, I suspect, in their consciences. To recognise the estate of marriage is something quite different from merely being married. He who is married but does not recognise the estate of marriage cannot continue in wedlock without bitterness, drudgery, and anguish; he will inevitably complain and blaspheme like the pagans and blind, irrational men. But he who recognises the estate of marriage will find therein delight, love, and joy without end; as Solomon says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing,” etc. [Prov. 18:22].

Now the ones who recognise the estate of marriage are those who firmly believe that God himself instituted it, brought husband and wife together, and ordained that they should beget children and care for them. For this they have God’s word, Genesis 1 [:28], and they can be certain that he does not lie. They can therefore also be certain that the estate of marriage and everything that goes with it in the way of conduct, works, and suffering is pleasing to God. Now tell me, how can the heart have greater good, joy, and delight than in God, when one is certain that his estate, conduct, and work is pleasing to God?

Now observe that when that clever harlot, our natural reason (which the pagans followed in trying to be most clever), takes a look at married life, she turns up her nose and says, “Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its diapers, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores, and on top of that care for my wife, provide for her, labour at my trade, take care of this and take care of that, do this and do that, endure this and endure that, and whatever else of bitterness and drudgery married life involves? What, should I make such a prisoner of myself? 0 you poor, wretched fellow, have you taken a wife? Fie, fie upon such wretchedness and bitterness! It is better to remain free and lead a peaceful. carefree life; I will become a priest or a nun and compel my children to do likewise.”

What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, “0 God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers. or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? 0 how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labour, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.”

A wife too should regard her duties in the same light, as she suckles the child, rocks and bathes it, and cares for it in other ways; and as she busies herself with other duties and renders help and obedience to her husband. These are truly golden and noble works. This is also how to comfort and encourage a woman in the pangs of childbirth, not by repeating St Margaret legends and other silly old wives’ tales but by speaking thus, “Dear Grete, remember that you are a woman, and that this work of God in you is pleasing to him. Trust joyfully in his will, and let him have his way with you. Work with all your might to bring forth the child. Should it mean your death, then depart happily, for you will die in a noble deed and in subservience to God. If you were not a woman you should now wish to be one for the sake of this very work alone, that you might thus gloriously suffer and even die in the performance of God’s work and will. For here you have the word of God, who so created you and implanted within you this extremity.” Tell me, is not this indeed (as Solomon says [Prov. 18:22]) “to obtain favour from the Lord,” even in the midst of such extremity?

Now you tell me, when a father goes ahead and washes diapers or performs some other mean task for his child, and someone ridicules him as an effeminate fool, though that father is acting in the spirit just described and in Christian faith, my dear fellow you tell me, which of the two is most keenly ridiculing the other? God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling, not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith. Those who sneer at him and see only the task but not the faith are ridiculing God with all his creatures, as the biggest fool on earth. Indeed, they are only ridiculing themselves; with all their cleverness they are nothing but devil’s fools.

St. Cyprian, that great and admirable man and holy martyr, wrote that one should kiss the new-born infant, even before it is baptised, in honour of the hands of God here engaged in a brand new deed. What do you suppose he would have said about a baptised infant? There was a true Christian, who correctly recognised and regarded God’s work and creature. Therefore, I say that all nuns and monks who lack faith, and who trust in their own chastity and in their order, are not worthy of rocking a baptised child or preparing its pap, even if it were the child of a harlot. This is because their order and manner of life has no word of God as its warrant. They cannot boast that what they do is pleasing in God’s sight, as can the woman in childbirth, even if her child is born out of wedlock.

I say these things in order that we may learn how honourable a thing it is to live in that estate which God has ordained. In it we find God’s word and good pleasure, by which all the works, conduct, and sufferings of that estate become holy, godly, and precious so that Solomon even congratulates such a man and says in Proverbs 5 [:18], “Rejoice in the wife of your youth,” and again in Ecclesiastes 11 [9:9], “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life.” Doubtless, Solomon is not speaking here of carnal pleasure, since it is the Holy Spirit who speaks through him. He is rather offering godly comfort to those who find much drudgery in married life. This he does by way of defence against those who scoff at the divine ordinance and, like the pagans, seek but fail to find in marriage anything beyond a carnal and fleeting sensual pleasure.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 21, 2007 | Permalink

AP- NEW YORK— Major U.S. toy maker Mattel Inc. said Tuesday it is voluntarily recalling more than 18.6 million Chinese-made toys on a global basis that contain magnets and die cast cars which contain lead paint. In the United States alone, the recall includes 7.3 million play sets, including Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures, and 1.5 million die cast cars that contain lead paint, the company said. Mattel also said 2,730 die cast cars have been shipped in Japan since March and that Tomy Direct, the importer and seller in Japan of the toy, is set to recall those cars.

