Merry Christmas
The Front Page Cover
The Events of the Week -- Featuring:
Should Christian Leaders Stay Out of Politics?
by Michael Brown
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Gov’t to Parents: We Need Your Kids Earlier
Allyne Caan: When Philadelphia’s Democrat Mayor Jim Kenney took office earlier this year, he made universal pre-K one of his policy priorities. Now, children as young as three can begin their government indoctrination in the City of Brotherly Love.
But, oh Mr. Mayor. How far behind the times you are. Three years old? To truly get ahold of our kids and mold them into tiny state subjects, government must start much earlier. Not surprisingly, that’s exactly what some are suggesting.
As The Federalist’s Joy Pullman reports, a new research paper co-authored by Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman suggests eight weeks old is about the right age to hand children from low-income households or born to unmarried parents over to the government. Eight weeks. It turns out that shipping four-year-olds off to the state for pre-K isn’t quite doing the trick.
Heckman blames the failure on the fact that by the time kids hit pre-K, it’s already too late to affect their language development. This is a predictable cop-out for the abject failure of pre-K programs to deliver the educational utopia promised. In fact, Pullman notes that “the most recent research shows mass early childhood programs have even made more kids hate learning and commit more crimes.”
Even more, the push toward infant indoctrination is a predictable shift in strategy to achieve the true goal of government education: Advancing the philosophy of the state to produce global citizens who fully embrace a humanist ideology devoid of objective truth.
Those who scream “alarmist” at this claim have their heads stuck in the sand or in another bodily crevice. Just consider the move toward “social emotional learning” (SEL) standards, already in use in several districts across the country, including Atlanta, Austin and Chicago. As if Common Core weren’t disastrous enough, SEL standards measure kids from kindergarten (or one might say as early as eight weeks old if “experts” like Heckman get their way) through high school on “non-cognitive” factors, including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Yes, government now wants to psychoanalyze our children and, of course, store this analysis in government databases. What could go wrong?
A lot, say American Principles Project’s Jane Robbins and pediatrician Dr. Karen Effrem. “Who might want to get their hands on that data? Would a college or employer be interested in whether a particular applicant shows curiosity or ‘grit’? Would a prosecutor like to know if a young suspect lacked ‘relationship skills’ in high school?” In no universe is it sane to invite the government into a child’s psychological development.
Beyond tracking children’s mindsets, SEL gives the government greater ability to shape kids' views on issues ranging from climate change to gender and sexuality. Robbins and Effrem note, for example, that one of SEL’s major financial backers is the NoVo Foundation, whose mission includes “changing social attitudes, relationships, and institutions that perpetuate injustice.” Last year, NoVo launched a five-year initiative with the Arcus Foundation to “improve the lives of transgender people.”
Now, consider that NoVo hopes SEL will “play a significant role in shifting our culture of systemic inequality and violence toward a new ethos.” Did you catch that? NoVo wants SEL to help change cultural views. It’s hardly a stretch to realize this includes views on so-called “LGBT” issues. As Robbins and Effrem write, “[M]ight a student’s ‘relationship skills’ be deemed deficient if, in keeping with the influence of his family and faith, he rejects the LGBT agenda such as same-sex marriage and normalization of gender dysphoria?” Indeed, one sample lesson given by an SEL partner urges students to “take action toward transgender equity.” Where are the parents in all this? Not interfering, if the government has its way.
Parents may think school standards are purely academic, but they would be dead wrong. Communist Dictator Vladimir Lenin wasn’t kidding when he said, “Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”
Leftists want your kids from Day One to plant their seeds. And far too many parents are handing their children over without a second thought. ~The Patriot Post
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We must hold accountable
liar-Clinton/liar-nObama criminals
by Larry Klayman
{wnd.com} ~ How naïve can establishment political pundits be? I hate to say it, and I am not just pounding my chest, but no one – repeat, no one – understands the liar-Clinton/liar-nObama gang and the way Washington, D.C., works better than I do... I predicted it weeks ago, after Donald J. Trump won the presidency on Nov. 8, 2016, as a result primarily of white working class backlash against the discriminatory policies and actions of President Barack Hussein liar-nObama, an invidious anti-white, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian racist who Trump’s opponent liar-Hillary Clinton had wrapped herself around politically. liar-Clinton and her comrades in rank criminality – and I am pointing my finger at her sleazy campaign manager, former liar-Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta, Huma Abedin, her Palestinian girlfriend with family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, Cheryl Mills, her corrupt lawyer and top adviser, her “hit man,” the Mafia-connected Harold Ickes, and Terry McAuliffe, the liar-Clinton fundraiser and now governor of Virginia who paved the way for criminals and illegals to vote – will simply not go quietly into the night...
