Hoo boy.
When religious conservatives make claims that say, I dunno, AIDS is God's punishment for sexual sins, the Left go insane.
But when religious liberals say global warming is part of an unfolding apocalyptic prophecy as foreseen in the Book of Revelation, even the most secular of secular-progressives are tempted to shout "Amen!"
Here's how Rev. Randall Balmer yesterday blogged his decidedly unorthodox read of Scriptural texts:
Growing up fundamentalist, I spent a lot of my childhood thinking and worrying about the end of time as predicted in the New Testament book of Revelation. I was taught that history would come screeching to a halt and the world as we know it would dissolve in some kind of apocalyptic judgment.
I remember listening to a lot of sermons about the end of the world, particularly the plight of those who did not acknowledge Jesus as savior. They would be “left behind” to face terrible judgment. My father, an evangelical minister, was one of the moving forces (and also one of the actors) behind the production of the movie A Thief in the Night, which Time magazine recently referred to as a “church basement classic.”
For several decades I didn’t think much about the end of time. A professor of New Testament at the evangelical college I attended once remarked offhandedly that one’s belief in the sequence of the “end times” should have no affect whatsoever on how a believer lives from day to day. That struck me as uncommon wisdom – then and now.
Recently, however, I’ve begun to think once again about the end of the world. Specifically, I’ve wondered if the phenomenon of global warming, which appears to be virtually ineluctable, will bring on the kind of apocalypticism described in the book of Revelation. Please understand that I’m not saying that it’s so – and I’m certainly not wishing it were so – but you have to admit that there would be some kind of poetic justice in this scenario. Ultimately, humanity, because of our avarice and our narrow self-interest, will bring about our own destruction.
Something to think about.
Here's something else to think about: Balmer is a persistent critic of religious conservatives who attributes decidedly sinful motives to their social agenda.
Indeed, he's suggested that racial animus, not concern over abortion, was the driving force behind religious conservatives' political organizing. The following is an excerpt from his book "Thy Kingdom Come.":
The abortion myth serves as a convenient fiction because it suggests noble and altruistic motives behind the formation of the Religious Right. But it is highly disingenuous and renders absurd the argument of the leaders of Religious Right that, in defending the rights of the unborn, they are the "new abolitionists." The Religious Right arose as a political movement for the purpose, effectively, of defending racial discrimination at Bob Jones University and at other segregated schools. Whereas evangelical abolitionists of the nineteenth century sought freedom for African Americans, the Religious Right of the late twentieth century organized to perpetuate racial discrimination.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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I'm a firm believer in the
March 23, 2007 - 09:33 ET by DyneI'm a firm believer in the Bible, but I don't believe that global warming will result in the Armageddon. Revelation and other scriptures talk about fierce storms and that the "elements will melt with fervent heat." Storms are stronger when the planet is colder and, unless our sun went nova, there is no way our planet could get hot enough to melt metal and rock. The only thing capable of doing so is a nuclear weapon. And that's what I believe the scripture refers to in those instances.
Call me bitter, but when hailstones the size of talents (upwards of 100 pounds) start raining down to destroy the crops of the earth, let's hope they destroy Al Gore's house first.
...it's still interesting to
March 23, 2007 - 09:50 ET by TruthMonger...it's still interesting to see the libs latch on to Christian leaders (occasionally) when it conveniently fits their spin and agenda...
There's only one kind of Christian leader the MSM promotes - the non-Christian variety, of course : ) . . .
Divisions within the Christia
March 23, 2007 - 13:56 ET by MobiusStripDivisions within the Christian community should be welcomed. What other reason for theological discussion would there be? Bringing issues to the forefront is important and should be celebrated: the world and it's societies are not static, and require continual re-examination. And what kind of Christian leader is non-Christian? I would hope your answer is the Ted Haggert type- which the MSM uncovered, and good riddance. Those showing a concern for the environment, based on biblical interpretation, seem to have a larger target on them than those as vile as Haggert. Makes me wonder if you confuse your politics with your faith.
"Divisions within the
March 23, 2007 - 14:04 ET by MightyMouth"Divisions within the Christian community should be welcomed. What other reason for theological discussion would there be?"
Spoken like a true liberal. The world and it's communities may not be static, but Christianity IS, it's called DOGMA.
And confusing ones faith with ones politics is a confusing statement in itself. Generally speaking, ones faith drives ones politics.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
About as good an answer as
March 23, 2007 - 15:47 ET by steviep831About as good an answer as they come. Thanks, MM for taking care of this liberal babble.
Really? So Catholic dogma is
March 23, 2007 - 17:46 ET by MobiusStripReally? So Catholic dogma is Lutheran dogma is Baptist dogma is Mormom dogma? I beleive, as a Catholic, there are some differences. Or maybe one of these christian faiths is less christian, or dogmatic- than the others? And it is not "generally thinking" that faith drives politics. It is personal conviction and interests, which are not entirely dependent on faith. Perhaps your faith drives your politics, but the statement itself holds no discernable merit. Ask an agnostic or atheist.
