The other day a friend invited me to join the abolish abortion in Canada facebook group.
I did. But not before I did some research to check that the Make a Wish contest was legitimate. And it was. Indeed, the CBC is running it.
I was pleased but surprised to see that the abolish abortion wish was the group with the highest number of members. This has caught the attention of journalists as well.
An article published in today’s Globe and Mail suggests the survey has been ‘hijacked’ by religious right-wing interest groups.
“The outcome has observers pointing to the sophisticated ways that lobby groups are infiltrating and taking advantage of social networking sites, and CBC fans questioning the public broadcaster's judgment,” wrote the reporter.
My initial reaction was ‘Why do those who hold conservative social viewpoints called special interest groups, but causes usually associated with the left are called progressive activism?’
Some of the folks who left comments in the Globe and Mail discussion page expressed similar sentiment. The poll has been called an experimental disaster, because they didn’t get the results they were expecting.
Elaine Corden wrote, “What rankles is that CBC's blatant populism is so easily perverted. Sure, this contest sparks debate around obviously contentious issues, but at what price? Do we jettison the CBC's long history of progressive values because a few very loud voters demand it? I hope not.”
Michael Ingram, more graciously perhaps, argued that, “The whole point of "social" media is to let anyone who wants to say something have an opportunity to do so, including people with unpleasant views, or those whose opinions we disagree with.”
As an interesting sidenote, the New York Times recently published a story headlined ‘Young Americans Are Leaning Left, New Poll Finds’. And while American younger people (17-29) were much more supportive of instituting universal health care, legalizing same-sex marriage, and aggressively attack global warming than the American public on average, their responses to the abortion question were actually MORE conservative than the general public.
Thirty-seven percent felt that abortion should be generally available to those who want it (compared to 39 % of all adults), 38 % wanted more restrictions (compared to 37 % of all adults) and 24 % believed abortion shouldn’t be permitted (compared to 21 % of all adults).
I disagree that the experiment failed. Apart from the initial technological blip when people could vote as many times as they wanted, the experiment worked as it was intended. Friends invited friends to join a group, who in turn invited their friends. That’s how social networking sites operate.
Sources:
Elaine Corden, Is CBC’s New Populism Perverted? 21 June 2007. Availble 28 June 2007. Available: http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2007/06/21/CBC/
Adam Nagourney, Megan Thee. “Young Americans Are Leaning Left, New Poll Finds” New York Times, 27 June 2007. Accessed 27 June 2007. Available:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/washington/27poll.html?bl=&_r=1&ei=5087%0A&en=ba3fa1ecbe1314f6&ex=1183262400&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1183133979-UKFNGj50+lpRYSCiH8fbZA
Cassandra Szklarski, “CBC ‘wish list' experiment dogged by controversy” Globe and Mail. 28 June 2007. Accessed 29 June 2007. Available: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070628.wgtcbc28/BNStory/Technology/
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Machen on Creeds
The creeds of Christendom are not expressions of Christian experience. They are summary statements of what God has told us in His word. Far from the subject-matter of the creeds being derived from Christian experiences, it is Christian experience which is based upon the truth contained in the creeds; and the truth contained in the creeds is derived from the Bible, which is the Word of God.
- Gresham Machen (God Transcendent, p 158) in ‘Whose Faith Follow’ The Banner of Truth, May 1997, p. 21.
- Gresham Machen (God Transcendent, p 158) in ‘Whose Faith Follow’ The Banner of Truth, May 1997, p. 21.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Doxologies
Several wonderful New Testament doxologies are below:
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17
God, the blessed and only Ruler; the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15B-16
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18
To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen. Jude 25
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power. Revelation 4:11A
To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever! Revelation 5:13B
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17
God, the blessed and only Ruler; the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honour and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15B-16
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18
To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more! Amen. Jude 25
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power. Revelation 4:11A
To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever! Revelation 5:13B
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Evan Almighty
I received an e-mail promoting Evan Almighty today.
The movie opens tomorrow, and I’ve been struck by the intense marketing campaign targeted at evangelicals.
Because of the ‘religious’ themes in the movie they suppose we are a natural market for the movie. With the unfortunate state of the evangelical subculture at the moment, they may be correct.
Noah’s Ark is not a fluffy story about animals and a big boat.
It’s about God’s horrific and just judgment on sin; the worst ‘natural’ disaster in history.
Noah’s Ark is certainly not meant to be funny.
The movie opens tomorrow, and I’ve been struck by the intense marketing campaign targeted at evangelicals.
Because of the ‘religious’ themes in the movie they suppose we are a natural market for the movie. With the unfortunate state of the evangelical subculture at the moment, they may be correct.
Noah’s Ark is not a fluffy story about animals and a big boat.
It’s about God’s horrific and just judgment on sin; the worst ‘natural’ disaster in history.
Noah’s Ark is certainly not meant to be funny.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Forgive our Debts
One of my earliest memories of the Christian faith is the Lord’s Prayer. As part of the morning announcements each morning, we recited the Lord’s Prayer and sang O Canada. The Lord’s Prayer was eventually removed – it was a public school after all – but it has remained engrained in my head since I was very young.
Interestingly, one of the very few clear memories I have of kindergarten was the day the teacher explained each section of the Lord’s Prayer.
I’ve always known the fifth petition to be ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’
But, according to Philip Ryken, pastor at Tenth Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, the “the word ‘trespass’, even though it may sound more elegant than the word ‘debt’, is biblically inaccurate and theologically incomplete" (p.118)
He explains it is inaccurate because the word used in Matthew is the Greek word for ‘debt’ (opheilhma) and not ‘trespass’ (paraptoma). It’s also incomplete because it "suggests that sin is simply a matter of going too far, of stepping over the line or infringing on God’s property rights" (119).
“However, trespassers can sometimes manage to get off private property before they get into trouble. That is not the case with those who sin against Almighty God. Once we sin, we remain in God’s debt, even after we are finished committing the sin. We are not just trespassers, we are debtors." (120)
Source: Philip Graham Ryken. When You Pray: Making the Lord’s Prayer Your Own. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006.
Interestingly, one of the very few clear memories I have of kindergarten was the day the teacher explained each section of the Lord’s Prayer.
I’ve always known the fifth petition to be ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’
But, according to Philip Ryken, pastor at Tenth Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, the “the word ‘trespass’, even though it may sound more elegant than the word ‘debt’, is biblically inaccurate and theologically incomplete" (p.118)
He explains it is inaccurate because the word used in Matthew is the Greek word for ‘debt’ (opheilhma) and not ‘trespass’ (paraptoma). It’s also incomplete because it "suggests that sin is simply a matter of going too far, of stepping over the line or infringing on God’s property rights" (119).
“However, trespassers can sometimes manage to get off private property before they get into trouble. That is not the case with those who sin against Almighty God. Once we sin, we remain in God’s debt, even after we are finished committing the sin. We are not just trespassers, we are debtors." (120)
Source: Philip Graham Ryken. When You Pray: Making the Lord’s Prayer Your Own. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2006.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Evolution By the Numbers
There is a delightful number that emerged from an Angus Reid poll recently.
Interviewees were asked for their opinion about the origins of human beings.
And, if this poll is correct, more Americans (53%) than Ontarians (51%) believe that humans evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.
Also of note: Nearly a quarter of all Ontarians reported that they didn’t know what they believed.
Nationally, 59% said they believed in evolution, with Quebecers (71%) most likely to believe. The highest rate of belief in Creation, that God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years, was in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (33%).
The reaction from an evolution advocate was predictable.
"We're obviously not getting our message across," Pam Willoughby, an anthropology professor at the University of Alberta, told a Globe and Mail reporter.
In other words, we need to educate the unwashed masses that they came from a few cells and that everything in this world really is random and purposeless.
Perhaps that is why people who say they believe in evolution really don’t believe in evolution. Sure, they may consent to its principles, and pride themselves on their scientific sophistication, but when it comes to the reality of what the evolutionary worldview truly represents, most people slink away.
There are no evolution martyrs.
Dr. Al Mohler likes to say that even the most ardent relativist doesn’t want his or her surgeon to be one. The same is true for most evolutionists (with perhaps the exception of people such as Ms. Willoughby whose career is firmly contingent on evolutionary theory).
Most evolutionists do not live consistently with their worldview, not only because of the unpleasantness that would bring, but also because many do not really understand the theory to begin with.
This poll affirms this. The survey found 42 % of participants agree dinosaurs and humans co-existed on earth, including (oddly) 45 % those same Quebecers who overwhelmingly told the pollster they believe in evolution! Indeed, the 42 % who people and dinos lived side-by-side, was higher than those who said it wasn’t true!
Also interesting was Professor Willoughby’s denial that evolution influences her worldview. “We're not in the belief business, we're in the science business,” she said.
Such a ridiculous claim (creation is a believe system, but evolution is not) frustrates Os Guinness.
In his wonderful book Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil, he laments that secularists refuse to acknowledge that their worldviews filter their belief systems just as all religions do, especially as they grapple with the big issues that confront us all.
“The quality and tone of public discussion,” he writes “would improve immeasurably if secularists were to acknowledge that their faith is one faith among others and talk openly of their own failures.”
Sources:
Angus Reid. Do Canadians Believe in Evolution or Creationism?” 18 June 2007. Accessed 19 June 2007. Available: http://www.angus-reid.com/admin/collateral/pdfs/polls/ARS_Evo_Cre.pdf
Rebecca Dube, “What does Darwin know anyway?” The Globe and Mail. 19 June 2007. Accessed 19 June 2007. Available: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.
20070619.wxlcreation19/BNStory/lifeMain/home
Os Guinness, Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 2005.
Interviewees were asked for their opinion about the origins of human beings.
And, if this poll is correct, more Americans (53%) than Ontarians (51%) believe that humans evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.
Also of note: Nearly a quarter of all Ontarians reported that they didn’t know what they believed.
Nationally, 59% said they believed in evolution, with Quebecers (71%) most likely to believe. The highest rate of belief in Creation, that God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years, was in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (33%).
The reaction from an evolution advocate was predictable.
"We're obviously not getting our message across," Pam Willoughby, an anthropology professor at the University of Alberta, told a Globe and Mail reporter.
In other words, we need to educate the unwashed masses that they came from a few cells and that everything in this world really is random and purposeless.
Perhaps that is why people who say they believe in evolution really don’t believe in evolution. Sure, they may consent to its principles, and pride themselves on their scientific sophistication, but when it comes to the reality of what the evolutionary worldview truly represents, most people slink away.
There are no evolution martyrs.
Dr. Al Mohler likes to say that even the most ardent relativist doesn’t want his or her surgeon to be one. The same is true for most evolutionists (with perhaps the exception of people such as Ms. Willoughby whose career is firmly contingent on evolutionary theory).
Most evolutionists do not live consistently with their worldview, not only because of the unpleasantness that would bring, but also because many do not really understand the theory to begin with.
This poll affirms this. The survey found 42 % of participants agree dinosaurs and humans co-existed on earth, including (oddly) 45 % those same Quebecers who overwhelmingly told the pollster they believe in evolution! Indeed, the 42 % who people and dinos lived side-by-side, was higher than those who said it wasn’t true!
Also interesting was Professor Willoughby’s denial that evolution influences her worldview. “We're not in the belief business, we're in the science business,” she said.
Such a ridiculous claim (creation is a believe system, but evolution is not) frustrates Os Guinness.
In his wonderful book Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil, he laments that secularists refuse to acknowledge that their worldviews filter their belief systems just as all religions do, especially as they grapple with the big issues that confront us all.
“The quality and tone of public discussion,” he writes “would improve immeasurably if secularists were to acknowledge that their faith is one faith among others and talk openly of their own failures.”
Sources:
Angus Reid. Do Canadians Believe in Evolution or Creationism?” 18 June 2007. Accessed 19 June 2007. Available: http://www.angus-reid.com/admin/collateral/pdfs/polls/ARS_Evo_Cre.pdf
Rebecca Dube, “What does Darwin know anyway?” The Globe and Mail. 19 June 2007. Accessed 19 June 2007. Available: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.
20070619.wxlcreation19/BNStory/lifeMain/home
Os Guinness, Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 2005.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Luke 16: 1-13
Perhaps it’s because Luke 16:13 is often quoted. But for some reason, the first part of Chapter 16 surprised me as I read it yesterday, for I was completely unfamiliar with the parable.
I’ve certainly read it before, but the story felt like un-chartered territory.
It’s the parable of the dishonest manger.
The man was accused of mishandling his boss’ possessions and he was fired. The manager devised a plan. He approached his boss’ debtors and asked them how much they owed.
When they replied, he offered to cut their bill.
By significantly reducing the amount of interest the debtor owed, the manger would have obliged the debtor to assist him personally.
“I have decided what to do,” says the man “so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.” (Luke 16:4 ESV).
His boss was duped out of money. With the original bills destroyed, the owner was in an awkward position as it would be difficult to establish his claim for the full amount, which included interest. Yet, he was impressed with the man’s shrewdness (v. 8).
Jesus uses the parable to illustrate that secular people often use what they have to further their own worldly ends more wisely than people of the light do to further God’s kingdom.
Jesus’ disciples are to use their wealth not for selfish purposes, but to ‘make friends’ According to the editors of the Reformation Study Bible, alms for the poor are probably in view here.
“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (v. 9)
The editors note that the text does not explicitly specific who is doing the receiving (it may be the poor or God). In either case, the help given to others is a sign of genuine discipleship rather than meritorious grounds of salvation.
I’ve certainly read it before, but the story felt like un-chartered territory.
It’s the parable of the dishonest manger.
The man was accused of mishandling his boss’ possessions and he was fired. The manager devised a plan. He approached his boss’ debtors and asked them how much they owed.
When they replied, he offered to cut their bill.
By significantly reducing the amount of interest the debtor owed, the manger would have obliged the debtor to assist him personally.
“I have decided what to do,” says the man “so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.” (Luke 16:4 ESV).
His boss was duped out of money. With the original bills destroyed, the owner was in an awkward position as it would be difficult to establish his claim for the full amount, which included interest. Yet, he was impressed with the man’s shrewdness (v. 8).
Jesus uses the parable to illustrate that secular people often use what they have to further their own worldly ends more wisely than people of the light do to further God’s kingdom.
Jesus’ disciples are to use their wealth not for selfish purposes, but to ‘make friends’ According to the editors of the Reformation Study Bible, alms for the poor are probably in view here.
“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (v. 9)
The editors note that the text does not explicitly specific who is doing the receiving (it may be the poor or God). In either case, the help given to others is a sign of genuine discipleship rather than meritorious grounds of salvation.
Friday, June 15, 2007
A Conversion
I’m watching Songs of Praise on Vision TV and just heard the inspiring story of a former criminal and drug addict. The Lord converted him when he was in prison and his life changed around. He recently got married and works as a security guard.
Praise God!
The man’s favourite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Praise God!
The man’s favourite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Under Grace
"The Lord has given His people a desire and will aiming at great things: without this they would be unworthy the name of Christians; but they cannot do as they would. Their best desires are weak and ineffectual, not absolutely so (for He who works in them to will, enables then in a measure to do likewise), but in comparison with the mark at which they aim. So that while they have great cause to be thankful for the desire He has given them, and for the degree in which it is answered, they have equal reason to be ashamed and abased under a sense of their continual defects, and the evil mixtures which taint and debase their best endeavors.
Alas! How vain is man in his best estate! How much weakness and inconsistency, even in those whose hearts are right with the Lord! And what reason have we to confess that we are unworthy, unprofitable servants! But, blessed be God--we are not under the law, but under grace: and even these distressing effects of the remnants of indwelling sin are overruled for good. By these experiences the believer is weaned from self, and taught more highly to prize and more absolutely to rely on Him, who is appointed unto us of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The more vile we are in our own eyes--the more precious will Jesus be to us."
- John Newton (1772)
From "Desires Unrealized" Available: http://www.gracegems.org/Newton/38.htm
Alas! How vain is man in his best estate! How much weakness and inconsistency, even in those whose hearts are right with the Lord! And what reason have we to confess that we are unworthy, unprofitable servants! But, blessed be God--we are not under the law, but under grace: and even these distressing effects of the remnants of indwelling sin are overruled for good. By these experiences the believer is weaned from self, and taught more highly to prize and more absolutely to rely on Him, who is appointed unto us of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The more vile we are in our own eyes--the more precious will Jesus be to us."
- John Newton (1772)
From "Desires Unrealized" Available: http://www.gracegems.org/Newton/38.htm
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Stand in Awe
Stand in Awe
I’ve been listening to a wonderful song by Jeremy Riddle. The lyrics are below.
Gracious and astounding
God's love so confounding appears to us
In a cleansing flow of blood!
The Son left throne and glory,
Bore the Father's wrath and fury in our stead;
And for the sins of all He bled!
Chorus:
Stand in awe and worship!
Raise a voice and worship; Come adore
The King of kings and Lord of lords!
Behold the Lamb in Heaven
He was dead but God raised Him from the grave;
For His arm is mighty to save!
Now glorified and reigning
The keys of death and Hades in His hand;
And all hail the Lord of every man!
(Chorus 3x)
The King of kings and Lord of lords.
I’ve been listening to a wonderful song by Jeremy Riddle. The lyrics are below.
Gracious and astounding
God's love so confounding appears to us
In a cleansing flow of blood!
The Son left throne and glory,
Bore the Father's wrath and fury in our stead;
And for the sins of all He bled!
Chorus:
Stand in awe and worship!
Raise a voice and worship; Come adore
The King of kings and Lord of lords!
Behold the Lamb in Heaven
He was dead but God raised Him from the grave;
For His arm is mighty to save!
Now glorified and reigning
The keys of death and Hades in His hand;
And all hail the Lord of every man!
(Chorus 3x)
The King of kings and Lord of lords.
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