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RSS Robot

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RSS Robot last won the day on March 2

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  1. Woke is an odd word—and not just because it is a past tense verb that is now commonly used as an adjective. It’s odd because it has vague connotations without clear definitions. This ambiguity allows those who appreciate the word’s implications to write off those who criticize its implications as “just not understanding its meaning.” In conversations like this, clarity is always our friend. That’s why I was thankful when someone from our Sheriff’s Department recently asked me what I meant in using the word woke. This individual is not a believer, and I was happy to answer his question from a Christian perspective. Below is a lightly-edited copy of the letter that I wrote him. I thought it may be helpful to readers of this blog who have similar conversations with law enforcement or others who are seeking clarity on our concerns over the radical changes in our society that are being furthered under the banner of wokism. Thanks for asking about the definition of “woke.” I wasn’t sure if the question was asked personally or on behalf of the Sheriff, but I am happy to share a few thoughts. Many of us had never heard the term woke until a few years ago. Prior to that time, it was used simply to describe people who felt awakened to the injustices of racism. In recent years, however, it seems the word has been highjacked by political activists who are often far-left or socialistic in their views and have a larger agenda in mind than standing against racism. Although I cannot in this short space define the whole woke philosophy as is commonly applied today, I can point out a few frequently used terms and highlight some of their implications. Social Justice: This is a broad term that often defeats the principles of “equal justice under the law.” Social justice focuses on enforcing equal outcomes for everyone. In this way, it leans into socialism. And amazingly, “social justice” doesn’t bring justice to the average citizen, as it focuses on groups rather than on individuals’ misconduct or good accomplishments. The end result, as philosopher Friedrich Hayek observed, is that people must be treated unequally in order to create equal outcomes: “And that’s what social justice amounts to. It’s a demand that the state should treat people differently in order to place them in the same position. . . .To make people equal a goal of governmental policy would force government to treat people very unequally indeed.” Critical Race Theory (CRT): Under the guise of exposing racism, CRT actually suggests a reverse racism by insisting that the color of one’s skin determines whether or not he or she is racist. As one author explained, “Even if a white person has never had a genuinely racist thought…he is still a racist, white supremacist, because he is white and belongs to the majority” (Ronnie W. Rogers, “Understanding the Terms…” blog post). This kind of insistence on seeing everything through the lens of race brings division to communities. LGBTQ Promotion: For many years, the LGBTQ movement has sought to align with the woke activists to gain influence, and that strategy is working. Woke activists aggressively promote sexual behavior and lifestyles through celebrations and legislation with new laws and vocabulary introduced regularly (cisgender, transgender, cultural appropriation, intersectionality, conscious capitalism, etc.). They have enshrined these numerous terms which are now being forced upon the public. The woke agenda also belittles the nuclear, or biblical, family model. Yet strong families are a strength in any society. While claiming to be marginalized, the woke and LBGTQ lobbies in this state are well-represented in government positions and dominant in political circles. Most concerningly, they are now targeting children and prohibiting parents and teachers from speaking up. For instance, CA Bill AB 957 which was put before the California legislature and passed both houses before being vetoed by the governor, said a non-consenting parent of an under-aged child would lose custody if that parent refused a mastectomy or castration (sex re-assignment surgery) for his or her child. Only the “gender affirming” parent is deemed fit to parent a child who may actually be suffering from dysphoria. Additionally, teachers have been fired from their jobs for refusing to go along with these new ideals. (One local example is Jessica Tapias, a teacher in Riverside County, who was fired just this year for refusing to hide gender transitions from parents of young children.) Economic Equity: This aims to reduce the income gap between the poor and middle class—not by increasing economic opportunity for minority groups, but by taking from the middle class by way of taxes and/or not prosecuting theft. Wealth redistribution is a common theme in woke literature. Again, this is a very high-end summary, and more could be said. But the larger point is that, while every American should stand against racism, wokism actually focuses on emphasizing differences between race and seems to have an end agenda of the disruption of society. In particular, it leads to concerning philosophies as it relates to law enforcement. The interpretation of social justice by