Headline Potpourri #86

In a homily posted at SermonAudio, Pastor Sean Harris remarked that he did not understand how their could be a percentage of believers in his Baptist church that were not in a hurry to be baptized. Upon hearing that, if in the South as his church is, one ought to go find an independent-type Methodist church and instead get baptized via pouring or sprinkling. See, I am encouraging baptism and even church membership.

If Republican elites such as the Bushes and the Romneys are remaining aloof from the convention over differences of policy and procedure regarding a particular likely nominee, why are the rest of us obligated to lavish the party machinery with our time and treasure when the moneyed secret societies instead have their way in the selection of a candidate.

The cover story of an issue of New York Magazine warns never has our democracy been so ripe for tyranny. Interesting how the establishmentarian media failed to raise this valid warning when they were celebrating erection of Greek temple facades and the suggestion that all of history should be reckoned in relation to Obama for him accomplishing little more than popping out of his mother half Black.

On an episode of Generations Radio, Kevin Swanson insinuated that mothers working outside of the home are to blame for increases in autism because the Amish seldom suffer from the affliction. Swanson went on to insist that the way contemporary Americans live their lives results in the genetic changes bringing about this condition. Perhaps on an additional episode the homeschool activist could elaborate upon the genetic diseases that do plague the Amish as a result of the indirect inbreeding that takes place as a result of a stretched and shallow gene pool.

Yahoo featured a link to a Huffington Post article titled “5 Reasons I Hate Religious Christianity”. Will this be one of a series of articles to include similar titles such as “5 Reasons To Hate Observant Judaism”, “5 Reasons To Hate Devout Islam”, and “5 Reasons To Have Practicing Homosexuals”?

Russell Moore accused Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton of representing the moral sewage of reality TV. Does he intend to enunciate similar condemnation of C.J. Mahaney for allegedly covering up child abuse and for pastoring churches that attempted to micromanage the lives of the congregants?

A Yahoo headline lamented, “Fears Of Trump Drive Immigrants To Become Citizens”. In other words, migrants should continue to reside here without declaring loyalty if we are to view an impetus for such people to become citizens as negative.

Hillary Clinton insists gun violence often occurs in areas damaged by pervasive racism. In other words, it's Whitey's fault when Tyrone gunsdown Shalonqueesha.

Not drafting women is not about protecting women. Their lives are no more valuable then men's. It's actually about protecting the lives of the men that would end having to pick up the slack in combat situations. Even if exempted from combat situations, is there some reason women can't be compelled to render some form of involuntary servitude? They certainly don't mind living the confines of the home to labor elsewhere these days and do not making breeding for the glory of the state their foremost priority.

During the Obama regime, businesses and schools have been forced to alter their patterns of operation to placate the purveyors of perversion. How much longer until this tyrant or his successor attempts to dictate the doctrine taught inside the church in America as transpires especially in European countries.

On The Five, Eric Boling pondered in light of the transgender bathroom brouhaha if a man considered himself to be a woman, would he also qualify for government assistance or grant programs for women to establish businesses? Nearly as much an outrage as men urinating in front of little girls ought to be government funds going to assist anyone for a reason not really based upon actual accomplishment but solely as a result of inherent biology. For did not the Obama regime justify this endeavor to upend this aspect of the American social order on the grounds of needing to end discrimination wherever it might be found?

What a hypocrite. The town newspaper published an article about a local Baptist pastor that did his doctoral research how the COMMUNITY has become more diverse and less White. Even prior to the publication of this municipal propaganda, he resigned his position from this particular church to pursue a ministry opportunity in Canada, probably the Whitest country in North America.

Senator John Thune has issued a letter demanding that Facebook respond to allegations that the social network's administrators suppress trending conservative news. As disturbing and outrageous as that happens to be, doesn't it pale in comparison to an official of the U.S. Government making threats against a private organization? For what is to prevent similar arm twisting against conservatives or the religiously motivated that also present information to favor their own particular worldview or agenda?

The rumored antagonist of the proposed Justice League film is Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid's generals. Isn't this character a little obscure to catch the attention of the general viewing public? Even I barely care. He had better be featured for the purposes of readying for Darkseid's arrival or this is going to flop.

In a graduation oration, President Obama contemptuously mocked what he categorized as an endless wall to keep out immigrants. Will he as enthusiastically oppose the proposed increase in the height of the fence surrounding the White House?

