thestream--2020-05-29--Kayleigh McEnany Shines on the Job

Kayleigh McEnany Shines on the Job

Don ’ t listen to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany ’ s predictable critics .
The level of vitriol the leftist media hurls at her daily — during and apart from the press briefings — conclusively proves she is doing a superb job .
Liberal journalists whip their long knives in her direction and seem shocked she doesn ’ t grovel .
They ’ ve been savaging her since her first press conference on May 1 .
No one with the audacity to work for President Donald Trump deserves a second ’ s worth of honeymoon .
On McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times White House correspondent Annie Karni quoted her as saying she would never lie to the press and then cited numerous examples of her supposedly violating the oath right off the bat .
They were lying in wait for her .
They still are .
On May 26 , Tom Jones from Poynter called McEnany “ arrogant , inexperienced and ineffective.
” “ ( S ) he just looks overmatched , ” he wrote .
“ ( I ) n barely more than a month , McEnany has already had several high-profile controversies.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ controversies.
” Could it be that the White House media cabal enters those briefings with war paint — ready to smear President Trump and discredit McEnany if she interferes with their plan ?
It would be different if the media were to use the briefings to help inform the viewing public .
But few of them ever ask questions that could better inform the citizenry .
Instead , they serve up accusations not even thinly disguised as genuine questions .
Let me give you a sadly typical example .
Politico ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What does the White House view as having — by Election Day , what does the White House view as the number of dead Americans where you can say that you successfully defeated this pandemic ?
Is there a number ?
” As I watched this , I was stunned at the brazen inappropriateness of the question — and few things from this bunch surprise me .
When McEnany refused the bait and said that every single life matters , Lizza persisted , asking , “ When voters go to the polls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president on his response to this pandemic , what is the number of dead Americans that they should tolerate … ?
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The question was so out of line I admire McEnany for retaining her composure .
But she crossed the media ’ s inviolable line in telling Lizza he was asking the wrong question and suggesting that he could have asked a more pertinent one .
How dare she position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that Lizza ’ s question was crass , outrageous and an egregious example of the left politicizing everything about the coronavirus .
The media ’ s attitude is purely adversarial , yet they act appalled that McEnany returns fire , albeit calmly , respectfully and eloquently .
They uniformly dismiss this Harvard Law graduate as green and over her head , but she is remarkably polished , and it is driving them mad .
You see , you are not allowed to talk back to the sacrosanct Washington press corps , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interloping president who stole the election and is still trespassing on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue .
As Trump ’ s press secretary , McEnany is an accessory to his adverse possession of the White House who forfeited any expectation of civil treatment when she accepted the job .
Some television anchors and commentators are particularly offended by McEnany ’ s aforementioned practice of parrying the hostile questions they volley at her with suggestions of other questions .
This just can not happen because the press is holy and McEnany is their inferior who must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her boss .
It is odd enough these self-important journos believe they are above challenge , but it is even more so considering they draw first blood .
Do they actually believe McEnany is supposed to stand there passively in the face of their mistreatment , and not fire back and reasonably defend herself and President Trump ?
We Have Her Back I can guarantee you one thing : The tens of millions of Trump supporters don ’ t agree , and they have her back .
We don ’ t share the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can behave rudely and then whine like innocent victims when they get a small dose of their own medicine .
The media can continue this sick charade that they are objective journalists , but half the nation knows better , and the other half probably does , too .
But many approve of the media ’ s odious behavior because they applaud a media at war with a president they loathe .
Anyone familiar with media “ fact-checkers ” knows that today ’ s left describes contrary opinions as lies .
Even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media would never accept her unless she betrayed Trump .
They would accuse her of lying anytime she presented a position that differs from theirs .
The liberal media will continue to posture and complain about McEnany , and the rest of us can rest assured that in so doing , they further validate her in our eyes .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and @ @ @ @ @

Don’t listen to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany’s predictable critics. The level of vitriol the leftist media hurls at her daily — during and apart from the press briefings — conclusively proves she is doing a superb job.
Liberal journalists whip their long knives in her direction and seem shocked she doesn’t grovel. They’ve been savaging her since her first press conference on May 1. No one with the audacity to work for President Donald Trump deserves a second’s worth of honeymoon.
Lying in Wait
On McEnany’s first day, New York Times White House correspondent Annie Karni quoted her as saying she would never lie to the press and then cited numerous examples of her supposedly violating the oath right off the bat. They were lying in wait for her.
They still are. On May 26, Tom Jones from Poynter called McEnany “arrogant, inexperienced and ineffective.” “(S)he just looks overmatched,” he wrote. “(I)n barely more than a month, McEnany has already had several high-profile controversies.”
I wonder why she’s had “controversies.” Could it be that the White House media cabal enters those briefings with war paint — ready to smear President Trump and discredit McEnany if she interferes with their plan?
It would be different if the media were to use the briefings to help inform the viewing public. But few of them ever ask questions that could better inform the citizenry. Instead, they serve up accusations not even thinly disguised as genuine questions.
Genuine Questions? Hardly
Let me give you a sadly typical example. Politico’s Ryan Lizza asked McEnany: “What does the White House view as having — by Election Day, what does the White House view as the number of dead Americans where you can say that you successfully defeated this pandemic? Is there a number?”
As I watched this, I was stunned at the brazen inappropriateness of the question — and few things from this bunch surprise me. When McEnany refused the bait and said that every single life matters, Lizza persisted, asking, “When voters go to the polls in November and they want to judge the president on his response to this pandemic, what is the number of dead Americans that they should tolerate …?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The question was so out of line I admire McEnany for retaining her composure. But she crossed the media’s inviolable line in telling Lizza he was asking the wrong question and suggesting that he could have asked a more pertinent one. How dare she position herself as his equal?
Fair observers know that Lizza’s question was crass, outrageous and an egregious example of the left politicizing everything about the coronavirus.
The media’s attitude is purely adversarial, yet they act appalled that McEnany returns fire, albeit calmly, respectfully and eloquently. They uniformly dismiss this Harvard Law graduate as green and over her head, but she is remarkably polished, and it is driving them mad.
No Civil Treatment
You see, you are not allowed to talk back to the sacrosanct Washington press corps, especially if you work for that unrefined, interloping president who stole the election and is still trespassing on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As Trump’s press secretary, McEnany is an accessory to his adverse possession of the White House who forfeited any expectation of civil treatment when she accepted the job.
Some television anchors and commentators are particularly offended by McEnany’s aforementioned practice of parrying the hostile questions they volley at her with suggestions of other questions. This just cannot happen because the press is holy and McEnany is their inferior who must curtsy while they abuse her and slander her boss.
It is odd enough these self-important journos believe they are above challenge, but it is even more so considering they draw first blood. Do they actually believe McEnany is supposed to stand there passively in the face of their mistreatment, and not fire back and reasonably defend herself and President Trump?
We Have Her Back
I can guarantee you one thing: The tens of millions of Trump supporters don’t agree, and they have her back. We don’t share the media’s warped belief that they can behave rudely and then whine like innocent victims when they get a small dose of their own medicine.
The media can continue this sick charade that they are objective journalists, but half the nation knows better, and the other half probably does, too. But many approve of the media’s odious behavior because they applaud a media at war with a president they loathe. Anyone familiar with media “fact-checkers” knows that today’s left describes contrary opinions as lies.
Even if McEnany were completely deferential, the Trump-hunting media would never accept her unless she betrayed Trump. They would accuse her of lying anytime she presented a position that differs from theirs.
The liberal media will continue to posture and complain about McEnany, and the rest of us can rest assured that in so doing, they further validate her in our eyes.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-05-29--Liberals, Conservatives and Race

