Category: Resource Notes

This week we look back on the dedication of the Titanic Memorial in Washington D.C. on June 9, 1913.

In the aftermath of the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912, hearings were held in the U.S. Senate. During these hearings, the doctrine of “Women and Children First” was reviewed and it was found that 90% of those who died in the disaster were men. The First Lady, Nellie Taft, was so moved by the courage and sacrifice of those men that she raised funds to build a memorial to them. It was placed near the White House, bearing the inscription, “To the brave men who gave their lives that women and children might be saved.”

Not everyone was in favor of the Titanic Memorial. Feminists argued that “Women and Children First” was a disguised form of paternalistic oppression. They even criticized the women of the Titanic for accepting preferential treatment. The Memorial apparently remained offensive to Feminists, and in 1973 it was removed from its prominent place and put in storage. In 1979 it was moved to an obscure location overlooking the Potomac River.

Today the Feminist agenda is at its ascendency, and they are well on the way to eliminating special preferences for women and children. Institutions which are designed to protect children are being forced to put them at risk to sexual predators in the name of equality, and almost 60 million have been killed in furtherance of the Feminist abortion agenda. Women, especially single mothers, are increasingly left to fend for themselves and now, thanks to the Feminists, women can be sent into front lines of military conflicts. They are even thinking of subjecting women to the draft. The old belief of chivalry and sacrifice is ridiculed, and then the Feminists are surprised as young men thrown into close contact with young women in the military behave badly. And the abandonment and abuse of women and children by men encouraged to have no sense of honor is increasing every day, with tragic results.

We need to pray that there will be a revival of chivalry and sacrifice in our men. The Biblical role of men, to love their families even to the point of sacrificing themselves like Christ (Eph. 5:25) and the men of the Titanic, must be restored.

Let us remember the Titanic Memorial and pray that its message is moved from the Potomac into the hearts of our men and women.

Next Sunday, Father’s Day, would be a good time to start.

                There is no better way to enhance your education than by spending the summer traveling abroad. So we have compiled an itinerary for a summer semester for our campus Progressives.

                We begin close to home, in Venezuela. There you can see the happy masses enjoying the fruits of Socialism. Study how the benevolent government deals with the politically incorrect claims of starvation, promoting solidarity with the happy peasants who sacrificed for Socialism in the 1920’s in Ukraine and in China in the 1950’s.

                Next stop, Cuba, to see how income inequality, at least for the masses, is a thing of the past.

Who wouldn’t want to live in that workers paradise. Besides, they get to drive those classic cars from the 1950’s.

                France and Italy are next on the list. Here you can find happy college graduates, about 40% of them, who are enjoying the pleasures of a permanent summer vacation. After all, what does a job matter when you can go to school for free?

                For those who missed out on the “Day without white people” at some campuses, a trip to Zimbabwe is on the menu. They’ve been trying to get rid of white people for years. Enjoy the freedom from oppression which permeates the atmosphere in this showplace of democracy.

                Those interested in campus “Safe Zones” can journey to Raqqa Syria to find the ultimate safe zone. Learn how those with unpleasant beliefs are kept from upsetting the delicate sensibilities of the faithful. Courses are also offered on the proper technique for beheading an infidel.

                The climax of the summer semester is a trip to Russia. Student newspaper workers can learn how the professionals shield the people from hurtful press reporting. See how reactionary voices are silenced and hateful speech against political correctness is eliminated. You may discover that you have more in common with Vladmir Putin than you realized.

                Alas, summer ends too soon, especially in Russia, and you will have to return home. If you survive.

                If you have learned anything, head to your local church, get on your knees, and thank God that you live in the United States of America. Thank God you can say what you want and live your faith without fear. Thank Him that you live in a Free Enterprise Economy where you can find opportunity to achieve your dreams. Pray for the hungry, the poor, the hopeless, the persecuted, and the voiceless ones who live in darkness overseas, as well as the campus Progressives who have embraced the darkness at home.

                Tell your “Progressive” friends that freedom is the only truly progressive philosophy.

                And remind them that true freedom comes from knowing Christ.

                “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31, 32). 

          For years some scientists have been using Carbon 14 dating to undermine the Biblical timeline of History and attack the truthfulness of the Bible. Now they are having to rethink their arguments.

            The Carbon 14 dating method measures the amount of the radioactive Carbon 14 isotope in organic material and, by comparing it with modern levels of Carbon 14, produces an age based on the radioactive decay of Carbon 14. This dating method is assumed to be good for 40,000 years, and produces very old dates for archeological sites.  However, it also produces dates which clash with historical dates derived both from Biblical information and other historical and archeological sources.

