An excerpt from the revised edition of Predestined to Believe:

Let us be clear with respect to this one issue: God would still be responsible for evil in your theological paradigm even if he did not create it. So, to argue that man’s free will somehow absolves God of the same charge that you level against Calvinists is without merit. But with that said, did God create evil? That is what you have asked me about, and that remains the one perennial charge Arminians continue to make when discussing the topic of Calvinism. A question such as this—or a bold assertion in your case—indicates to me that there is some confusion about what evil really is and if those who oppose the historic Reformed position can offer a better answer.

If you recall, some time ago we were discussing classic proofs for the existence of God and we touched upon the cosmological argument and both reached the same conclusion that God is the first cause in the world, and He caused everything else. Simple enough. God is the necessary cause from which everything comes, correct? Well, if this is true—and we both agree that it is—how then can you say my position makes God the creator of evil and your theological stance absolves God of this charge of creating evil? Since all Christians are united in the belief that God is the ultimate cause from which everything else is derived, would we both not be guilty of the very thing of which you accuse Calvinists? So now we are both stuck in a position whereby God is solely responsible for evil. In fact, the atheist can now turn on us and claim that since there is evil in the world, God must have been the cause of it, therefore God is evil. Now how do we answer?

Do not despair just yet. There is good news. Scholarly theologians and able philosophers have tackled this issue and have argued that evil is not something. Evil is not a being in the same manner as things have being. Let me use a simple analogy in order to clarify what I am trying to say. I have a hat. This hat keeps my head protected from the rain; that is good. Nevertheless, I quickly discover that there is a hole in my hat that lets in the rain; that is evil. Now I ask, of what does the evil consist? The evil is not something in addition to the hat, but rather, it is the absence of something, namely the material from the hat. So, for our purpose in this discussion, we can say that evil is the absence of good.¹ I hope this simple explanation serves to remove the barrier you had in thinking that God created evil.

You might still be thinking someone or something is responsible for evil. After all, absences of good do not just happen on their own. Someone must be responsible. I would submit to you that the one responsible is the all-knowing and all-loving God we serve. The simple matter of the fact is that He ordained—or at the very least permitted—the absence or privation of good in His creation. Some have tried to soften the charge and say that God allowed evil to enter into the world, but I do not believe this does justice to God’s character. The great Sovereign of the universe is not passive relative to His creation but works out all things by appointing every nation of mankind and determining his destiny (cf. Acts 17:26). God, therefore, must be the one to whom we look when we discuss this issue.

The historic Reformed position has always been clear in that God is not the creator of evil but that he uses secondary causes. Consider the account of when Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny him three times. Jesus made a statement that was true, and yet, Peter had no choice but to fulfill the words of Jesus. However, when Peter denied his Christ did that mean Jesus had caused Peter to sin or that Peter was forced to act contrary to his desires? No, Peter acted volitionally because of who he was. This is what Reformed theologians mean when they use such language such as "secondary causes." So here we see that God does not cause individuals to sin, but that He uses secondary means.

Understanding this about God could lead one to ask: why did God ordain evil in the first place? Could he not have created the world in such a way that man could never sin? The answer, of course, is obvious: yes. God could have arranged the world in such a manner that Adam and Eve would not even have the opportunity to eat the forbidden fruit—He could have created the garden without a Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Yet, God chose otherwise. What we must realize is that God must have a good reason for the existence of evil or it would not be a present reality.

Let me offer to you that the evil in this world is a needed addition in order to make it a better one. If not, God would not have ordained sin needlessly. All of this rests on the premise that a greater good cannot come apart from some lower order evil. Consider, could there be courage apart from danger or compassion without suffering? Some bad things need to happen in order for a better end result. One more illustration might help to clarify. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and lied to their father about his whereabouts causing Jacob tremendous pain and suffering. This was unarguably a great evil, yet the Lord ordained it to happen in order to preserve a great many people from starvation (Gen 50:20).