Liberals, Conservatives and Race

In my experience , Conservative White Christians have not been the conservatives most tone-deaf in the matter of race .
Some , yes .
But most , judging by my newsfeed these few days , are acutely more sensitive to the topic than liberals and secular conservatives alike .
From many liberals , I see the behavior for which the phrase “ virtue signaling ” was rightly coined .
For all their professed racial enlightenment , white liberals at moments like this often objectify African-Americans .
They use them as some mystic totem by which they prove their own moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politically war .
And secular conservatives … yeesh .
I direct the Family Institute of Connecticut .
My colleague Christina Bennett put up exactly one post on our Facebook page expressing empathy for the late Ahmaud Arbery .
On my personal Facebook , I posted on it only twice , one time to plug Christina ’ s appearance on EWTN ’ s pro-life program .
The harassment FIC is receiving for these few posts , nearly three weeks later , continues .
Emails , voice mails , trolling on social media .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how FIC is socialist , racist , etc .
I don ’ t think it ’ s a coincidence that these weirdly obsessed people are folks we never heard of before .
FIC ’ s members , those who are most likely to defend against , say , assisted suicide or attacks on pregnancy centers , don ’ t act like that .
The trolls have another set of priorities .
They are , at worst , racist .
At best , too blinded by partisanship to make sense of new data that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So yeah , conservative Christians , not as bad on race as liberals and secular conservatives in my experience .
And yet for all that , the death of George Floyd drove me back to David Mills ’ Stream article on the death of Ahmaud Arbery , “ Conservative White Christians Must Listen.
” His quote from me is especially relevant in the case of George Floyd .
Because of the trolling Christina and I got , I want to add two things to David ’ s quote of me below .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my fellow conservatives , Christian and secular alike , that I have yet to see anyone else make .
The first is this : We should understand how people have changed .
I say in David ’ s article : “ African-Americans have said all along that equality under the law is a myth .
Eventually we had DNA tests confirming that there really are innocent people on death row , cell phone videos confirming that police really did ( and do ) horrible things , etc , and that this stuff happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pretty hard to deny at this point.
” That should be familiar to pro-lifers because it ’ s the same dynamic at play in ultrasounds .
Duh !
The fight for the humanity of the unborn child has shifted in our direction thanks to advances in ultrasound technology .
Polls moved in a pro-life direction once people could see their unborn child in the womb and see that , yes , she really is a person .
Call it “ woke ” if you are a lefty , “ red-pilled ” if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call it , the videos of these altercations with police have had an effect on me similar to that of ultrasounds on pro-choicers who then became pro-life .
Not that I ever denied the humanity of black people , of course .
But ten years ago , I would have denied their complaints about the prevalence of police brutality and being treated as unequal before the law .
Before , I couldn ’ t see it .
Now I can ’ t unsee it .
Second , all conservatives , secular or Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim to be “ unequal before the law.
” The first of my two Facebook posts on Ahmaud was titled “ Speaking of gross miscarriages of justice , ” a reference to how those two guys were not charged for months .
But I worded it that way because , just the day before , the Department of Justice dropped its case against Michael Flynn — after the FBI released memos showing they tried to frame him .
Patriotic Americans , especially conservative ones , have historically trusted in the goodness of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favors some groups over others usually struck us as false .
“ Why , ” we wondered , “ are we still hearing this after so much progress has been made ?
Surely our system treats everyone as equal under the law now.
” What conservative in his right mind would say that today ?
That our system treats everyone fairly and can be trusted ?
We just spent the last four years with our jaws on the floor , as the Deep State tried to overthrow a democratically-elected president .
Revelation after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all while the media looks the other way or actively assists in the the lies and the coverup .
Christian conservatives , especially , ought to appreciate how legally disfavored we now are in a post-Obergerfell regime .
That is why many of us have hunkered down with Rod Dreher ’ s “ Benedict Option ” and tried to form alternative communities .
Or joined with writers like Notre Dame ’ s Patrick Deneen who question the legitimacy of the American founding itself .
Now that it ’ s us mistreated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it so hard to see that African-Americans may have had a point all along ?
That maybe the system does favor elites over whatever groups they disfavor ?
It is sometimes said that Christians can learn from the centuries-long survival strategies of our Jewish brethren .
In the same way , conservative white Christians can learn a lot about our new position in society from African-Americans .
But only if , as David said , we listen to them .

In my experience, Conservative White Christians have not been the conservatives most tone-deaf in the matter of race. Some, yes. But most, judging by my newsfeed these few days, are acutely more sensitive to the topic than liberals and secular conservatives alike.
Liberals and Conservatives
From many liberals, I see the behavior for which the phrase “virtue signaling” was rightly coined. For all their professed racial enlightenment, white liberals at moments like this often objectify African-Americans. They use them as some mystic totem by which they prove their own moral superiority over other whites against whom they politically war.
And secular conservatives … yeesh. I direct the Family Institute of Connecticut. My colleague Christina Bennett put up exactly one post on our Facebook page expressing empathy for the late Ahmaud Arbery. On my personal Facebook, I posted on it only twice, one time to plug Christina’s appearance on EWTN’s pro-life program.
The harassment FIC is receiving for these few posts, nearly three weeks later, continues. Emails, voice mails, trolling on social media. One guy’s got a thing on how FIC is socialist, racist, etc. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that these weirdly obsessed people are folks we never heard of before.
FIC’s members, those who are most likely to defend against, say, assisted suicide or attacks on pregnancy centers, don’t act like that. The trolls have another set of priorities. They are, at worst, racist. At best, too blinded by partisanship to make sense of new data that doesn’t fit their limited categories.
Two Lessons
So yeah, conservative Christians, not as bad on race as liberals and secular conservatives in my experience. And yet for all that, the death of George Floyd drove me back to David Mills’ Stream article on the death of Ahmaud Arbery, “Conservative White Christians Must Listen.” His quote from me is especially relevant in the case of George Floyd.
Because of the trolling Christina and I got, I want to add two things to David’s quote of me below. I want to make two connections for my fellow conservatives, Christian and secular alike, that I have yet to see anyone else make.
People Have Changed
The first is this: We should understand how people have changed. I say in David’s article: “African-Americans have said all along that equality under the law is a myth. Eventually we had DNA tests confirming that there really are innocent people on death row, cell phone videos confirming that police really did (and do) horrible things, etc, and that this stuff happens more than whites believed. It’s pretty hard to deny at this point.”
That should be familiar to pro-lifers because it’s the same dynamic at play in ultrasounds. Duh!
The fight for the humanity of the unborn child has shifted in our direction thanks to advances in ultrasound technology. Polls moved in a pro-life direction once people could see their unborn child in the womb and see that, yes, she really is a person.
Call it “woke” if you are a lefty, “red-pilled” if you are a righty. Whatever you call it, the videos of these altercations with police have had an effect on me similar to that of ultrasounds on pro-choicers who then became pro-life. Not that I ever denied the humanity of black people, of course. But ten years ago, I would have denied their complaints about the prevalence of police brutality and being treated as unequal before the law. Before, I couldn’t see it. Now I can’t unsee it.
People Aren’t Equal
Second, all conservatives, secular or Christian, ought now to appreciate African-Americans’ claim to be “unequal before the law.” The first of my two Facebook posts on Ahmaud was titled “Speaking of gross miscarriages of justice,” a reference to how those two guys were not charged for months. But I worded it that way because, just the day before, the Department of Justice dropped its case against Michael Flynn — after the FBI released memos showing they tried to frame him.
Patriotic Americans, especially conservative ones, have historically trusted in the goodness of our legal system. Complaints that the system favors some groups over others usually struck us as false. “Why,” we wondered, “are we still hearing this after so much progress has been made? Surely our system treats everyone as equal under the law now.”
What conservative in his right mind would say that today? That our system treats everyone fairly and can be trusted?
We just spent the last four years with our jaws on the floor, as the Deep State tried to overthrow a democratically-elected president. Revelation after revelation of malfeasance by our elites, all while the media looks the other way or actively assists in the the lies and the coverup.
Disfavored Christians
Christian conservatives, especially, ought to appreciate how legally disfavored we now are in a post-Obergerfell regime. That is why many of us have hunkered down with Rod Dreher’s “Benedict Option” and tried to form alternative communities. Or joined with writers like Notre Dame’s Patrick Deneen who question the legitimacy of the American founding itself.
Now that it’s us mistreated by the system, not someone else, is it so hard to see that African-Americans may have had a point all along? That maybe the system does favor elites over whatever groups they disfavor?
It is sometimes said that Christians can learn from the centuries-long survival strategies of our Jewish brethren. In the same way, conservative white Christians can learn a lot about our new position in society from African-Americans. But only if, as David said, we listen to them.
Peter Wolfgang is president of Family Institute of Connecticut Action. He lives in Waterbury, Connecticut, with his wife and their seven children. The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own.


thestream--2020-05-29--Why Is It Big News When a Christian Rocker Loses His Faith?

It would be one thing if a famous pastor renounced his faith or if a greatly loved worship leader said she no longer believed .
I could understand why this would be big news , and I could understand why the secular media would pick up on it .
But why is it big news when the son of a pastor and the frontman for a not-super-famous Christian rock and pop group renounces his faith ?
Could it be that the world would rather celebrate unbelief than faith ?
As I tweeted on May 27 , “ I was saddened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a Christian rock band saying he no longer believes in God .
But if the media reported stories of unbelieving rockers being radically converted to the Lord , there would be an endless line of God-glorifying stories in the news.
” To be sure , it really is sad to hear about a brother or sister losing faith .
And to the extent that person had a public platform , it is even sadder because of the potential negative impact on others .
Why Is This the Headline Story on Some Major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my first question upon hearing this report was , “ Who is Jon Steingard and why is this the headline story on some major news outlets ?
” This doesn ’ t mean that Jon ’ s story is not important .
To the contrary , it is hard not to feel for him as you read his Instagram announcement .
Can you imagine how difficult it is to get up in front of a crowd and sing and perform when you are doubting the very words you are singing ?
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have felt ?
And it is good to see that the members of his band , Hawk Nelson , men who worked with Jon for two decades , are expressing kindness and compassion rather than rejection .
As they said , “ One of our best friends , one with whom we have walked , worked and lived alongside for 20-plus years revealed some of his innermost feelings on his faith journey this past week.
” They expressed nothing but unconditional love .
As for Jon , if his foundations were weak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future .
Or if he truly was a strong believer who lost his faith , I pray that God will bring him back , but this time , with an even deeper encounter with the Spirit and the Word .
Either way , I do not sit here as his judge and critic .
Instead , I pray for his full restoration .
Why Isn ’ t Coming to the Faith Big News ?
But that is not the focus of this article .
Instead , my goal is to point out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major headline while barely reporting on the countless rock singers and musicians ( and other non-Christian artists ) who have radical , life-changing , born-again experiences .
Why isn ’ t that big news ?
Of course , if you ’ re on the level of a Kanye West and you experience a very-public conversion , you will be in the news .
But again , with all respect to Jon and Hawk Nelson , who seem to be very talented and who have a YouTube video with almost 20 million views , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Yet on a regular basis , people from every walk of life are encountering God , including atheists and agnostics , rockers and rappers , yet we hardly hear of their stories .
Why ?
Someone might say , “ But we do hear about their stories .
If you read Christian magazines and frequent Christian websites , you ’ ll read such testimonies all the time .
You can even watch them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Of course , I am quite aware of this .
You can even watch specialized channels that focus on particular types of testimonies , like One for Israel , with a focus on Jewish believers in Jesus .
My point is that the same secular media that seems to feast on stories of people losing their faith largely ignores stories of people coming to faith .
Have You Heard About the Record Numbers Online Church Service Views ?
In the same way , the secular media , in particular the left-leaning media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about declining numbers in church attendance and national religious faith .
But it ’ s rare that you will hear reports about things like the increased numbers of people tuning in to Christian meetings on the internet during the shutdown .
Why is that ?
On March 20 , the Christian Post reported that , “ Church online services reach record-breaking numbers as coronavirus shuts down large gatherings.
” Did you see similar headlines on the major , secular news sites ?
I seriously doubt it .
That ’ s because bad news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news for the secular media .
Share Good News About What God is Doing Let ’ s make it our responsibility , then , to share the good news about what God is doing in America and the nations , building faith , hope , and confidence rather than tearing it down .
And let ’ s pray for Jon and those like him .
We know that he is not alone .
We also know that many a prodigal has found his or her way back home .
Dr. Michael Brown ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

