May 2008 Archives

Forty three years after it all began, I praise the Lord for he and she who gave me life and love.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 31, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 30, 2008 | Permalink

“We forget that one of the first martyrs of the Christian era died fighting for the law of God as it applies to the family. John the Baptist confronted Herod for breaking the law of God. For this his head was separated from his body and placed on a platter. He was a martyr for defending God’s vision of the family.”

Paraphrase: From his message on the “Legal Battle for Marriage,” delivered yesterday, May 29, 2008, at the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, sponsored by Vision Forum Ministries.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 30, 2008 | Permalink

“Today we face the possibility that the U.S.A. may not long endure. Our national sovereignty is being compromised in favor of an emerging regional government, designed by elites for elites...”

From his book The Late Great U.S.A., and his message “The Threat That Will Redefine the Nature of the American Nation: The North American Union,” shared on May 29, 2008, at the Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy. Dr. Jerome Corsi was instrumental in changing the course of the 2004 election through his New York Time bestseller, Unfit for Command, which exposed the “Swift boat” issue.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 30, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 30, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 30, 2008 | Permalink

“The common view maintained by many neo-evangelicals today that it is unreasonable or even improper to expect pluralistic nations to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His law-word is contrary to the doctrine of the Reformers, and more importantly, contrary to Scripture itself. Such a view is often advanced by those who are fearful of introducing the transcendent moral law of God into public debate for fear that calling upon the name of the Lord would be perceived as unreasonable to secular man. As with so many other subjects, the fear of man and the spirit of compromise is driving the theology of many otherwise thoughtful Christian leaders. It may be convenient to strip the Christian citizen of his obligations to proclaim the lordship of Jesus Christ over the civil magistrate and civil institutions, but it is certainly not biblical. God required Ninevah to repent, and America would be wise to do likewise. Psalm 2 makes the following declaration:

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Psalm 2.”

Douglas Phillips, from his lecture “Introduction to Christianity and the Common Law,” The Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, May 28, 2008.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 29, 2008 | Permalink

“The subject of this lecture deals with some of the most fundamental aspects of legal philosophy, and therefore is of great significance for those who aspire to a career in law or politics. But it is also significant for those men who are not preparing for a career in law and politics, but who desire to serve and glorify God in the civil sphere of life as a citizen. Furthermore, it is important for men who realize their role of preparing the next generation of citizens, lawyers, and statesmen. It is significant for those who love their country and desire to see it prosper by the blessing of God. It is for men who love Liberty under God.”

Bill Einwechter, from his lecture “Christian Jurisprudence, Biblical Law, or Positive Law.” The Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy, sponsored by Vision Forum Ministries, May 28, 2008.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 29, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 29, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 29, 2008 | Permalink

More than one hundred students from around the nation have gathered in Fredricksburg, Virginia for the 2008 Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 28, 2008 | Permalink

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table — Psalm 128:1-3

Once an iconic part of the life of the Christian household, the family table is rapidly disappearing from America culture. It has been replaced by the family fragmenting world of two-income families on fast food budgets, of glassy eyed children eating microwave meals in front of the television set, and of lifestyles that prioritize escapism and entertainment over the vibrant life of God’s first society — the family.

Author Melissa Good observes:

Today, less than half of American families eat dinner together, and when they do the meals last less than 20 minutes. Our lifestyles have changed from those less-complicated days. Thanks to the internet, cell phones, and palm pilots, business is conducted on an almost 24/7 basis. Outside activities for children have become almost unbearable in the demands made upon the family. It has become a race against time to fit it all in. Something has to give, and all too often it is the family dinner.

Another writer put it this way: “If there is anything that tells the story of the American family over the past 20 years, it’s the disappearance of dinnertime, a time when families used to set aside the demands of the moment to share their stories about the ups and downs of the day. It wasn’t always calm, and — depending on who was cooking — it wasn’t always good. But it was always there.”

And with the demise of the family table, we are witnessing the death of Christian family culture in America. Its time for a reformation.

This March, more than five hundred people came to San Antonio for part of a landmark event called The 200 Year Plan: A Practicum on Generational Faithfulness. The capstone of the event was a message entitled The Family Table. The thesis of the message was simple: An essential ingredient for rebuilding a biblical culture of family life, and promoting multi-generational faithfulness is a return to the family table.

The priority of mealtime to Christian culture is revealed in Holy Scripture where we discover that many of the most significant events in history occurred around the meal table. In fact, throughout the Holy Scriptures we see the table as a place of peace, of instruction, of discipleship, of fellowship, of ministry, and even of evangelism. In fact, the Lord uses the table and food as important pictures to communicate truths of vast importance about the Kingdom of Heaven, the love of God, and much more.

There must be a reformation aimed at recovering the full-scope and potential for discipleship of the family at mealtime. This means that dads and moms need to turn off the television set, cancel the umpteenth family-fragmenting activity, and begin to prioritize meaningful meal times with all members of the family present. It means rediscovering the art, the craftsmanship, and the beauty of family mealtime.

This is the message of The Family Table. This important message shares stories of how you can make mealtime deeply meaningful for your household. This encouraging message explores how the family table can be appreciated as one of God’s good gifts for training future men and women. Also explored is the toll taken on Christian womanhood because of the demise of family mealtime in America, as well as, the importance of feasting before the Lord as a means of family celebration and rejoicing.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart — Acts 2: 46

The Family Table is available for the rest of this month to everyone who makes a donation of any amount to Vision Forum Ministries and our efforts to defend the Christian family. Click here for more information.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 28, 2008 | Permalink

What are your boys doing today? Plugged into a video game? Watching television? Hanging out with fellow teenagers?

He was only thirteen years old when he approached his father with a vision to build his very own home on the family property. Earlier that year his father had called for a father and son conference. The mission: Come up with a five year game plan to help his son David redeem the time for the glory of God.

Now, after years of listening to his father encourage him to redeem the time and prepare for his future marriage and life work, something took. David decided that there was no time like the present—to build his very own house!

But that was not all. David made it clear that his mission was to build the home. This would mean that when God sent him the woman of his dreams, David would be ready to take action, to provide for her and to have a family. The decision to build a home meant tough choices. And David acknowledged that he was making a conscious choice to forgo teenage years of a dating culture, team sports, and entertainment, in exchange for making sacrifices for a woman and a future that would be years away.

So David went about the business of personally studying the building codes, of meeting with the county planning department, and of learning the nuts and bolts of putting together a great architectural plan. David wanted to take the bull by the horns and learn and lead every aspect of the project. And after some thought, his father let him do just that.

One of the benefits of the sweat and effort is that the project has forced David to think very specifically about his duties as a man, and the way he hopes to express love for the future family he hopes God will give him. This means thinking about the size of the closet his wife will need, anticipating the number of bathrooms necessary for a growing family and a home given to hospitality.

David is now sixteen, and the vision of a home is quickly becoming a reality. With a little help from his friends, and three years of perspiration, savings, hard work, and planning, David’s dream home is inching ever closer to completion.

Standing before this amazing structure built by the hands of a sixteen-year-old boy, three things came to my mind. First, fathers have a duty to encourage their boys to invest their time wisely. Dads will either guide their sons to make noble time investments, or sons will squander the precious years of their youth on the activities that will mean precious little to them in twenty years. Second, boys need to make choices. They can invest their time in worldly folly or godly dominion. Both choices tend to yield dividends—but not of equal value. Third, the power of a positive example is stunning. I could not but help to thrill as I watched my own boys start to dream big dreams as one of their dear friends and peers proved that his dream was attainable.