The point is God uses evil to achieve greater good that would not be possible without it. Evil is still evil, but God uses it to His praise and glory to bring about the best possible world. I hope you understand that evil does no harm to Reformed theology, and in reality, Calvinism is best suited to provide the answer for the problem of evil in the world. If you do not assent to the position that evil is under the sovereign hand of God then there is no purpose for its existence—a position that is untenable and cannot be adequately explained away from the position you currently hold.

I pray that you would consider seriously these things and think through all the logical ramifications that would necessarily come as a consequence of believing the way you do.

In the developing countries of the world to which I have visited, there is an expectation on the part of many young men that the ministry is a way to garner riches and glory. The Health and Wealth Gospel in particular is taking the continent of Africa with a vengeance since certain aspects of that movement imply promises—promises that are neither realistic nor scriptural. For the pastors of Africa in particular, and even those in America, here is a question to consider: "Am I called to be a pastor?" 

Every man going into the ministry or who is in the ministry must ask themselves at some point this question: "Am I called to be a pastor?" Finding the answer to that question is not always easy. There are many tests involved in determining a pastoral call but one is of particular concern to me. Christ gave and passed the test Himself. We read of it in John 10:11-14.

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

I understand this passage, by way of application, to mean that it is possible for individuals to want to be in the ministry or be a pastor simply as a career choice or even worse for the money they see can be made. In short, they are hirelings and will flee when the pressures (wolves) come.

In 1974 I knew a chaplain who wanted to be reassigned to the reception center of a US Army training camp. He told me that all he had to do was come up with 5 sermons, one a week for 5 weeks for the soldiers were rotated out—and the rest of the time was his. It was easy money.

In 1987 I knew a young man who went into the insurance business. He was very excited about the prospect of making a lot of easy money. But then he found out how challenging the insurance business was. The pressures came – and he left.

If I hear any potential pastor or acting pastor say in effect, "I may not be suited emotionally or constitutionally for the pressures of the ministry" I can appreciate that honest self-evaluation. But I can also be concerned on a Scriptural and practical basis.

If I hear someone in the ministry say in essence, "If the pressures of this job get too great I will just leave" I can understand what is being said, but I can also be concerned on a Scriptural and practical basis.

If I hear someone become animated at the prospect of making a lot of money outside the ministry I can appreciate that honest longing of the heart to provide well for the family and have a chance to enjoy the toys of time, but I can also be concerned on both a scriptural and practical basis.

• Christianity was not started because the apostles began to set their priorities of wanting to provide financially well for their families first and foremost or have days off or a secure future. In fact, knowing the hardships of the ministry many men have delayed getting married.
  
  
• Christianity was not started because the apostles prioritized getting a retirement plan.
  
  
• Christianity was not started because the apostles wanted health insurance.
  
  
• Christianity was not started because the apostles wanted job security.

Their goal was to seek first the kingdom of heaven and give themselves through the day and into the night to advance the kingdom.

Therefore, there is a growing self-awareness to those who are considering the call to the ministry. Self-examination asks, "What are my priorities? Do I have a pastor’s heart?" No man can judge the heart of another. If a person were to tell me that God has called him to the ministry and he will endure whatever the pressures of the job entail then I want to work with such a man of commitment, especially if I am going to sacrifice myself and my resources on his behalf.

I personally need to know if I am working with a hireling or a fellow pastor. The church needs to know if it has a hireling which is someone taking money from the ministry but their heart is elsewhere—or if they have a pastor.

Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank recently called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a "homophobe." The Democratic lawmaker, who since 1987 has openly flaunted his homosexuality, was discussing same-sex marriages and his expectation that the high court would some day be called upon to decide whether the Constitution allows the federal government to deny recognition of homosexual marriages.

I do not know how Justice Scalia reacted to the term—or if he even cared—but I can hope he will embrace the word if it reflects his fundamental aversion to such an aberrant lifestyle. In fact, I hope that all good and decent people will want to take up the term and embrace it with honor.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a person who is a homophobe has an "irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals."

While I object to the word "irrational," if having an aversion to homosexuals constitutes being a homophobe than God Himself stands justly charged—and that of course is blasphemous. Man does not stand in judgment upon God. Rather, God stands in judgment upon men and God has judged homosexuality in particular in the strongest of terms.

