COLSON CENTER: CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS GOING REVOICE-RETHINK-AND LIBERATION THEOLOGY?

ROLL OVER CHUCK COLSON: THE SOCIAL JUSTICE/REVOICE /RETHINK /BIOLA COLLABORATION IS DANCING ON YOUR GRAVE.

By Rev. Thomas Littleton 1/12/2019

The legacy of Chuck Colson is to some Christians a very trusted partner for Conservative causes and political/ cultural engagement. To others, like this author, the legacy is a mixed bag with a dangerous history of highly compromised ecumenical ties and a world view well beyond the comfort zone for Biblically conservative Christians. Some in this more cautious group may still consider the conversion of Colson and his Prison Fellowship ministry to have contributed to a lasting legacy for outreach in prisons nationwide. Colson Center established the Colson Fellows program upon the death of Chuck Colson in 2012. Today the Colson Center is in younger, far less capable hands -as is often the case with second generation leadership in ministries.

In 2018 we witnessed the revelation of deep infiltration, compromise and progressive perversions of the Gospel within long trusted organizations, major denominations and their seminaries. Recent revelations indicate 2019 will be another painful year in the Christian spectator sport of helplessly watching trusted ministries and ministers manifesting the steady creep of selling out.

Word on the street is that the leaders at Colson Center have come into some big money recently. The new choice of faculty leadership in the Fellows program indicate the likelihood of the fresh money and a load of social justice compromise that came with it. It is fair to ask- “Are some in this line up of Fellows faculty in keeping with the vision of Chuck Colson? Let’s take a look at three of them and their current work.

IS THIS A CHUCK COLSON CENTER ENDORSEMENT OF REVOICE AND RETHINK APPROACH TO LGBT?

Several of the new Faculty choices appear to be an endorsement on some of evangelicals worst compromisers. Why has the Colson Center chosen major players in the Revoice circles “promoting LGBTQ flourishing in historic Christian tradition “ , the Biola Apologetics who want to Rethink their industry and modern social justice warriors who are promoting Black Liberation Theology ?

From the Colson Fellows site http://colsonfellows.com/about-us/

HISTORIC CHRISTIAN CONSERVATISM OR NOT?

The claims of Colson Center history boast the current work to be in keeping of his vision.

“When Chuck Colson passed away in 2012, the program was renamed Colson Fellows. Today, it continues to fulfill his vision. Over 1,300 people across the nation and in a dozen foreign countries have completed the program. Today, a record number of men and women engage in the National program or in Regional and Academic settings. “

TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGING

Again things are changing with many once conservative ministries and even denominations. One indication of this would be the recent evangelical concerns and push back over infiltration in the Seminaries with the false Social Justice gospel. You can read more about that infiltration here in both parts one and two of Evangelical Deep State .

http://sbctoday.wpengine.com/is-this-the-evangelical-deep-state/

These issues in general were further raised, in measured response, by the Dallas Statement. It has now been signed by over 10,000 concerned ministers and Christians. The Statement came out last Fall and stops short of naming names or exposing the sources of the infiltration and funding behind it. Still the popular response to the Dallas Statement indicates an awareness of the problem.

https://founders.org/2018/09/04/the-statement-on-social-justice-and-the-gospel/

LGBTQ+ IN THE DOOR AND IN YOUR FACE

Today we are seeing a major departure from vintage conservative Christianity as many major ministries embrace the massive coordinated effort to provide a new language and voice to homosexuality in the church. It is a classic victim narrative and filled with heavily nuanced propaganda.

The Revoice Conference which was held in St Louis in July 2018 at a Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) was a huge eye opener for the non-progressive churches. If Revoice had been a collaboration of liberal denominations like the Methodist or Episcopal – it would have been little more than a blip on the radar in the evangelical world. But Revoice, because of its origins, was alarming because of its rise from the heart of conservative evangelicalism and two of its most prestigious seminaries. The founder Nate Collins was a long-time student and teacher at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in KY which has long been celebrated as historic marker for its conservative victory over liberals who abandoned the Word of God decades ago. Fast forward to 2018 and SBTS has produced Revoice founder and some SBC entity Fellows and preachers were endorsing Revoice and its affiliated mentor ministries.

The PCAs Covenant Seminary was fully represented among 7 Revoice speakers including some faculty and recent Covenant graduates. Also The Gospel Coalition co-founded by the popular Tim Keller and campus ministries like CRU, RUF and other long trusted organizations had speakers involved. Revoice provided the proverbial thud among Biblical evangelicals as an event preaching to its choir of “Sexual Minorities” while advocating acceptance in the church. Now Revoice wants to bring with it their ideas of welcoming/ safe spaces / and the “virtues of Queer culture and Queer Literature “ into the heart of evangelicals remaining conservative congregations.

BIOLA UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT / STAND TO REASON -RETHINK APOLOGETICS – ISN’T IT JUST REVOICE LITE?

Apologetics Undergoing APA Compliant Transformation Under Yarhouse at Biola.

Biola University has had more than its share of LGBTQ+ activism on campus and has remained under the activist gun and in the spotlight from at least 2012 . An underground LGBT group has made relentless waves over school policies. By 2015 Biola appeared to have found a solution . . . a way out of the pressure. After efforts to compromise and appease in measured fashion failed Biola President Barry Corey signed onto the often discussed Civilitas Group compromise

https://web.archive.org/web/20170506051340/http://www.civilitasgroup.org/uploads/7/8/1/6/78160154/civilitas_vsp_paper.utv.pdf

THE PROBLEM AS CIVILITAS SEES IT-NEEDED DETAILS ON THIS PROBLEMATIC ALLIANCE .

It appears Biola and other schools/leaders see the big problem with the world today as lack of civility .

“Our society is increasingly characterized by competing special interests and fragmentation while the church is too often associated with the Culture Wars which serves to intensify its unprecedented experience of marginalization. Researchers, sociologists, and journalists are increasingly speaking of America’s future in categories of polarization and decline.”

“Historians have developed theories with respect to the rise and fall of great nations. History is replete with examples of civilization after civilization that has followed this pattern. However, historians can also point to societies that have experienced renewal, revitalization, and renaissance.”

USING THEORIES OF SOCIAL CHANGE ON THE CHURCH -TO CHANGE IT

Biola and Fuller and Wheaton (displaying an ever growing stench of compromise) along with other schools Christian leaders signed on to using a think tank siting its roots in Cultural Marxist Frankfurt School promoting social justice for an endless stream of victims in order the change the church- to be more civil and find “common ground” for the “common good”.

FEARING MAN AND IDOLIZING CIVILITY MAY KEEP YOU ALIVE BUT KILL YOUR SOUL.

Is this the approach of the Apostles who turned the world upside down with their preaching? Is their Civility the reason they were killed for the sake of the Gospel?

SO WHAT IS THE CURE ACCORDING TO WHAT BIOLA AND FRIENDS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR?

“Implement the process of collaboration on projects that meet needs while also building trusting relationships. During the time of making progress towards civility, our Civilitas Theory of Social Change – developed in partnership with sociologists at Princeton, Yale, and UVA – will be used to guide and refine the actual practice and progress of change.”

CHICK-FIL-A :THE CORPORATE GROWTH MODEL FOR COMPROMISE IS A MINISTRY /GOSPEL APPROACH?

“Civil conversations will work to change the tone of our society by supplanting vitriolic public discourse with respectful listening, constructive exchange, and positive partnerships. Dan Cathy, President and CEO of Chick-Fil-A developed an improbable model of such civility in a surprising friendship with Shane Windmeyer, national director of the LGBT group Campus Pride. After Dan Cathy was vilified by gays and lesbians in 2012 for his support of traditional marriage, Dan took a simple but courageous step of reaching out to Shane. He invited him to dinner so that they could meet and discuss the nature of their differences and explore matters of common interest. To the surprise of both Dan and Shane, they had a pleasant evening and they developed a friendship. A short time later, Dan invited Shane to be his guest and to sit with him in the owner’s box for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia”

“Shortly thereafter, Shane wrote an op-ed piece in the Huffington Post entitled, “Coming Out as a Friend of Dan Cathy.” In the article he gave praise to Dan for taking the initiative, for listening respectfully, for sharing his convictions honestly, and for seeking first to understand rather than to be understood. Shane wrote, “We learned about each other as people with opposing views, not as opposing people.” As a result, Shane made the decision for Campus Pride to discontinue a nationally organized protest to boycott Chick-Fil-A. A Civil Conversation paved the way for discovering the common good.”

THE ELITE OF THE CHURCH AND THE CULTURE WILL SHOW US THE WAY

“In a city like New York, this would include Christian leaders like Tim Keller, Cardinal Dolan, Gabriel Salguero, A.R. Bernard, and Rich Mouw. The cultural elite would be represented by people like journalist and presidential aide, George Stephanopoulos; New York Times writer, David Brooks; the president of New York University; the chief of police; the superintendent of public schools and the mayor.”

“Civilitas will seek to build a national network of Christian leaders and cultural elites from among select cities across the country. Through the Civil Conversations and through the networks and dialogues that develop, Civilitas will also work to identify key issues that are of paramount importance for the common good of our culture.”

“Civilitas will then seek to connect the best minds and the most creative entities in the country to work on our most intractable challenges in pursuit of solutions for the common good. This will include churches, colleges and seminaries, mission leaders, and social entrepreneurs, together with Christians who have earned trust and exerted influence in every sector of society, to collaborate in pursuit of the common good.”

CIVILITAS PARTNERS

“Civilitas is committed to building a network of partners with groups of shared conviction such as Veritas Forum, The Trinity Forum, James Davison Hunter and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture (University of Virginia), The Centre for Ethics and Public Policy, The Center for Public Justice, The Brehm Center for Worship, Theology and the Arts, the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities, the Christian Community Development Association, private Christian foundations, national student organizations, and institutions of higher learning.”

IMMEDIATE OUTCOME OF COMPROMISE

A stated outcome is raising the churches perceived value in the culture.How is this is to be achieved through compromise?

“We believe that a by-product of this strategy will be a significantly enhanced public perception of the value of the church and Christian organizations in our society. This was the means by which the early church “turned the world upside down,” and it was the fruit of the social transformation brought about by William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect in England.”

BIOLA HOST P. R. STUNT WITH RADICAL GAY THEOLOGY PROPONENT

Soon after signing on to the Civlitas Group Chik- Fil- A/ Gay compromise Biola guys invited the radical Matthew Vines/ Reformation Project to a “private sit down” covered by the New York Times which NY Times billed as “Evangelicals Open Door to Debate on Gay Rights”. (Why have a reporter and photographer at your private meeting? )

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/us/some-evangelicals-take-new-look-at-bibles-stance-on-gays.html

Soon after this Vines meeting, the apologist from Biola who would cover the issue of LGBT+ for the soon to launch / post Civilitas compromise “ Rethink “- attended a Reformation Project /Vines event . These thought leaders included Sean McDowell and Alan Shlemon, both of whom carry most of the LGBT+ topic discussions for Rethink Apologetics. Shlemon confirms that he believes LGBT should be welcomed into church membership “just not into church leadership “roles. Such ignorance of the implications of random inclusion and limitation is unimaginable in light of ever expanding LGBT discrimination laws. This Biola apologist also would not discuss activist organizations like Human Rights Campaign working to force the LGBT+ agenda into churches even after being given the chance to warn his audience of those deceitful efforts .

BIOLA,MARK YARHOUSE AND THE PRO-GAY AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

McDowell and Shlemon are very open about the influence of Mark Yarhouse on their narrative. Their publications are flush with interviews and quotes from Yarhouse who is the source of the promotion of merging a person’s faith identity and homosexual identity into a Gay or SSA Christian identity and Sexual Minority Christian. Yarhouse is the same source of compromise in Tim Keller’s organization The Gospel Coalition and in the TGC influence in Campus ministries like CRU/ RUF and Intervarsity .

A Year-End Challenge for The Gospel Coalition

” Christ on Campus Initiative: TGC supports this ministry that prepares and circulates literature for college and university students. The most recent article, written by Mark Yarhouse, offers a Christian perspective on homosexuality.Christ on Campus Initiative”

http://sexualidentityinstitute.org/sample-page/dr-mark-yarhouse/

“Dr. Yarhouse is currently the Chair of the task force on LGBT issues for Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association. He was recently invited to write the featured white paper on sexual identity for the Christ on Campus Initiative edited by Don A. Carson for The Gospel Coalition.”

MOVING ON TO THE TIES OF RETHINK APOLOGETICS TO REVOICE AND THE COLSON COMPROMISE

Both the Revoice controversial approach to “Promoting LGBT+ flourishing in historic Christian Tradition” and the Rethink Apologetics of Biola’s apologetics department have a COMMON GROUND SOURCE of inspiration in Christian psychologist and American Psychological Associations Interfaith and Sexuality expert Mark Yarhouse . Yarhouse has had a huge influence in Tim Keller’s The Gospel Coalition and Campuses ministries both which are represented in the Revoice speaker line up.

