In June 2016, Al Stewart answered four difficult questions with four confronting answers. Listen to what Jesus says about hope.
Category Archives: Ministry
TERROR IN ORLANDO: Making Sense Out of the Senseless
It is a popular destination and place of entertainment. Indeed, Disney World is nearby, attracting holiday-makers worldwide. Yet on the weekend of June 11-12, 2016, Orlando, Florida USA went from being a place of fun to a place of terror.
On June 11th, Christina Grimmie, a 22 year old American songwriter, singer, and contestant on NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ was gunned down in Orlando by 27 year old Kevin James Loibl, while signing autographs for her fans. She was a committed Christian who ‘loved Jesus’ and ‘the Bible.’ Her brother Marcus, who tackled the gunman before he shot himself, may have saved more lives.
Then at 2:00 A.M. on Sunday morning, 12 June, Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, a 29 year old twice-married, New York born US citizen of Afghani descent, went into The Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. A former security guard who legally purchased weapons in the previous fortnight, Mateen was well-armed and well-prepared for what he was about to do. Despite having a shooting exchange with police, Mateen single-handedly was able to take hostages and go on a killing spree for three hours. By the time the police SWAT team stormed the nightclub and killed Mateen, 50 people were dead and another 50 plus wounded. Many of the victims were Latinos.
Mateen’s crime was the worse mass shooting in US history and the biggest terrorist attack since September 11th. Before that, the 2007 shooting rampage at Virginia Tech by Seung-Hui Cho was the worse shooting crime. Thirty-two people were killed. Adam Lanza killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut in 2012, of which 20 were 6 and 7 year old. Also George Hennard in 1991 rammed his car through a cafe wall in Killeen Texas and killed 23 people. As you can see, these last three crimes had nothing to do with religious extremism.
The Orlando shootings have received worldwide attention, condemnation, and sympathy. US President Barack Obama denounced it as a ‘hate crime,’ extended special condolences to the LGBTQ community, and ordered US flags at Federal Buildings to be lowered to half mast until Thursday evening. The Vatican, Indian Prime Minister Moti, Chinese President Xi Jinxing, and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, where quick to offer condemnations and sympathy. Muslim leaders also condemned Mateen’s actions, including Afghani President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. America’ s prime Islamic lobby group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), issued a stinging denunciation of their own. Executive Director Nihad Awad ‘You do not speak for us. You do not represent us. You are an aberration.’
What are we to make of the sensational but senseless killings in Orlando?
1. Note the nature of our world: We are in a fallen world. Sin and death have been waging a reign of terror throughout human history. A fallen world is devoid of true justice, true peace, and true harmony. Bad things can happen to good people and good things can happen to evil people. The Bible takes all this into account, promises the coming of a ‘new heaven and new earth,’ but it also offers God’s higher way for those who are willing to pay the price.
2. Note the nature of our times: As I have been saying for some time, we need to recognise that we are in the last days (I John 2:18; Hebrews 9:26ff; I Peter 1:5). According to II Timothy 3:1 says ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’ These points are not meant to scare people, but to offer an early warning service so they can prepare ahead. Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 says the prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
3. Polarised nation: For several years now, America’s domestic scene has become more and more polarised. Just look at the outcome of the US Presidential primaries! The half-century old cultural civil war between the ‘progressives’ and ‘social conservatives,’ far from running out of puff, has become more strident and shrill.
4. The role of religion: The Orlando massacre was considered a ‘hate crime’ and ‘terrorist attack.’ But did it have anything to do with religion? Mateen’s father Seddique said his son was not particularly religious and that religion had nothing to do with attack in Orlando. Others in the government and media are quick to say the same thing. However, remember that Mateen called 9-1-1 just before or even during the attack, pledging allegiance to the jihadist group ‘Islamic State’ (IS). In addition, Amaq News, part of the Islamic State’s media outlet, took claim for the attack and normally their claims are correct. IS has a particular distain for homosexuals, and has even been recorded pushing them off high buildings to their death. Mateen reportedly expressed disgust upon seeing two men kissing in Miami. IS is condemned by many Muslim groups and their so-caliphate rejected, yet they continually claim to be the true Muslims who are living in obedience to the sacred texts. The 2015 shootings in San Bernardino, California that killed 14 people were religiously motivated; Mrs. Tashfeen Malik pledged allegiance to the Islamic State just before. Major Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 people and injured 30 at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009 cried Allah u Akbar before he went on a killing spree. If radical Islam is to blame for the Orlando shooting – and the evidence points in that direction – our leaders need to say so. We do no favours to the victims, their families, our Muslim neighbours or the world by living in denial. In addition, the Orlando attack happened during Ramadhan, the Muslim month of fasting. Religious passions can be stirred during this time. This does not mean the 1.5 billion member Muslim community goes violently berserk during the fasting month, but a few can. Just in the first week of Ramadan 2016, there have been 60 attacks worldwide with 472 people killed. Some may say this is a coincidence, but is it really?
