Archive for August, 2008

Donald Miller to Give DNC Benediction

Posted in Politics, Uncategorized on August 23, 2008 by Sean Gould

Christianity Today has posted an article online informing readers that popular author Donald Miller will be giving the benediction at the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver.  The interview with Miller can be read here.  Below is a quote from the interview….and I must say, it appears Blue Like Jazz isn’t just the title of his book but it is also the color of his party affiliation.

Where do you stand on issues like abortion and gay marriage?
The issue of abortion is a very sensitive one and it’s an important issue. I look at from a perspective of, what’s the best that we can do. As we elect a Republican House and Senate, and as we elect Republican leadership in the executive branch, we see very little changes on that issue. We’re electing someone who agrees with us on abortion, being sort of a tragedy in our country, and yet can’t get anything done. It’s kind of like saying, I want a pilot on my plane who feels this way about abortion, but he can’t fly the plane. The executive branch doesn’t have that much power, it has some power, but it doesn’t have much power. You look at the reality of that and say, what can I do to defend the sanctity of all human life, including the living, and the marginalized and the oppressed and the poor? What can we do to better social conditions so that less women are put in situations where they feel like they need to have an abortion. What does looking at the issue holistically look like. I hope the Democrats will listen to those of us who lean toward pro-life and those changes can be made.

In terms of gay marriage, I see it as a constitutional issue. Until we become a theocracy, I think that judges should look at it from a constitutional issue. Whether I think homosexuality’s wrong, personally? America is not God’s country. It’s not considered a Christian nation anymore. You have to look at everybody, not just Christians and say, what are the rights of these people based on this constitution. That’s another difficult issue as well. I get a bit frustrated when the evangelical position is reduced to two issues. So many other issues are not a concern to us. What happened was, in my opinion, the Christian positions has been reduced in order to manipulate us. If we give them these two issues, we can do whatever we want.

Hallmark Selling Same-Sex Wedding Cards

Posted in Marriage, Worldview and Culture on August 21, 2008 by Sean Gould

PORTLAND, Ore. —  Most states don’t recognize gay marriage — but now Hallmark does.  Click here to read the rest of the article.

Rick Warren on Obama’s “above my pay grade” comment

Posted in Politics on August 20, 2008 by Sean Gould

I saw this on Justin Taylor’s blog and thought it was interesting.  Again, I think Rick Warren did a great job at the Presidential forum last Saturday night; he asked some very good questions.

Rick Warren was interviewed by Beliefnet on the recent Saddleback Summit with McCain and Obama. The interviewer asked specifically about Obama’s response to the abortion question:

Dan Gilgoff: When you asked Obama about when life begins, he punted, saying “It’s above my pay grade.” Should someone running for the highest office in the land have a clear answer to that, or is that kind of ambivalence acceptable?

 Rick Warren: No. I think he needed to be more specific on that. I happen to disagree with Barack on that. Like I said, he’s a friend. But to me, I would not want to die and get before God one day and go, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t take the time to figure out” because if I was wrong, then it had severe implications for my leadership if I had the ability to do something about it. He should either say, “No, scientifically, I do not believe it’s a human being until X” or whatever it is or say, “Yes, I believe it is a human being at X point,” whether it’s conception or anything else. But to just say “I don’t know” on the most divisive issue in America is not a clear enough answer for me.

O Great God

Posted in Music on August 20, 2008 by Sean Gould

Solid lyrics and beautiful music make this one of my favorite songs.  Many songs do not possess both qualities but this one does.  Sovereign Grace Music has been producing Christ-exalting songs like this one for many years.  May this great God continue to grant them the grace to do so.

O Great God

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Words and Music by Bob Kauflin
(Based on The Valley of Vision prayer “Regeneration”)

Commentaries Website

Posted in Books, Theology/Bible on August 19, 2008 by Sean Gould

BestCommentaries.com has provided a great resource for Bible study.  This new website has reviews and ratings from Carson, Sproul, and Piper among others, on many new and old commentaries.

HT: JT

Saddleback Presidential Forum

Posted in Politics, Worldview and Culture on August 18, 2008 by Sean Gould

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback church, hosted a forum with both presidential candidates on Saturday night.  Many of the questions were focused on the character of the individual, and I believe Rick Warren had some great questions and did an excellent job.  Here are a couple videos below that ask the question, “When does a baby get human rights?”