Oct 2009
November 1st - The Tenth Commandment: Thou shall not covet
31/October/2009 19:49
Lord's Day
44
113. Q. What does the tenth commandment require of us?
A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of God's commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, we should always hate all sin with all our heart, and delight in all righteousness.[1]
[1] Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23, 24; Rom. 7:7, 8.
114. Q. But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly?
A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience.[1] Nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God.[2]
[1] Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 15; I Cor. 13:9; I John 1:8. [2] Ps. 1:1, 2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16.
115. Q. If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly?
A. First, that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature, and therefore seek more eagerly the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ.[1] Second, that we may be zealous for good deeds and constantly pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that He may more and more renew us after God's image, until after this life we reach the goal of perfection.[2]
[1] Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24, 25; I John 1:9. [2] I Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; I John 3:1-3.
113. Q. What does the tenth commandment require of us?
A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of God's commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, we should always hate all sin with all our heart, and delight in all righteousness.[1]
[1] Ps. 19:7-14; 139:23, 24; Rom. 7:7, 8.
114. Q. But can those converted to God keep these commandments perfectly?
A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience.[1] Nevertheless, with earnest purpose they do begin to live not only according to some but to all the commandments of God.[2]
[1] Eccles. 7:20; Rom. 7:14, 15; I Cor. 13:9; I John 1:8. [2] Ps. 1:1, 2; Rom. 7:22-25; Phil. 3:12-16.
115. Q. If in this life no one can keep the ten commandments perfectly, why does God have them preached so strictly?
A. First, that throughout our life we may more and more become aware of our sinful nature, and therefore seek more eagerly the forgiveness of sins and righteousness in Christ.[1] Second, that we may be zealous for good deeds and constantly pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that He may more and more renew us after God's image, until after this life we reach the goal of perfection.[2]
[1] Ps. 32:5; Rom. 3:19-26; 7:7, 24, 25; I John 1:9. [2] I Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14; I John 3:1-3.
Traditional Historic American Values - Part 8: Perspective
28/October/2009 10:08 Filed in: Weekly
Column
In nine short months we have learned the USA is not
a theocracy, not the shining city on the hill. The
church is not the sole author and administrator of
moral law especially in common grace. So now for
the first time, perhaps in all of human history,
the whole world is Ichabod (God has departed).
However two thousand years ago, God saved His chosen remnant of all humanity from their sins, through Jesus Christ alone. So there still is some timeless good news. Furthermore, Americans, God’s common frozen prosperous chosen, have awakened from their debt-induced slumber in this brief timeframe and are beginning to actively participate in a world that passed them by. Definitely a temporal miracle!
Old Testament Israel was conquered through Natural Law by pagans for Israel’s judgment and destruction, because she neglected not only God’s specific revelation, but also Natural Law and common grace. If you invoke law to form an earthly paradise, then you must understand that God’s judgment applies not only to pagan sinners, but also the self-righteous sinners. The United States of America has become no longer a nation of humble grace, but individual, corporate, and community greed and power.
These thoughts provide just a little bit of perspective from history to show that whatever happens as time unfolds in our world, we pretty much have it coming. In the due course of time those societies that think they can prosper with human wisdom alone and without God - quickly learn their folly.
Perspective, along with dithering, are new buzzwords that in the last few weeks have become important for the short-term discussion of America’s future. Dithering was used by former Vice-President Cheney to describe the lack of decision for the Obama Administration concerning sending more troops to Afghanistan. Perspective is the term used by the Obama Administration to describe Fox News, rather than call it a legitimate news organization.
Read More...
However two thousand years ago, God saved His chosen remnant of all humanity from their sins, through Jesus Christ alone. So there still is some timeless good news. Furthermore, Americans, God’s common frozen prosperous chosen, have awakened from their debt-induced slumber in this brief timeframe and are beginning to actively participate in a world that passed them by. Definitely a temporal miracle!
Old Testament Israel was conquered through Natural Law by pagans for Israel’s judgment and destruction, because she neglected not only God’s specific revelation, but also Natural Law and common grace. If you invoke law to form an earthly paradise, then you must understand that God’s judgment applies not only to pagan sinners, but also the self-righteous sinners. The United States of America has become no longer a nation of humble grace, but individual, corporate, and community greed and power.