            Inaccurate Carbon 14 dating arises because Carbon 14 levels vary with Earth’s temperature, being high in warm periods and low in cold periods. As a result, the current levels of Carbon 14 are much higher than past levels of Carbon 14, and this produces a much earlier date measurement than the actual date.  Based on  more  accurate data about past Carbon 14 levels, one scientist documented 15,000 findings and found that none were over 7000 years old, and that many were about 4500 years old, the date of the worldwide catastrophe we call Noah’s Flood. Thus, for example, an American Indian artifact claimed to be over 11,000 years old may really be only 3,000 years old.

            Now archeologists are joining in the criticism of the Carbon 14 dating system. At a recent meeting, a noted archeologist observed that “In some circles it has been a crime to cast doubt on the accuracy of radiocarbon dating.” Nevertheless, this scientist showed conclusively that radiocarbon levels fluctuate from season to season and vary with location, providing erroneous age readings. When added to historical fluctuations in Carbon 14 levels, the whole Carbon 14 dating method becomes very suspect.

            The reason that some scientists cling to the inaccurate Carbon 14 system is simply that it produces results which are much older than actual. They fear that the real dates would be more in line with Bible history, and they would rather be wrong than give up their Anti-Biblical bias. Their problem is that the more Science learns about the past, the more it supports the Bible.

            We salute the courageous Scientists and Archeologists who challenge the Anti-Biblical Orthodoxy of their peers. Let us pray that God’s truth will prevail and that proofs of the accuracy of the Bible history will continue to be discovered by truth seeking Scientists.

            And may the attempts to destroy the faith of believers by false, Anti-Biblical, Pseudo-Scientific theories be exposed. Let no weapon formed against us prosper.     

   As Summer approaches people normally begin to think about vacations and travel. But for those on a tight budget vacation dreams often turn into the Summertime Blues.

            If your idea is to take that dream trip around the world type of vacation, you’re probably going to be stuck with the blues. But for the rest of us there are many affordable options available to spice up the Summer.

            Let’s start by considering ways to minimize travel costs. A “Stay at home” vacation can work if you’re part of the majority of people who have never visited the tourist attractions in their own area. There are also many attractions within a day’s drive for most people. Often those secondary locations are very inexpensive and provide a good experience for children. You can also save yourself the hassle and wasted time involved in a long trip.

            Next to consider is the cost of lodging. Many people can stay with relatives or friends for a getaway. Just don’t overstay your welcome. Staying in a hotel or motel can be more affordable through online shopping services and looking for lodging on the outskirts of metropolitan areas. Small towns also have inexpensive lodging and make enjoyable vacation destinations. The more hardy folks can camp out, but most of us prefer roughing it at the Holiday Inn.

            Funding a vacation is a challenge, especially if your income has been depleted and/or your credit cards are maxed out. Like other areas of life, we think the cash basis works best. You’ll need a debit card for lodging and ready cash for dining and those souvenir shops. Remember that a little financial frivolity is good for the soul, so don’t budget your vacation so closely that you have no fun.              

            Many of us grew up poor but never knew it because our parents knew how to have fun on a shoestring. It’s a great gift to pass on to your kids.

            Remember, if you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right. So leave those Summertime Blues behind this year.

        This Sunday on May 14 we will celebrate the 69^th year of Israel as an independent nation.

            The rebirth of Israel after almost two thousand years stands as an amazing fulfillment of Bible prophecy.  Numerous scriptures refer to an end time role for the Nation of Israel. Even the date of Israel’s formation can be calculated from the scripture in Revelation 11: 1,2 which speaks of a “42 month”, or 1260 year, “Age of the Gentiles” to be measured from the time the Temple Mount was lost to unbelievers. From the time the Dome of the Rock was constructed on the Temple Mount, 687, until 1947, the year the U.N. voted to establish Israel, exactly 1260 years had passed.

            The survival of Israel against overwhelming forces is one of the greatest modern miracles of God. Israel has fought wars in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973, and has emerged victorious every time. She has fought many smaller engagements and has endured sustained terrorist activities. The Hand of God has been evident, as described by The Prophet Zechariah, who speaks of Jerusalem as an “Immovable Rock” and a “Cup that sends the surrounding peoples reeling” (Zechariah 12:2,3).

            Yet today Israel is still surrounded by its enemies. Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, Al Queda and Iran are sworn to Israel’s destruction. As of now Israel’s enemies are fighting among themselves, but the Islamists are still pushing for an end to their peace with Israel. For those who subscribe to a historical interpretation of Revelation, the situation is described in Rev 9:1-11, the fifth trumpet, as a 150 year war with the Arabs. We can expect not peace, but another 81 years of warfare in the Middle East.