To God, homosexuality is detestable behavior. Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination [detestable].

From a divine perspective homosexuality is a manifestation of God’s divine judgment upon a society. "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet" (Romans 1:24-27).

To be afraid of God and His judgments is a sign of wisdom and righteousness. Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

To be afraid of or to have an aversion for those who practice homosexual behavior is also a sign of wisdom and righteousness for three reasons.

First, since homosexuals do not reproduce they must recruit and that recruiting will come for your family members and mine.

Second, no nation has survived when its military and political leaders engage in this behavior. Some like to point out that the ancient Romans and Greeks encouraged homosexuals in their armies but that notation only proves the main point under discussion for the Roman Empire and its once grand armies now lay in the dustbin of history.

Third, America cannot hope to survive as the nation she was once for a simple scriptural reason—America is a nation under judgment. We are living in a post-Christian society. America is a nation that has been given "up to uncleanness." What we are witnessing in the gay rights movement is the outworking of a judgment that has already been passed. It is to our peril that we are NOT afraid.

Hollywood frequently incorporates religion into films. Some religious movies are excellent such as Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, King of Kings, The Robe, Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, The Bishop’s Wife, and A Man Called Peter, while others openly display hostility towards religion as seen in films such as The Da Vince Code and The Last Temptation of Christ. However, what I find most offensive is when Hollywood alludes to scriptural images and concepts to lauch a movie into a level that transcends the weird and bizarre. This new level of misusing the Bible is precisely what has been done in the latest movie staring Nicolas Cage entitled Knowing—and I object.

First, I object to the misuse of biblical prophecies. The idea that Ezekiel or any of the prophets saw space ships is beyond ridiculous. The words of Ezekiel chapter one do not describe an alien spaceship no matter how well the special effects of Hollywood might like to pick up on the imagery. Knowing picks up where Erick von Daniken’s discredited book Chariots of the Gods: Unsolved Mysteries of the Past left off.

Second, I object to the idea of intelligent life on other planets—let alone other planets being inhabited by superior beings. The Bible declares that man, who made in the image of God, is the crowning act of creation. The incarnation and the resurrection of Christ testifies to the exalted place of humanity in the universe.

Third, I object to the biblical story of the Garden of Eden being mistold and recast so that life begins with two children holding two white bunny rabbits racing towards the tree of life only after being transported from earth and planted as young Adam and Eve pods on a new planet.

Generally, I do not mind the fanciful imagination of Hollywood writers and directors using creative license. There is freedom of speech in our country and freedom of expression. I just wish, however, that Hollywood would leave the Bible out when the writers and directors take their flights of imagination into the areas that are weird and the bizarre.

The truth of the matter is that the Word of God condemns much of what Hollywood promotes: militant homosexual activism, blatant immorality, evolution, economic socialism and governmental internationalism. Many of the movies of Hollywood fall under one of the seven most deadly sins categories of Proverbs 6:16-19—wicked imaginations, and Knowing is one of them.

A few weeks ago the nation was told that a certain man was indispensable to fill the position of Secretary of Treasurer. Since that time the nation’s economic woes have only increased and now calls are made from the senate and congress for this same individual who was once deemed indispensable to resign immediately. It is a humbling position for the secretary no doubt. His experience should serve to remind all people that no one is indispensable—not even Moses.

There is a remarkable short story found in Exodus 4 that illustrates this truth. Simply summarized, on the night before Moses was to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery, the Lord sought to kill him. The Lord did not merely seek to punish Moses or discipline him, the Lord was going to terminate his life. Moses was about to die a sin unto death. Only the immediate though reluctant intervention of an offended wife allowed Moses to survive.

At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision (Ex 4:24).

It is not difficult to discern that the great controversy God had with Moses was a matter of obedience. Moses had neglected to give his child Gershom the sign of his covenant relation with God. Having married outside the sphere of common faith, Moses and Zipporah disagreed over the issue of circumcision. The matter was set aside until the night that God sought to kill Moses. Suddenly, gospel obedience was deemed very important and Zipporah—who deeply resented being involved in the act—performed the bloody ritual.