You can read more about Yarhouse and Revoice here and about a dozen related articles on the DNA of Revoice

https://thirtypiecesofsilver.org/2018/05/29/make-the-gospel-great-again-reject-the-false-gospel-of-lgbt-christianity/

(Rethink Apologetics was launched in 2015/2016 and began to hold regional youth oriented Apologetics on a host of topics. The topic of concern here is the LGBTQ+ compromises related to its embrace of Yarhouse views in Sexual Orientation and therapy for those wanting to extricate their lives from homosexuality. The Civilitas Group participation by Biola leaders has set the tone for compromise .)

THE LEADING CONSERVATIVE PCA CHURCH IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA HOSTS RETHINK APOLOGETICS .

http://rethinkapologetics.com/birmingham.html

https://briarwood.org/event/rethink-student-apologetics-conference-2018-04-21/

ReThink Student Apologetics Conference

April 21, 2018 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

$30 – $50

“Last year’s inaugural reThink Conference was a great success, and we know this year will be even greater! With a host of challenging speakers such as J. Warner Wallace, Greg Koukl, Sean McDowell, and many more, this will be an entertaining, informative, and most importantly, challenging weekend. Click here to see the complete schedule and to register. Early bird rates end March”

Returning for 2019

reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference

April 26–27, 2019

Birmingham AL

The PCA is struggling and efforts to cover for Revoice and continue to provide a platform for Rethink are ushering in increasing controversy and concerns.

https://www.theaquilareport.com/is-revoice-lgbt-thriving-through-cover-up-in-pca-missouri-presbytery/

COLSON CENTERS TRAJECTORY

COLSONS NEW LIST OF FELLOWS TELLS THE TALE

http://colsonfellows.com/home-6/

Sean McDowell

team_pics_colson_seanmcdowell

Assistant Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, Author and Speaker

Sean is a subscriber to the Revoice inspiration and promotion of Mark Yarhouse.

https://seanmcdowell.org/podcast/episode/15

https://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-are-lgbt-students-faring-at-christian-colleges

Sean McDowell and partner from Rethink Apologetics Alan Shlemon cover the ever present topic of LGBTQ+ and the church in the Rethink Conferences. Again ,both carry the influence of Biola’s apologetics department and of Mark Yarhouse views from the APA and his own limited research on the view that sexual orientation is real- therefore homosexual orientation does not change and that few experience significant change in sexual orientation when coming to Christian faith ( or any faith for that matter according to Yarhouse interfaith applied research ). The assertion is then that with Sexual Orientation being real, that it, presumed from their conclusions, does not change at conversion – then the person who is same sex attracted and comes to Christian faith which is contrary to homosexual behavior then that person has a Sexual Identity and a Faith identity which are ” in conflict” with one another . The sexual Identity -which they say cannot change must then be merged with the person’s faith identity to create space for a “Gay Christianity “. Then the church can be led to embrace both identities then, in the framework of espoused celibacy or mixed orientation marriages, allow for “Sexual Minorities “and or “Gay, LGBT+, Queer Christians to be welcomed into the church.This is the “sweet spot” of the counseling goals being sought . In the same way as Civilitas seeks the “sweet spot” of “common ground for the common good” for society to embrace pluralism and we can “all just get along”. According to these circles of influencers- these are “gospel goals” and produce “gospel fruit”.

RETHINK AND REVOICE

in reality Revoice and Rethink are just two brands produced from the same source of ideology and packaged / marketed to slightly different markets.

https://stream.rethinkapologetics.com/

SPRINKLE DOWN FROM REVOICE TO COLSON FELLOW MENTOR

Preston Sprinkle

Preston

Author ,Speaker, Teacher ,The Center for Faith Sexuality and Gender

Sprinkle is a graduate with both a Masters and a Doctorate from conservative Master’s Seminary of John MacArthur who signed the Dallas Statement but has not broken ties with the TGC/ Social justice crowd. Here we see a guy, Sprinkle wearing the Masters brand while he promoted- mentored and spoke at the radical Revoice LGBT+ flourishing conference. What amazing contradiction .

Sprinkle’s organization provides training, resources and events to further the embrace of “LGBT+ Christianity” in the church advocating on such topics as “Gay Teens in Your Church” – “Creating Safe Spaces for LGBT in the Church” and the church dealing “ Transgender Identity “ .

https://www.centerforfaith.com/resources?field_product_category_tid=1

Sprinkle and his Center were at the heart of the radical Revoice LGBT+ Flourishing Conference.

https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/schedule/revoice2018

“ St. Louis, MO: Revoice Conference

Thursday, July 26, 201812:00 PM
Saturday, July 28, 20189:00 PM

Memorial Presbyterian201 South Skinker BoulevardSt. Louis, MO, 63105United States (map)

Google Calendar ICS

“Preston will be speaking at Revoice 2018!

The Mission: Supporting, encouraging, and empowering gay, lesbian, same-sex-attracted, and other LGBT Christians so they can experience the life-giving character of the historic Christian tradition.

Learn more at www.revoice.us “

SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY – PROVIDES A COLSON FELLOW FACULTY MEMBER

Walter Strickland II bringing Black Liberation Theology / Social Justice at Colson Center as Colson Fellows mentor .

Another recent addition to the Colson Stable is Walter Strickland II

Walter Strickland

team_pics_colson_walterstrickland

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SYSTEMATIC AND CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY/ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY; SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Strickland teaches at Danny Akins TGC affiliated Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. (SEBTS)

Some of his areas of expertise and focus include, diversity development, assimilation, racial tension, and reconciliation, African American Theology, as well as Liberation Theology .

https://www.sebts.edu/academics/faculty/Strickland%20CV.pdf

New Colson Fellows faculty Walter Strickland is hosting author Reggie Williams on campus at SEBTS in February 2019 as part of his Kingdom Diversity work on campus.

http://kingdomdiversity.sebts.edu/

http://kingdomdiversity.sebts.edu/index.php/carousel-sliders/bonhoeffers-black-jesus-giveaway-and-essay-contest/

Book and Event Description

Southeastern’s Annual Black History Celebration Luncheon is being held on February 8, 2019. This year Dr. Reggie L. Williams is delivering a lecture based upon his book Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance. Dr. William’s book was chosen because it highlights the fruit of intentional self-displacement across cultural lines for spiritual growth. This book illustrates how the gospel refines the most God-honoring parts of a culture and eradicates that which does not honor Christ.

Williams illustrates this phenomena with a historical example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer during his two year stay in New York City. While in NYC, Bonhoeffer regularly attended and served at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. Williams argues that Bonhoeffer’s formation during his time at a historically black church helped form the concepts that emerged in three of his most influential book: Ethics, Life Together, and Discipleship.

Williams tweeted his support of Black Liberation Theology and the influence of James Cone and Jeremiah Wright.

Reggie Williams‏ @reglwill

FollowFollow @reglwill

Reggie Williams Retweeted Freedom Road

This is a conversation starter. I failed to mention how much Rev. J @emeritus5 and Rev. @JeremiahWrigh10 have been to me.

Here is a recent interview with Williams about his book

NOW LIVE: Episode #7 of the #FreedomRoadPodcast Summer Series Finale discusses #BlackMensMagic with Host @lisasharper and prolific theologian/ethicist, Dr. Reggie Williams (author of Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus). @reglwill Check it out! …

CONCLUSION

Where is the Colson Center Fellows program headed? The new Colson Fellows Faculty gives us a strong indication of deep compromise .

The Colson Center Fellows current additions to the faculty members now include one of the controversial Revoice Conference developer/ speaker/ and mentor Preston Sprinkle . Revoice is promoting LGBT+ Christianity.

Colson Fellows also includes many from Biola Apologetics whose University has signed onto to using the “Civilitas Theory of Social Change” in order to alter the church’s approach to LGBT issues. Stand to Reason team-mate Sean McDowell subscribes to Mark Yarhouse and his APA driven “sexual orientation, sexual minorities. and gay Christianity.

Walter Strickland II – Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity Initiatives whose field of study and program developments focus on the issues of racial tension, black liberation theology and, A Blueprint for Kingdom Diversity.

IS REVOICE LGBT+ THRIVING THROUGH COVER UP IN PCA / MISSOURI PRESBYTERY?

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THE “INVESTIGATION” OF REVOICE IN THE PCA

By Rev Thomas Littleton 1/9/2019

It was obvious to most people in the PCA that Revoice Conference being hosted by/at Memorial Presbyterian (PCA) church in St Louis represented a major cause for concern within the conservative denomination. Also the fact that over half a dozen of the speakers at Revoice were from it’s flagship Covenant Seminary in St Louis MO proved concerns were well-warranted.

Thankfully faithful PCA ministers and elders from numerous regions began efforts to challenge the Revoice movement in their denomination through such actions as calls for discipline against the host church. This writer was privy to one effort in some detail. Due to multiple complaints from across the PCA the Session of Elders at Memorial Presbyterian Church who hosted Revoice have asked the Missouri Presbytery to investigate and rule on the allegations against them.

HERE IS THE RECENT STATEMENT ON THAT INVESTIGATION

http://www.mopres.org/safari/article/34.html?fbclid=IwAR1gxM0Uq5T0NG1VAaQmbN82zA07XmPLdI4mcGhuq54D43Ag1T2sOOR5pEs

It reads;

Home: News: Reference Concerning Memorial Presbyterian and Revoice

Reference Concerning Memorial Presbyterian and Revoice

In October of this year the session of Memorial Presbyterian Church “referenced” Missouri Presbytery (BCO 31.2 & 4.1-4), asking the presbytery to investigate and rule on allegations against them and their Pastor regarding their hosting of the Revoice Conference in July. In response to Memorial’s request, the Moderator established an investigative committee chaired by TE Ron Lutjens to review all these concerns and present their recommendations to the presbytery in 2019. In addition to this, after the October meeting, Missouri Presbytery received a “Letter of Concern” from Calvary Presbytery (PCA) regarding the Revoice conference. The committee has also been tasked to look into the issues raised by that letter as well.

Contact Information

Rev. Timothy R. Butler, Stated Clerk
timothy.butler@mopres.org

WHO IS INVESTIGATING REVOICE ?

The sad truth is that the time invested in the efforts to bring some accountability to those in the PCA who helped incubate, promote and host Revoice Conference 2018 will likely not go very far.

The moderator for the Investigative Committee has appointed T E Ron Lutjens as chair of the investigative committee and to recommend their findings to the Presbytery .

LUTJENS AND REVOICE TIES THROUGH FIRST LIGHT INC.

Lutjens is not likely to be able to bring objectivity to the “investigation ” in part due to his own ties to Revoice which lie just one layer below the surface. PCA brothers and sisters concerned about what is reflected by this event and the movement behind it in their denomination should call their faithful to weep and lament – not for the Sexual Minorities bemoaning themselves at Revoice – but for their once faithful denomination and its institutions.

T E RON LUTJENS ROLE IN FIRST LIGHT INC /MINISTRIES

As documented in links below First Light Inc is a ministry to SSA people in the Church. Its offices are at Revoice Host Church Memorial PCA , the church under investigation . Two of First Lights employees were Revoice speakers including Revoice VP Stephen Moss. First Light’s Principle Officer listed with non-profit tracking organization Guidestar is Ron Lutjens

MEMORIAL CHURCH HOUSES FIRST LIGHT

http://www.memorialpca.org/churchprofile.html

“Because the building is expansive, we house office space for ministries such as First Light—a ministry for sexual brokenness; ISI – an international student ministry; the Chapel – a venue for concerts, art openings, and theatre productions; four on-site professional counselors; and a weekly home schooling group in addition to other various ministries.”

FIRST LIGHT TEAM

https://smf-stlouis.org/our-team/

“Stephen Moss

FIRST LIGHT – SEXUAL MINORITY FELLOWSHIP COORDINATOR

Since first sharing his story publicly in 2013, Stephen has spoken and written about his experience as a Christian who is gay and celibate. He’s a founding board member and VP of Operations for Revoice.”

GUIDESTAR DOCUMENTS OF FIRST LIGHT INC.

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/03-0466709

First Light Inc.

Ruling Year

2003

Principal Officer

RON LUTJENS

Main Address

PO BOX 430142

SAINT LOUIS , MO 63143

Now it is also important to note that Covenant Seminary whose obvious “contribution “ to the Revoice Conference of 2018 has caused enough concern that the President of Covenant was asked to address the issue at the June 2018 General Assembly in Atlanta .

Response to CTS President Mark Dalbey’s PCA General Assembly Statement on Revoice

One concern General Assembly attendees were not made aware of is that the Covenant Seminary Presidents wife works with First Light as well.

https://www.covenantseminary.edu/events/ministry-matters-ideas-womens-childrens-ministry/

“This breakout session of Ministry Leadership is for all MDiv wives and women students and meets separately from the men for two hours weekly during the semester.