It would be one thing if a famous pastor renounced his faith or if a greatly loved worship leader said she no longer believed. I could understand why this would be big news, and I could understand why the secular media would pick up on it. But why is it big news when the son of a pastor and the frontman for a not-super-famous Christian rock and pop group renounces his faith? Could it be that the world would rather celebrate unbelief than faith?
As I tweeted on May 27, “I was saddened to hear the news about the frontman of a Christian rock band saying he no longer believes in God. But if the media reported stories of unbelieving rockers being radically converted to the Lord, there would be an endless line of God-glorifying stories in the news.”
The same secular media that seems to feast on stories of people losing their faith largely ignores stories of people coming to faith.
To be sure, it really is sad to hear about a brother or sister losing faith.
And to the extent that person had a public platform, it is even sadder because of the potential negative impact on others.
Why Is This the Headline Story on Some Major News Outlets?
At the same time, my first question upon hearing this report was, “Who is Jon Steingard and why is this the headline story on some major news outlets?”
This doesn’t mean that Jon’s story is not important. To the contrary, it is hard not to feel for him as you read his Instagram announcement. Can you imagine how difficult it is to get up in front of a crowd and sing and perform when you are doubting the very words you are singing? Can you relate to the conflict he must have felt?
And it is good to see that the members of his band, Hawk Nelson, men who worked with Jon for two decades, are expressing kindness and compassion rather than rejection. As they said, “One of our best friends, one with whom we have walked, worked and lived alongside for 20-plus years revealed some of his innermost feelings on his faith journey this past week.” They expressed nothing but unconditional love.
As for Jon, if his foundations were weak, I hope he builds strong ones in the future. Or if he truly was a strong believer who lost his faith, I pray that God will bring him back, but this time, with an even deeper encounter with the Spirit and the Word.
Either way, I do not sit here as his judge and critic. Instead, I pray for his full restoration.
Why Isn’t Coming to the Faith Big News?
But that is not the focus of this article. Instead, my goal is to point out how the media makes this into a major headline while barely reporting on the countless rock singers and musicians (and other non-Christian artists) who have radical, life-changing, born-again experiences. Why isn’t that big news?
Of course, if you’re on the level of a Kanye West and you experience a very-public conversion, you will be in the news. But again, with all respect to Jon and Hawk Nelson, who seem to be very talented and who have a YouTube video with almost 20 million views, Jon is not Kanye.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Yet on a regular basis, people from every walk of life are encountering God, including atheists and agnostics, rockers and rappers, yet we hardly hear of their stories. Why?
Someone might say, “But we do hear about their stories. If you read Christian magazines and frequent Christian websites, you’ll read such testimonies all the time. You can even watch them on YouTube channels like I Am Second.”
Of course, I am quite aware of this. You can even watch specialized channels that focus on particular types of testimonies, like One for Israel, with a focus on Jewish believers in Jesus.
My point is that the same secular media that seems to feast on stories of people losing their faith largely ignores stories of people coming to faith.
Have You Heard About the Record Numbers Online Church Service Views?
In the same way, the secular media, in particular the left-leaning media, is all too happy to report about declining numbers in church attendance and national religious faith. But it’s rare that you will hear reports about things like the increased numbers of people tuning in to Christian meetings on the internet during the shutdown. Why is that?
On March 20, the Christian Post reported that, “Church online services reach record-breaking numbers as coronavirus shuts down large gatherings.”
Bad news about God and faith is often good news for the secular media.
Did you see similar headlines on the major, secular news sites? I seriously doubt it.
That’s because bad news about God and faith is often good news for the secular media.
Share Good News About What God is Doing
Let’s make it our responsibility, then, to share the good news about what God is doing in America and the nations, building faith, hope, and confidence rather than tearing it down.
And let’s pray for Jon and those like him. We know that he is not alone. We also know that many a prodigal has found his or her way back home.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-05-29--Trump, HBCUs and Progress

Trump, HBCUs and Progress

As both of us can attest , historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCU ) provide a vital path for young African-Americans to reach the true heights of their potential .
Mr. Cain grew up poor in segregated Atlanta , Georgia , the son of a chauffeur and a domestic worker .
In 1963 , he had the opportunity to attend Atlanta ’ s Morehouse College , an HBCU that imparted not only an education , but a religious and cultural foundation that would later lead to a Master ’ s degree and a successful business career serving as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the National Restaurant Association .
Mr. Blackwell has seen the importance of HBCUs from a slightly different perspective .
After serving as Mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio ’ s Treasurer of State , he had the opportunity to join the board of trustees of Ohio ’ s Wilberforce University , which in the 1860s became America ’ s very first black-owned institution of higher learning .
That role gave him firsthand insights into the impact that HBCUs such as Wilberforce continue to make in the lives of young black Americans .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been a president in the White House who has been more supportive of HBCUs and their mission than President Trump .
Through both legislation he has championed and executive action he has taken independently , the President has shown time and again that his administration is committed to promoting the survival and relevance of distinctively African-American institutions of higher education in this country .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Just after taking office , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive orders established both a White House Initiative and a President ’ s Board of Advisors on HBCUs , placing them at the very center of this administration ’ s education policy .
He subsequently relaunched the HBCU Capital Finance Board , which has distributed over $ 500 million in student loans .
Cabinet-level federal agencies have also gotten in the game .
Attorney General Bill Barr ’ s Justice Department , for example , issued an opinion that will allow faith-based HBCUs , such as Morehouse and Wilberforce , to enjoy the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement projects as secular institutions .
President Trump is also providing more funding for HBCUs than any other president in history .
The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act ( FUTURE Act ) that he signed into law last year included $ 255 million in permanent , mandatory funding for HBCUs , and the 2019 Farm Bill included an additional $ 100 million for HBCU scholarships , research , and centers of excellence .
The scale and duration of President Trump ’ s commitment to HBCUs is a story often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it fits neatly within the framework of his governing philosophy .
This administration has the interests of all citizens at heart and is always trying to fund and support solutions that truly empower black Americans .
It is no coincidence that African-American unemployment and poverty rates both reached all-time lows under President Trump before the Coronavirus pandemic struck .
As the country prepares to restart and rebuild from the pandemic , the Trump administration ’ s commitment to HBCUs takes on added importance .
President Trump knows that HBCUs will have a role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is why he included $ 1 billion in relief to HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions as part of federal pandemic relief efforts .
As the entire country strives to return to a new normal over the coming months , HBCUs and the wider African-American community can take comfort in the knowledge that they have an unwavering ally in the White House .
Ken Blackwell has served as mayor of Cincinnati , Ohio , Ohio Treasurer , and U.S. ambassador to U.N. Human Rights Commission .
Herman Cain is CEO of The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @

As both of us can attest, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) provide a vital path for young African-Americans to reach the true heights of their potential.
Our HBCU Experience
Mr. Cain grew up poor in segregated Atlanta, Georgia, the son of a chauffeur and a domestic worker. In 1963, he had the opportunity to attend Atlanta’s Morehouse College, an HBCU that imparted not only an education, but a religious and cultural foundation that would later lead to a Master’s degree and a successful business career serving as the CEO of both a major restaurant chain and the National Restaurant Association.
Mr. Blackwell has seen the importance of HBCUs from a slightly different perspective. After serving as Mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio’s Treasurer of State, he had the opportunity to join the board of trustees of Ohio’s Wilberforce University, which in the 1860s became America’s very first black-owned institution of higher learning. That role gave him firsthand insights into the impact that HBCUs such as Wilberforce continue to make in the lives of young black Americans.
The Trump Administration’s Education Policy
We can both further state that there has never been a president in the White House who has been more supportive of HBCUs and their mission than President Trump. Through both legislation he has championed and executive action he has taken independently, the President has shown time and again that his administration is committed to promoting the survival and relevance of distinctively African-American institutions of higher education in this country.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Just after taking office, one of Donald Trump’s very first executive orders established both a White House Initiative and a President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, placing them at the very center of this administration’s education policy. He subsequently relaunched the HBCU Capital Finance Board, which has distributed over $500 million in student loans.
Cabinet-level federal agencies have also gotten in the game. Attorney General Bill Barr’s Justice Department, for example, issued an opinion that will allow faith-based HBCUs, such as Morehouse and Wilberforce, to enjoy the same access to federal support for capital improvement projects as secular institutions.
More Funding for HBCUs
President Trump is also providing more funding for HBCUs than any other president in history. The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education Act (FUTURE Act) that he signed into law last year included $255 million in permanent, mandatory funding for HBCUs, and the 2019 Farm Bill included an additional $100 million for HBCU scholarships, research, and centers of excellence.
The scale and duration of President Trump’s commitment to HBCUs is a story often ignored in the popular press, but it fits neatly within the framework of his governing philosophy. This administration has the interests of all citizens at heart and is always trying to fund and support solutions that truly empower black Americans. It is no coincidence that African-American unemployment and poverty rates both reached all-time lows under President Trump before the Coronavirus pandemic struck.
An Unwavering Ally
As the country prepares to restart and rebuild from the pandemic, the Trump administration’s commitment to HBCUs takes on added importance. President Trump knows that HBCUs will have a role to play in the coming challenge, which is why he included $1 billion in relief to HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions as part of federal pandemic relief efforts.
As the entire country strives to return to a new normal over the coming months, HBCUs and the wider African-American community can take comfort in the knowledge that they have an unwavering ally in the White House.
Ken Blackwell has served as mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, Ohio Treasurer, and U.S. ambassador to U.N. Human Rights Commission.
Herman Cain is CEO of The New Voice and a former presidential candidate.


thestream--2020-05-29--Grieving for George Floyd’s Momma: A Lament

Not because I identify with George Floyd as a police officer kneeled on his neck .
The only time I interacted with police officers was when I was stopped for speeding .
It ’ s not that .
I don ’ t know if she ’ s alive .
But I hurt for her .
Because her baby , in the middle of dying , called out for her .
A grown man .
I ’ ve heard of it before — adults who are dying calling for their mommas .
But here it is again .
As a mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to comfort our babies , even after they grow up .
She couldn ’ t be there .
He died at the hands of those who showed up .
Those who swore to “ serve and protect.
” But kneeling there on his neck The officer , who was white , Took a life .
He had no right .
Now it ’ s a blight on those who truly want unity It hurts me .
I wish I could say with certainty That things are better than they once were But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure .
Most importantly , as a mother of sons , I cry That a son called out for his momma as he took his last breath — why ?
Prayerfully , I look to heaven for the answer .
“ You will know you are mine by your love for one another , ” He said .
Let ’ s love each other , each sister , each brother .
May his mother find peace That only He can give When you and I are His love with skin , and reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t look the same .
This isn ’ t a game .
Are you in ?
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

I can’t breathe.
Not because I identify with George Floyd as a police officer kneeled on his neck.
I’m not black.
The only time I interacted with police officers was when I was stopped for speeding. It’s not that.
I grieve for his mother.
I don’t know if she’s alive. But I hurt for her.
Because her baby, in the middle of dying, called out for her. A grown man.
I’ve heard of it before — adults who are dying calling for their mommas. But here it is again.
As a mom of four boys, I know the need to comfort our babies, even after they grow up.
She couldn’t be there. He died at the hands of those who showed up.
Those who swore to “serve and protect.”
But kneeling there on his neck
The officer, who was white,
Took a life. He had no right.
Now it’s a blight on those who truly want unity
It hurts me. I wish I could say with certainty
That things are better than they once were
But are they? I’m not sure.
Most importantly, as a mother of sons, I cry
That a son called out for his momma as he took his last breath — why?
He died needlessly,
Silently.
Prayerfully, I look to heaven for the answer.
“You will know you are mine by your love for one another,” He said.
Let’s love each other, each sister, each brother. May his mother find peace
That only He can give
When you and I are His love with skin, and
reach out to her and those who don’t look the same.
This isn’t a game. Are you in?
I am.
I can’t breathe.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


Remembering Jane Roe

Once again , three years after her death , Norma McCorvey is back in the center of the abortion debate .
This time because of the documentary film AKA Jane Roe .
The documentary promotes a narrative that Norma McCorvey faked her conversion to Christianity and the Pro-Life movement in return for bribe money from Operation Rescue .
Whatever her feelings were at the end of her life , this is a false narrative .
I know , because I was her accountant , board member of her ministry Roe No More , and friend during the early years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her baptism , playing guitar in my Hawaiian shirt , and heard from my friends the Mackeys how Norma ’ s conversion began when their 6-year-old daughter Emily befriended her .
Norma was overwhelmed with grief at her role in the murder of millions of children , crying over empty swings , but finally found peace in God ’ s forgiveness .
There was no “ Quid Pro Quo ” in her salvation or her desire to help undo the wrong of Roe v. Wade .
It ’ s all in her book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had led Norma to the Lord , warned Norma that people would try to use her .
He introduced me to her and asked me to help watch over her .
I became her accountant and after she became a Pro-Life advocate , I helped form her ministry Roe No More .
Norma traveled around the country , receiving travel reimbursements and honorariums , as is the normal practice for ministries like hers .
She made many appearances was supported by many donors , and drew her livelihood from the ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was grossly misrepresented in the documentary .
The ministry ’ s IRS Forms 990 EZ , filed for 10 years from 1998 to 2007 , were selectively edited to make it appear that large sums were being paid to her .
Specifically , the total contributions for a period covering several years , shown on Schedule A of Form 990 EZ , were highlighted and presented without context .
Then one frame shows a box saying “ Total 456,911 ” which was never part of any Form 990 EZ .
It is instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gross receipts for 9 years , an average of $ 50,768 per year .
Over half of the gross receipts were used for travel and other expenses , and the actual amount of Norma ’ s compensation was edited out of a frame showing the ministry directors .
The Forms 990 EZ available publicly reveal that Norma received an annual average compensation of only $ 20,458 per year from 2001 to 2007 .
She could have made more money doing almost anything else , but the ministry was a labor of love .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Norma moved her ministry out of Dallas after 2007 to work more closely with other Pro-Life groups .
Gradually I lost track of her .
And , like many others , I was saddened to hear her express such bitterness toward the Pro-Life movement in the documentary .
But there were two bright spots in the documentary which give me comfort about Norma ’ s last days .
At the beginning of the documentary she pointed out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norma led a hard life and was troubled by many things , but she never lost her salvation .
I ’ ll see my friend Norma in Heaven .
Then , at the very end of her life , we see her surrounded by the children she wanted to kill .
She received the blessings of reconciliation and love which come from the triumph of life over death through Jesus Christ .
It was the most eloquent Pro-Life statement she ever made .
How We Should Pray As people of prayer we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mothers like Norma as we pray that the innocent lives of their children will be spared .
We should put action to our prayers by helping mothers meet the needs of their families .
We also need to pray for the nation .
Juxtaposed against the release of the documentary was a report that the birth rate fell to the lowest level ever recorded , 1.7 , which is far short of the replacement rate of 2.1 .
The declining rate , which began the year before Roe v. Wade , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions .
If it continues we will suffer demographic collapse , leading to failure of our economy and welfare systems , and loss of our national power .
Our very survival is at stake .
Do not let this false narrative of Norma McCovey ’ s life discourage you from praying for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and for the soul and survival of our nation .
Ron Allen is a Christian businessman who serves in local , national , and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife , Pat , live in Dallas , Texas and have four grown daughters and four grandchildren .