Down with the game boys, up with the sheet rock! May God give us boys of decisive manly action who will someday be fathers of faith and fortitude.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

The Faithful Servant Rewarded: A Sermon, Delivered at Princeton, before the board of Trustees of the College of New Jersey, May 6, 1795, Occasioned by the Death of The Reverend John Witherspoon, D.D.L.L.D. President of said College. By John Rodgers

Again—The good and faithful servant considers his fellow disciples as in the same vale of tears, and in the same state of imperfection and trial with himself; and, therefore, that both they and he stand in need of mutual sympathy, charity, and forbearance, one towards another. In a word, he considers them as heirs of the same future glory with himself; as “traveling to the same city, which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God;” and that, therefore, they ought not to differ by the way.

Of such importance is the brotherly love, in the estimation of our Lord, that he not only enjoins it upon his disciples as their duty, but as their distinguishing and characteristic duty; that duty which more strongly marks their character as his disciples than almost any other; and that by which they are especially to distinguish themselves from the men of the world. You, therefore, hear him say, “a new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

I remember meeting World War I veterans when I was a boy. At 107 years old, Frank Woodruff Buckles is believed to be the last living veteran of the First World War. The Miami Herald reports his involvement with the ship which saved the survivors of the Titanic, on May 13, 1912.

Miami Herald—Buckles sailed for England in 1917 on the Carpathia, which is known for its rescue of Titanic survivors, and spent his tour of duty working mainly as a driver and a warehouse clerk in Germany and France. He rose to the rank of corporal and after Armistice Day he helped return prisoners of war to Germany. Buckles later traveled the world working for the shipping company White Star Line and was in the Philippines in 1940 when the Japanese invaded. He became a prisoner of war for nearly three years.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

Vision Forum’s tribute to the fathers of our World War II generation, and to the importance of multi-generational honor is called The League of Grateful Sons. Each year we lose more and more men from that generation. Soon there will be none left. The time is now to collect their histories, to say thank you, and to show them our profound gratitude.

God has used this film to bring healing, blessing, and honor between family members, and we continue to receive heartwarming reports. This Memorial Day weekend the film broadcast again on national cable television, and late last night I received the very first report from an elderly family who was deeply touched by the film. Then this morning I received this email from another family who watched it on DVD.

The Lord richly bless you! [We} ended this Memorial Day by watching the DVD, “The League of Grateful Sons.” It was emotionally overwhelming, thought provoking, and inspiring. I highly recommend that every father and grandfather purchase this DVD produced by...Doug Phillips, from Vision Forum and gather their families to view it. I promise it will be great a blessing that honors Christian manly virtue..and God’s Providence in the midst of fierce battle. In King Jesus’ Service, R.T.

This film is a call to honor and to action. If you have not yet seen it, visit the League of Grateful Sons website, or order your copy now.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 27, 2008 | Permalink

Joshua Phillips and Triumph Perseverance Bradrick

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 26, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 26, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 26, 2008 | Permalink

Visit www.visionforum.org.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 24, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 24, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 24, 2008 | Permalink

The European Court has agreed to hear a case in which a Chimp is seeking “rights”:

His name is Matthew, he is 26 years old, and his supporters hope to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

But he won’t be able to give evidence on his own behalf - since he is a chimpanzee. Animal rights activists led by British teacher Paula Stibbe are fighting to have Matthew legally declared a ‘person’ so she can be appointed as his guardian if the bankrupt animal sanctuary where he lives in Vienna is forced to close.

An anonymous businessman has offered a substantial amount to cover his care, but under Austrian law only humans are entitled to have guardians. Enlarge chimp

Test case: Hiasl, a 26-year-old male chimpanzee looks through the glass at his enclosure at an animal sanctuary in Voesendorf, south of Vienna

The country’s supreme court has upheld a lower court ruling which rejected the activists’ request to have a trustee appointed for Matthew.

So now 36-year-old Miss Stibbe and the Vienna-based Association Against Animal Factories have filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The insists that the chimp needs legal standing so a guardian can be appointed to look out for his interests - especially if the sanctuary shuts down.

Miss Stibbe, who is from Brighton but has lived in Vienna for several years, says she is not trying to get the chimp declared a human, just a person.

‘Everybody who knows him personally will see him as a person,’ she said.

‘In his home in the African jungle, he would have been well able to look after himself without a guardian.

But since he was abducted into an alien environment, traumatised and locked up in an enclosure, it did become necessary for me to act on his behalf to secure the donation money for him and to avoid his deportation.

‘Since he has no close relatives, I am doing this as the person closest to him.’ Enlarge chimp

Claim: English woman Paula Stibbe who is hoping to adopt chimpanzee Hiasl (Matthew), and thus have him recognised as a human being with human rights

The legal wrangle began in February 2007, when the sanctuary where Matthew lives with another chimp, Rosi, plus a crocodile filed for bankruptcy protection.

Activists want to ensure the apes do not wind up homeless. Both were captured as babies in Sierra Leone in 1982 and smuggled to Austria for use in pharmaceutical experiments.

Customs officers intercepted the shipment and turned the chimps over to the shelter. Their upkeep costs £4,000 a month.

Donors have offered to help, but under Austrian law, only a human can receive personal gifts.

Organisers could set up a foundation to collect cash for Matthew, whose life expectancy in captivity is about 60 years.

But they argue that only personhood would ensure he is not sold to someone outside Austria, where he is protected by strict animal cruelty laws.

In dismissing the activists’ request to get a guardian for Matthew, a lower court ruled that the chimp was neither mentally impaired nor in danger - the legal grounds required for a guardian to be appointed.

It did not directly address the issue of whether a chimpanzee can be considered a person.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

R.M. Ballantyne in 1893, shortly before he left for Rome.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

New York Times: Pittsburgh—This city has passed a grim demographic milestone: More people are dying here than are being born.

What demographers call a natural decrease has been occurring for years in tiny rural towns and in some retirement meccas in the South. But the phenomenon is relatively new in metropolitan areas in the Northeast, the Rust Belt of the Middle West and Appalachia.

In Pittsburgh, public school enrollment plummeted from about 70,000 two decades ago to about 30,000 and continues shrinking by about 1,000 a year.

Click HERE to read the full story

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

First, thank you for addressing such an issue. I am an attorney by trade, a homeschool mother of four by choice. When I left my burgeoning career 6 years ago I had few supporters, plenty of naysayers. The struggle was tremendous, for I have few role models. Even at my church, I am an enigma to many. Praise God for his faithfulness, for we are seeing the fruit of my sacrifice. On an editory note I would recommend putting in beautful pictures of the “supporters of our cause,” as well...Again, thank you for addressing this and doing so in a politically and intellectually satisfying frame of reference. In Christ, Betsy L.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

Worldnetdaily.com is reporting on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimous decision in which they ruled that a Wisconsin social worker violated the constitutional rights of two private Christian school children by requiring that they strip naked and be searched. Chelsea Schilling reports for WorldNetDaily:

Two children who attended a private Christian school in Wisconsin were illegally strip-searched and had their constitutional rights violated by a state social worker, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled Monday.

In Michael C. v. Gresbach, the court said state worker Dana Gresbach violated the children’s Fourth Amendment rights to freedom from unreasonable search when she entered Good Hope Christian Academy in Milwaukee, Wis., had the children pulled from the classrooms and told them to remove their clothing when she suspected the parents of spanking in February 2004.

Stephen Crampton, vice president of legal affairs and general counsel for Liberty Counsel, represented the parents of 8-year-old Ian and 9-year-old Alexis when they sued the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare and the caseworker.

“We are obviously pleased with the result, but candidly, we wish they had been more harsh on this renegade department that has ruined the lives of so many well-intentioned families already,” he told WND.

Crampton said this type of overstep is common among social workers, and they often do not give it a second thought.

“The social worker performed these strip searches as a matter of routine, estimating that in perhaps one-half of the 300 or so cases she handled every year she subjected kids to a partial disrobing,” he said. “In fact, she testified that she considered it so routine that she did not bother to discuss her intentions with her supervisor, even though she spoke to her on her way to the school.”

