Saturday, September 6, 2008

Creation Trip '08 Special Report!

Hello friends!

Our group had an awesome time on the Creation Museum adventure this past weekend. There were 21 people who came along, plus one boy who we met at the campground where we stayed.

The ride up took about seven hours, including stops (approx. 9:45 AM to 4:45 PM). The final hour was tense as we drew closer to our destination, and at the same time, to a huge gray cloud system! As we neared the campground, rain was increasingly falling and everyone was dismayed to realize we would have to set up our tents in a watery deluge. However, we prayed and miraculously, as we began to unload, the rain completely stopped.

For supper, we had a luscious meal of hamburgers and hot dogs grilled over the campfire by our pastor, John Griffith. Pastor Griffith is also a former Scoutmaster and a creation geologist, and we are happy to say his cooking "rocks!" (NOT as in "tastes like rocks") :-D

We had a fairly uneventful but relaxing evening. Several of us went for walks around the campground and on the couple of verdant trails. We also had a lot of fun at the small park and playground. At the playground, we met Bobby (an unsaved public school kid), the boy who we were able to bring along to the Museum the next day.

Saturday, I woke up early due to a watch alarm from another tent, which went off at 5:30 in the morning! Pastor Griffith and several others headed off to Wal-Mart at about 6:30, and I whistled Reveille for everyone who was not up yet at 7:00. Breakfast was excellent, with bacon, eggs, grits, and fruit. We got ready to go around 9:15, and left just past 9:30.

We were greeted at the Creation Museum by the helpful and friendly Answers in Genesis staff. While I worked on the admission fees and group paperwork, they handed out schedules for the day and explained information about the museum.

Our trek through the exhibits went well, although we were divided up somewhat when we came out, which was expected. Most people said their favorite part of the museum was the "Men in White" special effects program. This show features two "angels" who depict for the viewer the absurdity of Evolution, as well as providing an overview of the Creationist view of science. Many of our group also said they liked the petting zoo, the Noah's Ark exhibits, and the Planetarium. My favorite part was probably the lecture by Dr. Terry Mortenson on the relevance of Genesis to Christian doctrine and morality.

I was able to give out at least a dozen YCLA business cards to respectable-looking young people at the museum. I even talked to two kids who were volunteering their work there that day (Joshua, a boy of maybe 12 and his sister Kaitlyn?, a girl of maybe 10). They seemed awed by the YCLA concept of bringing together and mobilizing like-minded young people for causes such as that of Creationism. I tried to really thank these kids for what they were doing, and let them know I was very encouraged to see them there!

Back at the campground, we enjoyed the swimming pool with Bobby and several other children from the campground. The water was not bad at all. :-)

We ate burritos for supper. Afterwards, a few of us got together and prayed for Bobby and his family. However, this particular evening was slightly more energetic than the last one; there was a lot of running around and confusion, and even in the middle of the night, a large shout was suddenly heard from inside a tent right next to mine. I got up and investigated, but to this moment, I am not quite sure what caused it.... Oh well. :-D

We left the next morning at 8:30 AM, and arrived back at the church in good time to get freshened up for the Sunday evening service.

We praise God for the wonderful time we had on this trip. Please pray with us for continuing results and impact from it in the lives of those who went, as well as for the salvation of Bobby and those like him. Also, pray that God will direct us as we look towards a similar (2nd annual!) trip to the Museum next year.


-R. Josiah Magnuson
www.YoungChristianLeaders.org

Note: If you would like to still donate to cover some of the expenses of the trip, please send checks to:

Young Christian Leader's Alliance
c/o Faith Independent Baptist Church
4905 Geer Hwy.Cleveland, SC 29635


View pictures of the Museum trip

Monday, August 4, 2008

Save The Planet? How About Saving The Republic?

By Chuck Baldwin (www.chuckbaldwinlive.com)

Yesterday, the Politico quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as saying, "I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet." She was responding, of course, to pressure that she and her fellow Democrats are experiencing to suspend a congressional ban on offshore oil drilling in the face of skyrocketing energy prices. It would be really wonderful, however, if the liberal congresswoman could get as energized about saving our once great republic.