            The end will come after Israel is defeated by the Antichrist (Zechariah 14:2 and Rev 11:7). But Jerusalem will rebel against the Antichrist and he will gather the nations to fight at Armageddon (Megiddo, in Israel) (Rev 16:16). Then, when all seems lost, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4 and Acts 1:11, 12) and destroy His enemies (Zechariah 14:3 and Revelation 19:19-21). Only then will peace come to the Middle East and the world (Zechariah 14:9 and Revelation 20:1-6).

            Nevertheless, we must continue to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. When they have peace so will we.

One of the great resources available to those interested in learning from the past is the Biblical Archaeology Review magazine.

The BAR, as it is affectionately known, provides current information on historical and archaeological finds which impact the Biblical lands. But the BAR is not the sedate scholarly magazine you might expect. Instead, interspersed between discoveries, the religious and political fault lines of the Holy Land are played out in the scholarly and legal controversies covered in the BAR.

One of the major fault lines comes between the religious and the secular world views of scholars. The secular scholars are constantly attacking the work of earlier Christian and Jewish archaeologists, with a “Minimalist” school which argues that such Biblical giants as David are mythological. Another line of attack comes from Palestinians who, for political reasons, want to deny Jewish history and try to prevent archaeologists from digging up the Jewish past. There is also an occasional conflict between Jewish and Christian acceptance of findings.

While the BAR is a secular, not religious, publication, they do try to fairly present the issues. They gleefully reported an artifact which substantiated the existence of the “House of David”, to the chagrin of the Minimalists. In their January/February 2014 issue, they published an article which proves that the site of David’s palace in Jerusalem has been found. Some years back the BAR demolished Palestinian political arguments by proving that the very name of Palestine was derived from the Greek word for “wrestler”, which translates into the national Hebrew name of “Israel”. In their January/February 2016 issue they exposed a New York Times article which falsely cast doubt on the historicity of the Jewish temples, a favorite technique of Palestinian propaganda. Now, in the May/ June 2017 issue, eminent archeologist William G. Dever expose the fallacies of the “Minimalist” view in his article entitled “Whom Do You Believe – the Bible or Archeology.”

Our prayer is that secular, political, and religious attacks on Biblical archaeology will not be allowed to obscure the truth of God’s word. We pray for the BAR and Biblical archaeologists who will fearlessly stand up to those who want to rewrite history to suit their agendas.

And we thank the Lord that He has left us plenty of evidence to confirm the veracity of the Bible as the solid rock on which our faith can rely.

               Astronomers have reported an alarming drop in sunspot activity and are warning of the possibility of the return of the Maunder Minimum leading to Global cooling.

                The last period of low sunspot activity was known as the Maunder Minimum and coincided with the coldest period of the Little Ice Age, from 1645 to 1715. The river Thames and Boston Harbor froze over in the winters, and snow covered England for 20-30 days per year, compared to the current 2-10 days. Agricultural production was seriously impacted, as for example, the English growing season which became 5 weeks shorter than it is today.

                As we reported in our recent “Earth Day” Blog, sunspots reflect the energy output of the Sun. Scientists have proven that sunspots are closely correlated to temperature fluctuations on Earth. The last half of the 20^th century had the highest level of sunspot activity in 300 years, accounting for the increased global temperatures we have experienced. However, this warming trend seems to have stopped in the last few years.

                Now astronomers have made the bombshell announcement that there were 4 weeks with no sunspots during early 2017. Coming on the heels of the weakest sunspot showing in 100 years during the peak of the 11 year cycle in 2013, many astronomers believe that the sunspot numbers will continue to decline. If, in fact, we are in the early stages of period like the Maunder Minimum, historical data suggests that global cooling could occur within a generation, or possibly in even less than a decade.

                During the last period of global cooling, known as the Little Ice Age to historians, climate change began in 1315 with heavy rains and flooding, destroying crops and leading to famine. Agricultural production suffered as the growing season shortened and some crops could no longer be cultivated. War, hunger and disease caused population declines. Many believed it was a Judgment from God. (See Job 37:5-13). If this pattern happens in our time, we must remember that “When Your judgments come upon the Earth the people learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Let us resolve to work with God’s redemptive purpose to reach a lost world.     

                Only God knows what the future holds for us, and that is the cause of our problem. God controls climate, not us. Yet many believe that we must make extreme efforts to fight climate change. Some would even have us rollback modern economic gains which are based on affordable energy, leaving millions unemployed in the developed world and billions in poverty in the third world.

                We believe that a little humility is in order given our lack of knowledge. We should adopt a policy of doing no harm, allowing the poor to benefit from the modern energy driven society as we adapt to climate change. Let us pray for wisdom from our leaders as the climate change drama unfolds.

                Let us also pray that God will moderate the changes in climate and help us to feed the hungry and clothe the naked in His name. 

                Blessed be the name of the Lord.