While many spiritual lessons can be derived from this narrative one of the most important is this: no one is indispensable, not in the secular world and not in the spiritual world. In order to avoid such severe circumstances as Moses found himself in, it is best to be diligent in matters of gospel obedience. Only then is there true freedom to serve the Lord. God’s work must be done God’s way or not done at all.

As I travel to churches in the United States and around the world I come across far too many stories of people in the congregation who have moved against their pastor for one reason or another. Last week I heard yet another story of this happening. Sometimes, an uprising against a minister is justified. Perhaps the pastor is straying from sound doctrine. Perhaps he is not living a good clean and moral life. Perhaps he is becoming too dictatorial and loves to have the preeminence. Perhaps he is not executing the role of a shepherd and has become too much of an administrator. There are valid reasons for concern over the behavior of a pastor. However, my counsel to congregational members is this. Before you try to terminate your pastor and his ministry be careful.

First, be careful that you do not have a root of bitterness in your own heart for it will spring up and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. It is possible to tell a man in one meeting he is "loved" and hug his neck, and then in the very next action move behind his back to hurt him through others. It happens and it is wrong. This can only be done because a deep seated root of bitterness in the heart suddenly springs up.

Second, be careful of judging. The Bible does not prohibit righteous judging as per John 7:24, "judge righteous judgment". What Jesus did warn against is a censorious spirit that does not first deal with any level of hypocrisy in self. "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye" (Matthew 7:3-5).

Third, remember that love will cover sin. Love will not cover up sin but love will cover it. It takes a lot of non loving action and attitude to move to terminate a pastor through verbal slander and written libel, secret meetings and the use of a parliamentary manual that is contrary to the Bible and not even recognized by the church’s constitutional bylaws. It takes a lot of non loving action and attitude to try to discredit a minister’s reputation and damage his ministry all the while thinking that self in justified in the process. Whatever this is it is not love. No matter what rational is given 1 Corinthians 13 condemns it all.

Fourth, remember there is a payday someday for each of us. Paul said of one man who tried to hurt his ministry, "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works" (2 Timothy 4:14). And the Lord will.

Fifth, it is far better when brethren dwell together in unity. "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1).

Finally, even when there has been a breach of fellowship there can be restoration illustrated by Joseph with his brethren. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil [injurious behavior] against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. I personally have never known a pastor who would not extend a forgiving hand and loving heart towards those who have sought to hurt him based upon gospel repentance. It is the will of the Lord. Oh Christian, before you to try to terminate your pastor and his ministry be careful.

There is a new idea that is growing in popularity within the Church. It is called "open theism" (or "openism" for short) and is focused around the doctrine of God's knowledge. It receives its name from the idea that the future is "open" and therefore no one—not even God—can know what the future holds. Openism severely limits God's knowledge by teaching that God does not have exhaustive foreknowledge—that is, He has very limited and uncertain knowledge of the future. In fact, openists would say:

—God does not even know what you will eat for lunch tomorrow.

—If you are single, God does not know whom you will marry, if you will have children, or how you will die.

—God does not know if the husband that He lovingly directed you to marry will fall away and end up cruelly beating and abusing you next year.

—Everything in life is all "up in the air" because the future is not yet settled in God's mind—it is an open future.

But, curiously, openists believe that the Bible is the word of God, they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died for our sins—and they believe most every other traditional Christian doctrine.

Openism is the doctrine that says that God's highest goal in creating us is to enter into a loving relationship with us.

Furthermore, openists believe that true love implies "risk."

Suppose you fall in love with someone and you approach the person to begin dating. At that moment when you try to initiate a love relationship, you are taking a big risk. There is the risk of being rejected by the person you love. Maybe he or she will not date you—or worse, maybe he or she will but will break up with you later.

Openists say that if you knew the future so well that you were certain whether or not someone would say "yes" to your invitation, then it is not true love anymore.