These thoughts provide just a little bit of perspective from history to show that whatever happens as time unfolds in our world, we pretty much have it coming. In the due course of time those societies that think they can prosper with human wisdom alone and without God - quickly learn their folly.
Perspective, along with dithering, are new buzzwords that in the last few weeks have become important for the short-term discussion of America’s future. Dithering was used by former Vice-President Cheney to describe the lack of decision for the Obama Administration concerning sending more troops to Afghanistan. Perspective is the term used by the Obama Administration to describe Fox News, rather than call it a legitimate news organization.
Read More...
October 25th -The Ninth Commandment: Thou shall not bear false witness.
24/October/2009 17:14 Filed in: Heidleberg
Catechism
Lord's Day
43
112. Q. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard.[1] Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as the devil's own works, under penalty of God's heavy wrath.[2] In court and everywhere else, I must love the truth,[3] speak and confess it honestly, and do what I can to defend and promote my neighbour's honour and reputation.[4]
[1] Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5, 9; 21:28; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32. [2] Lev. 19:11, 12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8. [3] I Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25. [4] I Pet. 3:8, 9; 4:8.
112. Q. What is required in the ninth commandment?
A. I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard.[1] Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as the devil's own works, under penalty of God's heavy wrath.[2] In court and everywhere else, I must love the truth,[3] speak and confess it honestly, and do what I can to defend and promote my neighbour's honour and reputation.[4]
[1] Ps. 15; Prov. 19:5, 9; 21:28; Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; Rom. 1:28-32. [2] Lev. 19:11, 12; Prov. 12:22; 13:5; John 8:44; Rev. 21:8. [3] I Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:25. [4] I Pet. 3:8, 9; 4:8.
Brute' says this winter for humans will look a lot like Narnia!
23/October/2009 09:31 Filed in: Et Tu
Brute'
Traditional Historic American Values - Part 7: Leadership
21/October/2009 11:54 Filed in: Weekly
Column
As we begin wrapping up this series on Traditional
Historic American Values, we come to the zenith on
why the United States has come to the banana
republic crossroads. I suppose zenith is probably
not really what we are trying to explain, but terms
like nadir, canyon, rock-bottom, pits - really do
not do justice to the current situation either.
America’s true crisis is really a crisis of leadership. In that respect, void, black hole, and vacuum seem much better descriptions. Republicans point to President Obama as the power taking us to the banana republic standard. The Democrats point to George W. Bush as the creator of the path. The problem is that all the name-calling is really just that and it is decisively counter productive to doing anything but letting the forces of gravity do its thing.
Gravity is a Natural Law and it is the major force behind the current situation. The failure of leadership is that they truly fail to understand the gravity of the situation. The prosperity of the United States has been understood as a universal law for so long that those who are the self described leaders think a little application of warm fuzzies to the problem will make everyone feel better and therefore everything will soon be better.
In the bygone days warm fuzzies were created out of material and understood as such. Today warm fuzzies are created out of deficit spending and the spin goes, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Of course that is a 1988 song from Bobby McFerrin quoting Indian mystic Meher Baba.
That concept seems to be especially true for the current stock market. The financial powers of the United States have created so much funny money and pumped it into too big to fail financial institutions that they really have no need to worry, they can be happy. As long as things continue to go up they get paid, and if things go down they get paid also. If they really screw up again they will get another bailout. In other words the funny money goes round and round and in the process, the process becomes the perpetual money making machine. How cool is that?
Since Wall Street is really a machine, all that is needed is a little routine maintenance, a little grease to the wheels, and it will run forever. Well at least until it runs out of gas. Running out of gas, thereby allows gravity and friction to again bring Natural Law into play.
“Don’t worry, be happy” has become a four word philosophy that means that we are all to live beyond our means. The cool thing is there is so much stuff available to make it all happen. It seems a little moronic to think that if excessive debt got us individually and corporately into this mess, that continuing to inoculate the economy with more and more debt will somehow save the system. That surely isn’t a Natural Law, because it defies all logic.
Of course if the stuff doesn’t sell then the economy will collapse and we will all starve to death, or be killed or saved by global warming, or die in the swine flu pandemic.
Read More...