This Week’s Speakers: Beth Dalbey, MAC, works with First Light Ministries, wife of Covenant Seminary President Mark Dalbey; and Lilian Werner, Licensed Counselor, Former Director of Women’s Ministries at First Light Ministries, now a counselor in private practice, wife of Brad Werner, a pastor and counselor”

REVOICE DEEP COVER : SOMETHING ROTTEN IN ST LOUIS

The “investigation ” makes for a tidy little in-house shop of horrors for anyone in the PCA who sees the threat of the Revoice movement . As Revoice brazenly boast its goals of “ promoting LGBT+ flourishing ” including “Queer Christians, LGBT+ Christians , Sexual Minorities in the church and ministry, Churches welcoming the LGBT+ Community and becoming “Safe Spaces”in the churches- it also commits to dredging up the “unique treasures of Queer Culture, Queer literature and Queer Theory for the church and the New Jerusalem”. Arguably nothing this unbiblical or beyond the bounds of Biblical or PCA orthodoxy in the history of the PCA has gained more sudden traction in the mainstream of the denomination or posed as deep a threat to it’s future .

SOUTHERN BAPTISTS ARE EQUALLY AS INFILTRATED / IMPACTED BY REVOICE BUT NO ORGANIZED PUSHBACK HAS TAKEN SHAPE AS IT HAS IN THE PCA.

The only responses from Southern Baptists and the president of it’s SBTS Seminary Albert Mohler have been to skirt the greatest issue of concern for Southern Baptists. The founder of Revoice Nate Collins is a long time student and former teacher (14 1/2 years in total) at the SBC flagship seminary Dr. Mohler heads . His last effort to address the concerns of believers in the SBC came in August 2nd 2018 just after the first Revoice conference in which Dr. Mohler finally mentions the founder- his student by name but never connects him with SBTS. Mohler has also never commented about his disciple Russell Moore and the ERLC’s multiple close ties to Revoice promotion and speakers. No organized opposition exist in the SBC to the Revoice efforts for “Queering of the Church ” and promoting LGBT+ flourishing in it.

Given the 2019 Revoice conference registration has already begun – the PCA and SBC folk who are awake ,watching , and praying have little to look forward to on this front in the new year except to find a small bit of humor in watching their leaders exercise their poor skills in dancing the two step.

Perhaps soon the wake up call will come to the PCA and SBC leaders who have provided cover for the Revoice movement as weary believers, tired of the shell games and compromise – begin the mass exodus from what had been the remaining uncompromised denominations and leave these leaders to deal with the empty church buildings those members of the exodus helped build . Perhaps the cost will be counted too late like others who have passed this way before . At this time -the stage four metastasized and leavened lump requires nothing short of a miracle to save these denominations from the valley of dry bones. But nothing is impossible with God.

Matthew 19:

²⁶But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Ezekiel 37

1.The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. ²Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. ³And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

⁴Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!

IS IT TOO LATE FOR AN IDOLATROUS AND CO-MINGLED CHURCH?

Hosea 7

⁸“Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples;
Ephraim is a cake unturned.
⁹Aliens have devoured his strength,
But he does not know it;
Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him,
Yet he does not know it.
¹⁰And the pride of Israel testifies to his face,
But they do not return to the Lord their God,
Nor seek Him for all this.

¹¹“Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense—
They call to Egypt,
They go to Assyria.
¹²Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them;
I will bring them down like birds of the air;
I will chastise them
According to what their congregation has heard.

SINNING THAT JUSTIFIES A SINNERS SISTER ?

Jeremiah 3

“6 Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot….. ⁸Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. ⁹So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. ¹⁰And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the Lord.”

PRAY FOR THE FAITHFUL IN GOD’S CHURCHES AND CALL LEADERS TO ACCOUNTABILITY .

No generation in the Western world has had a greater need for the church to be devoted to the call to holiness and faithfulness as she seeks to be the church in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. The compromises such as Revoice movement in the name of cultural engagement or relevance are the kiss of death to a church who will be salt and light and offer the sweet fragrance of life to the world around it.

ARE WE TO BE A STENCH TO GOD IN ORDER TO APPEASE MEN?

2nd Corinthians 2:

¹⁴Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ¹⁶To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? ¹⁷For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

TIM KELLER PARTNERS WITH INTERFAITH FUNDING,APA SPIRITUALITY,AND THE MORMON RELIGION TO “CHRISTIANIZE PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING “

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TIM KELLER & LOST BOYS LEADING THE CHURCH INTO MORE ERROR: HOW YOKING WITH APA & MORMON CHURCH ARE IMPACTING CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

By Thomas Littleton 1/5/2019

Image result for tim keller redeemer counseling

Tim Keller is on yet another adventure into the abyss in the name of “redeeming culture”. This time his work is in the realm of Christian counseling. Keller and The Gospel Coalition decided in 2010 to make an interfaith American Psychological Association psychologist the go- to guy on LGBTQ+ issues instead of the Bible and helped give us the Living Out LGBTQ+ Inclusion Audit for churches and the radical Revoice conference promoting “LGBT+ flourishing ( Tim Keller’s favorite unbiblical word ) in historic ( conservative PCA and Southern Baptist etc.) Christian tradition ( i.e. in our churches) .

https://counseling.redeemer.com/standalone_pages/redeemer_counseling_research_fund

The supposedly orthodox Reformed theological Keller and the Gospel Coalition he co-founded work very closely with the Libertarian /Catholic- Acton Institute. Acton Institute provides the chief editor for TGC and has given our seminaries, Christian universities and homeschool curriculum the unbridled but stealthy influence of Catholic social policy (which is driven by Catholic theology). The Curriculum and it’s version of Austrian School of economics produced the now highly controversial “fruit” of conservative churches being urged to embrace the classic social gospel – now touted as “ social justice is a Gospel issue” -resulting in the church being transformed into a global communitarian “Village”. That communitarian church vision is now charged with distributing justice and redistributing the wealth of western civilization toward “global goals” through the church. Keller’s almost 500 church plants have been resourced for years and trained by the shallow and growth driven corporate models directly provided to Redeemer Church by the Willow Creek Association.

If the merging of these spurious influences were the true Gospel we would all owe Tim Keller and TGC a great debt for the church finally recovering and meeting its long lost call. This is however NOT the Gospel delivered to the Apostles and the New Testament saints . It is something else- something classically deceptive, culturally driven and based on a multitude of ideologies antithetical to the true Gospel and the Word of God.

The question that remains unanswered is ”Will the people of the PCA and SBC whose churches and pastors have come under the sway of Keller and his multitude of errors – follow Keller and his minions into the ruins of shipwrecked apostates who have gone before or will they awaken and rid their churches and denominations before it is too late?”

1 Timothy 4 (NKJV)

The Great Apostasy

4 Now the Spirit ^[^a^]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ²speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

2 TIMOTHY 4

³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

NOW KELLER AND REDEEMER HAVE SET THEIR SITES ON PARTNERING WITH THE APA . INTERFAITH FUNDING ,AND THE MORMON CHURCH TO GIVE AN OVERHAUL TO CHRISTIAN COUNSELING.

Flush with millions from the Interfaith driven grant funding of The Templeton Foundation, Keller and his Redeemer City Counseling Department have set out to “influence Christian Counseling” through partnering with an institution (the APA) antithetical to Christianity but interested in “Spirituality” and another religion (Brigham Young University of the Mormon, LDS faith). The research project is touted to be the largest such effort ever undertaken.

Templeton Foundation Funding Goals

The Templeton Foundation is “committed to catalyzing research relating to scientific and spiritual progress, “in which all people aspire to and attain a deeper understanding of the universe and their place in it.” It provides philanthropic funding to projects that explore subjects ranging from “complexity, evolution and emergence to creativity, forgiveness and free will.”

https://counseling.redeemer.com/standalone_pages/redeemer_counseling_research_fund

“Redeemer Counseling Services has been committed to conducting research since 2012. Our first project by Dr. Tracy Prout was an outcome study that assessed spirituality and its influence on the therapeutic alliance. Since then, Dr. Judy Cha and Elena E. Kim have also conducted qualitative studies to examine the effects of God Image and the mechanism of spirituality on the client’s psychotherapeutic experience. “

Keller boast in the short video linked above that “Redeemer Counseling has been given the chance to change the field of psychology …with the gospel” Elena Kim is the lead investigator with the Templeton funded project. Kim says” historically the fields of religion and psychology were not receptive to each other but there has been a recent focus on spiritually in psychology which has created a window of opportunity and the John Templeton Foundation intends to take advantage of this opportunity”. Judy Cha the Director of Redeemers Counseling Center says “millions of dollars have been set aside to BRIDGE (The BYU program name) to counselors (Cha) Clergy (Keller) and Researchers (Kim) with the goal to bring spiritually orientated psychotherapy into mainstream healthcare.” “Your involvement”, says Keller, “can allow Christianity to influence the field of psychology at a vast cultural level.” We, the church, are urged to join them in their “historical endeavor to bridge Christianity and psychology.”

UNHOLY MIXTURE

In addition to the atheistic roots of psychology add to this the bland universalism of the “new age” spirituality being espoused and the interfaith application of the funding research and outcomes. Redeemers team are proud to be working with experts in the field who are part of the APA partnered project , headquartered at BYU and of and with the Mormon Religion. Yet Redeemer participants and Keller call their mutual work a “validation of Christian integrated psychotherapy” .Thus Keller is illustrating again the lack of care or discernment for the conservative Reformed theology Keller has wrapped himself and his ministry / TGC in. Keller’s PCA credentials are often all he needs to retain respectability and acceptance among many Biblical evangelicals thanks in large part to their pastors providing cover for Keller and endorsing him .In PCA/ TGC churches in this authors area Keller’s books are often used as Sunday School study and discussion materials .

Grants & Awards

Kim, E. E., Chen, E. C., Cha J., Keller T. (2017). “Empirical validation of a Christian-integrated psychotherapy framework: A task analysis.” John Templeton Foundation and Brigham Young University.

The work is also deeply partnered with the APA as indicated by their presentations .

Presentations

Kim, E. E., Chen, E. C., & Brachfeld, C. (2016, August). Patients’ experiences of spirituality in psychotherapy: A grounded theory analysis. In P. S. Richards & J. N. Nelson (Co-Chairs), Spiritually oriented psychotherapy: Processes, outcomes, and research challenges. Symposium presentation proposal submitted for the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Denver, CO.

Prout, T.A., & Kim, E.E., (2015, August). Christian Counseling: Initial Report on A Large-Scale Study. Presentation at the American Psychological Association Convention, Toronto, Canada.

Prout, T.A., & Kim, E.E., (2014, August). Therapeutic Alliance, Client-Therapist Match, and Outcomes in Christian Counseling. Presentation at the American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, D.C.

THE APA “ANDROCENTRIC PAST” AND CURRENT ATTACK ON”TOXIC MASCULINITY ”

Keller’s work with the APA puts he and Redeemer in full step with the organizations attack on masculinity .

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/01/ce-corner.aspx?utm_content=1546300435&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

“APA’s new Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Boys and Men strive to recognize and address these problems in boys and men while remaining sensitive to the field’s androcentric past. Thirteen years in the making, they draw on more than 40 years of research showing that traditional masculinity is psychologically harmful and that socializing boys to suppress their emotions causes damage that echoes both inwardly and outwardly.

The needs of men

Prior to the second-wave feminist movement in the 1960s, all psychology was the psychology of men. Most major studies were done only on white men and boys, who stood in as proxies for humans as a whole. Researchers assumed that masculinity and femininity were opposite ends of a spectrum, and “healthy” psychology entailed identifying strongly with the gender roles conferred by a person’s biological sex.

But just as this old psychology left out women and people of color and conformed to gender-role stereotypes, it also failed to take men’s gendered experiences into account. Once psychologists began studying the experiences of women through a gender lens, it became increasingly clear that the study of men needed the same gender-aware approach, says Levant.

The main thrust of the subsequent research is that traditional masculinity—marked by stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression—is, on the whole, harmful. Men socialized in this way are less likely to engage in healthy behaviors”

BRIDGES PROJECT DISCUSSED IN REDEEMER VIDEO PARTNERS WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

http://www.bridgesconsortium.net/grant-projects/

Templeton funding March 2017- March 2020

https://www.templeton.org/grant/enhancing-practice-based-evidence-for-spiritually-integrated-psychotherapies-an-interdisciplinary-big-data-project

Grant total – $3,572,011

“For most of the 20th century, mainstream healthcare professionals ignored the role of spirituality in therapeutic healing. Recently this has changed as scholars and practitioners have described many spiritual treatment approaches, grounded in the healing practices of both Western and Eastern spiritual traditions (e.g., prayer, meditation, gratitude, love, forgiveness, altruistic service). Although some research supports these approaches there are weaknesses with the database. Without a more satisfactory research base, spiritual approaches will remain at the fringes of the mental health and medical fields, which will deprive many people of access to sensitive and effective services. The long-term aim of our project is to create an international, interdisciplinary network of researchers and practitioners dedicated to advancing research and practice in this domain of mental healthcare. “

“Funding from the Templeton Foundation for this project will enable us to attract research teams and treatment sites from around the world to collaborate in creating the largest and richest data set in existence about spiritually integrated treatment approaches. Our research and network of collaborators will help ensure that religious and spiritual resources for therapeutic change are never again neglected in the healthcare professions. Spiritually committed people throughout the world will have greater access to mental health services that are effective and that honor the healing resources of their spiritual worldviews and communities.”

