James' Journal on the Web

New Column: Christianity must denounce antisemitism

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:39:48 GMT

Published on www.tnjn.com on June 8, 2009

“His blood be on us, and on our children.”

These chilling words are well known from the account of Jesus’ trial recorded in Matthew 27:25. Throughout history, they have been used (completely out of context) to justify horrendous persecution of Jews all around the world. In spite of the fact that an angry mob can hardly claim the authority to call down a curse upon an entire race of people, this gross distortion of the Scriptures has resulted in unspeakable atrocities which have cast a black shadow over the history of Christianity.

To say that “THE Jews killed Jesus” is comparable to saying that “THE Caucasians killed Martin Luther King, Jr.” While it is true that Jesus’ crucifixion was the result of His conflict with the Jewish leadership of the day, the fact remains that Gentiles were just as much involved in Jesus’ death as were Jews. Keep in mind that the actual death sentence was passed down by a cowardly Roman governor, and carried out at the hands of Roman soldiers.

Furthermore, we must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus Himself was Jewish, as were all of His original disciples. Both the Old and New Testaments (with the possible exception of Luke), were written by Jewish believers. In fact, for the first 70 years of its existence, Christianity was seen as a sect of Judaism known as "The Way." It was only after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans that the two faiths separated.

The tensions grew as Christianity spread through Europe. Gradually, the impression of Jesus evolved from that of a Jewish figure to that of a Greco-Roman figure. The image of a rugged, Mediterranean carpenter was replaced by one of an effeminate blue-eyed blond. Consequentially, this new, Eurocentric Jesus was seen as having little regard for His own people, and His professed followers were happy to do likewise.

Perhaps the most infamous examples of this are the venomous tirades of Martin Luther, who denounced Jewish people as “…(a) base, whoring people, that is, no people of God, and their boast of lineage, circumcision, and law must be accounted as filth."

It is also a matter of historic record that, in spite of his atrocities, Adolf Hitler was never formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church of his day. Even the universally revered Billy Graham was not above indulging in Jew-baiting, famously agreeing with then-president Richard Nixon’s conspiracies about Jews controlling the media.

Thankfully, recent decades have seen much vital progress in Jewish-Christian relations. In 1965, the Second Vatican Council declared that “The Church decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone." This principle was seen in action during Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 visit to New York City, where he became the first Pope in history to visit an American synagogue.

Furthermore, Martin Luther’s modern followers have taken great care to distance themselves from their founder’s dark side. To this end, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has issued the following statement: “(W)hile, on the one hand, we are deeply indebted to Luther for his rediscovery and enunciation of the Gospel, on the other hand, we deplore and disassociate ourselves from Luther's negative statements about the Jewish people…"

This is echoed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, whose statement reads: “(W)e who bear (Luther’s) name and heritage must with pain acknowledge also Luther's anti-Judaic diatribes and the violent recommendations of his later writings against the Jews…We recognize in anti-Semitism a contradiction and an affront to the Gospel, a violation of our hope and calling, and we pledge this church to oppose the deadly working of such bigotry.”

Philosopher Blaise Pascal was once asked by King Louis XIV about the primary evidence for the existence of God. Pascal’s response? “The Jews, your Majesty.“

Those of us who are Christians are called to honor the Jewish people as those “first entrusted with the Oracles of God" (Romans 3:2). To those of you who are Jewish, please forgive us for our failure to life up to this ideal.

New Column: Fundamentalism needs clearer definition

Fri, 29 May 2009 02:59:53 GMT

Published on http://tnjn.com/ May 27, 2009

"Fundamentalist" is a specifically Christian term. Consequentially, much modern usage in the media (i.e. attributing the 9-11 attacks to "Islamic Fundamentalists") is a severe misrepresentation of both faiths. In its purist form, Fundamentalism does not directly refer to any specific church, sect or political organization. Rather, it simply describes an inner-denominational movement tracing back to the early 20th century in which Christians responded to the challenges of modernity by codifying their most foundational beliefs.

Eventually, these were cataloged in a four-volume set known as The Fundamentals: A Testimony of the Truth (an online version can be read here). Published in 1917, The Fundamentals provide a fascinating, if not somewhat paradoxical, look at the fledgling movement. While some aspects (such as the rather strident anti-Catholic overtones) may be offensive to some, other parts are quite enlightening.