The state had several social workers file affidavits saying they would have followed the same procedure. Crampton said, “That is an alarming admission, and we suspect you would find a similar pattern in social service offices all over America.”

When Gresbach entered the school, she handed her business card to Principal Cheryl Reetz and told her she needed to see Ian and Alexis. Reetz asked the social worker if she could call the children’s parents, but Gresbach refused to allow it, saying she would contact them at a later time. The principal then asked if she could remain in the room to observe the interview, but she was denied permission to do so. According to court documents, state officials claimed they made efforts to speak with the parents and stepparents of the children, but the visits never occurred.

Crampton said the mindset of most social workers is that parents are the problem.

“They go to great lengths to lock parents out of the process, treating them as the enemy, and ultimately doing more harm than good by driving something of a wedge between the children and their parents,” he said.

The social worker spent nearly 15 minutes alone in the room with each child. She searched Ian’s wrists for bruising and asked him to pull up his shirt. He complied, and she examined his back for suspicious marks. Gresbach then privately inspected Alexis, asking her to pull down her tights and lift up her dress. The worker was unable to find any sign of injury on the children’s bodies.

Gresbach’s behavior is not a one-time incident uncommon among social workers. In Doe v. Carla Heck, the court addressed an eerily similar child abuse investigation where children’s rights to freedom from unreasonable search were violated by the same state agency on the premises of another private educational facility.

“The problem almost always arises only in private schools,” Crampton said. “Public schools, as agents of the government, routinely roll over and give social workers access to any student they wish to see, provide a room for them, and in short serve up our children on a platter, without bothering to contact parents,” he said.

Gresbach claimed she was entitled to qualified immunity because her actions were reasonable under the Fourth Amendment; however, the court disagreed.

“We do not exempt child welfare workers from adhering to basic Fourth Amendment principles under non-exigent circumstances - to do so would be imprudent,” the court stated. “... we do not believe that requiring a child welfare caseworker to act in accordance with basic Fourth Amendment principles is an undue burden on the child welfare system, particularly when it is necessary to conduct an examination of a child’s body, which is undoubtedly ‘frightening, humiliating and intrusive’ to the child.”

Click here to read the rest of the story

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

For fifty years there was no girl born to the Wean family. But on May 17th all that was to change.

Praise the Lord for the arrival of Mercy Elisabeth Wean, daughter to Joshua (Vision Forum’s CFO) and Sarah Wean. Mercy is named for an attribute of God dear to the heart of Joshua and Sarah. Her middle name Elisabeth honors Elisabeth Elliot, who was very influential on Sarah’s life.

Born 4 am, weighing 9.4 pounds and 20.5 inches long, with brown hair and blonde highlights, Mercy is a little miracle of God. Praise the Lord for the fruit of the womb and the reward of children.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

Family-unfriendly policies may hinder mobility. Yesterday American Airlines announced that they are going to be be charging $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag. What does this mean for your family? Well according to the article: “That means a family of four, with each member checking two bags, must now spend an additional $320 just to get their luggage to and from a destination.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 22, 2008 | Permalink

Every family is a little state, or empire within itself, bound together by the most endearing attractions, and governed by its patriarchal head, with whose prerogative no power on earth has a right to interfere. Nations may change their forms of government at pleasure, and may enjoy a high degree of prosperity under different constitutions; and perhaps the time will never come, when any one form will be adapted to the circumstances of all mankind. But in the family organization there is but one model, for all times and all places. It is just the same now, as it was in the beginning, and it is impossible to alter it, without marring its beauty, and directly contravening the wisdom and benevolence of the Creator. It is at once the simplest, the safest and the most efficient organization that can be conceived of. Like everything else, it may be perverted to bad purposes; but it is a divine model, and must not be altered.

Every father is the constituted head and ruler of his household. God has made him the supreme earthly legislator over his children, accountable, of course, to Himself, for the manner in which he executes his trust; but amenable to no other power, except in the most extreme cases of neglect, or abuse. The will of the parent is the law to which the child is bound in all cases to submit, unless it plainly contravenes the law of God. Children are brought into existence and placed in families, not to follow their own wayward inclinations, but to look up to their parents for guidance; not to teach, but to be taught; not to govern but to be governed. You may think that your neighbor’s family is badly managed. You may see and know, that the education of his children is greatly neglected, and that he has not a single patriarchal qualification. Under these circumstances you may advise him as earnestly as you please — you may point out his duties — you may expostulate with him — you may adjure him by all that is tender and sacred, to consider where he stands, and to think of the account which he must render; but if he turns a deaf ear, you have no remedy. God has placed him and not you at the head of his family. You have no right, if you had the inclination, to enter his house, and order him to stand aside, and assume the reins of government yourself, and absolve his children from their natural allegiance. It may be true that they would be infinitely better off under your control and instruction than his; but you may not thus interfere with one of God’s ordinances. Such a general allowance would subvert the whole domestic system.

Nor has civil government any right to interfere with the head of a family, unless it be where he is guilty of extreme neglect, or abuse. If he becomes a sot, or a reprobate in any other form of abandonment; or if he plays the tyrant in his own house, so as to put the lives of his children in jeopardy, it is no doubt the right and the duty of the magistrate to come to their rescue. It is an extreme case, and none but extreme remedies will reach it. But in all ordinary cases, even of great delinquency, the guilty parent must be left to answer for his abuse of power, or neglect of duty, to him who “ruleth over all.” It would be impossible for any government in the world, to take upon itself parental authority and discharge parental duties; and if it were possible, such an innovation would soon derange and destroy the whole social system.

And as no power on earth may forcibly take the reins out of a parent’s hands, neither may he abandon his post, or refuse to act as the viceregent of God in his own house. When a father finds himself surrounded by a rising family, it is too late for him to decide whether or not he will assume the responsibility of supporting and educating his children. That question is already settled. “Necessity is laid upon him.” . . . However unfit he may find himself to discharge the duties of a parent, or however anxious he may be to shift them off upon somebody else, he must stand in his lot and meet them the best way he can. He is not indeed precluded from availing himself of the assistance of others, by sending his children abroad for a part of their education, when he thinks it will be for their advantage; but let him not forget that he is accountable to God for the judicious exercise of this discretion. The authority which he cannot exercise over his children when they are away from home, he must delegate to those who receive them under their care; and in no case may he place them where they will be left to themselves, and exposed without counsel or restraint, to bad influences.

... It is not enough for parents to bring their children early under proper subjection, and then leave their authority to take care of itself. There is no such executive energy in any domestic code, however wise or reasonable. The work is only commenced, when you have subdued the refractory spirit of your child. It is indeed an auspicious beginning; and if you keep the advantage which you have gained, the task will ever after be comparatively easy. But you must never let go the reins. If you relax, if you leave the child after it has once yielded, to follow its own depraved inclinations, it will soon becomes as head-strong as ever; and if it does not get entirely beyond your reach, it may cost you infinite trouble to regain the ground which you have lost. All the natural tendencies in the minds of our children are downward; and there is no overcoming this gravitating power, but by constant effort. “Line must be upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.”

A judicious parent will not use exactly the same means to govern a boy of eight years old, as he does to govern a child of two; nor will he deal with a grown up son of fifteen, just as he does with a lad of ten. But though the means will be different, the end is the same. The young man of twenty, in his father’s house, has no more right to say that he will use his own discretion, in regard to observing the rules and regulations of the family, than a child of ten; and that parent sins against God, against the community in which he lives, and against his own family, who throws up his authority, before his children can safely be left to govern and take care of themselves.

Heman Humphrey, Domestic Education (Amherst, Mass., 1840), pp. 16-19, 27-29, 36-37. (Graduate of Yale and president of Amherst College from 1823 to 1845.)

