Cyber What?

I am quoted in this article, "The Art of Cyberchurch," from Christianity Today.

Jane Norton for Senate

Jane Norton, formerly Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, announced that she is running for the United States Senate in Colorado. I attended her event this morning and was very impressed with her speech and her demeanor. I was already appreciative of her political philosophy. Please visit her web page and consider supporting her.

Cyber Church?

I am quoted in "The Art of Cyber Church" by Sarah Pulliam in the September, 2009 issue of Christianity Today. It does not appear to be on line as yet.

Do the Math

Well over a million attended a rally in Washington, DC on Saturday, although The New York Times said it was only "tens of thousands." For the Times, the numbers shrink when the crowds are opposing Obama's plan to take over health care, European style.

Slaughter of the Dissidents

Dr. Jerry Bergman, a long-time critic of Darwinism and prolific author, has written an important book called, Slaughter of the Dissidents, which reports on and documents the unfair persecution experienced by academics that dare to doubt Darwin. For those who think the stories related in the film "Expelled" were untrue or overstated, this book will demonstrate that the stories of the film only scrape the ideological surface.

Dan Brown, the Icky Poo, and Rapid Cultural Response

The Lost Symbol will be released Tuesday. It has already been reviewed by The NY times. It is one of the "icky poo" books I must read given my line of work and calling, just as I read The Da Vinci Code. I encourage Christian thinkers and writers to take this book seriously and present a logical and Christian response to it wherever you can. Brown will present a pop-occult worldview that will further deceive and confuse people who do not know how to address it (which includes most American Christians, sadly). I hope to write a review of it when I can (sooner rather than later, given the lightning-fast nature of culture these days).

Brigitte Gabriel at Colorado Christian University

Brigette Gabriel was bought up in Lebanon when it was peaceful and democratic. Her life was shattered with Muslims bombed her Christian city. She was severely injured and lived for several years in a bomb shelter. She eventually left her beloved country when Muslims took over and made life for Christians impossible. She spent several years in Israel as a television news anchor (she is stunningly attractive as well as articulate) before making America her adopted country.

On Friday, September 11, Colorado Christian University brought Ms. Gabriel to their campus to speak on Islamic terrorism. As a Fellow of the Centennial Institute, I was invited to a reception in which she passionately spoke of her commitment to expose the goals that Islam has on America through her organization, ACT for America.

She later addressed several hundred people, telling her story, the history of Islam (a masterful summary in about five minutes), and explained the Islamic strategy to impose sharia (Islamic) law worldwide and, yes, in America. She claimed that many mosques has terrorist ties and that they were actively advocating the gradual imposition of sharia law. This is well advanced in Europe and in some parts of the US, such as Dearborne, Michigan, where the Muslim call to prayer is blasted over loudspeakers in public streets. Muslims have developed state school curriculum to proselytize for Islam.

I could go on, but suffice to say that Ms. Gabriel is a compelling and courageous figure. She sports a remarkable personal story, speaks nearly flawless English with a distinguishing Lebanese accent, is gifted with boundless energy, and is a true patriot for her adopted country. I hope you will visit her web page, join her organization (which lobbies for national security with respect to the Islam threat from within and without), and read her two books: Because they Hate and They Must be Stopped, both New York Times bestsellers. I plan on using one of these when I teach Christian Ethics next term at Denver Seminary.

Police protection was provided for her talk at Colorado Christian University. You can imagine why. She needs your prayers as well. I provided the concluding prayer the night that she spoke and prayed Psalm 91:1-2 on her behalf, among other things.

Abortion, Paid by Your Taxes

Obama lied again tonight about public funding of abortion under this health plan. Get the facts here.

Warning!

Please read Jeremy Green on the dangers of Obama's heath care plan.

A Lament Over Defection

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.--2 Timothy 4:9-10; emphasis added.

I lament that so many have "loved this world" at the expense of living for Jesus Christ. Instead of keeping their hearts and minds on eternity, and thus being willing to suffer in various ways for the suffering Savior and the good of the world, they have made provisions for the flesh, to gratify its lusts. They found the fleeting fleshpots of postmodernity more appealing than denying themselves, taking up their crosses daily, and following Christ into Kingdom endeavors--come what may. (I am not thinking of those who address their doubts and continue to seek God. That is another story.)

Some are only visiting the spectre world of sin's allures; they will be chastened by God and return to Christ. Others have given themselves over to this present world, having never truly left it to follow the lamb of God in time and eternity.

The Bible warned us of this in advance, but seeing it played out through real people still breaks one's heart.

Dan Brown's Erroneous World

With Dan Brown's new book, The Lost Symbol, due out September 15, everyone should be up to speed on his basic worldview and MO. This New York Times editorial is helpful to explain his message and popularity.

Doug Groothuis Sermon in Centennial

I will be speaking on a biblical and scientific view of the origin of life at Grace Chapel on September 13, 2009. Their service times are 9:00, 10:45 and 6:00. Hope to see you there.

The Arrogance

Obama's messianic arrogance is unparalleled and appalling. He now wants to cast his spell on the children of America by imposing this personality and socialist worldview on the state-run schools. I have never seen anything like it in my life time. However, Italy and Germany saw similar things in the 1930s...