For the rest of the article, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 20, 2007 | Permalink

There was much grunting and grinning.

There were grimaces and groans.

There was heave-ing and ho-ing.

And everybody was grateful for the anchors.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 18, 2007 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 17, 2007 | Permalink

Honor journeys through the Colorado outback with his father, brother and friends.

Big brother Justice helps him through the swampier parts.

Taking a moment for target practice

Adventure completed.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 14, 2007 | Permalink

The 2007 Father Son Retreat in the beautiful Colorado mountains concluded yesterday. Lew Sterrett of “Sermon on the Mount Ministries” brought an inspiring series of messages on discipleship. Fathers and sons watched in amazement as Lew broke and trained “rebellious” horses before their eyes. Lew’s command of the training process was unlike anything most of us had ever seen. But most impressive, was his ability to teach important Scriptural truth while making analogies between the training of the horse and principles of discipleship within the parent to child relationship.

Lew explained and modeled through his training of various horses, why the mission of a teacher is not to train outward conformity to rules, but to disciple the heart. The heart is the key. The heart is everything.

The horse lying down is not performing a trick. (There were no “tricks” in Lew’s presentation.) This horse had a rebellious spirit toward leadership. We watched as Lew used clear direction, discipline, and unflinching resolve to master the situation, to break the rebellious spirit of this horse, train its character, and bring it into a positive relationship with Lew. Remarkable!

Lew is an impressive, manly teacher with a wonderful staff who reflect well on the character and the heart of this completely unique ministry.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 14, 2007 | Permalink

This month, the Texas Supreme Court handed down a stunning victory on the issue of the authority of the local church to discipline its own members. The decision was a unanimous affirmation of the true doctrine of the separation of church and state. It was also a defense of the historic, biblical, and legal right of local churches to discipline their own members and to exercise self-governance free of state intrusion. Christian attorney Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for Liberty Legal Institute, should be commended for his able handling of this landmark case on behalf of religious liberty and in defense of the independence of the Church from the State.

The Court’s unanimous ruling left no doubt about the constitutional impropriety of the state interfering with pastors and congregations who are exercising church discipline. It also largely quashed the unaccepted and non-statutory theory of “clergy malpractice” which is sometimes promoted by Leftists within the legal community as a vehicle for state regulation of the church.

The story behind the case is revealing: A woman goes to her pastor to talk about crisis in her life. He holds himself out not only as her pastor, but as a licensed professional counselor bound by a code of ethics. In the course of the counseling session, the woman discusses the immediate problems in her life and her marriage, and then the woman informs her pastor that she is going to divorce her husband and had an affair with another man because her marital troubles had not improved. She professes to be sorry for some things, but remains steadfast, defiant, biblically unrepentant, and unwilling to heed the counsel and admonition of her shepherds. The church follows 1 Corinthians 6 and excommunicates the unrepentant women. The embittered and unrepentant excommunicant then sues the pastor for violating a “pastoral confidence” for following Matthew 18 by bringing the relevant facts to the local church for disciplinary purposes. Because the pastor is not only a church leader, but a licensed professional, she asks the Court to find him guilty of ethical impropriety.

From these facts, the following question arose: Are pastors and local churches subject to secular lawsuits for obeying Christ’s command to discipline congregants engaged in serious unrepentant sin? Specifically, what happens when an adulterer discusses her adultery with a pastor? Does she become immune from accountability before Christ’s church for ongoing sins merely because she did not want the pastor ever to reveal facts related to unrepentant and ongoing sins to others? Can professing Christian members of local churches demand what is essentially a “get out of discipline and accountability free card” when they counsel with or are confronted by their pastors?