Once again, three years after her death, Norma McCorvey is back in the center of the abortion debate. This time because of the documentary film AKA Jane Roe.
The documentary promotes a narrative that Norma McCorvey faked her conversion to Christianity and the Pro-Life movement in return for bribe money from Operation Rescue. Whatever her feelings were at the end of her life, this is a false narrative. I know, because I was her accountant, board member of her ministry Roe No More, and friend during the early years of her ministry.
Norma’s Conversion
I was present at her baptism, playing guitar in my Hawaiian shirt, and heard from my friends the Mackeys how Norma’s conversion began when their 6-year-old daughter Emily befriended her. Norma was overwhelmed with grief at her role in the murder of millions of children, crying over empty swings, but finally found peace in God’s forgiveness. There was no “Quid Pro Quo” in her salvation or her desire to help undo the wrong of Roe v. Wade. It’s all in her book Won by Love.
Flip Benham, who had led Norma to the Lord, warned Norma that people would try to use her. He introduced me to her and asked me to help watch over her. I became her accountant and after she became a Pro-Life advocate, I helped form her ministry Roe No More. Norma traveled around the country, receiving travel reimbursements and honorariums, as is the normal practice for ministries like hers. She made many appearances was supported by many donors, and drew her livelihood from the ministry.
Selectively Edited Film
The amount of money made by Norma was grossly misrepresented in the documentary. The ministry’s IRS Forms 990 EZ, filed for 10 years from 1998 to 2007, were selectively edited to make it appear that large sums were being paid to her. Specifically, the total contributions for a period covering several years, shown on Schedule A of Form 990 EZ, were highlighted and presented without context. Then one frame shows a box saying “Total 456,911” which was never part of any Form 990 EZ. It is instead the sum of the ministry’s gross receipts for 9 years, an average of $50,768 per year. Over half of the gross receipts were used for travel and other expenses, and the actual amount of Norma’s compensation was edited out of a frame showing the ministry directors. The Forms 990 EZ available publicly reveal that Norma received an annual average compensation of only $20,458 per year from 2001 to 2007. She could have made more money doing almost anything else, but the ministry was a labor of love.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Norma moved her ministry out of Dallas after 2007 to work more closely with other Pro-Life groups. Gradually I lost track of her. And, like many others, I was saddened to hear her express such bitterness toward the Pro-Life movement in the documentary.
But there were two bright spots in the documentary which give me comfort about Norma’s last days.
Two Bright Spots
At the beginning of the documentary she pointed out a picture of Jesus in her room. Norma led a hard life and was troubled by many things, but she never lost her salvation. I’ll see my friend Norma in Heaven.
Then, at the very end of her life, we see her surrounded by the children she wanted to kill. She received the blessings of reconciliation and love which come from the triumph of life over death through Jesus Christ. It was the most eloquent Pro-Life statement she ever made.
How We Should Pray
As people of prayer we should remember the difficult lives and suffering of mothers like Norma as we pray that the innocent lives of their children will be spared.
We should put action to our prayers by helping mothers meet the needs of their families.
We also need to pray for the nation. Juxtaposed against the release of the documentary was a report that the birth rate fell to the lowest level ever recorded, 1.7, which is far short of the replacement rate of 2.1. The declining rate, which began the year before Roe v. Wade, has been the result of our over 60 million abortions. If it continues we will suffer demographic collapse, leading to failure of our economy and welfare systems, and loss of our national power. Our very survival is at stake.
Do not let this false narrative of Norma McCovey’s life discourage you from praying for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and for the soul and survival of our nation.
Ron Allen is a Christian businessman who serves in local, national, and international ministries spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men, and between believers. Ron and his wife, Pat, live in Dallas, Texas and have four grown daughters and four grandchildren.
Originally published at CorporatePrayerResources.com. Republished with permission.


thestream--2020-05-29--Humility, Democracy, and Finding Jesus … Irritating

Let ’ s start with a good definition of humility , shall we ?
It ’ s not despising yourself .
It doesn ’ t consist of tall men insisting they ’ re short .
Nor gorgeous women claiming they ’ re ugly .
Or even smart folks asserting their own hidden stupidity .
That ’ s radio static and distraction .
And for many of us it serves to discredit the virtue of Humility in advance .
In my own criminally under-rated book ( you see ? )
, The Bad Catholic ’ s Guide to the Seven Deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One that aims at the Golden Mean between two evil distortions .
Humility is honesty about yourself , your sins , your gifts , and their sources .
The good things come from God , the sins from you .
And that ’ s it .
But our personal Screwtapes goad us to prefer distortions , funhouse mirrors that tell us we ’ re vastly better than we are .
( That ’ s the deadly sin of Vainglory . )
Or that we ’ re far worse , and probably hopeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neurosis of Scrupulosity . )
The opposite vice of a deadly sin is just as deadly .
That ’ s a point that Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas insisted on , but most of us have forgotten .
Someone who conquers thunderous Wrath by zipping straight past Patience into cringing Servility ?
He ’ s no better off than when he started .
He ’ s of no use to anyone .
In fact , most of the weirdness , dysfunction , and self-defeating behavior in Christian subcultures are easy to diagnose .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace the opposite vice of every deadly sin at once .
When you look at the natural power God gave you to use in a virtue , and decide that it ’ s just too dangerous .
So you choke it to death , then stumble through life like a zombie .
All that is true .
And I ’ ve written thousands of words rebuking the Scrupulosity that squats on Humility ’ s throne .
But now it ’ s time for me to fess up , as well .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret , undiagnosed vice .
It ’ s not a small one , nor a rare one .
In fact , I think I know exactly how I developed it , because it ’ s a widespread “ default ” stance that most modern Westerners soak in from the culture .
One that ’ s inadvertently encouraged by well-meaning religious rhetoric and imagery over the centuries .
I ’ d like to credit The Stream ’ s Tom Gilson with waking me up to this .
Not in some fervent “ accountability ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via his great new book .
Or upcoming book , I should say , since it launches August 1 .
The title ?
Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .
( You can subscribe for updates on the book ’ s release here — and get an immediate free preview chapter . )
Make sure to read it .
I ’ m glad I did .
Here ’ s what I said in my cover blurb : “ Tom Gilson ’ s book made me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways – and helped me to answer certain nagging difficulties I ’ ve always had that made me read it LESS than I should.
” Now let me explain that .
Gilson ’ s book analyzes the human character of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels .
He shows why Jesus stands out as absolutely unique , among all historical figures .
And he diagnoses our struggles in coming to terms with Christ .
I found this enormously helpful for one simple reason .
Religious teachers told me I should “ make friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was fully human as well as divine .
Reading His words in the Gospels , I didn ’ t want to be His friend .
I found Him bossy , enigmatic , and often confusing .
I couldn ’ t understand why the apostles followed Him , nor blame the Pharisees for walking away when He insulted them .
It took a wise Jesuit , Fr .
John Hardon , to teach me that Christ had the power to read people ’ s hearts .
So He knew which Pharisees were really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lashing out .
That helped .
Of course , I ’ d keep reminding myself , “ But He was also God , so who are you to question ?
” And then I ’ d do the logical thing , and stop reading altogether .
That ’ s why I can quote chapter and verse as well as any evangelical — except that I ’ m citing The Silmarillion ( Old Testament ) and The Lord of the Rings ( New Testament ) .
Even Gandalf and Aragorn struck me as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
When I read St. Augustine ’ s Confessions , I found his tone … annoying .
Must he constantly apologize for every last bad decision ?
Must he address his audience ( God Himself , in this unusual memoir-written-as-prayer ) in a way that struck me ( God help me ! )
as so … cringing and servile ?
Does God really want us squeaking up at him as we wriggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ve found myself addressing God much the way Abraham did when they haggled over the future fate of Sodom .
It verges on … negotiation , albeit from a position of considerable weakness .
How did I end up this way ?
Am I the only Christian who struggles with this ?
I don ’ t think so .
In The Everlasting Man , G.K. Chesterton reminds us that the Jesus of stained glass windows , inspirational biblical prints , and popular culture is much … softer-edged than the Christ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work I read long ago , God or Christ ?
, looks at that distortion in depth .
The author , Jean Milet , examines the awe-full Otherness of God as revealed to the Jews .
Then he moves on to medieval pictures ( both graphic and literary ) of the Cosmic Christ , solemnly judging the world at the end of time .
Even Renaissance humanist paintings portray Jesus as imbued with an otherworldly , unattainable perfection .
Milet theorizes that the rise of Calvinism and Jansenism ( Calvinism in Catholic vestments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They saw Christ as impossibly distant , implacable and inscrutable .
So the Catholic Church ( and later , many Protestants ) sought to soften His image a bit .
They switched their depictions of Jesus ( both written and pictorial ) to emphasize His humanity , gentleness , and tenderness .
The Pantocrator judging the world at the end of time gave way to the Good Shepherd .
Paintings of Christ got feminized , to the point where in some He appears to sport mascara .
And that ’ s the picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the orthodox ones , always purveyed .
The heretics , of course , denounced all talk of His “ kingship.
” I remember one saying : “ As democratic Americans , of course , we can ’ t accept that .
Maybe we should think of Jesus as our president.
” American culture plays a role here too .
Alexis de Tocqueville warned , in Democracy in America , that our national obsession with equality could go to dangerous lengths .
Having said to George III , in bullets , “ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might keep going in that direction , till we said , “ No kings at all !
” The brilliant apologetics writer Denise McAllister wrote recently on Twitter : “ We are slaves of Jesus.
” If your gut reaction to that is to angrily wonder where you can join the Abolitionists … you might just be a modern Westerner too .
What I like about Gilson ’ s book is that he doesn ’ t try to gloss over or explain away the unsettling aspects of Jesus ’ personality .
No long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ the rhetoric of the time.
” Instead he emphasizes the fact of Christ ’ s utter uniqueness .
No , He shouldn ’ t seem like any other religious founder , just better .
Or like any other leader , but braver .
Or like one of our friends , but much more … sinless .
Instead , the phenomenon of God incarnate is absolutely unprecedented .
It ought to shock and disturb us , haunt us and challenge us .
And that ’ s precisely why the person of Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and theologians over the centuries .
He ’ s too big for our minds to ken , which is why He must capture our hearts .
It ’ s for us not to fight Him off .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