They believe that true love needs risk in order for it to be real.

If love involves risk, and risk involves uncertainty about the future, then we cannot have a loving relationship with God if He knows what we will choose.

According to openism, genuine love and free will logically imply that God does not know what His free creatures will do.

In contrast to Open Theism is the Bible that teaches that what makes God God is that He knows the future.

Consider Isaiah 41:21-24 where God challenges idols to prove that they are true "Gods". Note carefully what the Lord says about foreknowledge: "'Present your case,' the Lord says. 'Bring forward your strong arguments,' The King of Jacob says. Let them bring forth and declare to us what is going to take place; As for the former events, declare what they were, That we may consider them and know their outcome. Or announce to us what is coming; Declare the things that are going to come afterward, That we may know that you are gods; Indeed, do good or evil, that we may anxiously look about us and fear together. Behold, you [idols] are of no account, And your work amounts to nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination" (Isa 41:21-24).

What this passage teaches is that one thing that sets the true God apart from false gods is His knowledge of the future.

People who worship a god who does not know the future do not really worship the true God at all. Open theism is a "gospel issue."

Jesus rested His gospel claims on His ability to predict the future. "I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe" (John 14:29, cf. also John 13:19).

Compare and contrast the "God" of openism with the God of the Bible.

—The God of the scriptures is all knowing and all-powerful; the God of openism has limited knowledge and limits his power to make room for human beings to use their power.

—The God of the scriptures is never surprised and never caught off guard by what happens in the world. But the God of openism is constantly surprised and is constantly learning more and more as the unexpected future unfolds.

—Openism depicts God as remarkably more human and feminine than the God of the scriptures. For example, the God of openism is submissive, whereas the God of the Scriptures wisely asserts his will.

—The God of openism feels a need to be loved, whereas the God of the scriptures is the self-sufficient giver of love.

—The God of the Bible is powerful (a quality usually associated with manliness) whereas the God of openism often finds Himself helpless and unable to accomplish what He wants.

—The God of openism prefers a more equal division of control, whereas the God of the Scriptures is the absolute authority.

Openism also challenges other Christian doctrines besides God’s foreknowledge, such as God's infallibility and His essential goodness.

For example, if openism is true, then when God commissioned Paul to write the book of Romans, God did not know if Paul would make a mistake and write something that should not have been in the Bible. This means that, if openism is true, the Bible could have had errors.

Historically Christians have believed that the Bible is infallible—that is, it is impossible for the Bible to contain even one falsehood. Openists, it would seem, have to deny that the Bible is infallible.

Two leading openist scholars—David Basinger and Randall Basinger—have done just that. According to scholar Dr. D. A. Carson, they no longer believe the Bible is infallible.

Furthermore, if openism is true, God did not know whether the human nature of Christ would choose to sin. That makes the incarnation a pretty big risk—of bringing sin into the godhead! In other words, it was possible for God to sin in Christ and we are just fortunate that He did not.

There is no kind way to say it but openists are proclaiming a different god than the true God.

It is common for opponents of Christianity to argue that there was never a universal decision as to which books belonged to the New Testament canon, nor did orthodoxy exist prior to the late fourth century. Even then—the argument goes—many literary traditions existed. Is there historical accuracy to these charges? Was there really no orthodoxy prior to the councils of the fourth century? Did scholars and theologians really vote on which books belonged in the canon?

Christians will inevitably encounter these questions and more, and if unprepared to give an answer, they can be left with grave doubt. But rest assured the truth of the matter is something far different than what opponents of Christianity often charge about the canon of Scripture.

The term canon has come to mean "rule" or "standard." It refers to those books included in the Old and New Testaments that are theopneustos—breathed out by God (2 Tim 3:16). Early Christians rightly wanted to know which books were given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for a number of reasons. Gnostic, Marcionite, and Montanist writings were circulating that contradicted the doctrines the apostles were proclaiming. The appearance of these spurious works and others—together with the passing time from the life of Jesus, growing heretical movements, and an increase of Christian persecution for possessing Scripture—all gave rise to the discussion as to what exactly constituted inspired books. After all, who would want to die or suffer persecution for a book that was not theopneustos?

