"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

BOOK REVIEW: The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture By George Eldon Ladd

“We are looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” Titus 2:13

Will Christians be raptured prior to the Great Tribulation, as most believe?  Or will Christians endure the Great Tribulation, looking for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?  What is the “Blessed Hope” of the church today? Is it the escape of tribulation or is it the visible return of Jesus Christ to the earth to redeem His people and judge His enemies? George Eldon Ladd, in The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture, argues for the latter, attempting to debunk the theory that the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are two distinct events separated by the seven year “Great Tribulation.”

George Eldon Ladd is widely considered one the most influential Bible scholars of the 20^th century. After pastoring two Baptist churches early in his career, he eventually settled in as New Testament professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Throughout his career he sought to engage the broader academic community with Biblical writing that liberal scholars would have to take seriously. He also sought to promote more unity within the conservative, evangelical world.

In Ladd’s day, much like our own, Dispensationalism was the predominant view of the church. In fact, some were so rabidly Dispensational, that they considered any other eschatological (end times) view to be heretical and dangerous. Ladd argues that such a stance is unnecessary and divisive. He gives a brief historical lesson in this book showing that many stalwart Christian defenders of the faith were NOT Dispensational in their theology. Ladd’ s view is that there should be plenty of room for various views, as long as the views are defended from Scripture. Ladd’s personal view is Historic Premillennialism, which is similar to Dispensationalism in that it espouses a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. But it differs from Dispensationalism in that it see’s the rapture occurring at the same time as the Second Coming of Christ, at the END (rather than beginning) of the Great Tribulation.

Regardless of one’s end times viewpoint, it should be noted that Ladd makes a good case for a post-tribulation rapture both from a historical and a Biblical standpoint. Most of the early church fathers appear to have believed in a literal 1000 year reign of Christ (millennialism) and saw the 2^nd coming and rapture as occurring at the same time. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian are some of the church fathers Ladd presents as holding to these views. Perhaps the most significant of these is Irenaeus who was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John the Apostle. While it doesn’t guarantee the validity of the Historic Premillennial position, it is intriguing that a Christian who is one generation removed from John the writer of Revelation would hold these views. Furthermore, the apparent acceptance of other church fathers makes the case from history compelling. But, at the end of the day, it’s Scripture that must be the deciding factor in the case. And Ladd’s primary arguments are from Scripture.

Ladd points out that nowhere in Scripture does it explicitly teach that there will be a “pre-tribulational” rapture. First Thessalonians clearly teaches a “rapture” when we shall be gathered together with the Lord in the air. But to suggest that this rapture will occur prior to the Great Tribulation is an inference that is not explicitly stated. The passage states: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NASB)

Ladd’s case is presented throughout that New Testament Christians were not looking to be raptured out of tribulation, but instead the Bible taught Christians to expect tribulation. Given this fact, that Christians throughout the centuries have endured persecution unto death….why would God change this course with the “end times?”

One Scripture that Ladd uses effectively is from 2 Thessalonians 2, where the Thessalonian Christians were afraid they had missed the “Day of the Lord.” “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,  that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NASB)

Paul sets their mind at ease by telling them the “Day of the Lord” won’t occur until the “apostasy” and the “son of destruction” is revealed. Why doesn’t Paul simply tell them to relax about the Day of the Lord since, as Christians, they’ll be raptured before it occurs? Was Paul unaware of a pre-tribulation rapture? That seems unlikely since Paul is the one who wrote the most significant passage on the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Since most scholars are in agreement that the “Day of the Lord” refers to Christ’s coming in judgment at his Second Advent, the passage in 2 Thessalonians seems to give credence to the belief that the Second Coming and the Rapture are simultaneous events that occur at the end of the Great Tribulation.

Another argument that Ladd addresses is the idea of an “any moment” rapture. Those who oppose Historic Premillennialism state that it takes away the idea that Christ could return at “any moment” as taught in Scripture. Ladd points out that the “any moment” passages refer to the outplaying of all the “end times” events that could being at “any moment.” Furthermore, he states that the Dispensational view requires a “nation of Israel” to be in existence before the rapture of Christ. Therefore, those with a Dispensational view couldn’t have held to an “any moment” rapture anyway, until 1948 and the re-emergence of Israel as an actual physical nation.

Regardless of what you “end times” view is, “The Blessed Hope” is a book that Christians should read and examine with an open mind. While you may not agree with all of his conclusions, it would do any Christian well to consider the validity of Ladd’s arguments. Ladd’s hope was that Christians of various camps could debate these issues in Christian love without breaking fellowship. It was also Ladd’s concern that many Christians would one day find themselves unprepared for tribulation because of their blind hope in a pre-tribulation rapture that was unlikely to occur. Ladd makes a good case for his viewpoint, and the wise Christian will prayerfully consider if he’s on the right track regarding future events.

