I had the distinct and gratifying pleasure to have lunch with Michael Halcomb at last years SBL in New Orleans. Michael immediately strikes you as someone with a passion for the things of God. Have you checked out his website? But, like usual, there is a problem.
Not only does he have his blog, he has spent a lot of time and effort in creating and maintaining three other websites. Greek, Aramaic and Theological German.
I am trying to (re)learn Greek from scratch and Michael’s site has helped immensely.
And for the brave, there is Aramaic.
And those who hate beautiful language, there is theological German.
On each site is a variety of tools such as diagrams, podcasts, songs and even flashcards.
Free.
So, if you get a chance, visit him.
By way, please pass this along, as these sites are really helpful and should be utilized by more people.
Tags: aramiac, new testament greek, theological german
For a while, some of the rationale behind some homeschooling communities is the fear of liberal biases in textbooks, etc… now, conservatives are exerted their biases into the text books of our school children. If you can be objective about this, one will note that biases on either side are simply wrong, further, if you can remain objective, you will find many of these ‘facts’ being taught very objectionable. You can find the entire story here, but below are some highlights. One of the things we have to realize is that as Texas goes, so does the nation. Find more here as well.
Continue reading “Will the Texas Textbook Decision Force More to Homeschooling?”
Tags: American Exceptionalism, civil religion, homeschool, public school, texas
Haven’t really covered this in a while, but here you go:
Yesterday Alternet published an article by Bill Berkowitz including an interview with me about the New Apostolic Reformation, or the “largest religious movement you never heard of.” Despite the growing political clout of its leadership, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) continues to operate under the radar of the mainstream press as well as most progressive media. Hopefully this interview will prove to be another stepping stone in making the movement more recognizable to the public.
via Talk To Action | Prayer Warriors of the New Apostolic Reformation Getting Some Exposure.
Tags: Dominionism, New Apostolic Reformation
World Nut Daily ran a story a few weeks ago. Supposedly, a Teach wins a major victory for God in school. Now, I won’t get into the fight of whether or not salvation is based on God being in school. What really happened was it was a victory for religious pluralism. Read what the judge said about ‘a’ supreme God. (Not a monotheistic belief, really, but whatever). Further, the school district allowed other displays of other religions, but prevented this teacher from putting up banners with slogans from American history. Was this really a victory for the ‘Christian God’ or for religious pluralism and the ability to accurately describe the American heritage?
“May a school district censor a high school teacher’s expression because it refers to Judeo-Christian views, while allowing other teachers to express views on a number of controversial subjects, including religion and anti-religion?” posited U.S. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez in his judgment. “On undisputed evidence, this court holds that it may not.”
He continued, “That God places prominently in our nation’s history does not create an Establishment Clause violation requiring curettage and disinfectant for Johnson’s public high school classroom walls. It is a matter of historical fact that our institutions and government actors have in past and present times given place to a supreme God.”
Read the article here:
via Teacher wins major victory for God in school.
By the way, one of the things that the judge did say was:
“Fostering diversity,” Benitez ruled, “does not mean bleaching out historical religious expression or mainstream morality. By squelching only Johnson’s patriotic and religious classroom banners, while permitting other diverse religious and anti-religious classroom displays, the school district does a disservice to the students of Westview High School, and the federal and state constitutions do not permit this one-sided censorship.”
Tags: american history, God, public school, religion
A while ago, I got into collecting antique books. I have some of Tholuck’s 1st edition English commentaries and some antique bibles, but those were sought after. In a local used book store, a few years ago, I found an 1834 copy of Goethe’s Faust by Blackie. Then I found one a set from the early 1800’s as well for a small encyclopedia of the Reformation. Just thought I would share:
Continue reading “Some of my Antique Book Treasures”
Tags: antique books, faust
An expedition of Czech archaeologists has found remains of an about 150,000-year-old prehistoric settlement in Arbil, north Iraq, which has been the so far oldest uncovered in this part of northern Mesopotamia, team head Karel Novacek told reporters Friday.
The archaeologists revealed a high number of items, mainly prehistoric stone tools, about nine metres under the ground in Arbil, capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, said archaeologist Novacek, from the University of West Bohemia in Plzen.
The eight-member expedition returned from Iraq at the end of last year. The team comprised experts from the University of West Bohemia, academic and university institutions in Prague and two companies.
Read the rest:
Czech archaeologists find oldest settlement in Arbil, north Iraq | Prague Monitor.
I have some questions, but I’ll wait to see how it pans out.
Tags: archaeology, iraq
Don’t tell Glenn Beck -
An international panel of pastors and theologians is drafting a ‘manifesto’ on church unity and social justice for a new global organisation of Reformed churches.
The text is to be presented in June to the Uniting General Council (UGC) of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Grand Rapids, United States.
At the conclusion yesterday of a four-day consultation in Cartigny, Switzerland, the group representing churches in eight world regions approved a text calling for a clear commitment to church unity as the basis for joint action on economic and ecological justice concerns.
“What we are preparing is in effect a theological manifesto,” says Ofelia Ortega of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba who chaired the consultation. “Our intent is for UGC delegates to discuss and accept the theological foundations for joint church action in this new communion.This ‘manifesto’ will be a key element to those discussions.”….
Reformed theologians draft manifesto for economic and ecological justice | Ekklesia.
Tags: economic church, reformed
Kind of fits into the current discussion. It seems that what is happening in Texas will decide something for the rest of the country:
Continue reading “Who Decides What’s In Your Kids’ Textbooks?”
Tags: Jay Sekulow, public school, texas