A three-fold test was administered to answer this question, namely: conformity to orthodoxy, apostolicity, and wide-spread acceptance. Orthodoxy was not something that developed over succeeding generations, but rather, was known from the time of the apostles—an idea that is supported by the numerous passages that confirm the idea of a standard rule of faith from the time of the apostles. Wrote Paul:

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:6-9 ESV).

"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter" (2 Thess 2:15 ESV).

"Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you" (1 Cor 11:2 ESV).

Furthermore:

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3 ESV).

Second, apostolicity meant that the writing had to come from one of the apostles or that it had to be commissioned by someone directly linked to one of the Twelve, as is the case with the Gospel’s Mark and Luke.

A third and lesser criterion in the administrative process was the wide-spread acceptance and usage of the books. That is, the writings must be used everywhere and not just in isolated Christian communities.

So it is disingenuous to argue that the early Christians voted on which books belonged to the canon. It is more accurate to state they merely recognized the divine origin of Scripture, just as the people of God in Old Testament times were moved by the Holy Spirit to recognize that God spoke to them through the Law and the Prophets. The church has never created a canon nor has it attributed inspiration to any book—it has only recognized the divine origin of the theopneustos Scriptures.

There are four questions which neither natural reason nor the Bible allow us to understand fully:

How can a holy God permit moral evil?

How could a being created pure ever fall?

How can we be responsible for inborn depravity?

How can Christ justly suffer?

Perhaps some day an answer to these questions will be given. Perhaps in eternity these questions will not matter any longer. However, until the day of understanding arrives or a state of perpetual indifference the heart of man will wrestle with the mysteries the mind conceives.

Taking the first inquiry as to how a holy God could permit evil, some arguments have been suggested to form a theodicy (Theos, God; dike, justice) or a vindication of the justice of God. Conservative theologians have suggested the following propositions.

Freedom of the will is necessary to virtue.

God suffers more from sin than the sinner.

With the permission of sin God provided a redemption which is of more infinite value than the act of transgression.

God will eventually overrule all evil for good.

Consider now the first proposition, Freedom of the will is necessary to virtue. While it is not hard to conceive of a universe without sin, the question is whether or not such a universe is the best.

Professor A.H. Strong writes, "We cannot deny that God could prevent sin in a moral universe. But it is doubtful whether God could prevent sin in the best moral universe. The most perfect freedom is indispensable to the attainment of the highest universe."

Charles Spurgeon declared, "There could have been no moral government without the permission to sin."E. G. Robinson said, "God could not have revealed His character so well without moral evil as with moral evil." While the discussion continues, the conclusion of the matter has to be this for the conservative Christian. Since God created the universe the way He did and allowed sin, then this expression of creation has to be the best or God would have created the universe in a different manner for He could have done no other. Whatever God ultimately performs is "very good." 

To the next logical question "Is God the Author of Sin?" the answer is, "no." God is holy and righteous. He cannot be tempted to do wrong neither can He or will He tempt others to evil. God is not the author of sin but the author of free beings [Adam and Eve] were themselves the authors of sin. God does not decree efficiently to work evil desires or choices in men. God decrees sin only in the sense of decreeing to create and preserve those who will sin. In all of this man attributes sin to himself and not to God. Moreover, God hates, denounces, and punishes sin.

Though the brothers of Joseph had their intentions and their actions overruled by the sovereignty of God it does not lessen their wickedness (Gen. 50:20).

Pope Leo X brought on the Reformation by his greed and yet was guilty.

Jesus said of His betrayal, Matt 26:24 "The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."When Robert G. Ingersoll asked, "Why did God make the devil?" one theologian responded, "God made a holy and free spirit who abused his liberty, himself created sin, and so made himself a devil".  

And there we must leave the whole matter. God thought it best to allow sin; individuals are responsible for their own actions; God is just in judging sin and gracious in forgiving it.

