Volume 5, Issue 8

Newsletter Date May 3, 2013

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Christian Worldview Weekly

Follow me and others at: www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/

CHRISTIAN EXCEPTIONALISM
A diversity of worldviews can so dominate ones thinking to the point he can become a culture within himself and have his/her own worldview. For example in There is a lot of talk about everyone View the world in love, having a worldview and what it means the USA today multiculturalism has Gregg dominated the landscape. For some this to a particular individual and how confusion of worldviews has lead to a worldviews influence our culture and confused belief system. An example of ultimately our Quote of the Week this can be found in what has been resociety at ferred to as post-modernism; a belief syslarge. Even tem based on the deconstruction of the those who narrative. The results of this is demondont understrated in the absence of truth, because stand the contruth has become relative to the situation cept have a worldview of and is determined the individual. one sort or But our diversity of cultures hasnt been another; but exclusively the result of the immigration no one has a clear singular worldview. of different races and ethnic groups as Otherwise we come to the table with a much as it has been the result of differing mixture of worldviews with one usually homegrown worldviews. Cullen Hightower dominating our thoughts and actions.

Greatness is offering our best!

Wisdom is what's left after we've run out of personal opinions.

Continued on page 2

The Colson Corner

Weekly Devotion from Ancients Paths

Headline Story of the Week

US Military will Prosecute sharing of Faith
President Barack Obamas civilian appointees who lead the Pentagon are confirming that the military will make it a crimepossibly resulting in imprisonmentfor those in uniform to share their faithThis regulation would severely limit expressions of faith in the military, even on a one-to-one basis between close friends. It could also effectively abolish the position of chaplain...
Click URL to complete story: http:// lastresistance.com/2038/military-willprosecute-christians-for-sharing-their-faith/

Perspectives
Christian who changed their world.
http:// www.colsoncenter.org/thecenter/columns/callresponse/19635-christianswho-changed-their-world

The Gospel of Grace 2

http:// www.colsoncenter.org/the -center/columns/ancientpaths/19632-the-gospel-of -grace-2

CHRISTIAN EXCEPTIONALISM CONTINUED

Up through the 1950s our country held strongly to the Judeo-Christian values which our forefathers brought to this country as they sought religious and social freedoms. Today our senior population still largely holds to a Christian worldview. But the younger a person is the less likely they are to embrace a Christian worldview. Younger persons are holding to a diversity of worldviews including modernity, post-modernity and anything in between, all this being relative to their age. But if we are going to have a workable worldview and cultural standard we must grapple with the issue and sound the alarm and not look at this as if it were a natural chain of events which all societies go through from time to time? History tells us we should be concerned because flourishing societies are governed by laws, rules and regulations which can be generally referred to as the constructs of societal interactions. These constructs are formulated by like-minded people coming together for the purpose of interacting in a manner fitting to their need for a vibrant society. It would make sense that people would want to develop constructs which would be just, fair, and protect the society from deprivation and decay. Similarly it would make no sense to tolerate or embrace constructs which were unjust, unfair, and those which would lead to societal decline. Our forefather accomplished this by recognizing an authority which is immutable (never changing) and has proven throughout world history to be the authority of justice and fairness which people desire. Their selection of Judeo-Christian values as the foundation of our constitution was decided because these are the only values which have stood the test of time to protect the innocent and the weakest among us and at the same time allow the strongest to pursue their personal desires for success. Our country has had 200 years of doing just that, offering protection to those who need it and opportunity for those who can make it on their own. But over the last 30 years cultural constructs have changed in our country; we no longer hold fast to the values which brought us to greatness, we have become a nation without a consensus of values and morals. What values and morals we do have are determined individually rather than by a higher consistent authority. Our demise started down the slippery slope with the toleration of thoughts and actions which stood in opposition to our core values. Toleration lead to acceptance and acceptance has lead to new laws, rules, and regulations demanding everyone to embrace these new and destructive cultural constructs. Unfortunately we have only seen the beginnings of regulations which are making demands on how we are to think and interact. What have been the results of our changing culture? We now have abortion on demand when many couples without children would like to adopt. Abortion on demand has lead to infanticide where live viable babies are murdered after they are born (ref. the Gosnell trial). We are now in the process of legalizing same sex marriage, knowing the actions of homosexuals are un-natural and have killed thousands because of the spread of AIDS. We have states legalizing recreational drug use, knowing drug use is the major cause of violate crimes. We coddle criminals and do nothing to rehabilitate their victims. We have elected political leaders because they appear to be charismatic but are so inept they are leading us into financial chaos. We have tolerated evil to the point we are now conscripted to laws demanding we accept the evil we tolerated. The list of societal ills could go on for pages but the list will not give us the answers needed to turn our country around. What will change our country back to what once made it so great is a personal issue. What I mean by this is, until each of us starts to act from principle instead of what satisfies our personal greed and desires, nothing will change. Today our country lacks the principles to lead and direct our interactions with justice, fairness and concern for others. We are divided neighbor against