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 20, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 20, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 20, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 19, 2008 | Permalink

“The first half of our lives are ruined by our parents and the second half by our children.”

Clarence Darrow, Evolutionary Attorney in the Scopes Trial

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 19, 2008 | Permalink

Christianity Today has this review of the latest C.S. Lewis movie:

“For Lewis, the modern world was a lot like the world that Caspian had grown up in-a world that had cast aside myth and magic and reduced the world to little more than a collection of parts. (In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace declares that stars in our world are nothing more than flaming balls of gas, and he is told that, no, even in our world, that is not what a star is but only what it is made of.) Lewis wanted to give his readers-including Christians who had unthinkingly bought into modernity-a taste of the spiritual realm that animates our physical world. And since he believed that the pagan, pre-Christian man had a greater aptitude for the spiritual realm, and was thus easier to convert, than the secular, post-Christian man, Lewis wrote the Narnia books to introduce his readers to a “baptized” form of paganism. Nowhere is this more explicit than in the original book version of Prince Caspian, in which the Christ-figure Aslan literally dances with the Greco-Roman god Bacchus.”

click here to read the whole article.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 19, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 19, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 19, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 18, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 18, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 15, 2008 | Permalink

Dear Friends:

The Vision Forum Father and Daughter Discipleship Retreat is one of the most encouraging and popular events we offer. Regretfully, we are only able to accommodate between 500 and 600 each year. Because the event fills up so quickly, we usually find ourselves in the unhappy position of needing to turn down a large number of individuals. This year we are making our registration available early so that those who have missed it in the past, or those who want to reserve their seats, can take advantage of an early sign-up. Because space is limited and available only on a first-come, first-serve basis, please consider taking advantage of this window so you can reserve your place. We expect the event to fill up soon.

Also, we invite you to take a moment and visit our website to view pictures from the 2008 Vision Forum Ministries Father and Daughter Discipleship Retreat.

Blessings, Doug and the Vision Forum Ministries Conference Team

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 14, 2008 | Permalink

For millions of secularists Einstein is revered as a “god” of science. Recent evidence reveals the contempt that he had for the Word of God:

Breitbart.com—Albert Einstein described belief in God as “childish superstition” and said Jews were not the chosen people, in a letter to be sold in London this week, an auctioneer said Tuesday.

The father of relativity, whose previously known views on religion have been more ambivalent and fueled much discussion, made the comments in response to a philosopher in 1954.

As a Jew himself, Einstein said he had a great affinity with Jewish people but said they “have no different quality for me than all other people”.

“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.

Click here for the full story.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 14, 2008 | Permalink

Dear Doug and Beall,

As I was enjoying reading your article ‘Only Women’ I began to remember times from my childhood when my precious mother would admonish me with, “Remember Kim, one day your body will carry a child.”, and then she would continue with the warning of the day. It gave me a sense of awe to think of what a wonderful privilege I, as a girl, had been given. My parents always taught me that I could be anything that I wanted to be with the caveat that I must be what I should be. As a tomboy growing up Mother would remind me by saying, “Don’t be so rough, one day.” and as I would choose foods for meals and snacks, “Choose wisely, for health, one day.” and then as I grew older and she knew the temptations that I would face, “You must be careful never to put anything bad into your body, no drugs, tobacco or alcohol because, remember, one day.”. As I grew older I prepared, through high school, for my career. I had decided to become a Doctor. When it was time to apply at universities for pre-med, my Daddy, who knew my heart, came to me with wonderful advice. He said,” Kim for whatever you choose to do with your life you sacrifice something else, you would make an excellent Doctor but I know that you have always wanted to have a family and you can’t do both without making some hard and sad choices.” Thanks be to a loving Heavenly Father for giving such wisdom to my earthly parents, they gave me confidence tempered with understanding.
And thanks be to our Father for sending Vision Forum into our lives. Kevin and the children and I love you all so very much. Onward with the Battle!

~Kim P.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 14, 2008 | Permalink

USA TODAY opinion piece published yesterday reported that while the written policy of the United States Military is not to allow women in combat this is actually “divorced from reality.”

In print, the Pentagon’s policy on women in combat looks like this: Women shall be excluded from assignment to most units “whose primary mission” is “direct combat on the ground.”

On the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon’s policy on women in combat looks like this: Women risk their lives as truck drivers, mechanics and medics attached to combat units. At checkpoints, they do a job that men can’t: search Iraqi women. They fire rifles and lob grenades. And when they are struck by the IED blasts and suicide bombers that characterize this war, they are wounded or killed just as surely as their fellow soldiers.

In other words, the written policy is divorced from reality.

In part because a few jobs — in the infantry, field artillery and special forces — remain off limits, there is a lingering myth that women are not in direct combat.

In truth, about 7% of the 191,000 troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are women, and they are doing just about everything they are physically capable of doing. That’s as it should be.

The existing Pentagon policy dates to 1994, when then-Defense Secretary Les Aspin loosened what had been far tighter restrictions. By 2006, according to a study by international think tank Rand Corp., more than 92% of Army occupations were open to women. That’s progress as far as it goes, but today the combat exclusions make little sense.

The policy, for instance, talks about combat taking place “well forward on the battlefield.” In Iraq and Afghanistan, there are no front lines. Danger is everywhere.

Smart commanders use women “in all the positions for which they are qualified,” as the 1994 policy also envisions. But when it comes to the exclusions, the Army has to tie itself in knots to show that it’s complying.

Thus, in talking about Spc. Monica Brown, a medic who won the Silver Star in March after running through gunfire to save injured comrades, the Army is at pains to underscore that Brown wasn’t “assigned” to the combat unit where she showed such courage, but was only “attached” to it. That’s just silly.

Most of the opponents of women in combat seem to have gotten over their objections. In a USA TODAY/Gallup poll in September, 74% of Americans agreed that women should be allowed to hold combat jobs, up from 36% in an NBC News poll that asked the same question in 1981.

In 2005, when a band of House Republicans tried to limit women’s roles in the war, the top brass objected so strenuously the critics were forced to retreat. (When we sought a lawmaker to debate this issue today, several one-time critics of women in combat declined to write an opposing view.)

Even if you accept one of the objections raised by past opponents — that female POWs could face rape and other abuse — keeping women from the so-called front lines won’t help. Female soldiers are subject to capture at a checkpoint or in a convoy almost anywhere in Iraq.

click here to read the rest of the story

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 14, 2008 | Permalink

The following notes are a sampling of the many very kind letters we received in response to my article “The Rise and Fall and Rise of Biblical Motherhood in America.”

Greetings in the lovely Name of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for this beautiful article. Very well said, argued, written, just precious. I’m going to print it out and keep it for my daughters for when they get a little older (they’re 6 and 9 now), and my son also. I truly appreciate your ministry and what you are trying to do. May God bless you. Sharon P.

Excellent article on the importance of women and their irreplacable role as mothers in the home - keep up the good work!. Adam H.

I appreciate your stand and the work that you lead. I enjoyed the compilation of material and article on Motherhood. Please, Keep up the good work. Pastor Myers

I simply wanted to thank you for this timely message on motherhood. It has served to strengthen my resolve and to encourage me. Jaime K.

Wonderfully written Doug. I pray this will serve for many as an encouragement and a breat of fresh air. Thank you. Henk B.

Thank you! What a beautiful (and sobering) affirmation of motherhood. I always appreciate your articles. Blessings, Hilary B

Thank you for your ministry, and especially for sending this particular email. I had no idea where or how the “feminist” mindset came from (other than the enemy)- humanly speaking. I feel like the Lord is removing some scales from my eyes...God bless you, and your vision, Christia B.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 13, 2008 | Permalink

Journalist Don Feder has recently written a very insightful review of the new documentary Demographic Winter which is an exposes of the crisis of our day that nobody wants to talk about—the worldwide decline in the birth rate.