For Crying Out Loud... Just SPANK 'Em!

This past week, Fox News reported a story about a mother who made her son wear a sign saying “I’m a thief and a liar” out in public.  Apparently the 12-year old boy had stolen a cell phone from his aunt and then lied about it.  The mom only asked the boy to apologize which he refused to do.  She didn’t know what else to do…so she resorted to the sign.  He wore the sign for two hours, but still refused to apologize.  As it turns out the kid has been incorrigible for some time, and has not responded to discipline.  While millions of factors play into the causes of his behavior, one thing that must be addressed is the defiance…which starts young.  And the best way to deal with such defiance is by a good, swift swat on the bottom.  Let me elaborate.
    I find it interesting how far some parents will go to avoid doing what the Bible says to do regarding unruly children.  And I find it appalling how brain-dead the so called child raising experts are on this matter.  Oftentimes, even the Christian ones will jump through hoops to avoid Biblical, God-ordained discipline. “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (NASB)
    I’ll give two examples.  James Dobson and Kevin Lehman.  Both of these Christian experts have given some very reliable and sound advice over the years.  Dobson’s book on Bringing Up Boys is a must read for anyone who has a son.  It’s a shrewd analysis of the current war on boys in our culture, as well as a great encouragement to raise your boys to be men….instead of geldings.
    Kevin Lehman is well known for his “reality discipline” in which you let kids make choices, but you force them to live with those choices.  For example, if Johnny doesn’t want to eat his dinner, he doesn’t have to eat his dinner, but he won’t be allowed to eat anything else until the next meal.  If Johnny’s sister Susie ate her dinner then she might get a bedtime snack.  But Johnny won’t.  He chose to skip dinner and he will have to live with the reality of his choice.  I see some elements of this mindset which can be beneficial as well.  Part of the growing up process means you learn to live with your choices.  And kids need to learn that sooner rather than later.  But Dobson and Lehman both go astray in the area of spanking.
    While both of these men advocate spanking, they say to do it as a “last resort.”  This is foolish and wrong; and I found that out the hard way.  When my son entered his terrible twos, I thought a demon had overtaken him.  He would throw fits and scream and say rude things, etc., etc.  Of course the “experts” tell you this is normal behavior for a two year old, and they’re right.  Normal? Yes.  But should it be acceptable? No.  That’s the part they leave out.
    I took the “spank as a last resort” approach to my family’s peril.  After struggling with endless (and worthless) “time-outs”, lectures, and groundings.  I discovered that a parent’s policy should be the same as George Bush’s.  “We will not negotiate with terrorists.”  Thankfully, I came across a book by Tedd Tripp (yes, that’s how he spells Tedd) called Shepherding a Child’s Heart.  In it, Dr. Tripp uses Scripture, not Psychobabble to guide the parent through the sometimes painful process of child rearing (pun intended).  If your two-year old is defiant, then spanking is not a “last resort” it should he a frontline defense.  Tripp asserts that Scripture’s two main methods for disciplining a child is Communication and the Rod.  And if you embrace one and forget the other, you’re destined for problems.
    Communication is paramount.  Little Johnny must know what he did.  And he must know why it’s wrong.  And he must know how to avoid doing it again.  But reason alone won’t work with a child.  I discovered clearly that children don’t simply learn with words…they must also feel certain consequences for the truth to sink in.
    The Rod is also paramount.  But it must be administered the right way.  If you spank in anger without communicating in love then you’re not teaching the child the full story of redemption.  The Rod without communication will create anger, frustration, and future rebellion.  But Communication without the Rod will not adequately make the point.  And regardless of how great you think your parenting skills of persuasion are…..GOD SAYS to use both tools.  And if you’re too “loving” to use the rod, you might be surprised to the learn that the Bible says you’re behavior isn’t loving at all.  In fact by withholding the rod, you’re hating your child.  “He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Proverbs 13:24 NASB)
    In his book, Dr. Tripp gave me permission to do, what I KNEW needed to be done, regardless of what the “experts” say.  Andrew needed a spanking.  Andrew needed instruction.  Andrew needed a hug and affirmation that his dad loved him.  Andrew needed to know that his behavior was not only disrespectful to his parents but it was a sin against God.  And Andrew need to know that further defiance would result in the same process.  And ten minutes later, when he once again behaved defiantly, he got another spanking, and another hug.
