The form of prejudice commonly called racism has always baffled me. Bigotry based upon skin colour makes as much sense as bigotry based upon eye or hair colour. And yet, racism is likely the most common form of prejudice worldwide today, and perhaps has been in every generation. It is sad to see this hideous attitude in the world, but even worse to find it among our brethren.
The opening chapters to the book of Genesis reveal details concerning the creation of the earth and of mankind, as well as many firsts (first man, first woman, first marriage, first command, first sin, first sacrifices, first children, first murder —you get the point). Genesis is the book of beginning after beginning. And yet within those early chapters were are some often forgotten or seldom mentioned tidbits. Let’s note some of them here.
It is a common thing to see advertising for a variety of gambling options on TV, on billboards, and online. They have been some exceptionally witty and amusing ads put together to entice people to take a chance on the lottery. Scratch tickets and dropping numbered balls are not for everyone, so maybe a game of bingo might appeal. There are even church groups that conduct bingos. The bright lights and piercing chimes of a casino catch the fancy of some. There have even been government-operated casinos popping
up throughout Ontario with a host of games to entertain. Not interested in the lottery, bingo, or casino games? You can legally bet on the outcome of sporting events through the gaming commissions that regulate lotteries and casinos. No bookie required. If you want to gamble, but don’t want to leave the house, you can do so! You can participate in all the above via the internet.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the Hebrews came to Mount Sinai, where God would give His law to them. He spoke to all the people from the top of Mount Sinai, revealing His covenant with Israel. Then, He called Moses to come up Sinai, so He might give him the tablets of stone on which the law would be written (Exodus 24:12). The next several chapters reveal details of the law of Moses.
Moses would be with the Lord on the top of Sinai for 40 days. No sooner had God finished revealing & recording His law (Exodus 31:18) than trouble began in the camp. The Lord commanded Moses,
Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ (Exodus 32:7-8)
Last week, while in a Bible chat room on the internet, another person in the same chat room was affirming Universalism, defined as
a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved; the principles & practices of a liberal Christian denomination founded in the 18th century originally to uphold the belief in universal salvation and now united with Unitarianism.
(Merriam-Webster.com)
According to Universalism doctrine, all people, no matter what they have done will be redeemed and go to heaven. While in the chat room, I asked the proponent of the doctrine if Adolf Hitler will also be in heaven, to which he earnestly replied “Yes.”
It is a common thing to see advertising for a variety of gambling options on TV, on billboards, and online. Perhaps you’ve seen the lotto ad in which two men play a game of “hide and seek” with a helicopter and speed boat? Or the promise of $1,000 cash per week for life. The lotto industry makes all kinds of appeals for people to take a chance.
If the lotto is not your cup of tea, maybe a bingo would work. There are even church groups that conduct bingos. Or maybe the casino might catch your fancy. Government operated casinos are emerging throughout Ontario. A whole host of games; slots, blackjack, roulette, etc. are available there.
Many notable events in the life of David are recorded in the Scriptures. Perhhaps the two which most define his life were battles with giants. In the first, he slew Goliath, the great champion of the Philistines. This event displayed his great faith in God, and was the first of many successful battles he would fight. In fact, there is no indication in Scriptures that he lost even one conflict. Every time he stepped on a battlefield, he walked away.
However, when David came face to face with another giant, he was unprepared. He entered the arena with a foe he should have ruled over (Genesis 4:7), but instead he would suffer a defeat that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He lost, not to a man of brute strength, but to the unlawful desire of his own heart.
Terry Jones, pastor of the Dove World Outreach Center (Gainsville, FL), became an international news story in the weeks leading up to 9/11. Jones planned to mark the 9th anniversary of the attack by Muslim terrorists on the World Trade Center and other US targets by hosting a Qur’an burning. He was repeatedly implored by celebrities, religious leaders and politicians to cancel the planned inferno. Though he cancelled the event days before 9/11, protests among Muslims resulted in various parts of the world, sparking violence and loss of life.
The front page of the August 16th Whig Standard had an article on the Pagan Pride day hosted in City Park last Saturday. What is paganism, or what is more commonly referred to today as Modern Paganism?
In a vivid picture of the wicked, Jude states they have “gone in the way of Cain” (Jude 1:11). John tells us that he killed Abel “because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). Hebrews reveals that “by faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebews 11:4) Cain walked contrary to the will of God, and sadly, many today have “gone in the way of Cain” also. Let us discuss the way of Cain in greater detail.