5. War on Terror? Since September 11th, there have been over 300 jihadist attacks in the United States alone, and 28,570 worldwide. A low-level intra-Muslim world war has been occurring from Nigeria to Pakistan, with jihadis attacking fellows Muslims and non-Muslims. The fact is that Muslims are suffering from jihad even more than the West.
Stop Hate: Was this a hate crime? Yes it was. Can a hate crime be religiously-motivated? Yes it can. What is the solution? You can never conquer hate by hate: verbal attacks, physical attacks, vilification, shaming, or even imprisonment will not stop this evil in the heart. Bible-believing Christians understand that the only antidote to hate is love … God’s love. Jesus says in Matthew 5:44 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’’ (see the entire passage Matthew 5:43-48). You will never overcome evil with evil. but you will by God’s love. Let’s pray for revival in the America and the western world, of which love will be the greatest evidence. As Paul concludes in Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Logos Live 43: The X Files returns: is the truth still out there?
Are we alone in the universe? Would the existence of intelligent alien life challenge the Christian message?
Jan Hus
Jan Hus challenged corruption in the Church and urged a return to the sources of Christianity. But things did not end well …
Why is it so hard to forgive?
In June 2016, Al Stewart answered four difficult questions with four confronting answers. Listen to what Jesus says about forgiveness.
Logos Live 42: Why different resurrection accounts? A journalist investigates
The four accounts of Jesus’ resurrection contain differences – what explains these differences and what does it matter? A journalist applies her training to investigate why the resurrection is ‘top story’.
PANCAKES: A simple Delicious Recipe
If you want to give your family and friends a blessed breakfast surprise, try some home made pancakes. You’ll be amazed how simple and tasty they can be.
Pancakes
1 egg
1 cup self-raising flour (try the gluten-free version, if available)
2 Tablespoons oil (preferably olive or coconut oil)
1 Tablespoon sugar or honey
1 cup milk or plain Greek yogurt.
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1. Beat the egg.
2. Beat in the other ingredients until well mixed and smooth.
3. If you want thinner pancakes, add more milk. For thicker, add less.
4. Grease frying pan or griddle. Put on medium heat. The right temperature is when a few drops of water dance in the pan before evaporating.
5. Put 3 Tablespoons of batter into the fry pan. Let cook until bubbles form on the top an the edges are dry.
6. Flip the pancake and cook the other side until it golden brown. You can dry them on a paper towel. Serve warm.
7. Top with butter and:
A. pure maple syrup,
B. golden syrup,
C. sugar and cinnamon, or,
D. for a savoury treat, butter and Vegemite (or Marmite).
8. If you need to keep the pancakes warm, put them on a plate into a 100 C oven (no higher or they will dry out).
9. Makes 10-12 pancakes
Variations:
Buttermilk Pancakes: substitute 1 cup of buttermilk for milk.
Blueberry Pancakes: Add 1/2 cup of fresh or thawed blueberries
Applesauce Pancakes: Use only 1/2 cup of milk and beat in 1/2 cup applesauce, plus 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Yogurt Pancakes: Use 1 1/4 cup plain or Greek yogurt, omit milk.
‘In or Out:’ Britain Votes On Its Future in the European Union
The British are returning to the ballot box, again. This election, however, is a special one. In 2015, Britain had a national election. Upon winning, Prime Minister David Cameron of the centre-right Tory Party, perhaps under pressure from Euro-skeptics in his own party, fulfilled a campaign promise by calling for a simple ‘In or Out’ referendum on whether to remain or leave the European Union (EU).
Currently 28 out of the 50 countries in Europe belong to the EU. Prior to setting the referendum date, Cameron negotiated a ‘special deal’ with the EU, which, he claimed,protected British interests.
Britain Goes to the Polls: The date is 23 June 2016. The ‘Vote Leave Campaign’ is also called ‘Brexit’ (British exit). ’Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign wants to remain in the EU, hence it is called ‘Bremain.’
