THE DANGER OF UNDER-POPULATION?!

Genesis 1:26-28 - 26 God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."  27 God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature. He created them male and female.  28 God blessed them: "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth."  (THE MESSAGE )

It's an amazing thing how all it takes to get most people to believe something is to repeat it over and over again, throw out a few statistics and then let time and the mainstream media do its insidious work.  In particular I am speaking of the myth of OVERPOPULATION that has been foisted upon the human race for the last 4o years or so.  Many of us have actually come to believe that having children is a bad thing for creation and that birth control and abortion are not only necessary, but our duty for the good of the race!

The problem with this idea is the simple fact that it is in direct opposition to God's command to "be fruitful and multiply... and to take dominion" of the earth.  These two commands are linked together and seem to indicate that multiplication and dominion are a package deal.  Children, the Scriptures declare, are a "blessing", "reward", and evidence of God's covenant keeping power. 

The true problem in many nations throughout Europe and in Japan is
UNDER-POPULATION.  Yes, you heard me right, UNDER-POPULATION is quickly
becoming a crisis that threatens both the economy and way of life for
many around the world.  In some of the previously mentioned nations,
the government is actually starting to pay couples to have children due
to the necessity of producing more taxpayers to provide for a rapidly
aging population. 

Here in the United States, the only thing that is keeping us from
depopulation is legal and illegal immigration.  No, I do not think our
current approach to illegal immigration is good for the country, but
legal immigration is necessary because of abortion and small family
size.  What this means of course is that those groups which have a
tendency to have more children will become the more populous and over
time the majority rather than the minority. 

Over the course of the next century America will become far more
Hispanic, Slavic, Filipino and Asian in its demographic.  These facts
will bring immense changes to our society, some of which will be very
positive.  The encouraging side of this is the reality that many of
those mentioned are followers of Jesus Christ.  The negative side to
this equation is simply that much of America's rich European Christian
influence will be lost as those of European descent have fewer children
and continue to kill the inconvenient ones through the evil of
on-demand child-murder (abortion)!

Children are living laboratories of divine potential and creativity
who become adults who make new discoveries in medicine, agriculture,
science, the arts and business.  Only heaven truly knows how many great
people with earth shaking abilities have perished at the hands of
abortionists in this nation and many others!  As Marvin Olasky points
out in his OP/ED article in WORLD MAGAZINE, the MULTIPLIER EFFECT is
a key to industry, prosperity and making a difference as Christians in
our world.  May God give us a revival of fruitfulness and family
industry as we once again recognize our divine call to "be fruitful and
multiply."

READ MARVIN OLASKY'S ARTICLE IN WORLD MAGAZINE BY CLICKING HERE

Psalms 127:3-5 - 3 Don't you
see that children are GOD's best gift? the fruit of the womb his
generous legacy?  4 Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children
of a vigorous youth. 5 Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your
quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against
you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.   (THE MESSAGE )

A WORD TO LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS AMERICANS

I have had the amazing privilege of traveling to a number of foreign nations while doing missions work these last several years and I can honestly say I have been saddened by the perception that many outside of the USA have of ugly, loud Americans.  Not only has this perception hurt our image abroad, but it has been a hindrance to our global leadership role. 

Although not all Americans are ugly, loud or arrogant, the few bad apples that travel have given all of us a bad name.  I have personally sat with Russian, Chinese, Australian, Mexican and Filipino people as they spin a sad tale of some brash, haughty, rude American making a fool of themselves and drawing the ire of the locals.  This kind of example can be particularly damaging if your trying to be a witness and representative of Jesus Christ.

The problem has become so widespread that starting next month the U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT will be issuing guides to Americans who travel abroad on how to act becomingly.  The article I link to for this story is in THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD out of Australia.  That alone should tell us something.  Even our Allies know about our faults and are writing articles to point them out.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO READ THE STORY IN THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

THE RESURRECTION OF A GOLF GAME

Here's a great feel good story about 25 year old Australian golfer Aaron Baddeley who won his first PGA Tournament on Easter Sunday just 10 hours after he stood at a Lectern just off the 18th green to talk about his relationship with Jesus Christ.  Aaron was speaking at an Easter Sunrise Service at the very site where he would eventually sink a putt to give him the win.  "At the 18th hole this morning, he was giving amazing testimony," said
Baddeley's wife, Richelle. "Ten hours later, he's holding the trophy.
So, it was great." This is a story of pride, humility, disappointment, failed expectations and redemption.  I thought it was a wonderful irony that Aaron would resurrect his career and win his first tournament on Easter Sunday after almost leaving the game of golf altogether back in late 2000 due to perceived failure.  Enjoy.

