Giving

Notice the cell phone? Can't afford a Laundromat, but he has unlimited text messaging?

The leaves have fallen, so it is time to blog again. Chris has some awesome thoughts (to put it mildly) concerning worship on St Ambrose, Craig continues to explore art that glorifies God on StCelebart and the blog master Brian (aka Brain) makes me belly laugh on Emasculating Nickname. I am afraid that my blog continues to be the soapbox of a very opinionated man.

The church has waves of beggars and vagabonds that come and go. I actually found myself getting angry one Sunday at a beggar who endured the worship service in hopes of getting some cash for God knows what. We generally do give to all those who ask, but I am not so sure that giving to vagabonds is a right use of "God's money".

Now before you get all up in arms about my thoughts on the subject you must realize that I work full time in a ministry that exists to extend ourselves on behalf of our poor brothers and sisters in Ethiopia. You could say that my vocation is giving, or "redistribution of wealth." We support Christians in Ethiopia who are working for the Gospel. We support orphans and widows who have no other source of income. We support those who cannot support themselves.

When it comes to able bodied young men on the streets of America -- do we really owe them five bucks just because they have a sign that reads "Will work for food"?

Some young Christians will immediately throw a proof text my way and proclaim that Jesus clearly commands us to give. I agree. Jesus most certainly commands us to give, and even to be generous in giving. The problem is that Scripture also teaches that if a man does not work he should not eat. And there was that strange day when Jesus said to the multitude, "If you are hungry eat my body and drink my blood."

When Jesus perceived that most in the crowd wanted to see a miracle and get their bellies filled He rebuked them and basically chased them away. The Apostles were amazed and more than a bit concerned. Jesus turns to the disciples and asks if they are going to leave as well, and the response was, "You have the words of life, where shall we go?"

Many who knock on the doors of the Church are like those that Jesus chased away. The Church of God does not owe every lazy man his daily bread. But, the Church does have a debt -- we owe it to the wise man and the fool.

In Romans chapter one Paul speaks of the Gospel and the life changing power of Christ. He says that he is a debtor to both those who know the Gospel (to share in their faith) and to those who do not know the Gospel (that they might hear).

Certainly there are those who truly need financial help or a bag of groceries, but God forbid that we send away the needy with only some cash or bread! I fear that all too often young Christians relieve their guilt by giving cash to a beggar, but missing the opportunity to be a prophet. Maybe the beggar needed something more than money. God may send a lazy man to the doors of a church for the sole purpose of having someone speak into the man's life and rebuke his laziness. When a beggar comes to our door God may have sent him to have a radical life changing transformation. As believers we owe it to those who come to the Church looking for help. We owe them the Gospel!

Finally a wedding picture!

Ben and Pepo!
Married in Addis Abeba Ethiopia on Sunday, Jul 8th, 2007.
Anyone else need a matchmaker's services?

Rafting the Poudre

Regular readers may have noticed my absence. I have spent a few days in Brazil and Colorado. The trip to Brazil was to visit with the Teixeira family. The trip to Colorado was to preside over the Eucharist for Stephen and Shelley's wedding - which was an awesome experience, very Christ honoring.

The next day I went rafting on the Poudre (pronounced "poo-der" in the native dialect). That is me on the far left, you can only see three of us although there were eight on the raft. I wrenched my back, but stayed on board through a series of class II, III and IV rapids. It was a good thing to stay on board as there were over 4' waters (which is high for the Poudre, and it was the peak day for the year) which were about 40 degrees.

Updates to ioi blog

For those of you interested in the ministry of IOI --
The www.ioiusa.blogspot.com blog is updated monthly. Also, we have a new URL for our website at www.ioiusa.org which I hope is much more user friendly. Check it out when you have an opportunity.

Also, for those interested in our home renovations check out www.universal-design-home.blogspot.com

Dependency

I have copied the article in its entirety and only added a few comments which are in red. I wanted to include the entire article to be fair.

DEPENDENCY ISSUES AND EXTENDING GOD’S KINGDOM
South America Region, International Mission Board, SBC

The concept of dependence is an important and vital part of the Christian life. We are taught in Scripture to be completely and totally dependent on God. Therefore, to foster a dependence on other things, even as they relate to Kingdom Extension, runs contrary to good missiological approaches and sound Scriptural principles. (Strange, no mention of the Church being like a body, which would imply interdependence on each other).