Many years ago as a young Bible student I learned that, "A text without context is a pretext and a pretext without a context is no text!" This axiom seems especially true when I encounter those who unknowingly misapply passages to support a particular position. It is amazing how many popular beliefs are supported with Scripture that have been taken out of context. We must be careful because when one does not apply the proper interpretive principles just about any belief can be justified.

Example. It is often stated as a principle of prayer that where two or three are gathered together there Jesus is in the midst. However, the proper context of the verse deals with church discipline.

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matt 18:15-20).

Example. A man sows what he reaps is presented as a universal spiritual law that behavior produces an end result—which is true in and of itself—but the context has to do with paying those who communicate the Word of God a just compensation.

"One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal 6:6-10).

Example. The theological concept that developed in the early nineteenth century of a secret rapture of Christians who disappear from earth for seven years before a period of great tribulation is based on several passages in 1 Thessalonians. However, these verses (4:16-17) were simply given by Paul who wanted to give comfort to the Christians who have lost loved ones and to reassure them that the departed will not miss out on the resurrection but will in fact rise from the dead first.

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words" (1 Thess 4:13-18).

These are just a few examples as to how many have taken a verse, removed it from its proper context, and have built doctrine around the misinterpretation of Scripture. We must be careful not to twist Scripture to our own liking (cf. 2 Pet 3:16), but must earnestly search the Scripture daily to make sure the things we are being taught are so (cf. Acts 17:11). As you study the Scriptures, do not forget the context of any passage or principle.

Simply stated, the doctrine of the Trinity teaches the unity of three persons in one Being—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are united partakers of the same divine nature and majesty of God. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of Scriptural revelation for in the Holy Bible God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are each presented as being co-equal, co-eternal and possessing all of the same divine attributes.

Admittedly, the doctrine of the Trinity is a great mystery and surpasses finite comprehension. Nevertheless, belief in the Trinity is essential to a proper understanding of the Scriptures and the person and work of Jesus Christ. It has been said that if a person were to try to comprehend the deep mystery of the Trinity he might lose his mind but if he denies the Trinity he will lose his soul.

Eighteen truths may be found in Scripture concerning God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit:

1. Jesus is God in whom is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The Father is called God. Philippians 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is called God. Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

2. Jesus is called Creator. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The Father is called Creator. Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

The Holy Spirit is called Creator. Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. Job 26:13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

3. Jesus has power to resurrect. John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

The Father has power to resurrect. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

The Holy Spirit has power to resurrect. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

4. Jesus indwells the believer. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Father indwells the believer. 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The Holy Spirit indwells the believer. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

5. Jesus is omnipresent which means He is everywhere. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Father is omnipresent. 1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent. Psalms 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

6. Jesus is omniscient which means He knows all things. John 16:30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The Father is omniscient. 1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

The Holy Spirit is omniscient. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

7. Jesus sanctifies. Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he [Christ] is not ashamed to call them brethren,

The Father sanctifies. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies. 1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

8. Jesus gives life. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

The Father gives life. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

The Holy Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

9. Jesus enters into fellowship with the believer. 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Father enters into fellowship with the believer. 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit enters into fellowship with the believer. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

10. Jesus is Eternal. Micah 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The Father is eternal. Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

The Holy Spirit is eternal. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

11. Jesus has will. Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

The Father has will. Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

The Holy Spirit has will. 1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12. Jesus speaks. Luke 5:20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

The Father speaks. Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Luke 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

The Holy Spirit speaks. Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Acts 11:12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

13. Jesus searches the heart. Revelation 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

The Father searches the heart. Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The Holy Spirit searches the heart Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

14. Jesus belongs to the saints and the saints belong to Him. John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

The Father belongs to the saints and the saints belong to Him. John 17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

The Holy Spirit belongs to the saints and the saints belong to Him. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15. Jesus is to be served. Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The Father is to be served. Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

The Holy Spirit is to be served. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is obeyed He is served.

