thestream--2020-10-23--Pastor John Piper and the 2020 Elections: A Respectful Response

John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America , and I personally hold him in high esteem .
Yet I differ with his suggestion that Christians might do best by sitting out the presidential election , since a vote for either Trump or Biden can not be justified .
Before sharing my differences , though , I want to share my points of affirmation .
First , I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Piper that the foremost calling of a minister of the gospel “ is to lead people to see Jesus Christ , trust his forgiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this world , live in a way that shows his all-satisfying value , and help them make it to heaven with love and holiness.
” Second , I deeply share his concern that many American pastors have failed to develop “ real , radical Christians , ” Christians who will be willing to die for Jesus .
Third , I agree with Pastor Piper that our obsession with the elections and the well-being of America undermines the reality that we are citizens of a higher kingdom and that we are only passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concur that the character flaws of our president have been very damaging .
As Piper wrote , “ When a leader models self-absorbed , self-exalting boastfulness , he models the most deadly behavior in the world .
He points his nation to destruction .
Destruction of more kinds than we can imagine.
” Fifth , I have no problem with a Christian saying he or she can not vote for either candidate .
I have always respected that view , even if it is not my own .
I have a massive problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting for Biden and the Democrats .
Sixth , I respect the humility with which Pastor Piper presents his viewpoint , making clear that he is not telling anyone else how to vote .
Seventh , I agree with him that , whatever path we take , it must enhance , not detract , from our witness for Jesus .
Readers of my book Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
will know that I have expressed many similar views as well .
That being said , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the situation and with his comparison of the personal failings of Trump with the policies of the Democratic party .
He writes , “ I remain baffled that so many Christians consider the sins of unrepentant sexual immorality ( porneia ) , unrepentant boastfulness ( alazoneia ) , unrepentant vulgarity ( aischrologia ) , unrepentant factiousness ( dichostasiai ) , and the like , to be only toxic for our nation , while policies that endorse baby-killing , sex-switching , freedom-limiting , and socialistic overreach are viewed as deadly.
” He notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only deadly in this world but also deadly forever .
How , then , can Christians vote for someone who embodies the former sins ( such as “ unrepentant boastfulness ” ) in the name of fighting against the latter sins ( such as abortion ) ?
He adds , “ I think it is a drastic mistake to think that the deadly influences of a leader come only through his policies and not also through his person.
” The answer , for me , is simple .
To begin with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed , with all candidates being far from perfect .
While it would be ideal for our presidents to be shining examples of morality and character , very few in our history would live up to that ideal .
This is not to make excuses but rather to be realistic .
Next , it is one thing to elect a boastful , divisive leader .
It is another thing to empower a party that will sanction the killing of the unborn .
Or strip away religious freedoms .
Or give free reign to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to Trump , we can vote for his policies while saying , “ I don ’ t like many of the things he does and feel his example is often very destructive .
I will therefore speak out when he acts wrongly and will model something different in my own life.
” But a vote for Biden and the Democrats is a vote to empower a party that wants to impose an overtly godless agenda .
Pastor Piper writes , “ I find it bewildering that Christians can be so sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges , bad laws , and bad policies than is being done by the culture-infecting spread of the gangrene of sinful self-exaltation , and boasting , and strife-stirring ( eristikos ) .
” My response , again , is simple : Trump is one man , and as destructive as his words and conduct can be — just look at the warnings in Proverbs about foolish kings — we can vote for him by the millions while at the same time modeling godlier conduct .
On the other hand , if those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies will affect us by the millions .
Put another way , if voting for a boastful man can potentially save millions of babies ’ lives , can that vote be justified ?
If voting for a man with a sexually immoral past can give support to persecuted minorities in China , can that vote be justified ?
If voting for a man who often lies and exaggerates can stop the rise of an anti-God socialism , can that vote be justified ?
We Can not Become Apologists for the President , But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vote for Him What we can not do , as I have been shouting for years now , is become apologists for the president .
That , without question , demeans our witness .
But to say that we can not vote for him when the stakes are so high is , in my view , to miss the larger point .
One of my evangelical colleagues wrote to me last week , saying , “ The gospel witness has been destroyed , especially among the younger generations .
The final straw was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
The non-believing world is appalled by the hypocrisy .
The only folks who don ’ t see it are most of the Evangelical world.
” This is true to some extent , and it echoes Piper ’ s concerns .
But it fails to realize that many of the younger generations were already turned off by our affirmation of biblical values , which includes our rejection of the “ pro-choice ” position and our opposition to LGBTQ activism .
Do we therefore compromise our views on these issues so as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump is Just Our President As to our support for Trump , we can vote for him without selling our souls for him .
We can cast a ballot in his name on November 3 while shouting from the rooftops that our hope is in the Lord , not in a man or a party .
We can proclaim that JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR and Trump is just our president ( with giant fonts for the former and small fonts for the latter ) .
Finally , when it comes to listing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have gone a little too far .
Has Trump promoted or practiced sexual immorality since announcing his candidacy ?
To the contrary , hasn ’ t he expressed regret about some of his past actions ?
And does he get credit for keeping his promises and commitments in ways that few presidents in our lifetime have done ?
Once again , I wholeheartedly agree with Piper ’ s emphasis on the gospel first ( rather than “ America first ” ) .
But I wonder if future generations would understand if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the slaughter of millions of more babies by saying , “ Yes , one party espoused these terrible policies .
But we couldn ’ t vote for the man whose party opposed them because he was too boastful and divisive.
” At times like this , my counsel is simple : Be idealistic in terms of living out your own faith as a witness for the Lord .
But be pragmatic when it comes to casting your vote .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

