Back to the Links: Part III

Date January 18, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

At the end of Back to the Future III, where does Doc go?




If you're like me, you're always looking for ways of getting free
stuff- especially books! Well I have a great opportunity for bloggers
out there. Provide a shameless plug on your blog for my C.S. Lewis blog and you will be entered into a contest for a free book. That's it, it's pretty simple. Get the details at Never Enough Tea.




Pastor Kim Riddlebarger has one devastating flaw- he's a fan of the
Evil Yankees (at least he acknowledges their depravity). However, he's
started a great new blog full of useful Reformed information. Lend your
readership to The Riddleblog. (I'm going to have a hard time not calling him Kim Riddleblogger now.)




I believe I've linked to it before, but That is Not My Blog has to be the most hilarious theological blog online (apologies to Doug TenNapel).




Where do the profits from Purpose-Drive Life go? How about expanding the seeker-sensitive model to include football teams…Rick Warren buys the Saints.




Are you lost about what the black smoke was is last week's episode of Lost? The Jollyblogger provides some interesting clues…




Son of a McDowell! Tune in to the great articles of Sean McDowell on apologetics and culture– especially good for youth ministry.




Just in case you missed the performance when we linked to it last year, Addison Road reminds us why Mr. T. should be an American Idol.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

Punishment is Necessary for Justice

Date January 16, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Last week I laid out two examples of how our culture’s view
of justice is deficient. The first was in regard to most of those who contended
for the clemency of Stanley Williams, while completely disregarding the heinous
crimes committed. The second was the sentencing of a repeat rapist to only 60
days in prison because the judge believed therapy was better than punishment.
The problem is that without punishment, there is no justice.

The brilliant Ronald Nash has shown that such
misunderstanding of justice has been with us throughout human history, all the
way back to the Greeks. He explains that justice “involved giving a person her
due.” For example, if someone fairly wins an Olympic race, justice is not
served until they are given a medal (as the rules require). Conversely, if I
steal books from the library, justice is not served until those books are
replaced and compensation is made for the time they were missing (as the law
requires).

The sort of justice we expect in a court of law is called
“Remedial Justice.” Remedial justice demands that those tried who are innocent
are set free and those tried who are guilty are punished. Once a crime is
committed, injustice rules until the offender is punished for their act. But it
cannot be any random punishment. If I stole $100 of books and only replaced $50
worth, justice has not yet been served. Punishment must at least be equal to
the injustice committed.

Often, it’s difficult to quantify how much punishment equals
the injustice of a crime. Why was I charged $128 for a speeding ticket? The
amount seems completely arbitrary. How much punishment is necessary to bring
justice to a rape victim? In the case I discussed last week, why was 60 days in
prison not enough? The aunt of the victim had a reasonable idea- the rapist
should spend four years in prison because he sexually assaulted the girl for
four years. Still, in many of these areas the degree of punishment necessary is
fuzzy.

Clearer cases tend to involve issues related to money. If I
steal $100, I should repay $100. But one clear case is the most controversial-
If I take a life, mine should be taken. If I take multiple lives, mine should
be most definitely taken (part of the problem with sin is that we can do more
harm than we can make up for- thus the need for a savior). But is capital
punishment biblical? Genesis 9:5-6 (ESV) “And for your lifeblood I will require
a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow
man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of
man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”

This command from God came before the Law, was incorporated
into the Law, and was never abolished. This passage alone should answer the
question as to whether or not capital punishment can be defended from the
Bible. Some have argued, however, that Jesus calls us to a higher way of
forgiveness.

From Matthew 5:38-42 (ESV) “You have heard that is was said,
‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist
the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him
the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have
your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two
miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would
borrow from you.”

To apply this to justice is, again, a misunderstanding of
justice. Who’s in authority to administer justice? Certainly not you or I. If
my father is murdered and I retaliate by killing the murderer, I’m just as
guilty. Only the government (below heaven) has the authority to enforce and
administer justice. As Greg Koukl points out, Jesus appears to have affirmed
the authority of the government in this matter:

“In fact, Jesus never challenged the validity of the death penalty when He
had perfect opportunity to do so. Even in John 8, with the woman caught in
adultery, he never challenged the death penalty itself. He didn't enforce it under
what seemed to be an unjust situation because all the witnesses fled. Remember,
Jesus said, “Is there no one here to condemn you? Then neither do I
condemn you. Go and sin no more.” The Law required witnesses to convict
someone. Jesus did not speak against the death penalty here. It was required by
law.” (See also: The Bible and Capital Punishment)

By teaching us to “turn the other cheek,” Jesus was
not advocating the release of all criminals from their proper punishments. He
was explaining how individuals should interact with other individuals, even
those who commit wrongs against them. Rather, the testimony of Scripture
demands justice- that wrongs are ultimately made right. This is why Jesus died
on the cross- to make right the wrongs of certain sinners who would other wise
be justly punished.

Category Posted in Ethics, Main Page, Roger's Posts, Theology Comments 3 Comments »

Book Review: Running Against the Wind by Brian Flynn

Date January 15, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Is there only one-way to God? Is truth something to be
objectively perceived or is it found only in subjective experience? Running
Against the Wind tells the story of how Brian Flynn lived against Christianity
in the world of New Age mysticism. Shortly after becoming a Christian, Flynn
found many of the same mystical practices he abandoned being embraced by the
contemporary church.

Almost the first half of Running Against the Wind
Flynn commits to his autobiography. Learning distaste for Christianity at an
early age, Flynn sought meaning elsewhere. While in the Air Force he tried
rock, drugs, and women. After those didn’t work, he pursued marriage and a
variety of meditation forms. He describes all of his experiences from achieving
“nirvana” to conferring with “spirit guides” so that he could give people
readings. Flynn concludes by describing how God brought him out of the New Age
and into personal faith in Jesus by changing his mind and heart.

After tying up a loose end from his biography, Flynn lays
out the landscape of New Age beliefs and practices. These include the occult,
Hinduism & Buddhism, self-empowerment, and paganism. He goes on to deal
with a few of the common objections New Age practitioners raise against
Christianity like- that’s just your truth, God’s impersonal, trust your
feelings, and all paths lead to God.

Brian Flynn then turns his criticisms of the New Age toward
the Church. He describes how certain mystical/spiritual practices Christians
are into today are basically the same as the ones he used to confer with
spirits (or as he understands now, demons). His critique is primarily of lectio
divina and contemplative prayer, which he considers to be related to
transcendental mediation. Though he examines the writings of several Christians
who are promoting these practices, he focuses mostly on Thomas Merton and
Richard Foster.

Upon finishing the biographical half of the book, I was
encouraged by how God had redeemed this man from his sinful life. Of course, it
didn’t end there. Flynn presents a devastatingly clear picture of many of the
spiritual problems ailing the church today. He provides a convincing case
showing that New Age practices have crept into the church; mostly without people
knowing. If there’s one deficiency to the book, I think he could have better
articulated the biblical case against these practices and the offense they are
to God.

Running Against the Wind is an engaging autobiography and guide to New Age
practices within and without the Christian church today. Brian Flynn’s writing
style is, for the most part, captivating and his insights valuable. His warning
to the church is one for every pastor and layperson who seeks the truth about
Jesus Christ.

Category Posted in Book Reviews, Main Page, Religion (General), Roger's Posts Comments 11 Comments »

Where is Emergent Going?

Date January 14, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Pastor Ken Sivlla has some ideas. He's been posting a series of articles
on what he perceives to be shift towards panentheism and theosis:

“Emergent Church: The Shift To Panentheism”

“Emergent Church: Quantum Shift To Panentheism“

“Emergent Church: A Return To Theosis?“

Silva brings together a series of troubling quotes from authors popular
in Emergent circles. Is it all as bad as he says? Possibly, but Silva's
critiques often suffer from “guilt by association.” While I think some
will (and have) travel down the dangerous paths he's cautioning
against, I don't think a case is present here to condemn the entire
movement.

Category Posted in Emerging / Emergent Church, Main Page, Roger's Posts, Theology Comments 1 Comment »

President Bush on the problem of evil

Date January 13, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

The following exchange took place on New Year's Day in San Antonio:

Q Mr. President, in August you said that Katrina could — the effects
of it could test the strongest faith. I'm sure of some of the things
that you saw today, that's the case, as well. What do you tell a young
soldier or his young wife about how a loving God could permit or cause
some of the things you saw today?

THE PRESIDENT: First of all, Mike, I'm conscious not to be trying to
substitute myself for God. I am, on the other hand, inspired by the mom
who told me upstairs that she prays every day and believes in the
miracle of healing; that I think we see God's work here every day. I
think when you find nurses and doctors who work around the clock, who
come in at a moment's notice to save a life, I happen to believe there's
a lot of divine inspiration to that kind of dedication and work. The
parents I saw or the wives I saw, many of them were in prayer on a
regular basis for their loved one.

And, you know, war is terrible. There's horrible consequences to war —
that's what you see in this building. On the other hand, we also see
people who say, I'd like to go back in, Mr. President, what we're doing
is the right thing, because many of these troops understand that by
defeating the enemy there, we don't have to face them here. And they
understand that by helping the country and the Middle East become a
democracy, we are, in fact, laying the foundation for future peace.
And, I, as the Commander-in-Chief, I am resolved to make sure that those
who have died in combats' sacrifice are not in vain. And I am resolved
to make sure that these kids who are recovering here, that have suffered
terrible injury, that their injuries are not in vain by completing the
mission and laying that foundation for peace for generations to come.
And I'm optimistic we'll achieve that objective.

This might be a fine answer to a different question, but it seems
a bit lacking as a response to the problem of evil. Granted, the
problem of evil is a difficult one; but I don't think it's expecting
too much from the president to ask for something a little more
compelling than what he offers here.

Category Posted in Apologetics, Main Page, Philosophy, Politics, Religion (General) Comments 7 Comments »

More Moral Repugnancy

Date January 12, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

In my previous post I noted the injustice surrounding the
execution of Stanley Williams. The execution was just, however much of the
opposition to it advocated injustice and a form of racism. Part of the problem
facing us in our culture today is that punishment has been taken out of the
composition of justice. In fact, justice has become such an abused term that
I’m not even sure if most people know what it is.

For another example of misunderstanding justice, let’s turn
to Judge Edward Cashman’s decision last Thursday: “Claiming he no longer believes in punishment, a Vermont judge
issued a 60-day sentence to a man who confessed to repeatedly raping a girl
over a four-year period, beginning when she was 7 years old.” (WorldNetDaily)

Instead of
punishment, Cashman believes the rapist should be let out of jail as quickly as
possible (60 days is the minimum) so that the offender can get therapy. What’s
the message? Confess to raping little girls for an extended period of time and
you’ll get off with minimal jail time and visits to a shrink.

Where’s the
justice? Doesn’t this guy deserve punishment for raping a little girl? The
rapist (whose name doesn’t deserve mention) isn’t just sick and in need
therapeutic welfare- he did something wrong. More than that, he did something
terribly wrong over an extending period of time. Sin incurs a debt, but in this
case- no debt is being paid, it’s only being “treated.”

Strider of Verum
Serum asks the right question: “Doesn’t our legal system have both
sides,…punishment AND rehabilitation/treatment?” It usually does, but in this
case the rapist couldn’t get treatment while in prison. Faced with the option
of justice or therapy, the judge chose therapy. According to Burlington Free
Press, “Cashman said at sentencing that treatment was a
greater priority than punishment.”

A lot could be said here about the
vacuous judicial philosophy driving this sentencing- that instead of wisely
applying the law the judge acted on his personal views. However, I think it’s
important to return to the theme: We face a culture confused about justice. In
the case of Stanley Williams, injustice was sought against the murdered
victims. In the case of Judge Cashman, an injust sentence was pronounced
because of a faulty view of justice and punishment.

To be continued next week…

Category Posted in Culture, Ethics, Main Page, Roger's Posts Comments 4 Comments »

The Moral Repugnance of Our Age

Date January 11, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Moral repugnance is as outrageous today as it was almost a
month ago. I’ve held off on writing this post hoping that by the time I wrote
it we’d all be a bit calmer regarding the situation. However, looking back at
the material now I’m even more upset because it was hardly noticed by those of
us who should care.

On December 13th, 2005, Stanley “Tookie” Williams
was executed by the State of California. A case was made for his clemency, but
after several days of deliberation it was denied. This event was steeped in a
wave of injustice. However, it was not injustice on behalf of the State, it was
injustice prorogated by most of those who demanded clemency for an un-repentant
racist and convicted murderer.

The night of the execution, it was noted that Jesse Jackson did not know the names of the victims. Stanley
Williams killed four people: Albert Owens, Tsai-Shai Yang, Yen-I Yang, and
Ye-Chen Lin. (HT: Malkin) Of particular interest is the file on Albert Owens.
Williams reportedly said that he killed Owens, “because he was white and
he was killing all white people.” Who’s the racist here?

The fact that thousands demanded clemency for this man is
morally repugnant enough, but in addition to the proponents having no regard
for the victims, they also celebrated William’s life. At the memorial service,
Jesse Jackson compared Williams to Moses, King David, the Apostle Paul, Job,
and several black leaders. He referred to him as a hero, with several allusions
to Jesus Christ. You can watch the service online here.

About twenty minutes into the service Snoop Dogg was cheered
onto the stage, much like he might be at an award ceremony. He recited a poem
entitled “Until We Meet Again,” noting that, “I feel him. I feel like we’re the
same kind of people.” In other words, black. Snoop reported that, “It ain’t
easy being a black man… If he black like me, you’re guilty till proven
innocent!”