In an age where it is apparently acceptable for a grown man to whip out his wiener in the presence of a little girl in the ladies' room, unless Donald Trump raped them, why are we to get all jacked out of shape if he has enjoyed a few women in his day? They probably liked the attention at the time. If a woman does not like men fawning over her and, well, asking her to model certain outfits, perhaps she would prefer another line of work. Didn't liberals set the precedent with Bill Clinton that this kind of hankypanky was off limits in terms of criticism and scrutiny? If women are going to have meltdowns over this, why should we think they will be able to endure the horrors of frontline combat?

The African American Museum in Washington, DC frankly looks like the Jawa sandcrawler in Star Wars.

Responding to protests on the part of Sanders' supporters following the theft of the Nevada caucus, Democratic Party Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz demanded civility on the part of the offended and outraged. Would she have called for such if instead the agitated consisted of a BlackLivesMatter mob looting businesses and burning private property to the ground?

A pastor lamented that in his neighborhood visitation, a number did not open the door when it was knocked upon but later noticed that the material was taken inside. Firstly, the occupant is under no obligation to open the door. Secondly, is this pastor as receptive to operatives of the Watchtower that come knocking on his door?

It was remarked in a sermon that often the ones smiling in a crowd are Christian. And the Scripture backing this up? Maybe some people just aren't the type to smile with little provocation. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, if you don't think a particular believer's expression is sufficiently joyous or Christian, just think how much sadder they'd look if they didn't know Jesus.

In a sermon, Joel Osteen insisted that God does not want prayers about our illnesses. He prefers prayers about our dreams in terms of our most intense desires and aspirations. But if your sickness is of a sufficient duration or intensity, aren't most of your dreams focused upon your health being restored?

A Washington area TV station is to broadcast an expose on bartenders selling booze to pregnant women. Firstly, is it against the law to sell this legal product to women over the minimum drinking age in such a reproductive state? Secondly, is it not her body to do with as she pleases? If not, why does that principle apply in an abortion clinic rather than a bar? For the unborn baby has more of a likelihood of surviving the experience at the bar rather than the abortion clinic.

Shrieking banshees known as feminists are now on a rampage about the pink alternative of certain products costing more than the version marketed towards men. Do these equality activists also intend to advocate for the reduction of male auto insurance rates or the abolition of government handouts intended to advantage female enterprises and businesses?

It was warned on Generations Radio that our weekday idols take away from Sunday worship. But what about the danger of elevating the Sunday experience to a place where it is assumed that God can only be worshiped through the trappings and mechanics of formalized religious gatherings?

Fascinating how President Obama praises the entrepreneurs of the Communist dictatorship of Vietnam but lectures those of the United States regarding their endeavors “you didn't build this”.

WRC 4 broadcast a story about an Air Force wife in need of a new kidney. Does the station broadcast profiles of every other patient in need of a transplant as well as the occupations of the accompanying spouses? The anchors remarked what a wonderful opportunity to contribute to someone in such profound need. As such, do these propagandists plan to offer their own organs for extraction and reassignment to someone they don't even know or even really care about?

It has been argued that individuals should be allowed to utilize any public restroom of their choosing in order to relieve themselves or to engage in whatever form of public exhibitionism arouses them sexually. In an age where it is questioned if even the remaining minimalist standards should still be imposed, who is to say that the truly liberated individual should be required to confine themselves to a room before commencing the natural process of elimination? Think this sounds outrageous? Just wait another half century or so. For did not Diogenes pull this sort of stunt? And to this very day he is celebrated in many an Introduction to Philosophy or Western Civilization course as the epitome of a truly authentic individual.

On WMAL, it was remarked that selecting Martin O'Malley to run the Democratic National Committee would be a step backwards in terms of diversity. In other words, the former Maryland Governor is too White, possesses a penis, and that particular appendage is aroused most likely by women rather than other men.

Groveling on the world stage regarding the bombing of Hiroshima, President Obama admonished that the world needs to move beyond the fear that makes nuclear weapons necessary and instead embrace a posture of disarmament. But would he be so courageous if not guaranteed a place in the civil defense facilities designed to protect the planetary elites during an atomic crisis?