Herein lies another problem: the vast majority of our politicos (from both major parties) do not even seem to know what kind of country the United States was designed to be. Virtually every reference made to the United States by our civil magistrates is that we are a "democracy."

That's odd; someone should have told our Founding Fathers, because they emphatically rejected the concept of creating a "democracy" in favor of creating a constitutional republic.

Has anyone quoted the Pledge of Allegiance lately? Does it say, "And to the democracy for which it stands"? Or does it say, "And to the republic for which it stands"? Of course it says "republic."
At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, a passerby asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got--a republic or monarchy?" Franklin replied, "A republic--if you can keep it."

Ladies and Gentlemen, that is the sixty-four million dollar question: Can we keep our republic? Can we keep our constitutional form of government? Can we keep our constitutionally protected liberties?

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison ("The Father of the U.S. Constitution") said, "[D]emocracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths."

The fear of what happens to freedom and liberty under democratic rule is what prompted Madison and the rest of America's founders to labor so hard to create what they did: a constitutional republic.

Under God, it is allegiance to the Constitution that has preserved our liberties, our peace and happiness, our security, and our very way of life. Furthermore, it is the repudiation and rejection of constitutional government that is responsible for the manner in which these very same blessings are currently being lost.

Someone needs to remind Rep. Pelosi that it is not her duty (nor does she have the power) to "save the planet." And by the same token, someone needs to remind Senators Barack Obama and John McCain that they are not campaigning to be President of the World, but President of the United States.

What every elected officeholder is expected and required to do is very simple: they are required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Period. End of story.

Our public servants are not charged with saving the snail darter or the Spotted Owl, or saving the profits of the international bankers, or saving Wall Street in general, or saving the perks of corporate lobbyists, or saving Freddie and Fannie, or saving the peoples of the world from all the bogeymen, or even saving humankind or the planet itself. What our public servants are charged with, however, is preserving (saving) our constitutional republic.

Of course, the problem is, the people who are charged with the preservation of our republic are the ones who are the most responsible for its destruction. The American people have far more to fear from Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and John McCain than they do from any foreign adversary, because our leaders have proven that they have absolutely no fidelity to the principles of constitutional government. They have no compunction about eviscerating the protection of our freedoms, or about abolishing the vanguard of our liberties. They are Machiavellian, making King George of old look like a mere amateur.

No, I take that back. It is not our civil magistrates who are most responsible for the destruction of our republican form of government: it is "We the people."

At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of the people to govern themselves. We must be willing to hold our civil magistrates accountable to the contract they made with us, which is to uphold constitutional government. It is our duty to "throw off" any system of government that does not secure our liberties and protect our Constitution. And this we have not done.
Christian pastors and ministers have failed us. The "Religious Right" has failed us. College professors have failed us. High School teachers have failed us. Newspaper editors and publishers have failed us. TV news anchors and reporters have failed us. Parents have failed. Friends have failed. The two major political parties have failed. As a whole, no one is talking about, or even thinking about, the loss of constitutional government, national independence, and sovereignty. Few seem even conscious that this is taking place.

Worrying about which major party wins a general election is like worrying about whether Coke or Pepsi sold more soft drinks last month. Pick your poison. One is just as bad as the other. Neither has any fidelity to the Constitution or to the principles of liberty, which it represents. Both John McCain and Barack Obama are enemies to constitutional government. Both are in the process of sacrificing our national sovereignty to global entities. Both men lied when they took an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution. So, why should we care which impostor wins the election?

It is up to the American people to enforce constitutional government. From a Christian perspective, it is "We the people" who are the "powers that be" in Romans chapter 13. Under our form of government, the source of authority and the source of legitimacy reside with "We the people." We are not the slaves of any king or despot. Our elected leaders are public servants, not private masters. In a nutshell, they work for us. They are contracted to preserve our liberties and our way of life. When they fail, they must answer to us.

So, when will the American people pick themselves up by the bootstraps and start acting like free citizens and stop groveling before these imbecilic political parties? When will we set this political house in order?

Of course, all of this demands that each of us understands constitutional government and the principles upon which liberty rests. It also demands that each of us be prepared to do whatever is our personal duty to preserve this republic.

