Some months back, a group of Christian feminists discovered this blog and had great fun making mockery of you and me. Now the anti-theists have joined in.
I call them anti-theists rather than atheists because the great majority of of those who call themselves atheists wage unrelenting war against our God and all who serve Him. Strange that they should so expend so much energy on One whose existence they deny.
I do not wish to lend weight to their discussion board by linking to it, so if you want to see what they have to say, copy this URL and paste it in your browser window:
http://www.freeratio.org/showthread.php?t=279195
WARSKYL comes into the discussion with someone's link to the post on this blog of Gandalf holding an AK-47. This bloke evidently sees that as an inconsistency:
I find it interesting the the poster character for the AK would be burned at the stake for being a practicing sorcerer.
If any of my readers have burned anyone at the stake recently, now would be the time to come clean and provide the anti-theists with the smoking firebrand that they seek.
On the other hand, their further comments show that these folk have no need of evidence. Their fertile imaginations allow them to see in this blog what is manifestly not here:
Every time I follow a link here, I find the world a bit scarier of a place. "Christian Martialist?" . . . This guy missed that "turn the other cheek" bit eh?
Just what I need, a bunch of folks armed to the teeth, all ready to blow the livin' b****** out of some heathens. WWJD? Apparently "nuke 'em 'til they glow and shoot 'em in the dark."
I get it. These people who harbor such rabid hatred of our God and those of us who follow Him would rather we not defend ourselves at all.
No ulterior motives there, right?
Their smugly superior mocking tone reminds me of the "Christian" fems who somehow convinced themselves that I have cadres of troops stationed all over the continent just waiting for the signal to rise up against the powers that be.
Well, maybe they do share in the same spirit:
It is as sport [i.e., laughter] to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. (Pro 10:23)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
What Is Honor?, 5
Continued from "What is Honor?, 4"
When I speak of honor as a virtue of Christian Martialists, I don't mean their pride or their reputation. I use the term in the sense of Merriam-Webster's 7th and 8th definition of the word:
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
As you consider these definitions, be careful not to deceive yourself into thinking that chastity and purity are the sole domain of the fairer sex (Prov. 11:15; I Tim. 4:12). While husbands and fathers should protect their wives and daughters from threats to their chastity and purity, they must protect themselves, as well.
I'm reminded of a summer job I had while I was in college, where I worked alongside another college student for several weeks sorting lumber for a pallet factory. My work-mate liked repeating off-color jokes and making perverse remarks.
One day he asked me, "Do you know why I talk the way I do around you?"
"Tell me," I replied.
"It's like walking by a yard where someone has hung their clean laundry. You see all those nice clean sheets and you just have to throw mud on them. That's how I see your mind -- like those nice clean sheets."
You protect yourself and your loved ones by minimizing exposure to twisted people like that college student. But you also have to train yourself and your family to mentally judge every incoming thought and word by Scripture and to pronounce God's judgment on that which defiles.
I'm not saying you should try to "filter out" or ignore those things. That approach hasn't worked for me, and it probably won't for you either.
Instead, I propose that you actively condemn the foul things you hear. Not necessarily out loud, but in a very deliberate and definite manner reject and denounce those words and the ideas they represent as evil and worthy of God's condemnation.
In other words, you must take God's side within your own heart and say the same thing He says about unclean words and ideas (John 7:24; I Cor. 6:3; 11:31).
In addition, you protect your chastity (and that of your loved ones) by learning (and teaching) how to recognize and resist those who would seduce us. (See Prov. 6:24)
In a very real sense, protecting your own chastity and purity is just one facet of maintaining your integrity (see definition 8a). More on this in another post.
When I speak of honor as a virtue of Christian Martialists, I don't mean their pride or their reputation. I use the term in the sense of Merriam-Webster's 7th and 8th definition of the word:
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
As you consider these definitions, be careful not to deceive yourself into thinking that chastity and purity are the sole domain of the fairer sex (Prov. 11:15; I Tim. 4:12). While husbands and fathers should protect their wives and daughters from threats to their chastity and purity, they must protect themselves, as well.
I'm reminded of a summer job I had while I was in college, where I worked alongside another college student for several weeks sorting lumber for a pallet factory. My work-mate liked repeating off-color jokes and making perverse remarks.
One day he asked me, "Do you know why I talk the way I do around you?"
"Tell me," I replied.
