George F. Will: Modern anti-Semitism
(Published 2:15 a.m. PST Thursday, February 26, 2004)

WASHINGTON -- It used to be said that anti-Catholicism was the anti-Semitism of the intellectuals. Today, anti-Semitism is the anti-Semitism of the intellectuals.

Not all intellectuals, of course. And the seepage of this ancient poison into the intelligentsia -- always so militantly modern -- is much more pronounced in Europe than here. But as anti-Semitism migrates across the political spectrum from right to left, it infects the intelligentsia, which has leaned left for two centuries...

Wednesday's release of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" has catalyzed fears of resurgent anti-Semitism. Some critics say the movie portrays the governor of Judea -- Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect responsible for the crucifixion -- as more benign and less in control than he actually was, and ascribes too much power and malignity to Jerusalem's Jewish elite....

Fears about the movie exacerbating religiously motivated anti-Semitism are missing the larger menace -- the upsurge of political anti-Semitism. Like traditional anti-Semitism, but with secular sources and motives, the political version, which condemns Jews as a social element, is becoming mainstream, and chic among political and cultural elites, mostly in Europe..."

Upon Seeing the Passion

Tonight I saw the movie. I do not think I will ever view Isaiah 53 the same. For me, all the hype and controversy, positive and negative, tended to get in the way of just seeing and fully appreciating the movie for what it is. All the hype leads to expectations about the movie that are not realistic. I may go see it again just to be able to appreciate it for what it is.

At the end of the movie, my daughter, her friend, and I sat there in silence. The Passion is a profoundly personal story. He did that, and went through all that for me. If you see this movie, do not lose sight of that fact or you will miss it all.

A secondary emphasis in this movie is the suffering of Mary. She watched her son and her Lord suffer and die for her. What ever Gibson's intent, the way Mary is included in this movie has nothing to do with any peculiar Roman Catholic view of Mary. Her inclusion does have everything to do with her being a mother whose son was also her Saviour. All generations, Protestants included, will call her blessed.

The personification of the devil, though apocryphal, was effective. The enemy was there; that father of all lies, the slanderer. And it is not apocryphal to say that at the cross Satan was defeated, and the proof of his defeat is found in the resurrection.

Should you go see this movie? It is not for me to tell if you should or not. I will say it is not a movie for young children, or even young teens. There is a reason it is R rated. I choose to go not because anyone said I "have to" see this movie. Nor did I plan on staying away just because somebody was bad-mouthing and trashing it. I choose to see it for myself, and I may well go see it again.

No one "has" to see this movie. But if you do, then set aside all the hype and expectations and let the story that is told tell itself. And amidst whatever was inaccurate or apocryphal, see the true story that is the climatic highpoint of His Story.

In His love and joy,

~ The Billy Goat ~

Are you committing idolatry?

Tonight I heard a concern about the movie "The Passion of Christ". It was the first time I personally encountered someone having this issue in regard to that movie, but in retrospect , considering who it was voicing this "concern" I am not surprised.

The objection, for that is what it really is, comes from an application of the second commandment regarding graven images or idols. The pastors of this particular church believe that commandment prohibits any specific picture or imaging of Jesus, especially His face. (Please do not ask me by what convoluted process of pseudo-scholasticism they make an issue of the portrayal of Jesus’ face.) The bottom line is that in some minds, to have any kind of picture or portrayal of a Jesus as human being is considered the making of an image and therefore a violation of the commandment.

In response to these friends, I assert it is exactly that view and interpretation of the second commandment that puts people in a position of breaking the commandment. Here is what I mean.

Evangelical and Orthodox Christians hold to the truth that Jesus Christ was and continues to be in His incarnation, fully God and fully man. As a man He had and continues to have a human body, and thus while on earth He had a human form. To deny His humanity is as much a breaking of the second commandment as denying His Deity.

Part of the human form that Jesus had and continues to have includes a human face. To picture any human as faceless is to have an incomplete picture of that person’s human-ness. We dare not picture in our minds or in art an image of Jesus that doesn’t show all of His humanity. To do so makes that image less then what Jesus was and is as a human.

We are now in a "catch 22" situation. By nature, as God has created us, we are psychological beings. It is part of the way God has made us that we think visual images in our mind. The words of the story of Christ's life paint a picture in our mind in the form of a human image. Those of us who have physical sight picture the images in our mind that the story suggests. We do that instinctively and automatically because that is how God has made us. Each of us has in our mind an image of what we think Jesus may have looked like. We know we have no idea what He actually looked like, and we know the picture in our mind may not be accurate in detail, but we also sense it is accurate on the most important detail, that Jesus was a man with the body and appearance of a man including a human face.