Answer: No. First, there is no such thing at law as a “pastoral confidence”— (i.e., a communication with church leaders by a congregant engaged in sin that then requires the church leaders to be silent and refrain from honoring their duties as commanded by Christ.) Biblically, the opposite is true. Shepherds have an affirmative duty to instruct, admonish, and even reproach members for unrepentant moral sins before the body.

Bob Renaud has written a very helpful overview of this important, unanimous decision by the Texas Supreme Court. This is important reading for pastors, lawyers, Christian students, and families in general who want to see the integrity of Christ’s church spared harassment from those who would persecute Christ’s church, including left wing attorneys, hate-mongering feminists, and vindictive rebels.

Click here to read it

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 9, 2007 | Permalink

Note To Readers: The below article was posted on August 10, 2005. I received a note from a pastor today on the subject, and believe it may be helpful to repost today.

Christians are in a state of covenant with the Lord. One way that supreme covenant finds expression is through the “mini” covenant of their relations and duties to Christ’s local church. Because Christians are in covenant with Christ, they are to be in covenant with a local church. They are not “married” to the local church, but they are to be in a state of formal covenant with it. This “mini” covenant (an extension of our covenant with Christ) carries privileges and responsibilities, and is not to be taken lightly. Furthermore, it is designed as a covenant of blessing and should be viewed with profound gratitude by the believer.

Contrary to what some say, there are sound biblical reasons for leaving one local church to attend another, but the reasons for departure must derive from sound biblical reasons, not personal whims and preferences. Biblically leaving a local church involves transferring covenant duties and privileges from one local body to another. It does not involve breaking a covenant.

To put it another way, the believer’s covenant with the local church can be transferred to another Christ-honoring local church, but it cannot be “resigned,” abandoned, or simply disregarded without the professing believer becoming a covenant-breaker. Furthermore, the way a family leaves a local church is an evidence of their maturity, integrity, and honor as a Christian. Every effort must be made to act honorably. This may take time, effort, and patience. This means candidly sharing your reasons with the church leadership, affirming your desire to avoid schism and division, and asking for their formal blessing for a membership transfer. Dropping off the face of the earth without candidly discussing issues with the elders with whom you are in covenant is simply dishonorable conduct.

Similarly, the willingness of church leadership to work with departing brethren (even discontented and divisive brethren) to transfer membership to other Christ-honoring church works is a sign that the leadership are men under authority, not dictators or autocrats. Membership covenants do not mean that local churches own people. Pastors and elders must never behave as if it is a crime for people to want to leave a church. It is a crime to be a covenant breaker, but it is not a crime to desire and act to honorably transfer your membership. Furthermore, a church member who is genuinely convinced that he should abandon his belief in paedo-baptism for credo-baptism, or credo-baptism for paedo-baptism, has not de facto “departed the faith.” He should not be denied transfer to a church that upholds the foundations of Christian orthodoxy (e.g. justification by faith, sufficiency or Scripture, the Trinity, etc.), because of his view on baptism.

Even in the midst of disagreement and conflict, every effort must be made by the party seeking to leave a local church to work within the God-appointed chain of authority. This means the Christian seeking to depart must sincerely strive to honor the very leaders with whom he disagrees, to honor the terms of his membership covenant with the local body, and to treat all men with integrity. The goal is for the departing believer to leave with the blessing of his elders and to receive from those elders a formal transfer of his covenant membership to a church of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes, sin on the part of either or both members and church leaders prevents these goals from being accomplished. It is my sense of things, however, that most church shepherds are happily willing to grant membership transfers to disagreeing brethren where (1) those brethren are genuinely trying to approach things in an honorable and respectful manner, and (2) where they seek a transfer to an orthodox Christian work (i.e., not into oblivion, or to a church which is at war with the foundations of Christian orthodoxy).

Perhaps the worst thing a disgruntled church member can do is to insinuate that the body with whom he disagrees is “a cult” or simply “cult-like”—as some form of a pretext for privately declaring his covenant with the church to be null and void. Cults do exist. They are wretched abominations which rightly should be denounced. But if a people are going to raise the “C” word publicly, they had best be prepared to defend such a charge before the world, and if found guilty of defaming a legitimate work of Christ, they must be prepared to face the consequences which are rightly due to those who divide brethren and slander the servants of the Lord.

