June 2009 Archives

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 30, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 29, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 29, 2009 | Permalink

Before they landed on Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower Pilgrims spent the Sabbath on Pulpit Rock after being driven by storms to Clarke’s Island. We took the water journey to this island with about forty other intrepid travelers including Dr. Paul Jehle and Dr. Marshall Foster.

Beall, Liberty, and Virginia brave the sea wind to get to Clarke’s Island.

Dr. Jehle addresses the group after our beach landing on the island.

Joshua Titus with Dr. Marshall Foster.

The children of the 21st century on the great rock of remembrance of the early 17th century.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 28, 2009 | Permalink

Go to here without delay!

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 28, 2009 | Permalink

Moody’s PrimeTime America recently highlighted several Calvin commemorations as part of a feature story. Moody producer Paul Butler has posted an extended version of this segment on his blog which you can listen to here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 28, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 27, 2009 | Permalink

“Battle of the ages: Calvin vs. Darwin” Opposite world views in ‘Boxing Match of the Millennium’

By Bob Unruh

The “Boxing Match of the Millennium,” a head-to-head debate that pits the teachings of Reformation leader John Calvin, born 500 years ago this year, and evolutionist theory author Charles Darwin, born 200 years ago this year, is being planned during the Reformation 500 Celebration in Boston starting July 1.

It’s far more than just a clash of words.

“We’re trying to point out that there needs to be a debate, a public discussion on the elitist philosophy that currently dominates and would suppress that debate,” said Doug Philips, president of Vision Forum Ministries, the sponsor.

“And we’re trying to point out that there are two world views, one largely coming from Christianity and the second from evolutionary humanism. ... The future of our nation really rests in part on how we respond,” he said.

To read the full article, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 26, 2009 | Permalink

Geoff Botkin has produced an article rich with insight. He hits the nail on the head by identifying Britain’s scientific intelligentsia as an elitist class of totalitarians. On 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin, this article is a must-read. Below is an excerpt:

In Britain, police are bracing for the summer riots. The year 2009 has become the year of runaway unemployment, social chaos, and cultural confusion. The authorities expect the summer riots to get ugly.

British citizens were supposed to be happy in 2009. They are not.[1] This is an awkward disappointment for Britain’s social engineers, who had engineered a full year of celebratory splendor to honor a favorite son. 2009 was to have been the year of triumph for Charles Darwin — the greatest social engineer of them all.

Ever since Darwin published the idea that the English were one of the “favoured races,” one hundred and fifty years ago, Britons have been trying to make him a national and international hero. This year, Darwin’s 200th birthday year, was to be a great hero-making opportunity. The Church of England planned a formal apology to Darwin for “misunderstanding” his theology. The British Council, the Royal Geographical Society, the BBC, the University of Cambridge and dozens of other agencies, museums, and organizations[2] planned extravagant memorials to Darwin. Each depict him as a historical superstar. Their exhibitions remind the world that Britain embraced Darwin as much more than a mere naturalist. This is a convenient spin. As a naturalist, Darwin was an incompetent observer, and his findings have been discredited.

The reinvented Darwin has great utility as the founding father of modern Britain. This is his official image for the year 2009, even in exhibitions where his own “tree of life” diagrams and improperly-labeled specimens disgrace him. The Natural History Museum, for example, is putting final touches on a £78 million landmark temple to Darwinism, part of their massive Darwin Centre, which opens this fall. They were expecting many proud and happy celebrants. Before the riots, that is.

It is not dishonest to present Darwin as the architect of modern Britain. His rash ideas and religious propaganda took Britain directly into the militant leftism of the twentieth century, and headlong into the calamities of 2009. Today Darwin’s ideas live in the hearts of those British functionaries who want to honor their spiritual ancestor. These intellectual descendants of Darwin know him mostly as an ideological icon. However, they know enough about his work to know better than to honor him as a social scientist. They should be rightly ashamed of the ideological and fraudulent science that characterizes Darwin’s work. But they are not ashamed. They sincerely believe Darwin is the hero responsible for a new evolutionary stage of British greatness. This is what is so morbidly grotesque about the British celebrations.

In 2009, the United Kingdom is dying before the eyes of a watching world. Do Darwin’s British disciples sincerely believe that Britain’s modern downfall, her cultural disintegration and social chaos[3] are a step forward? Do they believe Britain’s demise is evolutionary progress and even social salvation? If so, the legacy of Charles Darwin is especially chilling. It represents self-directed societal devolution into a stage of willful ignorance. It also represents the forced devolution, dehumanization, and derangement of human reason.