Are you so narrow as to not r
March 23, 2007 - 17:53 ET by NL207Are you so narrow as to not recognize that Atheism and Agnosticism are themselves religions which hold certain basic truths? The Atheists has beliefs about God and the immortality of he soul. The Atheist belives there is no God and believes that all human existence ends with physical death, i.e., man has no soul. The Agnostic believes that while God may exist, any such being must be sophisticatd beyond the comprehension of man and therefore is not and cannot be known by man.
"Dogma"
March 23, 2007 - 23:43 ET by JMSUhttp://en.wikipedia....
Idiot quote of the week...you can thank MobiusStip
March 23, 2007 - 14:09 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasLadies, gentlemen, idiot liberals and beyond...the idiot quote of the week provided by MobiusStrip:
"Divisions within the Christian community should be welcomed. What other reason for theological discussion would there be?"
Let's see...hmmm...what other reason for theological discussion would there be other than DIVISION? Hmmmm...hey wait, I have a unique idea...how about UNITY of DOCTRINE being one...oh wait, I forgot, unity represents stability and possibly the uniforminty of agreement and we can't have that.
Haggard was and is a hypocrite. Have you seen any significant part of even the reprehensible polichrist movement trying to promote him. That is old news and no one is even daring to pull a "Weekend at Bernies" with his carcus so leave it be.
But your statement per the post is as ignorant as it gets. You think that division is the reason for theological discussion or as you asked, "What other reason for theological discussion would there be"? Are you that stupid, really>?
People discuss issue of all sorts every day based on AGREEMENT as well as disagreement. Good Lord Mobius...you really posted as stupid a statement/question as possible.
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
divisions?
March 23, 2007 - 15:40 ET by BlameTheMediahttp://en.wikipedia....
sorry, couldn't paste the list
Ann
March 23, 2007 - 09:50 ET by Paul DetrickAnn Coulter's column this week has a pretty good point about the 'religion' of environmentalism:
ann is wrong this time
March 24, 2007 - 00:33 ET by tumbler_2007Ann Coulter is a non-catholic; and as such has no authority by which to call Catholic doctrines corrupt. Far from it, and she labels God Himself corrupt saying such things.
The Church very rightly makes the faithful do penance for our sins, and indulgences are penance. We can give alms as a way of denying ourselves. We are able to obtain indulgences lawfully without "paying money". Simple prayers are a way of gaining many diverse indulgences.
Did many prelates of the Church once traffic in indulgences, to pay for large projects such as cathedrals and orphanages; not to mention crusades? Yes; and they were wrong to do so. It was perceived rightly as a form of corruption. But the Church corrected these offenders, yet today allows many true and "conservative" indulgences to be given the faithful. I myself obtained one, a plenary indulgence. I obtained it by making a pilgrimage to Santiago Compostela in the year 2000; a Jubilee Year proclaimed by John Paul II; and I applied it to the departed soul of my father; so he would bt God's mercy be spared all his penance in purgatory; to be granted him by the Holy Catholic Church. She is the one entrusted in this lifetime with all Christ's graces which He merited for us on Calvary. He gave her this authority, the Church doesn't arrogated it to herself. Lawful indulgences bestow that GRACE coming from Jesus Christ. What is Christ's is Christ's to bestow, and man cannot stand in His way. All of this can be supported in the scriptures.
I don't blame Ann Coulter for misunderstanding these things. She's not a faithful believer in the Church of Jesus' holy apostles. As I mentioned today to Guy Arthur; only Catholics are orthodox believers. Ann is outside His Church, so she judges as men judge; fallibly. She believes the Catholic Church "developed" corrupt practices. In fact, her own ancestors were all Catholics and orthodox faithful. Now she's talking about them from plain ignorance. As all anti-Catholics do. Not cool, Cool Ann ! The Church can never be corrupted. The Church is HOLY, my friends.
As George Will is fond of say
March 23, 2007 - 10:07 ET by KC MulvilleAs George Will is fond of saying, “ … Well …”
As the liberals see it, the Religious Right is more than just evangelicals. It also includes traditional Roman Catholics and Jews, as well as other groups who oppose social trends that offend basic religious principles. Obviously, the Roman Catholic opposition to abortion isn’t a cover for supporting Bob Jones University. (I doubt any pope ever heard of Bob Jones University.) It’s also unlikely that conservative Jews would be in on the BJU cover-up.
As for global warming, what would we do in response, if this guy is correct? I can’t imagine that if God was threatening the apocalypse, the appropriate response would be to raise taxes on fossil fuels.
Indeed. The correct respons
March 23, 2007 - 10:13 ET by sarcasmoIndeed. The correct response might instead be what almost-nobody wants to hear: "Quit worshipping big government for once, and cut taxes to LESS than 10%." Sacred-cow burgers, anyone?