Equally problematic is for church leaders to respond with hostility to those who go through the proper channels to raise concerns over doctrine and practice and who wish to peaceably depart because of matters of conscience. I know of one pastor who was so antagonistic to a confrontation and departure by some of his own co-elders, that he engaged in an ongoing campaign of slanders (and was confronted for such) that involved public Internet sermons, wild and unsubstantiated charges of legalism, gross mischaracterization of the views of those with whom he disagreed, and ultimately took the form of a formal Web site ostensibly dedicated to eradicating the cause of the split in his eldership, but clearly focused on his own self-justification. Such behavior divides the brethren, harms the body, is not the sign of mature leadership, and (no matter how carefully couched) is the mark of tyrants. In this case, the one pastor may not like the fact that one of his co-elders (and others in the congregation) fundamentally disapproved of his practice to endorse Christians placing their children in government schools, or promoting youth culture over family culture, or of having the daughters of his congregation join the United States military, but he would have been better served to address individual issues charitably and biblically than justifying irresponsible behavior on the grounds that those who disagree with him are simply pharisees and legalists.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, the problem of amicable membership transfers in the local church (like the problems in marriage, employment, and most of life) is a problem of honor. One or both parties acts lawlessly and dishonorably toward the other. Honor is key. Honor is crucial. Those who have true Christian love will act honorably.

Even as it is wrong for individuals to claim the status of “martyr for conscience and doctrine,” when they have acted dishonorably toward their local church and its leadership, it is wrong for pastors to use Christ’s pulpit for personal vendettas, or to arbitrarily refuse to transfer membership on some pretext of protecting Christ’s church.

The fact is this: Honorable men can disagree and still be friends. Honorable men can disagree and still work through problems. Honorable men can determine that it is necessary that they take separate paths to be truthful to their conscience. Only dishonorable conduct will absolutely guarantee division, discontent, and heartache.

From its inception, the National Center for Family-Integrated Churches and those leaders in association with it in the cause of unity between church and home have vigorously and vocally emphasized these principles and the duties of both shepherds and church members. Neither self-serving shepherds nor radically individualistic believers like this counsel, but it remains our deep abiding conviction.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 7, 2007 | Permalink

Today is “Baby Day” on Doug’s Blog—a day dedicated to sharing news and stories of the blessedness of marriage and the fruitful womb. This leads me to share one of the most precious stories in my own personal experience. Here is a little background:

The other year my own beloved mother, Peggy Phillips, was named “Homemaker of the Year.” The award was a prestigious honor presented by Phyllis Schlafly of Eagle Forum and given to a woman who has crowned her life with humility and honor. I shared the story of my mother, the wonderful biblical virtues that she has modeled, and her precious influence on the lives of each of her children in my August 8, 2005 blog post, “Peggy Phillips Named Homemaker of the Year.” One of the stories which was shared on that occasion beautifully captures the heart of a woman who dearly and desperately loves children, and who sees their potential to change the world:

My mother was in her late forties when she had her last child. She even attended her 25th college reunion when she was about nine months pregnant with my younger brother Samuel (who turned 21 this week!). Imagine the shock surprise—and the comments.

Well—many mothers who have allowed their wombs to be fruitful for the glory of God, and who have been blessed with the gift of children, know what it is like to be pummeled with comments and questions. One day my dear mother, then large with child, was confronted by one such critic. I will share the two most important lines of the conversation

Critic to Mrs. Howard Phillips: “You’re having another baby. Don’t you know that the world has too many children already?”

Mrs. Howard Phillips: “The world is in need of my children.”

That sums it up. Thank God for mothers who see the potential for changing the world which lies in the lives of the children God gives them.

Christian mothers and fathers, listen to Peggy Phillips—the world needs your children!

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 6, 2007 | Permalink

Last year, the beautiful Duggar family keynoted at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. The message of hope for the family in America has been broadcast to millions via their various television shows sponsored by the Discovery Channel. Today we thank the Lord for news of their newest child—Number 17!

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) It’s a girl - again - for the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 17th child, and seventh daughter, into the world Thursday.

Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rogers, Ark., the Duggars said in an interview. Jennifer weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and arrived five days after Michelle’s due date.

Less than 30 minutes after giving birth, the Duggars already were talking of having more.

“We’d love to have more,” Michelle said, adding that the girls are outnumbered seven to 10 in the family. “We love the ruffles and lace.”

Jennifer joins the fast-growing Duggar brood, who live in Tontitown in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children - whose names start with the letter J - are home-schooled.

The oldest is 19 and the youngest, before Jennifer, is almost 2 years old.

“We are just so grateful to God for another gift from him,” said Jim Bob Duggar, 42, a former state representative. “We are just so thankful to him that everything went just very well.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 6, 2007 | Permalink

”...I begin with a preliminary to the successful education of children, namely that husband and wife ought to be entirely one upon this subject, not only agreed as to end, but as to the means to be used, and the plan to be followed in order to attain it...However, I content myself with repeating, that certainly husband and wife ought to conspire and cooperate in everything relating to the education of their children; and if their opinions happen, in any particular, to be different they ought to examine and settle the matter privately by themselves, that not the least opposition may appear either to children or servants. When this is the case every thing is enforced by a double authority, and recommended by a double example; but when it is otherwise the pains taken are commonly more than lost, not being able to do any good, and certainly producing very much evil.”

The Works of the Rev. John Witherspoon, Vol. Seven, “Letters on Education, Letter 1.” Sprinkle Publications: Harrisonburg, VA, 2006, pp. 151-152

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 4, 2007 | Permalink

Dear Doug-

Thanks for the link to the CNN report about the brother who found his handicapped sister after many years. I, too, have a handicapped brother, born in 1970 with Down’s Syndrome. I was just a 6-year-old little girl at the time of his birth, but I remember my mother’s profound sadness and tears when my brother was diagnosed. The doctors involved in my bother’s care at that time urged my parents to put him in a home or institution because they said that having him in our home would “ruin” my brothers and me. But despite my mother’s overwhelming grief at the time, she adamantly refused to do so. And as a result of her fierce love for him, my bother has had one of the most interesting and exciting lives of anyone I know. My parents went out of their way to make sure that he was treated just like the rest of us, and that included him being disciplined and trained to be a polite young man, as well as having every opportunity in the world that my parents could find for him. He has participated in Special Olympics for many years, works at Pizza Hut, and has traveled the world (literally!) with special opportunities that have come his way.

But probably one of the most important aspects of his life has been the way he has blessed my brothers and me beyond what we could have ever hoped, and profoundly shaped who we became as adults. Not only did he not “ruin” us, he made us tenderhearted, kind, and patient towards those in life who don’t fit our society’s mold of “perfection”. He has taught us to be patient in affliction, and to enjoy every single opportunity and achievement that God gives us in our lives.

Please continue to encourage families to care for and love those whom God has placed in their lives that need special care and help. I know from experience that it can be exhausting and sometimes discouraging too, but ultimately, the blessings to those involved are some of the sweetest in life.

With thanks to you and your ministry-Mrs. Susan C.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 4, 2007 | Permalink

Last week I made the argument that the evangelical case for including Harry Potter in the literary diet of our children is largely based on emotions. There is no coherent theological argument for presenting sorcery and witchcraft as a moral good. This week I had the privilege of dialoging with radio listeners on this very subject. It is always a pleasure to join talk show host Adam McManus, one of America’s voices for sanity, on the radio waves. I have posted the radio show here on my blog for your review. Enjoy!

(To listen to this audio clip, you must have QuickTime 7 installed.)

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2007 | Permalink

On July 30, 1776, General George Washington was burned in effigy by the British troops sent to quell the American War for Independence. But alongside him they torched the figure of one other: the Reverend John Witherspoon. A direct descendant of John Knox, Rev. Witherspoon was one of the most influential leaders in the colonial cause. Described as a “high a son of liberty as any man in America” by none other than John Adams, Witherspoon influence on the Founding Era was staggering.

Born in Scotland in 1723, Witherspoon came to America in 1768 to take the helm of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) where he would serve as president until 1794. When hostilities with Great Britain intensified, Witherspoon took to the pulpit in earnest. His May 17, 1776, sermon, “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men,” is considered one of the most important orations during the war, and due to his influence, the phrase “with the firm reliance of Divine Providence” was incorporated into the Declaration of Independence, a document which Witherspoon personally signed.