16. Jesus is to be believed in. John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

The Father is to be believed in. John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

The Holy Spirit is to be believed in. John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

17. Jesus gives joy. John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The Father gives joy. Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

The Holy Spirit gives joy. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18. Jesus judges. Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

The Father judges. Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

The Holy Spirit judges. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

A convicting voice pricking the conscience of our nation was silenced at 9:11 p.m. EST on February 28, 2009. Paul Harvey was a man who could not be denied. "Hello Americans! This is Paul Harvey. Stand by for news!" Every day eighteen million Americans stayed tuned to listen.

When he was not announcing the news Paul Harvey would comment on American culture. There is one particular story attributed to Harvey in which he voiced concern about those who want prayer in general and Christian prayers in particular to cease in public forums. Some have doubted its authenticity, but the message still resonates with countless Americans. Said Harvey speaking in 2005:

"I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

So what's the big deal? It’s not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and

the fans going home from the game.

"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches out number all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.

When in Rome…

"But what about the atheists?" is another argument.

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations. Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating; to pray before we go to sleep.

Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well ... just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back ... and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all.... especially those who denounce Him. God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all.

God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

May 2005 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

Keep looking up.

Good day!"

Good day, Paul Harvey and good bye, until we meet in heaven. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Soon after Adam and Eve were given explicit instructions regarding their conduct while in the Garden of Eden each was confronted with a monumental test of faith and obedience to God. The Genesis account records that the serpent first came to tempt Eve by trying to cast doubt in her mind of God’s truthfulness. "He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'" (Gen 3:1)? Here, we see the craftiness of the serpent by calling into question God’s command and his attempt to beguile Eve. However, it is apparent that the woman knew precisely God’s command. She responded: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die" (v. 2-3). But the serpent reassured her that she would not die (v. 4). "God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God" (v. 6). Eve’s desire at that moment was to be wise like God. So, she looked at the food, delighted in its appearance, and ate, and then she gave some to Adam.

This encounter in the Garden crystallizes the power of sin and its seduction. Eve’s willingness to engage the serpent in conversation was her first mistake, and it is one that so many of us make daily. We are often inclined to remain in an environment where the possibility of sinning against God exists. We delude ourselves into thinking that we are spiritually mature enough to handle certain situations, but that sort of mindset often leads to failure. Just imagine the transgressions we could thwart if we followed the example of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife—flee at the first sign of danger (Gen 39:12). Instead, we remain in the harmful environment, much like Eve did, and think we have the power within ourselves to overcome the temptation, but in the final analysis, it is sin’s seduction that overpowers us.

The great lie of sin is that it will bring lasting happiness. Eve bought into this great deception when she believed that she could become like God if she disobeyed his command. The reality, however, is always something far different. Granted, there is joy in sin for a season, but it is never without a price. Pain, sadness, and misery always accompanies wickedness, regardless of whether or not we immediately see the harmful results. Disappointment is inevitable—to which Eve would well attest. I am confident that she would readily admit that there is a great seduction to sin, and an even greater lie in believing that sin—no matter how small—will bring happiness. 

But beyond the practical ramifications of transgressing the law, the Bible does not take sin lightly, so neither should we:

"And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell" (Mark 9:43-47). 

Scripture tells us to deal radically with sin, but that is not to say it intends for us to mutilate our bodies. Rather, we are to recognize the power of sin and its seductive nature and discern that it will ultimately lead only to one place.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Eccl 12:1-7).

Someone once tried to figure out what is wrong with the young people of America.

Let's see if we can figure out what has gone wrong. I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want any prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school—the Bible that says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself, and we said, OK.

Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about so we said OK, we won't spank them anymore.

Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued. (There's a big difference between disciplining and touching, beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking, etc.) And we accepted their reasoning.

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said, that's a grand idea.

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we said, that's another great idea.

Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. And agreeing with them, we said it doesn't matter to me what anyone, including the President does in private as long as I have a job and the economy is thriving.

And then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and call it wholesome, down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the female body. And we said we have no problem with that.

And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on the Internet. And we said they're entitled to their free speech.

And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promotes profanity, violence, and illicit sex. And let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes. And we said it's just entertainment, it has no adverse effect, and nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, their teachers, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with: "We reap what we sow."