For example, in James Orr’s essay “Science and the Christian Faith,” he acknowledges that “there is no violence done to the (creation) narrative in substituting…vast cosmic periods — for "days" on our narrower, sun-measured scale.” These sentiments hardly fit the stereotypes of Fundamentalists in today’s world.

The first known use of the term “Fundamentalist” was by religious journalist Curtis Lee Laws, who referred to “those who still cling to the great fundamentals and who mean to do battle royal” in their defense. Unfortunately, since Fundamentalism did begin as a defensive movement, the resulting "Fightin’ Fundie" caricatures have often been very much deserved. On occasion, this has led to forays into anti-intellectualism (the Scopes "Monkey Trial" debacle) and in some cases, to outright bigotry (the shameful tactics of the "Reverend" Fred Phelps).

This characterization is unfortunate. While it is true that the Fundamentalist label is relatively new, the ideals it represents are as old as the Christian faith itself. As theologian J.I. Packer observes: "Our critics suppose that that what they call 'Fundamentalism' is something as new as its name. But it is not. Nor was sixteenth-century Protestantism, nor seventeenth-century Puritanism, nor eighteenth-century Methodism. These names denote simply particular aspects and episodes of the continuing history of evangelical Christianity."

At the core of Fundamentalism is a staunch belief in the message of the Scriptures. Fundamentalists believe in a God who has not only spoken, but has done so in a way that is reliable, understandable and practical. Is this simple faith? Yes, but it has been the historic position of the Christian church from its very beginning. In the words of Dallas Theological Seminary professor P.D. Feinberg: "Biblical inerrancy has been the view of the church throughout its history…(I)n each period of the church's history clear affirmations of the doctrine can be found."

With this premise established, the other elements of the Fundamentalist world view are easier to understand. For example, to believe in the authority of the Bible is also to embrace the absolute truth it presents us with. This can be seen in what is perhaps the most visible picture of Fundamentalism, the arena of politics. But before we are too hasty in rejecting these concerns, we must note that in many issues, the Fundamentalists are actually proving to be ahead of their time.

For example, given the advances of prenatal medical technology, it has become increasingly difficult to deny that an unborn child is truly a person. Why then is it considered so “extreme” to say that the child deserves legal protection? When we look at the horrendous impact of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, is the Christian sexual ethic (abstinence until marriage) really that unreasonable? Is it wise to cast science and faith as enemies when some of the greatest scientists in history (including Galileo, Copernicus, Keplar and many others) were Bible believers?

These issues are not going away, and if our goal is to be a tolerant, understanding people, we must look past our stereotypes and see the real substance that is all too often overlooked. Failure to do so is a “fundamental” mistake.

The Column is Back!

Sun, 24 May 2009 02:19:27 GMT

I am happy to announce that I will soon be once again writing a regular opinion column, this time published on http://tnjn.com. Stay tuned!

Guest Column: Pro-life reasoning not limited to conservatives, religious

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:50:50 GMT

Published in The Daily Beacon,Friday, January 16, 2009

A problem with our modern political discourse is the tendency to rely on bumper-sticker logic as a substitute for substantive reason. Nowhere is this more evident than in the eternal war over the ethics of abortion. The clichés are all too common: “Don’t force your morality on me,” “Keep your rosaries off of my ovaries” or more recently, “Keep your religion out of my uterus, and I’ll keep my foot out of your ...”

In order to make any real progress on this debate, we must do away with a few of the popular stereotypes, most specifically that the anti-abortion cause is inherently a religious and/or a conservative political issue. Although many anti-abortion advocates, myself included, do fall into these two categories, many of us also feel the debate has become far too myopic and politicized. The anti-abortion movement itself is much larger and more diverse than that. Consider this short list of “non-traditional” anti-abortionists: Theodore Roosevelt (our first “Progressive” president), Susan B. Anthony (and most other feminist founders), the Dalai Lama, liberal actor Martin Sheen and revered poet Maya Angelou.

There are anti-abortion wings within all major U.S. political parties, including the Republican National Coalition for Life, Democrats for Life of America and Libertarians for Life. The grounds for their beliefs may be, among other things, scientific (the fact that prenatal medical technology has made it virtually impossible to assert that an unborn child is not alive) or legal (the fact that Roe v. Wade is based on very spurious Constitutional scholarship, a fact that is even acknowledged by some who are for abortion rights). At any rate, their convictions are certainly not always based on religion.

