One thing the Mahler / Woe duo need to improve on is not sounding like arrogant redditors whose firmware malfunctioned and turned them right wing. Would really help their branding.

Super Lutheran is doing great work, and so is Stone Choir. This doesn't need to be a johnson measuring contest, seriously folks.

Penetcost Poast 2: Reversal of Babel?

It's common to hear that Pentecost was a reversal of Babel -- instead of God dispersing the nations and confusing their language, He brought them together and they all heard God's word together.

However, the better way to think of Pentecost is a redemption of Babel, not a reversal. When Adam brought death into the world, God's solution wasn't a cosmic Cntrl+Z; it was to use the very fact of death to redeem the world.

By the same token, when the sin of Babel brought langauages and permanent separation of nations, God didn't erase this separation but rather sent His word into each nation and people.

The culmination seen in Revelation 5 is a congregation "of every nation, tribe, and tongue," showing clearly these seperations extend into eternity, yet in no way prevent us from peace and communal worship.

Tucker Carlson wrecks Ted Cruz here; he should've dropped in Galatians 6 where St. Paul calls a mixed Jew and Gentile church "the Israel of God."

While it should be apparent to all why Dispensationalism is wrong, why is it so popular?

Darby and Scofield capitalized on the lack of basic catechesis of Baptist and Methodist laity. Even a young child who knew the Heidelberg Catechism would very quickly point out that Israel was designated by God for the purpose of brining the Christ child into the world.

They would recognize the purpose of historical Israel had already been served, and the state now wearing the name as a skinsuit is merely an ethnostate designed to serve as a memorial against the Moustache Man.

Trump may have mistepped several times in the last few days, but he's corrected and appears on the right track.

We should always be praying for our natural heads (1 Tim. 2), but now is an especially appropriate time to do so.

Another reason Dispensationalism is so popular is its connection to end times fervor. The majority of Christians believe Christ will return within 40 years (and make no mistake, that cohort is almost entirely boomers). This gives a relgious justification for their generational high time preference -- as seen in their unwillingness to sacrifice for later generations.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, guide, we beseech thee, the Nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

I don't care if the federal government wants to sell off a few desert parcels or let a company buy some useless federal buildings in urban areas.

But the federal government has an absolute mandate to preserve wild areas; in fact, I think the federal government should regulate tourism and intra-U.S. migration to protect our shared inheritance.

People are acting like the PCA resolutions promoting MLK-esque "colorblindness" are newsworthy. Any denomination where figures like Ligon Duncan and co are leaders is obviously pozzed in some way. Did anyone honestly think this wasn't where the denomination was at, even after Revoice?

With that being said, denominational stances are almost irrelevant -- each congregation can be assessed individually and many are quite solid even on political issues. Pray for the PCA and the whole church of God as always.

Mother-in-Law implies a helpful, more forgiving Mother-in-Gospel.

Is Using Marijuana Sinful?

Unequivocally, yes. There is no way to consume which does not result in intoxication. Unlike alcohol, caffeine, and other substances. In other words, it's very purpose sinful. It's not like smoking cigarettes or tobacco which, though a vice, is not inherently sinful.

St. John Chrysostom drew this distinction against contemporary teetotalers:

[Some say], "Let there be no wine." We should say then in answer to such, "Let there be no drunkenness; for wine is the work of God, but drunkenness is the work of the devil. Wine makes not drunkenness; but intemperance produces it."

The sin is linked to the excess which is measured by being out of one's right state of mind. We may apply the same standard to all other substances.

For instance, there are medicinal uses of the marijuana plant which, though I'm skeptical of them, are not reliant on THC and do not induce an altered state of mind. These would be permissible (though stupid).

America lost the Cold War. It simply does not follow that, after "winning," we would then be subjected to the same ideology, only faker and gayer, in our nations.

The merit of the communist states was that they kept their people in. Make no mistake, if the iron curtain had not fallen, the 3rd world invasion of our nation would not be happening (excepting Latin migration, which is far perferable to Indians and Arabs).

This Independence Day, let's thank God for the many blessings America has brought to us, and also pray for friendship and peace between all European nations and that they turn to Christ again.

> ICE has more funding than most countries' militaries isn't that terrible?

> Yes, it's terrible that we need a second military to combat the invasion at our southern border. The first one would do just fine.

Addendum: The U.S. should first confiscate and sell all foreign-owned land (or at least Chinese-owned land) and any property owned by illegals.

As of this evening, pastor John MacArthur has passed away and is in the presence of our Lord. His ministry has been a blessing to a countless number of people both in the church and in the public square. May his endurance unto his death serve as a reminder to be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, never being ashamed.

Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Raising my Fresca to Jmac, who is no longer a dispensationalist.

Yes, Trump has absolutely mishandled the Epstein Files issue. Nothing justifies his behavior on this.

No, I don't think Trump is implicated. If there was serious dirt on Trump it would have been released by deep state leakers long ago, back during "Russiagate."

This reminds me of the "Access Hollywood" tape, when many evangelicals pointed to David as a biblical corollary to Trump in terms of moral issues.

I think the better comparison is Solomon. He was on the whole a good king, yet didn't have the militaristic discipline of his father. His personal moral failings compromised his ability to rule well.

The organ is a church staple for good reason.

1) It is the only non-portable instrument, one with the building itself. Its presence (and price) indicates permanence, stability, and a culture with a long time horizon.

2) It is one of the most difficult instruments to play (well), and a talented organists indicates a level of craft and excellence which can never be equalled by a teenager who strums four basic chords. The level of the clergy and church workers will be the baseline the congregants strive for in their own vocations.

3) It is an instrument designed to blend with the human voice. When compared with other instruments at a similar volume, brass, strings, and percussion (while named in Scripture and are acceptable additions) will all overpower human singing.

4) Practically speaking, the organ is capable of many sounds via the stop system, and solves the need for most other instruments.

5) Physically speaking, the organ is the only instrument designed to draw one's eyes (and therefore mind and spirit) upwards (except perhaps church bells, which are also staples).

6) Its sound qualitatively indicates a gravity and significance equal to no other. Even secular organ music such as Bach's fugues evoke a religious feeling, as he intended.

7) Finally, the church organ is the only instrument immediately and exclusively associated with Christianity. Even chanting, the oldest form of Christian music, is not so universally connected with Jesus of Nazareth. It is our duty to protect and preserve this connection until His return.