America’s true crisis is really a crisis of leadership. In that respect, void, black hole, and vacuum seem much better descriptions. Republicans point to President Obama as the power taking us to the banana republic standard. The Democrats point to George W. Bush as the creator of the path. The problem is that all the name-calling is really just that and it is decisively counter productive to doing anything but letting the forces of gravity do its thing.
Gravity is a Natural Law and it is the major force behind the current situation. The failure of leadership is that they truly fail to understand the gravity of the situation. The prosperity of the United States has been understood as a universal law for so long that those who are the self described leaders think a little application of warm fuzzies to the problem will make everyone feel better and therefore everything will soon be better.
In the bygone days warm fuzzies were created out of material and understood as such. Today warm fuzzies are created out of deficit spending and the spin goes, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Of course that is a 1988 song from Bobby McFerrin quoting Indian mystic Meher Baba.
That concept seems to be especially true for the current stock market. The financial powers of the United States have created so much funny money and pumped it into too big to fail financial institutions that they really have no need to worry, they can be happy. As long as things continue to go up they get paid, and if things go down they get paid also. If they really screw up again they will get another bailout. In other words the funny money goes round and round and in the process, the process becomes the perpetual money making machine. How cool is that?
Since Wall Street is really a machine, all that is needed is a little routine maintenance, a little grease to the wheels, and it will run forever. Well at least until it runs out of gas. Running out of gas, thereby allows gravity and friction to again bring Natural Law into play.
“Don’t worry, be happy” has become a four word philosophy that means that we are all to live beyond our means. The cool thing is there is so much stuff available to make it all happen. It seems a little moronic to think that if excessive debt got us individually and corporately into this mess, that continuing to inoculate the economy with more and more debt will somehow save the system. That surely isn’t a Natural Law, because it defies all logic.
Of course if the stuff doesn’t sell then the economy will collapse and we will all starve to death, or be killed or saved by global warming, or die in the swine flu pandemic.
Read More...
October 18th - The Eight Commandment: Thou shall not steal.
17/October/2009 17:35 Filed in: Heidleberg
Catechism
Lord's Day
42
110. Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery[1] but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury;[2] we must not defraud our neighbour in any way, whether by force or by show of right.[3] In addition God forbids all greed[4] and all abuse or squandering of His gifts.[5]
[1] Ex. 22:1; I Cor. 5:9, 10; 6:9, 10. [2] Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35. [3] Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6. [4] Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5. [5] Prov. 21:20; 23:20, 21; Luke 16:10-13.
111. Q. What does God require of you in this commandment?
A. I must promote my neighbour's good wherever I can and may, deal with him as I would like others to deal with me, and work faithfully so that I may be able to give to those in need.[1]
[1] Is. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9, 10; Eph. 4:28.
110. Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
A. God forbids not only outright theft and robbery[1] but also such wicked schemes and devices as false weights and measures, deceptive merchandising, counterfeit money, and usury;[2] we must not defraud our neighbour in any way, whether by force or by show of right.[3] In addition God forbids all greed[4] and all abuse or squandering of His gifts.[5]
[1] Ex. 22:1; I Cor. 5:9, 10; 6:9, 10. [2] Deut. 25:13-16; Ps. 15:5; Prov. 11:1; 12:22; Ezek. 45:9-12; Luke 6:35. [3] Mic. 6:9-11; Luke 3:14; James 5:1-6. [4] Luke 12:15; Eph. 5:5. [5] Prov. 21:20; 23:20, 21; Luke 16:10-13.
111. Q. What does God require of you in this commandment?
A. I must promote my neighbour's good wherever I can and may, deal with him as I would like others to deal with me, and work faithfully so that I may be able to give to those in need.[1]
[1] Is. 58:5-10; Matt. 7:12; Gal. 6:9, 10; Eph. 4:28.
Traditional Historic American Values - Part 6: Opportunity
14/October/2009 11:54 Filed in: Weekly
Column
“Trivial Pursuit” is a game where you try to come
up with answers to questions that have little real
importance. Most would say that looking at what is
happening in our country and the world today that
the answers are not trivial and really important.
So why are we so frantically trying to create
answers to questions that really are based upon an
unreal world?
None of the answers being proposed to the current, but wishfully ending, global financial crisis consider any of the five reality topics we are discussing in this series. Those for a renewal of our thinking processes are: Natural Law, Religion, Freedom & Liberty, Opportunity, and Leadership. If discussed at all these topics are relegated to pretty much Trivia, with the capital T. Hence, it is assumed that we are so enlightened that we really only need to focus on style rather than substance.