This has got to be the most mindless thing I've ever heard from a pulpit. It was suggested that one ought to drive around a neighborhood not so much handing out flyers regarding vacation Bible school but offering to drive children there. Try explaining this when the police are called about some weirdo asking kids to get in their car. If these are primarily immigrant children, if the parents can find their way deep into the United States far from any border, am sure they can find their way to a church in the neighborhood on their own.

In an analysis of “Captain America: Civil War”, homeschool activist Kevin Swanson condemned super heroes for saving people from threats the podcaster categorizes as superficial. But a movie is not a systematic theology. Taking this reasoning to its logical conclusion, should firefighters be condemned for pulling people from burning buildings instead of preaching from the periphery about the eternality of Hellfire?

During a PBS town hall, President Obama lamented the demise of civility in relation to the discussion of public issues. Does this condemnation extend to minorities looting wig shops and liquor stores repeatedly in response to unpopular court verdicts?

One child sneaks into a gorilla likely as a result of inattentive parents. As in the case of the Sea World orcas, before it's over with, there will be no zoos. Elites will continue to berate us as to why we should surrender still more freedoms but not be allowed to see these creatures.

PETA is not so much pro-animal as it is anti-human. Just ask the numerous animals that the organization has allowed to perish or actively brought about the deaths of rather than to be enjoyed in various capacities by humans.

In a stage play depicting the characters from Harry Potter as adults, Hermione Granger has been recast as a Black woman. Tolerancemongers will likely snap that one isn't supposed to look at color. Then why is it that the girl that plays Hermione and Ron Weasley's daughter just happen to split the difference in terms of flesh tone? Why not a pale Swede or a freckled Irish girl with flaming red hair? Most of the Weasley clan were gingers after all.

By Frederick Meekins

There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

Anti-American Rhetoric Pervades Even Conservative Denominations

On an episode of Issues Etc. examining pop culture apocalypticism, Lutheran Minister Jonathan Fiske admonished that believers need to get away from an American Republican view of Christianity that we are meant to live a good life here and now to a ripe old age after which we go on to our eternal reward in Heaven.

Interesting how the default term to denigrate these days out of the mouths of so many professional relgionists is “America”.

Furthermore, is his enunciation of the term “Republican” also invoked to besmirch the ideological proclivity of those assembling under the banner of the GOP to believe that the path towards the broadest swath of prosperity for the greatest number is to be found in individuals for the most part left alone to pursue their own well being, dreams and callings?

Does Rev. Fiske intend to cast as much aspersion upon an American Democratic view of Christianity that instead sees the path to a society approaching something akin to justice as one where the individual is nothing more than a cog in whatever group one happens to be a part of for the purposes of the government dispersing its largess to favored demographics and constituencies?

Furthermore, is the desire to maximize pleasure and evade misery necessarily a distinctively American characteristic?

Or is it that America through the blessings of the Almighty has been more successful than most regimes in achieving this most desirable yet elusive state of affairs?

For one will find that the average Third Worlder (unless brainwashed by the likes of fanatic Islam) is usually as averse to pain as most Westerners.

It is just that their respective society has not been as successful in alleviating these vicissitudes.

Often those given towards ostentatious verbalized declarations of their own piety articulate a willingness to welcome increased suffering.

However, was it not the God such souls claim as their primary loyalty the one that imbued part of His creation with that mysterious quality known as life along with a desire to see that distinct gift continued for as long as possible?

Though it may be ended as a result of a wide variety of intervening contingencies, if the believer strives to live by these principles God has established in the social sphere, won't the odds be in your favor for a life characterized by a bit less trouble?

After all, does not Scripture urge one to honor your mother and father so that your days upon the Earth might be long?

That text even admits it is a Scripture that dangles before the hearer a carrot in order to encourage compliance.

By Frederick Meekins

There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

Pope Downplays Islamist Invasion

In an interview downplaying the Islamist invasion of the West, Pope Francis assured in a La Criox interview that he has seen “Muslims come to venerate the Virgin Mary and St. George.”

That doesn't cut it.

Unless you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, you are still going to Hell no matter how highly you think of His earthly mother.

She was, after all, a sinner in need of a savior like every other human being.

In the same interview, the Pope went on to assert that the state must be secular and that the ones that are confessional in nature in that they adhere to an established creed end badly.

So, as a sovereign state of its own, does this assessment also apply to the Vatican?