    The funny thing is that most parents won’t spank.  And if they do, they’ll stop at one.  When sometimes more are needed.  Rome wasn’t built in a day…and children aren’t trained in a day either.  I determined that I would spank Andrew fifty times that week if necessary.  But what I found was that fifty times wasn’t necessary.  It only took a few times of dogged, consistent discipline for him to realize the destruction of his ways and to change.  And then I found thereafter that the spankings weren’t needed as often as they once had been.  He began the process of learning and growing…only because of the reality of discipline and the Rod in his life.
    Don’t think you are doing your kids any favors by withholding the loving administration of the Rod.  Sadly, if you refuse to discipline them today, the criminal justice system will tomorrow.  Often times today, excuses are made for wayward children.  Parents are blamed for not patting Johnny enough on the head….when in reality the parents should be blamed for not swatting Johnny enough on the hind-end.  The fact is that kids need both encouragement and discipline.  They need to be taught justice and grace.  They need Communication and The Rod.  So listen to your so-called “experts” if you wish.  I’ll listen to God.  He knows plenty about raising children.  In fact, he INVENTED children.   
    Dobson wrote another book that has a very accurate title:  “Parenting Isn’t For Cowards.”  This is so true because sometimes parents have to do things they would rather not do, for the sake of their children.  And many factors must be considered when looking at the issue of corporal punishment.  Some kids are too young for it…some kids are too old for it.  Some kids need it often….some kids need it seldom.  Some kids are stronger willed than others and will always push you to the limit.  Other kids are more naturally compliant and respond well to the mere threat of the Rod.  But the Rod must be present for there to be true peace and love in the home.
    Andrew is seven now, and he is growing into a really good kid.  He’s not perfect and still requires discipline.  But when that time comes we deal with it and we move on with our lives.  I don’t hold his mistakes over his head for a week or two by grounding him.  I don’t publicly humiliate him with a sign around his neck.  And I don’t put him in a “time-out” and drag out a worthless process.  (Although I do think time-outs are effective sometimes, when a kid needs to be removed from a heated situation.)  And I certainly don’t spend all day bickering with him and haggling over what his punishment will be.  When I see parents doing this…I always want to say the same thing:  “FOR CRYING OUT LOUD….JUST GIVE HIM A SPANKING!”….AND if he is repentant then give him a hug and tell him you love him.  If he’s still defiant, then give him another spanking.  Eventually, he’ll get tired of it and come around.  In the long run it’s easier on the kid and the parent AND its more effective to just spank them like God says to do, as opposed to dreaming up a million different “creative” punishments that only draw out the problem and ignore the real matter.
    So ignore the experts and do what God says instead.  If you’ll consistently and lovingly show your children communication and the rod…then you’ll probably find that you won’t need to use the latter so much in the future…IF you’re consistent.  Andrew responds well to the Rod.  His sister Savannah seems to respond well to Andrew getting the rod also and usually needs only the threat of the rod.  But I’ve got another one who is now coming of age.  Karissa will be two this week….and you know what??? I think she seems to be more like her brother than her sister.  But we’ll do what we can to bring her around -- because I know what to expect this time...and I'll listen to God from the start, rather than the "experts."
    Love your children.  Teach your children.  Communicate with them and hug them and tell them about Jesus.  And when they are defiant…as ALL sinners will be at times….spank them.  Don’t argue with them all day…just SPANK THEM!  Don’t negotiate with terrorists….just SPANK THEM!  Then hug them and teach them how to avoid spankings in the future.  Whether you want to admit it or not, your children are “fools” by nature.  And whether you want to admit it or not, they are “fools” because they take after their parents (“for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23).  And whether you want to admit it or not….God’s Word is true when it tells us:  “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (NASB)
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(P.S.-- I would strongly encourage all parents to read “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp.  Click here for details.)