Read the entire article here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 25, 2009 | Permalink

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — June 24, 2009 — Vision Forum Ministries has announced the release of Jonathan Park and The Journey Never Taken, 12 new half-hour episodes that disprove popular Darwinist myths in a family radio drama format. This new release of the Jonathan Park Creation Adventure Series — which is being rolled out as the world is celebrating Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of Origin of the Species this year — is the latest installment in the internationally broadcast audio drama that airs on more than 650 radio outlets worldwide.

“The dead-end theory of Darwinism is shown for what it is in The Journey Never Taken,” stated Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries. “And the release of these new episodes could not be more timely. As Richard Dawkins and other leading proponents of evolutionary theory prepare to celebrate their patron saint at the 2009 Darwin Festival next month, Jonathan Park strikes a different tone — one that shows the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the much-venerated worldview of Charles Darwin.”

The best-selling Jonathan Park audio drama series follows young Jonathan and his paleontologist family on their adventures around the globe. In Jonathan Park and the Journey Never Taken, the Polar Star Medallion mysteriously shows up at the Brenan Museum of Creation, quickly throwing the Creation Response Team into a memorable scavenger hunt. Cryptic clues lead their team to Sweden, Scotland, and beyond in search of a promised treasure. Along the way, they explore the true history of Charles Darwin and his colleagues and learn how these men helped perpetuate the myth of a universe created without a Creator.

“For years, the Jonathan Park Creation Adventure series has been equipping parents and children to defend creation truths against evolution’s lies,” noted Phillips. “And the series continues to grow in popularity. We simply can’t produce the series fast enough to meet the demand. The excitement over this new release has been extraordinary as we have been overwhelmed by requests from listeners of all ages who have been eagerly awaiting the 12 new episodes. Gratefully, the wait is over, and Jonathan’s most important adventure yet has begun.”

“While Darwinism’s impact remains far-reaching, its clutch on the culture is beginning to slip,” concluded Phillips. “Programs like Jonathan Park illustrate the growing number of people who reject the notion that the world came to be through random chance and chaos, recognizing instead that the creation speaks forth of a Creator.”

To learn more about the Jonathan Park Creation Adventure Series, visit www.jonathanpark.com.

To interview Doug Phillips concerning the Creation vs. Darwin controversy in light of the Jonathan Park Creation Adventure Series, contact Wesley Strackbein by e-mail at wesley@visionforum.com or by phone at (210) 340-5250, ext. 222.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 25, 2009 | Permalink

John Calvin’s faithful friend and successor in Geneva and notable Reformer in his own right was born in Vezelay, France on this day in 1519. John Calvin writing in 1551 in a letter to a French woman had this to say about his dear friend and successor: “God has endowed him with excellent gifts. And he uses these gifts for the good of the church, so that we might well call him a pearl...All who are interested in the glory of God praise this man as a treasure.”

It can be said of Theodore Beza that he is really the son of “three fathers.” First, he had is biological father whom he stayed in contact with while his father was alive trying to convince him of the truth of the Christian faith. Second, his spiritual father was Melchoir Wolmar whom Beza went to live with when he was nine years old and who is the one who introduced the young Beza to the great Reformer himself and his “third father” — John Calvin.

Theodore Beza was a faithful disciple of John Calvin and it is due to Beza’s love for Calvin that we have the record of the last hours of Calvin’s life. Beza never left the side of Calvin’s bed the last week of his life during which Calvin was not able to get out of bed. However, on the day that Calvin died Beza had gone out of the home for a moment due to the fact that Calvin appeared to be feeling better. When it looked as if Calvin was taking a turn for the worst, his servants were sent out to look for Beza. Upon finding him and summoning him to come back Beza reported, “I returned as quickly as I could, but only to establish that he had died.” Beza reported that there was a great peace over Calvin. “And, thus, the splendid light for God’s church was taken from us to heaven, as the sun was setting.”

A month before Calvin’s death Beza was elected to succeed Calvin as the moderator of the Company of Pastors of Geneva. Calvin was confident in his successor as they had spent six years together in Geneva. Calvin instructed all the other pastors of Geneva to support Beza because “He has a willing spirit and will do all he can,” to further reform in the country. Calvin also sent him to France and Germany as a representative and diplomat of the Reformation in Geneva on his behalf, as he trusted Beza as a leader in this important work they were doing together.