To not picture Jesus at all in picture or other art forms puts us in danger of minimizing His humanity, and thus breaking the second commandment our friends are so concerned about. Our prayer and worship is not based on what particular image of Jesus as a man we may have in our minds, but those prayers and worship are based on the promises and truths of God's Word.

As of this date, I have not seen the Passion movie. I do plan on seeing it. When I do, I will be responsible for how I react to what I see on the screen. Neither Mel Gibson or anyone else will be responsible for how I react. Nor will I be responsible for how others may react to the movie. They will be responsible for and have to answer to God for themselves.

If I have a concern about the movie, it is that some will go to see it with expectations that are not in line with Gibson's focus and purpose. Some may expect more, positively, out of the movie then Gibson intended. Those people will be disappointed, but it will be their fault, not Gibson’s.

~ The Billy Goat ~

Elder led Churches versus Elder ruled Churches

Elders in Baptist churches? Conference examines the idea
(BPNews ) Feb 13, 2004, By Gary D. Myers

NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Elders and congregationalism. For many Baptists, these terms sound like polar opposites. However, according to some speakers at the "Issues in Baptist Polity" conference, the two may not be mutually exclusive.

The issue of the growing presence of elders in Baptist churches was one of the key discussions during the Feb. 5-7 sessions at the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., argued that a body of elders is the New Testament model of church structure. He made a clear distinction between "elder-led" and "elder-rule," flatly rejecting the Presbyterian model that makes a distinction between teaching elders and ruling elders. Instead, Dever offered a biblical argument for an elder-led form of congregationalism in which the congregation serves as a "final court of appeal" in the decision-making process....

"The biblical model is elder-directed or elder-led congregationalism," Dever said. "It is biblical and it is Baptist."

While there was support for elder-led congregationalism, the majority of speakers at the NOBTS polity conference denounced elder rule in Southern Baptist churches. Under the elder-rule model, the congregation has little or no say in the matters of the church. A select group rules and controls all or most of the decisions of the church.

In contrast, various presenters were at least open to the idea of elder-led model as a form of congregationalism. This is due in part to their general consensus on the biblical teaching about the number of church offices..."

Too much fuss over Gibson's `Passion'?

By WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, Jan. 30, 2004, Houston Chronicle

"The argument over Mel Gibson's dramatization of the death of Jesus needs analysis, and this is not difficult to undertake, even for those who have not seen the movie, scheduled for release in February, on Ash Wednesday.

The plot line is remarkably brief. The biblical writers had no interest whatever in the kind of thing that interests Mel Gibson. He has taken on, after all, the greatest drama in human history, the crucifixion of the Jew who claimed divinity and persuaded much of the civilized world to accept his word. Matthew handles the whole thing -- from the order given down by Pilate, to the expiration of Jesus -- in less space than is taken by this newspaper column.

In that account, one line is spoken that most grievously offends several Jewish critics who have seen the two-hour film... "

Getting to the Altar on Time
Gerard V. Bradley in National Review Online January 22, 2004, 9:09 a.m.

"On Tuesday night, President Bush moved perceptibly closer to supporting a federal marriage amendment. But he stopped short of endorsing the idea, and gave no clue about which version — if any — he would ultimately get behind.

In his State of the Union address, Bush said, "Activist judges...have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process."

Now, if these words had passed the lips of our last president, one would scarcely be able to grasp their meaning. Bush makes no mention of an amendment at all. "Constitutional process" is a wide-open term..."

Bible Gateway : Revelation 10:2-4;: "He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.'"

This past year a certain somebody, who will deservedly remain un-named here, wrote a book on the end times with the sub-title "How Could Everybody Be So Wrong about Biblical Prophecy". No, I did not waste my time reading this book, as I was already familiar with this writer's views on eschatology. I confess a certain skepticism and dismay came to mind in reading that sub-title. There is a degree of arrogance and lack of humility in that sub-title that has been characteristic of this particular writer's minstry in the past.

The passage from Revelation 10, regarding the seven thunders, should be enough to give all in the different camps of eschatology pause. Yes, we can know true things about the end times, but this passage insures we will not know everything about the end times until it happens. John tells us there were things he was told that he was prohibited from writing down. If we are not humble when wrestling through the things that were written down, this passage should make us humble, no matter how much we think we have the end times figured out.

~ The Billy Goat ~

Is Your Church Free from Cultic Tendencies

[It is very possible for a church, to be orthodox in doctrine and to still exhibit cultic tendencies. I found a disturbing number of these points described my former church, and amplified the reasons we left that church. Here is a checklist for responsible Christians, from the Spiritual Counterfeits Project . ~The Billy Goat ~ ]

"The following checklist of cultic tendencies by Charles Lesser was published in the October, 1991 Spiritual Counterfeits Project Newsletter. They are typical of a number of aberrational cultic groups and churches on the scene today.

