All posts by Kameel Majdali

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Mountain of Esau: Why Study the Book of Obadiah? Part 01

But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions — Obadiah 1:17
Introduction
It represents an famous and age-old rivalry between two brothers, Jacob and Esau. This conflict extends to the New Testament with Herod the Great’s attempt to destroy the young child Jesus. We are refer to the regions of Edom versus Judah and the Book of Obadiah, shortest of all the Old Testament prophetic books, is very clear who will win this struggle.
Obadiah predicts the fall of the nation of Edom, neighbour to Judah, especially because they gloated at the suffering and conquest of this region and its capital Jerusalem.
The great symbol of Edom is its majestic mountains that tower over 2,000 metres above sea level. Edom is the eastern neighbour to the Arabah, Valley of the Desert, which is a sub-region of the Great Rift Valley and shares a north-south border between Jordan and Israel.
Edom comes from the Hebrew word ‘red,’ and this is because of the colour of the lentil stew Esau ate in exchange for his birthright. Jacob’s brother moved to Mount Seir and set up residence. From the time of the twins until the fall of Jerusalem, the rivalry between the two siblings and their respective regions continued unabated.
Edom would not allow Moses and Israel to pass through its territory on the way to Canaan. David’s Joab helped subdue Edom, but it fought against Judean king Jehoshaphat and successfully rebelled against Jehoram. Judean king Amaziah conquered Edom, but the pride of his conquest was also his undoing. Under feckless Judean king Ahaz, Edom regained its independence. The Nabateans, an Arabian type people, forced the Edomites to migrate to Southern Judah, where they were forcibly converted to Judaism and became known as the Idumeans (Edom and Judean). The most famous, even notorious Idumean was Herod the Great, the Roman puppet king who tried and failed to kill the Christ child.
While Edom applauded the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC, they paradoxically tried to defend the city – and failed – when the Romans destroyed it in AD 70. After that date, we hear no more about the Edomites. They disappeared from history, along with Herod’s temple.
If one place in Edom illustrates its greatness, it is Petra, the rose-red city carved in the rock. This vast ancient city that encompasses many hectares can only be reached by a narrow, natural 1.2 kilometre canyon called ‘The Siq.’ Its lofty position, with 200 plus metres cliffs, and difficult to access entrance made it very aloof and prideful. They felt they could go out, raid caravans on the King’s Highway, and safely retreat to their stronghold. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? (verse 3). Such a stance guarantees disaster. Proverbs 16:18 states: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Obadiah confirms the pride and fall of Edom. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Issues the Demand the Church’s Response Part 01

Sunday is coming and it is time to prepare the sermon. What shall we preach? The short answer is: The Word of God (II Timothy 4:2?). Not just preach about the Word but from the Word. The ideal is that every sermon is Word-based, Spirit-anointed, Christ-centred, and God-honouring.
And, it is important that the Word preached is the Word received by the preacher. Downloading prepared sermons from the internet is not fresh manna.
Hungry Christians are complaining about what is preached. Here are some of the options:
1.       Motivational messages: These can encourage people in practical areas (how to be successful, raise good children, build self-esteem) but tend to ignore basic sound doctrine like repentance, faith, sin, the resurrection and last judgement.
2.       Politics: The pulpit is used to exhort people to back a political cause, often though not always from the left. Such sermons will often be politically correct.
3.       Mish-mash: These are poorly-prepared, waffly comments that might be strung together but the necklace is not made of pearls.
4.       Word of God: We need to proclaim and expound God’s Word, which is good seed to the non-Christian, milk to the baby in Christ, and strong meat to the mature. It is a lamp to our feet and light to our path, quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.
We can all agree that Number 4 is the only way. Yet, there is something else. We have to make the Word applicable to daily living. If we don’t, then it’s like healthy food whose nourishment is not absorbed into the digestive system, thus denying the benefits of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Burning Issues
A while ago I received an (group) email from a young Canadian Christian named Brady Shearer, who runs a business called Pro Church Tools https://prochurchtools.com
He did a survey about what people, particularly younger wants, wish their pastors would talk about. None of these are milquetoast items – they are hot, spicy, provocative, and potentially explosive. The topics are also very current. Yet, if the church won’t talk about these issues, be assured that the world will – and we will not like the answer they’re giving.
Using the topics Shearer gleaned, let’s look at these one-by-one. I would also like to make clear at the outset that I don’t claim to have great expertise on all these topics, nor do I claim to have the definitive answers. Yet, as one who has been observing and commenting on the world scene for years, I do have something to share. If any of my readers can come up with a better understanding of these subjects, from a Biblical view and with a good attitude, I would be more than happy to hear.
Shearer’s topics included:
1.      Politics: abortion, ill treatment of immigrants, systemic racism, normalisation of sexual abuse.
2.      Mental health
3.      Domestic violence: 1 in 4 women will experience severe violence by an intimate partner in its lifetime.
4.      Abuses of all forms: Spiritual, sexual, power
5.      Pornography & masturbation
If you are a preacher, would you address some or all of these issues? If so, how would you do it?
In our next issue, we will look at the ‘hot potato’ issue of abortion. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

