Frontier School of the Bible (update)
From Carmen Carpenter on Facebook,
Many have wondered what has transpired with Frontier School of the Bible’s situation with the State of Wyoming. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools like Frontier by removing their religious exemption. Some of the effects of that statute were negated when Frontier School of the Bible was granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of all post-secondary religious schools in Wyoming. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption.
Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators. The legislative session begins February 8th.
Thank you for your prayers.
The following is a copy of the post on FSB’s facebook page:
Please pray for Frontier!
Hi everyone! Here’s an update on our situation with the State of Wyoming. All this is happening starting next Monday and through the month of February 2010. PLEASE PRAY WITH US! It’s been awesome to see the positive response we’ve had lately but we know it is GOD and GOD ALONE that will work through this situation! “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
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If you are a resident of Wyoming and would like more info on how to help, please call the school – 307-834-2215
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What is the situation?
Frontier School of the Bible is seeking to have our religious exemption restored by the Wyoming State Legislature. A current state statute, designed to deal with diploma mills, inadvertently affected legitimate religious schools. Some of the effects of that statute were negated by Frontier School of the Bible being granted a Leadership School exemption. However, in order to deal with all of the unintended negative aspects of losing our religious exemption, Representative Ed Buchanan has submitted House Bill 16 on behalf of Frontier School of the Bible and all other religious schools. Approval of this bill would restore our religious exemption and once again allow us to award degrees.
What can you do?
Please pray that House Bill 16 would make it through the Educational Committees, be placed on the Legislative Agenda, and be passed by the Legislature. Pray for wisdom for those from Frontier School of the Bible who will be meeting with the Department of Education and legislators
Thanks!
-FSB
Have We “Polluted” Christianity with Conservatism (3)
A few days ago I was involved in a conversation on Facebook which prompted the whole idea of this thread. A commenter said "we have polluted Christianity with Conservative Ideology".
Yesterday I asked the question: Is taking the position of low taxation an exclusively conservative position or is it a matter of faith?
Before I dive in allow me to say thank you for your comments. I am so thankful for all of you who keep me thinking correctly or thinking at all 
. Specifically Jordan; I can always count on you to make sure I am being clear and inclusive in my comments and Jim; thank you for interjecting the foundational truth of obedience to God and His delegated authority.
Now onto the point:
As Christians we have the answers for every problem on earth. God has given us the responsibility (Psalm 115:16) and the authority (Mathew 28:18-20) to steward the earth and has spoken to every aspect of life (2 Peter 1:3) through His specific revelation to His people. The Bible.
I chose taxation because there are opinions ranging all over the place and some Christians believe it is good to take from some for the benefit of others.
Same sex marriage would have been too easy. Having said that there is a very good reason for opposition to same sex marriage other than, "it’s a sin"; which is fine for Christians but the world won’t buy it.
Jim you brought up Mathew 22:21 render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. The Constitution, with guidance from the Bible, tells us what is lawful and Biblical related to taxation. Civil government needs, and has the right, to collect taxes for things like national defense, punishing evil, keeping the peace and very little else. Romans 13 is very clear on this point.
In "Americas Providential History" Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell quote Gary DeMar:
"In the United Stated the Constitution is our "Caesar." We are bound to pay what it stipulates is our due. But neither citizens nor civil representatives must assume that Jesus gave rulers a blank check in the area of taxation…
Another word for tax is tribute. We are directed in scripture to give God a 10% tithe so any amount above that for civil government could be construed as idolatry.
Property taxes are expressly forbidden in 1 Sam 8:14, 1 Kings 21, and Ezk 46:18. With property taxes the property is in effect owned by the state and rented to citizens. If we fail to pay the rent (tax) we can be evicted. This is theft. God owns the land and gives it to us to steward. (Gen 1:28-30) The State has no part in this relationship.
Proverbs 13:22 says a good man leaves an inheritance to his children. Our estate tax system, though not expressly forbidden in scripture, makes it very difficult to leave an inheritance. Without burdensome estate and insurance planning up to 55% of our estate will be absorbed by the state at our death. this tax is sold as a tax on "the rich". It is more accurately a huge burden on family farms and small business. The rich don’t pay taxes.
There are so many more places I could go with this but it’s too long already.
Because conservatism, (not Republican party), most closely aligns itself with the Biblical clarity regarding the purpose and amount of taxation. I am a conservative. There is no Biblical, or constitutional, basis for "wealth redistribution".
Taxation for me is not a matter of politics but of faith. What part of this is "polluting" to Christianity?
Tags: Politics, Conservatism, Christianity, Private Property, Taxes, Estate Tax
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Have We “Polluted” Christianity with Conservatism? (2)
On Monday I asked the above question and received a couple of good comments between Facebook and the here.
Today I want to pose a question.
Is taking the position of low taxation an exclusively conservative position? or is it a matter of faith?
Obviously I believe it is a matter of faith which is one reason I am a conservative because I am a Christian.
I have much more to say on this topic but really would like your insight.