Will those of a mindset similar to Ian Paisley or Jack Chick at their most militant be invited to establish a print shop on Vatican territory as a symbol of this dedication to pluralism?

by Frederick Meekins

There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

Baptist Church Opposed To Old Glory Has Pro Wrestler Address Student Body

On its SermonAudio page, Berean Baptist Church of Fayetteville, North Carolina uploaded a discussion on the use of social media facilitated by professional wrestler Brad Cain.

Admittedly, I have enjoyed professional wrestling from time to time over the course of my life and don't really know much about this individual.

But it must be pointed out that any other time this church is so wrapped up in practicing its religion 24/7 that the leadership denounces Christians that enunciate a strong devotion to or respect for the American flag.

But apparently it is acceptable to watch professional wrestling.

Just don't root for Sgt. Slaughter or Hacksaw Jim Duggan while doing so.

Both SermonAudio and Berean Baptist Church seem to have little problem with promoting a doctrinal schizophrenia

For example, in his remarks, Brad Cain announced his own practice of “social media free Sundays” as if such a custom made him holier than thou.

Yet according to his Wikipedia entry, Cain has played a homosexual as part of his ringside persona.

One would think that would upset God a bit more than if you check Facebook.

Elsewhere on the SermonAudio website, there are diatribes passing as Biblical exegesis insinuating that your daughter will possibly become a lesbian if she enjoys Little House On The Prairie or the town tramp if she is allowed to leave the house in pursuit of a college education or even premarital employment.

If the response is that ministries enjoy the discretion and Christian liberty to upload from a wide range of perspectives, just say something positive about Catholicism even if you don't agree with that system in its entirety and see how long your account remains active on the site.

By Frederick Meekins There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

Didn't Pious Ideologues Lay Foundation Of Trumpism?

Syndicated Columnist Cal Thomas has published a commentary critical of presidential candidate Donald Trump titled “The itching ears of Trump fans”.

In the piece, Thomas astutely points out where the billionaire's bold promises often lack specifics as to how the proposals could be implemented in a way that would minimize the disruption from an uncooperative opposition as epitomized by the Occupy movement and BlackLivesMatter not above the use of what most Americans would categorize as violence in the attempt to sway public opinion and policy.

But did not Thomas himself play a part in paving the way for the ascent of Trumpism?

In “Blinded By Might”, Cal Thomas admonished how the truly devout ought to dichotomize their worldviews to separate what constitutes spirituality from what constitutes competent political leadership or governance.

Now that droves of Evangelicals and Roman Catholics have flocked to a candidate that might not abide by Biblical behavioral norms in his personal life but who not only speaks bluntly about the nation's problems but in a manner that does not act like everything wrong in the world is America's fault, theologians and even conservative pundits that set this ball in motion nearly twenty years ago stand gapping in dumbfounded amazement.

In his commentary, Thomas levels condemnation at Donald Trump for speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

But isn't Thomas a bit guilty of this himself?

In referencing the cruel things Trump's disturbingly fanatic supporters have called Thomas, the witty correspondent confesses being called “old” probably hurt worse than even being called a sack of excrement.

But of that particular verbal put down, Thomas writes, “Remember when age used to go with wisdom unless proven otherwise?”

Yet any other time in his desire to gain the favor of the media elite, Thomas has mocked both Tea Party gatherings and Trump rallies for being composed primarily of elderly White faces.

But one cannot get much more elderly and White than Cal Thomas.

Does he intend to consistently live by the principles he now professes by surrendering the place he does occupy in the media or the no doubt hefty check he receives for doing so?

By Frederick Meekins There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

The Morality Of Stem Cell Research

In light of the suffering endured by beloved celebrities such as Christopher Reeve and Michael J. Fox, many Americans have been swayed as to the propriety of stem cell research as a potential cure for alleviating some of the most horrible conditions imaginable such as paralysis, Parkinson’s, and cancer. However, as with many of the other things set before him promising comfort and prosperity, the believing Christian must weigh the costs and benefits on the scales of Biblical truth before he can either accept or reject what this technology may have to offer.

Thus far we know the following. Medical science has determined that stem cells posses the potential of being altered into other kinds of cells. This could potentially make them useful in curing various kinds of diseases.

The controversy arises over the source from which these cells are harvested. One possible source are mature stem cells obtained from adults. This extraction does not harm the donor. The drawback is, however, that it is believed it may not be possible to manipulate mature stem cells into becoming the different kinds of cells doctors and scientists may need to treat all the conditions begging for medical attention.