woke activists has led to practices such as zero-bail policies, refusing to prosecute crime, and large-scale defunding of and/or disrespect for law enforcement. These policies, which are supported by left-leaning financiers such as George Soros and others, have been adopted by the Los Angeles District Attorney. The training of these policies has been disseminated throughout Southern Californian governmental agencies. What has been the result? Increase in crime Igniting class and race warfare Discouragement and apathy among law enforcement, including many LA County deputies For instance, another bill recently passed the California legislature (AB 852) that requires judges to base their sentencing on race, rather than on crime. The essence of the bill is that someone who is a minority should not be prosecuted to the same extent as someone who is Caucasian because of past injustices. This is the actual opposite of Martin Luther King Jr.’s aspiration that people “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The woke philosophy applied to law enforcement has essentially emboldened the criminal element of communities. No doubt, you have seen this with grab-and-go robberies of high-end stores and hit and run accidents. In places where the criminal element of a community is emboldened, the rank-and-file deputies as well as law enforcement in general have become discouraged. I know the citizens of the Antelope Valley as well as anyone, and I can tell you they are discouraged by the emboldened attitude of those who run red lights, commit robbery, and worse. As a pastor of thirty-seven years here in Los Angeles County, I care about the safety of our citizens and the wellbeing of our law enforcement community. I am concerned to see crime on the rise and criminals emboldened. I’m saddened, too, to see these issues tied to race. I’ve preached here in our community for nearly four decades against racism, and I know that all people are made in the image of God. Theologically and biblically, I believe that all humans fall short of God’s perfection (Romans 3:23). None of us are better than others. We have all broken God’s law, and we all need redemption through the finished work of Christ for us (Romans 6:23). Whoever calls to God, acknowledges his or her sin, and receives Christ as Savior may have forgiveness and peace with God. I realize this last point is another, although related, topic. But I am happy to discuss it with you at some point in time. I realize there is political pressure because many woke activists are political donors. Yet, I believe the Sheriff’s Department must not be guided by the woke agenda, but by the law. Without law and order, nothing else works in society. Certainly, our new Captain in Lancaster or anyone in the department should be advanced based on integrity, respect, leadership, and a history of good policing. They should not be affirmed because of adherence to a particular dogma such as “wokism.” Thank you for your service to our community. Please know that I am here to help you and our law enforcement community in any way that I can. Your Friend, Paul Chappell P. S. I’m happy to provide additional resources on wokism and woke interpretations of social justice if these would be a help to you. A few that may be a help are Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr. and Woke, Inc. by Vivek Ramaswamy. I have written a minibook on this topic titled Which Justice? which I would be glad to send you. View the full article
  2. The apostle Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy was to “preach the Word.” Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2) Biblical preaching and teaching is the expounding of the Word of God to a world that needs to hear it. Of course, the gospel is our central message in preaching. But pastors are also to declare “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) as the expound Scripture to their church family. I have been preaching now for just over forty years. This is God’s calling on my life and is one of the great privileges of my ministry as a pastor as well as in training preachers at West Coast Baptist College. In this episode of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast, my son Larry and I discuss what biblical preaching is, how to rightly divide the Word of truth, and strategies for the practical implementation of study and delivery of messages. Whether you are a senior pastor, a Sunday school teacher, or a parent sharing God’s Word with your children, I believe our discussion will provide scriptural context and relevant ideas for expounding the Word of God. (If you cannot view this video in your email or RSS reader, click here.) Our conversation was set up with Larry asking questions and me answering. His questions were insightful, and I hope this discussion will be a help to you. Here are the questions we covered: 00:00 – Introduction 00:14 – Will you define biblical teaching and preaching? 02:26 – There are many styles to preaching, but what is the essential core of biblical preaching? 03:51 – What has been your approach as a pastor for sermon planning? 06:58 – What part of planning sermon series is the most difficult for you and what part of the sermon process requires the most attention? 09:30 – How do you prepare to step up to the pulpit to preach? 