Earlier grant was $207,440.

https://www.templeton.org/grant/bringing-spiritually-oriented-psychotherapies-into-the-healthcare-mainstream-a-preparatory-grant-proposal-for-an-international-grant-competition-2

The director, co-director, project manager and both additional leaders in the Bridge project are from the Mormon Church -Brigham Young University.

Phillip Scott Richards of Brigham Young is project Director .

https://centerforchange.com/staff/p-scott-richards-phd/

Daniel Judd of the Bridge project is an expert of “ancient scripture” and the Book of Mormon .

https://religion.byu.edu/daniel_judd

“Bio: Daniel K Judd received an M.S. degree in family science and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Brigham Young University. He has been a seminary and institute instructor in Utah, Arizona, and Michigan, and he was a professor of family science at BYU-Idaho. Presently Chair of the Ancient Scripture Department at BYU, he has published several articles on religious and mental health issues. He and his wife, Kaye Seegmiller Judd, have four children and reside in Orem, Utah.

Courses Taught: Book of Mormon, New Testament, LDS Marriage and Family

Areas of Expertise: Religion and Mental Health; Marriage and Family

Areas of Research: Doctrinal perspectives on current issues; Philosophy and psychology of Religion; Marriage and Family”

CONCLUSION -KELLER’S REDEEMER COUNSELING EXPECTS ORDER OUT OF CHAOS AS AN OUTCOME FOR HIS COMPROMISED INVOLVEMENT.

Is Tim Keller able to discern the fundamentally flawed approach in the partnership his Redeemer Counseling Center is undertaking ? Keller says his ministry is “engaging to influence the field of psychology with Christianity “. So again, how is he going about this? According to his own website, Keller’s team is working as part of a broad effort using the funding providing by the Templeton Foundation to collaborate with research in order to “merge psychology and Christianity.”

Also -again, how does Keller expect that to happen? How does Tim Keller, co-founder of The Gospel Coalition and who is licensed to ministry by the reformed/ conservative / theologically driven Presbyterian Church of America intend to bring about this outcome?

Partnering with grant funding provided by an interfaith universalist program focused on a totally new age /generic brand of spirituality.

2. By aligning with and yoking to a historically anti Gospel organization driving much of the pro homosexual and redefining marriage movement now focused on “spirituality “.

By collaborating with a cult religion with a history of polygamy, abuse, and corruption and which adheres to its own religious text which it claims as a third testament of the Bible.

Tim Keller is either a fool on a fool’s errand who understands nothing about the Gospel or orthodox theology he espouses -or he is wolf in sheep’s clothing who cares nothing for the Gospel or orthodox theology he espouses. Either one of the above or a mingled mixture of the two disqualify Keller for consideration as a trustworthy leader in Evangelical Christianity today.

Matthew 16:11-12 (NKJV)

¹¹How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the ^[^a^]leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”¹²Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the ^[^b^]doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Acts 20:28-30 (NKJV)

²⁸Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church ^[^a^]of God which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking ^[^b^]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

2 Peter 3:14-18 (NKJV)

¹⁴Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵and consider thatthe longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ¹⁶as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

¹⁷You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ¹⁸but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:1-6 (NKJV)

Love for God and One Another

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ²By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³and every spirit that does not confess ^[^a^]that Jesus ^[^b^]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

⁴You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. ⁶We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

TRICKLE DOWN INDOCTRINATION

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TRICKLE DOWN INDOCTRINATION: HOW SOCIAL JUSTICE CURRICULUM IS INVADING CHRISTIAN EDUCATION INCLUDING HOMESCHOOL.

By Rev Thomas Littleton 12/10/2018

(A godly homeschool mom who does very thorough research provided the findings detailing the infiltration and source of the social justice contaminations of home school and Christian school curriculum in this article. She and others like her are working faithfully to serve their families, raise their children, and guard them from the leaven of corruption invading evangelical circles. The church owes a debt to all the parents and grandparents who are wisely discerning the times and vetting what influences their families and faith. It is this writer’s prayer that many more join their ranks – our ranks and begin to “buy the truth” through Berean fervor and shout it from the rooftops.)

The hottest topic in evangelical circles today is the concern over social justice perverting the mission of the church and distorting the Gospel.The issue is nothing new but actually a retreading of the “social gospel ” of liberal Christianity that impacted mainline denominations decades ago. This issue has become divisive especially after the Dallas Statement signaled a potential split among some of the top tier evangelical leaders. What is not included in the Dallas Statement or any of the current conversations about these concerns is the major source of much of the influence and funding which is flooding social justice into the church nor the pathway through which it is entering which is our own seminaries. Now, as you will see, the same organizations are taking aim at your high school aged child with organizations like the Acton Institute and Oikonomia Networks views on faith, work and economics.

You can find more on the infiltration of Evangelical Seminaries linked, sourced and explained in detail in these articles. With concerns over Social Justice (formerly called “Social Gospel “ when the liberal influences flooded mainline denominations in the past decades ) on the rise , many believers have begun to be aware of its buzz words and phrases which have become part of the everyday language – the language of – The Evangelical Deep State.

https://thirtypiecesofsilver.org/2017/12/18/is-this-the-evangelical-deep-state/

http://sbctoday.wpengine.com/is-this-the-evangelical-deep-state-part-two/

Below is an excerpt from these articles to help refresh the memory on the source of social justice curriculum in the evangelical seminaries. The problems resulting from social justice indoctrination through curriculum in our seminaries have brought unprecedented concerns in 2018 which helped inspire the Dallas Statement and massive amounts of writing on the dangers of critical theory and Cultural Marxism influencing the church.

(From Evangelical Deep State Articles)

Acton in Evangelical Seminaries

[Acton Institute, mentioned in Part One of this research, is headed by Father Robert Sirico, who has a history as a radical “homosexual faith activist.” Acton Institute is celebrated by Philanthropy Roundtable as a key player since the 1990s in synthesizing religion and democratic capitalism. Acton’s blog boasts such bold goals as rethinkingLiberation Theology and Marxism from updated and fresh approaches of application, while oddly accusing Trump supporters of folk Marxism. The ironies run much deeper.

According to the “The New Evangelical Social Engagement” by Brian Steensland and Philip Goff, Acton Institute founder Father Sirico, “’combining free market approaches with Catholic social thought,’ argues that ‘there is no social justice without economic freedom …Instead of a vast welfare state, social justice is about people fulfilling their responsibilities in justice to their neighbor.’ Therefore, with the support of the Kern Family Foundation, Acton has sponsored curriculum initiatives at thirteen evangelical seminaries.” (p. 63)

These seminaries include Dr. Albert Mohler’s Southern Seminary which sponsors The Commonweal Project. Note the “Social Gospel” with a strong emphasis on “Social Justice” in this initiative in the videos by Mohler and Os Guinness. With the help of Acton Institute and over a dozen partners of the same persuasions, Dr. Mohler appears to be endorsing a Rethink of Marxist social policy, while partners like “Poverty Cure .org” – an Acton offshoot – are marketing a RETHINK of Missions to a ”Social Justice” mandate.

Other Reformed seminaries, including the PCA’s Reformed Theological Seminary and Beeson Seminary (now on itsthird Kern grant since 2015), are also using the Acton-inspired, Kern-funded Social Justice curriculum programs which are designed around the “Faith and Work” ideology famously touted by Tim Keller. Some seminary partners have possibly jumped on board with the popular ideology and trendy nature of the Social Justice mantra; however, “rethinking Liberation Theology” and a fresh approach to “Marxist-inspired ideology” on the part of Sirico / Acton and Mohler / Commonweal Project is a bridge too far to simply dismiss as poorly thought out eagerness for cultural engagement on their part.

The Kern Family Foundation

The Kern Family Foundation which is very active in funding education at every level is considered to be a well-anchored Christian funding source. However, the Kern website shows that their partners in K-12 “Bright Minds Good Hearts“ program funding include organizations like Teach for America, whose work in K-12 public education includes a well-defined focus on pro-LGBTQ policy with radical LGBTQ organizations like Human Rights Campaign, Campus Pride, The Trevor Network and the most radical Gay and Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Teach for America also promotes Gay Pride Month with GLSEN in public schools each June, even celebrating the notorious “Dear Colleague Letter” – the pro- transgender bathroom directive from the Obama Whitehouse in May 2016. The current focus of all such pro-LGBTQ efforts in public schools is on showcasing LGBTQ History.

Kern also shows its partnership with liberal education giant Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and the Frankfurt School inspired “Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture,” which is a major influence on Tim Keller and others in the Civilitas Group and Cultural Engagement camp. When asked about the funding in an email exchange on January 15th, the Kern Family Foundation denied the funding in the thirteen evangelical seminaries though it is widely touted in the news, press releases and on the websites (of Southern Seminary’s “Commonweal Project” for example) but Kern contacts did link us to Acton University’s site and confirmed the Acton / Kern Curriculum is in five evangelical universities as well.]

HOME SCHOOLERS BEWARE

The very same sources involved in both promoting and providing curriculum for the seminaries and hard wiring our pastors to both be and birth social justice warriors is now coming at our children through homeschool, private, and Christian school high school economic curriculum.

What is critical to note is the 2013 discussion of the goals of the curriculum in 13 evangelical seminaries at the time (this now numbers 23 seminaries plus undergrad in Christian universities) is that the goal is “Social Engagement “. The Faith and Works focus is driven by seeking “Common Ground for the Common Good”.

Acton’s work in economics discusses The Humane Economy and notes “The notion of a “humane economy” has existed since the time of Karl Marx. Indeed, it was Marx, and Catholic social thinkers of the late nineteenth century that gave birth to the term…. we are still in search of the humane economy. We are moving ever so slowly toward this goal.”

“Oikonomia: Economics for Life and Purpose”

LEARN MORE

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A 16-week Economics course for private schools, home schools, and cooperatives

http://www.economicsinabox.com/index.html

Austrian School of Economics
“Economics is not about things and tangible material objects; it is about men, their meanings and actions…He who wants to deal with [these meanings] must not look at the external world; he must search for them in the meaning of acting men.”

—Ludwig von Mises, father of the Austrian School of Economics”

“Economics is about us—how we, as human persons, act and interact everyday—how we make choices, buy, sell, trade and work. With this understanding, it is easy to see why it is important for the Christian to approach economics in light of biblical truth—the ultimate authority on who we are, and why we act the way we do. Because of this, Oikonomia focuses on finding God’s design, glory, and purpose in every economy of life: our families, communities, churches, and work.

This understanding of economics removes the veil that often shrouds complex, political or societal problems we see dominating today’s headlines, e.g., poverty, income inequality, wealth distribution, globalization, environmentalism and climate change. By combining a Christian worldview with a thoughtful study of economics, we prepare students to take their place in God’s economy.

Oikonomia challenges students to become men and women of character, to recognize their God-given talents and skills, to promote human flourishing through thoughtful, common sense approaches based on sound economic principles and, most importantly, it inspires students to take their part in God’s design for transforming their communities and culture—by God’s grace and for His glory.”

“It might come as a surprise, but poverty rates in the developing world are dropping dramatically. In fact, economic growth in developing nations has far outpaced the growth of high income countries. Thus, not only has the world experienced a historic reduction in poverty over the last twenty-five years, but global income today is much more equal than at any time in the last 100 years. Join Acton for a lively pub lecture on the good news about poverty alleviation.”

THE EVER PRESENT INFLUENCE OF TIM KELLER AND THE GOSPEL COALITION -SAMPLE COURSES INCLUDE THE GOSPEL COALITION-ACTON INSTITUTE-FATHER SIRICO -AND MORE

http://www.economicsinabox.com/course-description.html

ONLINE Resources Include:

42 Articles

Written by famous economists and influential writers ranging from Brooks, Friedman and Hazlitt to Olasky, Corbett and Fikkert and from sources as diverse as The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), The Wall Street Journal, The Gospel Coalition, The Heritage Foundation, The Acton Institute, The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, and the Institute for Faith, Work and Economics. These articles help students make the connections between key economic principles and the public policy issues dominating today’s headlines.

and over 100 edited and engaging video clips

Selected video clips reinforce learned economic principles and show how they are a part of everyday life. From the commerce of Hong Kong to the slums of Kenya’s Kibera, from John Stossel’s humor and cynicism, to Reverend Sirico’s passionate praise of entrepreneurship as a spiritual vocation—these video clips take students on an unforgettable journey around the world that not only entertains and informs, but inspires.

“Whether you are working individually at home, as part of a local homeschool co-op or tutorial, or as one of the many small Christian Classical or hybrid schools popping up all over the country, the Oikonomia Road Map makes it easy to integrate this course into a variety of educational environment”

STUDENT AND LEADERS SAMPLE COURSES

For those who want to research some of samples of the curriculum and how the Austrian Economics is presented you can do so at these links.

http://www.economicsinabox.com/assets/e4l-week-3-student-sample.pdf

http://www.economicsinabox.com/assets/e4l-week-11-teacher-sample-updated.pdf

The Oikonomia curriculum is also being used by other homeschool publishers like My Father’s World https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/60281/Economics-Package/

“This semester-long course will ground the student in understanding the basic principles of economics. Includes online access to additional assigned materials.