CULTURE WAR SERIES PART 16: The Only Solution

In the history of peoples and nation-states, conflict comes in two forms: internal and external. Which do you think is more deadly?
One prime example comes from church history. During the early years of the church, it was considered ‘counter-cultural’ and an enemy to the occupying Roman empire. Christianity was called a religio illicita, meaning ‘an illegal religion.’ There were periodic and savage outbreaks of deadly persecution. Yet, during heat of these dangerous days, the church did not diminish – it thrived. It is the proverbial principle of the diamond. As long as it is strong internally, it can withstand the mightiest of blows. Tertullian was quoted as saying ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’
However, there was a mortal threat to the church: the enemy from within. The Bible rightly warns against ‘false brethren,’ ‘false christs,’ ‘false prophets’ and ‘false teachers.’ They are the proverbial ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing. With their false doctrine and divisive heresies, they posed a greater threat to the Church than what any external foe could do.
The goal of the far left, including extreme progressives and cultural Marxists, is to alter, if not destroy, western civilisation. They have managed to do more damage to the West in just 50 years, than external foes have done in centuries. Because the culture war is a ‘conflict from within,’ ‘westerner pitted against westerner,’ in every respect it is a civil war. Remember, the American civil of the 1860s killed more Americans (655,000) than two world wars combined (116,000 in World War I and 406,000 in World War II).
How can we bring this long, protracted culture war to a close? There are several options:
1.       An armed conflict: Defeat the other side in a military engagement. With 350 million guns, there is plenty of ammunition. This, of course, is a horrible option, though not totally out of the realm of possibility;
2.       An economic depression: This would ‘wipe the slate clean’ regarding mammoth debts, discredit utopian ideologies, and bring us back to square one and hopefully some common sense. This option is not only simplistic, it is dangerous and destabilising. The cost is simply too great;
3.       Give it some time: If we give ourselves enough time, all of these issues will be sorted out. How much time do we need? At least 200 to 300 years! Well, we don’t have that much time to begin with. Besides, the destructive nature of this war precludes lengthy waiting – there might not be much left to sort out if we do wait.
None of the above are even remotely good solutions for our societal conflict.
What is the answer?The key is in remembering that at its core the cultural war is spiritual. It is not merely flesh and blood that are in disagreement. Thus, the person you see on the other side is not the true enemy; indeed, the real enemy is the one you cannot see. According to Ephesians 6:12 we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but with principalities, powers, and hosts of wickedness in high places. As has been shared already, the culture war is spiritual and the solution is equally spiritually. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Britain’s Challenges Part 02