Thanks to Beza we have the first biography of John Calvin written from one who personally knew him. Additionally, it was Beza who not only told the story of Calvin’s life, but he began the preparations for publishing Calvin’s correspondence in order to lay a foundation that others could build upon.

Beza, like Calvin left no physical descendants, but like his mentor, Beza has many spiritual descendants through his role as head of the Genevan Academy, through which he continued the work of Reform in Geneva for forty years after Calvin died. Theodore Beza is remembered and memorialized on the International Memorial to the Reformation or also known as the “Reformation Wall” in Geneva as one of the great Reformers and promoters of Calvinism along with John Knox, John Calvin, and William Farel.

So as we prepare to celebrate the 500 Birthday of John Calvin in a couple of weeks let us not forget one of the men who stood with Calvin and was one of his most faithful disciples for promoting the Reformation.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 24, 2009 | Permalink

Savaged by self-serving critics and falsely accused, this queen demonstrated singular nobility and remained faithful in her devotion to the Christian faith all the way to the end.

Against great odds and in the face of much personal peril, they both courageously defended their Reformation faith.

This ship captain helped to ensure that Virginia would honor the law order during the interregnum.

This courageous woman became one of the first English brides in America and raised a daughter named Virginia.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 23, 2009 | Permalink

“There is no creature so perfect in wisdom and knowledge but may learn something for time present and to come by times past.”

John Robinson, pastor to the Pilgrims

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 22, 2009 | Permalink

This Swiss couple helped to craft a national reformation based on fidelity to the Holy Scriptures.

As a very young girl, some of her first memories included being taken to the city square where her royal parents burned Christians at the stake for Protestantism, but she would later embrace the very faith for which those “heretics” died.

This great Spanish reformer survived the Inquisition and travelled to Geneva where he was befriended by John Calvin. He wrote tracts and translated both the Bible and Calvin’s Institute’s into Spanish.

He was a defender of the reformers, an adventurer, and an opponent to prelacy.

This Reformer bested a King, crafted a New Model Army, and governed the nation of England.

This princess was among the very first fruits of the Gospel in America and the mother of generations of influential Americans.

This twenty-year-old helped to bridge the gap between the centuries-old community of Waldenses and the European reformers of the 16th century.

This young Scottish maid was slated for death by drowning for her refusal to renounce the Gospel.

This young scholar would perform a work of translation so powerful that it changed the world, and paved the way for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.

This royal distinguished himself as a young man for his defense of the reformed Faith.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 22, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 22, 2009 | Permalink

“Let us give honour to persons who excel in the fear of God, but on condition that God remains above all, and that Christ triumphs.”

D’Aubigne, quoting Calvin in 1864 at a three-hundred anniversary speech of Calvin’s death. This quote appear in the “Salle de la Reformacion”, a hall whose construction was begun in 1864, at the initiative of D’Aubigne.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 22, 2009 | Permalink

On the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of his world-changing book, The Origin of the Species, the newest release in the Jonathan Park series is one of the most timely and useful products your family can have. Not only does it offer more than five hours of creation family adventure, but it uncovers the true history of Charles Darwin and his colleagues’ theories and their widespread impact upon society. Learn how these men helped perpetuate the myth of a universe created without a Creator.

Pre-order Jonathan Park Album VI —The Journey Never Taken and save 25% — only $18.75. Learn more now!

What listeners are saying about the Jonathan Park Creation Adventures:

Thank you for such a wonderful tool to use with our children.... We homeschool, and we all love the shows. We are learning so much. They play Jonathan Park together and have even set up a creation response team scenario with their toys. Not only have we learned more about creation and evolution, our children have also learned from the valuable biblical lessons that are portrayed throughout the episodes. —Sarah

Your Jonathan Park stories are wonderful. I really enjoy them and they are so educational. Finally Christians who believe in the Bible have some scientific evidence. —Gaston

Thank you so much for producing audio adventure dramas like Jonathan Park. I really enjoy your CD series. Your Jonathan Park adventure about the Grand Canyon inspired me to do my science fair project about it. I learned a lot, and it was very fun. thank you for helping me to have a Christian world view. I’m looking forward to your next Jonathan Park adventure —Riley M