Patriotism is more than waving a flag on July 4th, or singing The National Anthem at a ball game, or wearing a flag lapel pin on Flag Day. For an American, real patriotism means that we are willing to preserve and protect our constitutional republic. Remember, Franklin's answer: "A republic--if you can keep it."

Nancy Pelosi can talk about saving the planet all she wants to: her duty, however, is to preserve, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution. And that is also the job of every single American citizen. Unfortunately, most of us are no better at doing our job than Pelosi is at doing hers.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Edward VI: A Hero of the Reformation

Recently, I bought a book on king Edward VI of Britain by N. A. Woychuck, entitled "The British Josiah: Edward VI, the Most Godly King of England." While one reason I got it may be obvious ;-), the main reason is that I didn't know of anywhere else I could get a complete biography of this fabulous character of 450 years ago.

Edward VI has been more or less one of my heros since I learned of him. He became king in 1547 when he was nine years old, but unfortunately, died just before he turned sixteen (supposedly of tuberculosis; but perhaps by poisoning). He was one of the main movers involved in circulating the Bible to the common people. He is also known as one of the most just and compassionate kings in history!

His father, Henry VIII, had appointed a Privy Council to help Edward govern. Most of the book is in relation to this body, addressing the almost-continuous power struggles between its members. Dealing with the power struggles was perhaps Edward's greatest challenge.

Much of the book also describes Edward's education and family relations. He had two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, both of whom would become queens. One was very bad, the other very good, respectively.

Edward loved to write, and what is even more worth the while than the main book is a short booklet written by Edward himself, included as an appendix. This article is absolutely outstanding! It is entitled Against the Primacy of the Pope, and was intended to be distributed through England. Apparently, the public was rather adverse to the idea of the Reformation, even though Edward was extremely popular as a personality. Thus, Edward realized the only way to bring them to fully reject the Catholic persausion was to produce a thought-out, understandable booklet with his name physically attached. He completed this work when he was twelve. However, it was not published until shortly before his death, after which the infamous Bloody Mary came to the monarchy and restored Catholicism.

Edward's booklet is full of common sense and truth. It sounds to me like Ron Paul with a regal twist. In it, he addresses such subjects as, "Is Rome the Mother of All Churches?," "Contrast Between Jesus and Pope," and "Can a Lawful Council be Called by a Pope Seeking Election?," which shows the logical fallacy of stating that the Pope is superior to other bishops by the decree of a Council. Here is a passage from it:

"But to the matter in hand. I will ask, whether a lawful council can be called but by the pope? To which, I am sure, the papists will answer negatively. Then I ask, if the pope can call a Council before his election? To which I know they will reply, he cannot. If then no council is lawful without a pope, and that none who is laboring to be elected pope can assemble a council, then the council which confirms the pope as superior over the church, is not lawful, because it was not convocated by a pope, there being none elected."

Edward's escatological position is predictably Historicist. For example, he states near the end of the work he believes that the two eyes of the "little horn" of Daniel represent "the pope and Mahomet." His interpretation is unique in that he recognized that the Papal and Islamic systems, even though they often disagree, are of the same essential substance and origination.

Edward's greatest acheivements in England were to create schools and hospitals for the poor, to end officially-sanctioned idol worship, Mass, and other Catholic rituals, to reform the monetary system and end silver debasement (inflation), and to work to end the practice of executing religious "heretics," whether Protestant or Catholic. This last effort was almost unheard of in Europe at the time. Edward was a true champion of Biblical supremacy.

I am definitely grateful that God has raised up such people as king Edward VI in history to inspire us. Let us pray that we will be more like them, and continue to fulfill their vision and legacy! Let us also, like Edward, remember to consistently cry to God: "O Lord, save Thy people!"


-R. Josiah Magnuson

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The YCLA, Our Goals, and Our Vision

The Young Christian Leaders' Alliance is a society of young people, based in Greenville, SC, existing to motivate members and those around us to take action for Biblical, constitutional principles.