"It's like walking by a yard where someone has hung their clean laundry. You see all those nice clean sheets and you just have to throw mud on them. That's how I see your mind -- like those nice clean sheets."
You protect yourself and your loved ones by minimizing exposure to twisted people like that college student. But you also have to train yourself and your family to mentally judge every incoming thought and word by Scripture and to pronounce God's judgment on that which defiles.
I'm not saying you should try to "filter out" or ignore those things. That approach hasn't worked for me, and it probably won't for you either.
Instead, I propose that you actively condemn the foul things you hear. Not necessarily out loud, but in a very deliberate and definite manner reject and denounce those words and the ideas they represent as evil and worthy of God's condemnation.
In other words, you must take God's side within your own heart and say the same thing He says about unclean words and ideas (John 7:24; I Cor. 6:3; 11:31).
In addition, you protect your chastity (and that of your loved ones) by learning (and teaching) how to recognize and resist those who would seduce us. (See Prov. 6:24)
In a very real sense, protecting your own chastity and purity is just one facet of maintaining your integrity (see definition 8a). More on this in another post.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Shooting Game
I hope you had a good day celebrating the goodness of our God in and through Christ Jesus. We spent our day with my sister-in-law & brother-in-law & their family. A delightful time with delightful people, feasting in honor of God's covenant faithfulness and enjoying each other's fellowship before His face.
Here's a Day-After-Thanksgiving activity for you.
My barber sent me the link to this game. It won't do anything to improve your real-life martial skills, but it's based on Non-Line-Of-Sight cannons. You must adjust elevation & velocity to produce a trajectory that hits targets.
Here's the link:
NLOS Cannon Challenge
Here's a Day-After-Thanksgiving activity for you.
My barber sent me the link to this game. It won't do anything to improve your real-life martial skills, but it's based on Non-Line-Of-Sight cannons. You must adjust elevation & velocity to produce a trajectory that hits targets.
Here's the link:
NLOS Cannon Challenge
Friday, November 20, 2009
On the Road
I'm writing this from a food court within a couple of hundred yards of Niagara Falls. I think you should visit the Falls at least once every 35-40 years.
If you ever visit the Buffalo are avoid Budget Inn. Not good.
For those of you on praying ground, I would appreciate your prayers for Sunday morning. I'll be speaking at the 11:30AM service of Niagara Reformed Presbyterian Church. 10 Indian Trail, Rd (corner of Sheridan Drive) Williamsville, NY. If you're in the area, drop in.
The congregation is small, so you will surely not get lost in the crowd.
If you ever visit the Buffalo are avoid Budget Inn. Not good.
For those of you on praying ground, I would appreciate your prayers for Sunday morning. I'll be speaking at the 11:30AM service of Niagara Reformed Presbyterian Church. 10 Indian Trail, Rd (corner of Sheridan Drive) Williamsville, NY. If you're in the area, drop in.
The congregation is small, so you will surely not get lost in the crowd.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Lone Shooter or Terrorist?
According to Rep. Poe (R-TX), Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan's business card reads: "Soldier of Allah". A number of such cards were found in his apartment.
Yet the media still shys away from calling him a terrorist. Watch the video of Rep. Poe's remarks below.
Yet the media still shys away from calling him a terrorist. Watch the video of Rep. Poe's remarks below.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What is Honor?, 4
Continued from "What is Honor?, 3"
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. (Pro 15:33)
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. (Pro 18:12)
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Pro 29:23)
So, why did you get into a fight with that guy?
"He insulted me. My honor was at stake."
People know that guy is all mouth, and they don't believe anything he says. He couldn't harm your reputation.
"No, but my honor was at stake."
He has no power to take away any of your rights or privileges.
"No, but I couldn't let it go by, because my honor was at stake."
Could anything he said have diminished you in any way? Reduced your stature, your character?
"No! I keep trying to tell you; I was defending my HONOR."
It's obvious that the individual above who defended his honor was not operating under any of the standard dictionary definitions (see below). A lot of people seem to operate the same way he does, with a concept of honor that just doesn't fit the normal meanings.
I think I've figured out what honor means in such contexts: PRIDE. I mean pride in the sense of " inordinate self-esteem : conceit" (Merriam-Webster).
Of course, it doesn't sound so good to say, "I got in a fight because I'm too arrogant of an SOB (Sorry Old Buzzard) to let an insignificant insult pass." It sounds so much better to say, "It was a matter of honor."