We are called, committed and accountable to go and to make disciples of the nations, even to the uttermost ends of the earth. Thankfully, many Southern Baptists and others have been and continue to be involved in that Kingdom task. The purpose of this position paper is to help avoid practices that are paternalistic (Application of the ideas that follow are not only "paternalistic" they are supremest, ie. "because we are greater...") and those that create dependency because such practices hinder Kingdom growth.

Some Relevant Scripture
We Baptists hold a strong belief that every individual is directly accountable to Almighty God to obey, worship and serve Him and that the Lord directs and empowers each individual to accomplish that which He has purposed. His church leadership is instructed "to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Eph. 4:12&13) (I think it strange to divorce the individual from the "body of Christ," and apply a scripture that clearly is addressing "you all" and interpret the passage to be to the individual. Aren't Baptists supposed to be the ones who believe in the literal translation of Scripture?)

Jesus sent out the disciples to the lost sheep of Israel with authority and strong words of encouragement to preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and to drive out demons because they were to freely give of what they had freely received. The disciples were instructed not to take along any gold, or silver, or copper money and no luggage, because "the worker is worth his keep," (obviously meant to apply to the little dark skinned people, but not to SBC missionaries who live in fine homes, drive new SUVs and have servants) (Matt. 10:1-10) which idea is expressed in today’s mission phraseology as "the resources are in the harvest." (ie. "why should we use our money to help the poor?" HOW RIDICULOUS! Can you imagine Jesus saying, "heal thyself" or "I have come that you might find the life that you already have"?) Matthew 10:11-20 indicates that the disciples were not expected to have an altogether easy entrance into their mission world. Instead of ease, they were instructed to expect hardships of rejection, betrayal, arrests and trials (Unlike SBC missionaries to the Middle East who are taught to lie about their presence in the country and do everything possible to avoid any rejection). Jesus sent them out "like sheep among wolves." Jesus also gave similar instructions to the 72 whom he sent out later. (Luke 10:1-12) Later, in Luke 22:35-36, even when Jesus gave further instructions indicating the need for provisions of a money belt, a bag and a sword, these provisions were the simplest ones that allowed the worker to be sent out for ministry.
The Apostle Paul traveled throughout most of the known world of the Roman Empire, working, teaching, writing, preaching, suffering various trials and hardships, and witnessing, with almost no mention made of any financial or material aid for those receiving the witness. He did, of course, collect an offering for the faithful in Jerusalem who were suffering a lack of necessities, probably as a result of persecution. (So admittedly the Apostle Paul collected money for the poor in another country. Just a reminder - that is the thing that this article is preaching against.) Paul even worked to earn his own livelihood when the circumstances indicated. (Acts 18:3) The Apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 11:16-33 describes in his own words what he suffered in order that others would hear the good news of salvation in Christ.

God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to himself, but, even though it was God the Father who was taking the initiative; it was Christ the Son who was required to pay the price of obedience that was set before him by God, the Father. (2 Cor. 5:18-21) (Any theologians have a problem with this statement, or is it just me?)

It is quite evident from the Biblical texts cited, and many others, that some of the principal ingredients for reaching the lost world were personal testimony of faith, sharing the gospel message, challenging the lost to believe, and paying the price of obedience along with some cautions about the role material resources would play. (Oh yes, quite evident in deed. Ahem. Now all you little people without Bible degrees take a seat and get ready for this great exposition).

Missionary Leadership Insight
The following insights were shared by Dr. Jerry Rankin in the September 1997 issue of The Commission magazine, a Southern Baptist International Mission Board publication, and they are echoed by many leaders in missions (who mostly live in really nice homes in America and jobs depend on American money given by American Christians; but are real experts on the sufferings of the developing world).

North Americans often see poverty and economic disparity overseas and, out of a compassionate desire to help, they wish to share of their own abundant resources. However, they are often less than fully aware of the dangers of a valid spiritual ministry (I think that is an interesting phrase, "valid spiritual ministry") degenerating into material assistance (assistance - that 's bad, right? Sounds too much like welfare. Sounds liberal or Communist or something wholly unAmerican), and how creating dependency can be detrimental to the health and growth of Kingdom efforts (Clearly the IMB are not Calvinists - at least we can be thankful for something. I mean we scoff at global warming because Man cannot destroy God's planet, but apparently individual men can harm God's Kingdom).