In fact, in looking at the history of American abortion policy, author and activist Vasu Murti observes: “The U.S. statutes against abortion have a nonsectarian history. They were put on the books when Catholics were a politically insignificant minority. Even the Protestant clergy were not a major factor in these laws. Rather, the laws were the achievement of the American Medical Association. ... One could argue, therefore, apart from religion, that recognizing the rights of the unborn, like the rights of blacks, women, lesbians and gays, children, animals and the environment, is a sign of secular social progress.”

This is reflected in the philosophies of many modern pro-life organizations. For example, the Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League is based on the premise that “... life is all there is and all that matters, and abortion destroys the life of an innocent human being.” Similarly, the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians states that “Human rights start when human life begins.” The popular site LeftOut: A Haven for Progressive Pro-Lifers further explores how “... progressive pro-lifers tend to feel ‘left out’ of both liberal and pro-life groups.”

Recent political trends seem to indicate that these “Left Out” voters may be a more formidable voice than many have realized. An example would be the 2006 race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. The incumbent Republican, Rick Santorum, was a hero to religious Conservatives since he was first elected in the “Republican Revolution” of 1994. He was also reelected by a comfortable margin in 2000. However, in 2006, the Democrats coyly nominated pro-life State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. With the contentious abortion issue off of the table, these voters finally had a viable option, sweeping Casey to a double-digit victory.

Democratic icon Hubert Humphrey summed it up well: “It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those that are in the dawn of life — the children, those who are in the twilight of life — the elderly, and those who are in the shadows of life — the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” It is this sort of compassionate approach that motivates the majority of pro-lifers, many of whom would be quite willing to consider the Democratic Party if they were offered more viable options.

Two New Sermons

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:53:55 GMT

I hope you all enjoy these, and have a wonderful Christmas!

Humor and the Bible/The Glory of God -Preached November 16, 2008
http://www.james-dave.com/humorglory.mp3

Faces of Christmas-Preached December 7, 2008 (Intro and closing comments from Pastor Larry Keith)
http://www.james-dave.com/facesofchristmas.mp3

Some Belated Thoughts on the Election

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:36:11 GMT

Obviously, I would have preferred that the election turned out differently. Like most people of my persuasion, I continue to have deep concerns regarding President-Elect Obama's far left ideology, questionable associations and political naivete. But does that mean that I am going to sit back and hope the country will go downhill so that he will look bad? No way!

I accept that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Obama will be our President for the next 4-8 years. If he truly does know how to help the country, then I sincerely wish him well. Time will tell what kind of president he will make, but I will support him where I can, oppose him when I have to and pray for him daily.

At the risk of sounding cliche', this election was definitely historical. And yes, there is a symbolism to Mr. Obama's victory that transcends political ideologies. As I watched the reaction of African-American communities across the country, I could not help but be moved. I also commend him for the dignified way in which he conducted his campaign, and I hope that it will raise the level of dialog on racial issues in the future.

To those who supported Mr. Obama, congratulations on your win. You have much to be proud of. In his victory speech, he reached out to those of us who did not vote for him and pledged that he would be our President too. Let's hope he means it.

Please Pray for Stephanie

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:13:11 GMT

Dear Friends,

As some of you already know, my neice, Stephanie Adcox, is being treated for severe eating disorders. You can read more about her at http://www.supportsteph.com/

Please keep Stephanie in your prayers, and please also pass this along to your churches and any prayer chains you are involved in.

Thanks,
James

News Column: Common Ground Equals Common Sense

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 05:16:14 GMT

Published in The Daily Beacon, Friday, September 12, 2008

Every other Thursday, I look forward to picking up a copy of USA Today and reading the “Common Ground” column co-written by Bob Beckel , a veteran liberal Democratic activist, and Cal Thomas, a noted conservative columnist. The column’s descriptive blurb tells us that in spite of their political differences, the two are longtime friends and can often find agreement where politicians cannot. In today’s cutthroat political environment, I find this approach to be not only refreshing, but absolutely vital to our nation’s future.