Our group was established by young people from three original families with a common belief in freedom, and a common desire to influence and bring reform in the American culture! We believe it is possible to truly accomplish victories in this effort. Our philosophy is that we will only reclaim America through the reclaiming of individuals. Thus, our work must be to win over individual people who are not on our side, and to provide leadership and direction for those who are on our side.

It is apparent that those who are willing to get involved in bringing America back to conservative, constitutional government are often few and far between. Indeed, young people tend to be the least likely age sector to hold such ideas. The public education system has done an all-too-well-calculated job of creating a thought pattern in many of our peers in which one may be “concerned,” not with taking action to advance morality, justice, or liberty, but with “preserving the environment,” “stopping Global Warming,” and promoting socialist concepts.

The vision behind the YCLA is, first of all, to bring together Christian constitutionalist young people. Especially for homeschoolers, a need exists for us to be able to work with each other and feel useful. Moreover, it is our belief that a group which met that need would release a vast previously-untapped force in the conservative movement. Imagine the things we could do!

Our vision is, secondly, to reach out to others around us to win them to the Biblical worldview. The Biblical worldview applies to American conservatism through the principle of Lex Rex (“Law is King”). This principle states that it is not the government which defines the law, but the law which defines the government. In other words, a universal standard exists which every authority must abide by. We can call this standard “inalienable rights.” It is given only by God. However, a second standard may be built from the first, which we call a “constitution.” This standard is created by mutual consent of the people, and may provide for certain further privileges or powers to qualified citizens. All statutes and regulations which may be created by a government must be subject to these two standards.

The principle of Lex Rex is essential to the workings of our Republic. However, the understanding of it has been largely eroded. People have been taught to measure truthfulness by popularity. The Evolutionary belief system, too, has taken its toll, advancing relative morality and a feeling of purposelessness in our culture.

To reclaim America, we must defeat relativism. We must educate the younger generation in the principles of the Founders. We must work together as a team for God and His Word. Then, we will win!

Please pray for the YCLA, and join with us in encouraging principle and inspiring action!


-R. Josiah Magnuson

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

How to Best Help Israel

An adapted article
By David Brickner, Jews For Jesus Executive Director

Ever since I can remember there has been a pushke in the office of the executive director of Jews for Jesus. This particular pushke is for the JNF. If you’ve never heard of a pushke and you don’t know what the JNF is, the former is like a piggy bank, except instead of a pig, it’s a rectangular box with a slot for coins. The latter, JNF, stands for the “Jewish National Fund.”
Many Jewish homes have a pushke for one charity or another. The JNF distributes their small blue metal boxes to collect money for planting trees in Israel.* Since its establishment in 1901, the Jewish National Fund has planted more than 240 million trees in Israel, thanks to donations from around the world. At first the contributors were mainly Jewish, but now Israel can point to sections of forested land in Israel that were made possible by donations from Christians— individuals, as well as groups.

I’m always amazed and blessed to see how many Christians love the Jewish people and the land of Israel in such tangible ways. Some give to plant trees while others help provide a variety of material aid, from food and clothing for the poor, to building schools, to funds for bomb shelters. Some churches “adopt” cities in Israel. Others give to overt political activities such as lobbying on behalf of Israel in Washington, D.C. Indeed, many in Israel see American evangelical Christians as their very best friends.

Then again, some people are uncomfortable about helping Israel, because doing so may seem to reflect views that they don’t hold. But guess what? Ultimately, none of the things we’ve mentioned thus far is the very best way to help Israel. That is not to say that such help goes unappreciated. But you can offer the very best help, the ultimate help, regardless of your political and theological views.

Stop and think: What can meet Israel’s most desperate need? The psalmist speaks for the entire nation of Israel, asking

“From whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

God has promised Israel:

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:13).

It is easy enough for secular Israelis to forget this deeper spiritual reality, to believe that strength lies in military might or clever diplomacy, or even in strategic alliances with the United States of America. But as followers of Jesus, we should know better; we must not only remember these spiritual realities, we must also seek to speak to the people of Israel about them.