The International Mission Board is firmly committed to indigenous principles of missions in the work of evangelism and church planting overseas ("yes, yes firmly committed with words, lots of words, and programs, and Veggie Tales - but not money that might hurt somebody). The churches that result must have members who are growing to maturity in Christ, reaching the lost around them with the gospel, and seeing new congregations resulting from their efforts. "It is a mistake to try to accelerate growth by an infusion of financial aid to build churches and support pastors…Well intended financial assistance too often creates dependence and handicaps the initiative and faith essential for spontaneous growth (I don't know -- seems like it works in America. Funny how the Home Mission Board supports pastors, builds buildings, etc. here in the good ole USA, but when it comes to the darkies in Africa...)." When "Americans subsidize the work of churches and pastors on the mission field (Oh, I see the "mission field") potential growth is stalled because of a mind-set that it can‘t be done unless an overseas benefactor provides the funds." In such a case, the local congregation stops assuming responsibility before the Lord for the work and begins to rely more on the human benefactors to take care of them (I suppose that is why we pay our pastors here in America, because we want them to be dependant on us?). "People are deprived of growing in faith, learning to depend on God and discovering that He is sufficient for all their needs."

"Subsidy propagates a Western model of a church that sees a building and a paid pastor as essential rather than encouraging a reproducible biblical model of the church as gathered believers responsible to and for their own leadership and facilities." (Again a statement of "fact" that has no reference in reality. I personally know of churches that have been helped greatly by "western $" and they don't look or act "western". Furthermore, isn't this actually condemning the very churches that support the IMB? Don't all SBC churches in America see a building and a paid pastor as essential?)
Dr. Rankin concludes that the "Explosive growth ….around the world would never have occurred if a pattern of subsidy and dependence had been created. Unfortunately, well-intentioned help on many fields has handicapped long-term potential growth." (Hasn't most of the growth in the past 150 years been subsidized by the West? I don't get it. Has the Church grown or not? And if it has doesn't it disprove what Dr. Rankin is saying?)

Also, Dr. David Garrison has intensely studied church planting movements around the world and concludes that the use of outside resources to construct church buildings and to pay pastors’ salaries actually creates barriers to the realization of a church planting movement, because it saps local initiative. He goes on to state that these actions may produce some impressive short-term results, but they will also produce a long-term dead end. (I sorry I have no idea who this guy is, but I am willing to call him on the carpet here and ask for some statistics. Again we have a great learned man who states a "fact" based on his "intense study" and we are expected to believe him with no verification of what he says. Again, I can show you churches that are thriving and growing, and have actually been encouraged to give more when they learn that churches in America are willing to help them. How I wish there was a missions version of Snopes.com).
In his book, Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World, Garrison lists some serious obstacles to the blossoming of a church planting movement; in fact, he designates them as seven deadly sins (Oh, God forbid that we give to the poor! What a sin! -- WOE TO THOSE WHO CALL GOOD EVIL!) which create barriers against a church planting movement. Two of them are especially pertinent for the issue being treated here.

One he names the "The Devil’s Candy." "The Devil’s Candy is deceptive, because it refers to good things that have real value" but they can hinder reaching the lost with the gospel. In the mission setting, it is the use of outside money for paying pastors and church building construction. Garrison writes that when outside (Outside? That would be "para" like "para-church"? Like a mission organization? COME ON! It is ONE Church Dr. Garrison, there is NO "outside"!) funds are used to hire pastors and construct church buildings, there may be some quick results but sustainable growth will not be realized.

A second barrier for a church planting movement is what Garrison calls "Alien Abduction (Who’s in charge here?) He continues, "There are at least three ways that Church Planting Movements can succumb to alien abduction: 1) by forcing new believers to exchange their cultural forms for alien ones, 2) by creating a welfare state (there are those liberals again!) of foreign dependency, and 3) by injecting foreign elements into the life of the church that cannot be locally reproduced."