Nations, like individuals, face challenges in life. Yet, it is no exaggeration to say that the United Kingdom is facing its biggest crises since the end of the Second World War. Yes, more than 30 years of trouble in Northern Ireland, or the 1990s scandals that rocked the Royal Family and saw the divorce of Diana and Charles, who is the heir to the throne.
As we learned in the last article, challenges include persistent calls for a ‘second referendum’ on Scottish independence. The shifting of the leftists and progressives from the Left to the ‘far Left,’ while some on the right are drifting leftward as well, embracing policies that would have been unthinkable a few years before. The UK election of 2019 offers a solid glimpse into the shifting political sands.
Most importantly immediate issue is the Brexit deadlock. Three and a half years after a referendum confirmed that the majority of UK voters wanted to leave the European Union – a ‘divorce’ to a 46 year old union – the nation still has not left. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to leave by the 31 October 2019 deadline, but parliament hemmed him in on every side. They said ‘No’ to a no-deal Brexit, the unprecedented demands on how the executive branch should negotiate with the European Union. Then parliament signalled agreement with his EU brokered deal but NO to his quick timetable. With such an impasse, the only logical course of action was to turn to the British public and have them decide by means of an election. As Johnson said, he did not want an early election and especially in the winter, but parliament left him no choice.
Northern Ireland
This province of the United Kingdom is arguably the most Christian. These friendly people are also poetic prayer warriors who can inspire an entire congregation by their supplications. ‘Socially progressive’ items like abortion and same-sex marriage are not legal in Northern Ireland – at least not yet. Northern Ireland’s parliament at Stormont has not met for over 2 years and the concern is that the ‘mainland’ may seek to impose these and other items by fiat, which is exactly what’s happening now.
Also, the question of the border with the Irish Republic is also worth watching. At present, there is no hard-border between the two sovereignties on the emerald isle. At Brexit, apart from an agreement, some kind of border may be imposed, supposedly endangering the 1998 Good Friday agreement that put an end to 30 years of ‘The Troubles.’ This point is highly debatable but it is worth watching.
From Queen to Charles
While the Queen has reigned with distinction since 1952, and appears to be in good health, at the age of 93 it should be obvious that she is in her last years. Since most Brits have grown up only knowing her as their monarch, and television has made her the most visible queen in history, the thought of her demise is seen as most unsettling and distressing. In reality, this should be the least of their problems. The chances of a smooth transition are excellent. After all, Prince Charles and William, collectively, have had over a century (71 years and 37 years, respectively) of preparation for the role of king.
In our next article, we will see how impressively ‘resilient’ this nation has been … and why. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

RECIPE: Shakshuka

Do you like eggs and fried tomatoes? If so, you’ll love shakshooka. It is a Middle Eastern dish that takes ripe, even slightly overripe tomatoes, mixes them with eggs, capsicum and spices, and, presto, you have a meal sensation. Why not give it a try?
4 ripe tomatoes or 1 small can (28 ounces) of whole peeled tomato, juice included.
1 capsicum (green, red, or yellow), diced
1 diced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 eggs
2 sliced chilli peppers (or jalapeno), chopped finely (optional)
2 slices fresh jalapeno/chilli pepper, finely
1 teaspoon of paprika
Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a fry pan over medium heat. 
Add the onion, capsicum, and garlic. Cook until soft and clear, around 5 minutes. 
To this mixture add the tomatoes, paprika, chili/jalapenos, and stir. Use the spoon to crush the tomatoes. Simmer a low heat for around 30 minutes.
Crack an egg into a small bowl, then gently slip the egg into the tomato sauce. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
Cook the eggs for around 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. The yolks should be thick, but not hard, and the whites solid.
Watch out for the liquid and make sure it does not dry out; if so, add a little bit of water. 
You can enjoy with bread, salad, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