.liar-nObama’s Fear Of Confrontation Led
To China Pirating Our Drone Sub
by Rick Wells
{rickwells.us} ~ Neil Cavuto notes the intense discussions in the mainstream propaganda media about Russia but, as is typically the case, there was not much discussion of China... Yet today China seized one of our unmanned submarines illegally, in what was clearly an act of aggression and intended to send a message. The seizure took place in full view of the oceanographic vessel that was doing the work and over the demands that the Chinese stop what they’re doing. They simply ignored the scientists and took their sub. Cavuto plays a clip from 2010 in which Donald Trump was worried about China, noting that they have long been his concern, not so much the Russians. General Jack Keane offers his view that both Russia and China want to disrupt the current world order “that the United States has led in establishing from post World War 2. They no longer see that international order in their national interest and they are methodically going about trying to disrupt it and eventually trying to eliminate it.”... http://rickwells.us/obamas-fear-confrontation-led-china-pirating-drone-sub/
.Islamism in Europe
by Khadija Khan
by Khadija Khan
{gatestoneinstitute.org} ~ German authorities and those across Europe seem finally to be strengthening their campaign against the militant far-right, including Muslim extremists, during the past few weeks... This awakening, however, seems to be coming after a major price that Europe had to pay in terms of death and chaos unleashed by terrorists in Germany, Belgium, France, Denmark, and so on. Governments across the Europe seem to be switching into panic mode to prevent the rise of European radicalism through the rise of the far-right, racism and nationalism throughout the entire continent. German Chancellor Angela Merkel sounds as if she is backing down a bit from championing the influx of migrants and her slogan of "We can do it!" in developing a multicultural society. She not only vowed to Germans in an address last week that the migrant crisis must never be repeated; she also called for an all-out ban on the full-face veil covering in Germany... https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/9566/islamism-europe
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Russians Tried To Hack Into RNC Also,
But They Had A Better Firewall
by Jeff Dunetz
{lidblog.com} ~ According to the CIA version of the Russianhacking story, both the DNC and RNC were hacked into but only the DNC’s info was used, making them believe that the Russians were trying to sway the election toward Donald Trump... On Friday the Wall Street Journal reported that the Russians, if it was the Russians, tried to invade the Republican’s system also, but the techniques that punched into the Democratic Party’s network didn’t work on the GOP. This is additional proof that the claims that the Russians hacked in to the DNC to make Trump POTUS is simply an effort to de-legitimize the President-Elect. We also know that it was a phishing operation that helped the Russians get into Jon Podesta’s email and that password was the easily hackable “p@sswOrd”... http://lidblog.com/russians-tried-to-hack-into-rnc/
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Candidate For DNC Chair Tom Perez Has
A liar-Hillary-Type Email Problem
by Jeff Bechdel
{lidblog.com} ~ Newly announced DNC chair candidate, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, has a liar-Hillary Clinton problem. As noted in The Hill this afternoon, Perez used a private email account while serving at DOJ... “an issue that became a flash point during his 2013 Labor confirmation hearing.” As Perez begins engaging in a liar-Clinton-Sanders proxy war with fellow DNC chair candidate Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the last thing he needs is a reminder about his past private emails scandals (34 violations of the Federal Records Act!) and the natural comparisons that draws between himself and liar-Clinton “I don’t have any recollection of having communicated via personal email on this matter,” Perez said. America Rising, however, was happy to point out Perez’s liar-Clintonesque ways:...
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Should Christian Leaders Stay Out of Politics?
by Michael Brown
{wnd.com} ~ Is it dangerous for Christian leaders to mix politics and religion? Is that a confusion of their calling? Or is it important for Christian leaders to address all areas of life, including politics?
I have had to address this question myself, since I might be preaching in a church service one day, teaching in a Bible school the next, and then talking politics on the radio the next or, sometimes, doing all three in one day. How should we conduct ourselves as religious leaders?
If Donald Trump as president keeps his word and successfully repeals the Johnson Amendment, which has greatly muzzled religious political speech, this question will become all the more relevant for Christian leaders in America.
What exactly is our role?
It so happened that on the same day, in response to the same article, some old friends expressed their disapproval of my commenting on political issues. One posted on Facebook, “I remain disappointed that you continue to focus on politics Mike. Your mandate is higher! God’s purpose for you and Christian leaders is God’s Kingdom not this world. Leave that to others!”
Another emailed, asking, “Are you sure you want to cross over to being a daily political commentator, rather than speak primarily to spiritual issues?”
Neither of these men are critics, and both wrote in friendly tones, but the thrust of their message was clear: To write political commentaries is to detract from my higher, spiritual calling.