John Piper is one of the most respected Christian leaders in America, and I personally hold him in high esteem. Yet I differ with his suggestion that Christians might do best by sitting out the presidential election, since a vote for either Trump or Biden cannot be justified.
Before sharing my differences, though, I want to share my points of affirmation.
Where We Agree
First, I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Piper that the foremost calling of a minister of the gospel “is to lead people to see Jesus Christ, trust his forgiveness for sins, treasure him above everything in this world, live in a way that shows his all-satisfying value, and help them make it to heaven with love and holiness.”
Second, I deeply share his concern that many American pastors have failed to develop “real, radical Christians,” Christians who will be willing to die for Jesus.
Third, I agree with Pastor Piper that our obsession with the elections and the well-being of America undermines the reality that we are citizens of a higher kingdom and that we are only passing through this world.
Fourth, I concur that the character flaws of our president have been very damaging. As Piper wrote, “When a leader models self-absorbed, self-exalting boastfulness, he models the most deadly behavior in the world. He points his nation to destruction. Destruction of more kinds than we can imagine.”
I agree with Pastor Piper that our obsession with the elections and the well-being of America undermines the reality that we are citizens of a higher kingdom and that we are only passing through this world.
Fifth, I have no problem with a Christian saying he or she cannot vote for either candidate. I have always respected that view, even if it is not my own. I have a massive problem with a self-identified pro-life, pro-Bible Christian voting for Biden and the Democrats.
Sixth, I respect the humility with which Pastor Piper presents his viewpoint, making clear that he is not telling anyone else how to vote.
Seventh, I agree with him that, whatever path we take, it must enhance, not detract, from our witness for Jesus.
Readers of my book Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? will know that I have expressed many similar views as well.
That being said, I differ with Pastor Piper’s assessment of the situation and with his comparison of the personal failings of Trump with the policies of the Democratic party.
How Pastor Piper Weighs a Candidate’s Personal Sins Alongside His Policies
He writes, “I remain baffled that so many Christians consider the sins of unrepentant sexual immorality (porneia), unrepentant boastfulness (alazoneia), unrepentant vulgarity (aischrologia), unrepentant factiousness (dichostasiai), and the like, to be only toxic for our nation, while policies that endorse baby-killing, sex-switching, freedom-limiting, and socialistic overreach are viewed as deadly.”
Piper: “I think it is a drastic mistake to think that the deadly influences of a leader come only through his policies and not also through his person.”
He notes that the first list of sins is not only deadly in this world but also deadly forever. How, then, can Christians vote for someone who embodies the former sins (such as “unrepentant boastfulness”) in the name of fighting against the latter sins (such as abortion)?
He adds, “I think it is a drastic mistake to think that the deadly influences of a leader come only through his policies and not also through his person.”
The answer, for me, is simple.
Realistic Expectations of Our Political System
To begin with, the political system itself is earthly and flawed, with all candidates being far from perfect. While it would be ideal for our presidents to be shining examples of morality and character, very few in our history would live up to that ideal. This is not to make excuses but rather to be realistic.
Next, it is one thing to elect a boastful, divisive leader. It is another thing to empower a party that will sanction the killing of the unborn. Or strip away religious freedoms. Or give free reign to foreign, tyrannical regimes.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When it comes to Trump, we can vote for his policies while saying, “I don’t like many of the things he does and feel his example is often very destructive. I will therefore speak out when he acts wrongly and will model something different in my own life.”
But a vote for Biden and the Democrats is a vote to empower a party that wants to impose an overtly godless agenda.
Pastor Piper writes, “I find it bewildering that Christians can be so sure that greater damage will be done by bad judges, bad laws, and bad policies than is being done by the culture-infecting spread of the gangrene of sinful self-exaltation, and boasting, and strife-stirring (eristikos).”
We Can Model Godlier Conduct
My response, again, is simple: Trump is one man, and as destructive as his words and conduct can be — just look at the warnings in Proverbs about foolish kings — we can vote for him by the millions while at the same time modeling godlier conduct.
On the other hand, if those with a different agenda are empowered, their policies will affect us by the millions.
Put another way, if voting for a boastful man can potentially save millions of babies’ lives, can that vote be justified? If voting for a man with a sexually immoral past can give support to persecuted minorities in China, can that vote be justified? If voting for a man who often lies and exaggerates can stop the rise of an anti-God socialism, can that vote be justified?
We Cannot Become Apologists for the President, But the Stakes are Too High Not to Vote for Him
What we cannot do, as I have been shouting for years now, is become apologists for the president. That, without question, demeans our witness. But to say that we cannot vote for him when the stakes are so high is, in my view, to miss the larger point.
One of my evangelical colleagues wrote to me last week, saying, “The gospel witness has been destroyed, especially among the younger generations. The final straw was the support of Donald Trump by these groups. The non-believing world is appalled by the hypocrisy. The only folks who don’t see it are most of the Evangelical world.”
This is true to some extent, and it echoes Piper’s concerns.
But it fails to realize that many of the younger generations were already turned off by our affirmation of biblical values, which includes our rejection of the “pro-choice” position and our opposition to LGBTQ activism. Do we therefore compromise our views on these issues so as to avoid offense?
JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR and Trump is Just Our President
As to our support for Trump, we can vote for him without selling our souls for him. We can cast a ballot in his name on November 3 while shouting from the rooftops that our hope is in the Lord, not in a man or a party. We can proclaim that JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR and Trump is just our president (with giant fonts for the former and small fonts for the latter).
I wonder if future generations would understand if we explained the loss of our freedoms and the slaughter of millions of more babies by saying, “Yes, one party espoused these terrible policies. But we couldn’t vote for the man whose party opposed them because he was too boastful and divisive.”
Finally, when it comes to listing the sins of Trump, Pastor Piper may have gone a little too far. Has Trump promoted or practiced sexual immorality since announcing his candidacy? To the contrary, hasn’t he expressed regret about some of his past actions? And does he get credit for keeping his promises and commitments in ways that few presidents in our lifetime have done?
Once again, I wholeheartedly agree with Piper’s emphasis on the gospel first (rather than “America first”).
But I wonder if future generations would understand if we explained the loss of our freedoms and the slaughter of millions of more babies by saying, “Yes, one party espoused these terrible policies. But we couldn’t vote for the man whose party opposed them because he was too boastful and divisive.”
At times like this, my counsel is simple: Be idealistic in terms of living out your own faith as a witness for the Lord. But be pragmatic when it comes to casting your vote.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-10-23--Do You Trust God?

Do You Trust God?

Much of life comes down to one question : Do you trust God ?
It ’ s easy to say “ yes.
” But you will be tested .
There will be things you don ’ t understand , situations that don ’ t make sense , and questions that go unanswered .
The what , when , why , and how will not be found every time .
The only certainty is the who .
The oldest book in the Bible is the book of Job .
He was wealthy and blessed with a large family — a wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was also a man described as “ blameless , upright , fearing God and turning away from evil.
” Even so , he suffered terribly .
His children all died in one day .
Natural disasters and attacks from enemies robbed him of his wealth .
His health was ravaged by boils .
His wife urged him to “ curse God and die.
” He would not .
He would , however , seek answers and wrestle greatly with God .
His friends tried to give him answers , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satisfactory answers for his what , when , why , and how , so he took his pain and confusion to the who .
God answered Job by putting him in his place .
“ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth ?
” God asked , asserting his omnipresence .
“ Have you ever in your life commanded the morning , and caused the dawn to know its place ?
” He asked , asserting his omnipotence .
“ Do you know the ordinances of the heavens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” He asked , asserting his omniscience .
God ends with the challenge , “ Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty ?
” Job acknowledged his humanity — his inability to grasp the universe , his powerlessness over most things , his limited knowledge and understanding , and his inherent inferiority to the Creator .
“ I know that You can do all things , ” he confessed to God , “ and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
” He admitted his own inadequacy by saying , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not understand.
” He submitted his will to God by saying , “ I will ask You , and You instruct me.
” What was the pivotal moment of change for Job ?
He loved God , served him , and lived a righteous life , yet faced tremendous loss and tragedy .
In the aftermath of his personal devastation and pain , he confronted God but never cursed him .
God revealed himself to this man .
In response , Job said , “ I have heard of You by the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye sees You.
” Job went to a whole new level when he went from worshipping a God he had heard about to trusting a God he had seen .
He got to the who and it satisfied his questions .
Notice I didn ’ t say that it answered his questions .
God didn ’ t describe what was going on in the spiritual realm .
He didn ’ t explain why he allowed those things to happen to Job .
He didn ’ t tell him when his suffering would end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to get healed or turn his situation around .
He just told Job who he ( God ) was , and that was enough for this righteous man .
God gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters .
He didn ’ t just restore his wealth , he doubled it .
Job lived to see four generations before dying “ an old man and full of days.
” This story of deep suffering drives home the proverb , “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart ; do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his will in all you do , and he will show you which path to take ” ( 3:5-6 ) .
Merriam-Webster defines trust as “ assured reliance on the character , ability , strength , or truth of someone or something.
” The connotation of the word in the Hebrew is to be confident , bold and secure .
Back to the question : Do you trust God ?
When you can ’ t pay the bills or you get thrown out of your home , do you doubt God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you hold to the assurance that God sees you and cares for you , no matter what happens ?
When you lose a loved one and don ’ t understand why , do you question his character or rely on his unwavering goodness ?
When someone hurts you and never asks forgiveness , do you hold on to the bitterness and demand a reckoning or release the situation to Him with the confidence that his justice is superior to yours ?
When the diagnosis is hopeless , do you give in to despair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hope of eternity ?
When we read God ’ s response to Job ’ s questions , it can seem harsh .
But it ’ s not a “ who are you to question ME ” kind of response .
It ’ s more like a sick child who doesn ’ t understand why a painful needle does any good and a loving parent saying , “ There ’ s so much you don ’ t know .
Just trust me on this.
” Job ’ s story is unique .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced .
Instead , we should learn the truths that he discovered in his extreme situation .
His friends offered explanations and advice based on their experiences , traditions , and human reasoning .
They tried to explain things beyond their ability .
All failed .
Their best wisdom could not even begin to compare to the who of God .
Job sought God and he revealed himself .
Seeing God gave Job the peace , hope , comfort and sanity that nothing else could .
It enabled him to trust .
Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives you an unsinkable boat to ride them out .
It won ’ t explain the waves , but will deliver you safely to shore .
When you don ’ t understand what , when , why or how , put your trust in the One who is beyond every question .
We call God a supreme being because he is higher than anything we can fully grasp , yet he is a real and active entity .
Trust his goodness , justice , mercy , power and love .
Most of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robison ( Randy ) is a writer , producer and host for the television program LIFE Today .
His books , interviews and other materials can be found at randyrobison.com .
Originally appeared on LIFE Today ’ s “ Words of Life ” newsletter .
Reprinted with permission .