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 18, 2009 | Permalink

Have you discovered the hidden features on the recently released “Boxing Match of the Millennium” flash video? Watch evolutionist Charles Darwin and Christian Reformer John Calvin duke it out in the ring. More importantly, come to the Reformation 500 in Boston this summer to learn about the real fight of faith between these two competing worldviews. No two men have been more influential on the development of the the western world.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 17, 2009 | Permalink

You may have seen round one of the boxing match between Calvin and Darwin, but have you seen the T.K.O.? At the Reformation 500, families will enjoy learning how they can also defeat the ideas of Darwinism as they experience an event that will transport them back in time. Watch this glimpse of the special celebration event, and then don’t forget to sign up.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 17, 2009 | Permalink

Dear Mr. Phillips,

It’s hard for me to believe that it’s already the 2nd anniversary of the Jamestown Quadricentennial... that it’s already been two years since my favorite family vacation ever. I just want to thank you again for all the work you and your family put into that wonderful week, and towards spreading a truthful understanding of God’s incredible work in our history.

Between the grand adventure of the Jamestown 400 and the week spent clue-hunting, learning, and “huzzah!”ing in Virginia, I have memories to last a lifetime. As I wrote in my journal on the way home in the car, “I so, so don’t want to forget the enthusiasm, the vision, anything. PEABODY LIVES!!! Praise the Lord!”

...on the treasure hunt...

“It became a whole lifestyle for us... living, breathing, and eating codes, clues, American history, and mystery. We found the secret websites, were introduced to our friend Jack Bradford, met at the library many times to research together, often upsetting the librarian with our muffled chatter and squeals of delight at finding an answer to an Objective. We spent hours pouring over every inch of the catalogue, we checked dozens and dozens of books out of the library, and struggled again and again to decipher yet more hieroglyphs. I was motivated to do a ton of internet research on the most obscure facts of American history, like Braddock’s march, Boudinot, Redoubt #10, Belzoni, the Dare stones, the Spy and Culper Ring, and so much more. I always loved world history, and thought American history boring... how that’s changed! I have never more enjoyed a history course! How great is our Lord, who with His mighty hand brought about such great things in this nation! And how foolish we are, to now abandon that God who has been so good to us! Oh Lord, please, please, let it please You to revive our hearts, and make us a nation that once again fears You!’

I pray God will use you and your ministry to pass that vision on to many more Americans, that we may glorify the Lord and “praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation.”

In Christ, with gratitude, Laura

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 16, 2009 | Permalink

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. Nehemiah 4:14

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8

Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. Psalm 97:8

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 16, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 16, 2009 | Permalink

Last year, Vision Forum Ministries traveled to Scotland for one of the best Faith and Freedom tours I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.

After spending two weeks in Scotland, I took my family to England to visit some of the historic sites that the country has to offer. One of the highlights for me was the time I spent walking with my children on the ancient fields of Runnymede, located just outside of Windsor near the River Thames. It was on this battlefield 794 years ago today in 1215, that King John was forced by the nobles and barons to affix his Royal Seal on the “Great Charter” of liberty. In 2015 we will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of this great document of freedom. The Magna Carta is the seedbed of our modern concepts of the proper understanding of “Separation of Church and State,” free speech, free association, the right to petition the government for redress of grievances, the right of due process according to the law of the land, the right to a public and impartial trial at the hands of our peers, the right to travel freely in the time of peace, and fundamentally of all the recognition that even the sovereign is subject to the law of the land. The king is under the law! This was the first time in Christendom that this principle was enshrined into law.

While on the fields of Runnymede, I took my family to the Jamestown Magna Carta Tree, a landmark of liberty planted with soil from America’s birthplace. This tree is more than just a little taste of home, it is a link to Biblical principles of liberty articulated, on this field and carried to the shores of America four hundred and two years ago. Vision Forum celebrated this event in Jamestown in 2007 with the Jamestown Quadricentennial, a grand celebration which ended on the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, June 15, 1215. (Two years ago, participants in the Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt, will remember being directed by super code-maker/breaker Jack Bradford to the Magna Carta Tree in Jamestown, VA.)