I’m confident they would say this to other spiritual leaders as well.
In stark contrast, I hear from readers and listeners on a regular basis who thank me – sometimes with tears – for addressing moral, cultural, and political issues, in particular, for doing so as a follower of Jesus who uses the Bible as his grid.
One man posted on Facebook, that during the elections, “The only media voice I listened to for counsel was Dr. Brown.”
Another wrote, “Dr. Brown I am greatly appreciative that you are engaging the political arena. It's seems that a fair amount of Christian leaders shy away from the political spectrum due to a fear of losing their audience. If we want to see change in this country, then we as Christians need to engage the political system. Encourage Christian leaders to run for office so that light can shine in the darkness of the corrupt leadership that this country has given over to itself.”
Which perspective is right? Would Paul or Peter or John have gotten involved in the presidential elections? Would they have endorsed a candidate or advised a candidate or commented on the various party platforms? Would they have even voted?
Some point to Jesus’ comment in John 18 when He said to Pilate shortly before His crucifixion, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). If it were of this world, He explained, then His servants would have been fighting for him not to be delivered up to His captors.
But in saying this, Jesus hardly meant that we should not be involved in the affairs of this world. After all, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor and educating our children and working our jobs are all “of this world.” Should we stop doing these things and simply go on a mountaintop to pray, waiting for the Lord’s return? Of course, we’d soon have to figure out how to get food and where to sleep – all issues of this world.
In reality, what Jesus was saying was this: “My kingship does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things. If it did, my men would have fought to keep me from being arrested by the Judeans. But my kingship does not come from here” (Jn. 18:36, CJB).
What about Philippians 3:20, where Paul wrote that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV)?
Interestingly, it was this same Paul who, at strategic times, invoked the fact that he was a citizen of Rome, assuring that he would receive better treatment than a common criminal (see, for example, Acts 16:35-39; 21:37-39).
His point in Philippians 3 had to do with those who lived with a fleshly, earthly carnality (see Philippians 3:18-19), and he was saying to his readers, “You are not like them! You are a heavenly people living in this world.”
In the same way, Peter wrote, “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls” (1 Pet. 2:11, NLT).
We are passing through this world, and it is not our eternal home, so we must not get entangled with worldly, carnal desires, which war against our souls. We should be above such things.
But that doesn’t meant that we don’t fight against injustice or champion the cause of the needy, nor does it mean that we remain silent on important political and social issues.
After all, slavery was the paramount hot-button, deeply-divisive, political and social issue of the 19th century, yet it would have been very wrong for Christian leaders to remain silent on this, just as it’s very wrong for Christian leaders to remain silent on issues like abortion and homosexual activism today.
I can’t tell you how many times readers and listeners and viewers have talked with me after hearing me speak – again, often with tears in their eyes – thanking me for addressing the divisive cultural issues of the day. These are issues they live with every day – in their homes, in their schools, in their places of business, and they are frustrated when their pastors and teachers fail to give them spiritual guidance to help navigate these troubled waters.
And this is not just happening in the States. During my annual trip to India earlier this month, pastors in Mumbai specifically asked me to address LGBT issues, while in other international trips in the last few years, Christian leaders in the government have met with me privately or publicly, asking for input on these same pressing social issues. They want to know what they can do as believers to make a positive impact on their society, and that includes the realm of politics and government.
Of course, we can get involved in politics in a partisan way, becoming appendages of a particular political party, which is a real mistake. And we can easily get caught up in a divisive, immature political spirit, which is quite destructive, or we can become obsessed with politics, which would distract us from our larger calling.
That’s one reason that, on my radio show, we devote certain days to theology and Bible study, while I spend much of my time teaching and preaching in churches and conferences – and not talking about politics.
But there’s nothing stopping us from walking in the Spirit, maintaining an eternal perspective, and constructively addressing the political realm. In fact, it behooves us to do so, as long as we don’t neglect our primary calling of preaching and teaching the Scriptures. The Church needs us to do it and the society needs us to do it.
I’m confident that I am not alone in sensing that it pleases God and helps His people when we, as ministry leaders, bring the Word of God to bear on every area of life, politics included.
Do you agree?
I have had to address this question myself, since I might be preaching in a church service one day, teaching in a Bible school the next, and then talking politics on the radio the next or, sometimes, doing all three in one day. How should we conduct ourselves as religious leaders?
If Donald Trump as president keeps his word and successfully repeals the Johnson Amendment, which has greatly muzzled religious political speech, this question will become all the more relevant for Christian leaders in America.
What exactly is our role?
