03.25.10
Posted in Faith, Politics, Today, Worldview at 2:21 pm by artistry
Recent developments make it clear that the public at large and many members of Congress and their staff members do not have a clear understanding of what the Hyde Amendment is and what it has the power to enforce. Even doing research to support my comments was challenging, because much of what is written and available online is done from the perspective of the author or the author’s political leanings and not strictly accurate.
DEFINITION: The Hyde Amendment is a rider to the annual Labor/Health and Human Services (HHS)/Education appropriations bill which prevents Medicaid and any other programs under these departments from funding abortions, except in limited cases. It is named after Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL) who, as a freshman legislator, first offered the amendment.
The Hyde Amendment was first enacted in 1976 and has been reauthorized each year since, the latest being in the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009.
FALLACY:
- Hyde is settled law.
- Hyde would be in force regardless of any other bill enacted by the Congress such as the health care legislation.
There are also a lot of political and emotional statements that fall under the heading of fallacy, but let’s leave them out of it and stick to truth.
FACT:
- The Hyde Amendment is a rider to an appropriations bill.
- The Hyde Amendment is not a stand alone law.
- Since statements 1 and 2 are correct, the Hyde Amendment does not govern other laws passed by Congress unless it is specifically referenced in such laws.
- Since statements 1 and 2 are correct, the legislation passed by the House of Representatives (H.R.3962) was amended by H.AMDT.509, the Stupak Amendment to codify the Hyde Amendment as part of the bill.
- This language was rejected by the Senate and not included in H.R. 3590, the bill approved by the Senate on December 24, 2009, by the House on March 21, 2010 and signed by the President on March 23, 2010.
Some sources to check:
Memorandum from National Right to Life – While this was written with reference to H.R. 3200, the bill originally introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2009, it still offers an accurate analysis of the scope of the Hyde Amendment.
National Committee for a Human Life Amendment – an excellent overview of the Hyde Amendment … its history, changes, challenges and Supreme Court ruling.
One of the claims most often heard is that the Hyde Amendment denies needed treatment to the poor and is therefore discriminatory. Surprisingly a 1992 poll of people making $15,000 or less found that they opposed abortion by a ratio of 2 to 1. Given recent surveys that a majority now believe that abortion destroys life, I suspect this ratio would be higher if a survey were taken today.
Planned Parenthood, through their research arm have long promoted the concept that there is a cost benefit to providing abortion services in that it costs less than providing maternity benefits and subsequent child welfare services. How grotesque is that?
Another argument often heard is that women who are denied abortion services through Medicaid will go to illegal abortion providers; however, I found no statistical evidence to support that.
Has the Hyde Amendment been beneficial? I suppose that depends on your point of view. Prior to Hyde, the federal Medicaid program paid for about 300,000 abortions annually. In fiscal year 2004, that number was 159.
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12.31.09
Posted in Faith, Politics, Today, Worldview at 11:31 pm by artistry
I was going to write about many things, but got sidetracked by an article that ran this week in Denmark … EDITORIAL: Obama greater than Jesus
The more I thought about how I wanted to address this, the more I knew that nothing I could say would be better than the Word of the Lord, so here it is:
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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11.14.09
Posted in Faith, Literature, Worldview at 2:44 pm by artistry
You get a hint of where Richard Stearns is taking you from the question and answer posed on the jacket of the book. Stearns asks “What does God expect of us?” and says the book contains “the answer that changed my life and might just change the world”.
I seldom run across a book that I cannot read straight through, often in a matter of hours after getting it. This was one of those books. I started easily enough as Stearns took us through his early life, corporate achievement and the challenge to his faith that came through recruitment as the new President of World Vision. As he began talking about his early experiences with World Vision and how it changed his outlook, I found myself being convicted about how I have failed to care sufficiently for “the least of these”. Reading the rest of the book was slower going and it made me evaluate my calling in the church. If Stearns goal was to make us grow in our faith and faithfulness, he certainly did so in me.
The hole he describes in our gospel is often seen in our single mindedness as to how we go about fulfilling the Great Commission. We are called to go and make disciples, but we often have differing ideas about what that means. It is more than bringing people to saving faith. It is also helping to meet their immediate needs and teaching them so they can meet their own needs and those of others in the future. The whole gospel as advocated by Stearns saves lives materially in this world and eternally in the next.
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns is published by Thomas Nelson and is available from a number of sources, including Christian Book Distributors.
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10.05.09
Posted in Faith, Literature, Politics, Today at 3:08 pm by artistry
I haven’t shared my reading list for some time and thought I would do that before dipping into things political. There are some housekeeping items on this list … books I started and have nearly finished before moving to new things prematurely. I have made a resolution to clean up my half read list. I am also reading some very interesting books for a study our womens group – The Band of Sisters – is doing on the life and ministry of Jesus. And then there is my personal study of Colossians ….