Let’s start with a good definition of humility, shall we? It’s not despising yourself. It doesn’t consist of tall men insisting they’re short. Nor gorgeous women claiming they’re ugly. Or even smart folks asserting their own hidden stupidity. That’s radio static and distraction. And for many of us it serves to discredit the virtue of Humility in advance.
In my own criminally under-rated book (you see?), The Bad Catholic’s Guide to the Seven Deadly Sins, I offer a better definition. One that aims at the Golden Mean between two evil distortions. Humility is honesty about yourself, your sins, your gifts, and their sources. The good things come from God, the sins from you. And that’s it.
The Funhouse Mirrors of Sin
But our personal Screwtapes goad us to prefer distortions, funhouse mirrors that tell us we’re vastly better than we are. (That’s the deadly sin of Vainglory.) Or that we’re far worse, and probably hopeless. (That’s the deadly neurosis of Scrupulosity.)
The opposite vice of a deadly sin is just as deadly. That’s a point that Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas insisted on, but most of us have forgotten. Someone who conquers thunderous Wrath by zipping straight past Patience into cringing Servility? He’s no better off than when he started. He’s of no use to anyone.
In fact, most of the weirdness, dysfunction, and self-defeating behavior in Christian subcultures are easy to diagnose. They’re what you get when you embrace the opposite vice of every deadly sin at once. When you look at the natural power God gave you to use in a virtue, and decide that it’s just too dangerous. So you choke it to death, then stumble through life like a zombie.
All that is true. And I’ve written thousands of words rebuking the Scrupulosity that squats on Humility’s throne.
My Secret Vice, Revealed
But now it’s time for me to fess up, as well. I’ve suffered for many decades from a secret, undiagnosed vice. It’s not a small one, nor a rare one. In fact, I think I know exactly how I developed it, because it’s a widespread “default” stance that most modern Westerners soak in from the culture. One that’s inadvertently encouraged by well-meaning religious rhetoric and imagery over the centuries.
I can quote chapter and verse as well as any evangelical — except that I’m citing The Silmarillion (Old Testament) and The Lord of the Rings (New Testament).
I’d like to credit The Stream’s Tom Gilson with waking me up to this. Not in some fervent “accountability” meeting or some such thing, but via his great new book. Or upcoming book, I should say, since it launches August 1. The title? Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality. (You can subscribe for updates on the book’s release here — and get an immediate free preview chapter.)
Make sure to read it. I’m glad I did. Here’s what I said in my cover blurb: “Tom Gilson’s book made me think about the Bible in fresh new ways – and helped me to answer certain nagging difficulties I’ve always had that made me read it LESS than I should.”
Now let me explain that. Gilson’s book analyzes the human character of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels. He shows why Jesus stands out as absolutely unique, among all historical figures. And he diagnoses our struggles in coming to terms with Christ. I found this enormously helpful for one simple reason.
I’d always found Jesus obnoxious.
When Popular Religion Backfires
Religious teachers told me I should “make friends” with Jesus, and remember that He was fully human as well as divine. Reading His words in the Gospels, I didn’t want to be His friend. I found Him bossy, enigmatic, and often confusing. I couldn’t understand why the apostles followed Him, nor blame the Pharisees for walking away when He insulted them. It took a wise Jesuit, Fr. John Hardon, to teach me that Christ had the power to read people’s hearts. So He knew which Pharisees were really hypocrites — He wasn’t just lashing out. That helped.
Of course, I’d keep reminding myself, “But He was also God, so who are you to question?” And then I’d do the logical thing, and stop reading altogether. That’s why I can quote chapter and verse as well as any evangelical — except that I’m citing The Silmarillion (Old Testament) and The Lord of the Rings (New Testament). Even Gandalf and Aragorn struck me as far more approachable than “gentle Jesus.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When I read St. Augustine’s Confessions, I found his tone … annoying. Must he constantly apologize for every last bad decision? Must he address his audience (God Himself, in this unusual memoir-written-as-prayer) in a way that struck me (God help me!) as so … cringing and servile? Does God really want us squeaking up at him as we wriggle in the muck?
Likewise in prayer, I’ve found myself addressing God much the way Abraham did when they haggled over the future fate of Sodom. It verges on … negotiation, albeit from a position of considerable weakness.
From Awe-Full to Awesome!
How did I end up this way? Am I the only Christian who struggles with this? I don’t think so. In The Everlasting Man, G.K. Chesterton reminds us that the Jesus of stained glass windows, inspirational biblical prints, and popular culture is much … softer-edged than the Christ of the Gospels.
A fascinating scholarly work I read long ago, God or Christ?, looks at that distortion in depth. The author, Jean Milet, examines the awe-full Otherness of God as revealed to the Jews. Then he moves on to medieval pictures (both graphic and literary) of the Cosmic Christ, solemnly judging the world at the end of time. Even Renaissance humanist paintings portray Jesus as imbued with an otherworldly, unattainable perfection.
Milet theorizes that the rise of Calvinism and Jansenism (Calvinism in Catholic vestments) drove many Christians to despair. They saw Christ as impossibly distant, implacable and inscrutable. So the Catholic Church (and later, many Protestants) sought to soften His image a bit. They switched their depictions of Jesus (both written and pictorial) to emphasize His humanity, gentleness, and tenderness. The Pantocrator judging the world at the end of time gave way to the Good Shepherd. Paintings of Christ got feminized, to the point where in some He appears to sport mascara.
Jesus Our President
And that’s the picture of Christ which my religion teachers, even the orthodox ones, always purveyed. The heretics, of course, denounced all talk of His “kingship.” I remember one saying: “As democratic Americans, of course, we can’t accept that. Maybe we should think of Jesus as our president.”
American culture plays a role here too. Alexis de Tocqueville warned, in Democracy in America, that our national obsession with equality could go to dangerous lengths. Having said to George III, in bullets, “No King but Jesus!,” we might keep going in that direction, till we said, “No kings at all!”
The brilliant apologetics writer Denise McAllister wrote recently on Twitter: “We are slaves of Jesus.” If your gut reaction to that is to angrily wonder where you can join the Abolitionists … you might just be a modern Westerner too.
What I like about Gilson’s book is that he doesn’t try to gloss over or explain away the unsettling aspects of Jesus’ personality. No long explanations here about “cultural differences” or “the rhetoric of the time.” Instead he emphasizes the fact of Christ’s utter uniqueness.
No, He shouldn’t seem like any other religious founder, just better. Or like any other leader, but braver. Or like one of our friends, but much more … sinless. Instead, the phenomenon of God incarnate is absolutely unprecedented. It ought to shock and disturb us, haunt us and challenge us. And that’s precisely why the person of Jesus has eluded all the critics, explicators, and theologians over the centuries. He’s too big for our minds to ken, which is why He must capture our hearts. It’s for us not to fight Him off.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-05-30--Ask and You Shall Receive?

Ask and You Shall Receive?

Does it ever seem like Jesus is telling us a big fib here ?
We ask for something , and it is not given to us .
We are not talking about asking for something obviously foolish , like a million dollars suddenly appearing in our bank accounts .
Nor are we thinking of something that would be selfish .
We could be asking for something good , something that will benefit everyone , like , say , a a quick end to this pandemic .
Or we can pray for years for something that would have a really good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing changes .
Was Jesus telling a fib ?
Is our faith misplaced ?
Is our faith too weak ?
When we dig into the teaching of Jesus here , we will discover that the truth is better than we think and God is greater than we conceive .
We Don ’ t Have Personal Relationships With Our Computers It may be subconscious , but we can often relate to God as if He were a computer , especially when Jesus tells us to ask , seek and knock .
Ask a computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Do a search on Google , you start finding stuff .
Enter the right password , you will get in .
Ask , seek , knock .
When our computers are functioning and the internet is up to speed , we are used to these things happening , and quickly .
This speaks to the kind of relationship we have with a computer .
We don ’ t have one .
Well perhaps some of us do .
The computer I am typing this on is now 8 years old and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
I do speak to it when it bogs down , saying , “ okay computer , let ’ s go.
” But that is hardly a relationship .
If we can speak of having a relationship with a computer , it is one of the computer serving and being obedient to us , the operators .
A relationship which makes God obedient to us is not the kind of relationship Jesus has in mind when we tells us to ask , seek , and knock .
It is a good thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so good at being obedient to us , they are also very good at messing things up at our command .
I can delete very important files with a few clicks of the mouse .
I have the power to make create huge problems !
The computer gives me that amount of control .
If God always answered our prayers the way we want Him to , when we want Him to , we could create a big mess .
God is God .
We are not .
We do not comprehend the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives , the lives of others , and in our world .
Nor do we see how God is shaping everything in His providence even now , even despite our freewill , to deliver a desired future .
God is Not Like a Computer When we pray , we might be asking God to delete his good laws of nature , or the work he is doing in people ’ s lives , or even our own lives without even knowing it .
God is not a computer .
He gives us freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of control .
Job said “ I know that you can do all things ; no purpose of yours can be thwarted ” Job 42:2 ( NIV ) .
When God says ‘ no ’ to us , it is because God is good .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
God is not obedient to us , like a computer .
God is good to us , like a good , good Father .
Jesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Knowing God as Our Good Father Encourages Us to Ask Him for Good Things When Jesus tells us to ask , seek , and knock , He is speaking to us about the father/child relationship we can have with God .
So when our foolishness starts getting us into trouble , let us ask , and we shall receive a good Father ’ s wisdom .
When we lose our way , going down the paths of apathy and hatred instead of the path of love , let us seek , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our Father will shine a light on it .
And when we have wandered far from home , and sheepishly come home , let us knock , and the door will be opened .
When Jesus tells us to ask , seek , and knock , he is not telling us that God will answer every prayer the way we want , no matter how good we think that prayer may be .
He is telling us to trust God as a good father , having confidence in Him and His provision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but He is good to us .
Our Father may seem to be unpredictable .
God may seem to let us endure more trouble than we think He should .
God may hold back from intervening in our day-to-day lives more than we would like .
Good fathers are actually like that .
God is unpredictable , yet faithful .
God is unpredictable as good fathers are , letting us endure through difficult circumstances for our growth and maturity .
Yet God is faithful , in walking with us .
I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point my Dad did not let go of the bicycle .
God sometimes lets go of the bike .
We learn to ride .
God pushes us out of our comfort zones , yet keeps us safe .
Good fathers rescue their children when they face grave danger .
God rescues us from the consequence and power of sin through Jesus and the Holy Spirit .
God will let go of the bike as we learn to ride .
We may fall down .
God also stands between us and a cliff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knock , ” he is not inviting us to manipulate God , to have control over God , to expect God ’ s obedience to us .
He is inviting us to enter more fully into a father-child relationship with God Who is a good , good Father .
Do you need to ask , seek or knock ?
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg , Ontario .
He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com .

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
Does it ever seem like Jesus is telling us a big fib here? We ask for something, and it is not given to us. We are not talking about asking for something obviously foolish, like a million dollars suddenly appearing in our bank accounts. Nor are we thinking of something that would be selfish. We could be asking for something good, something that will benefit everyone, like, say, a a quick end to this pandemic. Or we can pray for years for something that would have a really good impact on a loved one. But nothing changes. Was Jesus telling a fib? Is our faith misplaced? Is our faith too weak?
When we dig into the teaching of Jesus here, we will discover that the truth is better than we think and God is greater than we conceive.
We Don’t Have Personal Relationships With Our Computers
It may be subconscious, but we can often relate to God as if He were a computer, especially when Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock.
Ask a computer to do something, it does it. Do a search on Google, you start finding stuff. Enter the right password, you will get in. Ask, seek, knock. When our computers are functioning and the internet is up to speed, we are used to these things happening, and quickly.
This speaks to the kind of relationship we have with a computer. We don’t have one. Well perhaps some of us do. The computer I am typing this on is now 8 years old and is showing its age in sometimes not keeping up. I do speak to it when it bogs down, saying, “okay computer, let’s go.” But that is hardly a relationship.
If we can speak of having a relationship with a computer, it is one of the computer serving and being obedient to us, the operators. A relationship which makes God obedient to us is not the kind of relationship Jesus has in mind when we tells us to ask, seek, and knock. It is a good thing it is not!
Where Computers Go Wrong
Yet computers are so good at being obedient to us, they are also very good at messing things up at our command. I can delete very important files with a few clicks of the mouse. I have the power to make create huge problems! The computer gives me that amount of control.
If God always answered our prayers the way we want Him to, when we want Him to, we could create a big mess. God is God. We are not. We do not comprehend the good things God is accomplishing in our lives, the lives of others, and in our world. Nor do we see how God is shaping everything in His providence even now, even despite our freewill, to deliver a desired future.
God is Not Like a Computer
When we pray, we might be asking God to delete his good laws of nature, or the work he is doing in people’s lives, or even our own lives without even knowing it. God is not a computer. He gives us freedom, but will not give us that amount of control. Job said “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” Job 42:2 (NIV). When God says ‘no’ to us, it is because God is good.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
God is not obedient to us, like a computer. God is good to us, like a good, good Father. Jesus goes on to teach us about that:
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
Knowing God as Our Good Father Encourages Us to Ask Him for Good Things
When Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock, He is speaking to us about the father/child relationship we can have with God. So when our foolishness starts getting us into trouble, let us ask, and we shall receive a good Father’s wisdom. When we lose our way, going down the paths of apathy and hatred instead of the path of love, let us seek, and we shall find the better path, for our Father will shine a light on it. And when we have wandered far from home, and sheepishly come home, let us knock, and the door will be opened.
When Jesus tells us to ask, seek, and knock, he is not telling us that God will answer every prayer the way we want, no matter how good we think that prayer may be. He is telling us to trust God as a good father, having confidence in Him and His provision. God is not obedient to us, but He is good to us.
God is not obedient to us, but He is good to us.
Our Father may seem to be unpredictable. God may seem to let us endure more trouble than we think He should. God may hold back from intervening in our day-to-day lives more than we would like.
What a Good Father Does
Good fathers are actually like that. God is unpredictable, yet faithful. God is unpredictable as good fathers are, letting us endure through difficult circumstances for our growth and maturity. Yet God is faithful, in walking with us. I would not enjoy motorcycling now if at some point my Dad did not let go of the bicycle. God sometimes lets go of the bike. We learn to ride. God pushes us out of our comfort zones, yet keeps us safe.
Good fathers rescue their children when they face grave danger. God rescues us from the consequence and power of sin through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God will let go of the bike as we learn to ride. We may fall down. God also stands between us and a cliff.
When Jesus says “ask, seek, knock,” he is not inviting us to manipulate God, to have control over God, to expect God’s obedience to us. He is inviting us to enter more fully into a father-child relationship with God Who is a good, good Father. Do you need to ask, seek or knock?
(This reflection comes from an “online worship expression” which has replaced our regular church service due to COVID-19 precautions. Below is the reflection alone.)
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg, Ontario. He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com.
Originally published on Clarke’s blog. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-05-30--#Launch America: America Lifts Back Into Space With Historic Flight

Not to be outdone by disturbance and disease , America returned to space Saturday afternoon , with the successful launch of the NASA ’ s SpaceX Demo-2 mission .
A “ new era of human spaceflight ” — as NASA puts it — is born .
This is the first manned launch from U.S. soil since the end of NASA ’ s Space Shuttle program in 2011 .
On board are astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley .
Let their names join such iconic figures as Neil Armstrong , John Glenn , Jim Lovell and Sally Ride .
The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Space Station .
You can track the mission here at NASA.gov .
The Demo-2 Mission is a remarkable partnership between the U.S. government and Elon Musk ’ s private SpaceX .
In fact , it ’ s the first commercial manned mission in history .
As Business Insider reports , NASA teaming with private companies will revolutionize space travel in the years to come and be a boon for America .
“ This is the culmination of a dream , ” Elon Musk told CBS This Morning hours before launch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , it feels surreal .
If you ’ d asked me when starting SpaceX if this would happen , I ’ d be like , 1 % chance , 0.1 % chance.
” We ’ re reminded of the words of President John F. Kennedy , who challenged America to reach for the heavens .
“ We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things , not because they are easy , but because they are hard , because that goal will serve to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energies and skills , because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept , one we are unwilling to postpone , and one which we intend to win.
” President Donald Trump , who has passionately pushed to re-launch the American manned space program , was on hand to witness the picture perfect liftoff from Cape Canaveral .
Astronaut Leland Melvin summarized Saturday ’ s historic # LaunchAmerica : “ American astronauts on American rockets on American soil showing what Americans can do when we come together as a team.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the work of your fingers , the moon and the stars , which you have set in place , what is man that you are mindful of him , and the son of man that you care for him ?
” ( Psalm 8:3-4 )

Not to be outdone by disturbance and disease, America returned to space Saturday afternoon, with the successful launch of the NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission. A “new era of human spaceflight” — as NASA puts it — is born.
This is the first manned launch from U.S. soil since the end of NASA’s Space Shuttle program in 2011. On board are astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley. Let their names join such iconic figures as Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Jim Lovell and Sally Ride.
The two are on their way to rendezvous with the International Space Station. You can track the mission here at NASA.gov.
“American astronauts on American rockets on American soil showing what Americans can do when we come together as a team.”
The Demo-2 Mission is a remarkable partnership between the U.S. government and Elon Musk’s private SpaceX. In fact, it’s the first commercial manned mission in history. As Business Insider reports, NASA teaming with private companies will revolutionize space travel in the years to come and be a boon for America. “This is the culmination of a dream,” Elon Musk told CBS This Morning hours before launch. “This is a dream come true. In fact, it feels surreal. If you’d asked me when starting SpaceX if this would happen, I’d be like, 1% chance, 0.1% chance.”
We’re reminded of the words of President John F. Kennedy, who challenged America to reach for the heavens.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”
President Donald Trump, who has passionately pushed to re-launch the American manned space program, was on hand to witness the picture perfect liftoff from Cape Canaveral.
Astronaut Leland Melvin summarized Saturday’s historic #LaunchAmerica: “American astronauts on American rockets on American soil showing what Americans can do when we come together as a team.”
"American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, showing you what Americans can do when we come together as a team." — @Astro_Flow on the #LaunchAmerica mission: pic.twitter.com/d1p3WhHM44 — NASA (@NASA) May 30, 2020
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)


thestream--2020-05-30--“If My People”: What To Do When Living in ‘Biblical’ Times