Contents:

Economics for Life (includes one Student Guide)
Common Sense Economics
Money, Greed, and God

All items in this package are included with the U.S. History 1877 to the Present package. One semester credit.”

TEMPLETON FOUNDATION

Home

Funding of Acton Institute Programs

Economic and Religious Liberty – Making and Magnifying the Intellectual and Practical Connection for Present and Future Global Catholic Leaders

Templeton funding for The Gospel Coalition

In Latin America

Strengthening Protestant Theology & Science Engagement in Latin America

Children’s Catechism for TGC

The New City Catechism: Forming virtue in the hearts and minds of children – Product Development

Templeton Foundation is also focusing it funding on Economics and in particular an modern view of the work of Austrian School and Hayek . https://www.templeton.org/grant/f-a-hayek-program-for-advanced-study-in-philosophy-politics-and-economics-at-the-mercatus-center-at-george-mason-university

And

https://www.templeton.org/grant/austrian-economics-in-the-21st-century

Austrian School of Economics has many critics and basis for criticism. Without giving exhausting detail it helps to understand two things that inspire concern here. Austrian Economics is as much political theory as it is economics and betrays this fact by the reality that it does not engage the science of mathematics in its approach at all. It is theory and it is coming from the realm of thinkers who have influenced the development and spread of communitarianism and socialism. In the case of Acton Institute curriculum for evangelicals – now for high school homeschooler- the problems /concerns only compound. The Common Good, Faith and Work focus carry many influences and share many goals outside Biblical conservative Christian faith.

Co -developer of the Oikonomia Curriculum is Joseph Conners

http://myweb.fsu.edu/jsc07e/ & http://myweb.fsu.edu/jsc07e/research.html

Conners is an Acton partner and speaker

https://acton.org/event/2018/08/08/acton-tap-dont-look-now-poverty-falling-across-globe-joseph-connors-phd

Connors also works with The Institute for Faith Work and Economic https://tifwe.org/about/

Which is funded in part by The Templeton Foundation ( more information under Tim Keller/ TGC New City Catechism ) https://www.templeton.org/grant/religious-freedom-communicating-the-moral-foundations-of-freedom-and-human-flourishing

Its mission – “The Institute for Faith, Work & Economics (IFEW) is a Christian organization advancing a free and flourishing society by revolutionizing the way people think about the purpose of our work and how to make wise decisions with all that we’ve been given. When Christians understand and live out the biblical meaning of work, then lives, societies, and nations will be transformed for Christ”

These are lofty promises for saving society and setting up Christ dominion for evangelicals through the use of Austrian economics and Catholic/ Jesuit social policy.

INSTITUTE FOR FAITH, WORK, AND ECONOMICS DEFINING YOUR CHILD’S “CALLING” WITH HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM AND MORE

https://tifwe.org/student-life/

https://store.tifwe.org/collections/curriculum/products/understanding-gods-calling-a-high-school-homeschool-elective-course

Teaching the Next Generation about Whole-Life Stewardship

At the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, it’s our goal to equip the next generation with the biblical and economic principles that will help them make an impact in this world for Christ. We work directly with students, professors, Christian schools, and homeschool parents through programs, events, and resources .

OIKONOMIA IS BECOMING A BRAND

Acton’s Oikonomia Curriculum developer Joseph Connors research papers primarily focused on global poverty.

Acton is merging Austrian Economic theory and Hayek with Catholic theology and social policy with espoused Libertarian politics for the Evangelical market in Seminary, undergrad and now High School students / homeschoolers. Acton in reality is pushing Communitarian ideology and adds a heavy dose of Thomas Aquinas where both Catholic and Protestant ideas may freely merge in a pre – Reformation historical context.

Acton celebrates its hero Friedrich A. Hayek who moved across the ideological spectrum of Fabian Socialism of the London School of Economics where he lectured in the early 30s and like Hayek Acton appears fluid in its politics and to whose ideology it actually subscribes. https://fee.org/articles/friedrich-a-hayek-1899-1992/ .In chapter 10 of Brannon Howse recent book “Marxianity” Howse quotes Erik Angner of George Mason University concerning Hayek mixture of socialism and free market capitalism. Angner points out that Hayek favored minimal income, redistribution of wealth, and universal healthcare.

A recent Acton event marks more of the Catholic social policy contribution to its work. This again makes for an odd fit for reformed theological and evangelical institutions.

https://acton.org/event/2018/10/04/freedom-virtue-good-society-dominican-contribution

As well as in Acton’s 2017 event celebrating the Jesuit contribution

https://acton.org/Rome2017

“On Wednesday, 29 November 2017, the Acton Institute and the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Faculty of History and Cultural Heritage of the Church will hold an afternoon conference in Rome on Globalization, Justice, & the Economy: The Jesuit Contribution at the Pontifical Gregorian University.”

Acton’s own influences and range of promotional materials and events certainly make for a mixed bag for a Presbyterian Church of America or Southern Baptist parents in their church school or homeschool covering. It is a disturbing realization that when a PCA or SBC pastor places his church in affiliation with Tim Keller and D A Carson with The Gospel Coalition or other organizations like it- the parents would have little reason on the surface to question or doubt the broad influences coming into their child’s economics curriculum.

The work Acton and Oikonomia are undertaking in Christian higher education is now making its way down the line into High School curriculum and if successful they will no doubt continue to move to target younger and younger ages. If the product has a truly biblical application and backed by conservative convictions on both the political and moral issues such policies impact – then perhaps the materials could have application. However given their source and the merging of Catholic social policy and libertarian ideals – the narrative appears very problematic and so might we expect the outcomes to be troubled as well.

Greg Forster who is the head of Oikonomia Network (the Greek word meaning Stewardship) is promoting more materials for congregations concerning giving – for Church giving targeting – not Gospel Missions but Acton / Kern Family Foundation funded wisdom as a “primer for Stewardship, Poverty and Flourishing. This Tim Keller style mantra is the heart and soul of the troubling and much opposed Social Justice false gospel. The high school curriculum looks to be simply working to prime your teen before their careers even begin.

Economic Wisdom for Churches: A Primer on Poverty, Stewardship and Flourishing by [Joyce , Adam]

Greg Forster works with Kerns Oikonomia Network and with Acton’s project for the evangelical market. Greg is writer for The Gospel Coalition. In this interesting take on the Tower of Babel Forster provides parents with good reasons for concern on the Oikonomia view of the Word of God as Forster “frames things a bit differently” as he takes license with the Biblical view of the Tower of Babel.

http://blog.acton.org/archives/104774-from-babel-to-babylon-how-god-is-redeeming-our-work.html?fbclid=IwAR0TZEKGJDd3Pkn_OBsTzDm8H1dtI2uTPG1ITlbrWjayQHs38zzanRotgyc

In the painfully twisted article Greg Forster makes his redeeming history case for the judgement of God on ancient Babylonian defiance.

“From Babel to Babylon: How God is redeeming our work”
“In our Sunday-school retellings of the Tower of Babel, we are often fixated on themes of human pride and failure, shrugging off the aspirations of the builders as frivolous or far-fetched. In a recent series at The Green Room, Greg Forster frames things a bit differently, highlighting the story’s hidden lessons about human destiny and redemptive purpose in a fallen world.

Far from being a story about the limitations of human power, Forster argues, Babel is a story about humanity’s limitless co-creative potential and how it ought to be guided and constrained. As such, it holds a significant place in the broader Biblical story about human work and cultural engagement.”

Taken together, we still operate in a fallen world, but we return to that mix of powerful co-creative capacity and close cooperation with neighbors. Close in covenant—freed by the finished work of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit—we build yet again.

“Israel, and then the church, stands both for and against Babel/Babylon,” Forster concludes. “For, in that we love our fallen neighbors and have a mission to work for their flourishing; against, in that on some level we must reorganize socially – which in practice means reorganizing economically as much as it means anything – in faithfulness to that mission and in opposition to much of what the world around us does. “

OIKONOMIA AND ACTON PRIMING YOUR TEEN FOR PURPOSE

Acton is priming the church and community as well as your child who uses their curriculum for “Purpose Built Communities “ https://acton.org/event/2018/12/05/purpose-built-communities “How does holistic community revitalization work? What does it require? Tackling such complex, deeply-rooted issues as intergenerational poverty, unsafe environments, high crime, and failing schools presents many challenges. One solution- and the basis for the Purpose Built Communities model—is a coordinated holistic approach based on quality and focused on sustainability.”

How does Oikonomia and Acton’s work of merging socialism with capitalism, global justice with gospel mission, evangelical with Catholic theology and social policy and the call of God with secular humanitarian vision help students of any age understand Biblical mission? In light of Biblical commands to recognize the idolatrous influences of the world and culture around us ,young Christians students would be better served by understanding God’s call to make a distinction of the holy from the profane and to flee from man centered systems like Socialism and Marxism -not co-mingle their faith with them.

In 1^st Corinthians 10 we are instructed that dining at both tables is not permissible .

Flee from Idolatry

¹⁴Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the ^[e]communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

¹⁸Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices ^[f]partakers of the altar? ¹⁹What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ²¹You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. ²²Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

PURPOSE DRIVEN FALLACY

Rick Warrens Purpose Driven ideology has crept into Christian curriculum for years and its problems have not gone unnoticed.

Using Rick Warrens Purpose Driven book

https://www.mfwbooks.com/item/16805/What-on-Earth-Am-I-Here-For-/

Warrens materials proved controversial in Homeschool materials as far back as 2007

https://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?t=8417

“Occasionally we hear concerns about the use of The Purpose Driven Life in our curriculum. We have seen opinions on both sides regarding this book. We do not want to defend or condemn Mr. Warren. Much of what is written on the Internet appears to be with great bias and little context. We do not completely agree with Rick Warren any more than we do with any author of the books used in our curriculum” … ”If someone is uncomfortable using The Purpose Driven Life, they may substitute another book”

DARE TO QUESTION. IT’S YOUR CHILD’S FAITH AND FUTURE

Now the work of Acton and Oikonomia have contributors from The Gospel Coalition as shown above and it appears that no one is expected to question these influences or to raise a single objection. Very few will because of the trust afforded many TGC leaders like Tim Keller simply because he (they) are allowed to operate and continue such influences within the framework of Reformed Theology (albeit not historic Reformed) and within denominations like the PCA and SBC.

TIM KELLER AND TGC GO WOMB TO TOMB WITH THEIR NEO-CALVINIST INFLUENCE -OTHER STRANGE BEDFELLOWS IN CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM

Keller’s Redeemer Church and TGC have obtained grant funding to produce The New City Catechism (NCC). It is also now being made into a devotional and Homeschool curriculum. The New City Catechism is funded by John Templeton Foundation. Templeton’s work is product of concern from Social Scientist.

“In the last decade, social scientists have documented a shallow understanding among youth of Christian faith and virtue. We contend that a contributing factor is limited knowledge and practice of virtue formation in Christian communities. We propose to address this challenge through the development of a curriculum and tools that pair a child-sensitive catechism with childhood virtue development wisdom. In this project, our hope is to answer the big question: Can the applied science of virtue development be joined with historic Christian teaching in order to deepen faith and virtue formation in the next generation? The project is based around a widely trusted catechism adapted from traditional Christian teachings by Pastor Tim Keller and others.”

USING TGC REPUTATION

“This curriculum and tools will take advantage of the trusted platform and reputation of The Gospel Coalition among evangelical church leaders to lead a retrieval of catechesis and virtue. The result will be a renewal of society at large through the hundreds of thousands of next generation children who will be formed in Christlike virtue.”

TEMPLETON FOUNDATIONS VISION IS NOT GOSPEL DRIVEN

OUR VISION

We take our inspiration from the intellectual legacy of Sir John Templeton. Our vision is one of infinite scientific and spiritual progress, in which all people aspire to and attain a deeper understanding of the universe and their place in it. We look forward to a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, motivated to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and overwhelmed by great and selfless love.

“We encourage civil, informed dialogue among scientists, philosophers, and theologians, as well as between such experts and the public at large. In all cases, our goal is the same: to spur curiosity and accelerate discovery.”

Templeton Charitable Trust clearly states “projects that only involve the study of religious texts;

Templeton funds research on Atheism as a religion. So why is it funding Keller’s Catechism and Sunday School/ Homeschool curriculum and devotional?

Perhaps a better question is “why are TGC and Keller not simply promoting a Bible Study?“

Funding Areas

Again TGC and Keller promote the Templeton Foundation funded New City Catechism as a modern-day resource,

The New City Catechism: Forming virtue in the hearts and minds of children – Product Development

“Throughout the history of the church, Christians have used catechisms—collections of questions and answers designed for memorization and recitation—to teach others the core doctrines of the faith. The New City Catechism is a modern-day resource aimed at reintroducing this ancient method of teaching to Christians today”

The New City Catechism Devotional has the TGC gang helping your child learn neo-Calvinism

“Each question features a relevant Scripture reading, a short prayer, and a devotional commentary written by contemporary pastors, including John Piper, Timothy Keller, and Kevin DeYoung, and historical figures, such as Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, and many others. Designed for use in a variety of contexts, The New City Catechism Devotional is a valuable resource for helping believers learn and meditate on the key doctrines that stand at the heart of the Christian faith.”