True Justice: Why Study the Book of Amos Part B

In our last article, we learned that Amos, a humble Judean farmer, was raised up by God to give a heavy word to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Through his prophetic words we learn more about true justice – the kind that God approves of. Here, in Part 02, we will summarise the book and give an outline.
SUMMARY
Amos 1-2 begins with judgement of the neighbours, including Damascus (Syria), Gaza (Philistines), and Tyre (Phoenicia). It then aims at Israel’s cousins, including Edom, Ammon and Moab. Then Judah, the southern kingdom, and Israel, the northern kingdom, are in the cross-hairs of prophetic rebuke.
Amos 3-6 speaks of judgement to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria).
This nation started off on the wrong foot from Day 01. It was through the sin of their first king, Jeroboam, who set up golden calves for worship in Bethel and Dan. Not one of his successors broke from the ‘sin of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.’ Thus, the seeds of the nation’s destruction were present at its birth. Commercialism also was part of the worship service – making money never looked more pious. And there were the empty rituals which were hated by the Lord.
Amos speaks of past chastening which failed to bring repentance. Yet, the invitation to repent was still available. In it is forgiveness and life. Failure to do so means that in the day of the LORD, there will be judgment, not mercy.
Amos 7-9 are the visions of Amos. There are the plague of locusts and judgment by fire, and in both cases he prays for mercy. There is the vision of the plumb-line. The high priest at Bethel sends Amos away (7:12-13). This rejection of the word of God means judgment, vision of the basket of ripe fruit, judgement on the unjust, and famine for the word of God.
Yet, as often is the case in the Bible’s prophetic denouncements comes redemptive announcements. The twin theme of condemnation and consolation also comes through in Amos. First, there is the prophecy of the restoration of the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, which is an open door for the Gentiles to come in. This passage was quoted in Acts 15:16-17 in the council at Jerusalem, where the Jewish apostles were debating how to handle the massive influx of Gentiles in the church. Because of this passage and James’ wise advice, the mother church at Jerusalem informed the Gentiles that they were not obliged to keep the Law of Moses or undergo circumcision to be considered part of the community of faith.
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this — Amos 9:11-12
Restoration and Revival: Another bright light was the last two verses. There is the promise that God would end the captivity of His people Israel. They would be regathered in the land of their fathers, build the waste cities and live in them, plant vineyards and drink the wine, plant gardens, eat the fruit. In addition, once repatriated, they would never again be exiled from the land that God has given them.
And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 15And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God — Amos 9:14-15
You can take comfort that Almighty God keeps His promises.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF AMOS
I.         Prophecies Against Neighbours and Israel (1:1-2:16)
A.     Damascus (1:3-5)
B.      Gaza (1:6-8)
C.      Tyre (1:9-10)
D.     Edom (1:11-12)
E.      Ammon (1:13-15
F.       Moab (2:1-3)
G.     Judah (2:4-5)
H.     Israel (2:6-16)
II.      The Word of God for the Northern Kingdom of Israel (3-6)
A.     Judgement on the Northern Kingdom of Israel (3:1-15)
B.      No repentance despite past judgements (4:1-13)
C.      A present call to repentance and life (5:1-15)
D.     Day of the Lord will bring judgement (except they repent – 5:16-6:14)
III.    The Visions of Amos (7-9)
A.     Plague of locusts (7:1-3)
B.      Plagued by fire and prayer for mercy (7:4-6)
C.      Plumb-line (7:7-9)
D.     Bethel high priest sends Amos away (7:10-13)
E.      Failure to listen to the prophecy means judgment (7:14-17)
F.       Basket of ripe fruit (8:1-3)
G.     Judgement on the unjust (8:4-10)
H.     Famine for God’s Word (8:11-14)
I.         Judgement from the altar (9:1-6)
J.         Israel will not be completely destroyed by judgement (9:7-10)
K.     Hope: Tabernacle of David (9:11-13
L.      Israel repatriated and restored (9:14-15)
LESSON FOR LIFE: True justice is obeying God’s Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.