DVD Review: “The Children of Caesar: The State of American Education, Where it is Headed, & What Your Family Can Do About It!” By Voddie Baucham

  “If you hand your kids over to Caesar to educate…don’t be surprised when they grow up to be Romans.” With this provocative statement, Voddie Baucham begins his 2 part DVD series called: “The Children of Caesar: The State of American Education, Where it is Headed, & What Your Family Can Do About It!”

I’ve been aquatinted with Voddie Baucham’s ministry for over 10 years now, and would say without reservation that he is one of the most powerful voices for Biblical truth our country has. Baucham is somewhat of a rarity: He is a black, Southern Baptist pastor, who was raised by a Hindu, single teenage mother in the projects of South Central Los Angeles. The first time, he heard the gospel was his freshman year of college, where he was converted to Christ and ultimately entered the preaching ministry. He serves as Pastor of the Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, Texas, where he lives with his wife and 4 children. They are committed homeschoolers, and strong advocates for adoption, having adopted their 2 youngest children. I would strongly encourage anyone with children (or anyone who knows a child) to watch these videos—and at least consider what Baucham says.

Another provocative statement Baucham makes is: “Whoever teaches your child will ultimately be the one who disciples them.” Where does he get such an idea you ask? Jesus Christ. “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40 NASB) A scary thought when you consider that God isn’t even allowed to be spoken of….much less taught in the public schools of today. Baucham contends that there is simply no way you can undo the influence that public schools will have over your children when they have them 5 days a week, for 6-8 hours per day.

Baucham also blows apart several myths with statistical fact. He refutes the idea that children are better off with “government certified” teachers, that homeschoolers are lacking in social abilities, and that the federal government should have any say in how you educate your children.

Citing the 10^th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” In other words, the Federal government has absolutely ZERO Constitutional right to dictate educational requirements to an American citizen. As a sidebar, the 10^th amendment flatly proves that the Federal Department of Education is Unconstitutional and should be abolished post-haste. In fact, you may remember Ronald Reagan ran for President in 1980 promising to do just that. The left-wing liberal educational establishment had a collective “freak out” and Reagan was never able to follow through. But then again, our Federal government currently does numerous things that are Unconstitutional…but too many politicians are pleased with the power to do anything about it.

Baucham states that the reason people so often wonder about the “legality” of homeschooling is because they’ve been duped into thinking they have to have the Federal government’s permission to do anything. “We’ve become a nation of sheep, instead of ‘free men.” Baucham says. We simply follow the crowd and wait for the next order from our Master (i.e., the government.)

Using Deuteronomy 6 as a model, Voddie gives an outline for how God calls us to teach our children. By showing them that all truth is God’s truth, we can teach them how everything in our life relates to God and His Glory.

Voddie Baucham is one of my favorite preachers of our day because he is willing to say things that aren’t popular even if it means he catches some flack. He makes a strong case for homeschooling because that is the system he has adopted. However, he does contend that there are other Godly educational alternatives. But what simply must be fought against is handing our most precious possessions, our children, over to an atheistic, secular state. I remember an old commercial for Rush Limbaugh’s radio show where a woman said: “First he made me mad. Then he made me think. Then…he made sense.” I hope that many will get this DVD series, and let Voddie Baucham, and more importantly the Spirit of God do the same thing.

BOOK REVIEW – “The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War” By Thomas Dilorenzo.

At the height of his influence, many deemed him to be one of the worst tyrants the world had ever seen.  He incarcerated 15,000 of his fellow citizens because they disagreed with his war policy.  He had his army shut down newspapers and destroy the presses for any papers that wrote against him.  He declared martial law and arrested political opponents without a warrant or trial and kept them locked up for years.  His Secretary of State bragged that he could have any citizen jailed “at the snap of a finger.”  He had one Congressman who disagreed with him deported to another country.  Then oversaw a war that led to 620,000 deaths…all within his own country.  When half of the country sought to escape, they were forced to remain in the Nation…..or be slaughtered in mass for seeking liberty.  In essence they were forced to remain citizens at the point of a bayonet.  He ordered cities to be burned.  Farms to be destroyed.  Civilians, including women and children, to be bombed and executed.  He was one of the most hated men in history…..and one of the most beloved.  His name?  Abraham Lincoln.

            If the above paragraph shocked you, then you might consider reading a book entitled The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, By Thomas Dilorenzo.

            While Lincoln is perhaps not as evil as this book presents, one can’t escape the reality that Lincoln took some very harsh and unnecessary measures during the American Civil War.  Ironically, the majority of Americans in both the North and South were in favor of a peaceful secession in 1860.  The North wanted separated from the South just as bad as the South did from the North.  Yet Lincoln would hear nothing of it.  Dilorenzo makes a rather compelling case for the economic motivations behind the war, given the fact that the South was paying roughly 80% of the Nation’s expenses through tariffs, while the North was reaping the majority of the benefits in terms of bridge and railroad construction.

            Furthermore, in Lincoln’s first inaugural address, he stated clearly that he had no interest in freeing the slaves in the South and had no constitutional right to do so.  When he reversed course and issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, he confided to his cabinet that it was simply a “war measure” meant to spark a slave insurrection in the South.  Though most people don’t realize it, the Emancipation Proclamation only granted freedom to slaves in the South.  Slaves in the North were not granted freedom because their Masters had been loyal to the Union.  William Seward, Lincoln’s Secretary of State bemoaned at the time that the act was worthless having “freed slaves that we no longer have jurisdiction over…while keeping in bondage those slaves that we do.”  Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and even parts of Louisiana were under Federal control by 1863, and were thus allowed to keep their slaves.  That seems to be one of those quirks of history that has been forgotten.  Or as Dilorenzo contends….glossed over by the victors.