So foundational and instrumental is the Magna Carta to our own legal system, that not only is there a tree planted with the soil from Jamestown, Va, to commemorate this fact, but England has ceded a small section of land on the field of Runnymede to the American Bar Association in honor of the fact that our very Charter—the U.S. Constitution, codifies into our law system many of the ancient principles that were secured on this field. The Constitution of the United States of America refers specifically to the Magna Carta’s principles in several sections of the document: Article one section nine, and in Amendments one, five, six, and eight. The founding fathers did not just draft our constitution out of thin air. It was birthed over several centuries of legal theory rooted in Biblical law and springing from the fields of Runnymede.

One of the most important legal theorists to uphold the principles of the Magna Carta and who the founders drew heavily from, was none other than Sir Edward Coke. Coke (pronounced Cook) was the Attorney General for Elizabeth, Chief Justice during the reign of James I, and was one of the fiercest opponents to Charles I. Coke would use the Magna Carta against the tyrannical Stuart kings and even proclaimed to Parliament in 1628, “Magna Carta—will have no sovereign.”

It was from Coke, (and later William Blackstone) who was writing at the time of the colonial charters, that the founding fathers learned their common law history. Each charter guaranteed that those coming to the New World and their heirs would have “all the rights and immunities of free and natural subjects.” So foundational was the Magna Carta and the study of our common law history to our founders, that Edmund Burke would say of America, “In no country, perhaps in the world, is law so general a study.” It was by reading Coke, whose four-volume Institutes of the Laws of England was widely read by American law students, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison that they learned of the spirit of the charter and the common law. Thomas Jefferson would write to James Madison of Coke’s influence : “a sounder Whig never wrote, nor of profounder learning in the orthodox doctrines of the British constitution, or in what were called English liberties.”

Magna Carta enshrined the concept that the King was under the law. In 1779 John Adams expressed it this way : “A government of laws, and not of men.”

Happy 794th Birthday Magna Carta!

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 15, 2009 | Permalink

In the span of one week, our president denied the distinctively Christian origins of the American Republic, and then dedicated a month to the glorification of sodomy and other forms of perversion. We need to be praying for this man and our nation. We also need to get the facts on our history.

Ladies and gentlemen — if you would like an encouraging dose of historical perspective that offers a hopeful response to our president’s agenda of moral confusion, please take a moment and read Dan Ford’s article on the Reformation origins of American liberty. Dan is a published author, lecturer, and one of our featured speakers at the Reformation 500 Celebration. His thesis is this: At the time of America’s Declaration of Independence, the literal path of liberty had been paved for over two hundred years — from John Calvin’s indelible writings on civil government to the sermons, essays, and books of our Puritan forefathers, modern liberty was birthed in the doctrines of the Reformation. If you grew up in a Church that taught falsehoods about the Reformers (i.e. John Calvin murdered Servetus), or held their doctrines in low esteem, you owe it to yourself and your children to get the facts. Dan’s article is one of those resources and you can read it by clicking here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 15, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 12, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 12, 2009 | Permalink

I recently had the privilege of reviewing Scott Brown’s new book Family Reformation: The Legacy of Sola Scriptura in Calvin’s Geneva, and all I can say is “Wow!” Scott demonstrates that the present battle for the Christian family can draw much from the lessons of the 16th Century. Moreover, those modern professors of the Christian faith who would exchange the doctrine of the Christian family rooted in biblical principles of patriarchy for baptized versions of feminism, humanism, and psychology, do so in opposition to the clear legacy of the Reformation with its emphasis on sola Scriptura.

As Scott points out:

“While the doctrine of salvation was reformed during the sixteenth century, so was marriage, manhood, womanhood, courtship, child raising, fertility, and many other areas of family life. John Calvin never wrote a book on the family, but he touched off a family reformation resulting in a massive restructuring of the most fundamental institution of society. Like no other reformer, Calvin provided the exegetical precision that defined the terms for a biblical vision of family life. Calvin teaches us that “sola Scriptura” is the gold standard for family life. This principle, which ignited a family reformation in Geneva, can ignite a reformation in your family today. This book communicates the main themes of Calvin’s teaching on family life in his own words, using quotes from his books, sermons, lett ers, and other writings.”

Joel Beeke, president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary had this to say:

“Scott Brown has done us yeoman service in culling the vast corpus of John Calvin in order to amass hundreds of valuable quotations on what this colossal Reformer had to say on marriage and family. What a fascinating treasure-trove Family Reformation is, addressing scores of subjects that are as pertinent today as in Calvin’s own day! As always, Calvin is scriptural, practical, thorough, succinct, powerful, and honest. This may well be one of the best and most helpful marriage and family books on the market today. Use it as your daily devotional, and give a copy to your friends. Every conscientious family will be enriched by Calvin’s wise advice.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 12, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 12, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 11, 2009 | Permalink

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

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 11, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 10, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 9, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 9, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 9, 2009 | Permalink

Today is one of our favorite days — baptism day — as we celebrate new life in Christ! So, after the meeting of the church, we all take the beautiful Sunday walk down to the river.