The New City Catechism curriculum provides study guides for 8-11 Sunday School and Homeschool.

“The New City Catechism Curriculum features 52 engaging lessons developed from the questions and answers of The New City Catechism, designed to help children ages 8–11 learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith in a Sunday school, classroom, or homeschool setting.

Each lesson includes three different outlines for 30-, 45-, or 75-minute sessions, a Bible passage and memory verse, a list of suggested materials, detailed instructions for activities, suggested prayers, and activity pages available for digital download—all created so that teachers can help children better understand the truth of God’s Word and how it connects to their lives”.

New City Catechism for Kids is for 4-11

“The New City Catechism for Kids is a modern-day resource aimed at teaching the core doctrines of the Christian faith to children ages 4–11. This 64-page booklet contains each of the 52 easy-to-understand questions and short answers found in The New City Catechism designed to help children understand who God is and what he has done. With answers that are short enough for children to read, understand, and memorize, this low-cost booklet is designed for bulk distribution and is ideally suited for Sunday school classes, Christian schools, and homeschooling families. This resource is sold both individually and as part of the curriculum kit.”

THIS TREND NOW HAS SOME MATERIALS PROMOTING “SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR KIDS”.

“Kids4Truth Clubs”

https://learnabout.kids4truth.com/

Presents 12 Doctrinal Themes

Each of the 12 doctrinal themes has 10 key truths for the children to memorize for a total of 120 key truths. Each child will review the 120 truths four times as he moves through the four levels. The key truths become more in-depth with each level.

MORE SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY FOR CHILDREN

https://newgrowthpress.com/the-ology-ancient-truths-ever-new/#endorsements

A children’s book titles The Ology

“Arranged within a traditional systematic theological framework, each truth in The Ology is also connected to the larger redemptive story of Scripture. This storybook of systematic theology takes abstract concepts in the Bible and makes them easier to understand with the use of creative examples, illustrations, and analogies.”

Endorsed by Albert Mohler

“Few tasks are of greater importance than the discipling of children. Christian parents and Sunday school teachers, committed to biblical fidelity, cannot neglect the tremendous task of teaching children the great truths of Scripture. Marty Machowski’s The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New is a wonderful new book that will equip parents for the task of discipleship and also help children immerse themselves in the Christian worldview.”
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

PONDER IF YOU WILL

The questions Christian parents need to ponder is at what age is systematic theology more vital to our child’s faith than the Bible? Is the Systematic Theology of TGC/ Keller / Mohler helping make better disciples of Seminary students in their institutions or is it simply advancing the Neo- Reformed ideology of TGC? Do you want your children to be accessed starting at preschool age with curriculum designed by the modern thinkers helping turn our pastors into social justice warriors?

The stealth project to invade our seminaries with social justice false gospel appears to be also focused on our children in our Sunday Schools, Christian and Private Schools and even in our homes as many Christians leave the public school indoctrination and seek refuge in “Christian Education”. The Gospel Coalition and its leadership appear to be willing to invade every refuge to influence the hearts and minds of our children.

Do denominational and church leaders we trust with our faith and our families have the God given authority to mingle influences like Socialism and Marxism into curriculum marketed to disciple our children? Can the theology of Luther or Calvin be “remixed and remastered” to suddenly be compatible with Acton / Jesuit theological social policy? Can we assume that from this mixture our children would emerge with a clear understanding of God’s calling on their lives or clarity on the churches true mission? It is highly unlikely. A clear Biblical admonition for separation from the world for our children would serve them much better.

2^nd Timothy 2

Approved and Disapproved Workers

¹⁴Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. ¹⁷And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, ¹⁸who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

²⁰But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ²²Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

COMMUNITY BASED/ FAITH BASED HEALTH CARE :THE DEADLY AWAKENING

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WATCHING AN AGENDA DEVOUR ALL IN ITS PATH LEAVING NOTHING IN ITS WAKE

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How a wonderful Christian legacy was devoured through the corruption of a Georgia Republican Congressman -greed, the funding called Creative Placemaking and fearful and apathetic Church leaders .

This story first ran in Summer of 2016 in Life Site News. It is more than an objective set of observations but a deeply personal first hand experience . This writer watched the lifetime of ministry and the joys of thousands in a small prayer garden filled with Scripture and Southern folk art work -turned into a platform for promoting the NPS and millionaire activist LGBTQ agenda. A decade of my own hard work evaporated and gave way to the anguish of watching the God honoring life and work of Rev Howard Finster trampled as his “Garden of Paradise” turned into a living hades on earth. Finster’s boast was “I never met a person I didn’t love “. Following in his footsteps to preserve a small testimony to Jesus in the hostile world of secular art was in many ways a fools errand -but God loves those willing to be considered fools for Christ sake. Seven years later this is not yet a story of redemption but of endurance and we have set our faces to endure and allow Gods hand to work His will for His glory and namesake.

Image result for reverend howard finster

https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/is-the-national-park-service-queering-history

Is the National Park Service ‘queering’ history?

Georgia, Lgbt, National Park Service, Paradise Gardens, Stonewall Inn

July 22, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – Americans love our history, historic sites and natural wonders, and since the time of Teddy Roosevelt have entrusted our government with their care. The National Parks Service (NPS) may be one of THE most trusted of all federal agencies. However, this trust may now be misplaced due to an activist culture within all federal agencies. In June, President Obama made good on his promise to name Stonewall Inn, the Greenwich Village (then Mafia owned) gay bar considered ground zero for the modern LGBT rights movement, as the first National Monument to LGBT rights. Shocking as this may seem, the National Park Service has been quietly transformed from within by activist appointees and a pro-LGBT hiring policy drafted for federal agencies.

In a preservation effort in northwest Georgia, our project was caught up in this vortex of LGBT “History” and the funding that is following it. Our story begins in 2010 at about the same time that a public/private partnership between the NPS and the Gill Foundation was created.

For over a decade a small group of volunteers had been working to find a pathway to preserve the life’s work of Southern folk artist Rev. Howard Finster. His almost 50,000 pieces of artwork adorn the walls of museums, corporate offices, galleries and private collections around the world. Yet Finster’s greatest work was his art environment known as Paradise Gardens. Throughout the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, artist-musicians and Finster’s growing fan base made pilgrimages to Paradise, an eclectic collection of found objects, signage and scripture mixed together to create a folk art Garden of Eden for prayer and meditation. Finster’s unique use of the medium of art to relate his overtly gospel and, at times, apocalyptic message attracted one of the most fervent and diverse fan bases of any artist in history. The continuation of his message and spiritual inspiration was both the driving force behind the preservation effort and its greatest challenge in the world of art now often hostile toward it.

It was no small accomplishment when the National Park Service and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation began to show interest. We were approached after the NPS had featured its first somewhat similar art environment named Pasaquan and placed it on the National Registry. The similarities between the work of its creator, Eddie Owens Martin, and Finster begin and end with both heaving created works of art and placed them in outdoor environments. Rev. Finster, a Baptist minister, had been the pastor of rural churches in Georgia, had become a beloved figure for his lifelong motto “I have never met a person I did not love.” Pasaquans creator Martin was the son of a sharecropper who had run away from his south Georgia home to the streets of Greenwich Village in New York and become a male prostitute and drug addict until returning home to build his environment. Martin took his own life by a self-inflicted gunshot.

Unknown to us, the NPS had been interested in Martin’s work BECAUSE of his homosexual history and not in spite of it. The LGBT Heritage initiative (launched unofficially in 2010) also was the source of interest in Paradise Gardens as the NPS began actually searching for gay history to feature around the country. Unfortunately for Rev. Finster’s legacy, several famed homosexuals like artist Keith Haring had visited the Gardens or collaborated with Finster projects in the past. Apparently, this history is all the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation division needed to qualify Rev. Finster’s Paradise for the NPS gay focus and the activist funding which would follow.

Our efforts with the NPS had culminated in partnering with the local U.S. Congressional offices and the County for an initial Federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. This funding would enable the local county to buy into the project. During the closing months of intense efforts to gain the matching funds for the ARC grant, the possibility for funding from a new grant emphasis called Creative Place Making surfaced. The CPM initiative had recently become the focus of the National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” funding that was sweeping the preservation arts and economic development community.

What is Creative Place Making? According to the ideology on which it is based – a Creative Class of people exist in our culture and their interest – welcome – and participation in urbanization, economic development , urban renewal and even historic preservation is a requisite for success. And who are these creative people? According to longtime guru of the Creative Class – Richard Florida – they are gay or lesbian, bohemians and musicians, or those who like to hang out where they find heavy concentrations of such creative people. Florida has created a litmus test for gauging the presence of these elements and named them appropriately — “the gay index — the tolerance index and the bohemian index.” Needless to say, the ideology is controversial but has created a flock of followers including the pro LGBT federal grant programs.

In 2012, once the local county buy-in had taken place, our Preservation Partnership began to go awry. Secretly (according to the Freedom of Information Act request later obtained), the Creative Place Making future was identified for Rev. Finsters. Paradise Gardens had inspired the county and the congressional office director to form their own partnership and, with the help of the state of Georgia preservation community, to seek and obtain a series of grants from some of the oldest and longtime supporters of abortion/Planned Parenthood and gay rights in the nation. This funding windfall came from Artplace America funded by such Foundations as Ford, Rockefeller, and Knight. Artplace is considered a “private sector sibling” of the NEA. Additional funding of almost a quarter million dollars came from The Educational Foundation of America, another longtime supporter of abortion and gay rights. EFA often follows the CPM of Artplace.

As one may imagine, the new funding immediately overshadowed the legacy of Rev. Finster and the goals of our dedicated volunteers. As a result, our stand against the use of Paradise Gardens as a platform for celebrating LGBT heritage and funding which actually dishonors his Christian legacy created a lack of place and space for us in our own project. Our front entrance/parking and reception property were literally walled out of Paradise, which is now literally shrouded in the art of Keith Haring and other well-known gay artists, and complaints to the NPS offices in Georgia were met with this response: “This is gay history and we are proud of it.”

Thomas Littleton is chairman of Paradise Gardens Park and Museum, which continues to work to celebrate the true legacy of Rev. Finster to artist, students and at museums, art festivals.

UPDATE ON SBTS/ ALBERT MOHLER /RUSSELL MOORE RACIAL HYPOCRISY

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by Rev Thomas Littleton 12/14/2018

On November 27th 2018 the article linked below was published concerning the racial hypocrisy of two central Southern Baptist leaders both with career ties to the flagship Seminary SBTS.

THE GLARING RACIAL HYPOCRISY OF AL MOHLER AND RUSSELL MOORE

Yesterday on December 13th SBTS – released their report on the racism in the seminaries history both on their website and to secular media including the Wall Street Journal .

Here is the WSJ article

https://www.wsj.com/articles/southern-baptist-seminary-acknowledges-past-ties-to-white-supremacy-11544658144

NPR has also picked up the story

https://www.npr.org/2018/12/13/676333342/southern-baptist-seminary-confronts-history-of-slaveholding-and-deep-racism

Here is the SBTS link – Moler Letter and document .

http://www.sbts.edu/southern-project/

Click to access Racism-and-the-Legacy-of-Slavery-Report-v4.pdf

WHAT IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE REPORT AND PUBLIC CONFESSIONAL

Dr Mohler has ordered the report be complied and is featured fronting its release into the public “confessional” . The report does mention the horrific history in great detail of Joseph Emmerson Brown a long time Georgia politician and judge during the Civil War and reconstruction era. Brown is creditied with ahving “saved SBTS from finnacial collapse twice by his large financial gifts and as part of honoring him a Chair of Theology was named in honor of Brown What neither Mohler nor the report point out is Mohler 2005 ascended the Joseph E Brown Chair of Theology with great pomp and pride including accolades from Russell Moore then Dean of Students now head of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the SBC . Mohler paid great honor to Brown and his history and the chair in 2005 ceremony .

PROUD MOHLER KEEP ON TURNING

In November of 2018 the Baptist Press announced that Albert Mohler was elected Vice President of the Evangelical Theological Society. In that article, a brief bio of Mohler noted that “Mohler, now in his 25th year as president of Southern Seminary, has been at the forefront of public theological dialogue in evangelicalism. In addition to his responsibilities at Southern, Mohler also is the seminary’s Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology.”

“LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s board of trustees has elected President R. Albert Mohler Jr. to the Joseph Emerson Brown Chair of Christian Theology.

“The chair has been held by other giants on the landscape of Southern Seminary’s history such as founding President James Pettigru Boyce and E.Y. Mullins, seminary president from 1899 to 1928. Mohler was elected the seminary’s ninth president in 1993.”

Fellow Southern Baptist Race Baiter, Russell Moore, now head of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission, had the greatest of praise for Mohler’s ascent to the esteemed position in 2005:

“It is an historic chair in systematic theology and we believe an historic president like Dr. Mohler deserves to be teaching from this chair,” said Russell D. Moore, Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, after the Seminary Trustee action on April 26. “This will be a great and momentous act in Southern Seminary history.”