            Dilorenzo, who is an Economics Professor at Loyola College (Maryland), writes in a very readable style as he makes his case that slavery should have been abolished by compensated emancipation as done in Britain, Brazil, and many other countries during the 1800s.  The forward to the book was written by Dr. Walter Williams, Economics Professor at George Mason University, and frequent fill in host for Rush Limbaugh (and incidentally, an African-American).  Furthermore, he contends that the South should have been allowed to secede peacefully….as our colonial fathers did when faced with an overbearing British taxation system.  Had this happened, Dilorenzo contends that the North would have been forced to change their overbearing tax structure, and eventually North and South would have reunited with a much more solid and efficient government.  But what in fact did happen was the centralization of federal government power to the extent that the Constitution was repeatedly ignored leading to the Federal albatross that exists today.

            The argument between a massive Federal government vs. individual state sovereignty goes back to our founders.  Thomas Jefferson was famous for saying that the government that “governs best is the one that governs least.”  In other words, the Federal government’s job is to protect the citizens and insure they’re given the freedom to purse life, liberty, and happiness.  Jefferson’s primary opponent was Alexander Hamilton, who sought to have a strong Federal government that dictated things to the individual states and the citizens thereof.  Jefferson’s followers fought against this (rightfully so), given the fact that they had just escaped tyrannical government control from Britain during the American Revolution.

            As the course of our Nation progressed, the Hamiltonians, led by Lincoln, eventually gained control and vastly expanded the Federal government during the Civil War.  By 1865 and the end of the Civil War, states right’s had virtually ceased to exist, and the Federal government, which was CREATED BY the states, had become the ruling King of American government.  Ironically, the states had created a monster and now that monster would rule over them for the next 143 years (and counting).

            The great irony in all of this is that the two predominant political parties have swapped sides in the area of government control.  Today, it is the Democrat party that seeks higher taxes and more Federal control over the lives of its citizens.  While the Republicans seek a smaller government with more individual liberty.

            In conclusion, I would heartily recommend the reading of this book.  Its insights into our Nation’s history are illuminating to say the least.  You may not agree with every position taken, but the book does promise to make you think long and hard about governmental and constitutional issues.  And it gives a pretty clear road map for the bureaucratic mess that we find our federal government mired in today.  History kind of has a way, sometimes, of making people seem better (or worse) than they really were.  I suspect this is true of Lincoln as well.  While he had some admirable qualities, he was certainly not above political posturing or deceit, as is documented in this work.  So check out a copy of The Real Lincoln…and prepare to be challenged.

Minneapolis: Why Do Calamities Strike? A 6-Minute Video From John Piper

In the wake of the Minneapolis tragedy, the question will be asked anew, “Why does God allow tragedies like this to happen?” I have dealt with that question in a past blog, which you can read by clicking here. The short answer is that we live in a fallen and sin-cursed world; and tragedies are simply one manifestation of that harsh truth.

John Piper serves as Pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis and has a teaching ministry called Desiring God Ministries. He has written some of the most powerful books every penned on the Glory and Sovereignty of God. Two that I would recommend are Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and The Pleasures of God: Meditations on God’s Delight in Being God. The video team at Desiring God Ministries has posted a short (6 minute) video of the aftermath of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, with a voice over of Piper preaching on why things like this happen. I would highly recommend you watch it if you get a chance. Click here to go to the site, and then click twice on the play arrow when you get there.

This latest tragedy WILL NOT BE THE LAST that our world experiences. Let us hope and pray that multitudes will begin to consider eternal issues and turn to Jesus Christ, lest the next tragedy be their final downfall.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!---A Critique of The Book: "God is Not Great" By Christopher Hitchens

(NOTE: I hope to write a longer and more detailed critique of this book, in the future.  I offer this as a general refutation for those who may be influenced by Hitchens work. Please consider my arugments and take them to heart.  There's a lot of eternal issues riding on this. Also note...for a blog, this is pretty lengthy, so consider yourself warned.)

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The latest installment of atheistic manifestos hit the shelves on May 1, 2007. God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (published by Twelve Publishers, a division of Warner Books, New York, NY) by Christopher Hitchens quickly rose to the New York Times bestseller list. Hitchens himself, is a fairly multifaceted individual, serving as a contributing editor to Vanity Fair magazine, as well as a visiting professor of liberal studies at the New School. A native of England, Hitchens immigrated to the United States in 1981, and became a U.S. citizen in April of 2007. He has been known as a philosopher, political commentator, activist, scholar, and lecturer. This book, for the most part, falls under “philosophy” as he debunks religion in general and blames many of society’s ills upon a belief in a non-existent God.