Mr. Cameron is in the Bremain Camp, as are the leftist political parties like Labour, Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats. Yet, high profile Tories are for leaving, including Cameron’s own cabinet ministers like John Whittingdale, Theresa Villiers, Michael Gove, Chris Grayling, Priti Patel, Iain Duncan Smith and former London mayor Boris Johnson. If Britain votes to leave on June 23rd, it could encourage other countries in the EU to do likewise.
Here are the arguments on both sides, as found in campaign literature:
BREMAIN ARGUMENTS
1. Every British household would be worse off by GBP 4,300;
2. EU membership brings lower prices by GBP 7 a week;
3. Three million jobs in Britain are linked to the EU, that’s one in 10;
4. Workers’ rights like sick leave, guaranteed parental leave, paid leave are all protected by EU law;
BREXIT ARGUMENTS
1. EU costs Britain GBP 350 million a week;
2. Millions are spent on European Union MPs;
3. Britain will be liable for the failure of the Euro currency, though she retains her own pound sterling;
4. European court will continue its veto on British law, like who can come into Britain and how much tax to pay;
5. Immigration is a hot-button issue. EU Law says member state Britain cannot stop any citizen from another member state to live in the country (British people have the same reciprocal rights to live anywhere in the EU). Currently there are 942,000 eastern Europeans and 791,000 western Europeans living in Britain. If new, poorer countries join (e.g. Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia), they, too, can live and work in Britain;
6. Turkey: This country gets a special mention as a candidate for EU membership. If it joins, 76 million Turks will have the right to live and work anywhere in Europe, including Britain. Turkey also borders war-torn Syria and Iraq, who also have a jihadist plague. This service continually encourages readers to ‘watch Turkey’ – will it retain its Ataturk-inspired western secularism or will it return to a religious, Ottoman and fundamentalist path?
Super-Europe: One of Cameron’s biggest ‘wins’ in getting a deal with the EU is that Britain would be exempted from being drawn into the EU’s ‘ever close union.’ He promises that Britain will never be part of a European superstate, even if all other members states are.
As we been saying for years, the real goal of the European Union is not merely to be a ‘club’ where member states can prosper together and keep the Germans from starting more wars: it is a United States of Europe. Proof of this trend includes common borders, currency, commission, council, court, flag, and defence. The concurrent erosion of national sovereignty, exemplified by lack of control of borders or having local law usurped by EU law, also confirms this direction. Member states will be reduced from sovereign nations to mere provinces of a superstate called Europe.
Why Christians Want ‘Out:’ Having asked a few evangelical Christians from a variety of locations in Britain their own position, everyone of them said without hesitation: I want Out!
Why? Because the EU is considered ‘anti-Christian.’ While the EU is technically secular and allows for human rights, including ‘freedom of worship,’ it is also true that its key players are fiercely anti-religious. There appears to be no ‘exemptions’ for churches when it comes to ‘anti-discrimination’ regulations. When a failed draft constitution for the EU was written, the framers refused to even mention Christianity as part of European heritage and identity, despite pleas from the Pope and others. If Christianity had nothing to do with Europe, then why are there majestic cathedrals all over the continent?
Pagan Europe: Concerned Christians point out that if the key leaders of the EU want nothing to do with Christianity, these same secularists are warm towards Greek mythology and paganism. After all, history shows that when a person or nation refuses to believe God’s truth, they don’t stop believing anything; instead, they believe in everything.
The goddess Europa, from whom the continent derived its name, is making a comeback. She was so beautiful that Jupiter/Zeus, father of the gods, turned into a bull and had her ride his back. They dove into the Mediterranean and had children. The image of Europa on the beast is now found on some Euro coins, stamps, paintings, magazine covers, and as an actual statue in front of a key EU building. This brings to mind the words of Revelation 17:3-5:
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
This re-paganisation of Europe has been happening for a while. Occult Babylonian archaeological remains were transferred decades ago to the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, capital of Europe’s most powerful nation. These include the Ishtar Gate and Processional Way’ from Iraq and the Altar of Pergamon from Turkey. The latter is also known as the ‘seat of Satan’ (Revelation 2:13). These exhibits were more than just a prestigious display from the past – their demonic influence has been felt far and wide. It is no coincidence that Berlin, the ‘heart of Europe,’ started on a downward slide into fascism, Nazism, ‘liberal theology,’ and spawning two world wars. Could we be entering into the era the prophet Daniel spoke of, namely an empire where there are legs of iron, feet of iron and clay (Daniel 2)?