neighbor and state against state. We share no sense of commonality and our national leadership promotes diversity for the purpose of dividing us. Our politicians are using the mantra of dividing and conquering. Why? Because a divided nation is a nation easy to control, and ultimate power is the only thing which satisfies the greed and desires of fallen mankind. But is all lost without any hope of change? Absolutely not! We start the change within and then spread it to our families, neighbors and community. We start by living from principle and not by what satisfies our purulent appetites. We move forward by demanding our politicians to lead with principle and not by the latest polling results. We vote from principle and not with our pocket book.

strongest. The worldview we must get back to is a Godly worldview because it has stood the test of time and provided a set of principles which are just, fair, and protect the inalienable God given rights of everyone. This is what made our country great and this is what will bring us back to the place of continued greatness. Why greatness, because when we are at our greatest we can do our best for others. Summary: You dont have to be a believer in God to believe the historical facts of the value of Godly principles; but you do have to be a reasonable person with an understanding and working knowledge of world history. But as you read history you must be careful because today's dominate worldview has deconstructed history to the point where we have exchanged the truth for a lie and good for evil.

Is the United States a Christian nation?

But not just any worldview or set of values and principles will lead us down the road of recovery. Our road map must be based on learning and embracing principles which have stood the test of time. We must promote principles which protects our weakest and yet gives the greatest amount of freedoms to our
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Question: "Is the United States a Christian nation?" continue reading page 4
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Answer: It may seem intuitive, at first, to attempt to answer this question by focusing on government. But the best way to determine whether or not the United States is a Christian nation is to compare the philosophy of its people to the Word of God. The Declaration of Independence states that every person has these God-given, inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This philosophy is what we could call the American Worldview, and it drives everything about the nation from its economic and foreign policy to the private lives of its people. This is the atmosphere in which most of us have grown up. But can this American Worldview be called a Christian Worldview? Can we really call the United States a Christian nation? .So, is the United States a Christian nation? No. Not in its philosophy, or in what it loves, or in what it does. Despite its Judeo-Christian roots and heritage, and the beliefs of some of its founders, the United States today is a nation that follows other gods, and lives a lifestyle that is not compatible with Christianity.

"Apologetics is the work of convincing people to change their views." Therefore, Christian apologetics is that branch of Christianity that deals with answering any and all critics who oppose or question the revelation of God in Christ and the Bible. It can include studying such subjects as biblical manuscript transmission, philosophy, biology, mathematics, evolution, and logic. But it can also consist of simply giving an answer to a question about Jesus or a Bible passage. The latter case is by far the most common and you dont have to read a ton of books to do that.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christiannation.html#ixzz2SGFovNnE

AN INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS
by Matt Slick The word "apologetics" comes from the Greek word "apologia," pronounced "ap-ol-og-ee-ah." It means, "a verbal defense." It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 10:56; Phil. 1:7; 2 Tim. 4:16, and 1 Pet. 3:15. But it is the last verse that is most commonly associated with Christian apologetics. "....but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet. 3:15, NASB).

Apologetics can be defensive and offensive. Phil. 1:7 gives us instruction on the defensive side, "For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me." 2 Cor. 10:5 gives us instruction on the offensive side: "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." The apologist can and should defend his reasons for believing (1 Pet. 3:15). But he can also go on the attack. He can seek out those who oppose Christianity (2 Cor. 10:5). Of course, he should be prepared to do this beforehand, and all

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apologetics is to be done with gentleness. Apologetics is the work of convincing people to change their views. In this, it is similar to preaching because its goal is ultimately the defense and presentation of the validity and necessity of the gospel. It is an attempt to persuade the listener Read More at: http://carm.org/introductionapologetics

"No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms.
UNANSWERED PRAYER

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon." and she said: "How come He doesn't answer it?"

Just For Fun

During these serious and troubled times, people of all faiths should remember these four "great religious truths": 1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's Chosen People. 2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 3. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian world. 4. Baptists do not recognize each other at the liquor store.

SAY A PRAYER

Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away. "Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer." said his mother. "I don't need to," the boy replied. "Of course, you do "his mother insisted. "We always say a prayer before eating at our house." "That's at our house." Johnny explained. "But this is

Site of the Week

DID NOAH FISH?

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A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ?"

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