                                                                          

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Attitude Towards Leaders: The Prayer for Trump Part 02

In our last edition, we saw how US President Donald Trump made an impromptu visit to McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia, a suburb of Washington DC. He was at the church for only 11 minutes. He received prayer from the Senior Minister, Dr. David Platt, and then quietly left the church without making any public comments. The date of the prayer: 2 June 2019, was called a Day of Prayer for the President by Franklin Graham.
Dr. Platt was in a ‘no-win’ situation. He received criticism within his church because some members were ‘hurt for a variety of valid reasons’ (his words) that he prayed for the Presidents. Outside the church, he was criticised for seeking to appease those who were upset.
If ever there should be a refuge from the storm, a rehoboth from the Philistines, a cave of Adullam from murderous king Saul, it should be the church. Often times it is, but sometimes the political storms within can be as intense as in the halls of parliament.
Was Dr. Platt right – or wrong – to pray for the US President? What does Scripture say? What should our attitude towards leadership be?
SCRIPTURAL COMMAND:  I Timothy 2:1-4. This was Dr. Platt’s justification for praying for the President, or any political leader, even if we don’t endorse them: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. It couldn’t be clearer – we are to pray for leadership, whether we like them or not, or voted for them or not. Like the Queen, we need to do our duty.
There is a tangible benefit in praying for leadership: If the leader prospers, so do we. The blessing of God will flow to us so we can ‘lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.’
Think of a political leader that you do not personally like. Then imagine that same leader comes to your local church, humbly received prayer to be a better leader, and then quietly departed. Would that bother you? Or would you see it as a good sign that God is over all and His blessing sought for the good of the nation?
Let’s face it. Those at McLean who were ‘hurt’ by their pastor’s decision to pray for the President were, in truth, offended. And there can be no ‘valid reason’ to be offended when a pastor is simply and humbly following the clear commands of Scripture. Psalm 119:165 can help in this case.
Had Mr. Trump used the occasion to turn the pastor’s pulpit into his own ‘bully pulpit,’ particularly partisan politics, that would have been very inappropriate. But he did not do anything of the kind. Instead, be glad that Mr. Trump, like other political leaders, is more than willing to humble himself and receive prayer.
ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEADERS: When Paul was being interrogated in Jerusalem, the high priest signalled to those nearby to smite him on the mouth. The apostle’s reaction: God will smite you, you whited wall.’ When he was informed that it was the high priest he was cursing, the apostle backed off: Paul admitted he did not know it was the high priest and, quoting from Exodus 22:28, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
What does this mean? Are leaders above constructive criticism for their policies and actions? No. That’s not what it means. The passage in Exodus actually says you shall not revile the gods or curse the ruler of your people. We are entitled to have an opinion on the issues of the day (hint: it is a good idea to study up on the issue before offering an opinion). Yet, when it comes to leaders, we are to pray and bless, not revile and curse.
We all have a vested interest in their success. And, if they flagrantly fall short, God is well able to replace them with someone better (Psalm 75:6-7).
As Dr. Platt prayed ’Lord we pray, we pray that you would give him all the grace he needs to ….’ That’s a good prayer for presidents, prime ministers, monarchs, church leaders, and, of course, all of us.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Say ‘No’ to Idolatry – The Second Commandment

