I bought just one book from this organization and now I get spam about their products. I've had this one before, their hot selling DVD on the Biblical view of global warming. This relates back to my posting about late-night Christian radio and uncle Bob saying, "Kids, the answer to every question is found in the Bible."
This is an evangelical cliche and I don't remember anywhere in the Bible that it claimed to have "the answer to every question." Most mundane questions about life are not answered in the Bible and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if I said that statement in my church, I would be thrown out on my ears.
The Bible gives the answers for the big questions. To try and give a "Biblical view" on the mundane, you have to be a big fat liar (twisting scripture more than a 12 year old Romanian Gymnnast). That's why people get in all kinds of trouble in writing books about "The Biblical Principles of Wall Street Investment" or "The Biblical Plan for Weight Loss." It gives the evangelical one the warm and fuzzies to think they are doing it God's way . . . but give me a break. Who made God the mirco-manager of life? There is FREEDOM, creativity and knowledge (extra-Biblical) that is very valuable.
Here's the run down of the DVD. BTW . . . scripture says NOTHING about global warming because the particular problems were not present during the time the Bible was written. A bigger question is why are the Evangelicals so opposed to the concept of global warming? Is it because they drive SUVs to Bible study?
GLOBAL WARMING: A SCIENTIFIC & BIBLICAL EXPOSE' ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Retail $19.99 - OUR PRICE $14.95
What is the truth about global warming? Are the ice caps melting? Will polar bears and penguins soon be found starving on small floating icebergs? Does the future survival of man hinge on an immediate reduction in carbon emissions?
This bold new documentary is an exciting and important tool for all who face the rampant misinformation propagated by ecological alarmists. Global Warming addresses subjects that most others won’t touch, including misinformation which is contained in Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.
Global warming is real, but it is not primarily man-made. This biblically-based and thoroughly balanced view of climate change reveals that global warming is not a black & white issue. Viewers will see why well-meaning Christians need to be extremely careful when advocating environmental policies. The message of this richly illustrated DVD is urgently needed in America, and the world.
Through on-location interviews with leading creationist scientists, climatologists, and other commentators the dangers and politics of global warming are revealed. Learn how you can be effective in caring for creation without becoming an unwitting accomplice to the myths of global warming. This balanced approach to a very “hot” topic will equip you with the information necessary to honor the Creator ... without worshipping the creation.
God’s promise to Noah was that, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and winter and summer ... shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). On-location interviews with leading scientists are combined with compelling graphics to make this one of the most urgent and important DVD releases of the decade!
15 comments:
Thanks for the review... this looks worth my time. I've wondered why people expect the earth's climate to remain steady when its past has been devastating to life at times.
I enjoy reading your blog. And hope you can forgive the christians that are making your church life miserable. You're not alone. It was a relief to read another blogger express her frustrations with being 'blackballed' in the church. I'm struggling with it and don't have any answers or clear direction for my future in the church. Hopefully in heaven, this stuff won't matter.
http://suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com/2009/07/blackballed.html
Gah. I was just in a conversation about this. I'd forgotten that if you are a Christian, you're supposed to be opposed to Climate Change. Apparently, it's a big deception of Satan. Really.
I didn't say anything. What is there to say?
I guess I would say Heidi that the DVD is probably not worth your time. I'm just confused why Global warming has to be a "Christian vs Liberal" issue.
I don't it is difficult forgiving people at my church. I really like them a lot. The frustration is not being allowed to be who I am.
I just co-started a Bible study at church last night. This is the first time I've tried to be involved in over a year (besides worship service). I will see where it goes. I want to be honest and candid without people freaking out.
Yeah, I've given up on finding the ideal church. In an odd way (dysfunctional way) I sometimes envy my past friends who think they've found the "perfect church" as they seem so satisfied with themselves (for finding it). But those friends see every other church going to hell in a handbasket. That part I don't envy.
A in Mercy, Just a question, are you not only mom to the tribe but sole bread winner? If so, I don't see how.