So, when is it "help that helps" and when is it "help that hurts?" That is the question that requires much prayer, study and application of the admonition of Jesus to the twelve and the seventy when he sent them out. "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16 KJV) How can one be wise in Kingdom service in a mission setting? By praying relevant questions through to constructive answers. (I know lets read I John 3. No, why don't we just pray and ask God to enlighten us.)

The following are some relevant prayer topics for anyone or a group committing to ministry on a mission field and who wishes to wisely invest time and resources.

Are we truly partners in Christ with local believers with commensurate responsibilities in this mission effort? (Well if your the IMB I don't know if you are a partner, but you surely are the boss).
Do our ministry and resources enhance discipleship growth and commitment? (Maybe you could have Dr Garrison do intensive study on the subject?)
Will our ministry result in disciples absolutely committed to reaching others? (Would it be a bad thing if our disciples were "absolutely committed" to worship of God?)
What would be the signs that dependency is being fostered? (Maybe no one having the intestinal fortitude to tell you and all your "resources" to take a hike?)
Who is really making the decisions about ministry here? (Some dude in Richmond, of course.)
Would the ministry continue if the outside, or foreign, resources were suddenly withdrawn? (If it is from God, and He wants it to continue).
Are we seeking the Lord’s leadership in praying alongside our national partners? (While I am sure that it must happen -- of all the mission sponsored prayer meetings I attended while an SBC missionary I can't remember one prayer meeting that involved nationals - that would have been far too risky.)
Do our ministry and resources foster more dependence upon the Lord or more dependence upon us?

Here are some additional questions that can be used volunteers:
Are we fostering a welfare state? (Again that liberal question. Is welfare that evil? My handicapped daughter gets "welfare" and thank God for it! I have no idea how she would get the medical care she needed if it weren't for "welfare". But, I'm white and work so obviously they don't mean me.)
Are we funding something that they can’t fund for themselves? (If they could fund it themselves why would we give money to pay for it??? Are you suggesting that we only give to those who have and not to those who do not have?)
If they can’t fund it themselves, is there a way it can be done that would be affordable to them/within their cultural and economic means?
If they can’t fund it themselves, are we leaving them with a financial burden to maintain it after we’re gone? So many Latino Baptists say they can’t afford to do missions because their funds are tied up in maintaining buildings, campgrounds, seminaries, and other American-spawned institutions. (Oh the poor Latinos who don't have enough good sense to sell their liabilities and turn them into assets.)

Conclusion (I'm tired of stating the obvious - I will leave you to come to your own conclusions).
The South America Region leadership, after study and prayer, has sensed a responsibility to lead missionaries and volunteers to seek ministries that have been proven to facilitate church planting movements and that avoid, as much as possible, the potential for creating dependency.
In light of the information presented in this position paper, missionaries and volunteers serving in the South America Region of the International Mission Board are strongly urged to study and pray through the issue of dependency in missions and what it means for ministry involvement. This is especially important as it relates to the construction of church buildings and subsidy, such as paying salaries of either national pastors or national missionaries, as well as purchasing or providing other material resources that are not available locally for starting churches. Because of the importance of these issues, we also ask for your understanding as we implement a guideline in the region, beginning in 2006, of no longer approving volunteer projects that involve the construction of church buildings, as well as no longer transferring funds through our offices that have as their designation the construction of church buildings, the paying of national pastor’s or national missionary’s salaries, or other financial support that creates dependency.
What are some construction alternatives for those volunteers who desire to do construction and/or provide other material resources, and, at the same time, avoid creating dependency? There are many ways that volunteers can be involved in construction projects that do not create dependency but rather impact lostness among communities and families with whom we are working. Examples of such projects are: Community Projects (School repair and renovation, Handicapped access, Stairs and Sidewalk installation, Clean water projects, Irrigation Systems, Public Bathrooms, Bus Stop Shelters, Playgrounds and Parks, Landscaping Projects) Single Family Dwellings (Painting, Roofing and repair, Cabinet building, Bathroom installation and repairs, Plumbing, Window installation and repairs, Electrical installation and repairs) Human Needs and Disaster Relief Projects. Such projects express the love of God and open doors and hearts to the gospel message.