Witherspoon played a leading role with the Continental Congress from 1776-1782, serving on more than 130 Committees during his five-year tenure. Whenever Congress saw fit to issue Thanksgiving proclamations or other appeals to the public consciousness, it was Witherspoon who was chosen to draft them.

Witherspoon’s close friendships with George Washington, Robert Morris, and others key colonial leaders left a decided mark on our rise to nationhood, yet it was his role as mentor that produced the most long-lasting effect on America’s development as an independent republic. Witherspoon daily spent personal time with his students at the College of New Jersey, and of the 478 young men who graduated during his twenty-six year term as president, more than 114 became ministers, 13 became state governors, 3 later presided as US Supreme Court judges, 20 served as US Senators and 33 as US Congressman; and one Vice-President and one President of the United States were personally mentored by him. Moreover, of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, 9 — one sixth — were College of New Jersey graduates, 6 of whom graduated while Witherspoon was president.

Now, Vision Forum is pleased to make available the Works of John Witherspoon, a 9-volume set which features the sermons, letters, and essays of this pre-eminent Founding Father along with a full-length biography of America’s great preacher and statesman.

This high-quality clothbound set spans 2,492 pages and includes Witherpoon’s political writings with all his extant Congressional work; his sermons, which were distinguished for their clear and judicious reasoning as he mingled profound remarks on human life while applying the divine truths of Scripture; and his “Lectures on Moral Philosophy and Lectures on Divinity.”

Pastors will benefit from such sermons as the “Ministerial Fidelity in Declaring the Whole Counsel of God” and “The Success of the Gospel Entirely of God.”

Families will benefit from his practical works such as his Letters on Education, where he outlines how parents ought care for their children’s souls and train them; his “Letters on Marriage”, where he counsels couples on how they should start and conduct a home; and his “Essay on Money,” wherein he discusses how one ought to steward their finances to please the Lord.

And lovers of liberty who seek to better grasp America’s rich foundation on godly principles will now be able to understand the influential worldview of a man who believed that religious and civil liberty are inseparable, as Witherspoon declared: “[T]here is not a single instance in history, in which civil liberty is lost, and religious liberty is preserved entire.”

Volumes include:

Vol I - An Essay on Justification and a Treatise on Regeneration
Vol II - Sermons on The Leading Truths of The Gospel, Forming A Connected System of These Truths
Vol III - Sermons on Doctorial and Practical Subjects for The People of God
Vol IV - Sermons to Instruct Ministers and Edify The Church of Christ
Vol V - Final Sermons and Warning About the Stage, Acting and Ecclesiastical Moderates
Vol VI - The History of a Corporation of Servants, Lectures on Moral Philosophy
Vol VII - Lectures on Divinity, Letters on Education and Marriage, Lectures on Eloquence
Vol VIII - An Essay on Money, Speeches in Congress with other writings, including a number of Letters
Vol IX - The Life of the Rev. John Witherspoon D.D., LL.D, by Ashbel Green.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2007 | Permalink

Family devotions at the Phillips home this week have included a glorious study on Exodus, Egypt, and Biblical Chronology. In addition to our Scriptures, and a collection of highly-trusted resource material, we have enjoyed diving into Unwrapping the Pharaohs, a groundbreaking book that restores the study of the pharaohs, with their mysterious pyramids and mummies, to the biblical worldview it demands.

Egyptology has long been the domain of evolutionary archaeologists and chronologists who have used their work to challenge the authority of Scripture. In Unwrapping the Pharaohs, the authors have tackled a subject that has fascinated American boys and girls for over a hundred years, doing so in a manner that instructs, excites, and brings glory to God. This is an important book that presents exciting new research and analysis. It deserves to be widely read in the Christian community and beyond. It is also a good family read. The book is beautifully illustrated, but a special benefit is the 90 minute DVD which comes with the book. The DVD includes a a breathtaking journey through the pyramids and temples of Egypt with author and archaeologist David Down. He takes viewers deep into ancient tombs and secret rooms with analysis from a biblical perspective.