READ AARON BADDELEY'S STORY BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Jesus Christ has risen, He has risen indeed!

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday, and I am excited about celebrating death's death through the One called THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE!  This greatest miracle of human history is the event which started to turn back the curse of death in the garden and is moving us toward a day when the very creation and environment will be filled with resurrection life!  Here are some great quotes and statements made by heroes of the faith.  Think on these:

Let's celebrate Easter with the rite of laughter. Christ died and rose and lives. Laugh like woman who holds her first baby. Our enemy death will soon be destroyed. Laugh like a man who finds he doesn't have cancer or he does but now there's a cure. Christ opened wide the door to heaven. Laugh like children at Disneyland's gates. This world is owned by God and He'll return to rule. Laugh like a man who walks away uninjured from a wreck in which his car was totaled. Laugh as if all the people in the whole world were invited to a picnic and then invite them.  Citation: Joseph Bayly in Psalms of My Life

Easter is a feast and is celebrated as the feast of freedom. For Easter is the beginning of the laughter of the redeemed and the dance of the liberated and the creative game of fantasy. Since earliest times Easter hymns have celebrated the victory of life by laughing at death, by mocking at hell, and by making the lords of this world absurd. Easter is God's protest against death. Easter is the feast of freedom from death. We must keep the two things together.  Citation: Jurgen Moltmann in Experiences of God

Easter is the New Year's Day of the soul.  A. B. Simpson

MORE ON THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS

I just read an excellent critique of the significance of THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS at Albert Mohler's Blog and I wanted to pass it along.  As Mr. Mohler points out, heresy is primarily reconstituted and regurgitated, as "there is nothing new under the sun."  This particular "Gospel" is really nothing of the sort and in fact was known of in A.D. 180 by Irenaeus, the early church father. He considered it to be Gnostic in origin and heretical then as it is now.  The other thing I really appreciated about this post by Albert was his explanation of Gnosticism.  Please take the time to read and consider.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE BY ALBERT MOHLER

EVEN MORE EXCELLENT INFO ON THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE AT THE VOLOKH CONSPIRACY IN AN ARTICLE BY DAVID KOPEL

THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS?

In the last couple of weeks it seems as if Jesus has been taking a beating within the press as a number of "discoveries" and theories about Him and His life are being discussed and debated.  The "DaVinci Code", The Gospel of Judas, extra-biblical Gnostic writings and the scientist who claims Jesus did not walk on water, but on ice, have all seemingly cast doubt on the Bible and its account of Jesus.  To those who do not know the Biblical record or church history, these movies, books, articles and documentaries can seem very convincing and confusing. 

Let me assure you though, the Bible, church history and Jesus Himself are as trustworthy as ever when objectively considered against any so-called evidence that calls all three into question.  Gnosticism has been around since the first century A.D. as have a number of theories about Jesus and His death and resurrection.   These theories have been refuted every time they have raised their ugly heads and will continue to be in the light of honest and objective inquiry.

The Bible even records one of the false theories of the resurrection in Matthew
28:11-15 - As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the
city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
12  After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a
plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, "Say this, 'His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.' 14
If this reaches the governor's ears, we will deal with him and keep you
out of trouble." 15  So they took the money and did as they were
instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this
day.

Just to help the discussion along, I have included the entire text to a
well thought out response to The Gospel of Judas by Father Jonathan
Morris.  Father Morris was reacting to an article in the NEW YORK TIMES
that seemed to add credence to the Judas story.  I really appreciated
how he refuted the article point by point.  Here is the article in its
entirety:

The Gospel of Judas

by Father Jonathan Morris for FOX Fan Central

When in New York there are few things I enjoy
more than browsing the elegant pages of the New York Times while
sipping a cup of a well-brewed coffee. Those pages often make me mad,
but usually make me think. Friday’s edition only made me mad.