Bibliography and Notes
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New International Version of the Bible.
Garrison, David. Church Planting Movements, booklet, also online at www.imb.org/CPM.
Garrison, David. Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World. Midlothian, VA: WIGTake Resources, 2004, pages 240-257 especially. See www.churchplantingmovements.com.
International Centre for Excellence in Leadership. Strategic Engagement of Volunteers, pages 76-96. Richmond: International Mission Board, SBC, 2000.
McQuilkin, Robertson. "Avoiding Dependency" in Mission Frontiers magazine, August 1999, p. 38.
Rankin, Jerry. "Help That Hurts" in The Commission magazine, September 1997.

Are you washed in the Blood?

"I saw the filthiness of sin and I also saw the efficacy of the Lord’s precious blood cleansing me and making me white as snow." --Wacthman Nee

There are over 250 references to "blood" in the Bible. Blood plays a significant role in the Christian faith. Animal blood provided a symbol and a true "covering" for sins. But, it is not animal blood that cleanses us or takes away our sins. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)

According to Scripture the Blood of Christ accomplishes many things -- redemption, cleansing, covering, sanctification and more.

In Revelation 7:14 we see that our "robes" are washed in the Blood of the Lamb and made "white as snow." How strange it is to think that blood can make robes white. Yet, it is a spiritual message.

Our works are our "robes," and even the very best of man is all together vanity. Our works are tainted by the flesh and sin. Our righteousness is filthy. But, the Blood of Christ washes us as we participate in His sacrifice. Our hands have His blood on them.

He washes our works and makes them white as snow. He has redeemed not only our souls, but our very existence. He did not simply wash our hearts, He has given us new hearts. He has given us His Spirit to live within us. He has taken a dead thing and given it life. He has made those who only knew darkness and decay to be the light and salt.

By the scheduling of His precious Blood Christ accomplished our salvation. The blood of Christ is an offense to some, and a stumbling block to many. The Blood of Christ is central to the Gospel. For those who believe it is the display and action of the power of God unto salvation. Praise God for the Blood of Christ!

"Woman's hand washed in blood" (Art.com)

Quote of the Weak - Proselytize

"Every attempt to impose the gospel by force, to run after people and proselytize them, to use our own resources to arrange the salvation of other people, is both futile and dangerous."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Taken out of context one might accuse Bonhoeffer of being "unevangelical." This would be a huge mistake.

Bonhoeffer saw clearly that modern methods of evangelism were dangerous because they cheapen the gospel, and present a god that is incapable of accomplishing His will. The begging, powerless and effeminate Jesus wants to save you, if you will only ask him to...
Bonhoeffer knew the all powerful, sovereign Creator of the Universe that commands all men everywhere to believe and repent. He boldly proclaimed the Gospel and knew that God was the only faith giver. He knew that men cannot believe unless God performs a miracle at the hearing of the Word. He knew too that there must be a preacher to proclaim the Gospel. With his very life Bonhoeffer paid the cost of his discipleship (he died in a Nazi concentration camp). At the end of his life it was said of him by a fellow non-Christian prisoner, "I never knew a man who's God was so real to him."

A kinder gentler blog...

For the regular readers of the Bishop's Beard you may have noticed that the blog disappeared for a couple of days and was replaced by a "Bible Study/Viagra Sells" site. This was not my doing.

Blogger has graciously fixed the problem and the Bishop is back!

It was providence that brought this my way. Already I have begun to think that I simply state my opinion too often and come across very harshly in my judgements, especially against larger denominational missions agencies and pop-Christian personalities.

I think God has given me the opportunity to delete some of my past (often scathing) comments and start a fresh with a kinder, gentler blog. It isn't that God has done a work in me to remove my strong opinions, but at least I don't have to publish them all.

Quote of the Weak -- Material Needs

"If we grant the baptized brother the right to the gifts of salvation, but refuse him the gifts necessary to earthly life or knowingly leave him in material need and distress, we are holding up the gifts of salvation to ridicule and behaving as liars."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship


"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:21)

Now Showing -- Amazing Grace

The Bishop's Rating: aaaaa (Five out of five marks)

Very much worth the $5.50 price!

The recommendations came from a wide range of people. In fact, so many people recommended this movie to me that I was intrigued. I was afraid that it would be another heavy handed "Christian movie" that basically only Christians would want to see.