1. Is your pastor fully accountable to a board of elders, presbyters, etc?
2. Is loyalty to Jesus and to one's own calling placed before loyalty to pastor and church?
3. Does your pastor encourage questions and suggestions? Is he approachable?
4. Does your pastor give equal attention to all kinds of people in his congregation?
5. Does your pastor readily admit his errors?
6. Does your pastor avoid boasting or hinting at a "special anointing"?
7. Is your pastor truly humble?
8. Are the sermons based on clear Biblical truths, not on "original revelations" or ax-grinding?
9. Does your church interact with other churches?
10. Does your church staff avoid secrecy?
11. Is power shared in your church (rather than preempted by a hierarchy)?
12. Does your church see itself as just one organ of the Body of Christ, and not the main one?
13. Is your church truly friendly?
14. Does your church emphasize ministry to people rather than church programs?
14. Are especially needy people cared for lovingly in your church?
15. Are church members encouraged and loved even when they leave?
16. Are relationships with former members encouraged or allowed?
17. Do the pastor and congregation avoid attacking and using as object lessons, former members or those who disagree?
18. Are families encouraged to stay together and spend time together?
19. Does your family worship Sunday service include children, at least for part of the service?
20. Are you encouraged in your own calling?
21. Are pleas for money rare and unemotional?
22. Are your children happy to attend church?
23. Are you happy to bring unsaved friends to your church?
24. Is there a diversity of classes, races, dress styles, ages, and occupations in your church?
25. Are people encouraged to hear from God for themselves?
26. Is there a single behavior standard for all people in the church?
27. Are all types of people considered welcome at your church?
28. Is the joy of the Lord present in your church?
29. Are you free from fear in your church?
30. Do you think more about God and Jesus than you do about your pastor and church?
31. Does your pastor include himself in any calls for repentance and forgiveness?
32. Are you clear that the pastors and elders never exaggerate or lie to make themselves look good?
33. Is your group encouraging of each other and free from gossip and rumoring?
34. Is there a humility of doctrine that points to the grace of God and His mercy for sinners?
35. Are you encouraged to serve in ministries or missions outside the local body?
36. Is there ever any pressure put upon members to give or lend money to leaders for their personal or business use (exclusive of church business or projects)? "

The Australian: Beagle ignores mothership's pleas [January 08, 2004]

"THE Beagle 2 remained ominously silent last night as the European Space Agency (ESA) renewed efforts to contact the tiny probe that landed on Mars on Christmas Day.

Beagle 2 was to have emitted a nine-note ditty penned by Britpop band Blur to announce its safe arrival on the red planet, but scientists have not heard from the probe since it was launched from its mothership, Mars Express.

NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter and several radio telescopes have so far been unable to obtain a signal from the probe.

But last night, Mars Express came within 315km of the Beagle 2's landing site near the planet's equator, giving ESA its best chance yet to make contact with the lander..."

Our British friends are having trouble finding their Beagle. Those of us who have a Beagle for a pet can tell them exactly what happened. Obviously upon landing on Mars, the Beagle immediately started sniffing around and found a scent trail. Beagle owners everywhere know what that means. That Beagle is on the trial and so totally focused on the scent that said Beagle hears nothing of it's outraged master's command to halt, stop, come back, or etc... A Beagles brain is in its nose, and as Beagle owners also know, Beagles are dogs of very little brain. In spite of that we love them anyhow.

~ The Billy Goat ~

Suffering for an Evangelical Faith
An Address to the National Evangelical Anglican Congress, Blackpool, England, 9/21/03
by Peter Moore, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

"...By any standards of measurement I am privileged, comfortable, secure, and as the string of degrees after my name indicates educated well beyond my intelligence. I have money in the bank, even a beat up old sports car in the garage at home. My wife doesn’t have to work. I grew up in the affluent suburbs of New York, got a scholarship to an elite private school, went to an Ivy league university, have a degree from Oxford, and – though I need to say it sotto voce these days – was baptized and cradled from birth in that bosom of the religious establishment, the Episcopal Church. What can I possibly say about suffering that can hold a candle to what so many others can tell you?

A significant handicap
I do, however, have one significant handicap. Because of it I am branded as an untouchable in some circles. I am treated with polite disdain and occasionally castigated as ignorant, bigoted, intolerant, homophobic, simplistic – and even dangerous. Three times when I have spoken in public I thought graciously and sanely I have had to have bodyguards. In certain circles I notice at social occasions I must initiate every conversation, and especially within certain parts of the Church the institutions with which I am identified are held in virtual contempt by people in positions of authority. My handicap? I am an evangelical...

Evangelical is a dirty word in American Episcopal circles – at least when it means something other than old Virginia low churchmanship with its fondness for Morning Prayer. And to be described as a "British evangelical" puts you just about on the bottom rung of the ladder..."