On the other hand, it has been suggested that stem cells obtained from embryos may be a more fruitful source. These may prove easier to alter since they have not yet matured. The main drawback, however, is that the embryo must be destroyed in order to obtain the stem cells for research and experimentation.

This debate has become one of the foremost issues in contemporary American politics as both sides make a number of compelling ethical claims. On the one hand, advocates of embryonic stem cell research often suffer from afflictions those of reasonably good health cannot possibly understand at this given point in our lives. It is only natural that they and their loved ones would want research into what could be the most effective cure. Yet on the other hand, there are concerns about the destiny of the embryo from which the stem cells are taken since the fertilized egg is a self-contained genetically distinct living human organism.

The foremost ethical principle bearing on this dispute is the sanctity of human life. Interestingly, in this case the principle is being invoked by both sides of the debate. Thus, one almost needs the wisdom of Solomon in attempting to apply the concept in a judicious manner.

Since the suffering are beings made in the image of God, medical science does have a duty to do what it can to ease the misery of the profoundly ill. That said though, society in general and the medical establishment in particular must go out of its way to defend innocent human life that cannot protect itself.

It is against the law to destroy an eagle egg which is essentially an unborn eagle. Then why should it then be permissible to kill an unborn child since it is a principle Biblical in origin traditionally accepted throughout Western society that a human being is infinitely more valuable than any animal? For if His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He’s watching me.

Furthermore, with all the efforts by activists lobbying for funding for embryonic stem cell research, it is doubtful that most of the public is being told the entire picture regarding these developments in medical science.

According to columnist Charles Krauthammar, who is himself a paraplegic and a trained physician, in a column from October 15, 2004 titled “Anything to get elected” posted at Townhall.com claims of those such as John Kerry and John Edwards that hold out the hope of such miracle cures only if Americans vote for the right candidates, “In my 25 years in Washington, I have never seen a more loathsome display of demagoguery.” Krauthammar goes on to point out that it could be another generation before scientists are anywhere close to finding a cure for paralysis and that NIH stem cell researcher Ronald McKay has admitted that “stem cells as an Alzheimer’s cure are a fiction but that people need a fairytale.”

Furthermore, even if embryonic stem cells prove more malleable than their adult counterparts, we might not like the results. According to a LifeNews.com story by Steven Ertelt titled “Embryonic Stem Cell Research Causes Tumors”, University of Rochester researchers found that, while stem cells injected into the brains of rats to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s did help a number of the rodents, a number of the cells began growing in a manner that would have led to tumors.

Apart from the harm that might befall the recipients of the procedure, it would still remain morally dubious even if it returned the patients to robust health and vitality. Writing in another column entitled “Stem Cell Miracle?: An Advance This Side Of Bush’s Moral Line” appearing in the January 12, 2007 Washington Post, Charles Krauthammar admits that, even though he himself supports abortion and does not believe life begins at conception, he is leery of what may result should some kind of restriction not be placed on embryonic research. Krauthammar warns, “You don’t need religion to tremble at the thought of unrestricted embryo research. You simply have to have a healthy respect for the human capacity for doing evil in pursuit of the good. Once we have taken the position of many stem cell advocates that embryos are discardable tissue with no more intrinsic value than a hangnail, then the barriers are down. What is to prevent us from producing not just tissues and organs but humanlike organisms for preservation as a source of future body parts on demand?”

This possibility has been explored in a number of imaginative contexts such as “Gene Rodenberry’s: Earth Final Conflict”, where one episode depicted human bodies not quite allowed to develop consciousness kept in a state similar to suspended animation until their organs were needed. In “The Island” starring Ewan MacGregor, clones were kept in a guarded facility until their parts were needed by their genetic progenitors.

The fundamental guiding principle of medicine is to do no harm. That lofty ideal ought to apply to both the patient seeking services as well as the individual from which the cure could very well be extracted.

By Frederick Meekins

There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network

Intellectually Excavating Indiana Jones Unearths Epistemological Artifacts

As a discipline, archaeology examines the artistic and technological remains of various cultures in the attempt to learn more about them. Often from these objects, students learn about more than the subject's material nature but also insight into the beliefs and paradigms important to the human species at a particular time.