‘Demographic Winter’ Exposes the Century’s Overlooked Crisis by Don Feder

“Demographic Winter” — a dramatic new documentary — is the first to explore the most overlooked crisis of our times: the rapid, worldwide decline in birth rates.

Philip Longman, a demographer and author of “The Empty Cradle: How Falling Birthrates Threaten World Prosperity,” observes: “The on-going global decline in human birthrates is the single most powerful force affecting the fate of nations and the future of society in the 21st. century.”

Doomsayers from Thomas Malthus to Paul Ehrlich have warned of “overpopulation” leading to depleted resources and mass starvation. In reality, more people have generated to more prosperity and higher standards of living.

What the world faces in the 21st century is another type of demographic crisis, but one that is painfully real: falling fertility rates and aging populations which could ultimately endanger civilization.

The average woman has to have 2.1 children during her lifetime — just to replace current population.

In less than 40 years, fertility rates have fallen by over 50% worldwide. In 1970, the average woman had 6 children during her lifetime. Today, the global average is 2.9. The United Nations Population Division predicts a further decline to 2.05 by 2050. In much of the industrialized world, the crisis can be discerned even now:

Europe might as well hang a “Going Out of Business” sign on its door. The average birth rate for the European Union is 1.5, well below replacement (2.1). In Italy, it’s 1.2.

Russia has a birth rate of 1.17, down from 2.4 in 1990. There are now almost as many abortions as births in the Russian Federation. The nation is losing roughly 750,000 people a year. Its current population (143 million) is expected to decline to 112 million by 2050. In a desperate effort to stave off demographic winter, the government is offering a baby bonus of 250,000 rubles (the equivalent of $9,200) for every child a family has after the first.

Worldwide, there are 6 million fewer children (6 years of age and younger) today than there were in 1990. This is an initial tremor of a coming earthquake. If current trends continue, by 2050, the world will hold 248 million fewer children under 5 than it does today.

The industrialized world will soon face severe labor shortages. The European Union estimates a shortfall of 20 million workers by 2030.

In the developed world, populations are rapidly aging. In 1989, 11.6% of Japan’s population was over 65. Less than 20 years later, seniors are 21.1% of the Japanese people. Its low birthrate (1.25) and graying population are why almost no one talks about Japan Inc. anymore. In the 1990s, Japan’s stock market fell 80% from its all-time high and its real estate market lost 60% of its value.

In industrialized nations as a whole, those over 60 now constitute 20% of the population — a figure which will rise to 32% by 2050. By then, according to UNPD, these societies will have two seniors for every child.

The developing world isn’t far behind. In the Philippines, the birth rate dropped from 6 in the early 1970s to 2.8 today, with further declines in store. In Egypt, in the 1960s, the average woman had 7.3 children during her lifetime, compared to 3.7 today. Mexico’s birthrate is only 2.1, the same as America’s.

This “Demographic Winter” will impact on many areas of our lives:

What will happen in the First World as fewer and fewer workers are called on to provide pensions for more and more retirees? At what point will the burden become so onerous that young workers will simply rebel and refuse to support a system that they couldn’t possibly hope to benefit from?

How will Russia, which is expected to lose a third of its population by mid-point of this century, defend its borders? If Russia, which occupies the largest territory of any nation, dissolves into enclaves of squabbling ethnic groups it will destabilize both Europe and Asia.

Due to falling birthrates, at some point in the century, the world’s population will begin to decline. Then the decline will become rapid. We could even reach population free-fall.

Throughout the course of history, there is no instance of economic growth accompanied by population decline. How can an industrial society be maintained with fewer and fewer workers and consumers?

The foregoing is the backdrop for “Demographic Winter: the decline of the human family.” The documentary is an exploration of the phenomenon by experts — including demographers, sociologists and economists.

Click here to read the entire review.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 13, 2008 | Permalink

“We’ve let an ideological drive to achieve perfect equality get in the way of common sense. No other nation has ever put so many women in or near combat, and children are paying the price.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 13, 2008 | Permalink

There is an important reason why motherhood will not be defeated — The Church is her guardian. As long as she perseveres — and persevere she will — motherhood will prevail.

The Church is the ultimate vanguard of that which is most precious and most holy. She holds the oracles of God which dare to proclaim to a selfish, self-centered nation: “Children are a blessing and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” Psalm 127:3.

The Church stands at the very gates of the city, willing to receive the railing complaints of feminists, atheists, and the legions arrayed against the biblical family, and she reminds the people of God: “Let the older women teach the young to love their children, to guide the homes.” Titus 2:3-5.

It is this very love of the life of children, this passion for femininity and motherhood which may be God’s instrument of blessing on America in the days to come. As the birth rate continues to plummet, divorce rates rise, and family life in America dissipates to the point of extinction, life-loving families will not only have an important message to share, but thy will have an army of children to help them share it.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 11, 2008 | Permalink

Only women can be mothers. Have we forgotten this fundamental?

Only a woman can carry in her body an eternal being which bears the very image of God. Only she is the recipient of the miracle of life. Only a woman can conceive and nurture this life using her own flesh and blood, and then deliver a living soul into the world. God has bestowed upon her alone a genuine miracle — the creation of life, and the fusing of an eternal soul with mortal flesh. This fact alone establishes the glory of motherhood.

Despite the most creative plans of humanist scientists and lawmakers to redefine the sexes, no man will ever conceive and give birth to a child. The fruitful womb is a holy gift given by God to women alone. This is one reason why the office of wife and mother is the highest calling to which a woman can aspire.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 11, 2008 | Permalink

Once a lady went to visit her friend. During the visit the children of the friend entered the room and began to play with each other. As the lady and her friend visited, the lady turned to her friend and said eagerly and yet with evidently no thought of the meaning of her words: “Oh, I’d give my life to have such children.” The mother replied with a subdued earnestness whose quiet told of the depth of experience out of which her words came: “That’s exactly what it costs.

There is a cost of motherhood. And the price is no small sum. And if you are not willing to pay this price, no amount of encouragement about the joys of motherhood will satisfy.

But the price of motherhood is not fundamentally different from the price of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In fact, Christian mothers see their duty as mothers flowing from their calling to Jesus Christ. And what is this cost?

Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others. It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you. It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards. It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love. And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man — for you will not — but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling.

In other words, Motherhood requires vision. It requires living by faith and not by sight.

These are some of the reasons why Motherhood is both the most biblically noble and the most socially unappreciated role to which a young woman can aspire. There are many people who ask the question: Does my life matter? But a mother that fears the Lord need never ask such a question. Upon her faithful obedience hinges the future of the church and the hope of the nation.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 11, 2008 | Permalink

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

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

The challenge of the twentieth-century motherhood is as old as motherhood itself. Although the average American mother has advantages that pioneer women never knew—material advantages: education, culture, advances made by science and medicine; although the modern mother knows a great deal more about sterilization, diets, health, calories, germs, drugs, medicines and vitamins, than her mother did, there is one subject about which she does not know as much—and that is God.

The modern challenge to motherhood is the eternal challenge—that of being a godly woman. The very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other kind of women—beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career woman, talented women, divorced women, but so seldom do we hear of a godly woman—or of a godly man either, for that matter.

I believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realm of morals to be old-fashioned than to be ultramodern. The world has enough women who know how to hold their cocktails, who have lost all their illusions and their faith. The world has enough women who know how to be smart.

It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need woman, and men, too, who would rather be morally right that socially correct.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

Lenin’s comrade Trotsky played a key role in communicating the Marxist vision of what he called the “new family.” Lenin and Trotsky believed in the overthrow of Christianity by destroying the biblical family. They sought to build a new state, free from historic Christian presuppositions concerning the family.

This meant denigrating the biblical notion of male headship and hierarchy within the family. It meant eliminating any sense that there should be a division of labor between man and wife. This required delivering women from the burdens of childbirth and childcare. It meant adopting tools like birth control as guarantors that women could be free to remain in the workforce.

The physical preparations for the conditions of the new life and the new family, again, cannot fundamentally be separated from the general work of socialist construction.The workers’ state must become wealthier in order that it may be possible seriously to tackle the public education of children and the releasing of the family from the burden of the kitchen and the laundry...

Socialization of family housekeeping and public education of children are unthinkable without a marked improvement in our economics as a whole. We need more socialist economic forms. Only under such conditions can we free the family from the functions and cares that now oppress and disintegrate it. Washing must be done by a public laundry, catering by a public restaurant, sewing by a public workshop. Children must be educated by good public teachers who have a real vocation for the work. Then the bond between husband and wife would be freed from everything external and accidental, and the one would cease to absorb the life of the other. Genuine equality would at last be established...

Trotsky, “From the Old Family to the New,” Pravda, July 13, 1923

Less than one hundred years later, and some of the Marxist principles of the “new family” are accepted in professing Evangelical churches. Note that many of the same objectives touted by the atheists of the young Soviet state, sound disturbingly similar to the mantra of Evangelical feminists today who share a hatred for biblical patriarchy and who take the language of liberation and sprinkle it with pseudo spiritual sentiments to belittle the doctrine that the most noble role of a woman is as wife, mother and keeper at home.

As we approach America’s national Mother’s Day celebration, lets remember that we are fighting for the Lord, and it is He who prioritizes motherhood and home as the highest calling and domain of womanhood—-“that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

The following questions were asked of and answered by Soviet mastermind Leonin Trotsky in the year 1932:

Question: “Is Bolshevism deliberately destroying the family?”

Answer: “If one understands by ‘family’ a compulsory union based on marriage contract, the blessing of the church, property rights, and the single passport, then Bolshevism has destroyed this policed family from the roots up.

“If one understands by ‘family’ the unbounded domination of parents over children, and absence of legal rights for the wife, then Bolshevism has, unfortunately, not yet completely destroyed this carry over of society’s old barbarism.”

Question: “Is it true that Sovietism teaches children not to respect their parents?”

Answer: “...It is true that rapid progress in the realms of technique, ideas, or manners generally diminishes the authority of the older generation, including that of parents. When professors lecture on the Darwinian theory, the authority of those parents who believe that Eve was made from Adam’s rib can only decline.”

”..To maintain his dignity, the father can no longer merely point with his hand to the icon and reinforce this gesture with a slap on the face. The parents must retort to spiritual weapons. The children who base themselves on the official authority of the school show themselves, however, to be the better armed. The injured amour propre of the parent often turns against the state. This usually happens in those families which are hostile to the new regime in its fundamental tasks. The majority of proletarian parents reconcile themselves to the loss of part of their parental authority the more readily as the state takes over the greater part of their parental cares. Still, there are conflicts of the generations even in these circles. Among the peasants they take on especial sharpness. Is this good or bad? I think it is good. Otherwise there would be no going forward.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

Revolutionaries and rebellious radicals always resort to caricature when describing the biblical family. They seek to hide their radicalism around emotional, hyperbolic appeals for liberation from oppression. Here, one of the key architects of the Soviet state mocks the “family hearth” and household duties by minimizing its significance and comparing it to slavery (“galley labor”) in order to advance government education and socialism.

“The October revolution honestly fulfilled its obligations in relation to woman. The young government not only gave her all political and legal rights in equality with man, but, what is more important, did all that it could, and in any case incomparably more than any other government ever did, actually to secure her access to all forms of economic and cultural work....

The revolution made a heroic effort to destroy the so-called “family hearth” - that archaic, stuffy and stagnant institution in which the woman of the toiling classes performs galley labor from childhood to death. The place of the family as a shut-in petty enterprise was to be occupied, according to the plans, by a finished system of social care and accommodation: maternity houses, creches, kindergartens, schools, social dining rooms, social laundries, first-aid stations, hospitals, sanatoria, athletic organizations, moving-picture theaters, etc. The complete absorption of the housekeeping functions of the family by institutions of the socialist society, uniting all generations in solidarity and mutual aid, was to bring to woman, and thereby to the loving couple, a real liberation from the thousand-year-old fetters.”

Trotsky

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 9, 2008 | Permalink

Perhaps the greatest legacy of the 20th century has been the war on motherhood and biblical patriarchy. Radical feminists, Marxists, and liberal theologians have made it their aim to target the institution of the family and divest it from its biblical structure and priorities. The results are androgyny, a radical decline in birthrate, abortion, fatherless families, and social confusion. The next time you hear professing Christians rail against those who defend the historical and biblical doctrine of motherhood, fatherhood, and the family, consider the similarity of verbiage and sentiments they share with the architect of Soviet communism.

“We must now say proudly and without any exaggeration that apart from Soviet Russia, there is not a country in the world where women enjoy full equality and where women are not placed in the humiliating position felt particularly in day-to-day family life. This is one of our first and most important tasks...”

“Housework is the most unproductive, the most barbarous and the most arduous work a woman can do. It is exceptionally petty and does not include anything that would in any way promote the development of the woman...The building of socialism will begin only when we have achieved the complete equality of women and when we undertake the new work together with women who have been emancipated from that petty stultifying, unproductive work...We are setting up model institutions, dining-rooms and nurseries, that will emancipate women from housework...These institutions that liberate women from their position as household slaves are springing up where it is in any way possible...Our task is to make politics available to every working woman.”

The Task of the Working Women’s Movement in the Soviet Republic, Lenin, 1919

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 8, 2008 | Permalink

Here, Lenin explains that getting women out of the kitchen and the nursery by changing social morality is key to the triumph of communism.

“The chief thing is to get women to take part in socially productive labor, to liberate them from ‘domestic slavery,’ to free them from their stupefying [idiotic] and humiliating subjugation to the eternal drudgery of the kitchen and the nursery. This struggle will be a long one, and it demands a radical reconstruction, both of social technique and of morale. But it will end in the complete triumph of Communism.”

Quoted in Dr. Francis Nigel Lee’s Communist Eschatology: A Christian Philosophical Analysis of the Post-Capitalistic Views of Marx, Engels and Lenin. Chapter XI: The Family in Communist Eschatology, pg. 332, The Craig Press.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 8, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 8, 2008 | Permalink

To learn more about the Memorial Day Celebration at Scott Brown’s farm on May 26th visit www.scottbrownonline.com.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 8, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 7, 2008 | Permalink

Washington Post—Japan celebrated a national holiday on Monday in honor of its children. But Children’s Day might just as easily have been a national day of mourning. For this is the land of disappearing children and a slow-motion demographic catastrophe that is without precedent in the developed world. The number of children has declined for 27 consecutive years, a government report said over the weekend. Japan now has fewer children who are 14 or younger than at any time since 1908.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 7, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 7, 2008 | Permalink

During the 1980s and early 1990s, one of the most popular campus and “Christian worldview” speakers in America was the Rev. Tony Campolo. His message and communication style was attractive to a broad diversity of groups from the Marxist-leaning Sojourners for whom he wrote, to conservative organizations like Campus Crusade for Christ, who once invited him to address a national conference.

I was first exposed to Mr. Campolo through his book Partly Right: Christianity Responds to Its Critics, published in 1985. The mission of Partly Right was to present readers with the proposition that Christians have much practical and philosophical wisdom they could gain from worldviews like Evolutionism and Marxism. As implied by the title of his book, he believed that these worldviews should be considered for the alleged good they can offer to Christians who hope to bring a compassionate, informed Christianity to our social agenda.

I respectfully believe that Mr. Campolo’s position is not “Partly Right,” but wholly wrong. Philosophies like Marxism and Darwinism are systemically bankrupt. They derive from presuppositions about man, government, and authority that are wholly at war with biblical Christianity. They have nothing to offer the Christ-loving, biblical Christian other than as a tool for understanding some of the greatest Satanically-inspired confusion deceptions of the last 150 years. Every attempt to reconcile these worldviews with that of Christianity is an exercise in compromise which carries with it the potential consequence of enslaving the adherent to practices and policies inimical to and violative of the doctrines of Holy Scripture.

As time progressed, the implications of Mr. Campolo’s worldview became clear, most notably with his tolerant view of homosexuality. Both Mr. Campolo and his wife Peggy, herself a sodomite rights advocate, have engaged in public debates and discussions on the future of homosexuality and the church. Mr. Campolo has argued that homosexuality as an orientation is not a sin. Furthermore, while he believes that the formal act of homosexuality is wrong, he nonetheless argues that monogamous sodomite relationships are preferable to non-monogamous sodomite relationships.

This week, Mr. Campolo and his “Partly Right” philosophy are again in the news. Steve Ertelt of Lifenews.com writes:

The Democratic Party has the strongest pro-abortion stance possible, but Reverend Tony Campolo, an evangelical author, has been appointed to the committee that will review the platform. Campolo has vowed to represent pro-lifers “to the highest members of the Democratic Party.” He says he has received assurances from Democratic officials that the platform committee will hear his pro-life views and that the platform will contain language that addresses the pro-life community’s concerns. He hopes to tone down the language calling abortion a woman’s right and he hopes to get members of the party to view abortion as a human rights issue that abrogates the rights of the powerless, namely unborn children.

Stop for a moment and just imagine what would happen if Mr. Campolo was actually successful. You would have a party platform offering just enough mealy-mouthed and conflicted sentiments to confuse the uninformed on the murderous policies of the party they were about to support. And this platform would be matched with a national candidate for the President of the United States who was deeply committed to the legal and economic support of the rights of doctors and mothers to vivisect or burn alive millions of unborn babies.

But before we walk away in a self-righteous huff from the latest revelation of Mr. Campolo’s attempt to purify the candidacy of Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton by making the Democratic platform just a little less genocidal, it would be good to consider whether we are guilty of the same schizophrenia.

The truth be told, Mr. Campolo is fairly consistent in his inconsistencies. He is a faithful syncretist. And his approach to syncretism has historical precedent in some of the worst ideas and trends in history. The “partly right” philosophy is not new to the history of the Church. There has long been a debate between those who want to mix Christianity and paganism. It was this debate that spurred Tertullian to raise his famous question about Jerusalem and Athens. And this debate was certainly present before the Reformers who strove to purify the Church of traditions and practices rooted in compromise with pagan idolatry.

My present concern is this: Though conservative evangelicals may not yet be prepared to accept some of the more distasteful conclusions of Mr. Campolo, they fundamentally accept his premises. To put it another way, the philosophical and theological problems of the “partly right” belief system is not merely prevalent within “conservative” Christian circles—it is the unspoken, and perhaps unwitting, but nevertheless unmistakable driving force.

In short, I fear that the difference between Mr. Campolo and most Evangelicals who fashion themselves “conservative” is one of degrees, not basic assumptions.

Here is why: Though many Christians would reject some of the more grievous conclusions of Mr. Campolo (tolerance of monogamous sodomite relationships, sympathies with Marxism, support of radical liberal presidential candidates, etc.), I fear they nonetheless embrace his hermeneutic for life. Rather than building their worldview presuppositionally from the all-sufficient Scripture that speaks to every area of life (economics, science, theology, education, culture, orthopraxy, etc.), they pick and choose elements they find appealing from a host of religiously inspired belief systems. Next, they mix these ideas into a worldview stew thick with confusion.

They do this for several reasons. First, they wrongly assume the non-sufficiency of Scripture. Believing the Bible to be silent on most things, they reduce the potency of the Word to internal spiritual matters and general feel-good ideas. Second, they have accepted the myth of neutrality—that ideas and policies are essentially free of theological implications. Neutrality leads them to assume that because God does not speak definitively or with authority to such issues, man is free to look to both the prevailing culture and the philosophers of the world for wisdom. Third, they wrongly distinguish between sacred matters, to which God speaks, and secular matters, which they do not believe to be the proper domain of religion. This dichotomous view of reality inevitably results in a weak, anemic Christianity incapable of producing a coherent world and life view, and impotent to speak to the practical issues of life.

And there is a fourth reason—they don’t want God to be the lawgiver. They prefer deriving truth from philosophers, rock musicians or “nature.” Anything but the Bible. After all, claiming that God is the lawgiver seems so—well, legalistic.

This is most apparent when it comes to orthopraxy—the practical issues of life: How shall I vote? How shall I be educated? Who controls the womb? What does it mean to live as a woman? How shall we then dress? What type of movies and music should I introduce to my children? Etc., etc., etc.

Of course, it is one thing for Christians to disagree about how the all-sufficient Bible applies, but it is quite another to relegate the Bible to obscurity by claiming it is “silent” on these issues, and thus Christians may not invoke the Word of God to discern the proper ethical code of conduct. The former position is a reasonable in-house debate. The latter is heresy. And it is an error that serves as the foundation of the “partly right” worldview.

The Bible has the answer to the partly right philosophy. It is this:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto good works.” II Timothy 3:16

It says this to the syncretists of the Church:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

The Bible says this of the opinions of autonomous man:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 2 Corinthians 2:14

And it says this of the philosophies of the world:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

Pogo once said: “We have met the enemy, and it is us.”

This will remain true until we reject the “partly right” error and presuppose Jesus Christ as Sovereign, Lord, and King over every area of life and thought. This means returning to the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 6, 2008 | Permalink

The next time you are pondering whether or not to use your income to encourage and advance the kingdom work of God by supporting Christian ministries, consider all the money that is going to enemy organizations engaged in the murder of unborn children and the destabilization of Christian family culture. The prime example: Planned Parenthood. Today American Family Association offered this important story about Planned Parenthood’s record income:

Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, made over $1 billion in income during the 2006-2007 fiscal year, according to its annual report. The non-profit group went from an income of $972 million in 2005-2006 to $1.017 billion this past year. Planned Parenthood said the increase “highlights our advancements in providing and protecting trusted healthcare services and medically accurate sexuality education.”

The report reveals that Planned Parenthood is performing more abortions now than ever. In 2005, Planned Parenthood provided 264,943 abortions, and in 2006, it was up to 289,650. In addition, the organization’s “excess of revenue over expenses” funds doubled from $55.7 million in 2005 to $112 million the following year.

Planned Parenthood also admits receiving more than $336 million in government grants and contracts from the state and federal levels.

“A majority of Americans oppose taxpayer funding of abortion - however, still Planned Parenthood receives more than $300 million in taxpayer funding each year for ‘family planning’ projects that help bolster their abortion trade,” said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council.

Yet, according to Perkins, the ultimate slap in the face to pro-lifers is the fact that Planned Parenthood still receives money from the government while spending $10 million in this year’s election to support pro-abortion candidates.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 5, 2008 | Permalink

J.I. Packer has said that the Puritans were the godliest generation since the first century church, for something amazing happened in the Puritan era. But when that generation passed from the scene, something of great importance was quickly lost from the consciousness of the church — the biblical doctrine of the family. Now, it is time to study it, recover it, expand upon it, and move forward for the glory of God.

We need a reformation of biblical family life, and there will be no reformation without setting the doctrinal foundation and having the courage for a radical turning.