I’m referring to the article about the “Gospel of Judas.” It offered
a dumbed-down, ideology-driven report on the ancient text discovered in
Egypt in the 1970’s and recently translated into English by the
National Geographic Society. The text depicts Judas Iscariot, the
traitor, in a good light. Hard to do, you might say. Yes, it is, but
only if you trust authoritative, eyewitness sources like Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John.

The New York Times apparently does not.

For all their purported progressive thinking, one would surmise the
17 centuries separating the Gnostic authors of the “Gospel of Judas”
(self-proclaimed “progressives” of their day) and the editors at the
Times would produce greater evolution of thought. But the paper’s
Friday edition read like the diary of an anti-Christian Gnostic
apologist of the late second century AD. For when it comes to
Christianity, both are incapable of distinguishing between fact and
fiction. Here’s what the article said and here’s why it’s wrong.

(Read the New York Times article - registration required)

NY Times: “An early Christian manuscript,
including the only known text of what is known as the Gospel of Judas,
has surfaced after 1,700 years.”

Father J: The "Gospel of Judas" is not an early
Christian manuscript. It belongs to the well-known body of Gnostic
writings condemned by the early Christian community as heretical
(anti-Christian). One of the early Christian Fathers, St. Irenaeus of
Lyons, specifically rebuked the text as “unorthodox.”

NY Times: “The text gives new insights into the relationship of Jesus and the disciple who betrayed him, scholars reported today.”

Father J: Scholars didn’t report new insights into
the relationship between Judas and Jesus. They reported new insights
into what some second century writers conjectured about the
relationship. The early Christian community discarded those conjectures
because they didn’t match with eyewitness accounts.

NY Times: “The discoveries of Gnostic texts
have shaken up Biblical scholarship by revealing the diversity of
beliefs and practices among early followers of Jesus.”



Father J: This is ridiculous. The hundreds of second
and third century apocryphal texts, of which the “Gospel of Judas” is a
part, have nothing to do with biblical scholarship, since they tell us
nothing about the Bible. Moreover, scholars have known for centuries
that there was a diversity of beliefs and practices in the early
centuries of Christianity. The Christian community sifted through the
contradicting beliefs and classified some as faithful representations
of the teachings of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and others
as imposters (Gnostic writings, among others).

NY Times: “As the findings have trickled down
to churches and universities, they have produced a new generation of
Christians who now regard the Bible not as the literal word of God, but
as a product of historical and political forces that determined which
texts should be included in the canon, and which edited out.”

Father J: So much confusion in so few lines! New
generations who don’t believe in the Bible as the Word of God may be
very good people, but they are not Christians. This is not to say the
Bible was dropped from the clouds, or was dictated word for word by
Jesus. Christian theology teaches the canon of Scripture was determined
by human beings inspired by the Holy Spirit. Amazingly, the New York
Times gets things almost exactly backwards. Gnostic texts produced in
the second century stem from a clear historical and political agenda,
whereas the first century canonical Gospels reflect an attempt by
eyewitnesses to put into writing what they had seen and heard.

NY Times: "For that reason, the discoveries
have proved deeply troubling for many believers. The Gospel of Judas
portrays Judas Iscariot not as a betrayer of Jesus, but as his most
favored disciple and willing collaborator."

Father J: The discoveries are troubling only for
believers who give equal value to all ancient writings, no matter their
credibility. At least two of the four Christian Gospels were written by
eyewitnesses. The “Gospel of Judas,” on the other hand, was written
over 120 years after the death of Christ by an author explicitly
condemned as a false teacher by the early Christian community.

NY Times: "At least one scholar said the new
manuscript does not contain anything dramatic that would change or
undermine traditional understanding of the Bible."

Father J: At least one? From my assessment of the
reports that have come out, this has been the norm among all serious
scholars. I hope this last quote from the Times is not a feigned
attempt at unbiased reporting!