So, the list:
- God in the Dock – C. S. Lewis (only 40 pages to go)
- The Search for the Twelve Apostles – William S. McBirnie (80 to go)
- Teaching for Changed Lives – Howard Hendricks
- The Church in Many Houses – Steve Cordle
- The Hole in our Gospel – Richard Sterns
- The Untold Story of the New Testament Church – Frank Viola
- Jesus Acording to Scripture – Darrell Bock
- Jesus and the Gospels – Craig Blomberg
- Four Portraits, One Jesus – Mark Strauss
I put aside the Viola book after reading about half and finding several areas that do not agree with my understanding of theology. But I am nothing if not thorough and I will read it to the end so that my critique will be based on what is there rather than what might be there.
I have a book review long overdue for The Hole in Our Gospel. I normally read through the books I review pretty quickly, but this one has taken some time because it has impacted me personally, which I suspect is just what Stern intended. It has been painful at times to read his commentary and know that what he says about himself applies to me as well. But I have an obligation to review, and review I will.
That’s my list … plenty to keep me busy as winter settles in, and it seems it will do so early this year.
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10.01.09
Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 9:11 pm by artistry
Most of my reading and study for the last 14 months has revolved around Rome … or to be more specific, Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. I’ve read through the epistle several times, ready nearly 3,000 pages of commentary, outlined and paraphrased it and dug deep into the meaning. It has been a most rewarding study.
It actually felt strange to put the books on the shelf this morning. They have been on my desk and close at hand for a long time and have been my daily reading … sometimes more than once a day. I know I will refer back to this study often as I move into the books Paul wrote subsequent to Romans.
So now is it on to Colassae and the letter Paul wrote to the church there.
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09.08.09
Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 6:18 pm by artistry
The latest from Max Lucado is Fearless. Lucado’s subtitle asks us to “Imagine Your Life Without Fear”. Lucado goes on to enumerate some of the things we fear … layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, tensions around the world, the bottom falling out of the housing market and more. Every day seems to bring us more bad news.
What if, Lucado asks, faith was your default response to such things? How would your life be different if you could trust more and fear less? Drawing from Scripture and anecdotal stories, Lucado attempts to show us how we can overcome fear through faith.
Like many of Lucado’s books, Fearless is an easy read. The theology is not deep or complicated and it doesn’t require a college reading level. At 180 pages, it is also a fast read. Included at the back of the book is a 38 page Discussion Guide with additional Scripture reading suggestions. The inclusion of the discussion guide makes this a good possibility for a small group study.
Max Lucado is Minister of Writing and Preaching for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of numerous books including devotional guides and childrens books. Visit his web site at Max Lucado.com.
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04.20.09
Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 8:17 am by artistry
I am working on my study of Romans this morning. I expect to finish this study in about two more months. It has really been interesting, Paul’s letter to the church at Rome is a sustained and brilliantly cohesive argument for those living in a pluralistic and pagan society. It is, therefore, of great benefit to today’s believers. Desiring God has an excellent sermon series from Pastor John Piper available online or for download. I encourage you to check them out.
I don’t think I realized how long the process would be when I decided to do a deep chronological study of Paul’s letters. I started in 2006 and expect to finish late in 2010. The books in front of me are much shorter in length than the ones I have finished, but are packed with practical and theological truth.
This has and continues to be a blessing. To paraphrase Howard Hendricks: God wrote us a love letter, and saved it for us in a book. Amen!
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12.18.08
Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 5:07 pm by artistry
There are many people commenting on what they think are the top ten books of 2008. I thought I would look at it from a different perspective and make a list of the top ten books that could be the foundation of any believer’s library.
- Basic Christianity – J. R. R. Stott. Stott clearly explains the fundamental claims of the Christian faith and explores how these beliefs impact the lives of believers.
- The Pursuit of Man – A. W. Tozer. The Pursuit of Man sets forth the biblical truth that before man can pursue God, God must first pursue man. It speaks fervently of God’s desire for man to be saved and the action He takes as He “invades” the human soul.
- The Pursuit of God – A. W. Tozer. The Pursuit of God reminds and challenges you to renew your relationship with your loving God. In each of the 10 chapters, Tozer explains one aspect of hungering for God and ends with a prayer.
- Knowing God – J. I. Packer. Knowing God has become a classic of the Christian faith. Why? While it gives us information about God with clarity and grace, it does much more—it aids us in actually knowing him, in building our relationship with him, and helps draw us closer to him in love and worship.
- Mere Christianity – C. S. Lewis. Arguably the 20th century’s most influential Christian writer, C.S. Lewis sought to explain and defend the beliefs that nearly all Christians at all times hold in common. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics.
- Growing Your Faith – Jerry Bridges. When you’re gripped by the astonishing fact of Christ’s love for you, you desire to draw close to Him. But what can you do to deepen your relationship with Jesus? What does He expect of you, and how can you be more like Him?
- More Than A Carpenter – Josh McDowell. An excellent introduction to apologetics, this book will provide you with many answers to objections often offered against the truth of our faith.
- An Anchor for the Soul– Ray Pritchard. People have honest doubts and questions about God that deserve solid answers. How do we explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way the “man on the street” will understand?
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book – Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately.
- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Donald S. Whitney. The freedom to grow in godliness—to naturally express Christ’s character through your own personality—is in large part dependent on a deliberate cultivation of the spiritual disciplines.