Today, God is raising up a new generation of believers who are recovering this important doctrine. Historian Dan Ford, Pastor Jeff Pollard of Mount Zion Ministries, and Hope Baptist Church elders Jason Dohm, Steve Breagy and Dan Horn, join Scott Brown, director of the National Center for Family Integrated Churches, this weekend, May 9th and 10th, to host a unique and timely conference on the Puritan Family Reformation. This conference will work to remember what the Puritans knew and build upon it as a foundation for the future. They will go back to where we lost our way, and pick up the trail and move forward.

It’s time to be about the business of recovering the Biblical doctrine of the family in our generation. The church in each generation is in need of reformation and renewal on several fronts. Family reformation is not the only area, but it is one of the key areas. This can only happen when the church has a high view of God, as evidenced by a high view of the Word of God. Reformation will break out when we take seriously what He has said, instead of taking Him lightly.

To attend the Puritan Family Reformation Conference click HERE to register online.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 5, 2008 | Permalink

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

This week marks the six-month anniversary of the death of our beloved brother and friend Michael Billings. Recently, a private gathering of several hundred family and friends met at San Antonio’s historic Menger Hotel for a special tribute to the life of our fallen comrade, who was called home to glory on November 4 of last year. Hosted by The Loyal Friends of Michael Billings and sponsored by Boerne Christian Assembly, this special commemoration was dedicated to Dr. Michael and Mary Billings and explored their son Michael’s San Antonio sojourn, highlighting notable traits that he exemplified.

Among the facets of Michael’s life which were illustrated through personal testimonies were: Michael as Intern, Michael as Roommate, Michael as Fencer, Michael as Churchman, Michael as Teacher, and Michael as Prophet. One of the most touching moments came when Dillon and Dakota Grady, Michael’s nephews, shared how “Michael as Uncle” had been an inspiration to them.

This afternoon of remembrance also featured special music and poetry that was written in honor of Michael’s life. Benjamin Botkin composed a beautiful musical tribute to Michael, and his orchestral piece was played for the very first time for this occasion. Matthew Chancey, a noted poet and friend of Michael’s, penned the “The Ballad of Michael,” which I was privileged to deliver in Matt’s absence.

Toward the close of this tribute, Wesley Strackbein (who took the lead in spearheading this event) presented Dr. and Mrs. Billings with a special gift—an heirloom, leatherbound book that he edited, entitled, Life is But a Vapor: The Life & Legacy of Michael G. Billings. This volume that Wesley compiled presents the testimony of those who knew Michael as well as Michael in his own words, including his powerful orations, trenchant essays, beautiful letters, and heartfelt prayers to his Maker.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 5, 2008 | Permalink

Thank you so much for the radio drama of Jonathan Park! Before I started listening to Jonanthan Park I did not like science at all. I thought science was boring and useless. But now I love science! I can now stand up for the Faith. While talking to my Aunt (who believes in a evolution) I shared some of the facts in Jonathan Park. Jonathan Park not only tells of Creation Science but of how to act like a godly Christian. This has inspiried me to tell the truth not only science but of the Creator who made us.

Kayla S. age 15

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 5, 2008 | Permalink

Less than eight weeks away!

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 2, 2008 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 2, 2008 | Permalink

Last week, Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington founder Michael Bradrick presented the families of Washington with a memorable event that cast a vision for a holy, persevering, and visionary homeschool movement focused on the Crown rights of Christ in every area of life and thought, and which exhorted families to persevere in Christ.

I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring eight vision messages: “From Fear to Eternity”; “How to Think Like a Christian”; “Victories: Moments Small and Large Which Define Christian Parenthood”; “Persevero! The Indefatigable Spirit of George Washington”; “Secrets of Successful Multi-Generational Visionaries”; “Uniting Church and Family”; “Providence and Perseverance”: “God’s Message of History to Our Children”; Later that evening I addressed homeschool leaders at a private gathering and presented a timely message entitled: “Toxic: Seven Poisons Which Threaten the Health of the Homeschool Movement—and Their Antidotes.”

From beginning to end, the spirit of the event was characterized by gratitude to the Lord and hope for the future. What an encouragement to my staff and me! Especially wonderful were the many testimonies we received from families who shared that they had sought reversal surgery, or simply opened their wombs, in response to the message that children are a blessing which they received from the teaching of Vision Forum Ministries. To meet these precious little children is so encouraging! May the Lord inspire more parents to view children as a blessing, not a curse. We praise God for every single one of these precious souls the Lord has created. Truly, children are a reward of the Lord!

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 2, 2008 | Permalink

Good News: Christian Voters Key to Makeup of Congress

When family advocates vote, family-friendly candidates win.

As the Christian vote goes, so goes pro-family legislation. That’s according to a new study by WallBuilders.

Between 1992 and 2000, there was a 40 percent decline in the number of Christians who went to the polls. The vote bounced back with a vengeance four years later.

“In 2004, Christian voter turnout increased by 93 percent,” said Sonja Swiatkiewicz, director of issues response for Focus on the Family Action. “And, as a result, 63 percent of freshman congressmen and 77 percent of freshman senators were pro-life.”

Those lawmakers confirmed two strict-constructionist Supreme Court justices, and for the first time in decades made critical advances on pro-life legislation.

But in 2006, Christian voter turnout fell 30 percent, and pro-abortion Democrats took control of Congress. The Baltimore Sun called it “the most pro-choice Congress in the history of the Republic.”

Doug Phillips, president of Vision Forum Ministries, said courageous leaders must speak up and motivate the Christian electorate.

“Voter turnout is down, in part, because there is little to inspire the Christians to respond,” he said. “They want to see something that represents hope and principle.”

Click here to read the entire report

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 2, 2008 | Permalink

If you follow the work of Vision Forum, you know we are passionate about history—especially the history of the people of God throughout time, and the history of this nation. History is the story of God’s miraculous Providence working through world events and regular men and women.

For over ten years, we have sought to tell the true story of America; the part that is ignored or vilified by an academia increasingly hostile to the Faith of our Fathers. We have done this from the shores of Iwo Jima, on the streets of Williamsburg, by the battlefields of Yorktown), in the sacred halls of Philadelphia, and by the landmarks of our Pilgrim parents. We have done this through Faith and Freedom Tours, History of the World Conferences, and the Jamestown Quadricentennial: A Celebration of America’s Providential History.

And we praise the Lord for all true sons of liberty with a similar passion. We thank the Lord that we are not alone in this mission. All throughout America, there are pockets of resistance popping up here and there. I think of examples like Ken Ham’s remarkable Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, or the great work of our friend, Dr. Marshall Foster of the Mayflower Institute.

But there is a “new kid on the block” that I want to introduce you to. I encourage you to visit www.circahistory.com.

This is the home of the Circa History Guild, a new and exciting organization that is much more than a museum and website. Circa is an inspiration.

Founded by John T. (JT) Adams (a direct descendant from John Quincy Adams) and staffed by chief historian and long-time Vision Forum friend, Bill Potter, Circa is a refreshing contribution towards proclaiming God’s providential work in the American story.

A few weeks ago, I had dinner with JT and Bill near Circa’s headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. I was genuinely touched by JT’s passion for America and his desire to encourage all Americans to tell their own story. He said he wanted young Americans to start asking questions to their fathers and grandfathers. This was music to my ears!

And JT is willing to put his money where his mouth is. Circa has a monthly contest, where people can submit their own American stories for a chance to win $250 and a shot at winning $1,000, when the best story is chosen from monthly winners on September 17th—Constitution Day.

I encourage you, as a family project, to submit a story to Circa. And please tell your friends about the Circa History Guild and encourage them to support this important work.

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 1, 2008 | Permalink

Last Sunday I preached on Day 5 of Creation week from the Book of Genesis. One of the creatures mentioned in my message was once thought to be mythological, but is now recognized as one of the greatest living monsters of the sea—archetoothus—the giant squid. This animal was not filmed alive until the year 2005. Now CNN has this fascinating video showing the “kraken.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on May 1, 2008 | Permalink