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments — Exodus 20:4-6
The 10 Commandments – so wonderfully encapsulates the highest moral, ethical and spiritual standards imaginable. Their influence is outsized by any stretch of the imagination. Our theology, the glorious gospel of Christ, and western legal foundation, find a solid foundation in these divine precepts.
The first four commandments deal with God and our relationship with Him. The last six have to do with our treatment of people. As we learn, Jesus Christ summarised the 10 commandments, indeed the entire ‘law and the prophets,’ in these two precepts:
1.       You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind;
2.       You shall love your neighbour as yourself — Matthew 22:37-40, cf. Mark 12:28-31
After an introduction and learning of the first commandment – no other gods – we now learn about the second commandment, which is strongly tied to the first.
You shall not make graven images or likeness of any thing in heaven, earth, or in the water. At first glance, this prohibition seems to rule out much artwork, whether it’s painting canvasses, making pots or doing of sculpture. Some believe it is a violation of the 2nd commandment to paint pictures of Jesus or of a dove as representative of the Holy Spirit.
Yet verse 5 gives clarity: you shall not serve them. It is not wrong to do artwork of Bible characters or animals, provided that you do not bow down and worship them. Making graven images for the purpose of devotion is a sin; simply making the items of art is not. After all, God did give a command in Exodus 25:18 and 26:13 to make cherubims. They represent holy things but their construction is not forbidden because God Himself commands it. Second that they themselves are not objects of worship.
Idolatry is wrong on several counts. First, it uses human reasoning, which may or may not be demonically influenced, to try and describe God on their terms. Romans 1:23 states And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Even in the best of days, our man-made ideas of God are woefully inadequate compared to what He truly is. Human folly (verse 22) is the reason for such ridiculous speculation of the Almighty
Second, idolatry ultimately causes people to worship the creation, rather than the Creator. Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. This is highly insulting to the Almighty. Instead of celebrating the One who made all things possible, it adores the result of God’s creative power. Isaiah 40:18 asks the pertinent question: To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The answer: nothing and no one.
Third, idolatry is a deficient, substandard, and false form of worship. In His dialogue with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in Sychar, Jesus lays out the rule regarding worship. Worship is not limited to geography, be it Mount Gerizim of the Samaritans or Jerusalem of the Jews. Instead, since worship is of God Himself, who is a Spirit, our worship to Him must be in spirit and in truth. In fact, those who worship in this manner are called ‘true worshippers’ who are sought of the Father Himself (John 4:23-24). So idolatry not only involves false gods but renders the idolater as a false worshipper. What a catastrophic misdirection of ones time, resource, and devotion. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

CULTURE WAR SERIES PART 15: Surviving and Thriving at University

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge — Proverbs 19:27
In learning how to respond to the civilisational culture war, what about students in universities? Are the institutions of higher education really cauldrons of radical leftist ideologies? Do they eat conservative students alive? The answer: Yes and No. It is possible as a conservative to do well in such a seemingly hostile environment (didn’t the early church thrive in the hostile first few centuries of Roman persecution?).
This author is one example: a new Christian when he went to university, his faith grew dramatically while being in an academic environment which was indifferent, contrary, and at times, critical to what he believed. His academic performance was recognised and rewarded.
Yes, it is possible to ‘survive and thrive’ at university, but keep these points in mind:
1.    Choose your university wisely: If you are a Christian, make a prayerful decision where you should go. A good reputation in your chosen major, plus in general studies, is a good place to start. Convenience and expedience should not be factors; excellence and quality are the goals. Be led of the Holy Spirit.
2.    Reality: Left-wing progressivism is the prevailing philosophy in western universities. This is can be found especially in courses labelled ‘studies’ (e.g. Native American Studies or African-American Studies or Gender Studies), in social sciences, and in humanities. Knowing this in advance is good for you; for when you understand a situation, you are half-way towards a solution (Proverbs 4:7);
3.    Choose your major wisely: Some university majors are more susceptible to subjective bias than others. Economics, science, and even politics are more even-handed majors. There are professors who will teach their subjects objectively, regardless of their worldview – seek them out;
4.    Find like-minded faculty and students: When you are in the minority, wisdom decree that you find allies among the faculty and students who share much, if not all, of your worldview. Such alliances will prove useful during your studies, especially for support and note-sharing;’
5.    Choose your battles carefully: Don’t be in the habit or looking for someone to argue with. Chances of changing their minds are slim and it just wastes time and energy. Only when you must contend with a progressive should you go out to battle. Also, if you find an honest progressive who is willing to calmly and patiently listen to an opposing view – they are rare but worth the dialogue. As the saying goes, keep your gun powder dry for the battles that really matter;
6.    Self-control: This is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). There is something respectable, even noble, about a person who stays calm and in control, reasonable and respectful.Proverbs 17:28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Once you lose your temper – you lose. Tantrums are not a mark of authority; they are the sign of immaturity and will cause you to lose. You will have a better listening audience if you keep cool. So be prepared, and then calmly, firmly, and authoritatively state your case.
7.    Know where you stand: If you are unfairly treated, especially for what you believe, then know your rights. There are bodies in the university to which you can appeal or from which you can get arbitration. This can be the case when facing issues of religious freedom, freedom of speech, or academic integrity. This author recalls an A-average student who was failed in a subject by a progressivist professor who disliked her views. The student learned that she had the right of appeal. So that right was exercised and the student passed with a high mark;
8.    Integrity: Those students who work and study with integrity will be respected, even if they are conservatives. Do the right thing: study hard, use the best sources, do quality work, show passion for what you believe and do. Remember that your minority status can be an asset, not a liability, because it can spur you on to try harder, think critically, and come up with great insights. Don’t fall for a ‘victim mentality.’ This will imprison more than any penitentiary. While you might feel outnumbered, like a ‘Daniel in the lion’s den’ and a ‘babe in Babylon,’ you will come forth as gold.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The UK & Brexit: Challenges and Hope