The Outrageous Imposture of Contemporary Television as a Medium of Knowledge

As many of you know, I do not watch television. But occasionally, I watch a segment on YouTube. I just did and it appalled me deeply. This is a four-minute "story" on the teaching of science in Texas. I favor "teaching the controversy" over Darwinism. Darwinists typically do not. However, you will not learn anything of substance from this special-effects laden, image-mongering, sound-bit crazed, and factoid-frenzied hyperactive hodgepodge. Since I do not watch TV, when I see something like this it is jarring, startling, and intellectually offensive. It frightens me to think that people live in this world--on an average of four hours a day, according to the new Nielsen ratings.

There is simply no way to gain any meaningful knowledge about this issue from this format. They took hours of interviews and used no more than 10 second sound bites. They tried to distill (and dramatize) important scientific, pedagogical, and legal issues into four minutes of rapid-fire image explosions (with musical background where needed, of course).

Friends, stop watching TV for just ten days. Then go back and watch. You will be stunned. You will be better for it. Leave the cave and ascend to reality.

Twitter

If you didn't know, I am experimenting with Twitter. My name on it is DougGroothuis. I use proper grammar, no abbreviations, and avoid trivia. So, what am I doing there? Subverting it.

Air Apologetics

You have heard of "air guitar" or "air drums." One imitates playing a musical instrument, usually with histrionic excess (rock style). But, of course, one cannot play these instruments (typically). One merely pretends, usually with narcissistic abandon.

Sadly, many Christians play "air apologetics"--they pretend to defend Christianity in the face of unbelief, but really only pretend to do it by relying on cliches or talking superficially only among themselves.

What can be done? Repent and strengthen the things that remain, for the Kingdom is at hand and were are audited by Eternity.

C.S. LEWIS ON OBJECTIVE VALUE

The doctrine of objective value [is] the belief that certain attitudes are really true, and others really false, to the kind of thing the universe is and the kind of things we are. . . . Because our approvals and disapprovals are thus recognitions of objective vale or responses to an objective order, therefore emotional states can be in harmony with reason (when we feel liking for what ought to be approved) or out of harmony with reason (when we perceive that liking is due but cannot feel it). No emotion is, in itself, a judgement: in that sense all emotions and sentiments are alogical. But they can be reasonable or unreasonable as they conform to Reason or fail to conform.--The Abolition of Man (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1975), 31-32.

Brigitte Gabriel in Denver

From John Andrews, Director of the Centennial Institute (of which I am a Fellow):

Centennial Institute is honored to host Brigitte Gabriel, the brilliant author and organizer courageously working to waken America to the threat of radical Islam, for a free public lecture in the Colorado Christian University Event Center on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.

We invite you attend, bring friends, and forward this e-mail widely.

Ms. Gabriel’s remarkable story, from her Christian girlhood in Lebanon through her public leadership today as an American by choice, is spelled out in two best-selling books, Because They Hate (2006) and They Must Be Stopped (2008). Membership is booming in her citizens movement, ACT for America.Brigitte Gabriel's topic on 9/11 will be "America Confronts Radical Islam." The issue is of unsurpassed importance. The date, a somber anniversary in world history, speaks for itself.

All are welcome, but space is limited. Please make your reservations today.Please RSVP to Centennial@ccu.edu or call 303-963-3424. Provide your name and the number in your party.

Sincerely,
John Andrews
Director, Centennial Institute

http://centennialccu.org
303-963-3424
Centennial@ccu.edu303-963-3424

The Centennial Institute sponsors research, events, and publications to enhance public understanding of the most important issues facing our state and nation. By proclaiming Truth, we aim to foster faith, family, and freedom, teach citizenship, and renew the spirit of 1776

From the Summer-Fall, Denver Seminary Magazine

Endowed Graduation Award in honor of Dr. Gordon Lewis and Dr. Doug GroothuisIan Colle (‘09 M.A. in Philosophy of Religion) has established an endowed graduation award to honor Gordon Lewis, senior professor of Christian philosophy and theology, and Doug Groothuis, professor of philosophy. Colle says, “Some of the greatest moments of inspiration I received as a student at Denver Seminary were in classes taught by Dr. Lewis and Dr. Groothuis. At first glance, we knew students might have easily overlooked these seemingly mild-mannered professors of philosophy. Little did any of us know that we were about to begin learning at the feet of battle-hardened warriors in the fight against the powers of evil. They taught us that ideas have consequences and that intellectual warriors must join the fight by being able to defend their faith with sound arguments. Holing up in our Christian compound and ignoring what was going on in the world around us was never an option. Both men teach with a passion for the objective truth of Christianity and for equipping future leaders to defend that truth. By creating this endowment, I hope to ignite that passion in future generations of philosophers from Denver Seminary and ensure they remember the great shoulders upon which they are standing.”

This award will be given at graduation to an outstanding philosophy of religion student. Colle encourages all students and alumni impacted by these two professors to make additional gifts to support this award fund. To make a gift, please contact Brian Fort at 303.762.6924 or brian.fort@denverseminary.edu, or send a gift directly to the Office of Advancement, noting that your gift is for the Lewis/Groothuis graduation award fund.

Endowed Award

Ian Colle (M.A., Philosophy of Religion, 2009, Denver Seminary) has endowed an award in the philosophy of religion in honor of Dr. Gordon Lewis and myself. I am deeply honored by this. Go to page 17 of the on line Denver Seminary Magazine.