I’ll begin this review by simply describing the physical design of the book. The smallest word on the cover is “god” in tiny, un-capitalized letters. Followed by ever increasing font… “is not GREAT.” Subtitled: “How Religion Poisons Everything.” If you turn the book over, you’ll see these words at the top “Praise for Christopher Hitchens” followed by the fawning reviews he’s received from such unbiased (insert sarcasm here) publications as the London Observer and the Los Angeles Times. The “god” cover and the “praise for Christopher Hitchens” back cover are hardly an accident of irony, but rather a blasphemous exaltation of a man. Which pretty much sums up the book. Take a look inside the back cover and you can read a little bit about Hitchens, and see a photograph, of what looks to be the saddest and most miserable human on the planet. Maybe he just doesn’t like having his picture taken. But have you ever seen a picture of an atheistic philosopher that looked happy? Probably not. If there is no God, and no Heaven, and no Divine standards, then life is fairly pointless, isn’t it? Clearly, there’s no joy in atheism.

I’ve always wondered why atheists are so often violently opposed to God. If they truly believe God doesn’t exist…then why do they appear to be so mad at Him? I’ve never seen diatribe’s against the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. I have argued elsewhere that deep down, all people are hard wired to believe in God’s existence, and thus atheism is a crime against the very conscience God placed within the emotional/spiritual makeup of all people.  Hitchens clearly has an axe to grind against religion. In the early portions of the book, he describes his upbringing in parochial school England. Speaking kindly of his grammar school teacher, he described her as a Christian who tried to show the children the beauty that exists in God’s world. Of course, Hitchens seems to believe that he intellectually blew past his naïve teacher early on, and adopted a cynical and condescending view of “Mrs. Watts” and her belief in God.

With that said, Hitchens declares that he was raised in a fairly happy environment, with no psychological cause to turn against God. Indeed, the tone of the book seems to simply imply that he’s just way too intelligent to believe in God. (“professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:22) The fact that Hitchens is obviously intelligent, left me a little surprised at some of his contradictory and simplistic arguments. For example, in defending his atheism, he wrote about many other intellectual atheists that disagreed with him on minor issues. Yet, they remain united in their beliefs (or lack thereof). He’s obviously a big enlightenment fan that values “reason” and “logic” over “faith” and boasted of his atheistic camps “openmindedness” (p. 5). Yeah right! He’s openminded…as long as you agree with him. Otherwise you’re a buffoon. I think we can all claim to share such a hypocritical openmindedness. Can’t we?

Hitchens is willing to admit that some things are beyond our knowing and other things are fascinating to our minds. He states: “If the universe was found to be finite or infinite, either discovery would be equally stupefying and impenetrable to me.” (p. 10) This leads me to wonder if, at the very least, Hitchens might be a closet agnostic rather than atheist. But his admission of things beyond would seem to suggest, at least a chance of a Supreme Being. Yet, he refuses to go there. He bristles at the Christian term “seeker,” and swears that he is not one. But, if there are things beyond his knowledge, then why can’t there be a God…beyond his knowledge?

He concludes chapter one by making a declaration that he desires for religious people to simply leave him alone. “But this, religion is ultimately incapable of doing.” (v. 13) Really? He wants religious people to leave him alone? Then why on earth did he write a book inciting religious peoples deepest held convictions? If you want religious people to leave you alone, then I wouldn’t suggest writing a book subtitled: “How Religion Poisons Everything.”

Chapter 2, entitled, “Religion Kills” begins some of the more simplistic arguments Hitchens espouses. To simplify it to its least common denominator, this is essentially what he says. Ayatollah Khomeini was evil. Ayatollah Khomeini believed in God. Therefore God doesn’t exist. He use equally ridiculous examples for other radical Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Perhaps the most glaring example of this over simplification is his citing Fred Phelps, the Topeka, Kansas "preacher" as an example of Christianity. Phelps has made himself famous by protesting military funerals, homosexuals, and anything else that might draw publicity. Phelps holds beliefs that 99.99999999 percent of Christians would find abhorrent. Yet THIS is Hitchens example. That would be like judging every person of European dissent by what we know of Adolph Hitler. Would Hitchens want us to think all Europeans are like Hitler? Probably not, since he’s European. Then it’s asinine for him to hold Phelps up as an example of Christianity.