Much of life comes down to one question: Do you trust God?
It’s easy to say “yes.” But you will be tested. There will be things you don’t understand, situations that don’t make sense, and questions that go unanswered. The what, when, why, and how will not be found every time. The only certainty is the who.
The oldest book in the Bible is the book of Job. He was wealthy and blessed with a large family — a wife, seven sons, and three daughters. He was also a man described as “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Even so, he suffered terribly. His children all died in one day. Natural disasters and attacks from enemies robbed him of his wealth. His health was ravaged by boils. His wife urged him to “curse God and die.”
He would not.
Job Confronts God
He would, however, seek answers and wrestle greatly with God. His friends tried to give him answers, but they fell short. Job could get no satisfactory answers for his what, when, why, and how, so he took his pain and confusion to the who.
God answered Job by putting him in his place. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” God asked, asserting his omnipresence. “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place?” He asked, asserting his omnipotence. “Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, or fix their rule over the earth?” He asked, asserting his omniscience. God ends with the challenge, “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?”
In the aftermath of his personal devastation and pain, he confronted God but never cursed him. And God revealed himself to this man.
Job acknowledged his humanity — his inability to grasp the universe, his powerlessness over most things, his limited knowledge and understanding, and his inherent inferiority to the Creator. “I know that You can do all things,” he confessed to God, “and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” He admitted his own inadequacy by saying, “I have declared that which I did not understand.” He submitted his will to God by saying, “I will ask You, and You instruct me.”
God Reveals Himself to Job
What was the pivotal moment of change for Job? He loved God, served him, and lived a righteous life, yet faced tremendous loss and tragedy. In the aftermath of his personal devastation and pain, he confronted God but never cursed him. God revealed himself to this man. In response, Job said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You.” Job went to a whole new level when he went from worshipping a God he had heard about to trusting a God he had seen. He got to the who and it satisfied his questions.
Notice I didn’t say that it answered his questions. God didn’t describe what was going on in the spiritual realm. He didn’t explain why he allowed those things to happen to Job. He didn’t tell him when his suffering would end. He didn’t tell him how to get healed or turn his situation around. He just told Job who he (God) was, and that was enough for this righteous man.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
God gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. He didn’t just restore his wealth, he doubled it. Job lived to see four generations before dying “an old man and full of days.”
This story of deep suffering drives home the proverb, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (3:5-6). Merriam-Webster defines trust as “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” The connotation of the word in the Hebrew is to be confident, bold and secure.
Back to the question: Do you trust God?
Trust in Him
When you can’t pay the bills or you get thrown out of your home, do you doubt God’s desire to provide for you or do you hold to the assurance that God sees you and cares for you, no matter what happens? When you lose a loved one and don’t understand why, do you question his character or rely on his unwavering goodness? When someone hurts you and never asks forgiveness, do you hold on to the bitterness and demand a reckoning or release the situation to Him with the confidence that his justice is superior to yours? When the diagnosis is hopeless, do you give in to despair or boldly battle the sickness while secure in the hope of eternity?
When we read God’s response to Job’s questions, it can seem harsh. But it’s not a “who are you to question ME” kind of response. It’s more like a sick child who doesn’t understand why a painful needle does any good and a loving parent saying, “There’s so much you don’t know. Just trust me on this.”
Trust does not eliminate the storms. It gives you an unsinkable boat to ride them out. It won’t explain the waves, but will deliver you safely to shore.
Job’s story is unique. We should not expect the misery he faced. Instead, we should learn the truths that he discovered in his extreme situation. His friends offered explanations and advice based on their experiences, traditions, and human reasoning. They tried to explain things beyond their ability. All failed. Their best wisdom could not even begin to compare to the who of God. Job sought God and he revealed himself. Seeing God gave Job the peace, hope, comfort and sanity that nothing else could. It enabled him to trust.
Trust does not eliminate the storms. It gives you an unsinkable boat to ride them out. It won’t explain the waves, but will deliver you safely to shore. When you don’t understand what, when, why or how, put your trust in the One who is beyond every question. We call God a supreme being because he is higher than anything we can fully grasp, yet he is a real and active entity. Trust his goodness, justice, mercy, power and love. Most of all, trust in Him.
James Randall Robison (Randy) is a writer, producer and host for the television program LIFE Today. His books, interviews and other materials can be found at randyrobison.com.
Originally appeared on LIFE Today’s “Words of Life” newsletter. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-10-23--What’s the Goal of the VeggieTales Creator’s Video About Abortion?

VeggieTales creator , Phil Vischer , has done some wonderful videos over the years .
But his new video on abortion is quite a different product .
If you have time , watch it ( below ) before you read my commentary .
Now , what do you think is the main goal of this video ?
Is it to urge Christians to not merely focus on overturning Roe to reduce abortions ?
Or , do you think the main goal of the video is to give Christians supposed intellectual and moral justification to vote against Trump and for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in its title , it seems to be a thinly veiled attempt to achieve the latter .
The motive behind the video doesn ’ t make its contents false , of course .
Some of it is certainly true .
In fact , the video rightly highlights that overturning Roe is hard , and it ’ s not the only thing that Christians and other pro-lifers should be doing to end abortion .
But informed Christians already know that .
They are already engaged in ministries to prevent abortion and minister to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that overturning Roe will not end abortion in America , but it will save thousands of lives ( as the video admits ) .
If this video is intended to shift evangelical voting priorities , it should fail because the video ’ s case is built on fallacies and false data .
It also leaves out several relevant facts .
• It offers the false dilemma that we can only reduce abortions by the methods they suggest OR by overturning Roe .
Why can ’ t we do both ?
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
• It tries to make a case that changing the law wouldn ’ t matter much .
It does so by making contrary to fact assertions and citing obviously false stats : • An “ estimated ” 800,000 abortions in 1930 .
Really ?
Who ’ s doing the “ estimating ” ?
There were only 123 million people in the U.S. in 1930 .
Today there are 331 million which are known to produce 800,000 abortions each year .
Obviously , the 1930 “ estimate ” is wildly inflated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions in 1930 because we had only 37 % of the population that we have now , and there was not the same access to abortion then as now .
• More abortions before Roe and the rate is also lower now ?
Again , false .
According to Dr. Thomas Hilgers , who did the definitive study on this back in 1981 , the true annual number of pre-Roe abortions is somewhere between 39,000 and 210,000 with a median of 98,000 — nowhere close to the 800,000 cited in the video ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
How could the video ’ s authors think their numbers were anything other than make-believe ?
It defies all experience and common sense to think you ’ ll get less of something if you make it legal .
Does anyone really think we ’ ll get fewer murders if we just make murders legal ?
Fewer rapes if we legalize it ?
Incredibly , that ’ s what the authors of this video say has happened with abortion , and it nullifies the core of their argument .
• It ignores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great teacher , and that changing it yields great benefits .
Many people take their moral cues from the law .
They think whatever is legal is moral , and whatever is illegal is immoral .
Slavery is a good example .
We have a better moral view on slavery now than 160 years ago even though , overall , we are less moral now in most other areas .
Why ?
Because the law has helped teach people since then that slavery is immoral .
Similarly , most people thought abortion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that most states outlawed it .
Now we ’ re about evenly split .
Why ?
Because making abortion legal made more people mistakenly think it is moral .
It is not , as this one-minute video unequivocally shows .
• It assumes that since Roe hasn ’ t been overturned yet , it won ’ t be overturned , so we shouldn ’ t keep it a priority ( suspiciously two weeks before the most pro-life president in terms of policy and appointments is up for re-election ) .
They ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long game that can take many years .
It requires a case to come before the court that challenges Roe through state law .
This happens infrequently because states are not apt to pass such a law unless they think the court might take it and then vote favorably on it .
A conservative court is more likely to welcome such a challenge .
With Trump ’ s three judges , we may finally have such a court .
That will be lost if Democrats win and pack the court — a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignores the fact that Roe would have been overturned in 1992 had Bork not been “ Borked ” by Democrats in the Senate ( The Planned Parenthood vs. Casey case was at 5-4 decision with Kennedy , Bork ’ s replacement , writing the atrocious relativistic decision in favor of keeping Roe ) .
What ’ s Really Behind This Video ?
So , what ’ s really behind this thinly veiled and fallacious effort ?
It ’ s not that the authors have just discovered the non-importance of Roe .
After all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist if Biden were running against Bush rather than Trump ?
No , this video exists because some Christians are looking for any excuse to avoid voting for Trump .
When I ask never-Trump Christians , “ If it was Bush vs. Biden , who would you vote for ?
” They all say , “ that ’ s easy — Bush !
” Yet Trump supports more conservative and pro-life policies than Bush did .
This reveals that they are voting based on personality rather than policy .
But Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that life is no longer the most important issue .
The first duty of government is to prevent the taking of innocent life , and certainly not to pay for the taking of innocent life ( as the Democrat platform advocates with its taxpayer funding of abortion ) .
While being pro-life doesn ’ t necessarily make someone a good candidate , being pro-abortion necessarily disqualifies a candidate .
imagine a school house that is on fire with children trapped inside .
A crude talking man with arrogant tweets is willing to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , a “ nice ” man thought to be less haughty and with fewer sarcastic tweets not only refuses to help you , he promises to throw gasoline on the fire .
Is there no morally significant difference between the two men ?
Worse still , should we endorse the arsonist ?
If you think Biden and the Democrats do not have wicked plans on abortion and will rush to implement them , you have not been paying attention to their campaign promises or the actions Senate democrats — who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letting unwanted humans die after birth .
What if It were Dred Scott Instead of Roe ?
If the goal of Mr. Vischer and his narrator ( pastor Skye Jethani ) is to get Christians to give up on Roe and vote Democrat , I have a question for them : Would you have made this video if the issue was not abortion and Roe but slavery and Dred Scott ?
( Dred Scott affirmed slavery by opining that blacks were only three-fifths of a person . )
“ Overturning the Dred Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anymore .
We ’ ve put justice after justice on the Supreme Court and still haven ’ t been able to overturn it after all these years .
And even if we do overturn Dred , some states will still have slavery .
Besides , there are other ways of reducing slavery .
And since slavery has decreased under pro-slavery presidents , it ’ s perfectly fine to vote for Stephen Douglas over Abraham Lincoln.
” Would these men be making that dreadful case ?
Would they be casting doubt on the moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Would they gloss over the fact that Douglas not only wants to keep slavery legal , but he wants you , the taxpayer , to subsidize it ?
No one would accept that case .
And we shouldn ’ t accept theirs now .
Frank Turek is a Contributor to The Stream , president of CrossExamined.org , coauthor of I Don ’ t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist and the author of Stealing From God : Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case .

