On a Soapbox....

I don't often blog about my strong personal opinions (I have a lot of them), but this one I can't resist. Has anyone heard of the American Patriot's Bible? Apparently it was one of the best selling study Bible's of 2009. According to Amazon's description, it "shows how a 'light from above' shaped our nation...this extremely unique Bible shows how the history of the United States connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in a modern world. The story of the United States is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible...."

Really? Does anyone else find this description to be arrogant and idolatrous? I will admit that I haven't actually opened this study Bible and looked at it myself, so perhaps this nullify's everything else I'm about to say, but at onset, something doesn't seem quite right about this Bible. You're not going to find a more patriotic person than me, but what a shame that it sounds like this Bible is trying to weave America into God's infallible and holy Word as if our country is God's chosen nation or something. The Bible has certainly given me the worldview I have and it has certainly influenced my political beliefs, but this Bible seems to elevate patriotism and an understanding of American history to the same importance and position of God's Word. It also seems very syncrenistic as it claims to weave United States history into God's Word, which will inevitably change Scripture to say what it doesn't in order to fit the purpose and agenda of the author(s).

We should love God and His Word more than we love our country since heaven is our REAL home. Don't hear me wrong. I'm not saying we shouldn't love our country. I love our country more than I can describe through words, but as one Amazon review states, "the Bible is not about a single geo-political entity - it is about God shaping salvation for humanity." As in, the whole world. Not just America. How offensive and arrogant to assume and make money off the latter. And don't forget the purpose of the Bible: to show us how to get right and stay right with God through Jesus Christ.

As someone who is politically conservative and very patriotic, I can see why this has been such a bestseller at a time such as this. With the political climate in our country and with so many patriotic Americans wanting to restore the Constitution and take our country back to what our forefathers intended, it's no wonder why a Bible like this would be so appealing and emotionally stirring. There are so many books out there by wonderful Christian authors who present American history from a Biblical perspective. Weaving American history directly into a study Bible is just taking this admirable goal too far, in my opinion. To close, if you're a family member reading this and you were thinking about asking for this Bible for Christmas, don't ask Chris and I to get it for you, because it will be a futile request. :-)

Mormon Evangelism Videos

I was recently informed about a ministry called Source Flix & Living Hope Ministry that seeks to evangelize Mormons and win them to Christ. They just came out with a new movie entitled "The Bible Vs. Joseph Smith" that looks really good. They are selling it for $7, so I'm going to buy a copy for our family. They also had some other videos available on their website for free:

DNA vs The Book of Mormon

Called To Be Free

Lifting The Veil of Polygamy

I watched DNA vs The Book of Mormon and it is pretty good. I learned some things about Mormonism that I never knew before and I hope will be useful when evangelizing to my Mormon friends.

Free Christian Downloads

I posted this on my facebook page, but I wanted to post it here, too, to make sure no one misses it. Christianaudio.com gives away a free audio book every month! I wish I heard about this sooner, as I keep thinking about all the free books I have missed! This month's book is Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I've had the privelage of hearing Francis Chan a couple of times and I highly recommend him. When I had the privelage of attending The Master's College in southern California during the 2001-2002 school year, Francis Chan spoke at chapel a couple of times. You see, Francis Chan also went to The Master's College and later to the Master's Seminary and was pastoring a church in Simi Valley at the time.

He's as real as they get.

Forgotten God is about the Holy Spirit and His role in our lives, among other things. Under the title on the cover, it says "reversing our neglect of the Holy Spirit". Chris and I have listened to half of it so far, and I'm not exaggerating or kidding when I say that I have been deeply challenged and convicted to change my way of thinking about the Holy Spirit and His place in my life. Why not download his book for free and see for yourself?

Visit http://christianaudio.com/free to download it. You'll also see other free downloads and a few discounted audio books. I just downloaded an interview of John MacArthur by Mark Dever entitled "Four Decades of Ministry with John MacArthur". Yeeees!

The Valley of Vision

Chris and I have been reading a prayer from the Valley of Vision every evening, and I thought I would share a few snippets that have impacted our thinking and have enriched our praise of such a great God:

There is no comfort in anything
apart from enjoying thee
-From "GOD THE ALL"

I rejoice to think that all things are at thy
disposal, and it delights me to leave
them there. Then prayer turns wholly
into praise,and all I can do is to adore and
bless thee.
-From "GOD THE ALL"

O God, it is amazing that men can
talk so much about man's creaturely
power and goodness, when, if thou
didst not hold us back every moment,
we should be devils incarnate. This,
by bitter experience, thou hast taught
me concerning myself.
-From "GOD THE ALL"

Thou art all my good in times of peace,
my only support in days of trouble,
my one sufficiency when life shall end.
-From "THE ALL-GOOD"

For I was no more ready to receive Christ
than were others; I could not have begun
to love thee hadst thou not first loved me,
or been willing unless thou hadst first made
me so.
-From "THE MOVER"

Help me to honour thee
by believing before I feel
-From "THE DIVINE WILL"

Teach me to believe that all degrees
of mercy arise from several degrees
of prayer
-From "THE DIVINE WILL"

I know but a part, but
that part exceeds all praise
-From "DIVINE MERCIES"

I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
of knowing thee, the author of all being,
of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness.
-From "GOD ENJOYED"

While Jesus is representing me in heaven,
may I reflect him on earth
-From "GOD ENJOYED"