The scenario is all too familiar: A conservative politician will announce a new terrorist threat or a liberal will promote new research on global warming. In either case, the actual substance of the issue is largely ignored. Instead, the opposition party will immediately begin a campaign to discredit the other side. After all, we can’t let one of “them” take credit for doing something positive for our country. All the while, the people’s safety and best interest are sacrificed at the bloody altar of “gotcha” politics. Does that disturb you? It should.

I am a conservative on most issues. Yet I want to see an end to war, poverty and racism just as much as my liberal friends do. While we may disagree on some of the means to these noble ends, we can be civil and charitable in our discussion of them. Furthermore, I recognize that apart from those on the left, these vital issues might not even be discussed.

Please don’t misunderstand: I am not advocating a superficial, “warm-and-fuzzy” type of unity. I recognize that the differences are there, and that they are often quite significant. Nor should civility be used as a front for lack of passion or conviction. There are times when a non-compromising attitude is both commendable and necessary. But compromise is not always a bad thing. In fact, it would be impossible to accomplish anything worthwhile without it. For example, if our only available options are helping some poor people or helping none, reducing some greenhouse gasses or reducing none, preventing some abortions or preventing none, aren’t the choices pretty obvious?

As a former professor of mine pointed out, it is possible to be opponents without being enemies. Examples would include Republican President Eisenhower and Democratic House Speaker Sam Rayburn. Another would be President Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill. More recently, we have been seeing former Vice President Al Gore’s innovative TV ads addressing global warming and climate change. Did you ever think you would see the Reverends Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton on the same platform? What about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her predecessor, Newt Gingrich? While I am no fan of Gore’s politics, I commend him for seeking to heal the partisan divide in this manner.

I realize that I walk a thin line here, as I write primarily about religiously themed issues. As a self-professed “theology geek” (and recently ordained minister), that is simply “what I do.” I feel that this is an important contribution, as practically every major issue we face can be traced back to what one believes about God and ultimate reality. However, as one who does believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth (and that truth, by nature, is a divisive thing), there are challenges involved in making the point in a way that avoids creating unnecessary division. In biblical terminology, that is called being a “repairer of the breach.”

In our current Presidential race, I was initially a supporter of Gov. Mike Huckabee. I saw him as a man of integrity who shared many of my political convictions, yet was willing to think “outside the box” on other issues. Now that the nominees have been decided, I must admit that Sen. McCain has showed many of the same qualities I admired in Huckabee. Despite the rantings of the pseudo-messiahs on talk radio, I see McCain’s independent streak as a positive thing.

Our two most recent presidential administrations have been among the most contentious and divisive in history. The next president, whomever that may be, will have a real opportunity to act as a healer. Let us hope that opportunity will not be squandered.

James and Dave's Bible Page-New & Improved!

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:45:32 GMT

Dear Friends,

After 10 fruitful years of internet ministry, I am happy to announce that our site has been given a long overdue update! The site still has all of the great features you enjoyed before, but it is now more use friendly and easier to navigate than ever! Please drop us a line at http://www.james-dave.com/

Also, if you haven't visited us in a while, you will notice a number of newer resources. Among them:

A new section of Audio sermons and teachings on a wide variety of topics: http://www.james-dave.com/audio.html

Your Bible questions explored on our Bible FAQ page:
http://www.james-dave.com/biblefaq.html

Our Bible articles now number over 50: http://www.james-dave.com/infoe.html

When you visit please drop us an e-mail or sign the guestbook and share any comments or suggestions you may have. We are here to serve you! Also, if you have a web site and would be willing to give us a link, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James

Lillie Has Arrived!!!!!

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:18:09 GMT

Lillie Gabrielle Boyd was born on Monday, August 18 at 7:24 PM. She is 21 inches long and weighs a hefty 10 pounds, 3 ounces! Baby and Mom are both doing great! Thanks to everyone for your prayers, kindness and friendship. We love you all!

My Debut Sermon

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:54:02 GMT

"God Is..." Preached on July 20, 2008. Enjoy!

http://www.james-dave.com/godis.mp3

One For The Ages

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:54:47 GMT

From "UHF," without any opinion tolerated to the contrary, the greatest movie of the 80s, period. Enjoy!

It's Official!