The point is this…just because people, even so called religious people, do bad things has nothing to do with whether or not God exists. Surely it has dawned on him that many times people do things that go against God’s moral will. The word for such action is sin…and I would suggest SIN, not Religion poisons everything. Hitchens plethora of examples citing religious people’s errors simply bolsters the belief in the fall of man, rather than the atheistic view of God. Not to mention the fact that Hitchens conveniently ignores heinous crimes committed by atheists. He’s eerily silent about Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Karl Marx, Communism, the Soviet Union, and China. Luckily that collective group has never murdered anyone….Right, Christopher?

Another example of simplistic argumentation comes in Hitchens account of 9/11, which was perpetrated by people of a “religion.” Obviously, most would agree that Islamic radicals don’t do much to endear people to God. But, the knee jerk over reaction of throwing the Theistic baby out with the bathwater proves nothing. Hitchens praises the brave folks who confronted their religious zealot captors and caused the fourth plane to plummet in a Pennsylvania field. Bravo for these brave souls who gave their lives to save many others. But if memory serves, one of the heroic ringleaders of this mutiny was Todd Beamer, a devout Christian, and graduate of Wheaton College. Does religion poison everything? Beamer’s religion led him to save many lives. Perhaps even Hitchens, who lives in Washington, D.C.

The rest of Hitchens book makes predictable arguments against various religions. He claims the New Testament is loaded with contradictions (a claim that has been adequately refuted numerous times) concerning the virgin birth, the birthplace of Jesus, the date of Jesus’ birth, etc. He rips the Old Testament as being superstitious and unenlightened. Billy Graham he calls an anti-Semite. Mel Gibson he calls a fascist. Mel Gibson’s father, he calls a thug. Tim LaHaye a monkey. I think you can see the point and tone of the book.

With that said, Hitchens does make some arguments I would agree with. I too would claim the non-existence of the “god” that religions other than Christianity claim to worship. In fact, Jesus Himself stated, “No one comes the Father except by me.” (John 14:6) So, many of Hitchens attacks on radical Islam, Judaism, and Eastern religions are valid. Even some of his attacks on Christians are valid. Indeed no Biblical Christian would defend the crusades, nor a mandatory State religion of Christianity. But with all of that said, the main premise of the book seems to be that since so many people who believe in God are bad….God must not exist. This conclusion is simplistic, irrational, and in fact, crumbles under careful scrutiny.

In the end, Hitchens offers a belief in rationalism and reason. We can be amazed by nature and the cosmos, rather than God. Of course, I would argue (along with Paul) that we can be amazed by GOD, because of nature and the cosmos. (See Romans 1, and Acts 17) Hitchens is obviously a smart man. But it appears equally obvious that he is a cynical, hardened, and in some ways, pompous intellectual. His book will no doubt win some converts to his line of thinking. Any well written book bashing God is sure to garner plenty of press from places like the New York Times. But “well written” and “well argued” are two completely different things. Hitchens is a good writer. But a predictable philosopher. He rejects carte blanche any belief in the supernatural (similar to David Hume), and when one uses this as a starting point, ANY belief is rendered impossible. Christians begin with God as the starting point, then examine Science to see how God works. Hitchens begins with Science and Reason as the starting point, then backs into atheism based on flawed logic. Make no mistake, believing in God does require an ability to accept something unseen, indeed this is the very essence of faith. But God has not left himself without witness in the world He so precisely created. Open you eyes and see the glory of God surrounding you, Christopher! As Francis Schaefer said, “He is there and He is not silent.” My prayer is that Christopher Hitchens’ spiritual eyes will be opened to see what his physical eyes refuses to acknowledge. And that his book will be clearly recognized as the stumbling block it is intended to be.

The Un-mortified “little” Sins That Lead To “BIGGER” Sins

Suppose for a moment you have a terminal disease.  Your body is destined to be destroyed, and your death is imminent……UNLESS……you get up everyday and read the dictionary for one hour in the morning.  Sounds boring, right?  BUT YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT…….would you do it?  If the doctor says you’re dead in 6 months without it….would you do it?  I think most people would.  It would be hard, it would require a little bit of discipline….but if your life depended on it……it’s a small price to pay.

            There’s another “small” thing your life really does depend on….actually several “small” things…but I’ll just mention two….prayer and Bible study. No, missing a quiet time won’t kill your physical body……but prolonged time away from communion with God through prayer and Bible study will absolutely destroy your spiritual life, and starve your soul.

