Monthly Archives: October 2004

HERE’S MORE INFORMATION on rumors about the draft, from someone who would know.

PRO-LIFE INTERESTS MAY BE a big factor in this year’s elections, particularly in Pennsylvania. …John F. Kerry victory would be viewed as not just a win for Democrats but a huge victory for legalized abortion…

SHOULD YOU BELIEVE the everchanging polls? Costs are soaring as cooperation rates remain at or near record lows. In some surveys, less than one in five calls produces a completed interview — raising doubts whether such polls accurately reflect the … Continue reading →

MY PERCEPTION OF THE LOW LEVEL of theological thinking in the Church of the Brethren is buttressed by reading various posts on the different e-mail discussion lists. For example, one rather loquacious writer makes the claim that Stephen was not … Continue reading →

DOUG WILSON ASKS, What in blue blazes are you progressives all progressing to? You cannot by your relativism smash all the compasses and maps, and then cheerfully announce to us all that you are the “north-bound” party. What are you … Continue reading →

WHEN CANDIDATES ACTIVELY CAMPAIGN from a church’s pulpit, it’s bothersome not from the church/state issue so much as it is from the church’s lack of standards as to whom it allows in the pulpit. If a candidate comes to church, … Continue reading →

THE “RE-IMAGINING GOD” notion is not dead. Here is an astonishing Episcopal “litany” reflecting absolutely pagan theology and practice. The original websites have been taken down, but here is the Google cache of the Episcopal Church page and here is … Continue reading →

WITH EVERYONE FALLING all over themselves to be “edgy,” are there places that will continue to be the “traditional” church? Will twenty years from now find us “rediscovering” those who were alienated by the worship wars and the cutting edge? … Continue reading →

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE’S BEEN a highly successful bear hunt in strongly Brethren western Maryland.

HERE’S AN UPDATE on the possible introduction of slot-machines in Pennsylvania.

HERE’S A RARE AMISHMAN who indicates a tepid support for Mr. Kerry, though he’s not going to vote. The Wisconsin State Journal offers another view.

This Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article indicates that one political campaign has this conservative Anabaptist group about sewed up for votes. And this New York Times article suggests that the more intelligent candidate isn’t who you’d think.

AFTER YEARS OF BEING DISMISSED as a credible authority, Pat Robertson is now heralded for his wise counsel. Will that still be the case on 3 November, no matter who wins the general election?

THE VAST MAJORITY of Protestant clergy in America believe strongly that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ and that they have a responsibility to evangelize members of non-Christian faiths, but they also are willing to partner with non-Christian faith groups … Continue reading →

HERE ARE some excerpts from recent notes to BRF: Thank you for putting an emphasis on holiness. It is a message that our denomination desperately needs. Here in the Illinois/Wisconsin District, our leaders are unwilling to call homosexuality a sin … Continue reading →

LEST I FORGET…the latest congregational vacancy list was posted on Tuesday.

CONTRARY TO MRS. KERRY, being a mom is a “real job.”

PRESBYTERIAN LEADERS MEET with terrorists. Jewish leaders aren’t impressed. Other Presbyterian leaders quickly backtrack.

“KNOW YOUR EVANGELICALS” is a recurring feature on the Evangelical Outpost. It’s rather interesting and enlightening, particularly for those who aren’t aware of who are considered evangelical leaders these days.

JOE CARTER SAYS that AIDS is being overdiagnosed in Africa.

SOJOURNERS CLAIMS abortions increased during the early 2000′s. NRTL shows why this isn’t so. …Stassen�s case falls apart when one attempts to confirm the data he has reported. …Though he identifies himself as “consistently pro-life,” Stassen fails to mention that … Continue reading →

IF YOU’VE ALREADY GOT THE BRETHREN NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY, then perhaps another idea for a Christmas gift would be The Brethren Encyclopedia.

THE KING JAMES VERSION CONTINUES to have a lasting, profound, positive work in the salvation of souls for eternity.

HERE’S SOME ADVICE for those giving eulogies at funerals.

JAMES KUSHINER WRITES: Supposed all material wealth, buildings, possessions, endowments, trust funds, pension funds, and so on were taken away from all the churches in the U. S. From that starting point, from that level playing field, as we go … Continue reading →

RELIGION AND FASHION ARE often at odds. I’ll say.

Ted Olsen also comments on the Anglican Church’s Windsor Report, with this analysis: Acting against Scripture, tradition, and church teaching isn’t as bad as saying these things make you un-Anglican. A church going off on its own isn’t as bad … Continue reading →

BAD BELIEVERS, NON-BELIEVERS IS THE TITLE of an interesting piece by Ted Olsen. It was interesting to me that in the third Presidential debate, Mr. Kerry made mentioned to God or the Bible some nine times.

I ATTENDED a pastors’ breakfast this morning, put on by an area Christian bookstore. In the two hour meeting, not fewer than three attendees had their cell phones interrupt the session with their ringing. I see more and more the … Continue reading →

I HAVEN’T MENTIONED THIS IN AWHILE . . . The latest congregational vacancy list is up.