VeggieTales creator, Phil Vischer, has done some wonderful videos over the years. But his new video on abortion is quite a different product. If you have time, watch it (below) before you read my commentary.
Now, what do you think is the main goal of this video? Is it to urge Christians to not merely focus on overturning Roe to reduce abortions? Or, do you think the main goal of the video is to give Christians supposed intellectual and moral justification to vote against Trump and for Biden in 2020?
Since “vote” is in its title, it seems to be a thinly veiled attempt to achieve the latter. The motive behind the video doesn’t make its contents false, of course. Some of it is certainly true. In fact, the video rightly highlights that overturning Roe is hard, and it’s not the only thing that Christians and other pro-lifers should be doing to end abortion.
But informed Christians already know that. They are already engaged in ministries to prevent abortion and minister to those hurt by it. They also know that overturning Roe will not end abortion in America, but it will save thousands of lives (as the video admits).
Fallacies and False Data
If this video is intended to shift evangelical voting priorities, it should fail because the video’s case is built on fallacies and false data. It also leaves out several relevant facts.
It offers the false dilemma that we can only reduce abortions by the methods they suggest OR by overturning Roe. Why can’t we do both? We can and should, as most pro-lifers attempt to do.
It tries to make a case that changing the law wouldn’t matter much. It does so by making contrary to fact assertions and citing obviously false stats: An “estimated” 800,000 abortions in 1930. Really? Who’s doing the “estimating”? There were only 123 million people in the U.S. in 1930. Today there are 331 million which are known to produce 800,000 abortions each year. Obviously, the 1930 “estimate” is wildly inflated: there were far less than 800,000 abortions in 1930 because we had only 37% of the population that we have now, and there was not the same access to abortion then as now. More abortions before Roe and the rate is also lower now? Again, false. According to Dr. Thomas Hilgers, who did the definitive study on this back in 1981, the true annual number of pre-Roe abortions is somewhere between 39,000 and 210,000 with a median of 98,000 — nowhere close to the 800,000 cited in the video (which obviously makes their rate claim wrong). How could the video’s authors think their numbers were anything other than make-believe? It defies all experience and common sense to think you’ll get less of something if you make it legal. Does anyone really think we’ll get fewer murders if we just make murders legal? Fewer rapes if we legalize it? Incredibly, that’s what the authors of this video say has happened with abortion, and it nullifies the core of their argument.
It ignores the fact that the law is a great teacher, and that changing it yields great benefits. Many people take their moral cues from the law. They think whatever is legal is moral, and whatever is illegal is immoral. Slavery is a good example. We have a better moral view on slavery now than 160 years ago even though, overall, we are less moral now in most other areas. Why? Because the law has helped teach people since then that slavery is immoral. Similarly, most people thought abortion was immoral in 1973 as evidenced by the fact that most states outlawed it. Now we’re about evenly split. Why? Because making abortion legal made more people mistakenly think it is moral. It is not, as this one-minute video unequivocally shows.
It assumes that since Roe hasn’t been overturned yet, it won’t be overturned, so we shouldn’t keep it a priority (suspiciously two weeks before the most pro-life president in terms of policy and appointments is up for re-election). They ignore the fact that overturning Roe requires a long game that can take many years. It requires a case to come before the court that challenges Roe through state law. This happens infrequently because states are not apt to pass such a law unless they think the court might take it and then vote favorably on it. A conservative court is more likely to welcome such a challenge. With Trump’s three judges, we may finally have such a court. That will be lost if Democrats win and pack the court — a threat Biden refuses to deny.
It ignores the fact that Roe would have been overturned in 1992 had Bork not been “Borked” by Democrats in the Senate (The Planned Parenthood vs. Casey case was at 5-4 decision with Kennedy, Bork’s replacement, writing the atrocious relativistic decision in favor of keeping Roe).
What’s Really Behind This Video?
So, what’s really behind this thinly veiled and fallacious effort? It’s not that the authors have just discovered the non-importance of Roe. After all, do you think this video would exist if Biden were running against Bush rather than Trump?
No, this video exists because some Christians are looking for any excuse to avoid voting for Trump. When I ask never-Trump Christians, “If it was Bush vs. Biden, who would you vote for?” They all say, “that’s easy — Bush!” Yet Trump supports more conservative and pro-life policies than Bush did. This reveals that they are voting based on personality rather than policy.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But Trump’s caustic personality is no justification for suggesting that life is no longer the most important issue. The first duty of government is to prevent the taking of innocent life, and certainly not to pay for the taking of innocent life (as the Democrat platform advocates with its taxpayer funding of abortion). While being pro-life doesn’t necessarily make someone a good candidate, being pro-abortion necessarily disqualifies a candidate.
Pro-life author Scott Klusendorf asks you to
imagine a school house that is on fire with children trapped inside. A crude talking man with arrogant tweets is willing to join you risking his life to save kids. Meanwhile, a “nice” man thought to be less haughty and with fewer sarcastic tweets not only refuses to help you, he promises to throw gasoline on the fire. Is there no morally significant difference between the two men? Worse still, should we endorse the arsonist? If you think Biden and the Democrats do not have wicked plans on abortion and will rush to implement them, you have not been paying attention to their campaign promises or the actions Senate democrats — who can’t even bring themselves to outlaw letting unwanted humans die after birth.
In short, policy trumps personality.
What if It were Dred Scott Instead of Roe?
If the goal of Mr. Vischer and his narrator (pastor Skye Jethani) is to get Christians to give up on Roe and vote Democrat, I have a question for them: Would you have made this video if the issue was not abortion and Roe but slavery and Dred Scott? (Dred Scott affirmed slavery by opining that blacks were only three-fifths of a person.)
“Overturning the Dred Scott decision isn’t our top priority anymore. We’ve put justice after justice on the Supreme Court and still haven’t been able to overturn it after all these years. And even if we do overturn Dred, some states will still have slavery. Besides, there are other ways of reducing slavery. And since slavery has decreased under pro-slavery presidents, it’s perfectly fine to vote for Stephen Douglas over Abraham Lincoln.”
Would these men be making that dreadful case? Would they be casting doubt on the moral importance of voting for Lincoln over Douglas? Would they gloss over the fact that Douglas not only wants to keep slavery legal, but he wants you, the taxpayer, to subsidize it?
No one would accept that case. And we shouldn’t accept theirs now.
(For more, see my new video Does Jesus Trump Your Politics?)
Frank Turek is a Contributor to The Stream, president of CrossExamined.org, coauthor of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist and the author of Stealing From God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case.


thestream--2020-10-23--Foreign Policy? What Foreign Policy? Debate Commission Props Up Biden, Fails Americans by Steering C

Foreign Policy? What Foreign Policy? Debate Commission Props Up Biden, Fails Americans by Steering Clear of His Vulnerabilities