What are we living through ?
A remake of The Ten Commandments , with America struck by the plagues this time , instead of Egypt ?
And what shall we do , in times that appear so terribly biblical ?
One in five Americans is out of work .
Suicide hotline phones burn .
Food bank lines stretch around the block .
Federal debt mounts by the day .
Much of what we have worked over the years to set aside for retirement , is now owned by Uncle Sam ’ s creditors .
Few politicians , and no Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propose to spend our grandchildren ’ s wealth as well .
Technology allows us to film any event , then share it with the world at a click .
And so the greatest lynch mobs in history form from within the comfort of our shelters-in-place .
Two New Yorkers get into a trivial argument over a dog in Central Park , and a woman ’ s life is ruined without trial or recourse .
We might as well put a noose around the necks of the victims of these Two Minute Hates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his classic dystopia , 1984 . )
The same technology then records an appalling case of police brutality .
Such acts have always occurred .
As a young man , I once testified in court when a white cop used his night stick too liberally on a suspect , also white , in a “ crime ” more imaginary than real .
It is good that such abuses come to light and guilty parties be punished .
But another person died in the ensuing riots , while buildings and vehicles on which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and patiently-accrued cash were smashed , burnt , or stolen .
Worse , decades of serious racial progress seem to slide into the gully as such cases selectively come to light and “ go viral.
” Murder is actually much less frequent than it used to be in America .
As for police violence , fifty police officers are killed in the line of fire a year , while cops are involved in deadly force against a thousand suspects , usually armed and in the process of committing violent crimes .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either white-on-white , or black-on-black .
The Village Is On Fire Like a ghoul that feeds on hatred , the Internet cherry-picks a few incidents to rile competing angers and feed racial animosities and feelings of persecution .
So more blood is being shed in American cities .
“ We are a village.
” But the village is on fire .
G. K. Chesterton said “ Men are mad about sex , ” and sexual brokenness is burning through America , too .
Hook-ups , winked at by patronizing campus administrations , sap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Undergrads thrash about in dorm bedrooms in a drunken stupor , feel regrets the next day , then young men are hauled before campus kangaroo courts .
The notion of “ purity ” has been lost , and virginity has become a joke at which rock stars sneer .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
As pestilence followed flies , so riots follow family disorder .
Thanks to radical feminist ideology and the collapse of male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans hold the dubious distinction of leading the world in chaotic adult relationships , ” writes Mona Charen .
Do young males smash and loot because they are mad about police brutality ?
Or because Mom and Dad failed to exchange vows in church , then did not raise their children to understand the virtues that create civilization : discipline , commitment , self-control ?
When young men aren ’ t socialized at home , it falls to the police to enforce harsher rules , or stand aside and let mobs with sticks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An aggressive foreign power four times our population challenges us in every arena .
China accused America of “ throwing rocks on a man in a well ” during their own COVID crisis .
Now they brag how their harsh policies halted the disease better than our policies did .
Xi Jinping forgets that America came to China ’ s aid when their country fell down its deepest well : when Japanese forces occupied their land .
The Chinese Communist Party also forgets , if it ever knew , that missionaries founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written languages for minorities , fed the hungry , launched crusades against foot-binding , opium use , and prostitution , and helped China develop when it had little to offer to the world , building the foundations of China ’ s present resurgence .
America has forgotten what the Gospel has done for us , too .
The vast propaganda machine constituted by the Media , Educational Establishment and woke tech companies has erased the liberating role Christianity played in forming western and world civilization from our minds .
Textbooks praise the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose influence helped create modern science , educate and heal , liberate slaves , and raise the status of women around the world .
That last sentence may make your neighbors ’ jaws drop , I understand .
It ’ s because those aspects of our common history have been systematically wiped clean .
Our president is trying to address America ’ s challenges .
Yet he sends out tweets spreading rumors and conspiracy theories , even wildly accusing an opposing journalist of murder .
His current opponent isn undistinguished career politician whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angling for his help .
And he seems to be going senile before our eyes .
No one knows who will control the levers of power in his administration .
We do know he asked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — a demagogue whose program for America shows all the humanity and strategic wisdom of the Khmer Rouge — to help craft America ’ s climate policy .
If all that weren ’ t enough , there ’ s still a medical plague out there , too .
Read What the Coin Says The times seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wrong ways .
When his own land was in crisis , and he was asked about tax policy , Jesus told his countrymen to look at a coin , and say what was written there .
Maybe we should also heed the inscription on our coins : Maybe then it is time to listen to the One who brought us together as a nation in the first place : “ If my people , who are called by my name , will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will hear from heaven , and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
” Do hear us , Oh Lord .
Forgive our many sins .
Turn our hearts from hatred , lust , rebellion against Nature ’ s God , and the scapegoating and tribal rivalries that are consuming us .
Bring us back to you .
Heal our hearts , and save this broken and troubled land .

What are we living through? A remake of The Ten Commandments, with America struck by the plagues this time, instead of Egypt? And what shall we do, in times that appear so terribly biblical?
One in five Americans is out of work. Suicide hotline phones burn. Food bank lines stretch around the block.
Federal debt mounts by the day. Much of what we have worked over the years to set aside for retirement, is now owned by Uncle Sam’s creditors. Few politicians, and no Democrats, seem to care. Instead they propose to spend our grandchildren’s wealth as well.
Americans are so angry.
Protestors and Lynch Mobs
Technology allows us to film any event, then share it with the world at a click. And so the greatest lynch mobs in history form from within the comfort of our shelters-in-place. Two New Yorkers get into a trivial argument over a dog in Central Park, and a woman’s life is ruined without trial or recourse. We might as well put a noose around the necks of the victims of these Two Minute Hates. (As George Orwell called such phenomena in his classic dystopia, 1984.)
The same technology then records an appalling case of police brutality. Such acts have always occurred. As a young man, I once testified in court when a white cop used his night stick too liberally on a suspect, also white, in a “crime” more imaginary than real. It is good that such abuses come to light and guilty parties be punished. But another person died in the ensuing riots, while buildings and vehicles on which innocent people invested sweat, tears, and patiently-accrued cash were smashed, burnt, or stolen. Worse, decades of serious racial progress seem to slide into the gully as such cases selectively come to light and “go viral.”
Murder is actually much less frequent than it used to be in America. As for police violence, fifty police officers are killed in the line of fire a year, while cops are involved in deadly force against a thousand suspects, usually armed and in the process of committing violent crimes. But the vast majority of homicides in America are either white-on-white, or black-on-black.
The Village Is On Fire
Like a ghoul that feeds on hatred, the Internet cherry-picks a few incidents to rile competing angers and feed racial animosities and feelings of persecution. So more blood is being shed in American cities. “We are a village.” But the village is on fire.
G. K. Chesterton said “Men are mad about sex,” and sexual brokenness is burning through America, too. Hook-ups, winked at by patronizing campus administrations, sap the dignity of young men and women. Undergrads thrash about in dorm bedrooms in a drunken stupor, feel regrets the next day, then young men are hauled before campus kangaroo courts. The notion of “purity” has been lost, and virginity has become a joke at which rock stars sneer.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As pestilence followed flies, so riots follow family disorder. Thanks to radical feminist ideology and the collapse of male chivalry, marriage is declining. “Americans hold the dubious distinction of leading the world in chaotic adult relationships,” writes Mona Charen. Do young males smash and loot because they are mad about police brutality? Or because Mom and Dad failed to exchange vows in church, then did not raise their children to understand the virtues that create civilization: discipline, commitment, self-control?
When young men aren’t socialized at home, it falls to the police to enforce harsher rules, or stand aside and let mobs with sticks beat the weak and destroy their businesses.
Like China, We’re Forgetting the Gospel’s Goodness
An aggressive foreign power four times our population challenges us in every arena. China accused America of “throwing rocks on a man in a well” during their own COVID crisis. Now they brag how their harsh policies halted the disease better than our policies did. Xi Jinping forgets that America came to China’s aid when their country fell down its deepest well: when Japanese forces occupied their land.
The Chinese Communist Party also forgets, if it ever knew, that missionaries founded schools and hospitals in China, created written languages for minorities, fed the hungry, launched crusades against foot-binding, opium use, and prostitution, and helped China develop when it had little to offer to the world, building the foundations of China’s present resurgence.
America has forgotten what the Gospel has done for us, too.
The vast propaganda machine constituted by the Media, Educational Establishment and woke tech companies has erased the liberating role Christianity played in forming western and world civilization from our minds. Textbooks praise the “Prophet Mohammed” and ignore Jesus, whose influence helped create modern science, educate and heal, liberate slaves, and raise the status of women around the world. That last sentence may make your neighbors’ jaws drop, I understand. It’s because those aspects of our common history have been systematically wiped clean.
Strange Politics
Our president is trying to address America’s challenges. Yet he sends out tweets spreading rumors and conspiracy theories, even wildly accusing an opposing journalist of murder.
His current opponent isn undistinguished career politician whose children made a killing from foreign companies angling for his help. And he seems to be going senile before our eyes. No one knows who will control the levers of power in his administration. We do know he asked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — a demagogue whose program for America shows all the humanity and strategic wisdom of the Khmer Rouge — to help craft America’s climate policy.
If all that weren’t enough, there’s still a medical plague out there, too.
Read What the Coin Says
The times seem biblical, as I said, and in the wrong ways. When his own land was in crisis, and he was asked about tax policy, Jesus told his countrymen to look at a coin, and say what was written there. Maybe we should also heed the inscription on our coins:
“In God we trust.”
Maybe then it is time to listen to the One who brought us together as a nation in the first place:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Do hear us, Oh Lord. Forgive our many sins. Turn our hearts from hatred, lust, rebellion against Nature’s God, and the scapegoating and tribal rivalries that are consuming us. Bring us back to you. Heal our hearts, and save this broken and troubled land.
Dr. David Marshall holds a B.A. in “the Russian and Chinese Languages and Marxism,” an M.A. in Chinese Religions, and a Ph.D. in Christian Thought and Chinese Tradition. His most recent book is Jesus is No Myth: The Fingerprints of God on the Gospels.