Probably the most prominent representative of the discipline in public culture is none other than Indiana Jones, with Stargate's Dr. Daniel Jackson coming in at second. As a narrative itself created at a particular point in time, the Indiana Jones movies themselves can be placed under investigation to unearth what our own culture has believed at various points in recent history as well as the ideas shaping those having such influence over our own society.

Through comparing "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and the other films of the Indiana Jones saga, especially with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade", one can detect the shifts taking place all around us as to what the broader popular culture perceives as foundational truth. For example, though the films should not be seen as a systematic theology upon which to base one's faith, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Last Crusade" had at their base Judeo-Christian assumptions in that artifacts connected with this tradition, namely the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail (the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper) were actual historic objects and, since these objects in legend exude a power that cannot be explained by conventional science, one assumes they are connected to the divine.

In the latest film of the series, "Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull", ultimate wisdom and power is not seen as originating in a traditional conception of God as in "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" or "Last Crusade" or even in spirits as in "Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom". Rather in the latest installment, the source of enlightenment happens to be those entities with the bulbous heads and lanky limbs we have come to know as extraterrestrials whose crystalline skulls in this story can serve as powerful tools through which to augur the future, communicate with these beings, and to gain control of the world. Though an entertaining story, it may have considerable basis in reality --- or at least in the worldviews of its high level producers.

For example, the opening scene with Indy trouncing through the military hanger is set in none other than Area 51 and the top secret project he alludes to working on 10 years prior to the events of the story is none other than the Roswell crash. Some might flippantly dismiss these as urban legends that have taken on lives of their own beyond the significance of any incidents that may have occurred in these locations that now fire the imagination. However, it is pretty hard to ignore the Nazca lines which were not discovered by modern man until the discovery of flight and the existence of a tribe of Indians that mutilated the shape of their skulls to make themselves appear as if they were from beyond this earth.

Even these can be dismissed as historical or anthropological curiosities as human beings have believed or done some rather bizarre things since nearly the dawn of time. The thing is that there are those among the influential who would imbue intelligences from beyond this earth with a metaphysical prominence going above that which you would bestow upon someone from another country as being different from but frankly no better ontologically than you ultimately.

While a highly creative individual, to Steven Spielberg, these creatures are much more than imaginative characters or plot elements. Rather, the acclaimed director has had an interest and belief in the paranormal throughout much of his life beyond that of a mere narrative device and he has been reported to have had a number of encounters with the unexplained.

In the movie, the quest was not so much to verify whether or not transterrestrial life simply existed as a biological fact but rather that enlightenment was somehow obtained from these beings and as such they were worthy of the adoration and devotion once reserved for God Himself. As the public comes to embrace this worldview more and more, we are beginning to see a shift from viewing beings like this in a solely naturalistic context of beings from another planet not all that unlike our own to, as in the case of “The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull” as coming from a realm transcendent to our own from what could be referred to as another dimension.

Thus, in essence, in terms of our paradigms, the Western mind has come full circle to an extent but on a less sure footing than when it set out on the quest to comprehend the cosmos in which we find ourselves. It use to be believed that nonhuman intelligences originated from another realm (initially Heaven but tossed out when they followed Lucifer/Satan into rebellion). Then as the West increasingly fell under the spell of what Francis Schaeffer termed “modern modern science” (meaning science opposed to the existence of the spiritual realm), such entities were believed to come from other planets

However, as the New Age movement has become so entrenched that it is no longer new anymore and prefers even fancier titles such as "cosmic spirituality", now it seems our alleged betters along the path of evolutionary consciousness take on the best and worst depending upon one’s perspective. For example, in the latest Indiana Jones adventure, no longer are the gods of the dawning order disembodied spirits we cannot see but rather they posses physical form we can relate to even if it differs vastly from our own. And yet even though they are like us, they also come from a place apart from and above our own so as to avoid banality by providing us with the hope of a somewhere possessing a transcendence we can still aspire to.

Those watching “Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull” can feel free to do so with a clear conscience as it is primarily an entertaining adventure story. However, as with the protagonist of this series, viewers should take with them the assorted philosophical equipment necessary to avoid the pitfalls and traps they are likely to encounter as they undertake an expedition into this realm where imagination intersects belief.

By Frederick Meekins

There are answers if you know where to look for them JOIN the Faith in Jesus Network