Anyone who knows British history has heard of the ‘Battle for Britain,’ a military engagement with Nazi Germany during the Second World War. At the time of this writing, there is also a major conflict raging and this one is internal: the ‘Battle for Brexit.’
‘Brexit’ means ‘British Exit’ from membership in the European Union (EU), of which they have been a member since 1973. The decision to leave the Union was decided by a public referendum in June 2016. Three years later, Britain has still not left. Attempts by the government of former British Prime Minister Theresa May to pass an EU-brokered withdrawal agreement failed three times to pass in the British Parliament. This led to Mrs. May’s resignation and replacement by Boris Johnson in July 2019. Mr. Johnson has promised to keep the extended, EU-approved, withdrawal date of 31 October 2019, whether there is a deal or not.
There have been high-stakes wrangling, with Parliament voting to delay Brexit and block a ‘no deal’ departure. An early election is almost certain. Since Britain’s election cycle is every 5 years, and they had a vote in 2015, 2017, and soon in 2019/2020, the British public can be forgiven for having both ‘election fatigue’ and ‘Brexit fatigue.’
For Brexiteers, it is an issue of national sovereignty and independence. Currently, 59% of laws operative in the UK come from Brussels, capital of the EU and only 41% from the UK parliament. With Brexit, Britain can negotiate its own trade agreement, control its borders, and send satellites into space, should it choose. It is also a push-back on the neo-paganism that comes from EU leaders fixation with the Phoenician goddess Europa, who has become the de facto logo of the Union.
Brexit is the biggest crisis Britain has faced since the Second World War. However, it is by no means the only one. Here are some other points of consideration:
Scotland
In 2014, people in Scotland voted in a referendum to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to Scottish independence. If passed, it would have severed the 1707 union between it and the rest of the country, effectively ending the United Kingdom as we know it. The referendum, which was called a ‘once-in-a-lifetime decision,’ was lost 45% to 55%. Yet, Scotland’s current First Minister and head of the Scottish Nationalist Party, Nicola Sturgeon, has signalled her desire for a second referendum for independence. While ‘Brexit’ is the reason, the renewed independence push would have happened without it.
The Far-Left Factor
Like other progressivist parties, including the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and American Democratic Party, the British Labour Party is drifting more and more to the left. This is symbolised by its leader, Jeremy Corbyn. If Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes are ‘socialists,’ Mr. Corbyn is called a ‘Marxist,’ a label he does not deny. In addition, the Labor Party has been wracked by persistent allegations of un-bridled anti-Semitism. Even the theoretical possibility that a far-left government could take over in Britain during the Brexit crisis could be a cause for concern.
Despite the above challenges … and more … there is hope for Britain. Our next article will explain why.