Ultimately, the future of Britain and the world is not dependant on a political negotiations or referenda, but on the prayers of Godly people (II Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 26:41; James 5:16 ). Now is the best time to start.
Leaving the Wilderness Behind: Why Study the Book of Numbers
Introduction
Some of your favourite Bible stories and characters are found in this book. Yet it also serves as a solemn warning about the perils of disobeying God. In all cases it is folly and madness to say ‘No’ to Him.
Welcome to the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the five books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch or Torah (the Law). The stories are great and the lessons even greater.
The name in the original Hebrew is wayyedabber or ‘and he said.’ The reason for the name ‘Numbers’ is that it has to do with two censuses. The first is of the ‘generation of the exodus’ (Chapter 1), namely the children of Israel who miraculously departed from Egypt. The second census or numbering was of the ‘generation of the wilderness,’ the generation of Israelites born in the wilderness (chapter 26) to the ‘generation of the exodus.’ Though the exodus generation was headed towards the promised land of Canaan, they never reached it. Numbers will explain the dire reason why.
Key Characters:
1. Moses the lawgiver;
2. Aaron the high priest;
3. Joshua the good spy, successor to Moses;
4. Caleb, the other good spy, who survived the wilderness like Joshua
5. Balaam, the prophet/seer who tried to curse Israel and inadvertently blessed them instead.
Christ in Numbers:
The reason that Numbers is in the Christian Bible is that it points the way to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Here are some types of Christ found in this book:
Star out of Jacob: One of the most beautiful Messianic description is the ‘star out of Jacob’ (24:17);
City of Refuge: Christ is also our ‘city of refuge,’ where we can flee and be protected from the ‘avenger of blood;’
Brazen serpent: When Israel murmured in the wilderness against God and Moses, the Lord judged them by sending fiery serpents who had a fatal bite. When Moses appealed to the LORD for deliverance, the solution was the ‘brazen serpent’ which was used to bringing healing and deliverance from judgment (21:8). In other words, God took the problem, namely the serpent, and turned it into the solution. Whoever looked on the brazen serpent would live. Jesus uses the serpent analogy to speak of Himself (John 3:14); He, the sinless One, took our sins upon Himself, so that all who look on Christ shall live. II Corinthians 5:21 ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ See also Romans 8:3-4.
The Rock: When Israel lacked water at Rephidim, God commanded Moses to strike the rock and water would proceed (Exodus 17:6). Another incident of running out of water was at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin; this time God commanded Moses to ‘speak to the rock’ in order to obtain water. Unfortunately, Moses did not listen to the LORD. Instead, he struck the rock, like he did at Rephidim. Water came anyway but at a dreadful price. God told Moses that because of this sin Moses would not enter the promised land. Why was this judgment so severe? Because Christ is the Rock (I Corinthians 10:4) and He only needs to be struck once (crucified) for our sins; afterward, you speak to the Risen Saviour, not strike out again.
Manna: Like the manna, the bread from heaven, fed Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 11:6-9) for 40 years, Christ is the true Bread of Heaven (John 6:31-33). Whoever eats this bread lives for ever.
Theme
The high price of doubt and unbelief. This includes wandering, wilderness, unfulfilled divine promises, and death. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief – Hebrews 3:19
Key Verses
14:22-23: ‘Because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected me see it.”
Key Events in Numbers:
Chapter 01: The first census is taken of all Israelite men of military age 20 years or older who were born in Egypt and part of the exodus; the total was 603,550 (1:46). If every one of them had a wife and child, that would be 1.8 million. Sadly, this generation would not inherit the land. This is the ‘Generation of the Exodus.’
Chapter 13: The 12 spies explored Canaan for 40 days. They discovered its fertility but also the might of the local inhabitants.
Chapter 14: After 10 of the 12 spies gave an evil report of the land, the people rebel. God said this was the 10th time the generation of the exodus tempted God and therefore they would not enter the promised land. The sole exception would be Joshua and Caleb. Unbelief leads to rebellion.
Chapters 22-24:Balaam the seer was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel. Despite his attempts, the curses turned to blessing.
Chapter 26: The second census was of the ‘generation of the wilderness,’ who were the children of the ‘generation of the exodus.’ The latter generation had died due to their unbelief so it was now time for a new stocktake.