I think pride has a lot to do with "honor killings", too. Some Muslim father, brother or husband's ego is threatened by a female family member, in addition to which he's afraid that his Muslim friends will think he's a wimp (another blow to his self-concept).
So he murders a defenseless girl to rescue his pride.
If I read my Bible right, these are all woefully wrong reasons to fight. And it's easy to see why God's Word identifies pride with defeat & destruction.
To be continued
The following definition comes from Merriam-Webster:
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. (Pro 15:33)
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. (Pro 18:12)
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Pro 29:23)
So, why did you get into a fight with that guy?
"He insulted me. My honor was at stake."
People know that guy is all mouth, and they don't believe anything he says. He couldn't harm your reputation.
"No, but my honor was at stake."
He has no power to take away any of your rights or privileges.
"No, but I couldn't let it go by, because my honor was at stake."
Could anything he said have diminished you in any way? Reduced your stature, your character?
"No! I keep trying to tell you; I was defending my HONOR."
It's obvious that the individual above who defended his honor was not operating under any of the standard dictionary definitions (see below). A lot of people seem to operate the same way he does, with a concept of honor that just doesn't fit the normal meanings.
I think I've figured out what honor means in such contexts: PRIDE. I mean pride in the sense of " inordinate self-esteem : conceit" (Merriam-Webster).
Of course, it doesn't sound so good to say, "I got in a fight because I'm too arrogant of an SOB (Sorry Old Buzzard) to let an insignificant insult pass." It sounds so much better to say, "It was a matter of honor."
I think pride has a lot to do with "honor killings", too. Some Muslim father, brother or husband's ego is threatened by a female family member, in addition to which he's afraid that his Muslim friends will think he's a wimp (another blow to his self-concept).
So he murders a defenseless girl to rescue his pride.
If I read my Bible right, these are all woefully wrong reasons to fight. And it's easy to see why God's Word identifies pride with defeat & destruction.
To be continued
The following definition comes from Merriam-Webster:
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Death of Asahel
I remember when I was in seventh grade a particularly brutal math exam in which most of the class did not fare well. Our teacher, citing lack of study due to overconfidence commented, "Some of you have been reading your own press clippings."
Similarly, a public figure -- say, a sitting President like Bush or Obama -- may read the press releases and P.R. put out by his own people and begin to believe the hype about himself. This generally leads to some ill-conceived policies and programs that bring his popularity crashing down around him.
When you have a reputation -- whether earned or imagined -- it's easy to "read the press releases" and believe you can do no wrong. (Think, "Mike Tyson".)
The same goes for heroes. Asahel was just such a hero.
Asahel was the king's nephew, son of Zeruiah, David's sister (I Chron. 2:13-16). He was also listed among David's Mighty Men (II Sam. 23:23), a roster of elite fighters renowned for their warrior skills.
After King Saul's death, there ensued a struggle to confirm and consolidate David's political position as rightful king. Asahel played a role in a particularly nasty incident in that struggle which took place at the Field of Sharp Edges near Gibeon (II Samuel 2:13-16).
The incident ended with David's nephews -- Joab, Abishai and Asahel -- pursuing Abner, who had served as leader of Saul's armed forces. Asahel evidently outdistanced his brothers in the pursuit and closed in on his quarry.
In the midst of pursuit, the following exchange took place:
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Art thou Asahel?"
And he answered, "I am."
And Abner said to him, "Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour." But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. And Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn thee aside from following me. Wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?" (2Sa 2:20-22)
In his single-minded pursuit, Asahel no doubt thought he had nothing to fear from Abner. After all, Abner was the one who was running away, wasn't he?
When Asahel crossed the mental line between reasonable confidence in his abilities and hubris, he also crossed the line between necessary aggressiveness and foolhardiness. In terms of tactics, his pride blinded him to the fact that sometimes an enemy's withdrawal can lead to ambush -- in individual as well as group combat.
Howbeit [Asahel] refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. (2Sa 2:23)
I can see it my mind's eye: Abner appears to be tiring and slows his pace enough for Asahel to close the distance between. Then he warns Asahel off, but Asahel sees Abner's warning as bravado borne of desperation and fatigue.
Asahel thinks that Abner's endurance is spent and he closes in behind for the kill. As he raises his sword to strike, Abner suddenly stops in his tracks and meets Asahel's forward momentum with a backward thrust of his spear.
Every fellow-soldier who came upon his body lying in the bloody dirt stopped and stood stock still. They evidently did this out of absolute incredulity.
One of the king's combat elite lying dead in the wake of a retreating enemy! How could this be?
Answer: A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Pro 29:23)
Honor? Seems I've encountered that concept recently.
Is there a link between humility and true honor? hmm. . . .
Similarly, a public figure -- say, a sitting President like Bush or Obama -- may read the press releases and P.R. put out by his own people and begin to believe the hype about himself. This generally leads to some ill-conceived policies and programs that bring his popularity crashing down around him.
When you have a reputation -- whether earned or imagined -- it's easy to "read the press releases" and believe you can do no wrong. (Think, "Mike Tyson".)
The same goes for heroes. Asahel was just such a hero.
Asahel was the king's nephew, son of Zeruiah, David's sister (I Chron. 2:13-16). He was also listed among David's Mighty Men (II Sam. 23:23), a roster of elite fighters renowned for their warrior skills.
After King Saul's death, there ensued a struggle to confirm and consolidate David's political position as rightful king. Asahel played a role in a particularly nasty incident in that struggle which took place at the Field of Sharp Edges near Gibeon (II Samuel 2:13-16).
The incident ended with David's nephews -- Joab, Abishai and Asahel -- pursuing Abner, who had served as leader of Saul's armed forces. Asahel evidently outdistanced his brothers in the pursuit and closed in on his quarry.
In the midst of pursuit, the following exchange took place:
Then Abner looked behind him, and said, "Art thou Asahel?"
And he answered, "I am."
And Abner said to him, "Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour." But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. And Abner said again to Asahel, "Turn thee aside from following me. Wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? How then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?" (2Sa 2:20-22)
In his single-minded pursuit, Asahel no doubt thought he had nothing to fear from Abner. After all, Abner was the one who was running away, wasn't he?
When Asahel crossed the mental line between reasonable confidence in his abilities and hubris, he also crossed the line between necessary aggressiveness and foolhardiness. In terms of tactics, his pride blinded him to the fact that sometimes an enemy's withdrawal can lead to ambush -- in individual as well as group combat.
Howbeit [Asahel] refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. (2Sa 2:23)
I can see it my mind's eye: Abner appears to be tiring and slows his pace enough for Asahel to close the distance between. Then he warns Asahel off, but Asahel sees Abner's warning as bravado borne of desperation and fatigue.
Asahel thinks that Abner's endurance is spent and he closes in behind for the kill. As he raises his sword to strike, Abner suddenly stops in his tracks and meets Asahel's forward momentum with a backward thrust of his spear.
Every fellow-soldier who came upon his body lying in the bloody dirt stopped and stood stock still. They evidently did this out of absolute incredulity.
One of the king's combat elite lying dead in the wake of a retreating enemy! How could this be?
Answer: A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. (Pro 29:23)
Honor? Seems I've encountered that concept recently.
Is there a link between humility and true honor? hmm. . . .
Friday, November 13, 2009
Gunfight in the Wild, Wild Midwest
Remember how I always point out that the orcs have a better record of hits than the police in gunfights? Well, a big shootout in Toledo, Ohio provides the exception that proves the rule.
No idea how the fight began, but I'm guessing someone's "honor" got offended. Testosterone and alcohol are a sure combination for overcoming good sense.
Then the shoving match turned into a shooting match. Throw a little adrenaline into the mix, and you have several people firing handguns who might as well be shooting blanks.
Who won the gunfight? Everyone who walked away still breathing -- that's everyone. Who lost the gunfight? Every shooter whom the police track down.
Thanks to my barber for sending the link to the video.
No idea how the fight began, but I'm guessing someone's "honor" got offended. Testosterone and alcohol are a sure combination for overcoming good sense.
Then the shoving match turned into a shooting match. Throw a little adrenaline into the mix, and you have several people firing handguns who might as well be shooting blanks.
Who won the gunfight? Everyone who walked away still breathing -- that's everyone. Who lost the gunfight? Every shooter whom the police track down.
Thanks to my barber for sending the link to the video.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
What is Honor?, 3
Continued from "What is Honor?, 2"
In my previous post, I presented the Bible's teaching about how you should react when others do not show due respect to you or your reputation. The other side of the coin is what the Word teaches about how you show respect to others.
I want to address that point, but first, let's return to the dictionary definition of honor.
I believe most of the concept of fighting and killing for the sake of honor comes from the first definition of the word given in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. That definition contains two facets: reputation or public esteem and a show of respect or recognition.
We demonstrate the second facet of honor on days like Veterans' Day when we recognize those who have served in the military for their service. (I may not agree with your choice to serve in the military and thereby enforce our nation's ungodly policies, but if you make that choice in good conscience, then I respect you.)
Everyone wants to be shown respect. The problem comes when someone gets the notion that respect is owed to him as a right -- a right which he will defend with blood.
From the long-ago palaces of Europe to the present-day ghettos of the inner city, men have taken a show of disrespect as a challenge to fight and/or to kill. To them, it's a matter of honor.
The Bible teaches that believers should honor or show respect to others. We could multiply references, but here are a few:
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. (Rom 12:10)
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Rom 13:7)
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (Eph 6:2)
The last Scripture quoted is the fifth of the Ten Commandments. The Westminster Shorter Catechism sums up its teaching as follows:
Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations
You read that and say, "It's only common sense to treat everyone with common courtesy." Yes, and I might add that common courtesy and common sense are as interdependent as they are uncommon in today's society.
Let's put the teaching from today's post together with the previous post:
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18)
(For those who simply will not live at peace, we train ourselves spiritually and physically for conflict.)
To be continued.
In my previous post, I presented the Bible's teaching about how you should react when others do not show due respect to you or your reputation. The other side of the coin is what the Word teaches about how you show respect to others.
I want to address that point, but first, let's return to the dictionary definition of honor.
I believe most of the concept of fighting and killing for the sake of honor comes from the first definition of the word given in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. That definition contains two facets: reputation or public esteem and a show of respect or recognition.
We demonstrate the second facet of honor on days like Veterans' Day when we recognize those who have served in the military for their service. (I may not agree with your choice to serve in the military and thereby enforce our nation's ungodly policies, but if you make that choice in good conscience, then I respect you.)
Everyone wants to be shown respect. The problem comes when someone gets the notion that respect is owed to him as a right -- a right which he will defend with blood.
From the long-ago palaces of Europe to the present-day ghettos of the inner city, men have taken a show of disrespect as a challenge to fight and/or to kill. To them, it's a matter of honor.
The Bible teaches that believers should honor or show respect to others. We could multiply references, but here are a few:
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. (Rom 12:10)
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Rom 13:7)
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (Eph 6:2)
The last Scripture quoted is the fifth of the Ten Commandments. The Westminster Shorter Catechism sums up its teaching as follows:
Q. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations
You read that and say, "It's only common sense to treat everyone with common courtesy." Yes, and I might add that common courtesy and common sense are as interdependent as they are uncommon in today's society.
Let's put the teaching from today's post together with the previous post:
- The Christian Martialist must honor his fellowmen as creatures made in the image of God;
- The Christian Martialist must meet disrespect with blessing and prayer.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12:18)
(For those who simply will not live at peace, we train ourselves spiritually and physically for conflict.)
To be continued.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Questions You Won't Hear the Media Ask about Nidal Hasan
I have deliberately put off commenting on the mass killing at Fort Hood. I found it upsetting on more than one level.
Nevertheless, as the media scramble to cover this act of violence with a mantle of political correctness, I find myself asking questions that no reporter who wishes to keep his job will ever dare to ask.
For example, If Nidal Hasan is a Muslim extremist, how did he get to the rank of major in the U.S. Army? Is the U.S. military so weighed down with P.C. attitudes that it is willing to commit institutional suicide by commissioning enemy terrorists?
On the other hand, If Nidal Hasan is a mainstream Muslim and not an extremist, what do his actions tell us about the mainstream of Islam? Can we ever acknowledge the historical fact that the lands of the Middle East and North Africa converted to Islam at the point of a sword?
Pray for the persecuted church in Islamic countries. Pray for those who take the Gospel to Muslims. Pray that God will frustrate the purposes of those Muslims who would murder friends and family if they turn to Christ.
Nevertheless, as the media scramble to cover this act of violence with a mantle of political correctness, I find myself asking questions that no reporter who wishes to keep his job will ever dare to ask.
For example, If Nidal Hasan is a Muslim extremist, how did he get to the rank of major in the U.S. Army? Is the U.S. military so weighed down with P.C. attitudes that it is willing to commit institutional suicide by commissioning enemy terrorists?
On the other hand, If Nidal Hasan is a mainstream Muslim and not an extremist, what do his actions tell us about the mainstream of Islam? Can we ever acknowledge the historical fact that the lands of the Middle East and North Africa converted to Islam at the point of a sword?
Pray for the persecuted church in Islamic countries. Pray for those who take the Gospel to Muslims. Pray that God will frustrate the purposes of those Muslims who would murder friends and family if they turn to Christ.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
What is Honor?, 2
Continued from "What is Honor?"
I have reproduced the definitions of honor from Merriam-Webster below to make it easier to reference as I discuss the meaning of the word.
The word honor appears 149 times in the English Bible (AV). In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word commonly translated honor is kabod.
It literally means weight, and is often translated as glory. The Apostle Paul played on this term when he wrote "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2Co 4:17)
In this sense, honor is the weight credited by God or other people to a person's character. In other words, it is his reputation (definition #1, below), as borne out by Brown-Driver-Briggs: Hebrew Definitions which lists reputation among the word's meanings.
And the Bible confirms that a good name is a valuable asset:
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Pro 22:1)
This leads to the matter of whether a person should fight (let alone kill) to preserve his honor/reputation. Scripture seems to indicate the opposite:
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. (Pro 20:3)
On the contrary, our King gives us specific instructions about how to handle those who slander us:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Mat 5:43-44)
And in another context, He says again,
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luk 6:26-28)
If you're like me, you have your own stories about how others -- either unbelievers or professing Christians -- have despitefully used you. I remember lying awake at night rehearsing the scenes in my mind, thinking of what I should have said to the one(s) who did evil to me.
Such thoughts robbed me of sleep and peace of mind, until I discovered the principle of praying for those who despitefully use you. When I started praying for my enemies, their evil words and deeds lost their hold on me and I started falling asleep praying for them.
This is not the same as praying at them. I'm talking about sincere prayer for their good (which may legitimately include repentance on their part and reconciliation with you) and for God's blessing on their service to Him.
This is not to say that there is not also a place for imprecatory prayers, especially when the slanderer dishonors that which is righteous or God's work and reputation. David prayed in this vein:
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. (Psa 31:13-18)
To be continued.
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
I have reproduced the definitions of honor from Merriam-Webster below to make it easier to reference as I discuss the meaning of the word.
The word honor appears 149 times in the English Bible (AV). In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word commonly translated honor is kabod.
It literally means weight, and is often translated as glory. The Apostle Paul played on this term when he wrote "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2Co 4:17)
In this sense, honor is the weight credited by God or other people to a person's character. In other words, it is his reputation (definition #1, below), as borne out by Brown-Driver-Briggs: Hebrew Definitions which lists reputation among the word's meanings.
And the Bible confirms that a good name is a valuable asset:
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Pro 22:1)
This leads to the matter of whether a person should fight (let alone kill) to preserve his honor/reputation. Scripture seems to indicate the opposite:
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. (Pro 20:3)
On the contrary, our King gives us specific instructions about how to handle those who slander us:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Mat 5:43-44)
And in another context, He says again,
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luk 6:26-28)
If you're like me, you have your own stories about how others -- either unbelievers or professing Christians -- have despitefully used you. I remember lying awake at night rehearsing the scenes in my mind, thinking of what I should have said to the one(s) who did evil to me.
Such thoughts robbed me of sleep and peace of mind, until I discovered the principle of praying for those who despitefully use you. When I started praying for my enemies, their evil words and deeds lost their hold on me and I started falling asleep praying for them.
This is not the same as praying at them. I'm talking about sincere prayer for their good (which may legitimately include repentance on their part and reconciliation with you) and for God's blessing on their service to Him.
This is not to say that there is not also a place for imprecatory prayers, especially when the slanderer dishonors that which is righteous or God's work and reputation. David prayed in this vein:
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. (Psa 31:13-18)
To be continued.
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf
Friday, November 6, 2009
What is Honor?
Continued from "Honor Killing?"
Should a Christian Martialist defend his honor? I guess it depends on what you mean by honor.
So, let's do something really radical -- something like, oh I don't know . . . look up the definition? Merriam-Webster gives the following meanings for the word honor:
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance c : an award in a contest or field of competition d archaic : a gesture of deference : bow e plural (1) : an academic distinction conferred on a superior student (2) : a course of study for superior students supplementing or replacing a regular course
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf.
Whenever you use a word capable of so many interpretations, you run the danger of committing the fallacy of equivocation - using the same word in two different senses as though they were one.
Here's a syllogism that demonstrates the fallacy of equivocation:
Some dogs have hair.
Fido has hair.
Therefore, Fido is some dog.
More in another post.
Should a Christian Martialist defend his honor? I guess it depends on what you mean by honor.
So, let's do something really radical -- something like, oh I don't know . . . look up the definition? Merriam-Webster gives the following meanings for the word honor:
1 a : good name or public esteem : reputation b : a showing of usually merited respect : recognition
2 : privilege
3 : a person of superior standing —now used especially as a title for a holder of high office
4 : one whose worth brings respect or fame : credit
5 : the center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon
6 : an evidence or symbol of distinction: as a : an exalted title or rank b (1) : badge, decoration (2) : a ceremonial rite or observance
7 : chastity, purity
8 a : a keen sense of ethical conduct : integrity "wouldn't do it as a matter of honor" b : one's word given as a guarantee of performance
9 plural : social courtesies or civilities extended by a host
10 a (1) : an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit in bridge (2) : the scoring value of honors held in bridge —usually used in plural b : the privilege of playing first from the tee in golf.
Whenever you use a word capable of so many interpretations, you run the danger of committing the fallacy of equivocation - using the same word in two different senses as though they were one.
Here's a syllogism that demonstrates the fallacy of equivocation:
Some dogs have hair.
Fido has hair.
Therefore, Fido is some dog.
More in another post.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Honor Killing?
In recent news about an Arizona Muslim who ran over his 20-year-old daughter in a parking lot, the media have referred to the incident as an honor killing. This brings into question the meaning of the word honor.
Traditional Japanese culture also has had some pretty extreme practices regarding honor. In that mindset, one might kill or commit suicide (hara kiri) for honor.
The West has not been immune to the same mindset. In Europe and America, many have fought duels to the death to defend their honor.
General Douglas MacArthur challenged West Point Cadets to live for "Duty, Honor, Country." The Marine Hymn says that they fight "to keep their honor clean". What does the word honor mean in those contexts?
I want to address the meaning of honor and apply it to Christian Martialism in another post or two.
Meanwhile, ponder the man in the video from the Associated Press who murdered his own daughter for the sake of his honor.
I believe the arraignment took place before his daughter actually died, which is why you do not hear him being charged with homicide.
Traditional Japanese culture also has had some pretty extreme practices regarding honor. In that mindset, one might kill or commit suicide (hara kiri) for honor.
The West has not been immune to the same mindset. In Europe and America, many have fought duels to the death to defend their honor.
General Douglas MacArthur challenged West Point Cadets to live for "Duty, Honor, Country." The Marine Hymn says that they fight "to keep their honor clean". What does the word honor mean in those contexts?
I want to address the meaning of honor and apply it to Christian Martialism in another post or two.
Meanwhile, ponder the man in the video from the Associated Press who murdered his own daughter for the sake of his honor.
I believe the arraignment took place before his daughter actually died, which is why you do not hear him being charged with homicide.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Boston Sheepdog Saves Doctor's Life
An off-duty security officer saved the life of a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital on October 27th. Providentially, Paul Langone was there as the violent scene played out, and he was armed.
When he saw a psychiatric patient repeatedly stab a female doctor, Langone drew his weapon and ordered the patient to drop the knife. Here's a description from the Channel 7 WHDH News Site:
When he saw a psychiatric patient repeatedly stab a female doctor, Langone drew his weapon and ordered the patient to drop the knife. Here's a description from the Channel 7 WHDH News Site:
"He produced a weapon and ordered the suspect to drop the knife, and when the suspect did not comply, he shot him," said Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.
Sources told 7News that Langone hit Canciero three times and he was pronounced dead on the scene.
Another article says that officials confirmed that the suspect sustained two wounds to the torso and one to the head. Think about the mindset and focus required for that kind of performance.
Then compare that to the average police shooting in which officers routinely miss suspects and put bystanders and victims at risk from stray rounds. (See my post, FBI Report)
Here is a link to an interview with Paul Langone. He comes across as a guy you'd like to have for a neighbor, and who seems a little uncomfortable with the media attention.
WARSKYL salutes Paul Langone, sheepdog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