Yesterday, I was speaking to a home school mom who observed: “The question on many of our [home school mothers’] minds is this: How do we make history interesting to our children.” Well, I have a few thoughts on the subject, but one of them would be to expose your children to the true story of ancient Egypt, and provide them with insights on the great controversies between biblical historians and secular historians on this subject. Unwrapping the Pharaohs accomplishes all of the above.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2007 | Permalink

“It’s hard to trust Christians that you never bump up against on the battlefield. These are our comrades-in-arms as we fight the battles together against this evil culture and lift high the Name of King Jesus. Where are your battle scars for the King?”

Dr. Joe Morecraft

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2007 | Permalink

On this week’s human sacrifices to the false god Kali.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 1, 2007 | Permalink

AP-HALIFAX — The nameless child who became a symbol for the many children who died aboard the Titanic has been identified — again. After more DNA testing, Canadian researchers said Tuesday the child they declared a few years ago to be a 13-month-old Finnish baby is actually a 19-month-old English boy. According to the researchers, the boy died with his entire family, including five siblings, as they set out for a new life in America. To read the full story click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 1, 2007 | Permalink

“Tugging at his beard, pondering several millennia past, the grey-headed patriarch picked up his pen. His heart raced as he saw what lay before him. For many years he had been painstakingly working on a sacred volume, a history. Many a scroll were filled with his writings. He had spent more hours than he could count perfecting each parchment. Each line he had meted out with care. And now his labors were coming to an end. The story of his ancestors, his family history, was almost complete.”

One of the more important principles communicated in the Bible—a principle which is at the heart of true family reformation—is the vision of multi-generational faithfulness in Christ. Vision Forum Ministries team member Wesley Strackbein offers these powerful insights on the necessity that multi-generationally-minded Christians understand the providence of God in their own family history. Consider making this article your reading for family devotions today or tomorow.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 1, 2007 | Permalink

“I had a [relative] that I remember my family talking about that was sent away. Do you know how we can find out about that person?’”

The loss of any sense of duty when it comes to family care for the sick, aging, or mentally infirm, and the way many of these precious ones are treated by their own families as disposable property, is yet another reason why we must be dilligent to work to restore those multi-generational principles of faithfulness which are at the heart of Christian love and biblical patriarchy. This story illustrates the tragedy and selfishness of the modern phenomenon.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 1, 2007 | Permalink

One of the greatest dangers to the peace of any nation is when those who carry the guns and wield the authority of the law, become spokesmen, advocates and evangelists for those who represent a morally bankrupt form of lawlessness. This concern is highlighted in bold by the actions of San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, who this month served as the Grand Marshall of the San Antonio Homosexual Pride Parade.

Commenting on the tragedy, Don Wildman writes: “Unfortunately, it gets worse. The San Antonio Police Department has committed, for the first time, to an 8-hour-long homosexual “sensitivity” class as part of the San Antonio Police Department’s career development program. Plus, the SAPD will launch an outreach program to recruit more homosexuals to serve as police officers.”

Given the threat to the moral climate of the San Antonio community of an armed homosexual integrated police force, and the open hostility of many militant homosexuals to Christians, I can think of few things more threatening to the long-term peace of this city. San Antonio is widely known as one of the more family-friendly (comparatively) of the prominent American cities. But that day may soon be coming to an end if the land of the Alamo takes on a spirit similar to Austin.

Homsexual behavior was long on the lawbooks as a crime in the state of Texas. A recent Supreme Court decision has called into question the legitimacy of this law, but even the United States Supreme Court cannot overturn the moral law of God which is quite clear on the subject.

KSLR radio host and Vision Forum’s good friend, Adam McManus (no relation to Chief McManus), is leading the charge in opposition to the tragic direction our community’s police chief is leading San Antonio. Adam urges like-minded Christians to attend the next San Antonio City Council meeting on Thursday, August 2nd at 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for San Antonians to publicly express their heartbreak and concern to Mayor Phil Hardberger and the City Council (who serve as employers to the police chief).

I commend Adam for his work on this subject, and remind Christian citizens of this community that, as an informed member of the electorate, to say nothing is to accept moral evil.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 1, 2007 | Permalink