Substance, what is that? As long as we have money, especially money in dollar denominations everything will be all right. It really doesn’t matter that sometime in 2011 the debt of the United States will exceed her Gross Domestic Product. A shrinking dollar means that our exports will be cheaper overseas and the Fed has inflation under control, because they say they have.
One of the true Natural Laws relates to liquidity. That liquidity can relate to water, but also relates to financial liquidity. That law states is if you pump much more water from a finite well than can be replaced from the aquifer, the well is going to go dry.
We could spend this whole article writing about opportunities existing and soon to be existing in the management and distribution of real water, but just like energy that is a real world and today the real world, especially in the United States, is treated like a television sitcom.
“Trouble, sacrifice, reality, the devil, God, I don’t believe in any of those myths, hence they don’t exist, because if they did, that might upset my simplistic narcissistic worldview.”
Read More...
None of the answers being proposed to the current, but wishfully ending, global financial crisis consider any of the five reality topics we are discussing in this series. Those for a renewal of our thinking processes are: Natural Law, Religion, Freedom & Liberty, Opportunity, and Leadership. If discussed at all these topics are relegated to pretty much Trivia, with the capital T. Hence, it is assumed that we are so enlightened that we really only need to focus on style rather than substance.
Substance, what is that? As long as we have money, especially money in dollar denominations everything will be all right. It really doesn’t matter that sometime in 2011 the debt of the United States will exceed her Gross Domestic Product. A shrinking dollar means that our exports will be cheaper overseas and the Fed has inflation under control, because they say they have.
One of the true Natural Laws relates to liquidity. That liquidity can relate to water, but also relates to financial liquidity. That law states is if you pump much more water from a finite well than can be replaced from the aquifer, the well is going to go dry.
We could spend this whole article writing about opportunities existing and soon to be existing in the management and distribution of real water, but just like energy that is a real world and today the real world, especially in the United States, is treated like a television sitcom.
“Trouble, sacrifice, reality, the devil, God, I don’t believe in any of those myths, hence they don’t exist, because if they did, that might upset my simplistic narcissistic worldview.”
Read More...
October 11th - The Seventh Commandment: Thou shall not commit adultery.
11/October/2009 04:15 Filed in: Heidleberg
Catechism
Lord's Day
41
108. Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A. That all unchastity is cursed by God.[1] We must therefore detest it from the heart[2] and live chaste and disciplined lives, both within and outside of holy marriage.[3]
[1] Lev. 18:30; Eph. 5:3-5. [2] Jude 22, 23. [3] I Cor. 7:1-9; I Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4.
109. Q. Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery and similar shameful sins?
A. Since we, body and soul, are temples of the Holy Spirit, it is God's will that we keep ourselves pure and holy. Therefore He forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires,[1] and whatever may entice us to unchastity.[2]
[1] Matt. 5:27-29; I Cor. 6:18-20; Eph. 5:3, 4. [2] I Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:18.
108. Q. What does the seventh commandment teach us?
A. That all unchastity is cursed by God.[1] We must therefore detest it from the heart[2] and live chaste and disciplined lives, both within and outside of holy marriage.[3]
[1] Lev. 18:30; Eph. 5:3-5. [2] Jude 22, 23. [3] I Cor. 7:1-9; I Thess. 4:3-8; Heb. 13:4.
109. Q. Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery and similar shameful sins?
A. Since we, body and soul, are temples of the Holy Spirit, it is God's will that we keep ourselves pure and holy. Therefore He forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires,[1] and whatever may entice us to unchastity.[2]
[1] Matt. 5:27-29; I Cor. 6:18-20; Eph. 5:3, 4. [2] I Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:18.
Brute's says real economic recovery will come thru the people.
09/October/2009 11:35 Filed in: Et Tu
Brute'
Traditional Historic American Values - Part 5: Freedom & Liberty
07/October/2009 09:30 Filed in: Weekly
Column
Much of the current political discussion in the
United States, especially from traditional and
conservative paradigms, centers around a pending
loss of freedom. A great deal of those discussions
concern economic freedom, wealth, or free market
principles. The other loci, or the progressive
agenda, centers around the ascendance of freedom
through the redistribution of wealth from those who
have much to those who have a little less.
It is interesting that those who have significant wealth seem to think they earned it. Those who have little wealth seem to think, if they really had a chance economically, they could be wealthy also. There are also a few who just want a handout, for they believe they deserve it, just because they are so special. What is apparent in each of these paradigms is the fact that is all about me, or in this case you!
Have we become so vain that we all think this article is about me, or you?
The Declaration of Independence speaks of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Post-modern Americans seem to think that the sum of these parts ends up as freedom. You would think however, if the Founders of the American republic were articulate enough to understand what they were doing, if they just wanted to promote freedom they would have used the term.
Some of this goes back to the modern myth that the Founders created a democracy, not a republic. If you think things are bad now, if they distributed a dollar to every American citizen, every time a politician, pundit, or other public figure use the word “democracy” to describe the United States designed political system, everyone would be wealthy and everyone would have healthcare, including those who just want a free ride. Furthermore the current national debt would look like spare change.
Read More...
It is interesting that those who have significant wealth seem to think they earned it. Those who have little wealth seem to think, if they really had a chance economically, they could be wealthy also. There are also a few who just want a handout, for they believe they deserve it, just because they are so special. What is apparent in each of these paradigms is the fact that is all about me, or in this case you!
Have we become so vain that we all think this article is about me, or you?
The Declaration of Independence speaks of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Post-modern Americans seem to think that the sum of these parts ends up as freedom. You would think however, if the Founders of the American republic were articulate enough to understand what they were doing, if they just wanted to promote freedom they would have used the term.
Some of this goes back to the modern myth that the Founders created a democracy, not a republic. If you think things are bad now, if they distributed a dollar to every American citizen, every time a politician, pundit, or other public figure use the word “democracy” to describe the United States designed political system, everyone would be wealthy and everyone would have healthcare, including those who just want a free ride. Furthermore the current national debt would look like spare change.
Read More...
October 4th - The Sixth Commandment: Thou shall not kill
03/October/2009 10:40 Filed in: Heidleberg
Catechism
Lord's Day
40
105. Q. What does God require in the sixth commandment?
A. I am not to dishonour, hate, injure, or kill my neighbour by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds, whether personally or through another;[1] rather, I am to put away all desire of revenge.[2] Moreover, I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself.[3] Therefore, also, the government bears the sword to prevent murder.[4]
[1] Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17, 18; Matt. 5:21, 22; 26:52. [2] Prov. 25:21, 22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26. [3] Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14. [4] Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4.
106. Q. But does this commandment speak only of killing?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge,[1] and that He regards all these as murder.[2]
[1] Prov. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 12:19; Gal. 5:19-21; James 1:20; I John 2:9-11. [2] I John 3:15.
107. Q. Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?
A. No. When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves,[1] to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness toward him,[2] to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.[3]
[1] Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10. [2] Matt. 5:5; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1, 2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; IPet. 3:8. [3] Ex. 23:4, 5; Matt. 5:44, 45; Rom. 12:20.
105. Q. What does God require in the sixth commandment?
A. I am not to dishonour, hate, injure, or kill my neighbour by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds, whether personally or through another;[1] rather, I am to put away all desire of revenge.[2] Moreover, I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself.[3] Therefore, also, the government bears the sword to prevent murder.[4]
[1] Gen. 9:6; Lev. 19:17, 18; Matt. 5:21, 22; 26:52. [2] Prov. 25:21, 22; Matt. 18:35; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:26. [3] Matt. 4:7; 26:52; Rom. 13:11-14. [4] Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:14; Rom. 13:4.
106. Q. But does this commandment speak only of killing?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge,[1] and that He regards all these as murder.[2]
[1] Prov. 14:30; Rom. 1:29; 12:19; Gal. 5:19-21; James 1:20; I John 2:9-11. [2] I John 3:15.
107. Q. Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?
A. No. When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves,[1] to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness toward him,[2] to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.[3]
[1] Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Rom. 12:10. [2] Matt. 5:5; Luke 6:36; Rom. 12:10, 18; Gal. 6:1, 2; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; IPet. 3:8. [3] Ex. 23:4, 5; Matt. 5:44, 45; Rom. 12:20.