            This past Sunday, I mentioned a book by John Owen called, The Mortification of Sin.  Owen was a Pastor and Theologian who lived in the 1600’s.  Yes, its an old book…..but, it may be the best book EVER WRITTEN (apart from the Bible) on dealing with sin in your life.  It’s not hard to read, and its not very long…..but it can change your life if you take the time and effort to read it.  I recently heard a Pastor testify to the fact that he would probably NOT be in the ministry today were it not for this book.  The great Bible scholar J.I. Packer has said that no one outside the Bible has affected his life more than John Owen….and no book of Owen’s has affected him more than The Mortification of Sin.  It’s really THAT powerful.  As I read it, I find myself constantly highlighting things Owen says about how to fight sin in your life.  He says things, that I would just never in a million years even think of…..but I’m glad HE did, and I’m glad he wrote them down, so that poor, miserable sinners like me could benefit from them 400 years later.  And one of the things he mentions is this………

            Sometimes the struggles we have with the “bigger” sins, (i.e., the ones that cause us the most anguish and harm) come about in our life because of our guilt in the “smaller” sins.  I’ll give you an example……I’ve never believed that adulterous affairs involving Christians, “just happen.”  I recently heard the tragic account of two families that were very active in a church.  Both husbands, both wives, both sets of kids…..active in church, and devout Christians (or so it seemed).  Now both families are ruined because one husband and one wife decided they love each other (instead of their spouse).  Incidentally, their feelings aren’t really LOVE…they’re really LUST.  But I’m sure they’re blind to that reality, because sin blinds you to the obvious.  Now how does a sin that HUGE happen? One of two ways:  Either, they’re NOT really saved to begin with (which is VERY possible in that situation)….OR there was a prolonged season of spiritual drifting….of straying off the narrow road……of UN-MORTIFIED “smaller” sins that led to the BIGGIE of adultery.  Have you ever thought about the fact that your lack of a “quiet time” tomorrow morning might lead to your having an affair 3 years from now?  That’s what John Owen is writing about.  We neglect the little sins……and then God “hands us over” to the bigger sins.

            Did you get up and start your day in God’s Word this morning?  Your life really does depend upon it.  Are you not a morning person?  Then you BETTER have ended your day in God’s Word.  Not a night person?  Then you BETTER have enjoyed a nice long lunch break with God.  Do you see my point?  If you’re not faithful…..DAILY in God’s Word and prayer…..you’re setting yourself up for BIGGER sins.  Or do you think you’re incapable of BIGGER sins?  Never forget this fact…..the ONLY man ever described as being a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) was later guilty of adultery, followed by a murder to cover up his affair. (see 2 Samuel 11-12)  BIG sins don’t “just happen” in a Christian’s life….at least not most of the time.  There’s a progression…..there’s a slippery slope…..There’s a neglect of the “smaller” things….that lead to a tragedy involving the BIGGER things.

            Is there grace with God?  Yes.  Is he “faithful and just” (1 John 1:9) to forgive? Yes.  BUT, will sin destroy your life, if you don’t fight it?  Absolutely.  King David’s life was never the same again.  God forgave him, and still loved him…..but the consequences of David’s sin were horrendous. His family completely fell apart, and he never enjoyed peace in his life again. (see 2 Samuel 12:10-14) 

            The road to “life-ruining sin” begins today….or maybe it begins tomorrow morning….when you choose 30 more minutes of sleep instead of breakfast with Jesus.  Just remember….today you have a choice….you can “discipline thyself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7) ….or you can take the first step down the road to destruction…..by neglecting the “little” things……but LOOK OUT!  Sin MUCH, MUCH more deadly awaits around the corner.  Will you indulge…..or will you mortify?

….

P.S.---For more on The Mortification of Sin by John Owen, click on these links:

For The Mortification of Sin from CVBBS:

http://www.cvbbs.com/inventory.php?target=indiv&search_back=keywords%3DJohn+Owen%26searchstyle%3Dall%26page%3D2%26session%3Dfaa77508b36a042874feb9500216d7de%26title_keyword%3D%26isbn_keyword%3D%26publisher_keyword%3D%26author_keyword%3D%26sort_by%3D&bookid=5513

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For The Mortification of Sin from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mortification-Sin-Puritan-Paperbacks/dp/0851518672/sr=8-1/qid=1163485520/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3776581-8444634?ie=UTF8&s=books

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For an updated version of The Mortification of Sin along with 2 other Owen works:

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Sin-Temptation-John-Owen/dp/1581346492/sr=8-3/qid=1163485520/ref=sr_1_3/103-3776581-8444634?ie=UTF8&s=books

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For an article about John Owen:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1466_The_Chief_Design_of_My_Life_Mortification_and_Universal_Holiness/