There is good reason to accept the authenticity of this text as part
of a body of Gnostic writings, but not as part of early Christian
beliefs. The Times repeatedly insinuates the text represents new
historical data on Jesus and the beliefs of early Christians. This is
completely out of the bounds of professional journalism. As soon as
Gnosticism raised its head, the early Christian community recognized it
as incongruent with what they knew from first-hand sources about Christ
and his teachings.

The New York Times has a tradition of excellence in newsgathering
and reporting dating back to 1851, when Henry Jarvis Raymond founded
the paper. During the Civil War it stood out for its speed and accuracy
in the publishing of eyewitness accounts. Later, during the civil
rights movement, it lent its bully pulpit to those who would bring down
slavery.

But on this story about the foundation of Christianity, the paper’s
unwillingness to trust eyewitness accounts is baffling. I must say, the
silliness of giving the same credibility to the “Gospel of Judas” as to
the Christian Gospels is unworthy of the venerable tradition of my
morning paper. When I read dumbed-down, ideology-driven articles like
this one, the coffee, even good coffee, just doesn’t taste the same.

God bless, Father Jonathan

P.S. In the coming weeks we’ll examine the relationship between
Gnosticism and “The Da Vinci Code,” just in case the NYT doesn’t get it
right.

---

This article is part of a regular blog hosted by Father Jonathan Morris on FOXNews.com. You can invite new readers by forwarding this URL address: www.foxnews.com/fatherjonathan.

Write to Father Jonathan at fatherjonathan@foxnews.com.

WRONG AGAIN! FLORIDA 73 UCLA 57

I WAS WRONG AGAIN!!  ONE SURE WAY TO WIN A BET IS TO GO FOR THE TEAM I PICK TO LOSE!  FLORIDA WINS THEIR FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY BEATING THE UCLA BRUINS 73-57.  Way to go Gators!

PS - I DON'T BELIEVE IN BETTING - 0;

OF RAHMAN, ROUND BALL AND RETREATS

ABDUL RAHMAN IS FREE AND ALIVE IN ITALY! 

Our "Insane" friend has been set free and given safe haven in Italy where he can now read his Bible, pray and speak openly of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  For those of you who think martyrdom is cool, I am very sorry, but it seems that God wants Abdul to live a little longer on this side of Paradise.  Though the great church Father and Theologian Tertullian said that, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”, I do not think he meant we should romanticize, glorify or seek to be martyrs.  We can rejoice that God has given Mr. Rahman an opportunity to grow as a disciple and get the help he needs if he is truly "mentally unstable" as German officials are now stating.

65 HAVE BECOME 2!

THE NCAA MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT has been whittled down to 2 teams as the FLORIDA GATORS face the UCLA BRUINS tonight at 6:21 pm Pacific Time.  I have to go with UCLA, though they are the team that broke my heart a couple of weeks ago as they came back to beat GONZAGA in a game the Zags should have won.  I started the tournament with the following teams in descending order as my favorites: GONZAGA, ARIZONA, WASHINGTON, UCLA AND CALIFORNIA.  UCLA plays some of the stingiest defense I have ever seen, but Florida is loaded with talent.  I see UCLA pulling out a squeaker with the score being in the high 60's to low 70's.  GO UCLA?!

NEXT GENERATION RETREAT

This past weekend, Peggy and I traveled to the beautiful Olympic Rain forest of Washington State and did a COLLEGE AGE RETREAT for OVERLAKE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.  I was asked to speak on WORSHIP, INTERCESSION and SPIRITUAL WARFARE to a hungry and passionate group of movers and shakers for Jesus.  Pastor Josh Julian and his wife Ashley served as our gracious hosts as they led the weekend with humor, confidence and obvious love for the flock they are leading.  I felt it went pretty well, though I was not as sharp or spiritually sensitive as I would have liked to be.  To all of you who prayed for Peggy and I this weekend, I want to say a big hearty THANK YOU!  I know I was carried on the wings of prayer before the throne of God.  Thanks Josh, Ashley and the NEXT-GEN group for being instruments of God's grace to us.  Thank you Peggy, my bride of almost 19 years for supporting me in prayer and the ministry of presence!