Simple Outline of Numbers:
1-12 Generation of the Exodus
13-20 Wanderings in the Wilderness
21-36 Generation of the Wilderness; forward-march to Canaan
Lesson for Life:
Joshua and Caleb provide a sterling template of how to enter into the land of promise. Why did they succeed while the other 10 spies failed (and killed soon thereafter)? First, they followed God with a whole heart (14:24). Second, they did not have a religious spirit but a spirit of faith (13:30). While the 10 spies complained about the challenges, Caleb spoke words of faith: ‘Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.’ (13:30). Confession activates faith. Third, they gave a good report of the land (13:27; 30). It is easy to focus on circumstances and problems, but the faithful, whole-hearted believer focuses on the ‘good report.’ Proverbs 15:30 says a good report makes the bones fat and Paul exhorts us to focus on the good report (Philippians 4:8).
Follow these three steps, straight out of Numbers, and you will leave the wilderness behind as you make tracks to the promised land.
TRIUMPH OF TRUMP
It is official: Donald Trump has passed the 1,237 delegate threshold. He will be the Republican Party candidate for President of the United States. What an amazing feat for a man who never held political office.
His rise is utterly remarkable, unpredictable, and unprecedented. Weeks out from the Republican Party National Convention, he knocked out 17 other Republican candidates, including well-known and experienced politicians. Trump has received more votes in a Republican presidential primary season than any other candidate in history.
Let’s face it: this is the most unusual US Presidential election in our lifetime. Well-known, experienced politicians have been sidelined while populists are taking centre stage. The experts are dumbfounded as a volatile electorate endorses candidates who would have been dismissed as improbable only a few years before. The two main populist candidates are Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.
On the far left Socialist Bernie Sanders, a US Senator from Vermont, is an independent who seeks the Democratic nomination for President. He would be comfortable with the likes of Fidel Castro, who promised the people of Cuba free education and free healthcare. Yet Castro ruled with a rod of iron in the worse tradition of totalitarian dictatorship, causing boat exodus from Cuba to Florida that dwarfs what Australia has experienced. Younger Americans view Bernie as a ‘rock star’ (‘I can feel the Bern’) who speaks about the unfairness of Wall Street, the banks, promises to write off student debt and level the economic playing field.
The Democratic front-runner, Hillary Clinton, is an intelligent, hard-working woman, with universal name recognition, an impressive resume of offices held, and plenty of campaign money. But she is viewed as ‘untrustworthy’ and ‘untruthful,’ with an on-going FBI investigation into her emails while US Secretary of State, along with her role in the collapse of Libya and the Benghazi disaster, which led to the assassination of the US ambassador Christopher Stevens. Critics say she has been big on busyness but short on accomplishments.
In the centre-left is Donald Trump, who seeks the Republican Party nomination for US President.
The ‘rise of Trump’ is an enigma, in part, because he does not easily fit into any mould. He is not a conservative in any traditional sense of the word. He is for protectionism, taxing the rich, soft on abortion and same-sex marriage. He has been married three times, did business with casinos, and attends his New York Presbyterian Church when he can.
However, the ‘conservative’ side of Trump is for border protection. He says that the global warming scare is exaggerated and the proposed solutions will harm jobs. He promises to appoint conservative Supreme Court justices and a less interventionist foreign policy (America should not be be the policeman of the world).
Americans, like other westerners, want the government safety net or entitlement programs like the Social Security (old age pension) and Medicare (government provided health care for the elderly). Never mind that these are exceedingly costly, wasteful, play a significant role in increasing the ballooning US national deficit, and are less efficient than private enterprise.
This is progressivism: it promises to ‘take care of you’ and your interests through big government involvement. In practice, it means in exchange for heavy taxes, much regulation, a more autocratic government that has no problem with interfering in people’s lives or fighting wars, ‘big brother in Washington DC’ will be watching out for you.
Despite its unsustainability and poor return, Social Security is such a sacred cow in the United States that even the mere mention of touching it arouses the wrath of ‘grey power.’ Woe to any politicians who even breathes the word ‘reform;’ they will be run out of town! So the deficit increases.
Trump is unlikely to reform the safety net – he is going to preserve it. That means, with his populist, politically incorrect message yet ‘give and take’ on conservative issues, he has a fighting chance to be President. This is remarkable considering questions on his character, gaps in knowledge, and questionable conservatism.
In any case, the 2016 US presidential election will be anything but dull.
Next month, we will look at the topic: Could God be behind the rise of Donald Trump?