It so happened that on the same day, in response to the same article, some old friends expressed their disapproval of my commenting on political issues. One posted on Facebook, “I remain disappointed that you continue to focus on politics Mike. Your mandate is higher! God’s purpose for you and Christian leaders is God’s Kingdom not this world. Leave that to others!”
Another emailed, asking, “Are you sure you want to cross over to being a daily political commentator, rather than speak primarily to spiritual issues?”
Neither of these men are critics, and both wrote in friendly tones, but the thrust of their message was clear: To write political commentaries is to detract from my higher, spiritual calling.
I’m confident they would say this to other spiritual leaders as well.
In stark contrast, I hear from readers and listeners on a regular basis who thank me – sometimes with tears – for addressing moral, cultural, and political issues, in particular, for doing so as a follower of Jesus who uses the Bible as his grid.
One man posted on Facebook, that during the elections, “The only media voice I listened to for counsel was Dr. Brown.”
Another wrote, “Dr. Brown I am greatly appreciative that you are engaging the political arena. It's seems that a fair amount of Christian leaders shy away from the political spectrum due to a fear of losing their audience. If we want to see change in this country, then we as Christians need to engage the political system. Encourage Christian leaders to run for office so that light can shine in the darkness of the corrupt leadership that this country has given over to itself.”
Which perspective is right? Would Paul or Peter or John have gotten involved in the presidential elections? Would they have endorsed a candidate or advised a candidate or commented on the various party platforms? Would they have even voted?
Some point to Jesus’ comment in John 18 when He said to Pilate shortly before His crucifixion, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). If it were of this world, He explained, then His servants would have been fighting for him not to be delivered up to His captors.
But in saying this, Jesus hardly meant that we should not be involved in the affairs of this world. After all, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor and educating our children and working our jobs are all “of this world.” Should we stop doing these things and simply go on a mountaintop to pray, waiting for the Lord’s return? Of course, we’d soon have to figure out how to get food and where to sleep – all issues of this world.
In reality, what Jesus was saying was this: “My kingship does not derive its authority from this world’s order of things. If it did, my men would have fought to keep me from being arrested by the Judeans. But my kingship does not come from here” (Jn. 18:36, CJB).
What about Philippians 3:20, where Paul wrote that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV)?
Interestingly, it was this same Paul who, at strategic times, invoked the fact that he was a citizen of Rome, assuring that he would receive better treatment than a common criminal (see, for example, Acts 16:35-39; 21:37-39).
His point in Philippians 3 had to do with those who lived with a fleshly, earthly carnality (see Philippians 3:18-19), and he was saying to his readers, “You are not like them! You are a heavenly people living in this world.”
In the same way, Peter wrote, “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls” (1 Pet. 2:11, NLT).
We are passing through this world, and it is not our eternal home, so we must not get entangled with worldly, carnal desires, which war against our souls. We should be above such things.
But that doesn’t meant that we don’t fight against injustice or champion the cause of the needy, nor does it mean that we remain silent on important political and social issues.
After all, slavery was the paramount hot-button, deeply-divisive, political and social issue of the 19th century, yet it would have been very wrong for Christian leaders to remain silent on this, just as it’s very wrong for Christian leaders to remain silent on issues like abortion and homosexual activism today.
I can’t tell you how many times readers and listeners and viewers have talked with me after hearing me speak – again, often with tears in their eyes – thanking me for addressing the divisive cultural issues of the day. These are issues they live with every day – in their homes, in their schools, in their places of business, and they are frustrated when their pastors and teachers fail to give them spiritual guidance to help navigate these troubled waters.
And this is not just happening in the States. During my annual trip to India earlier this month, pastors in Mumbai specifically asked me to address LGBT issues, while in other international trips in the last few years, Christian leaders in the government have met with me privately or publicly, asking for input on these same pressing social issues. They want to know what they can do as believers to make a positive impact on their society, and that includes the realm of politics and government.
Of course, we can get involved in politics in a partisan way, becoming appendages of a particular political party, which is a real mistake. And we can easily get caught up in a divisive, immature political spirit, which is quite destructive, or we can become obsessed with politics, which would distract us from our larger calling.
That’s one reason that, on my radio show, we devote certain days to theology and Bible study, while I spend much of my time teaching and preaching in churches and conferences – and not talking about politics.
But there’s nothing stopping us from walking in the Spirit, maintaining an eternal perspective, and constructively addressing the political realm. In fact, it behooves us to do so, as long as we don’t neglect our primary calling of preaching and teaching the Scriptures. The Church needs us to do it and the society needs us to do it.
I’m confident that I am not alone in sensing that it pleases God and helps His people when we, as ministry leaders, bring the Word of God to bear on every area of life, politics included.
Do you agree?
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