Calling for Truth Audio Archives http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:45:31 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/images/M_images/cftlogo_140.png http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft Calling for Truth Audio Archives http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=766&Itemid=10 “Atheist evangelist, Prof Richard Dawkins, speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April 2008, said the rise of creationism in British schools raised a serious problem for science teachers. ‘ It is a very worrying trend,’ he said, ‘and I think a lot of it has come over from America and Australia…I have spoken to a lot of science teachers in schools here in Britain who are finding an increasing number of students coming to them and saying they are Young Earth creationists. Now this is a belief that the Earth is only 6000 years old, and it is such staggering mistake that it is very concerning to hear this. It is no small error—it is equivalent to someone believing, despite the evidence, that the width of North America from one coast to the other is only 7.8 yards.’” Of course, Richard Dawkins is basing his comments... Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:44:21 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=765&Itemid=10 In a recent bible study in which I was privileged to participate, the leader mentioned that we need to do all that we do for the glory of God; we need, for example, to watch TV for the glory of God. A woman in the study asked the question that a number of others wanted to ask, “How do you to that?” Her question may be taken in a number of ways but at its essence is this simple thought: as a believer, if I’m going to watch TV, I want to do so for the glory of God. Tell me how to do that. Some might consider TV watching to be a benign or a neutral activity. Others may consider it to be strictly off limits for the believer. Some may consider the issue to be one of minutia or theological hair-splitting. They might be inclined to say, “You think... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:42:06 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=764&Itemid=10 We take so many things at face value and fail to think deeply about them. In so doing, we miss not only the big picture as believers in Christ, but we miss God’s purpose and thereby we miss being part of His kingdom building enterprise. Of course, that should not be. What a privilege to be part of God’s kingdom and co-laborers with Him. The reality is that we are building someone’s kingdom all of the time whether we realize it or not: either ours or God’s. Even things we consider to be mundane are not mundane when seen in this light. That dynamic is true in every area of our lives, including that of relationships. Relationships are not merely surface associations we have with others. They are not something we decide we like or don’t like in one sense. The truth is that God has created us to be in... Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:18:48 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=763&Itemid=10 Commentary on Items in the News this week Questions from our callers Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:43:28 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=762&Itemid=10 We’ve done a mini-survey for today’s edition of “Calling for Truth.” In addition to dialogue with spiritual leaders in different parts of the country, I’ve elicited some e-mail responses to this question: “What is the most strategic thing the church can do to make an inroad into this culture for Christ?” The broadcast is built around some of the principles that emerge from those responses as well as interaction with a number of callers. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:23:09 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=761&Itemid=10 From the most recent issue of Christianity today: “You might think from the recent spate of atheist best-sellers that belief in God has become intellectually indefensible for thinking people today. But a look at these books by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens, among others, quickly reveals that the so-called New Atheism lacks intellectual muscle. It is blissfully ignorant of the revolution that has taken place in Anglo-American philosophy. It reflects the scientism of a bygone generation rather than the contemporary intellectual scene.” It seems that when Time Magazine declared that God was dead in 1966 that the rumors of His demise were greatly exaggerated. Obviously, the true and living God is alive and well. At the same time, the “God is dead” movement is on life support in some sense itself. If so, what are the implications of such a dynamic? It is interesting that there has been a rekindling... Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:57:40 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=760&Itemid=10 There is no little confusion as to what the relationship between the church and the state should be. Yet, the notion of a composite society, that is, a non-sacral society, finds its genesis in the New Testament and its revelation that the church is a people within a people. That the church should be seen as co-extensive with society is to miss the point of Christ’s redemptive plan and the calling of a people to Himself by grace. His kingdom is not of this world or else His followers would fight (Jn. 18:36). Despite the contemporary confusion related to this critical subject, a number of the nation’s founding fathers understood New Testament truth in connection therewith, in part, if not in whole. They were certainly influenced by pious men, not the least of which was John Leland, a Baptist preacher committed to Christ and biblical, religious liberty. His words may be... Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:36:15 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=758&Itemid=10 We live in a culture that chips away at the truth through a variety of means. Among those means are philosophical commitments to relativism, theorism, and deconstructionism. At the same time, the unbeliever is faced with a dilemma: when he makes an assertion regarding truth, he has no philosophical justification for making such a statement on a non-biblical worldview. In other words, he might make statements of absolute certainty, but, when pressed in terms of his worldview and its coherence or consistency, he must admit that he is completely uncertain about those very same statements. It is the Christian worldview alone that makes sense out of reality and our experience. The bible says that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. On today's edition of Calling for Truth, we will talk about the Supremacy of Christ in the realm of knowledge and the confidence that... Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:23:38 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=755&Itemid=10 Meeting in San Jose, California, the Presbyterian Church USA, the liberal branch of American Presbyterianism, moved to approve homosexual clergy on June 27, 2008. The debate has been going for years and the denominational homosexual activists have finally prevailed at the denomination’s General Assembly. What they approved is certainly unorthodox. At the same time, what they have rejected goes deeper than the issue of homosexuality. Whether intended or unintended, at the heart of the matter, is a redefining of the way of salvation. Such a move illustrates the Scriptural truth elucidated in the old hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation:” “Though with a scornful wonder Men see her sore oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed.” At the same time, that dynamic is not the end of the story. The hymn says further: “Though there be those who hate her, And... Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:27:56 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=753&Itemid=10 A Couple of News Items Pope says only those who have committed no major sins may partake of communion 57,000 members left PCUSA this year Commentary Who may be admitted to the Lord's Table? Scriptural Authority Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:03:13 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=751&Itemid=10 Christianity in Culture and Politics Well there are a couple of recent news items that call for our attention today on the “Calling For Truth” Radio Program. The two (somewhat related) news items that I am alluding to are: The first news item is The results of a recent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life- “A major survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion Public Life finds that most Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to faith. A majority of those who are affiliated with a religion, for instance, do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation. And almost the same number believes that there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion. This openness to a range of religious viewpoints is in line with the great diversity of religious affiliation, belief and practice that exists... Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:33:38 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=750&Itemid=10 One of the most important issues from a worldview perspective is the issue of origins. The debate swirling around Creation, Intelligent Design, and Evolution rages in the media, coffee shops, and indeed the hearts of men and women. The issue is not a secondary one in that it goes to the heart of the gospel when one understands the implications behind the biblical account of creation vs. evolutionary theory. Moreover, each position is arrived at by faith, something the evolutionists would want us to ignore. The truth is that no one was around to see the formation of the universe. Christians and evolutionists have faith commitments in these areas. Further, one’s faith commitment, or presuppositions about these things, or worldview, colors how one interprets biological or geological evidence in regard to origins or age of the earth, etc. And yet, the biblical account is supported by the evidence in our world... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:09:11 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=746&Itemid=10 USA Today recently reported that body-scanning machines that show images of people underneath their clothing are being installed in 10 of the nation's busiest airports in one of the biggest public uses of security devices that reveal intimate body parts. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently started using body scans on randomly chosen passengers in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Albuquerque and at New York's Kennedy airport. Airports in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas and Miami will be added this month. Reagan National Airport in Washington starts using a body scanner today. A total of 38 machines will be in use within weeks.” I cannot help but feel a sense of loss when a civilization has declined to the point of necessity that we have. That random, innocent people are targets for murder in the name of religion and expedience, that those targets on the one hand do not feel threatened in any... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:08:59 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=745&Itemid=10 The Latest Christian Related News On today’s “Calling For Truth” Radio Program, we will take a look at some recent new items that should be of interest to the Christian Community. Some of the news items of interest include: Sportsmanship YouTube Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKUaLlK776s) Homosexual activists release 'marriage battle plan' (http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=144178) Related Story: Gay Rights Law Faces Legal, Religious Challenges (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91554986) SBC pastors, Evangelicals back McCain (http://www.baptistpress.com/BPnews.asp?ID=28292) Obama’s Half-Brother says he grew up Muslim (http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Politics/12918.htm) Obama's Abortion Bombshell: Unrestricted Abortion (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08061010.html) Bush Might Convert to Catholicism (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2122733/George-W-Bush-meets-Pope-amid-claims-he-might-convert-to-Catholicism.html) To listen to the program, click on the words, Read more Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:14:32 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=743&Itemid=10 Where Are All the Brothers? Many African-American men have given up on church. They’ve dismissed it as a sham or a hinderance; they recognized the church as a community fixture or just a place for women to gossip, but they lost the deeper purpose. What these men need is for the Truth to be applied – in a candid and respectful way – to the lies that they have believed about the church and the people of God. In his unique book, Pastor Eric Redmond confronts the important question of “Where are the black men in the African-American church?” with a candid approach that combines wisdom with a conversational tone. Instead of side-stepping issues, Redmond converses with readers about some of their reasons for not going to church… reasons including: The church seems geared toward women The preacher is just an ordinary man Islam appears to offer more for the... Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:43:30 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=742&Itemid=10 According to Timesonline, “Schools and universities are producing a generation of ‘can't do’ students, who are encouraged to talk about their emotions at the expense of exploring ideas or acquiring knowledge, academics claimed yesterday… [In their new book], The Dangerous Rise of Therapeutic Education, Dennis Hayes and Kathryn Ecclestone, of Oxford Brookes University, argue that this ‘therapeutic’ approach to education is at odds with the acquisition of knowledge because it views the emotional skills associated with learning as more important than subject content or criticism. The rise of therapeutic education is reflective of a culture absorbed in self and should frighten us all in terms of the worldview that is being foisted upon our children and future generations. When an individual is born of the Spirit, not only does he have a new nature but his thinking and response to the world can be transformed through the renewing of his mind.... Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:26:10 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=741&Itemid=10 World Proofing Your Kids The turbulence Christian kids face today while at school, on the job, and with their friends is enough to make any mom apprehensive. Practically everywhere your children turn, their values are undermined and right and wrong are decided by what feels good. Respect for life has given way to demands for abortion and the right to die. And the media, with its slick, glitzy magnetism, promotes both destructive values and dangerous lifestyles to your kids. But, moms, you are the first, best line of defense against this cultural tide. And here in this book are teaching strategies, learning activities, and resources--all to help you pass on a Christian worldview so that your children can confidently navigate the rapids of life with the steadfast truths of God’s Word. On today’s “Calling For Truth” Radio Program, I will speak with author Lael Arrington... Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:58:22 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=740&Itemid=10 One of the most devastating notions in the church today is that young people do not need nor are they interested in theology. Yet, the reality is that one’s theological perspective necessarily shapes one’s worldview and life direction. Such a dynamic looms large as one considers the ever-changing world in which we live. With technological advances and attendant ethical implications, younger persons must have biblical categories through which to assimilate all that will be thrown at them on the road ahead. Of course, that road lies in the midst of a postmodern culture and a world at war in many places. How can a young person navigate such a treacherous path and be faithful to the Lord? On today’s edition of “Calling for Truth,” we’ll have a conversation with Ensign Joshua Domagalski. This young man is a recent graduate of the Naval Academy and is now deployed on a Destroyer in... Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:32:40 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=739&Itemid=10 In an issue of Foreign Policy, Phillip Longman calls for a return to patriarchy as the solution to declining birth rates and the debilitating social and economic consequences such a trend has on a culture. He cites an abdication of committed fathers and feminism as two sources that explain such a decline. Quite plainly, “The greatly expanded childless segment of contemporary society, whose members are drawn disproportionately from the feminist and countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s, will have no genetic legacy.” Of course, the dedication to committed fathers, mothers, stable families, having children, etc., is grounded in a Christian worldview. As always, we have the answer to the waywardness of the world and therefore something to say. On another front, a resolution on integrity in church membership with implications for a regenerate church membership, faithful church discipline, and honesty in the reporting of church members, passed at the Southern Baptist... Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:56:45 +0100 http://www.callingfortruth.org/cft/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=738&Itemid=10 Why Fathers Matter In the last verse of the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament Scriptures there is a very interesting prophecy recorded by the prophet Malachi regarding the work of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of John the Baptist – the Messiah’s forerunner. The text reads, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6). In other words what the Prophet Malachi is predicting is that the work of God will produce a great revival of parental responsibility in the concern and instruction of the children. Malachi specifically singles out this task as the primary responsibility of the Fathers.... Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:26:30 +0100