I just know how much effort it takes to raise 5. My wife is gone to Kenya for the rest of the summer. I only have two (late teen) kids at home now. But between long hours at work, yard chores, laundry, dishes, house cleaning, mowing, home repairs . . .I can barely work in time to do any of my mandatory (per myself) exercise.
Where does the Bible say it has all the answers, you ask? People always quote me the verse that God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us..." (II Peter 1:3). And that knowledge is the Bible, they say. They usually just skip that logical leap though, and say "The Bible has everything we need for life and godliness."
No. I'm going to college full-time right now, trying to finish up my Bach (went to an unaccredited Bible College, heh, whoops). I have three more semesters left and I'm done (yay), though I have the summer off (which is so nice), and he's sharing his checks as of now, so that's nice, too.
I work very part-time (maybe 5-20 hours a week, depending on the need) for a website, doing transcribing and edit work for a book project, though that will bump up to 20-25 hours or so when school starts. (I homeschooled up to this last year, but I put everyone in school now and that helps a TON).
Yes, just keeping up with the house and everyone's activites is, in and of itself, a full time job. *huge grin* Wow. It's non-stop.
The weird thing is, as exhausting as it is, it's turned out to be far easier than the strain of living in the situation I was in. I was really worried about doing the single mother thing...I didn't think I could do it...and what a shock to find out it's far less demanding than being married to someone who you have to walk on eggshells around 24/7. I had no idea it was actually as bad as it was until I was able to live away from it. Wow. Air. Breathing room. Wow. It was like stepping out of prison.
Jaimie, I think you are right (on the source). That is why I often tell people that instead of being a flaky liberal (as they try to paint me) I am actually the most fundalmental-fundamentalist they would ever meet. Why? Because I really think we need to stick to scripture and not to cliches or culture (including Christian Evangelical culture) for truth. I also believe that lying, even "lying for Jesus" is sin. Lying for Jesus is widely accepted on within Evangelism. That is where I say "God told me this," or "God put gas in my car" or "God healed me from cancer." I also think the emotional dishonesty is the same as lying. Emotional dishonesty is highly promoted within the church.
Speaking of cliches=truth, last night I co-started a new Bible study (Hebrews) at our church. I heard a lot of cliches. One was (speaking of the early Church's persecution)"When you are martyred for Christ, God's grace comes down, takes away all the fear and pain." Everyone in the room (but me) seemed to agree with this "theological truth."
No where in scripture does it say this. Did Jesus look like he suffered no pain or fear as he went to the cross?
I read a letter written in the first century by a Christian women (to her unbelieving father) as she was going to be fed to the lions the next day. Her husband and son had already been killed. She was confident about her choice in becoming a Christian. But, since she is human, she must have been scared shitless and the pain of having your flesh ripped off of you must have been horrible.
A in Mercy, that's wild to think that has hard as single parenting is, that it is easier than before.
I've known people in those situations. Like a pastor's wife friend of ours who comes over about once every few months and vents to my wife and cries her eyes out because she is mirco-managed to death(via spiritual manipulation, "God wants you to keep the house spotless.") by her pastor husband. Maybe she has it much worse than I ever imagined.
I hope that you can find the best world . . . such has him getting good help, getting fixed (of course no simple solution) and able to reconcile and he be a point of great help and encouragement than drain.
Yeah. I was that pastor's wife. Only I never told anyone. I completely believed him and so talking about it would have been rebellion against God. Ugh.
I don't know if this can be repaired. I don't mind not loving him. Love comes and goes, and I know that it can come again. It's the trust part. I believed him for so long and he lied to me, whether knowingly or unknowingly or, my personal belief, a bit of both.
The destruction is immense, from economic (from the last manic episode) to physical to mental to emotional to spiritual...
I am happily recovering, but the thought of going back to that is...well...daunting, at best. Once trust has been broken, over and over again, CAN you really go back...?