“The chair is named in honor of Joseph Emerson Brown, who served two terms as governor of Georgia during the Civil War and played a critical role in keeping Southern Seminary from closing on two separate occasions.

“The first came during Reconstruction in the 1870s. The seminary, then located in Greenville, S.C., emerged from the Civil War financially destitute and faced closure. Brown, a seminary trustee, donated $50,000 which kept seminary doors open and left the institution in sound fiscal health for many years.

“In the 1870s, $50,000 was worth what is now several million dollars in constant cash,” Mohler said. “It answered the question as to whether the seminary would survive. It actually allowed the seminary to go from a question of survival to the reality of thriving.”

Mohler was equally proud of the honor bestowed on him as he assumed the staunch advocate of slavery SBTS chair:

“This means more than I can say,” Mohler said of the trustee action.

“Especially with Dr. Boyce and Dr. Mullins holding that chair during their presidencies, it is an historical connection that speaks to my heart and to the sense of calling.

“It also is a reminder that the Lord has used significant individuals [such as Brown] to make this institution what it is. Some of these names are inscribed on buildings, some are memorialized in scholarship and professorships, and it is easy for us to forget what they meant and who they were.

AGAIN WHO IS JOSEPH E. BROWN? ANSWER FROM THE SBTS ARCHIVES AND OTHER HISTORIC SOURCES

Joseph E. Brown

The SBTS archives and special collections reveal the pivotal role played by Joseph Emerson Brown in the history of SBTS. “After the Civil War, the seminary faced closure. “The seminary community faced other challenges. The faculty carried out constant fundraising efforts in the 1880s and traveled extensively to solicit donations. Notable successes included fifty thousand dollars from U.S. Senator Joseph E. Brown of Georgia and twenty-five thousand dollars from prominent Baptist oilman J. D. Rockefeller.”

“Joseph E. Brown made a fortune in the growth of the Railroad industry after his term as Governor of Georgia, during the lead up to and the duration of the Civil War. He was Georgia Governor and served 2 terms after which he went on to be elected senator and serve on the supreme court of Georgia. According to his biography Brown was ‘A former Whig, and a firm believer in slavery and Southern states’ rights, he defied the Confederate government’s wartime policies…. He denounced Confederate President Jefferson Davis as an incipient tyrant, and challenged Confederate impressment of animals and goods to supply the troops, and slaves to work in military encampments and on the lines. Several other governors followed his lead.”

According to Douglas Blackmon’s Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II (2008), p. 347, Joseph E. Brown owned slave mines of the cruelest sort:

“The most powerful politician in Georgia from the 1860s until his death in 1894, Brown, still contemptuous of the Emancipation Proclamation, filled his mines with scores of black men forced into the shafts against their will. A legislative committee visiting the sites the same year [Brown sold] them said the prisoners were ‘in the very worst condition…actually being starved and not having sufficient clothing…treated with great cruelty.”

WHAT DOES THE NEW SBTS REPORT SAY ABOUT JOSEPH E. BROWN IN POINT NUMBER 7 ON PAGE NUMBER 8 OF THE SBTS REPORT ?

7. Joseph E. Brown, the seminary’s most important donor and chairman of its Board of Trustees 1880-1894, earned much of his fortune by the exploitation of mostly black convict-lease laborers. Joseph E. Brown’s coal mines and iron furnaces coerced the full extent of labor from Georgia convicts by employing the same brutal punishments and tortures formerly employed by slave drivers. The legal system entrapped thousands of black men, often on trumped up charges and without any due process protections, and earned money for sheriffs and state treasuries by selling their labor. It was worse than slavery. Investigations of Brown’s Dade Coal operation concluded that “if there is a hell on earth, it is the
Dade coal mines.” Brown reaped enormous profits from his coal and iron businesses. His 1880 gift of $50,000 was instrumental in saving the seminary from financial collapse. At his death, the seminary honored him for his service as a trustee and for the generous financial support he had provided.”

EXPANDED PROFILE ON BROWN

While this page gives an overview of Joseph Browns radical racism -even for his time ,his extreme cruelty and profiting on prison labor “worse than slavery ” is address in detail on starting at page 34

Read as far as your heart and constitution will allow you and then recall Albert Mohler still sits on this Joseph E. Brown Chair of Theology – has accepted it with honor – making no mention of that fact in his letter or in the SBTS report .

SBTS REPORT PAGE 34-38

7—JOSEPH E.BROWN AND THE CONVICT-LEASE SYSTEM
In 1880 Joseph E. Brown saved the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He offered to give $50,000 without any conditions. Boyce made the gift conditional on the success of raising an additional $150,000. And he did succeed. Brown’s gift was so evidently an answer to the specific prayers of Boyce, the faculty, and the students, that none doubted that it was God’s extraordinary work of provision. Before Brown’s gift, he had already served on the seminary’s board of trustees from 1872 to 1877.

After his $50,000 contribution, he naturally was nominated and elected to the board of trustees again in 1880. He served on the board until his death in 1894, and was its chairman 1883-1894. Brown was, as the most extensive study of his life noted, the most influential man in Georgia from 1857 until the late 1880s.93 Brown grew up working his family’s farm in the mountainous terrain of northeast Georgia. He borrowed money to gain three years’ of formal education in South Carolina.

He taught school in Canton, Georgia, to repay the debt and began studying law. A benefactor noticed his hard work and intellectual gifts and paid his way to Yale Law School. Brown returned to establish a prosperous legal practice in Canton. He won election to the state legislature in 1849 and as a circuit judge in 1855. He was elected governor and served from 1857 to 1865. After the war, Brown served five years as
chief justice of Georgia’s Supreme Court and two terms as a United States Senator.
Brown’s views on the politics of slavery were apparently similar to those of Boyce and Benjamin C. Pressley. He had always opposed the 1850 compromises. He opposed prohibiting slavery from California and from other parts of the Union. On the day of the 1860 election and before the results were known, he asked the legislature to set a date for an election of delegates to a secession convention and he asked for an appropriation of one million dollars to begin military preparations. He believed that these
actions would help secure a negotiated resolution of the political conflict and thereby preserve both slavery and the union. The legislature granted both requests.94
When Lincoln’s victory was announced, Brown immediately published his arguments in favor of Georgia’s secession from the United States. Lincoln represented a political party, Brown wrote, whose 92 Edwin C. Dargan to John A. Broadus, 9 Feb. 1891, box 16, Broadus Papers, SBTS. 93 Joseph H. Parks, Joseph E. Brown of Georgia (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1977), 578. 94 Derrell C. Roberts, Joseph E. Brown and the Politics of Reconstruction (Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama
Press, 1973), 11-13. THESOUTHERN BAPTISTTHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 34 principles were “deadly hostile to the institution of slavery and openly at war with the fundamental doctrines of the Constitution.” The Lincoln presidency would result in “the total abolition of slavery and the utter ruin of the South.”95
During Reconstruction, Brown, like Boyce in South Carolina, advocate quick reconciliation with the North and submission to its terms of reunion. He even became a scalawag—he joined the Republican party and identified with its moderate members. He advocated submission to the terms dictated by the president or by Congress, which
meant accepting the legal equality of the freed slaves, but he did not believe that full equality could actually exist. He qualified his advocacy of accepting the Republican terms of reunion: “I did not say that the negroes are equals of the white race. God did not
make them so; and man can never change the status which the Creator assigned to them. . . . They will never be placed upon a basis of political equality with us.”96 Brown personally held that blacks should not have the right to hold political office—that was the birthright of whites—but as the chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, he ruled that according to the law, black legislators must be allowed to serve in their duly elected positions.97
In 1881 Brown expressed concern that white rule could be overthrown in a new campaign to unite black voters with white independent voters to defeat Democratic candidates in the South. “I thank you for your kind note just received,” Brown wrote James P. Boyce. “I am glad you take what seems to me to be the proper view of the situation here. If it were the small matter of a few offices and who should
fill them from now to 1st Dec. the Democrats would have less excuse and not so full a justification of their conduct but this matter is intended to go far beyond that. The contract with Malone looks to the reconstruction of Va. first and then of the whole South by taking the negro element and putting it with what is known as the independent element and forming a party of it stronger than the democratic or white party. There is going to be a very serious effort made to put it into execution all over the south
which would virtually put the white race back under the domination of the colored.”98
When Brown died in 1894, the faculty, students, and trustees adopted resolutions in honor of him. The faculty sent Franklin H. Kerfoot, Boyce’s successor in the chair of theology, as the seminary’s representative to the funeral, since Broadus, who was by then president, was too ill to attend. Kerfoot expressed the seminary’s gratitude for Brown’s close relationship to the seminary: 95 Brown’s public letter was dated 7 Dec. 1860 and was published in the leading newspapers and as a broadside. See Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 114-115. 96 Roberts, Joseph E. Brown, 33-59, 78-79; quote from the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel, 11 June 1865, quoted in Roberts, 40. 97 Roberts, Joseph E. Brown, 66-68. 98 Joseph E. Brown to James P. Boyce, 8 Apr. 1881, box 16, Broadus Papers, SBTS.
Joseph E. Brown (1821–1894)
THESOUTHERN BAPTISTTHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
35
Governor Brown was a friend and helper of our Seminary. . . . He has been for years, and was at the time of his death, the honored president of our Board of Trustees. When his pressing duties and the condition of his health permitted he was with us at our annual meetings. He presided with dignity and grace, and courtesy to all, and by his earnest belief in an educated ministry, and his wise counsels, and his abiding interest in the Seminary, and his repeated gifts, he continued to contribute to its prosperity.99
Brown’s name has endured in memory for another reason—he earned much of his vast fortune by leasing convicts from the state of Georgia. His exploitation of black convict laborers made his Georgia and Tennessee coal and steel operations notorious as places of suffering and hopelessness. This legacy endured in southern folk songs.
Joe Brown, Joe Brown,
He’s a mean white man,
He’s a mean white man.
I know, honey, he put them shackles around,
Around my leg.100
In 1932 folklorist Lawrence Gellert transcribed the songs of a convict chain-gang near Augusta, Georgia.
One song recalled the experience of convicts who were leased by the state to Brown’s Dade Coal Company.
Says I’m bound to Joe Brown’s coal mine,
Says I’m bound to Joe Brown’s coal mine.
And it’s Lordy me and it’s Lordy mine,
Says I’m bound to Joe Brown’s coal mine.101
In his 1958 recording, “Beat It on down the Line,” Jesse Fuller, who grew up in Georgia in the early twentieth century, evoked the memory of Joe Brown to represent the bleak prospects of blacks who decided to return to the South: “Lord, I’m going back to my ‘used to be,’ down in Joe Brown’s coal mine.”102
Before the war, Brown was an upcountry attorney and planter who won election as a state senator representing Cherokee and Cobb counties, and as a circuit court judge. He won election as governor of Georgia in 1857 and led Georgia to secede from the United States. Throughout his life, he bought land when he saw a good value and sold it for profit whenever he needed capital for another good opportunity. He made a great deal of money buying and selling mineral rights in north Georgia in the 1850s.103 He was a slaveholder. His wife, Elizabeth Grisham Brown, brought several slaves into the marriage.10 She recorded in her diary that her husband bought at least eight slaves between 1853 and 1855, 99 Franklin H. Kerfoot, “Hon. Joseph Emerson Brown,” Seminary Magazine 8 (1894): 130-131. 100 Alex Lichtenstein, Twice the Work of Free Labor: The Political Economy of Convict Labor in the New South (New York: Verso Books, 1996), 105. 101 Gellert cited in Matthew J. Mancini, One Dies, Get Another: Convict Leasing in the American South, 1866-1928 (Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1996), 81. 102 Jesse Fuller, “Beat It on down the Line,” The Lone Cat LP (Good Time Jazz Records, 1958). 103 Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 16-17. 104 Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 5.
THESOUTHERN BAPTISTTHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 36 and that they often had large numbers of slaves at their place.105

William Ward, one of Brown’s former slaves, recalled many years later that Brown held fifty to seventy-five slaves, most of whom he hired out to other farmers and businesses who paid him for their labor. Brown may have bought and sold slaves as
investments the same way he did land and mineral rights. Elizabeth Brown recorded in her diary that her slave “Celia gave me some insolent jaw for which her master whipped her.”106 She recorded that on another occasion he “whipped Emma [Celia’s daughter] for nothing to show me he was master.”107
Ward remembered Brown as “a kind person” who “never mistreated his slaves,” but who had them whipped for such infractions as fighting, stealing, and visiting other plantations without permission. Ward said that “one of the soundest thrashings he ever got was for stealing Mr. Brown’s whiskey.” Few of Brown’s slaves attempted escape, partly because of his mildness and partly because Brown kept “a pack of blood hounds.”108