Hate to drop a pop quiz on you on a Friday morning , but quick : What is the greatest responsibility of the President of the United States ?
To serve as Commander-in-Chief and Leader of the Free World .
What topic was deliberately avoided during last night ’ s final debate , which final debates traditionally focus on ?
Foreign policy and the candidates ’ respective records in those areas .
Foreign policy was not even one of the topic segments .
Instead we mostly had a repeat of the first debate : COVID — so Biden could call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Race — so Biden could call Trump a racist .
American family — So Biden could claim Trump is killing people by wanting to eliminate Obamacare .
Climate change — So Biden can claim Trump is putting the entire planet in danger .
More than repeating the first debate ’ s emphasis on areas friendly to Biden , however , and more than merely assuming the liberal mindset , the moderator and Commission on Presidential Debates social-distanced from foreign policy .
They shielded Biden that way , and kept Trump from being able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said of Biden ?
“ He ’ s been wrong on almost every foreign policy issue ” of the past 50 years .
And foreign policy was supposed to be his strength .
What They Were Not Asked About Just look at this list of topics that used to matter .
But were generally ignored .
We still have troops in harm ’ s way .
Biden voted for the wars and sent our troops there .
And despite their promises , Obama-Biden kept them there ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden family sure did profit from the war , though .
How about that $ 1.5 billion construction contract Joe ’ s non-builder brother James got in Iraq , back when Joe was overseeing rebuilding ?
President Trump is getting our troops home .
He ’ s helped ignite peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government .
And when there ’ s trouble , he lets our military do what they were trained to do .
The Obama-Biden administration gifted Iran billions , gave Iran an easy path to a nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah to run drugs into our country .
They screwed over Israel at every turn , and retreated from Obama ’ s red line in Syria , which allowed Russia to regain power in the region .
They cut loose the secular Egyptian government for one run by the Muslim Brotherhood , and let Libya be overthrown — bringing back African slave trade in the process .
Trump only gave us the Abraham Accords , in which three former Arab enemies of Israel made historic peace deals , with others on the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Trump is helping settle a festering water border dispute between Israel and Lebanon as we speak .
He ’ s quietly fostered more trade and interaction between Israel and the Arab world .
Saudi Arabia , for example , now allows Israeli commercial planes to fly over its territory .
He moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem .
And rather than coddle Iran , Trump killed its terrorist general who ’ d been responsible for the death of hundreds of America soldiers and mayhem across the Middle East and beyond .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qasem Soleimani . )
Donald Trump obliterated ISIS .
Four years ago , ISIS had established a caliphate and was committing atrocities on an unimaginable scale all around the world .
It was exterminating Christian communities and anyone else in its way .
Its followers were committing acts of terror here in America on a regular basis .
Nobody ’ s even talking about ISIS anymore .
That ’ s how thoroughly Trump has taken care of the problem — one that had dominated the news before his election .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamist terrorism from our shores .
Trump wiped out the ISIS caliphate .
Killed the leader of ISIS .
And where did ISIS come from ?
From Obama and Biden ’ s too quick removal of troops from Iraq , and dismissing them as the JV team at the beginning of their murderous run .
( We also don ’ t know just how much of the weaponry they used was from weaponry Obama-Biden-Clinton sent to radical Islamists in Libya , then into Syria . )
Not thinking about Islamic terrorism anymore ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military and reformed the disastrous VA hospital system .
Under Biden ’ s watch the military deteriorated , and the VA was killing off our veterans through incompetence and mismanagement that Obama-Biden let fester .
Donald Trump is bringing our troops home from around the world .
And while he has been lethal when necessary , Donald Trump is the first president since Ronald Reagan not to get us in a war .
There was a brief exchange on China , but no serious discussion of China ’ s growing menace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , one of Susan Rice ’ s complaints was that the incoming administration was more concerned about China than Russia , Russia , Russia .
Joe Biden , of course , denied during the campaign that China is a rival .
He has been perfectly happy accommodating China .
Shipping jobs to China .
And now we know , personally cashing in on China .
And though moderator Welker kept interrupting Trump ’ s efforts to talk about it , the evidence released yesterday by Biden ’ s former partner on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Joe Biden has been compromised by China .
Finally , there was no question asked about the candidates ’ overall view of America ’ s relationship to the world .
Joe Biden ’ s helped peddle Obama ’ s globalist vision , his leading from behind , his apologizing for America .
The weakening of America ’ s position .
The opening of our borders .
Donald Trump ’ s view is to put America first .
He sees his job as representing and fighting for Americans .
That includes renegotiating trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they owe , rescuing American hostages , securing our border , reforming the immigration system so it works for America , ridding the country of criminal illegal immigrants and fighting against sanctuary cities .
Here ’ s Why They Had to Avoid Bringing Up These Issues But now we know why the debate commission and moderators avoided these crucial topics .
Because on the chief function of our Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief , Donald Trump cleans Joe Biden ’ s clock .
And no way did they want to remind American voters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , they failed the test .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Hate to drop a pop quiz on you on a Friday morning, but quick:
What is the greatest responsibility of the President of the United States?
To serve as Commander-in-Chief and Leader of the Free World.
What topic was deliberately avoided during last night’s final debate, which final debates traditionally focus on?
Foreign policy and the candidates’ respective records in those areas.
Gee, I wonder why?
Foreign policy was not even one of the topic segments. Instead we mostly had a repeat of the first debate: COVID — so Biden could call Trump a killer of 200,000 Americans. Race — so Biden could call Trump a racist. American family — So Biden could claim Trump is killing people by wanting to eliminate Obamacare. Climate change — So Biden can claim Trump is putting the entire planet in danger.
More than repeating the first debate’s emphasis on areas friendly to Biden, however, and more than merely assuming the liberal mindset, the moderator and Commission on Presidential Debates social-distanced from foreign policy. They shielded Biden that way, and kept Trump from being able to trumpet his successes.
Remember what Obama Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said of Biden? “He’s been wrong on almost every foreign policy issue” of the past 50 years. And foreign policy was supposed to be his strength.
What They Were Not Asked About
Just look at this list of topics that used to matter. But were generally ignored.
Afghan and Iraq Wars
We still have troops in harm’s way. Biden voted for the wars and sent our troops there. And despite their promises, Obama-Biden kept them there (with terrible rules of engagement).
The Biden family sure did profit from the war, though. How about that $1.5 billion construction contract Joe’s non-builder brother James got in Iraq, back when Joe was overseeing rebuilding?
President Trump is getting our troops home. He’s helped ignite peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government. And when there’s trouble, he lets our military do what they were trained to do.
Middle East Peace
The Obama-Biden administration gifted Iran billions, gave Iran an easy path to a nuclear bomb, and allowed Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah to run drugs into our country. They screwed over Israel at every turn, and retreated from Obama’s red line in Syria, which allowed Russia to regain power in the region. They cut loose the secular Egyptian government for one run by the Muslim Brotherhood, and let Libya be overthrown — bringing back African slave trade in the process.
Trump only gave us the Abraham Accords, in which three former Arab enemies of Israel made historic peace deals, with others on the way. (Sudan reportedly is next.)
Trump is helping settle a festering water border dispute between Israel and Lebanon as we speak. He’s quietly fostered more trade and interaction between Israel and the Arab world. Saudi Arabia, for example, now allows Israeli commercial planes to fly over its territory. He moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
And rather than coddle Iran, Trump killed its terrorist general who’d been responsible for the death of hundreds of America soldiers and mayhem across the Middle East and beyond. (Joe Biden criticized the killing of General Qasem Soleimani.)
And …
ISIS and Islamist Terrorism
Donald Trump obliterated ISIS. Four years ago, ISIS had established a caliphate and was committing atrocities on an unimaginable scale all around the world. It was exterminating Christian communities and anyone else in its way. Its followers were committing acts of terror here in America on a regular basis.
Nobody’s even talking about ISIS anymore. That’s how thoroughly Trump has taken care of the problem — one that had dominated the news before his election. It’s how well he’s kept radical Islamist terrorism from our shores. Trump wiped out the ISIS caliphate. Killed the leader of ISIS.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And where did ISIS come from? From Obama and Biden’s too quick removal of troops from Iraq, and dismissing them as the JV team at the beginning of their murderous run. (We also don’t know just how much of the weaponry they used was from weaponry Obama-Biden-Clinton sent to radical Islamists in Libya, then into Syria.)
Not thinking about Islamic terrorism anymore? Thank Trump.
Military
Donald Trump has rebuilt the military and reformed the disastrous VA hospital system.
Under Biden’s watch the military deteriorated, and the VA was killing off our veterans through incompetence and mismanagement that Obama-Biden let fester.
Donald Trump is bringing our troops home from around the world.
And while he has been lethal when necessary, Donald Trump is the first president since Ronald Reagan not to get us in a war.
China
There was a brief exchange on China, but no serious discussion of China’s growing menace.
Trump has been focused on it. In fact, one of Susan Rice’s complaints was that the incoming administration was more concerned about China than Russia, Russia, Russia.
Joe Biden, of course, denied during the campaign that China is a rival. He has been perfectly happy accommodating China. Shipping jobs to China. And now we know, personally cashing in on China.
And though moderator Welker kept interrupting Trump’s efforts to talk about it, the evidence released yesterday by Biden’s former partner on a Chinese deal raises serious questions about whether Joe Biden has been compromised by China.
Put America First
Finally, there was no question asked about the candidates’ overall view of America’s relationship to the world.
Joe Biden’s helped peddle Obama’s globalist vision, his leading from behind, his apologizing for America. The weakening of America’s position. The opening of our borders.
Donald Trump’s view is to put America first. He sees his job as representing and fighting for Americans. That includes renegotiating trade deals, squeezing NATO for the money they owe, rescuing American hostages, securing our border, reforming the immigration system so it works for America, ridding the country of criminal illegal immigrants and fighting against sanctuary cities.
Here’s Why They Had to Avoid Bringing Up These Issues
But now we know why the debate commission and moderators avoided these crucial topics. Because on the chief function of our Chief Executive and Commander-in-Chief, Donald Trump cleans Joe Biden’s clock.
And no way did they want to remind American voters of that.
On doing right by the American people, they failed the test.
(If you haven’t yet, be sure to read my first response to last night’s debate: “Trump Keeps Cool, Biden Kills Oil Industry, Moderator Shoves Chinese Elephant Out of Room.”)
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-23--It’s Not Just About Abortion