JMR
"Sacred cows make the be
March 23, 2007 - 10:52 ET by mattm"Sacred cows make the best hamburger." - Mark Twain
Let me preface this by sayi
March 23, 2007 - 10:18 ET by The Wicked ConservativeLet me preface this by saying I am a born again believer in Jesus Christ. I believe we are created by God specifically and individually. Why? Because I believe in the Bible. I think the Episcopal church has stopped using the bible all together. What can bring the apocalypse? How about 40 million aborted children crying out at the throne of God. The unbridled murder of His creation won't be tolerated. It is the DUTY of the people professing to be Christians in this country to fight the liberal way that seeks to remove God from our culture in order to justify disturbingly permissive lifestyles. That is why true Christians fight the good fight.
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realizes that it bears a very close resemblence to the first.
- Ronald Reagan
wicked - I am a believer-
March 23, 2007 - 10:39 ET by misterbillwicked - I am a believer-in Jesus too. I always have believed. I have not always been attentive to His service, but I do believe. I am not an activist, but strongly opposed to abortion at will. I am saddened that Americans are so unprincipled as to use abortion, (syn. murder) to prevent an "inconvenience " in their lives.
In an educated age, as we are in now, I cannot believe there are many who do not know about contraception. I find it hard to believe that, even a young girl does not understand that she may be pregnant. I cannot believe that any physician who performs a partial-birth abortion is not summarily arrested for murder. There are 40+ million innocents slain. Worse than any of man's wars.
I would not blame God if he did, indeed destroy us for what we have become as a society. Yet, I know there are many, like you, who are not decadent and who believe. My personal belief is that He will always give the fallen away time to find salvation.
God help us all!
"We see today all of t
March 23, 2007 - 11:00 ET by Dyne"We see today all of these evils, more commonly and generally, than they have ever been seen before, as we have so recently been reminded by what has occurred in New York City, Washington, and Pennsylvania, of which I shall speak tomorrow morning. We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. We live in a season of war. We live in a season of arrogance. We live in a season of wickedness, pornography, immorality. All of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah haunt our society. Our young people have never faced a greater challenge. We have never seen more clearly the lecherous face of evil." - President Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct. 2001 General Conference (emphasis added)
Anyone who's read the Old Testament knows exactly what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.
No offense, but isn't the Epi
March 23, 2007 - 10:41 ET by mattmNo offense, but isn't the Episcopal Church the one that has drifted so far to the Left that it's tenets barely resemble Christianity anymore?
According to the Bible, it is the kind of Apostasy represented by false Christians like Balmer is what will bring on the end-time events: "...for that day shall not come except there be a falling away first." - 2Thes. 2:3
Seems like the Rev. needs to "cast the beam out of his own eye..."
The Cult of Global Warming
March 23, 2007 - 11:25 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasOnce again the language of a CULT used to promote the propoganda of the Cult of Global Warming. I am having a MAGNETIC sticker made for my car as we speak that simply says: Don't Be Deceived By The Cult Of Global Warming!
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
I am waiting for the day when
March 23, 2007 - 11:50 ET by bassndudeI am waiting for the day when Al and Company, with moon struck followers, move to Guyana, build bamboo huts and start eating only nuts and berries. Cooking fires will be outlawed, punishable by death. Breating will be allowed so long as nobody exhales, or carbon credits are purchased to off set said CO2. Of course, I am going to wait on mentioning the methane expulsions. We all know, Al and Company are full of it, and after the move, they just may bloat up and float away.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
bassndude re:Guyana
March 23, 2007 - 12:00 ET by misterbillbassndude re:Guyana--- we must ensure that they receive adequate supplies of Kool-Aid!
misterbill..just between you
March 23, 2007 - 12:03 ET by bassndudemisterbill..just between you and me, me thinks they have had more than enough Kool-Aid, but we should make sure they have ample supplies of tin foil....:-)
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
misterbill..just between you
March 23, 2007 - 12:03 ET by bassndudehow did this happen? My bad...
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I saw Balmer once on a panel
March 23, 2007 - 12:44 ET by GothampcI saw Balmer once on a panel discussion. Everything he said about Christianity had an undertone of contempt. The man has some deep rooted animosity towards his Christian upbringing.
This Episcopal priest can s
March 23, 2007 - 20:09 ET by radiofitz34This Episcopal priest can speculate all he wants. I for one don't worry anymore about what will cause the apocalypse because I know the end of the story. Jesus will return "like a thief in the night".
Hundreds of books written about the apocalypse, the book of revelation and many others too silly to name. OK I'll name one, "The DaVinci Code" fiction sprinkled with fact. About all anyone can really say is that the day is getting closer. That's about it. All previous predictions (Jehovah's Witness) have fallen short.
Of course that's my take on it.