A NONSECTARIAN PRO-LIFE ARGUMENT

Ethics, morality February 1, 2019 Leave a comment

PMW 2019-010 by Douglas Groothius (Constructive Curmudgeon)

Abortion is the intentional killing of a human fetus by chemical and/or surgical means. It should not be confused with miscarriage (which involves no human intention) or contraception (which uses various technologies to prohibit sperm and egg from producing a fertilized ovum after sexual intercourse). Miscarriages are natural (if sad) occurrences, which raise no deep moral issues regarding human conduct-unless the woman was careless in her pregnancy. Contraception is officially opposed by Roman Catholics and some other Christians, but I take it to be in a moral category entirely separate from abortion (since it does not involve the killing of a fetus); therefore, it will not be addressed here.[1]

Rather than taking up the legal reasoning and history of abortion in America (especially concerning Roe vs. Wade), this essay makes a simple, straightforward moral argument against abortion. Sadly, real arguments (reasoned defenses of a thesis or claim) are too rarely made on this issue. Continue reading →

GODAWA’S “CHRONICLES OF THE APOCALYPSE”

AD 70, Preterism, Revelation January 29, 2019 1 Comment

PMW 2019-009 by various writers

Brian Godawa has written a four-volume Chronicles of the Apocalypse novel series as a dramatic means of getting across to the modern Christian what occurred in the events around AD 70. These novels are not only compelling, but also instructive. For Godawa uniquely offers copious exegetical, historical, and theological end-notes on Revelation at the end of each book. He has successfully wedded entertainment with instruction.

I highly recommend your reading this set. You might find this novelized approach to the preterist understanding of Revelation a helpful tool for recommending preterism to family and friends. Perhaps these Reviews and Endorsements might encourage you to get this set! Continue reading →

POSTMILLENNIAL PRAYER

Optimism January 25, 2019 Comments: 2

POSTMILLENNIAL PRAYER
PMW 2019-008 by Chalcedon Foundation (Editorial)

If prayer is talking with God, then our prayer life is most vital when it is most frequent, when our hearts and minds readily and constantly call upon God in every kind of situation.[1]

There’s an old saying that goes, “Pray like it all depends upon God but work like it all depends upon you.” As Reformed Christians seeking to fulfill the mission of godly reconstruction, this is precisely how we should live, because prayer is not opposed to work, and work is not opposed to prayer. As Rushdoony once wrote, “Prayer is not a substitute for action but its accompaniment.”[2] Continue reading →

THE MORALITY OF A BORDER WALL

Culture, morality January 22, 2019 Leave a comment

PMW 2019-007 by Wesley Smith (ACLJ)

In a recent interview, Nancy Pelosi, the presumptive incoming Speaker of the House, called the concept of a border wall immoral. Calling the wall expensive and ineffective, she doubled down on the subject, elevating opposition to the proposed wall to the level of existential right and wrong, a moral absolute. Of course, she co-opts this important topic for blatant political purposes. Her loathing of President Trump obviously outweighs her sense of obligation to secure the country and provide safety for its citizens.

However, she is quite correct that the wall is a moral issue. In fact, it is unconscionable and immoral to NOT have a strong border wall. Continue reading →

THE DISCIPLES’ CONFUSION AT OLIVET (4)

AD 70, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse January 15, 2019 Comments: 15

PMW 2019-005 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is my fourth and final presentation in demonstrating that the disciples’ question to Jesus in Matt. 24:3 shows that they are confused. You might say that this is my “final judgment” on the matter.

When the disciples ask their double question in response to his short prophecy on the destruction of the temple, they bring in concepts that are not related to his prophecy. We have been seeing that they are often confused and how Jesus in the Olivet Discourse is seeking to dispel their confusion.

In the preceding article I noted that Jesus directly interacts with their confusion. In this one I will briefly demonstrate that he will clearly distinguish the events that they have merged. Continue reading →

THE DISCIPLES’ CONFUSION AT OLIVET (3)

AD 70, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse January 11, 2019 Leave a comment

PMW 2019-004 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is the third installment in a four-part series on the disciples’ two questions to Jesus in Matt. 24:3: “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?'”

I have been showing that throughout his ministry the disciples display confusion regarding his teaching. I believe this explains why they are confused with his short prophecy in Matt. 24:2.

You need to read the two prior articles before reading this one. I will wait a few minutes to give you the time. . . . . There, that should do it.

My previous articles

In the two previous articles I point out: Continue reading →

THE DISCIPLES’ CONFUSION AT OLIVET (2)

AD 70, Olivet Discourse, Temple January 8, 2019 Comments: 10

PMW 2019-003 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is the second in a four-part series on the disciples’ confusion regarding Jesus’ prophecy of the temple’s destruction in Matt. 24:2. In Matt. 24:3 they ask privately: “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” It is important that we recognize that Jesus untangles their confused thoughts in the Olivet Discourse that follows. What the disciples have joined together, the Son of Man has separated, you might say.

In my forthcoming commentary on Matt. 21–25 and very briefly in this blog series, I will be explaining Jesus’ resolution to the disciples’ confusion. I will be showing that the disciples assume the destruction of the temple will occur at the end of history, the end of the age when the Final Judgment is to occur (of which he had taught them earlier, Matt. 13:39–43, 47–50). Though they claim to understand Jesus’ teaching (Matt. 13:51), Jesus will correct their error by unscrewing what to them was inscrutable. That is, though he will affirm the theological linkage of AD 70 and the Final Judgment, he will declare the historical distinction of these two events: one occurs at the beginning of Christian history, the other at the end of human history. Continue reading →