Baptism is a public testimony before the body of Christ assembled, and today more than 200 of us gather as witnesses.

Praise to the Lord, the King of Creation!

“Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:26, 27

“Once I was blind, but now I see.”

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:37-41

“In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Risen to new life in Christ.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Thanks be to God, the Giver of life.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me...”

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear...”

”...and grace will lead me home.”

May the Lord bless and protect this new man in Christ, this day and always.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 7, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 7, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 5, 2009 | Permalink

The Reformation 500 will be held at the beautiful and historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel, a location where every president has spoken since Theodore Roosevelt.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 4, 2009 | Permalink

This is is one of the most tragic and misguided articles I have seen to date from either the “Left” or the “Right.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 2, 2009 | Permalink

As the number one purveyor of late-term abortions in America, George Tiller was the most notorious mass-murderer of the last twenty-five years. By his own account, “Tiller the Killer” murdered more than sixty thousand little boys and girls, many of them in the ninth month of their gestation. “Tiller the Killer” would vivisect these precious living children; next, this professing Christian would baptize the mangled remains of the children he murdered; then, he would place their bodies into his Auschwitz-like crematorium; and, finally, he would take the ashen remains of these children and place them in an urn. Tiller’s career was more horrifying than any horror movie ever produced, because there was nothing pretend about his bizarre and diabolical practices. On Sundays, George Tiller worshiped in his Lutheran Church where he served as usher. But on Monday through Friday, he chopped up children — and he did so in the name of Jesus. He even boasted about it.

Yesterday I addressed the unlawful and immoral killing of mass-murderer George Tiller. I explained that the murder of abortionists is immoral and does not constitute “justifiable homicide” as understood in the Scripture or historically in our Christian common law. I further argued that such behavior will not have the blessing of God and only plays into the hands of the enemies of the unborn.

I also noted that while we should never condone immoral activity or rejoice in the death of the wicked — be they Hitler, Pol Pot, or Tiller the Killer, I did observe that Dr. Tiller will never cut little children up again, and for that we can be very thankful. (Compare Proverbs 11:10 with Proverbs 24:17.) In fact, I argued that the individuals most deserving of mourning and sympathy were the sixty thousand child victims of this butcher.

Evil men like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and Ted Kaczynski (the Unabomber) shocked the world with their perverse exploits. But all of them combined killed less than 1/1250 of the human beings that Tiller killed. Or to put it another way, Tiller killed 1250 times more human beings than all three of those men combined. (Note: the 60,000 number is old. It may in fact, be much higher.)

In fact, Tiller murdered more children than all the U.S. servicemen killed in the Vietnam War. He even boasted in his body count, and tried to give theological sanction for his perverse behavior. (Only for the mature and strong of heart!: You can visit this website to see this memorial to a child.) Tiller boasted in the fact that he took the life of nine-month-old children in the womb.

Responses Pour In:

Since publishing the article we have been inundated with responses. They fall into the following categories:

(1) Gratitude and thanks from a wide range of Christians for the arguments and positions I offered;

(2) Cursings and denunciations of me from individuals who believed Tiller was a hero to women;

(3) Condemnations from professing Christians who do not believe we should judge Tiller for killing 60,000 children, but who do believe that I should be judged for publishing my article.

(4) Invectives from people who obviously chose not to read the article, but sent articles denouncing me for supporting the killing of Tiller, when in fact I argued the exact opposite.

(5) Disagreement from a handful who actually believing that the gunning down of abortionists is justifiable homicide and would justify the immoral conduct of the shooter.

Here are samples of negative comments:

“I mourn for you, you are no better than Tiller with your judgmental, righteous attitude. People like you make me sad to be a [c]hristian.”