Right now we see a great spiritual hunger among Israeli Jews. But the voice of the prophets is not often heard in the land of Israel today. Nor does the fervent faith of the psalmists soothe many troubled hearts there. But Jesus offers hope to calm the fearful soul. The gospel is the good news that ultimately overcomes uncertainty and the conflict that presses in on every side. That is why Jesus is the best help we can offer to Israel. The need is urgent and He is the only solution.

There is nothing political about sharing the gospel with Israel, yet the task is explosively controversial and all too often dismissed or even discouraged by some of the very people who most wish to help. I would never discourage those who wish to plant trees or give other kinds of help if they wish. Nor is it my place to persuade Christians who disagree with Israel politically to change their views. I only want followers of Jesus to really and truly understand and be motivated by the reality that He is the only lasting source of help for the inhabitants of this deeply troubled part of the world.

This May marks the 60th anniversary of the modern state of Israel, a nation born in adversity, at enmity with her neighbors and dogged by war and strife to this very day. Our only hope for peace, Israel’s only hope for peace, was born in the Middle East some 2,000 years ago. Y’shua brings peace and reconciliation between Arab and Jewish individuals who trust in His name. One day He will establish a lasting peace that will echo around the world and reach into the hearts and lives of all who hear His voice. In the meantime, together we can be a part of bringing this hope to the hearts of those living in Israel right now.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Unity Through Principle

A Plea for Peace, Truth, and Focus Among Christian Activists

Envision the American situation. The Constitution, the pinnacle of centuries of republican toil and the supreme Law of the United States, is disregarded. It is incessantly steam-rolled under the fancies of political machinery, only to be occasionally picked up and dusted, and its' supposed virtues of democracy and "We The People" lauded and complimented.

There is almost constant taking of life through abortion and the effects of gun laws, millions of children being indoctrinated in Evolution and sinful behavior, and the economy on the verge of collapse due to our system of false weights and measures. And, thousands of activists are ready to work, but nothing happens. Instead, they sit on the sidelines, oohing and ahhing at how big the battle is. Worse, many become restless and take sides on petty issues. Why?

The truth is, those who love freedom and morality must stand up for principle. There must be a common goal among us.

The Ron Paul campaign is a prime example of how people from every philosophical and doctrinal position can unite behind one purpose: to restore individual rights as given by the Creator, not the State. While perhaps misdirected on some issues, Ron Paul's supporters demonstrated the kind of passion which needs to be displayed for winning souls to Christ, ending Federal control of education, stopping the national ID card, and every other cause with Biblical foundations.

Another example of successful co-operation and focus is that of two creation science ministries, Answers In Genesis and the Institute for Creation Research. While these organizations are completely separate, they are finding ways to work together to proclaim the message of God's Creatorship. These groups are getting results. Among other achievements, their efforts are catalyzing the emergence of a large network of people who believe in reforming America. Ideas are beginning to be ignited and solutions worked out with their basis in a truly Christian worldview.

So, what is to be done? In order to see results, we must first acknowledge that God's Words are the inerrant, preserved, final authority. We must hold to the fundamentals of the faith and the U.S. Constitution, not attacking each other on secondary issues. Finally, we must be willing to break with any traditions, churches, political parties or other groups which are working contrary to these goals.

We must be willing to let God work in us, and we must take action creatively for His principles. It is then that we will see our freedoms renewed, and our Republic restored.

Envision the American possibilities.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

The Seven Resolutions of Liberty In Law

Originally authored October, 2005; subsequently edited August 2006 and January 2007

The following set of resolutions or theses is a logical progression of the rationality of limited government, and expresses why freedom can only come from God as the supreme Lawgiver.

1. That rights are not invented or granted by man; else rights are subject to utter molestation and abridgement by the same.

2. That rights are, instead, eternally guaranteed by a system of universal Law.

3. That the only source with authority enough to establish such Law and rights for man is man’s Creator; that is, God.

4. That the Bible, God’s Word, indeed establishes Law and rights in the form of the Ten Commandments.

5. That government exists to protect these rights.

6. That America’s Founding Documents create (or re-create) a wise system of government for accomplishment of this end; that is, a constitutional republic.

7. That, however, the only ultimate way to proclaim liberty and rights is to proclaim our Creator, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord.