Month: December 2024
Farewell To Jimmy Carter
Air Tragedies
There were two airplane disasters within days of each other during Christmas week.
A Jeju Air passenger jet crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea early Sunday morning – 179 fatalities out of 181 people on board. Two crew members survived.
Also there was a Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
If there’s a God why does he allow this kind of death and suffering to happen? I heard a thought provoking reply to that question recently that went something like this – If there is no God then why are death and suffering considered bad?
I don’t necessarily think that’s a convincing or satisfying answer but it does deserve some thoughtful consideration, in my opinion. As an ongoing exercise on this blog we’ll be diving into the issue of why God allows evil , so stay tuned.
Former President Jimmy Carter passes away
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died at the age of 100 on Sunday. Carter was the longest-living former president in U.S. history.
Carter called himself a born again Christian and he certainly walked the talk during his long life. Regardless of what one thinks about his liberal politics, he was a great example of what service to country and community looks like.
A good man who will be missed by many. Rest In Peace, Jimmy.
Erasing Jesus, Part 2: What Did You Come To See?
Here is the second installment in the ‘Erasing Jesus’ series by p.s. tryon. You can read Part 1 here.
What did you come to see? The question raised itself as she sat there.
She did wonder why she had come. The hard wood pew, the man squeezed in next to her, stink of sweat. A 3-year-old in the pew in front of her, snot smeared across his cheeks. Constant hacking coughs around her.
She settled on gazing at the stained glass window to the left. Joan of Arc, riding a white steed with a victory flag in her hand. It was the horse that she focused on. Nostrils flared, battle prance, eye of fire. The most interesting aspect of this Sunday event.
The minister’s voice in a sing-song artificial lilt, intoning the heavens with repetitions and ritual. Bells ringing occasionally, the tinkle of bright music against the somber backdrop of strange vestments and the heavy odor of incense.
Well, what did you come to see? she wondered.
Jesus was there on the cross at the center of the altar.
Examine your soul. If you have sinned today, refrain from partaking in the bread of communion. Which was not really bread, but some thin tasteless wafer. And if you take that wafer in a state of mortal sin, you may be damning yourself to hell.
She smiled at the thought of mortal sin. Are we not all mortal? I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t, she thought with amusement. As the lines queued up for communion, she slipped out the door. A splash of cold air assaulted her face and she stepped into sunlight.
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Which Country Is The Smallest And Has A Lot Of Gossip?
The smallest country in the world is…drumroll please…and the answer is – Vatican City, covering only 0.27 square miles.
Did you know that? I didn’t. But now we do.
Speaking of Vatican City, Pope Francis gave his annual Christmas address on Saturday at the Vatican, and as reported by the National Catholic Register, talked about a bit about Vatican City:
In a separate address to Vatican employees and their families, the Pope compared Vatican City to “a large beehive” bustling with activity in its streets, courtyards, corridors and offices. He thanked those working and unable to attend the gathering but made it possible.
The Pope also addressed gossip amongst Vatican employees and officials:
The Pope warned that gossip “damages social bonds, poisons hearts, and leads nowhere,” as he addressed cardinals and senior Vatican officials. He urged them to practice self-accusation rather than accusation of others, drawing on the teachings of early Christian spiritual masters.
The Apostle Paul agrees. In his second letter to the church at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers: “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults”.
Sounds a bit like what goes on behind closed doors in the Biden White House or a recent meeting of the Democratic National Committee. I kid – kind of.
Is OpenAI A Liberal?
I saw an interesting comment on ‘X’ recently referring back to a 2023 article in Forbes citing research showing that ChatGPT has a left leaning bias.
I use ChatGPT sometimes but never really paid much attention to its political/ideological tilt, but I think the following personal example of how AI can be skewed to one side or the other is interesting.
Here’s a post I put on my personal Facebook page on Monday, Christmas Eve Eve.
There were several comments from friends and followers on this post, but the one that stood out for me was the one below, which is an obvious analysis and summary by an AI robot cut and pasted by a FB friend and inserted in the comments.
I can’t say for sure which AI platform did this but it looks like an OpenAI ChatGPT summary. You can judge for yourself whether or not there’s an ideological bias in there.
“This passage is a humorous commentary on the trend of using more inclusive and politically correct language during the holiday season. The author pokes fun at the idea of trying to be overly sensitive and environmentally conscious in holiday greetings.
# Key Points
1. *Humor*: The passage uses humor to highlight the complexity of modern holiday greetings.
2. *Inclusivity vs. Tradition*: The author balances the desire for inclusivity with the tradition and warmth of familiar holiday greetings.
3. *Tone*: The tone is lighthearted and playful, with a touch of satire.
# Reflection
This passage encourages readers to reflect on their own holiday traditions and greetings. It invites us to consider the importance of inclusivity, while also acknowledging the value of familiar and heartwarming expressions.
# Holiday Cheer
Ultimately, the passage concludes with a warm and traditional holiday greeting, emphasizing the importance of kindness, compassion, and connection during the holiday season.“
Anyway, tis the season to be jolly…Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah.
Merry Christmas (Even If Jesus Wasn’t Born On 12/25)
Watchdog Alert: Do We Call Evil Good?
There have been numerous news reports recently about Luigi Mangione, the 26 year old man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in cold blood on a New York City street.
One of the most disturbing aspects of this case is that many people actually consider Mangione a hero rather than a villain for allegedly shooting a father of two young girls in the back, then viscously finishing him off execution style.
In fact, according to an article on ABC News website folks are not only swooning over and lionizing the accused killer but also raising lots of money for his defense fund:
The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from thousands of anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves “A frustrated citizen” and thanked Mangione for “sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation.”
This morning Mangione pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges.
A court will decide his guilt or innocence in this matter, but what does it say about our society when we glorify an accused assassin because his victim represented the healthcare insurance industry.
Isaiah 5:20 – Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! KJV
Death Row Letters: 1st Letter
Dear Everyone,
We’re all on death row.
The rich CEO in the modern high-rise. The homeless man huddled in a filthy blanket on the street. The young housewife in suburbia. The children on the school playground.
We’re all on death row.
I’m not saying this to be ghoulish or overly dramatic – it’s just the truth. The Grim Reaper comes for us all (with some exceptions, which I’ll explore at some point in future letters). It may not be by firing squad or Old Sparky the electric chair or lethal injection in some prison basement somewhere, but the result is the same for each of us (again, some exceptions).
The difference between the the vast majority of us and actual death row inmates is that we get to walk around as we please waiting for The Day, while they are sitting in their cells waiting for The Day. That’s a very big difference, isn’t it? Maybe, maybe not.
Because whether you’re on the ‘outside’ death row or the ‘inside’ death row the questions are the same: What are you doing with your remaining time and what is your state of mind during the wait?
We can waste our time wallowing in despair and self-pity, or we can face our circumstance with courage and hope. We can lead an empty, purposeless existence waiting for annihilation and nothingness, or we can believe in and find something more than the empty darkness we imagine.
There is something more frightening than death, and that is living a life without purpose or hope.
So, until my next letter comes your way, don’t be afraid, we’re all on death row together and there’s more to this than meets the eye.
Sincerely,
Your fellow death row occupant
Muslims And Christians And Jews, Oh My!
Treatment of Women Under Sharia Law in the UK
A recent report from the Times of London have highlights the challenges faced by Muslim women in the UK seeking Islamic divorces. An investigation by The Times reveals that some women encounter significant obstacles when attempting to dissolve their marriages through sharia councils.
These councils, estimated to number around 85 in Britain, often impose stringent conditions that favor men, leaving women like Aisha—who was asked for a large financial payment by her husband—feeling as though they must “pay ransom” to exit their marriages. The report underscores concerns about discriminatory practices within these councils and calls for greater oversight to ensure fair treatment of women.
Thankfully there are no U.S. communities currently under sharia law or subject to sharia councils. Lets be sure to keep it that way.
Clergy Sexual Abuse in Michigan
This from the New York Post:
A five-year investigation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has identified over 50 clergy members, including 48 priests, accused of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lansing, with cases dating back to the 1950s. This investigation led to 11 charges and nine convictions, highlighting systemic issues within the diocese.
Bishop Earl Boyea has issued an apology, condemning the abuse and expressing deep sorrow for the victims.
Jesus also had something to say about this kind of behavior: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (KJV)
Resisting the Draft in Israel
In Israel, Ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews are facing increased pressure to serve in the military, despite their traditional exemptions. Recent conflicts have intensified calls for their enlistment, leading to thousands of draft notices and arrest warrants for non-compliance.
The Haredi community argues that their religious studies are essential for Israel’s spiritual protection and fear that military service would force them to abandon their religious practices.
This issue has created tensions within the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is attempting to balance national security needs with the demands of his Haredi political partners.
https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war/article/ultra-orthodox-jews-israel-military-service-gaza-xqkwzr688
Haredi Jews, often referred to as Ultra-Orthodox Jews, are a religious subgroup within Judaism characterized by their strict adherence to Jewish law (Halakha) and traditional practices. They prioritize Torah study and observance of commandments, often maintaining a distinct lifestyle that separates them from broader secular society.
Matthew: A Baby And A Jealous King
Our regular Thursday feature at Bible Rebel is called ‘What’s The Big Idea’, where we’ll introduce and explore larger biblical themes and go deeper into biblical teaching through commentary, research, and even creative writing from guest writers.
We start today with a look at the book of Matthew and it’s major theme of the King and the Kingdom.
A Tale of Two Kings
In Matthew 2:1-3 we get a snapshot of the impact the birth of our Lord had on wicked King Herod and on the capitol city of occupied Judea, Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:1-3 (NIV):
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”
Do you see the contrast between the two kings there? The Magi asked about the one who had been ‘born King of Jews’ and they asked it of ‘King Herod’, the false king of Jews .
Craig Keener’s Socio-Historical Commentary puts it this way: ‘The “king of the Jews” title given by the Magi contrasts with Herod’s illegitimacy as a ruler, appointed by Rome rather than descended from Davidic lineage.‘
And from Matthew Henry’s Commentary: ‘Herod’s reaction reveals his fear and jealousy. Rather than rejoicing at the fulfillment of prophecy, Herod sees Jesus as a threat to his power.’
No wondered he was ‘disturbed’. He must have thought, “Who do these so-called Magi think they are coming up in here and asking me, the reigning King, about some other baby king? We’ll see about that! No one is taking my throne.”
Political Trouble
Matthew 2:3 – “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.“
We know why Herod was disturbed by the news of a baby king, but why was all Jerusalem also troubled?
From the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: ‘Jerusalem’s disturbance highlights the tension of living under Herod’s volatile leadership.’
‘Volatile leadership’ indeed.
The citizens of Jerusalem certainly had reason to be worried, because their ruler was known to be vicious and cruel – and those concerns were confirmed by his later actions when Herod ordered the execution of all male children who were two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem, where the true King was born – a demonic level of evil that is almost unimaginable.
Questions and a Final Answer
The question of why a loving God would allow such evil to occur, doing nothing to stop the slaughter of innocents, is a subject to be explored in-depth in future ‘What’s The Big Idea’ posts.
I’ll conclude here by pointing out that Matthew 2:1-3 affirms that God does watch over His own and will bring His purposes to full fruition, even in the midst of a dark and dangerous world filled with evil kings and political turmoil.
And the one true King will return in due time to set the world right.