Chime in.
Tags: Taxation, Politics, Christianity, Government
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Why I’m not a 501c3
Having been involved with ministries over the last several years I have seen government become more and more hostile toward church and para-church ministries who take a political stand.
Part of my calling and passion is to speak about political issues and when speaking to culture, faith, and social issues it’s nearly impossible to keep politics out of it. I believe the church should take a vocal stand for what is right from a traditional Biblical world view.
In the 50′s the church walked away from education, media, sports and politics with disastrous results. Also in 1954 a group called the Fellowship of Christian Athletes decided they would not let the enemy have athletics and have been challenging coaches and athletes to stand up for their faith. Now at the close of nearly every athletic event we see a group of athletes from both teams gathered at center court, center ice, or center field to pray together.
Recently we have seen the fruit of Christians involved in media who have the same attitude. Specifically an episode of Law and Order gave the pro life position a very honest and fair portrayal. We are also beginning to see movies and television shows that are family friendly and fair to cultural conservatives.
I believe it is critical that we not only pray (2Chronicles 7:14) but let our prayer inform our involvement. We must not embrace apathy clothed in holiness and piety.
So even though I may receive fewer financial gifts as a result I will not be voluntarily muzzled by the 501C3 rules. I hope this clarifies my choice. I would love to hear your comments.
Credit Where Credit is Due
Today Barrack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.
I won’t comment on that directly what I was impressed with was his response:
“I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership,”
I appreciate this humilty.
reuters.com
To Find Him Where He Can Be Found.
God speaks to me sometimes by sending the same message in different ways over a period of time and then I have what I call a coalescing moment where it all comes together.
I just had one of those when I received a my daily email from the Copelands and from a friend on Facebook from Zimbabwe. We have never met and I don’t know why he found me and asked me to be his friend. He has 6 friends and I am the only one not from Zumbabwe.
Since launching into ministry in January I have had an interesting ride. I am living the dream but have been plagued with fear and doubt shortly after making the decision. Building the kingdom has been in my heart for over 10 years. At a workshop for worship with Job Vijil I knew this is what I was born to do. God has always been faithful so why the worry?
I say He is my strength and my shield, my ever present help in time of need. I’m standing on the Word but I haven’t spoken in in weeks. Instead I have been speaking death. A couple weeks ago my amazing wife scolded me strongly for the way I’m talking and she is exactly right. She is such a blessing to me. The Word of God is the final word but I must put it to work by speaking it out.
I am reminded of a short prayer by Hans Ur von Balthasar I apologize if I’ve posted this before:
Harassed by life, exhausted, we look about us for somewhere to be quiet, to be genuine, a place of refreshment. We yearn to restore our spirits in God, to simply let go in him and gain new strength to go on living.
But we fail to look for him where he is waiting for us, where he is to be found; in his Son, who is his Word. Or else seek for God because there are a thousand things we want to ask him, and imagine that we cannot go on living unless they are answered. We inundate him with problems, with demands for information, for clues, for an easier path, forgetting that in his Word he has given us the solution to every problem and all the details we are capable of grasping in this life.
We fail to listen where God speaks; where God’s Word rang out in the world once for all, sufficient for all ages, inexhaustible. Or else we think that God’s Word has been heard on earth for so long that by now it is almost used up. That it is about time for some new word, as if we had the right to demand one. We fail to see that it is we ourselves who are used up and alienated, whereas the Word resounds with the same vitality and freshness as ever; it is just as near to us as it always was.
Hans Ur von Balthasar, Prayer. Trans. Graham Harrison (San Fancisco: Ignatius Press, 1986)
Today I committ to being in His Word and daily seeking Him in the secret place for His direction. I encourage you to do the same.
Blessings as you walk with Him.
Are you kidding me?!?
No Cash Left for Digital TV Converter Box Coupons- Little Rock- msnbc.com
Does anyone on earth think this is the proper function of government?
Are we seriously paying for digital converters so people can watch television?
The Federal Government has run out of money to help analog TV owners go digital in mid-February.
“USA Today” reports the $1.3 billion dollar program to offset the cost of buying converter boxes scraped bottom on Sunday.
Instead of giving out discount coupons worth $40 apiece, the Feds are now compiling a waiting list. If consumers can’t wait, they can always spring for the box’s 40-to-70-dollar cost without the coupon.
1.3 Billion!!!
We are not approaching the edge we are halfway down the cliff. Lord come quickly.
No Cash Left for Digital TV Converter Box Coupons – Little Rock- msnbc.com
H.T. Right Wing News
Bigger Gov’t Is Not Stimulus
Keynesian Economics Is Wrong: Bigger Gov’t Is Not Stimulus:
Dan Mitchell, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, explains why Keynesian economics hasn’t worked in the past, and won’t work now.
Try as I might I still cannot figure out how to embed video into this thing. If you can explain it to me I would be grateful. Until then here’s the link to you tube.