11:55 – As you study, how do you decide what stays in the sermon and what gets cut? 14:15 – Does the context of the audience influence your presentation? And how do you know you’re getting the message across? 16:40 – Is there anything else you want to add about sermon preparation? 17:56 – What tools do you use in study? How do you engage the church family in an upcoming series? What are your thoughts on a helpful use of visual aids? 21:01 – How do you conduct the invitation or altar call in a Christ-honoring way? 23:03 – Would you speak to the topic of preaching in light of our culture and the need for more preachers? If this episode of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast was a blessing to you, please share it with a friend and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. You can subscribe to future episodes via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or YouTube. View the full article
  3. 1. Avoid an uncertian sound. Don’t engage in activities or associations that make your testimony for Christ unclear. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). 2. Let not your good be evil spoken of. Be willing to limit your Christian liberty to avoid causing a stumbling block to others. “Let not then your good be evil spoken of” (Romans 14:16). 3. Do not make a major decision without godly counsel. I have sought men who are my seniors to ask counsel of for significant decisions. “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). 4. To change the world, you must not let the world change you. The men and women who have changed the world have been the men and women the world could not change. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). 5. Do all to the glory of God. There is no insignificant activity when it is done to the glory of God. And even seemingly insignificant activities can be done in a way that dishonors God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). 6. Remember that what you do in moderation, the next generation often does in excess. As you weigh a decision, remember the impact it could have on your children or grandchildren, and purpose to walk in such a way that you would be glad for them to follow your example. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) View the full article
  4. Course Resources available: Textbook, Syllabus, Review questions, Course Tests, Course Grading & Score, Course Videos, Powerpoint Slides; Student Assignments: PROVE ALL THINGS, memorize verses, write first 3 chapters of 1 John; Compare verses from KJC with 2 modern version, Study textbook, review questions in textbook, Additional study resourcesView the full article
  5. Personal Testimony of David Cloud about the Bible Version Issue: God saved me. Bible College; Doctrine of apostasy, God called me to the ministry, Met Linda, Married in the States and missionaries to Nepal, Studied Bible version issue with the Nepali Bible; God lead me to the Bible version position I have todayView the full article
  6. Biblical Presuppositions; Bible Versioning defined; Redefined; Eleven Biblical PresuppositionsView the full article
  7. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 1. Because of Divine Preservation. Biblical survey of the Doctrine of Bible PreservationView the full article
  8. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 1. Because of Divine Preservation. Continued; 2. Doctrine of Preservation Authenticates the TR/KJV, Five periods of Church History; Verse comparisonView the full article
  9. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 2. Doctrine of Preservation Authenticates the TR/KJV, Five periods of Church History Continued;View the full article
  10. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 2. Doctrine of Preservation Authenticates the TR/KJV, Five periods of Church History Continued;View the full article
  11. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 2. Because Modern Textual Criticism is Heretical. What is Modern Textual Criticism? Application of secular linguistic theories to the recovery of ancient documents;View the full article
  12. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 2. Because Modern Textual Criticism is Heretical. Continued Why we reject Modern Textual Criticism; It's goal is unscriptural; it's theories are strange and unscriptural; it's rules are unsettled and constantly changing; it's fruit is increasing uncertainty and skepticismView the full article
  13. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 3. Because Modern Versions are a product of Apostasy: 1. Introduction; its intimate association with end-time apostasy; THE MODERN BIBLE VERSION HALL OF SHAME;View the full article
  14. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 3. Because Modern Versions are a product of Apostasy, continued: 2. Association between apostasy and modern textual criticism; 3. Apostate conditions that existed in Europe, England, and America: Theological LiberalismView the full article
  15. FUNDAMENTAL REASONS WHY WE HOLD TO THE KING JAMES BIBLE: 3. Because Modern Versions are a product of Apostasy, continued: 2. Association between apostasy and modern textual criticism; 3. Apostate conditions that existed in Europe, England, and America: Theological Liberalism continued; Humanistic Philosophy; Unitarianism; Darwinian Evolution; Heretical Christian Cults; Roman CatholicismView the full article
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