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:58:09 GMT

Last week, I experienced the fulfillment of a dream I have had for over 20 years: I am now officially a licenced and ordained minister! So if you need anyone to perform a wedding, baptism or funeral, I'm legal :-)

Seriously, though, this is one of the greatest honors of my life, and one that I take very, very seriously. I have felt the calling on my life for a long time, but when I tried to pursue it before, the door closed. In hindsight, it was just as well because I wasn't ready. If I had managed to go into ministry back then, I would have fallen flat on my face. After a great deal of struggle, I put it to rest, deciding that I would be content to serve God as a layman. I told Him that if He wanted me in the ministry, He would have to be the One who brought it up. For several years, that was how things went. But then...

Things seemed to happen one after the other to show me that God was taking my life in a new direction. He opened up many new relationships, especially with my pastors, Larry and Diane Keith, and new opportunities, such as teaching classes for the Bible Training Center at church. Over time, I would hear things through prophetic words, as well as personal conversations that confirmed things verbatim that I had prayed about for years. When Pastor Keith made the offer for me to be ordained, I had peace in my heart that the time was right.

The initial service took place at Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, Michigan (http://www.woficc.com/). That place is amazing! It says a lot for the church when you can walk into a place filled with people you've never met, and to immediately feel you are with family. The worship was awesome! It was their annual convention and they had a number of prominant speakers including John Hagee, Joyce Meyer and the Copelands. The ordination was on Thurday night, presided over by Bishop Keith Butler, the church's senior pastor and overseeing bishop over the network of churches which my home church is affiliated with. There must have been 50-100 people ordained from churches all over the world. In last Sunday morning's service, Pastor Keith performed a "miniature" version of the ordination for our home church as well. It was a remarkable experience.

I'm so excited to be serving in this capacity, but I know full well that I have accepted an enormous responsibility. To step into ministry is to step onto very holy ground. Prayers are greatly appreciated, and I'll keep you posted!

Its a Girl!

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:49:58 GMT

Friends, I'd like for you to meet Lily Gabrielle Boyd;

She looks like me, don't you think? I guess it IS the hair!

NEW! Audio Bible Studies on James & Dave's Bible Page

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:02:08 GMT

I am happy to announce that James and Dave's Bible Page now features MP3 audio teaching! They are mostly the messages I taught at the Bible Training Center last fall, and can be found at http://www.james-dave.com/audio

Please check them out and help us spread the word!

Potential Baby Names

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:20:07 GMT

Girl - First Names

Davan - Irish, David, Feminine - Beloved

Chaela -Hebrew - Who is like God

Caitlin - Irish - Pure

Giselle - German - A Pledge

Kendra - Anglo-Saxon - understanding, knowledge

Kirsten - Greek - Christian

Gianna - Hebrew - God's Grace

Girl - Middle Names

Miriam - Hebrew - longed for child

Sofia/Sophia - greek - wisdom

Boy - First Names

Ethan - Hebrew - Strong, Firm

Galen - Gaelic - Calm

Ian - Scottish - God is gracious

Karsten - Greek - Christian

Liam - Irish - Unwavering Protector

Riley - Valient

Tobey - hebrew - God is good

Great News!

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 04:42:42 GMT

As some of you may know, Sandi and I lost our unborn baby daughter, Bella, to a rare chromasomal disorder called Patau Syndrome, or trisomy 13. This past December, we found out that we were expecting again a year to the day that we found out she was pregnant with Bella. For obvious reasons, I don't believe this was a coincidence.

Last week, we went for the baby's Nuchal Fold test, which screens for chromasome-related defects. This was the test that first revealed that there were problems with Bella. Going into that lab was a really surreal experience, as the last time I was there was the time they told us that Bella had no heartbeat.

The good news is that this time, everything was exacty as it was supposed to be! The fluid sac on the back of the neck (which is the focus of the test) was around 1.4 cm (Bella's was over 4). The baby is currently about two inches long, and the heartbeat is around 166 beats per minute, all well within the normal range.

On a lighter note, the tech asked us which one of us the baby looked like, and Sandi replied "It doesnt have any hair, so it looks like him" :-)

For those of you who are so inclined, continued prayers are greatly appreciated. I'll keep you posted!