It’s Not Just About Abortion

When faced with the abortion debate , there is a tribe of Christians who make an argument for something they call the “ seamless garment.
” They like to point out that being pro-life does not only mean being anti-abortion .
To be truly pro-life , they insist , is to also be an environmentalist , to be against cruelty to immigrants , against the death penalty and against low wages for workers .
All of these issues , they say , are also life issues .
That is all well and good , and decent people will nod and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of creation , welcome strangers in our midst , administer fair justice and fair wages for a good days ’ work .
However , the issue of abortion and these other issues are not equivalent .
Low wages and poor treatment of immigrants deal with the improvement of life , not life and death itself .
Abortion takes the life of an innocent , vulnerable and defenseless child .
Low wages and harsh treatment of immigrants are certainly causes to be fought for , but they are not the same as abortion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other issues are about the quality of life .
When it comes to the death penalty , good citizens can disagree .
But no matter what position you take , everyone must agree that the execution of a convicted , heartless killer is not the same as snuffing out the life of an unborn child .
You may oppose the death penalty , but you can ’ t suggest that the judicial execution of a murderer is the same thing as the medical execution of an innocent child .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerations to one side , there is more — much more !
— to the abortion debate than most people take time to consider .
At the very foundation of abortion we have a horrific act : the termination of a child ’ s life by its own parents .
This grotesque act goes against every instinct of nature .
One only has to see the heroic actions of a mother in the animal kingdom to protect her young to know that every fiber in a mother ’ s body is for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abortion is an act of violence against the child , but also against the woman ’ s instinct to be a tenderhearted and loving mother .
The women who commit abortion must therefore harden their hearts to their own instincts of love and affection .
They must eliminate not only the child , but they own sense of self giving and love — putting themselves first .
The medical personnel who perform abortions must also have hardened hearts towards children , towards families , towards themselves and towards love itself .
Doing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important than the life of a child .
What happens , then , in a society in which , over decades , millions of people commit abortion ?
Eventually we have a society of men and women with hearts that are hardened against love and life .
Eventually we have a society of men and women who hate children , who hate life , who hate themselves and harbor bitterness towards others .
Is this not what we have seen erupting in America over this dramatic year of 2020 ?
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society torn apart by violence — a violence that has started in the secret decisions of the Planned Parenthood clinic , the terrible chambers of the heart where violence against a tiny child was planned and carried out .
This is the true argument against abortion — not just that it kills a defenseless child , but that it also sows a seed of violence and death in the hearts and minds of the countless men and women who decide that they will go down the dark passageways of death rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have chosen to walk in the valley of the shadow of death , violence , fear and hatred .
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said , “ Abortion leads to war.
” What she meant by that was that the decision for abortion leads millions of men and women to regard human life as expendable .
For practical reasons , a human life can be snuffed out .
For economic reasons , a child created in God ’ s image can be terminated .
For pragmatic reasons and power grabs , people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final result of abortion : a society of violence where human life is regarded as no more important than a weed to be pulled .
Is the state of American society — with its gun violence , gang warfare , riots in the streets , addiction , suicide and anarchy — a surprise , then ?
It shouldn ’ t be .
We have sown the wind .
We are now reaping the whirlwind .
Dwight Longenecker ’ s latest book Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness explores the depths of evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution .

When faced with the abortion debate, there is a tribe of Christians who make an argument for something they call the “seamless garment.” They like to point out that being pro-life does not only mean being anti-abortion. To be truly pro-life, they insist, is to also be an environmentalist, to be against cruelty to immigrants, against the death penalty and against low wages for workers. All of these issues, they say, are also life issues.
That is all well and good, and decent people will nod and agree that we should be good stewards of creation, welcome strangers in our midst, administer fair justice and fair wages for a good days’ work.
However, the issue of abortion and these other issues are not equivalent.
Degree and Essence
Low wages and poor treatment of immigrants deal with the improvement of life, not life and death itself. Abortion takes the life of an innocent, vulnerable and defenseless child. Low wages and harsh treatment of immigrants are certainly causes to be fought for, but they are not the same as abortion.
Abortion deals with the essence of life. The other issues are about the quality of life.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When it comes to the death penalty, good citizens can disagree. But no matter what position you take, everyone must agree that the execution of a convicted, heartless killer is not the same as snuffing out the life of an unborn child. You may oppose the death penalty, but you can’t suggest that the judicial execution of a murderer is the same thing as the medical execution of an innocent child.
There is More. Much More
Putting these practical considerations to one side, there is more — much more! — to the abortion debate than most people take time to consider.
At the very foundation of abortion we have a horrific act: the termination of a child’s life by its own parents. This grotesque act goes against every instinct of nature. One only has to see the heroic actions of a mother in the animal kingdom to protect her young to know that every fiber in a mother’s body is for the protection and nurture of her child.
Abortion is an act of violence against the child, but also against the woman’s instinct to be a tenderhearted and loving mother. The women who commit abortion must therefore harden their hearts to their own instincts of love and affection. They must eliminate not only the child, but they own sense of self giving and love — putting themselves first.
The medical personnel who perform abortions must also have hardened hearts towards children, towards families, towards themselves and towards love itself. Doing it for profit means their bank account is more important than the life of a child.
Millions and Millions
What happens, then, in a society in which, over decades, millions of people commit abortion? Eventually we have a society of men and women with hearts that are hardened against love and life. Eventually we have a society of men and women who hate children, who hate life, who hate themselves and harbor bitterness towards others.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Abortion leads to war.” What she meant by that was that the decision for abortion leads millions of men and women to regard human life as expendable.
Is this not what we have seen erupting in America over this dramatic year of 2020? We have seen the hatred and horror of a society torn apart by violence — a violence that has started in the secret decisions of the Planned Parenthood clinic, the terrible chambers of the heart where violence against a tiny child was planned and carried out.
This is the true argument against abortion — not just that it kills a defenseless child, but that it also sows a seed of violence and death in the hearts and minds of the countless men and women who decide that they will go down the dark passageways of death rather than the light filled path of life. Millions have chosen to walk in the valley of the shadow of death, violence, fear and hatred.
Abortion Leads to War
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Abortion leads to war.” What she meant by that was that the decision for abortion leads millions of men and women to regard human life as expendable. For practical reasons, a human life can be snuffed out. For economic reasons, a child created in God’s image can be terminated. For pragmatic reasons and power grabs, people can be exterminated like rodents.
This is the final result of abortion: a society of violence where human life is regarded as no more important than a weed to be pulled.
Is the state of American society — with its gun violence, gang warfare, riots in the streets, addiction, suicide and anarchy — a surprise, then? It shouldn’t be. We have sown the wind. We are now reaping the whirlwind.
Dwight Longenecker’s latest book Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness explores the depths of evil in human society and offers the only solution.


thestream--2020-10-23--Faith Under Fire: New Faith-Based Film Starring Nick Vlassopoulos, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain Offers

Faith Under Fire: New Faith-Based Film Starring Nick Vlassopoulos, Kevin Sorbo and Dean Cain Offers Hope to Those Who’ve Suffered Loss

“ The love of God is always around , ” actor Nick Vlassopoulos told The Stream .
God sends “ people to you to help you get through grief.
” A new faith-based film starring Nick , Kevin Sorbo ( Hercules ) and Dean Cain ( Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman ) will be released to theaters November 27 .
The movie , Faith Under Fire , follows a man through loss and grief as he struggles to understand why God doesn ’ t step in and change his situation .
The film isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer hope for those who ’ ve suffered loss .
Nick delivers a strong and quite emotional performance as fireman Tom Hatcher , a man who lost his wife to illness and found out that his daughter was ill as well .
Nick said the role was “ like an actor ’ s dream come true.
” He always wanted to do a role as intense as Hatcher ’ s .
As soon as he heard about the film , he called the producers .
“ I straight out said , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” He auditioned and snagged the part .
Kevin Sorbo plays Dr. Robinson , a kind and gentle doctor who offers to pray for Hatcher .
He treats Hatcher ’ s wife and daughter in the hospital .
Dean Cain plays a preacher , Dan Underwood , who ’ s unlikely friendship with Hatcher helps the grieving man reach out for help in the face of incredible loss .
Nick resonated with the message of the movie and the loss Hatcher suffered .
Nick ’ s own father passed away just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think everybody goes through at some point in their life — grief , loss , ‘ why me ?
’ questioning — you know , why somebody dies at a young age unexpectedly .
We all want to live to 90 and just die of old age , you know ?
And , unfortunately , it doesn ’ t work that way in the real world.
” The movie offers no quick solutions to the pain Hatcher endures .
But it does offer hope .
“ It [ is ] a great story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Nick .
The story of loss , hope and “ turning to God really drew me to it as well.
” Nick wants people to take away hope from watching the film .
When his father died , he had love and support from friends and family .
“ That ’ s when I realized the love of God is always around .
He ’ s sending those people to help you get through this grief .
… The scars will still be there , but at least you feel there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move on with your life.
” He added , “ Time will help you heal , but the support of people and your loved ones — I think they ’ re sent [ by ] God to help you get through that grief and those times.
” Faith Under Fire will be in theaters November 27 through December 1 .
It will be available through home entertainment platforms beginning December 8 .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ @ @

“The love of God is always around,” actor Nick Vlassopoulos told The Stream. God sends “people to you to help you get through grief.” A new faith-based film starring Nick, Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) and Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) will be released to theaters November 27. The movie, Faith Under Fire, follows a man through loss and grief as he struggles to understand why God doesn’t step in and change his situation. The film isn’t a feel-good movie. But it does offer hope for those who’ve suffered loss.
An Intense Role
Nick delivers a strong and quite emotional performance as fireman Tom Hatcher, a man who lost his wife to illness and found out that his daughter was ill as well. Nick said the role was “like an actor’s dream come true.” He always wanted to do a role as intense as Hatcher’s. As soon as he heard about the film, he called the producers. “I straight out said, ‘I want to play the role of Tom.’” He auditioned and snagged the part.
Kevin Sorbo plays Dr. Robinson, a kind and gentle doctor who offers to pray for Hatcher. He treats Hatcher’s wife and daughter in the hospital.
Dean Cain plays a preacher, Dan Underwood, who’s unlikely friendship with Hatcher helps the grieving man reach out for help in the face of incredible loss.
An Inspirational Story
Nick resonated with the message of the movie and the loss Hatcher suffered. Nick’s own father passed away just a few short years ago. “I think everybody goes through at some point in their life — grief, loss, ‘why me?’ questioning — you know, why somebody dies at a young age unexpectedly. We all want to live to 90 and just die of old age, you know? And, unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way in the real world.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The movie offers no quick solutions to the pain Hatcher endures. But it does offer hope. “It [is] a great story. It [is] inspirational,” said Nick. The story of loss, hope and “turning to God really drew me to it as well.”
‘They’re Sent by God’
Nick wants people to take away hope from watching the film. When his father died, he had love and support from friends and family. “That’s when I realized the love of God is always around. He’s sending those people to help you get through this grief. … The scars will still be there, but at least you feel there’s some hope to continue to move on with your life.” He added, “Time will help you heal, but the support of people and your loved ones — I think they’re sent [by] God to help you get through that grief and those times.”
Faith Under Fire will be in theaters November 27 through December 1. It will be available through home entertainment platforms beginning December 8.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-24--How to Prepare for the Next Cultural Revolution

Christians have been caught off guard .
The current revolution sweeping society today was largely unexpected by most believers .
That ’ s understandable in one sense .
No one is a prophet .
Who knows what new philosophy will capture the culture ’ s attention ?
In another sense , it is our fault that so many believers have embraced a false philosophy — critical theory — and are attempting to parrot it back into the church .
There ’ s a simple reason why : lack of training .
The Next Revolution Will Come Sadly , my thesis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Claiming that Christians need more training is a yawner .
Mention the word “ education , ” and eyes glaze over .
Boring !
There ’ s no pizzazz to claiming that the antidote to our failure is training .
Virtually no one gets excited when you suggest adding theology and apologetics classes to the weekly diet of believers .
But that ’ s precisely why we ’ ve failed to protect believers from succumbing to critical theory .
Few Christians even knew what it was before it came crashing on the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at odds with the Christian worldview .
Instead of teaching that humans are valuable creatures made in God ’ s image , it says we are defined by our classification in groups : sex , race , class and gender identity , to name a few .
Instead of the main problem being sin — breaking God ’ s laws — it says the main problem is the oppression of others .
It gets the solution wrong : Instead of divine ( and human ) forgiveness , it says the solution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct the inequality .
Instead of the ultimate goal being a restored relationship with God , it says the goal is liberation from oppression .
We Need to be Ready Though critical theory differs from Christianity in fundamental ways , far too many Christians embraced it .
Why ?
They didn ’ t recognize its ideas before they became mainstream .
Instead , they became intrigued by its novelty and syncretized it with their faith .
That ’ s why we need to be ready for the next false philosophy — in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade — that will spawn the next cultural revolution .
I can ’ t predict what it will be , but I know it will happen .
I also know what we can do to be ready , prevent Christian defectors and answer the challenge when it arrives .
Here are two ways to prepare for the next revolution : Christians will be exposed to false ideas .
It isn ’ t a matter of if , but when .
The problem with the current approach — isolating believers from false ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We think we ’ re doing them a favor by sheltering them from the harm of mistaken ideas .
That also seems easier since it requires less work .
Such a strategy only works for so long .
In the case of critical theory , we ’ ve known about it for decades but mostly ignored it .
When it showed up on our streets and in our churches , Christians were caught flat-footed .
We didn ’ t recognize it , didn ’ t know it was embedded in a false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succumbed to it .
The better approach is to inoculate .
This is similar to how we protect our bodies against a virus .
To inoculate against polio , for example , you ingest an attenuated ( weakened , but alive ) virus .
Your immune system responds by producing an army of antibodies , killer cells that are created specifically to destroy that virus .
Then , when your body is exposed to polio , your immune system isn ’ t caught off guard .
It recognizes the virus and marshals the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to neutralize it before it can seriously infect you .
The same is true with false ideas .
We need to teach believers false ideas and philosophies , why people believe them and what ’ s wrong with those reasons .
That way , when they come across those ideas in the future , they can identify them ( Col. 2:8 ) and destroy them ( 2 Cor .
10:4–5 ) .
Had we taken this approach with critical theory , we would have had fewer Christians advocating its ideas within the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inoculate against false ideas is to equip believers in worldview training .
A worldview is a collection of attitudes , beliefs and values about the world around us .
Everyone , whether they know it or not , has a worldview .
Francis Schaeffer said that worldviews “ bring forth with inevitable certainty ” ideas that play themselves out in culture .
In other words , if society has bought into a worldview , its ideas will be manifest in the behavior of its citizens .
Therefore , studying ideas categorized by worldview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas in the world — some good and some bad .
It can be overwhelming to learn them all and understand each of their nuances .
There are less than a dozen worldviews , however , making learning all of them — and the ideas that flow from them — an achievable task .
Once a person has studied worldviews , it makes spotting false philosophies easier .
If you see an idea being played out in society and know it flows from a false worldview , then you can immediately determine whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject it .
It makes the task of discerning truth from error achievable .
Had believers studied worldviews , they would have recognized that critical theory is embedded in naturalism , a false ideology that denies the foundations of the Christian faith .
Now that we know the importance of worldview training , we can prepare for the next cultural revolution .
Alan Shlemon is an author and speaker for Stand to Reason .
He trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive , yet gracious manner .
He has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches , conferences , and college campuses .