YouTube – Keynesian Economics Is Wrong: Bigger Gov’t Is Not Stimulus
Hat tip: Michelle Malkin
Not Keen on Keynes
From the CATO INSTITUTE website.
Not Keen on Keynes
by Chris Edwards
The U.S. economy is in recession, and federal policymakers want to help by applying some old-fashioned Keynesian medicine. They are considering a stimulus bill of up to $700 billion, with substantial spending going to state and local governments for infrastructure and other activities. But such a grab-bag for the states is ill-advised for ten good reasons, at least.
1. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS BROKE.
2. SPENDING IS THE PROBLEM.
3. A KEYNESIAN STIMULUS IGNORES THE LONG RUN.
4. RISING FEDERAL DEBT IS FISCAL CHILD ABUSE.
5. A BAILOUT WOULD FLOUT STATE FISCAL TRADITIONS.
6. A BAILOUT MAY DELAY STATE REFORMS.
7. STATE INFRASTRUCTURE IS ADEQUATELY FUNDED.
8. STATE SITUATIONS VARY.
9. BAILOUTS BEGET MORE BAILOUTS.
10. A BAILOUT SHIFTS ATTENTION FROM NEEDED FEDERAL REFORMS.
You can click through and read the detail for each of the 10 points. Bottom line, government is the problem and more government can never be the solution.
Not Keen on Keynes
Conservatism Defined
I’m finally back.
After the election I decided to fast from political everything for an undetermined amount of time. I was going to get straight back into blogging about worship, bicycling, faith, and occasionally politics. Then the funeral and then I got sick and then Thanksgiving. It’s like anything else when you’re in the flow the momentum carries you but when you stop it’s hard to get started again. So here we go.
Conservatism defined,
I have given this much thought over the last several days. I didn’t do any research, read any definitions or consult any political geniuses. I wanted to define conservatism in my own mind and let the conversation begin. This is by no means exhaustive it is rather the opening argument.
Conservatism is rooted in absolutes and principles that never change. Conservatism applies to everyone and doesn’t need to be tailored for each subclass or re-defined each generation. I believe you are either a conservative or you are not. I don’t understand how someone can say they are a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. Conservatism is a set of principles and core values that inform and shape what you believe, core values to guide you in both fiscal and social matters.
Here is what I think conservatives believe:
Conservatives first believe in God.
Belief in God can be expressed in many different ways, denominations, or religions; however it must come to the conclusion that man is not basically good, redemption is available to everyone, and there will be a final judgment. (Notice I did not say Evangelical Christian)
Conservatives believe in the sanctity of human life.
This is not a single issue. It is a core issue that informs every other point. Quality of life comes after the defense of life and human life trumps all other.
Conservatives believe in Liberty and freedom.
Individual liberty and freedom is what made this country exceptional. Not collectivism, not diversity, and definitely not government, though our form of government matters.
Conservatives believe in Individual responsibility.
Victimhood is part of what’s gone wrong with this country. When we take responsibility we take ownership and only then can we improve our situation. When you are given freedom you must take responsibility or your freedom will be taken from you. Government should enable individuals to pursue their own self interests but not at the expense of someone else’s. That’s why I am not a libertarian. I believe the state has a role to play. A role spelled out very clearly in the Bible and in the constitution. Limited government and individual responsibility must go hand in hand.
Conservatives believe in the rule of law.
Laws should be applied fairly without regard to race, gender, etc, etc. Laws should not be passed solely to make retribution, like affirmative action, and should not punish thought, like hate crimes. The state has an obligation to condone what is good and punish what is evil. God alone is the judger of hearts and motives.
Conservatives believe in strong national defense.
The constitution charges the federal government with defending our borders and our sovereignty. Immigration is what built this country; however allowing people to come illegally with no intention of assimilating or contributing to the culture and the economy will destroy it. Defending this country means war is inevitable unless we want to surrender to the latest evil that raises its head either within these borders or without.
Conservatives believe in stewardship.
Everything we have is a gift and we must steward it well. Environmentalism has become the home of the radical left who worship the creation not the creator. Stewardship is the answer not radical environmentalism.
I didn’t intend for these to be in any order but I think they’re ordered pretty well . The top two are definitely the top two.
Conservatism is hard. It allows you to own your successes and your failures. It allows natural consequences when you make bad decisions. It allows the largest number of people access to upward mobility. It gives tough love not coddling or enabling. It allows for personal pride and dignity. It requires integrity, conviction, and perseverance.
The idea of fairness is a lie and holds us back. The playing field is not level and cannot be made level. The government cannot remove obstacles but should create an environment where obstacles can be overcome.
I’m sure there is more but no less. Before you unload on me I understand these are ideals and the devil is in the details. As you know I love vigorous debate but have very little patience for those who are full of passion and fire but without principled arguments or core values. If you believe socialism is better fine. Make a principled argument and may the best ideas win. I believe I hold a Biblical Christian world view. If you think I’m wrong make a principled scriptural argument. If you show me where I’m in error I will repent and be grateful to you.
Let the conversation begin.
My Songs