The thing that sucks is the kids. I can hardly stand to think about that. It's just so horribly sad. That's what makes me stick with separation instead of divorce...we've agreed to at least another year of separation before making any big decisions (and the therapists say yes, that at least 1 more year is needful before even thinking about trying to make a go of it again).
I just am not ready to make it permanent by divorcing. Well, heh, I want to make it permanent so that I can live, but I hesitate becuase these five goofy quirky souls would be so damaged by making the brokeness "official." It is only the fierce mother in me that wants to try one more time on my marriage. The rest of me just loves being free from him.
I feel for the pastor's wife you mentioned. Likely, she doesn't even know the half of it. I had no idea when I was in it. They keep your head tied up in knots...the confusion makes it hard to even see straight, but if she's coming over and talking about it, then she's on the right track. Tell your wife to get her, "Why Does He Do That?" It's a secular book (by Lundy Bancroft) but, holy smokes, did it ever make it VERY plain that what was going on (in the name of God, in my case, as in hers) was abuse.
PS.
What I meant by "secular book" was NOT that secular books are not as good...often, they're far BETTER than what the Christian market has...but simply that it doesn't really address spiritual abuse (the fine art of using God to keep people in their place and under your control), however it's still clear and concise enough, horribly clear nad concise enough, to be a powerful spotlight on what abuse is and what it looks like.
Another great one, this one dealing specifically with spiritual abuse (though it's written for people getting out of abusive churches, it applies quite well to people married to spiritually abusive pastor-type spouses), "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by VanVonderan.
Okay, rambling over... :) Well, almost. THe church just plain sucks at dealing with spousal abuse and mental illness, and so when you combine the two, holy smokes, batman, you've got real trouble. Since there is this weird connection/attraction thing between church leadership and mental illness (like, say, OCD and fundamentalism fit together like a hand in a glove), it makes it all the more difficult for those married to church leaders. I used to look at the congregation and watch their faces admiring my husband and figure, "It must be me. It must be me, just like he says...because otherwise, other people would see it too...right...?" I found out later that some others did see it, only figured it must just be them, too, just as I was doing...and, of course, they never saw the real behind-the-scenes stuff. And that's not even counting the stuff that gets justified under the heading of "male leadership." Oh my goodness.
Ramble coming to a stop...
Through on-location interviews with leading creationist scientists, climatologists, and other commentators...
What I'm trying to wrap my mind around is the phrase "leading CREATIONIST fill-in-the-blank". Primarily HOW it came to be that Creationism (presumably Young Earth Creationism) became THE qualification for speaking out on the subject.
Though given the close link between Young Earth Creationism Uber Alles and Pin the Tail on The Antichrist, I can hazard a guess as to their explanation of why "Global Warming is True but It Is NOT Man-made"...
Headless Unicorn Guy
I can tell you where the idea comes from... it comes from completely stretching the hell and usefulness out of a hand full of verses, including but not limited to:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV)
and
2 Peter 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (NKJV) ...
I know this because I TAUGHT this crap to kids while using a dvd series from this very organization... If I had anything that I COULD repent from, it would be how I was a part of that crazy mindset!!
As a matter of fact, here is a direct quote from one of my blogposts in October 2005:
I have worried that the bleakness and honesty of it may be too depressing. I want to always be seeking the Word for my “solutions”. I know that all I need for life and godliness can be found in the pages of Scripture.
Holy Prooftexting!!
I am so gratful to have found you and your blog.
Kimber, we can only laugh now. But I too remember a time with I sought the "Biblical approach" to every possible action of life.
I think you're right about the verses.
Woops, I accidentally logged on under my son's name.
Hello! My name is Charles Johnsen and I run a website called The Western Abzu. The title for my index page is "presenting Biblical Monism." While I can see we do not agree on every point, I immediately see you are an ally. Come visit me @ http://westernabzu.us.
About global warming: To me the problem is not the science but the economics. Freedom can cope with any climate change but all governments want is the status quo. I will upload this essay today or tomorrow.
Post a Comment