I enjoyed this movie on so many levels that it is hard to know where to start. Basically it is the story of William Wilberforce, the British Member of Parliament that sponsored the bill to abolish the slave trade in all English colonies. This may not sound like much of a story to you, but you could not be more wrong. This movie is a story of love, penance, redemption and grace.
The title Amazing Grace comes from the song of the same title which was written by a former Slave Ship captain. Wilberforce was a student of this captain who had become a "protestant monk" after his conversion.
The movie shows the important role that Wilberforce's wife played in her encouragement to continue to fight the fight, although he had lost the effort 39 times over 18 years (a fact that is not in the movie).
I also appreciated the depiction of Colitis, which afflicted Wilberforce and now affects my wife. The physical and emotional suffering that he endured served to make him even more aware of a life lived well.
Far from Christian Cheese this movie should appeal to a wide audience, and encourage many to be who they have been created to be.

The sad fact is that I believe that most people will not see this movie. One point in the movie was that "great men" most often become great through actions that haunt them, yet Wilberforce proved to be a great man through actions that blessed others. It is a beautiful story; sadly a story that most likely will not sell.

Quote of the Weak -- Islam

Egyptian sultan kills Christian who refuse to convert to Islam (Art.Com)

"I think it is interesting. After 9-11 your politicians, your news media and your scholars suddenly become experts on Islam. They say, 'Islam is peaceful religion.' I think this interesting because your politicians, your news media and your scholars obviously not read the Koran. But, somehow they are experts."

"Husen", a former Islamic teacher who converted to Christ and was severely tortured by Islamic religious police

Not all cheese is bad...

The Cheese Sellers, French School (Art.com)

Those who know me know the distaste I have for American style pop-Christian worship. The term I like to use for this modern performance style worship is, "Cheese Whiz."

But, I have come to the conclusion that not all cheese is bad cheese. Real cheese is better than Cheese Whiz.

I was in a church recently that is very much in to the modern worship style. The preacher wears one of those headset mic things, there are too large screens displaying the action, a full band complete with two percussionists, previously video taped announcements -- the whole works. However, I noticed something this time. Instead of my normal sarcasm I found that I actually appreciated the perfection with which the program was being produced. From lighting and video to music and speakers the ques were perfect. The only flub was some jerky movements from a cameraman that apparently lost interest in the speaker.

I suppose my point is that if you are going to go with the modern style at least hire some people who know what they are doing. This church's style does not speak to me at all. But, the perfection with which they pulled it off was admirable.

The thing that I don't like about the modern style is that it removes the congregation even further from the action and definitely makes the people gathered into an audience. I felt like I was watching a show, which I was occasionally invited to participate in. Very little was demanded of me. I could just sit there in my theatre style seating and enjoy the show.

I also noticed something else. The speaker exalted Christ. Even some of the music exalted Christ. It was obvious to me that these people love Jesus.

In the end the difference between cheese and Cheese Whiz is substance. Cheese Whiz may look like cheese, smell like cheese and kind of taste like cheese, but it has no milk in it and very little (if any) nutrition. Real cheese taste better, is more valuable and has nutritional value -- just be careful because too much can cause problems.

Quote of the Weak - God's Word

"It was as if a gentle southerly wind were blowing. It was as if the Sun of righteousness were shining close by, causing sweet smelling spiritual spices to flow. Yes, and now may God send forth His Word and may it make them flow in us."

- Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Frenchman Who Established the Monastery at Clairvaux (Art.com)

Website Update - Indigenous Outreach

The IOI Website has been updated!! Check it out www.indigenousoutreach.net and let me know what you think.

Wrestling Diplomacy

While Bush rattles his saber and sends another warship to the Persian Gulf to "warn Iran" with "Battleship diplomacy" the US Wrestling Team is winning the hearts of Iranian wrestling fans.

3,000 fans crammed into a stadium built for 2,000 and another 3,000 fans tried to get in to see the US Wrestlers go head to head with Iran's best.

It is amazing what a wrestler can do that a politician can't.


NPR's Story on the subject. AP Photos

Virginia to Apologize for Slavery

Joseph Sold into Slavery
by Raphael (Art.com)

The first legislative body in America is set to vote for the Commonwealth of Virginia's official "regret" for its involvement in the slave trade.

Aien't that nice y'all.

I have been inundated today with political correctness and I must say I am a bit nauseous. NPR's talk station was all about political correctness and the idea of banning the use of certain words. Then in USAToday I read that Virginia is going to "apologize" for slavery, but the carefully worded "apology" expresses "regret" rather than "responsibility" and should squeak by the lawyers who hope to benefit from "reparations".

Some of you may be saying that I deserve an upset tummy for listening to NPR and reading USAToday. But, I have a serious issue that bothers me profoundly.

We spend so much time in this nation trying not to offended each other, and we are all too eager to apologize for what our great great grandpa's did. But, all the while injustice is rampant in the world and as a nation we ignore the plight of the downtrodden (unless of course they happen to be sitting on a large oil reserve).

The State of Virginia could move unilaterally, or with a coalition of states and nations to affect the current slave trade in Africa and child sex labor in Southeast Asia. Instead of blowing smoke the state could lead nations in demanding that child labor and slave trade in Africa and Asia be stopped. They could use their power and influence as a state to send emissaries around the world to promote an end to slavery and injustice. They could develop trade policy as a state that encourages developing African and Asian nations to outlaw the current slave trade and discrimination against religious minorities. Far from expressing cheap "regret" the state could lead the world in a campaign of positive actions rather than half-hearted words.

Historically in the democratic West it is the people, not governments who move to end injustice. Governments simply respond to the demands of the people. It was leaders in the Christian Church (http://www.wilberforcecentral.org) that first demanded an end to the slave trade. Where are those leaders today? Sadly we leave social reform to extremists in favor of having our best life now. Expending our energy on laws that would ban sin rather than actually doing something with our power and money to help the weakest.

I am under no illusions that we will end racism, poverty and injustice. But, as Christians we are to love mercy and do justly. Our love is not to be in words only, but in deed and truth.

Words are cheap Virginia. Doing something about current injustice is costly. How I wish that the great grandsons of plantation owners and the great grandsons of slaves would join together to bring justice to the developing nations. Virginia wants to set precedent as they "express profound regret", how I wish they would set precedent by actually doing something about current injustice. As a free, wealthy and democratic society we have some level of responsibility to the downtrodden. Why do we wait for the Federal Government to set the agenda?

(More information about Christian leadership in ending slavery).

The Word of God

He That is of God Hears God's Words
by James Tissot (Art.com)

Never one to shy away from controversy -- my question today is what (or who) is the Word of God?

My brothers at the largest Baptist church in Memphis have erected a 20' statue of the Bible in the foyer of the church. These same brothers would rightly proclaim that a statue of Mary in the church at Fatima, Portugal is an idol. However, just like the faithful Portuguese Catholic that erected the statue of Mary they too are blind to the fact that they have made an idol of the Bible. It is Bibliolotry.

Growing up Baptist I was taught that the Bible is the Word of God. Many proof texts support this claim (and for regular readers of the Bishop's Beard you know how I loath proof texts). However, a reading of many of these proof texts in their context prove that this proclamation is not correct. Hebrews 4:12 was a memory verse in VBS (Vacation Bible School) and a favorite verse to find at Bible "Sword" Drills. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, as is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Sounds like the Bible is a powerful sword, unless you read this same verse in its context and see that the entire passage is about Christ, not the Bible. Because Jesus is the Word of God He is also the Great High Priest that discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. Romans 8 proclaims that the Spirit of God is the One who searches hearts and makes intercession for us.

After preaching at a Presbyterian church I was gently rebuked for preaching the hope of seeing Christ "face to face" as though it was a future event. I had made reference to I Corinthians 13 where our hope of Resurrection ("...when that which is perfect has come...") is hope for a physical event where we will know Christ as intimately as He now knows us. I was told that the "Perfect" in this passage is the Bible, which has already come so that we can know Christ through His word. Knowledge, tongues and prophesy have all been done away with because we now have the Bible. The problem that I have with this interpretation (other than the fact that it is wrong) is that the Bible does not contain every word of Christ (John 21:25), and I don't know how many hairs He has on His head, much less can I see His face or look into His eyes. The Christian hope is that we will be physically resurrected and we will know God like He knows us.

I understand what the fundamentalist is trying to do when he says that the Bible is the word of God and the final authority for life and faith. He is trying to distance himself from the charismatic chaos of modern times and the "Christian" cults who have extra Biblical "scripture" and anti-Christ "revelation". The problem is that interpretation of Scripture can vary greatly, so how then is the Bible the "Final Authority?"

I am always looking for balance. I think the balance in this issue is simply that we must look to the whole counsel of Scripture, which contains the written revelation of the Word of God, for instruction in life and faith. Certainly the Bible is the bench mark by which all revelation, prophesy and tongues should be judged. The Bible is a way to know about God. The Apostles gave us timeless instruction in how we should live. The prophets foretold Christ, and Christ revealed the Father to us. Ultimately it is by faith that we know Him, and His Spirit lives within us aiding us as we struggle to know, understand and comprehend the depth, width and height of His love.

There is no doubt that the Bible contains the words of God. But, Jesus IS the Word of God.

I hate to say I told you so...

"Western and African diplomats called on Friday for the urgent deployment of peacekeepers to Somalia, hours after al Qaeda's deputy leader called on Somali Islamists to launch an
Iraq-style insurgency against Ethiopian forces."

"In the latest show of discontent with the forces that ousted the Islamists, hundreds of Somalis marched through the capital chanting "Down with Ethiopia." (Just days after being hailed as heroes and liberators the Ethiopians are finding few friends).

Reuters (photo and story)

Have we learned nothing?

Photo by Guy Calaf New York Times

Once again a US backed force has put the "Islamists" on the run. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in an effort to rid the neighboring country of terrorists (and maybe secure some territory along the way). The "terrorists" escaped to the countryside only to be replaced by lawlessness and a return to warlords. Ethiopia, much like her ally proclaimed, "Mission Accomplished" as their troops rolled into Mogadishu. I fear that Somalia will be Ethiopia's Iraq.

"MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali gunmen attacked an oil tanker truck near Mogadishu on Thursday, wounding three people and raising fears of a return to the clan violence that had largely stopped during six months of Islamist rule.
The Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC), which had imposed sharia law across much of the south, abandoned the capital last week to government troops backed by Ethiopian forces.
Within hours of the Islamists' departure, militiamen loyal to warlords ousted in June reappeared at checkpoints in the city where they used to rob, rape and murder civilians"

I am no military general, but surely someone has figured out that a power vacuum invites true terrorists and thugs to rape, pillage and plunder people who have already suffered immensely under both sides of an ideological and religious war. I propose that the next time we invade a nation that we should be prepared to bring the rule of law, peace and order immediately to that nation, or we should stay out.

Hindu god manifest on butterfly's back

According to a report from Reuters News the Hindu god Krishna has appeared on the back of a butterfly in India.
Krishna has joined with the Virgin Mary, Elvis and Abraham Lincoln on a growing list of manifestations on both animate and inanimate subjects.

The Virgin Mary tops the list with appearances in thin air as well as physical manifestations on various breads, hospital windows and other objects. The "Virgin Toast" actually sold on EBay for almost $30K. Mother Teressa appeared on a cinnamon bun in Nashville at Cafe Bongo, now known as the home of the "Nun Bun". Elvis has been spotted on at least one tortilla (which admittedly was a hoax), still the faithful have witnessed his miraculous appearances. Even Abraham Lincoln has appeared in the profile of a french fry. Even Islam is not without their "Miracle Tomato of Huttersfield".

Personally I only see a butterfly. But, the faithful Hindu sees Krishna. Maybe you see it too?

The man who discovered this butterfly said that it has "increased his devotion." Another worshiper named Vilma said, "We have no option but to believe what we are seeing. But after seeing it, our devotion to the Lord has increased."

I suppose my point is that for all the "supernatural" (or lack thereof) evidence that we see the Christian hope is not in butterflies and tortillas. Our hope is not seen and our faith is not in the tangible. Scripture proclaims, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." Our faith is a gift from God, and our hope is the resurrection. The promise of God is that all who believe that Jesus is the Lord, and that God has raised Him from the dead, will be saved.

If you believe in Christ's (the Messiah, God in the flesh) death, burial and Resurrection you will be saved. The faith that you have is the evidence that you possess, you need look no farther.