My Presidential Pick

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:20:19 GMT

Although it has taken me a while, I have finally settled on a candidate:

I have always respected Gov. Huckabee, but until recently, I didn't really take him seriously as a candidate. We shouldn't be too surprised at his surge, though. I didn't think the conservatives would just roll over and give the nomination to Giuliani. Huckabee has many qualities that I look for in a candidate. I do respect the fact that he is very outspoken in his faith, without being a jerk about it. As a Christian, I would obviously like to see "one of us" in the White House. Admittedly, I am not a big fan of ministers seeking political office (a subject for another post). But we don't live in a perfect world, so we have to choose the best available option.

But my support for Gov. Huckabee goes beyond the stereotypical moral/religious issues (although he certainly gets high marks in that department). I respect his down-to-earth style, his common-sense approach and his willingness to think outside the box. While some on the far right criticize him on issues such as health care and immigration, I see that as a positive. It shows me that he is willing to think for himself, instead of simply being a partisan "lemming."

So for my two cents worth, I'll simply say that "I Like Mike."

A Wonderful Christmas Gift

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:35:55 GMT

This photo pretty well says it all...

Last Friday night, I was just sitting around watching TV. Sandi casually got up to go to the bathroom, then suddenly said "James, could you come in here?" When I got there, she said "Do you see what I see?" Sure enough, there was the big blue "plus" sign! After two more trips to the store to get other tests, the positive was confirmed six times, then "officially" by her doctor today!

What is eve more remarkable is that, after our most recent unsuccessful attempt, she had stopped taking her fertility medicine. Her doctors had said that conception would be next to impossible without them, especially at her age. Of course, God obviously has other plans! Plus, it was exactly a year to the date that we found out that she was pregnant with Bella.

Thanks so much to all who prayed, and please keep it up!

Thoughts on Kathy Griffin

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:15:03 GMT

It has been interesting to see all of the hoopla following "comedian" Kathy Griffin's now famous Emmy speech, in which she stated that "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. This award is my God now!"

So what do I think about it? Not much.

Don't misunderstand me: I am as outraged as anyone whenever I see Jesus defamed, and I believe the outcry from the Christian community stems from very noble motives. But I also recognize that it is giving her exactly what she wants: publicity.

We shouldn't be so surprised when sinners act like sinners. A child of the devil will do the lusts of his/her father (John 8:44). By drawing unwarranted attention to Ms. Griffin's actions, we are playing right into her hands.

Ms. Griffin, in the most minuscule chance that you might someday read this, the Jesus you mock still loves you. What not lay aside your prejudices and examine His claims for yourself? You might be surprised!

Unpublished Column: Falwell Leaves Mixed Legacy

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 20:46:50 GMT

The sudden passing of the Rev. Jerry Falwell last May left little room for equivocation regarding the Moral Majority founder‘s place in history. To his supporters, Falwell was a fearless visionary who helped a nation chart its moral course. To his critics, he was a loose cannon who often used sensationalist and mercenary tactics to score political favor. Ultimately, there is a degree of truth in both characterizations.

Those who knew Falwell personally, both friends and enemies, describe him as a thoughtful, generous man with a disarming sense of humor. Even arch pornographer Larry Flynt, who crossed swords with Falwell many times, said that “My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, (he) and I became good friends.”

Falwell’s rise to power is a fascinating study in the shifting paradigms of twentieth century politics. The year was 1980, and the administration of incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter was coming apart at the seams. A horrendous economy, soaring gas prices and American hostages in Iran left Americans loudly crying out for change. In addition, many conservative Christian voters who actively supported Carter (a devout Southern Baptist) felt very betrayed when the President’s liberal leanings began to show. Enter Jerry Falwell.

On the Republican side, Ronald Reagan was preaching a revival of Barry Goldwater inspired conservativism. Although Goldwater’s far-right crusade had failed miserably sixteen years earlier, Reagan mixed it with a warm optimism and a Christian-based social conscience on issues such as abortion and school prayer. With Falwell’s help, Reagan rallied the disenfranchised faithful, crushed Carter and became one of the most influential presidents of modern times. For better or worse, the new alliance between Evangelical Christians and the Republican Party was set.

Obviously, we cannot view these sort of events uncritically. Did the Republican Party suddenly undergo a religious revival in 1980? We may hope so, but remember, we are talking about politicians here. It is also noteworthy that Barry Goldwater himself was never comfortable with this new partnership, famously stating that “Every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the a**”.

Consequentially, some have questioned the validity of Falwell’s activism on legal grounds. Did the Reverend promote an illegitimate union between Church and State? I would answer a qualified no. Contrary to what some may claim, being a member of the clergy does not take away a person’s free speech rights. The law only prohibits ministers from endorsing candidates from the pulpit or from using church funds to support political campaigns. On their “own time,” they are perfectly free to speak at rallies, knock on doors and support their candidates of choice in whatever way the see fit.

At the same time, while Falwell’s right-wing crusades may have been legal, the question remains, were they wise? Although people of faith certainly have vital roles to play in the public arena, was all of the “Wrap the Flag Around the Cross” bravado really the best way to get the point across? The fruits of these efforts, at best, were mixed. Conservative pundit Cal Thomas, a former associate of Falwell’s, rightly points out that:

“The flaw in the movement was the perception that the church had become an appendage to the Republican Party and one more special interest group to be pampered. If one examines the results of the Moral Majority's agenda, little was accomplished in the political arena and much was lost in the spiritual realm, as many came to believe that to be a Christian meant you also must be ‘converted’ to the Republican Party and adopt the GOP agenda and its tactics.”

Nonetheless, the many positives of Falwell’s legacy will live on through his family, through the great church and university he founded, and through the lives of the countless faithful whom he inspired to make a difference in a dark world. Whether we agree with all of his methods or not, those are achievements that can all respect and learn from.

Labor Day Demolition and Other Fun Topics

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:20:26 GMT

Get your attention? LOL. Actually, what I refer to is Sandi's brother Ron, who is visiting with us from New York, was kind enough to offer to help us with some much-needed renovations on our house. We got the house as a fixer-up, and it has definitely come a long way from where it was, but it is still very much a work in progress. The target projects for the next couple of weeks are a near complete overhaul of the kitchen, and time permitting, of both bathrooms as well. The big job for tomorrow is to rip out all of the old kitchen cabinets and countertops, and the new ones will be delivered on Tuesday.

Furthermore, we should have some baby related news very soon. Sandi is scheduled to take a pregnancy test on September 10, so for those of you who are so inclined, prayers are greatly appreciated. We are also planning to meet with an attorney this week to discuss my officially adopting the girls. Even though they have known me as "Daddy" from the very beginning, it will be nice to make it official. The idea of them legally bearing my name is very exciting.

Along those lines, I have a funny story to pass along. This morning in church, I found the worship to be especially moving. During the offertory, they were singing a beautiful song while I sat cuddling little Zoe in my lap. I had my eyes closed, thanking God for all His wonderful blessings and how wonderful it was to have our family in church together. All of a sudden, she said "Daddy, your breath stinks!" and slid out of my lap. After my laughter subsided, I did remind myself that I HAD brushed my teeth before we left home!

Speaking of church, it looks like I will be teaching a Bible class starting this fall. I am really pumped about it, as this is something I have dreamed of doing for years. I am meeting with Pastor Keith this week to discuss the details. Again, prayers are appreciated and I'll keep you posted!

On a slightly downer note, I won't be continuing my newspaper column this fall after all. Sure I was disappointed, but life goes on and as you can see, I have plenty of other things on my plate as it is. Plus, I can always try again in the spring. In the meantime, I have a couple of columns that I was planning to use that I will try to post here later in the week. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Yes, I Am Still Here...

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:35:21 GMT

Sorry its been so long since the last blog entry. I had a really tough, grad level class over the summer, and keeping up my homework pretty much took all my free time. It was a great class, though, a seminar on the American Presidency. The professor was Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, who is a real legend at UT, and he certainly lived up to his awesome reputation. Doc, thanks for a great semester!

August is a bittersweet month for Sandi and me. On the positive side: We celebrated our one year anniversary on August 12! It has certainly gone by quickly, but it has been a real blessing. She is a wonderful wife and I am so thankful to have her and the girls in my life.

At the same time, there is sadness as August 21 was to be the day Bella arrived. She has been on my mind a lot lately (of course, she always is). Her gravestone also arrived recently. Every time I look at her pictures, I see more and more of myself, if that makes sense. I guess the closer it gets to the day, the more I think of what it would have been like once she joined us, cuddling her and bouncing her on my knee. However, with Sandi's doctor's approval, we are once again in the process of trying to conceive. Prayers are much appreciated, and I'll keep you posted.