“Please do not send out any more GARBAGE emails about this. You are wrong and whoever sent this message is a moron. I pray for the thousands of women lives saved by this man. God would have let them die or if some of those babies would have went full term, they would have been deformed or mentally retarded. You should be ashamed...You call your selves Christians? YOU ARE NOT! D.D “

“Who are you to sit in judgement over whose life is more valuable? Does the word ‘forgiveness’ sound familiar? Your selfserving anger is disappointing. Please remove me from this list. I’m too busy praying for people like you to read garbage like this. S. S.”

“YOU ARE VERY TWISTED and THE DEFINITION OF EVIL YOURSELVES IF YOU THINK THIS IS RIGHTEOUS. A”

“Thank you for reminding me why I no longer a Christian. Your comments are nothing short of an obscenity. What an enormously ignorant and hateful man you are. If there is a god in heaven, I doubt he will be pleased by your behavior. You’ll have to find that out on your own.”

I was just reading your comments about the doctor who was murdered, what kind of people are you. I’m sorry I think the devil will be welcoming you in your afterlife not God. There are many hateful and horrible people who claim to be working for God...You are not working for peace and love, you are working on behalf of evil and hate. My prayer request is that your pray for yourself...”K.L.

“Dear Mr. Phillips, It is not up to you to judge Mr. Tiller or his actions. Only God can do that.”

A few samples of positive comments:

“Thank you!...Thank you for being able to call George Tiller’s actions as they are while maintaining the clear rationale of the sin of his own murderer. I have forwarded your article to my young adult children who have grown up with many of your virtuous and formative products in their everyday child’s life...THANKS BE TO GOD...that as young adults these things supernaturally as well as naturally fall into place in their souls and minds! Keep up God’s work! J. S.”

“Doug, thank you for the clarity with which you have spoken to this issue. May God bless you and your family for your commitment to the truth. B. M.”

“Thank you for this enlightening article and all that Vision Forum is about. Also, for reminding us that Ultimately, God is in control. Trusting Him, Cathy”

“There are very few in the Christian community that are able to offer biblical, cogent answers to the question of vigilante justice. These kinds of responses are much needed. Thanks for your voice and focus on who we should really be mourning. N.R.”

I am a newly graduated physician...I thank God for your ministry...I have learned so much about the history of our country because of it and God’s hand in it...It has brought me peace and hopefully will keep me grounded in the decisions I will make... Denise S., MD, PhD”

”...a beautiful Christ perspective...please be encouraged. W”

Thank you Doug for your comments on George Tillers’ death on Christian Newswire email. I agree wholeheartedly with your reasoning. May God guide and strengthen His followers in all aspects of our lives in the aftermath of this event. I knew one day Tiller would have to face death and now he will face God’s judgement. My heart bleeds for the babies murdered by this man and I pray we Christians will be strong and loving in our pro-life efforts, with God’s help. May God bless you. R. P. Queensland, Australia.

Thank you for a well balanced, Biblical article. May God grant repentance to the Church and our nation. There is much blood on our hands. C. O.

I mourn for the Lutheran Church, which was in a position to do something about Tiller, but rather, did nothing!

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 2, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 1, 2009 | Permalink

Our friends over at Ligonier, the ministry of R.C. Sproul, Sr., have compiled a helpful list of John Calvin celebrations that will be held over the next few months, including a cruise they will hosting in Europe as well as our Reformation 500 Celebration to be held on July 1-4. To view this list of Calvin commemorative events, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 1, 2009 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 1, 2009 | Permalink

In a newly-published article on our website, Bob Renaud demonstrates that Judge Sonia Sotomayor — President Barack Obama’s choice to replace Justice Souter on the US Supreme Court — is disqualified to serve on the most fundamental level: rather than judge without partiality, as our Constitution and the Bible commands, she has done the opposite by showing “empathy” and partiality in judgment. To read Bob’s analysis of this issue, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 1, 2009 | Permalink

Worldnetdaily.com is reporting that Chief Justice Roy Moore plans to make an announcement today that he is going to run for governor of Alabama.

Moore’s campaign for governor won’t be a traditional race for statewide office. It is certain to become a national campaign, as his likely Democratic opponent in 2010 is Rep. Artur Davis, a friend of Obama from Harvard Law School who stands behind all of the president’s most controversial policies. Moore, on the other hand, became a national hero to many conservatives and Christians for standing up for the acknowledgement of God while in public office - a position that cost him his elected office of chief justice. ...The campaign is being billed as a national contest between two strikingly different candidates - one a defender of Obama policies and the other an ardent critic.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Posted by Doug Phillips on June 1, 2009 | Permalink