Christians have been caught off guard. The current revolution sweeping society today was largely unexpected by most believers. That’s understandable in one sense. No one is a prophet. Who knows what new philosophy will capture the culture’s attention? In another sense, it is our fault that so many believers have embraced a false philosophy — critical theory — and are attempting to parrot it back into the church. There’s a simple reason why: lack of training.
The Next Revolution Will Come
Sadly, my thesis here is doomed from the get-go. Claiming that Christians need more training is a yawner. Mention the word “education,” and eyes glaze over. Boring! There’s no pizzazz to claiming that the antidote to our failure is training. Virtually no one gets excited when you suggest adding theology and apologetics classes to the weekly diet of believers. But that’s precisely why we’ve failed to protect believers from succumbing to critical theory.
Christians will be exposed to false ideas.
It isn’t a matter of if, but when.
Few Christians even knew what it was before it came crashing on the scene. Critical theory is a philosophy that is at odds with the Christian worldview. Instead of teaching that humans are valuable creatures made in God’s image, it says we are defined by our classification in groups: sex, race, class and gender identity, to name a few. Instead of the main problem being sin — breaking God’s laws — it says the main problem is the oppression of others. It gets the solution wrong: Instead of divine (and human) forgiveness, it says the solution is activism to overthrow those in power and correct the inequality. Instead of the ultimate goal being a restored relationship with God, it says the goal is liberation from oppression.
We Need to be Ready
Though critical theory differs from Christianity in fundamental ways, far too many Christians embraced it. Why? They didn’t recognize its ideas before they became mainstream. Instead, they became intrigued by its novelty and syncretized it with their faith.
That’s why we need to be ready for the next false philosophy — in a year, in five years or in a decade — that will spawn the next cultural revolution. I can’t predict what it will be, but I know it will happen. I also know what we can do to be ready, prevent Christian defectors and answer the challenge when it arrives. Here are two ways to prepare for the next revolution:
First: Inoculate, Don’t Isolate
Christians will be exposed to false ideas. It isn’t a matter of if, but when. The problem with the current approach — isolating believers from false ideas — is that it’s dangerous. We think we’re doing them a favor by sheltering them from the harm of mistaken ideas. That also seems easier since it requires less work. Such a strategy only works for so long. In the case of critical theory, we’ve known about it for decades but mostly ignored it. When it showed up on our streets and in our churches, Christians were caught flat-footed. We didn’t recognize it, didn’t know it was embedded in a false worldview, and consequently, many believers succumbed to it.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The better approach is to inoculate. This is similar to how we protect our bodies against a virus. To inoculate against polio, for example, you ingest an attenuated (weakened, but alive) virus. Your immune system responds by producing an army of antibodies, killer cells that are created specifically to destroy that virus. Then, when your body is exposed to polio, your immune system isn’t caught off guard. It recognizes the virus and marshals the army of antibodies that is already prepared to neutralize it before it can seriously infect you.
The same is true with false ideas. We need to teach believers false ideas and philosophies, why people believe them and what’s wrong with those reasons. That way, when they come across those ideas in the future, they can identify them (Col. 2:8) and destroy them (2 Cor. 10:4–5). Had we taken this approach with critical theory, we would have had fewer Christians advocating its ideas within the church.
Second: Teach Worldviews
One of the best ways to inoculate against false ideas is to equip believers in worldview training. A worldview is a collection of attitudes, beliefs and values about the world around us. Everyone, whether they know it or not, has a worldview. Francis Schaeffer said that worldviews “bring forth with inevitable certainty” ideas that play themselves out in culture. In other words, if society has bought into a worldview, its ideas will be manifest in the behavior of its citizens.
Therefore, studying ideas categorized by worldview is strategic. There are thousands of ideas in the world — some good and some bad. It can be overwhelming to learn them all and understand each of their nuances. There are less than a dozen worldviews, however, making learning all of them — and the ideas that flow from them — an achievable task.
Once a person has studied worldviews, it makes spotting false philosophies easier. If you see an idea being played out in society and know it flows from a false worldview, then you can immediately determine whether it’s wise to adopt or reject it. It makes the task of discerning truth from error achievable.
Had believers studied worldviews, they would have recognized that critical theory is embedded in naturalism, a false ideology that denies the foundations of the Christian faith. Now that we know the importance of worldview training, we can prepare for the next cultural revolution.
Alan Shlemon is an author and speaker for Stand to Reason. He trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive, yet gracious manner. He has been a guest on both radio and television, and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches, conferences, and college campuses.
Originally published at STR.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-10-24--Three Questions to Measure Your Spiritual Trust Factor

In the midst of our country ’ s current unrest , an important fabric has been torn .
Have you noticed ?
Trust lets me drive on the right side of the road and know you as an oncoming driver will do the same .
And we smile and wave passing safely on our side of the road .
At least I smile and wave .
You might be texting .
Trust allows a free , civilized society to maintain order .
To remain , well , civilized .
Without it , that social order is at risk .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us is a spiritual trust issue .
One that penetrates deep within the human heart .
And concerns spiritual questions of purpose , meaning and existence .
So here are three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor .
In What Are You Placing Your Spiritual Trust ?
Beyond trusting me to stay on my side of the road .
And perhaps refrain from texting while driving , what are you trusting ?
Money ?
A job ?
A political party ?
A skill-set ?
The government ?
A religion or philosophy ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almighty God who has my best interest in mind .
He is the only one who is completely , spiritually trustworthy .
Sure , there are things in this world that provide a level of security .
But never completely .
There are no guarantees .
There ’ s always some doubt .
Did I do enough ?
Have enough ?
Check all the boxes ?
Scripture says God has a sovereign plan .
And He ’ s moving us towards it .
You might even sense the pace is quickening .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe you ’ re even feeling a bit nervous and uncertain .
Scripture says no amount of good works will qualify me for God ’ s love and no amount of bad behavior will disqualify me from God ’ s love .
That ’ s comforting because I ’ m pretty sure my bad outweighs the good .
How about you ?
The good news is that God ’ s grace covers all who respond and accept it .
How Proven Is The Source Of Your Spiritual Trust ?
The Bible is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it ’ s hard to get more spiritually trustworthy than absolute .
The Bible has been scrutinized , analyzed and dissected more than any other document in the world .
Its historical accuracy is supported by archeology .
It bats a thousand on hundreds of fulfilled prophecies .
It ’ s been around for over 2,000 years and withstood all claims of error .
From a human perspective , no other document in the world comes anywhere close in credibility , accuracy and reliability .
Not one offers a higher level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Object Of Your Spiritual Trust ?
My grandparents owned a farm with a pond .
In the winter , when freezing temperatures froze the water , we ice skated on it .
But you couldn ’ t tell how thick the ice was just by looking at it .
You had to test it .
And the level of trust you demonstrated in testing the ice didn ’ t matter .
You could march boldly onto thin ice and fall through .
Or inch out cautiously on thick ice that easily supported your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ice .
The object you trusted .
For Christ followers , that object is Jesus Christ .
He claims to be the way , the truth and the life .
The key to eternal life .
The Son of God .
But you can ’ t just believe in him .
You have to spiritually trust him .
And when you do , it ’ s a game changer .
One with an eternal impact .
Chip Tudor is a freelance copywriter , published author , playwright and pastor .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon.com and articles on his blog .

In the midst of our country’s current unrest, an important fabric has been torn. Have you noticed?
It’s trust.
Trust lets me drive on the right side of the road and know you as an oncoming driver will do the same. And we smile and wave passing safely on our side of the road. At least I smile and wave. You might be texting.
Trust allows a free, civilized society to maintain order. To remain, well, civilized. Without it, that social order is at risk.
But perhaps, what’s really troubling us is a spiritual trust issue. One that penetrates deep within the human heart. And concerns spiritual questions of purpose, meaning and existence.
So here are three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor.
In What Are You Placing Your Spiritual Trust?
Beyond trusting me to stay on my side of the road. And perhaps refrain from texting while driving, what are you trusting? Money? A job? A political party? A skill-set? The government? A religion or philosophy?
As a Christ-follower, I trust an almighty God who has my best interest in mind. He is the only one who is completely, spiritually trustworthy.
Sure, there are things in this world that provide a level of security. But never completely. There are no guarantees. There’s always some doubt. Did I do enough? Have enough? Check all the boxes?
As a Christ-follower, I trust an almighty God
who has my best interest in mind.
Scripture says God has a sovereign plan. And He’s moving us towards it. You might even sense the pace is quickening. The signs of something looming more visible. Maybe you’re even feeling a bit nervous and uncertain.
Scripture says no amount of good works will qualify me for God’s love and no amount of bad behavior will disqualify me from God’s love. That’s comforting because I’m pretty sure my bad outweighs the good. How about you? The good news is that God’s grace covers all who respond and accept it.
That’s a spiritual trust that leads to spiritual peace.
How Proven Is The Source Of Your Spiritual Trust?
The Bible is the source of absolute truth for Christ-followers. And it’s hard to get more spiritually trustworthy than absolute.
The Bible has been scrutinized, analyzed and dissected more than any other document in the world. Its historical accuracy is supported by archeology. It bats a thousand on hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. It’s been around for over 2,000 years and withstood all claims of error.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
From a human perspective, no other document in the world comes anywhere close in credibility, accuracy and reliability. Not one offers a higher level of spiritual trust.
How Reliable Is The Object Of Your Spiritual Trust?
My grandparents owned a farm with a pond. In the winter, when freezing temperatures froze the water, we ice skated on it. But you couldn’t tell how thick the ice was just by looking at it. You had to test it.
And the level of trust you demonstrated in testing the ice didn’t matter.
You could march boldly onto thin ice and fall through. Or inch out cautiously on thick ice that easily supported your weight. What mattered was the trustworthiness of the ice. The object you trusted.
For Christ followers, that object is Jesus Christ. He claims to be the way, the truth and the life. The key to eternal life. The Son of God. But you can’t just believe in him. You have to spiritually trust him.
And when you do, it’s a game changer. One with an eternal impact.
Chip Tudor is a freelance copywriter, published author, playwright and pastor. He publishes drama at chiptudor.com, books on Amazon.com and articles on his blog.
Originally published at chiptudor.com