Along those lines, we recently received a powerful Prophetic Word from our good friend, Pastor Larry Keith. He prophesied that God would return what had been stolen from us 100 fold (hopefully that means quality, not necessarily quantity :-), that there was a special seal on us as a couple and that God was going to use me in ministry. At any rate, it sounds exciting!

On a lighter note, I turned 40 last June 20. I wasn't nearly as dramatic for me as it some people describe. I guess I've always been a late bloomer. But I do have happiness now that always seemed to elude me when I was younger. As I mentioned, I have a great wife, two beautiful girls and planning on at least one more. Sure there have been difficulties, but God is still good, and in Him, our future is secure.

Powerful Video on Trisomy 13

Mon, 28 May 2007 04:39:44 GMT

Column: Best Sauces to Satisfy Chile Lovers

Sat, 26 May 2007 05:31:33 GMT

Published in the Daily Beacon April 23, 2007

The famed culinary writer Brillat-Savarin observed that “The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.” For those of us in the “Chile Head” community, these discoveries are a regular part of our lives. Chile peppers and hot sauces are a real passion of mine. I eat them almost every day in some form or another. A touch of heat will add an entirely new dimension to meats, vegetables or even desserts!

After dealing with some pretty intense subjects these past few months, I thought this might be a fun way to round out the semester. For those of you who are “uninitiated” and want to learn more about the subject of fiery foods, a good place to begin is to simply recommend a few of my favorite sauces. If, once you have sampled some of them, you decide to pursue the hobby further; you are in for a fun ride! Whatever your food preferences, hopefully you will find at least one you like. So fasten your seat belts, put a roll of bath tissue in the freezer (you’ll need it later, trust me) and give some of these a try!

1. Melinda's XXXX Special Reserve- A simple, but delicious habanero sauce, this is great on burgers or tacos. Melinda’s is a good starting point for those who are new to the hot sauce world. If you want to sample the flavor of the mighty habanero in a more “controlled” setting, this one is for you.

2. Busha Brown's Pukka Sauce –This is a Jamaican sauce made from the fiery Scotch Bonnet pepper, which is a relative of the habanero.

3. Blair's Original Death Sauce- Blair Gardner invented this legendary sauce to rid his Jersey Shore restaurant of annoying late night drunks. It has an excellent habanero flavor with smoky chipotle undertones. Although there are hotter variations available (i.e. “Sudden Death,” “Mega Death” and “New Jersey Death”), none of them come near to the original in terms of quality and taste. It makes a great dipping sauce for chicken tenders or seafood.

4. San-J Schezuan Sauce- Oriental foods, especially Thai and Schezuan Chinese, are well known for their fiery potency. In my experience, San-J is the best sauce of its kind. It adds an excellent fiery flavor to any Asian dish.

5. Krakatoa! by CaJohn- Pure Red Savina habanero mash. Need I say more? Legendary sauce maker John “CaJohn” Hard does a great job of capturing the intense heat and wonderful, fruity flavor of one of the world's hottest peppers. It goes great in a bowl of chili on a cold day!

6. Tabasco-An American icon for over 130 years, I would be remiss if I didn't pay tribute to the sauce that started it all. Sure it’s not overly hot, but its sunny flavor compliments most any dish, plus you are tasting history every time you use it!

7. Dave's Original Insanity Sauce-No collection is complete without this legendary creation. Made with pepper extract (the key ingredient in pepper spray) this sauce was actually banned from a fiery foods competition, and is responsible for a whole new category. It is probably the most influential hot sauce since Tabasco.

8. Marie Sharp’s Fiery Hot Habanero Sauce-Although not quite as “fiery” as the name suggests, this unique, carrot based sauce still has a nice flavor which will compliment a wide variety of foods. It is a little too salty for my taste, but its versatility will make it a worthwhile addition to your collection.

9. Vicious Viper- In the tradition of Dave’s Insanity, CaJohn offers this brutal, extract based creation. Yes, it is incredibly hot, but it also has a tropical fruitiness which will quickly prove to be addictive!

Unfortunately, some of these might be a bit hard to find in store shelves. Here in the East Tennessee area, by far the best source is the Pepper Palace in Gatlinburg (www.pepperpalace.com). In Knoxville, the best selection I have found is at the Gourmet Market in Bearden. Regardless, you should easily be able to find all of them on the internet. Happy hunting, and have a great summer!