It’s worth noting that the program for the service doesn’t
even mention the murders. Rather, it speaks positively of William’s involvement with
gangs. “At 17 years old, Stan co-founded the Crips street gang to protect his
family and friends from the many other gangs in South Central Los Angeles. In
1981, he was sentenced to San Quentin State Prison’s Condemned Row for crimes
he didn’t commit.” How many of those in the “other gangs” do you think were
white? I doubt there were many, but Williams found some justification for
wanting to kill all white people.

This morally disgusting memorial service (a celebration of a
racist murderer) is a prime example of the cultural problems we face today.
Justice has been distorted. Advocates for clemency noted all of the positive
work Williams did while on death row. But all that work is like telling the
police officer he shouldn’t give you a ticket because of all the red lights you
stopped at (i.e. They should make up for the two you ran). It doesn’t bring
justice to the lives of those who suffered from the barrel of Williams’s gun.

Instead of justice, we have a perverted form of
racism. Did clemency
advocates consider that giving clemency might be racist against the
three
Asians who were slain? Racism (at least from what I've seen in Southern
California) has become a label for any action or utterance
certain black people don’t like- that’s a long way from what Martin
Luther King, Jr.
fought against.

To be continued…

Category Posted in Culture, Ethics, Main Page, Roger's Posts Comments 6 Comments »

My Final A-Team Blog Post

Date January 11, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

I want to thank every member of the A-Team Blog for allowing me the opportunity to enter the blogging world.  It has been a pleasurable and enriching experience.

As I begin posting at my new blog, Reformed Baptist Thinker, I pray that we all will continue to glorify our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ through our commitment and service to Him.  May our blogs continue to edify and equip followers of Christ as we live our lives in devotion to Him.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous Comments 2 Comments »

John's New Blog

Date January 10, 2006 Posted by Roger Overton

Over
the past month many of you have enjoyed the posts of John Divito here
on the A-Team Blog. The A-Team's greatly appreciated his enthusiasm and
insightfulness toward the issues he's dealt with. However, we've all
agreed that the quantity and quality of John's posts are likely better
suited for an independent blog. So, we encourage you to check out his
new blog: Reformed Baptist Thinker. Go there frequently and add it to your blogrolls!



Of particular interest on his new blog is John's latest post- a review of Richard Bushman's new biography of Joseph Smith.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts Comments No Comments »

CD Review: Awesome God

Date January 9, 2006 Posted by Markguillen

Sovereign Grace Music (SGM) has recently released a worship CD for children, Awesome God.  It is their first attempt to teach children about God through song, and consists of twelve songs covering God and His attributes, Jesus Christ, and the gospel message.

I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for SGM’s desire to release God glorifying worship music for children.  As a father, a former associate pastor who often led children’s ministry, and an active member of my current church body, I have yearned for more theologically sound and edifying music for children.  Awesome God is a rare attempt to fill this void.

The lyrics are simply fantastic.  Hearing children sing about God’s sovereignty, eternality, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence warms my heart.  How often do children’s songs sound like this?

Gracious Father
It was Your love for the world
That moved You to send your only Son
Gracious Father
This was your plan from all time
To have a people to call your own
Gracious Father
Full of mercy, I sing Your praise

(Chorus)
Father, I love You
Praise You Jesus, only Son
Spirit, I adore You
Holy God, Three in One

Precious Jesus
Though You were reigning on high
Humbly You came and were born a man
Precious Jesus
You were the servant of all
You gave Your life as the Father planned
Precious Jesus
Full of kindness, I sing Your praise

(Repeat Chorus)

Holy Spirit
You bring this good news to men
You open up blinded eyes to see
Holy Spirit
Come now and open my heart
Reveal the Lord Jesus Christ to me
Holy Spirit
Full of power, I sing Your praise

(Repeat Chorus)

This song is “Three in One,” a wonderful summary of the Trinity.  Adults rarely sing hymns and songs about the Trinity anymore, let alone children!  Nevertheless, this is just a small taste of the biblical doctrine that fills this CD.

However, I must also admit that I find much of the music too rock oriented and guitar laden.  I wonder how fitting some of these songs would be in corporate worship.  To be honest, this CD reminds me of a theologically robust WOW Worship CD with children singing.  This may not present a problem for some (and I admit that I am not necessarily up to speed on preteens and contemporary music), but I do see some of the music as limiting the rich lyrics.

At the same time, I still think this CD is a wonderful addition to any child’s music collection.  Listening to and singing along with these songs would be great for children who enjoy this style of music.  As a result, I recommend this CD and look forward to more children’s music from SGM.

Category Posted in Emerging / Emergent Church, Interviews, Main Page, Miscellaneous Comments No Comments »

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