One could make a good argument for including just about any book on this list, however, I set some parameters for it. This list is a recommendation for someone who is just beginning to build a library of Christian books. It is for those who want a good grounding in Christian belief and a basic understanding of apologetics (the art of defending the faith). Given those restrictions, this list represents my recommendations. Dive in … you will find much to ponder, chew on and make you hungry for more.
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Posted in Faith, Today, Worldview at 7:39 am by artistry
It’s the opening line of “A Day in the Life” from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper album and is what ran through my mind as I opened the Google News page. The headlines were uniformly depressing. And then the words of 1 John 2.15 came to mind … Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
There’s not a lot to love in the news of the day. Fortunately, I went from Google News to Facebook, where I found a message from a friend that totally cheered me. And then I remembered that I wanted to read a passage from Isaiah … Isaiah 59 is rather short for an Old Testament chapter and begins rather somberly and is an indictment. Yet it ends in promise, and that is what I will take with me today.
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Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
- He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
- He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
- According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment.
- So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives.
- “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD.
- “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
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12.12.08
Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 8:05 am by artistry
My latest review for Thomas Nelson is the Word of Promise Next Generation dramatic audio New Testament.
Geared toward teens, this audio version of the Bible features popular stars from the shows they most watch, including Cody Linley, Alyson Stoner, Jordin Sparks, Corbin Bleu and others. Produced in MP3 format, this dramatic reading of the Bible can be loaded onto iPods or other MP3 players and listened to by teens on the go. Teens who would not normally be attracted to the Bible might be encouraged to listen due to the participants of this audio version.
Each book of the New Testament is introduced with information about the author and the time of its writing by Max and Jenna Lucado. Sean Astin serves as narrator. The set also includes a behind the scenes DVD, which will be popular with teens.
I am not generally impressed with dramatic readings of the Bible, preferring to let the drama of the inspired words speak for themselves. I do see value for teens in this version. Where they might not take time to read the Bible daily, they might be willing to listen to their favorite stars in this version. This audio New Testament is no substitute for Bible intake, but can serve as a valuable added tool.
Some have questioned the presentation, feeling that Cody Linley’s presentation of Jesus was anemic, or that Marshall Allman’s portrayal of Paul was stumbling and awkward. I didn’t find this to be unduly distracting. I was more concerned that the audio version didn’t match any of my several versions of the Bible. The presentation is augmented with sound effects and music, which seemed appropriate to the reading.
All things considered, I feel this audio New Testament has value for the target audience, but should not serve as the primary source of Biblical knowledge. Parents should not expect it to do so, but should supplement this audio version with sound teaching in the home and church.
For more information or to purchase the CD set, please go to the Thomas Nelson site.
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11.15.08
Posted in Faith, Today at 3:42 pm by artistry
It’s often quoted that life imitates fiction, but I can’t find any source for that quote. I think is must be a misappropriation of Oscar Wilde’s statement from The Decay of Living: “All that I desire to point out is the general principle that Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.”
Whichever may be the case, I never crease to be amazed at how Scripture from my ESV feed relates to what is happening in my life. Today, for example, the feed is from Romans 12.13:
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
And then I got a phone call from the prayer team, asking for my help in doing just that. We will see how it works out. To quote again from Romans: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8.28)
For those not familiar with the term: saints in this context means fellow believers in Christ. It has nothing to do with the practice of conferring sainthood on individuals.
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11.05.08
Posted in Faith, Today at 11:42 am by artistry
Today’s random verse from my ESV feed was so appropriate, I had to post it:
The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17.24-25, ESV)
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11.02.08
Posted in Faith, Politics, Today at 11:43 pm by artistry
Tonight I had a powerful experience with God. I committed to join with others in a time of prayer for the election. God was pleased to meet with me and to minister to me during that time. I am reminded that all things work together for good for those who love God. No matter how this election goes, I rest secure in the knowledge that His will will be done. Amen!
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Posted in Faith, Literature, Today at 11:38 pm by artistry
So I haven’t said much in some time about my studies and reading. It has been a productive time and I am enjoying learning and going deeper into Scripture. I am well into my study of Romans, having completed chapter six yesterday. Along with introductory reading in my NT Survey and Introduction, I have read over 1,500 pages since starting this study … nothing to sneeze at but not the total of my reading.
I went on a fiction blitz last month and managed to read 5 (count ‘em) books. No wonder I used to be able to read a book in a day … and get tons of other stuff done as well. 
I read three mysteries, one historical novel and the final installment of the Apocalypse series. I must say, I was disappointed in the final installment after waiting so long for it. Remind me again not to read anything that is presented as a series. I have noticed that they get you hooked with a pretty good first installment and then the quality goes downhill from there. Or at least that has been my experience.
I reviewed John Ensor’s The Great Work of the Gospel for The Commoner, our church newsletter. It reminded me how much I enjoyed this book and how much I learned from it. I am going to read it again this month. Other than that, I will continue my study in Romans, and am working through the Acts of the Apostles with my study group from church.
Everyone sing …. I’ve got a lot of learning to do … oh, wait … is that the way that lyric goes?
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