Both the Republican and the Democratic governments in Georgia leased state prisoners to repair the railroads that Sherman’s troops destroyed and to construct new lines. In 1873 it became apparent that the legislature was going to expand convict leasing to other industries and Brown established the Dade Coal Company.109 In 1874 the state of Georgia granted a lease to Brown’s Dade Coal Company for 88 of the state’s 616 convicts. By the end of the year, the state had sent 152 convicts to Dade Coal, which paid the state less than $800 for their labor. Many, perhaps all, of Brown’s convicts were leased from the state of Georgia. It is possible however that his businesses leased others convicted of minor offenses in county and local jurisdictions, often on fabricated charges in sham legal proceedings—sheriffs rarely recorded the names of the victims of such proceedings and were not required to report them to state authorities.110
The Dade Coal Company formed the nucleus of Brown’s enterprises. With Dade Coal’s profits and capital investment raised by Boston financier Jacob Seaver, Brown established a conglomerate trust, the Georgia Mining, Manufacturing, and Investment Company, comprising six distinct corporations engaged in coal and iron mining, coke furnace operations, and pig iron production. For two decades these enterprises helped drive industrial and economic growth in Georgia. Convict-lease laborers extracted the
coal that fuelled Georgia’s expanding railroad network, powered Georgia’s industries, and fired Brown’s iron furnaces. By the time of Brown’s death in 1894, Dade Coal worked 550 convicts, by far the largest number of any lessee. And it was all enormously profitable for Brown, who personally netted $98,000 from Dade Coal Company in 1880 alone.111 Convict labor was intended for blacks. Southern state and county governments used the convict lease system to provide a reliable source of cheap labor especially for mining, manufacturing, railroad construction, and turpentine extraction. By 1876 nearly all of Georgia’s coal miners were convicts, and the vast majority were black. Of the 371 convicts working in the Dade coal mines in 1880, 340 were black, 92 percent. Southern legislatures drafted harsh penalties for new regulations against loitering,
105 Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 16. 106 Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 16, footnote. 107 Parks, Joseph E. Brown, 11, 16. 108 William Ward, Works Progress Administration Slave Narratives, Georgia, vol. 13, pt. 4, 128-33. 109

For an account of convict leasing in Georgia, and Joseph E. Brown’s role in it, see Mancini, One Dies, Get Another, 81-98; and Lichtenstein, Twice the Work, 105-25. 110 See Douglas A. Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II (New York: Anchor Books, 2008); David M. Odinsky, Worse Than Slavery: Parchman Farm and the Ordeal of Jim Crow Justice (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996); Mancini, One Dies, Get Another. 111 Mancini, One Dies, Get Another, 86.
THESOUTHERN BAPTISTTHEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 37 breaking a labor contract, and carrying a weapon, such as were suited to special enforcement to entrap blacks in the convict-lease system and as a means of social and economic control of blacks.112
White judges and juries tended to convict and punish black defendants on severe charges with harsh sentences, and to acquit white defendants or relax their punishments. Many black defendants were innocent or had committed minor infractions. White sheriffs and employers colluded to contrive charges against blacks who came to their attention because they were not sufficiently deferential to whites, or because an employer needed a new supply of convict laborers, or to reinforce the policy that blacks must do what whites tell them to do.113
The convict-lease system of penal labor was better suited to abuse than slavery itself. Lessees paid such small sums for each convict that they had very little economic stake in the health or survival of the convicts. As one lessee in North Carolina phrased it, “if one dies, get another.”114 Convict lessees generally overworked convicts, punished them with cruel severity for any failure to perform at high efficiency, held them in wretched conditions, and fed them poorly. These conditions and the inherent dangers of mining coal led to a high death rate—thirteen of Dade Coal’s convicts died in the first nine months. The Dade Coal Company mines required each convict to mine a specified number of tons each day. The number differed for each convict. Any convict who failed to make his quota would be whipped severely. Some “whipping bosses” whipped newly arrived convicts daily upon their arrival to “break them in.”115

Quotas were deliberately kept beyond the reach of reasonable labor, to extort from convicts the maximum effort possible. Those who made their daily quota too easily or regularly, would have their quota increased. Since convicts’ chief motivation was to make their quota to avoid being whipped, they did not have time to take safety precautions, and convicts died in convict mine accidents at twice the rate of free labor mines.

Brown claimed that the work was quite “moderate,” and that the convicts were well treated. He held that blacks would not work effectively or even take adequate care of themselves unless they were compelled to do so. The forced labor of the convict leases was therefore beneficial to black convicts.116 Grand juries and legislative committees investigated the conditions of the convict camps and mines periodically, and varied wildly in their evaluation of the conditions there.

The record is clear enough—the camps were places with poor sanitation, poor food, excessive labor, unsafe conditions, and brutal punishments for the least infractions. Georgia legislator W. H. Styles investigated the conditions at Brown’s mines in 1892 and concluded that “if there is a hell on earth, it is the Dade coal mines.”117 In 1886, 109 convicts refused to work at Brown’s coke furnaces to protest their wretched working conditions—the excessive labor required, the brutal punishments, and the poor food. They said that they “were ready to die, and would as soon be dead as to live in torture.”

The keeper of the convicts isolated the men and starved them until the strike collapsed a few days later.118 Brown was no outlier. His views of white superiority and his easy defense of the convict-lease penal system were fairly common. Henry H. Tucker, a member of Southern Seminary’s board of trustees 112 See esp. Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name, 1-83. 113 See esp. Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name, 117-54. 114 The quote is from a southern delegate to the 1883 National Prison Association meeting, cited by Hastings Hart in Mancini, One Dies, Get Another, 3. 115 Lichtenstein, Twice the Work, 134. See similarly, Mancini, One Dies, Get Another, 51, 75-76, 93-94. 116 See Lichtenstein, Twice the Work, 126-51. 117 Cited in Lichtenstein, Twice the Work, 142. 118 Mancini, One Dies, Get Another, 90.
THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 38
1880-1889 who had served as president of Mercer University and chancellor of the University of Georgia, defended the practice of convict leasing in Georgia when the National Prison Association met in Atlanta in 1886. He claimed that Georgia’s convicts were well cared for because they were fully protected by laws that guaranteed humane treatment and access to good food, rest, clothing, and healthcare. The laws were sure to be honored, Tucker argued, because the men who paid the state treasury for the leases
were “sure to be men of character, . . . worthy of respect and confidence,” who would have an interest in the welfare of the convicts. Tucker concluded with the absurd claim that the system was not really even punishment for black convicts, since they were suited to this kind of labor and enjoyed better food and clothing in the camps than they did in freedom.119

The corruption, the cronyism, and the bald brutality of the convict-lease system made it sufficiently unpopular among voting whites in the South that Progressive political leaders came to oppose it. In Georgia, governor Hoke Smith won election on a Southern Progressive platform of statewide prohibition of alcohol, constitutional disfranchisement of black Georgians, and abolition of the convict-lease system, and accomplished all three in 1908. It is impossible to know how many of the seminary’s donors and trustees were involved in the convict-lease labor system, but given its extensive implementation throughout the South, it is reasonable to conclude that Joseph E. Brown was not the only one. Donors were donors because they engaged in a range of business operations of such scale that they could not have avoided all involvement in the common business and labor practices of the day.
Some donors no doubt profited from businesses predicated on slave industries in Latin America. Cuba abolished slavery in 1886. Brazil was the last nation in the Americas to abolish slavery two years later. Slave labor undergirded the economically efficient production of sugar and coffee. Both nations benefitted from the steep decline in sugar production in the United States as a result of emancipation. The Levering brothers in Baltimore were two of the seminary’s most important donors and played leading
roles as trustees. Much of their fortune derived from the coffee business. When coffee prices collapsed in 1889, one result was that the Leverings would probably be unable to contribute to the seminary’s critical building campaign that year.120 It is likely that their fortune derived in significant measure from slave labor in Brazil and Cuba”

End of Report on Joseph E Brown.

Dr Albert Mohler removing the stain of racism from the SBC and SBTS starts with yout.

Matthew 7 New King James Version

Do Not Judge

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. ²For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

GLOBAL GENEROSITY -VS- CHRISTIAN MISSION : CAN THE CHURCH BUY INTO “THE GLOBAL GOALS ? “

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WHAT DO THE WORLD GLOBALIST CHRISTIANS WANT? : ADVENTURES IN SEPARATING CHRISTIANS FROM THEIR MONEY

Rev Thomas Littleton 12/5/2018

It should come as no surprise that today Globalist dreams run headlong into the fulfillment of Psalm 2 on the front lines of secular politics and culture. The Psalmist tells us speaking by the Spirit of God this will be the case for a rebellious world

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
²The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed,saying,
³“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

The real shock for some will come from seeing the promotion of “Global Goals “ of The World (They) Want in and by the Evangelical church leadership . This includes in the areas and, in many cases horrific and failed efforts to address global health, global poverty, global human rights -especially in the area of harnessing philanthropy to address these issues with the questionable wisdom of the elitist who driven them.

THE CHURCH DANCE PARTNERS WITH GLOBALISM

No one has played a more vital role setting the evangelical church on this trajectory that a Texas millionaire named Bob Buford. His Leadership Network selection, training and resourcing of carefully selected innovative pastors has worked for over three decades on the down low helping build the mega church movement – emergent church movement and fuel the church planting craze. Some of LNs key leaders in in the church include Tim Keller and Rick Warren both of whom are helping further the global focus with organizations like Keller’s Redeemer City to City and Warren’s PEACE Plan.

Half-Time is Buford’s brainchild to package the Great Society visions of its architect John Gardner ( who served in the LBJ administration launching the largest progressive expansion of government and the welfare state in history at the time) . The idea is taken from Gardner’s concept of Repotting oneself at mid-life and finding purpose not in gaining but in giving back. i.e. philanthropic social responsibility for individuals who have achieved success. The goal is to consider the greater good and disperse ones wealth for the benefit of society and the “Common Good” . This mantra is now everywhere in the church thanks to people like Buford (who was a great admirer of Soviet leader Lenin as “one of the two greatest thinkers of the last century) and to pastors like Keller and Warren who have helped sell his ideology to the church.

SHOCKING ADMISSIONS GLOBALIST PETER KAROFF – THE WORLD WE WANT ON BUFORD AND HALFTIME

In the Peter Karoff book “The World We Want “ New Dimensions in Philanthropy and Social Change “ Karoff talks about the work of Buford and Halftime in the chapter “Generosity and Sacred Search: Motivation .On page 215 Karoff says “I listened to Bob Buford and I am not alone. Half a million people bought his book Half-Time. Bob defies the stereotype of the evangelical Christian when he preaches about the centrality of community and citizenship .The strategy of singling out the latent energy in American Christianity comes straight out of his success as a cable television entrepreneur. (Buford says ) ”It’s because we have the biggest market share . Among American Christians 85 percent identify themselves as Christian. It just makes sense to go where the Market is.”

So Karoff tells us of the work of Buford and Half- Time (page 215 ) and its motivation being to target the latent energy, i. e. the wealth of Christians for the “World We ( the Globalists ) Want “. He then says the most revealing statement of all when Buford invited the Jewish Karoff to come to attend his evening “Vespers service “ at a high end financial planning meetings where Buford was plying his trade among well endowed Christians. “Peter” he (Buford ) tapped me after my speech “if I could deliver you legions of very wealthy Christians primed to become big time philanthropist, Would you consider converting ? Why don’t you come to my service ?”

Karoff tells us Buford- the guy who has discipled and resourced many of evangelicals biggest name leaders and promoted them through media he controlled like Christianity Today – has openly admitted his work has been to “prime Wealthy believers” to fund the globalist dreams of Those who boast in the “World We Want “. This would appear to plainly assert that the greater goal of Rick Warren whose work even included a”Pastor of Generosity” on his Saddleback staff and Keller who is now the lead prophet proclaiming the “Gospel of Generosity “ or the “Theology of Generosity” are in fact seducing the church into funding global goals in the name of “redeeming culture” and gospel mission. Perhaps those big name evangelicals like Keller and Warren and others like them ( there are hundreds from the Lead Net stable ) can come forward and clarify their means and motivations- before we GIVE.

LOOKING BRIEFLY AT THE WORLD WE WANT MOVEMENT :IN THEIR OWN WORDS

https://www.theworldwewant.org/files/gates_foundation_presentation_february_08_final.pdf

About the Author

Peter Karoff founded the Philanthropic Initiative (TPI) to help donors increase the impact of their philanthropy and at the same time make ‘giving’ more meaningful in their own lives. President of TPI from 1989 to 2002, he is a senior fellow at the College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University. Jane Maddox is an editor and writer at TPI who has worked with public agencies, companies, and nonprofits in communicating their missions, programs, and ideas.

“These were the questions my eclectic group of heroes were asked to consider: What is your vision of a better world? What are the obstacles that need to be overcome to realize it? What parts of the vision are realistic, and what ideas, strategies, and plans, can make it so? How much fun it would be to hear your answers to these tricky questions. It would be a great conversation, and without a doubt there would be material for another chapter or two in another book, perhaps one you will someday write or are even writing right now. The end results are stories from an extraordinary group of practical visionaries. Some are dreamers, others realists, entrepreneurs, activists, spiritualists, secularists, ethicists, critics, cynics, and reluctant seers.

Of special interest is how to integrate the unlimited capacity of the market economy. What Steve Case, co-founder of AOL calls creating a “new paradigm that bridges business and the social sector.”ix Bill Gates’ speech on Creative Capitalism three weeks ago in Davos builds on that theme.

They will, for all intents and purposes, fulfill many of the functions of regional associations of grantmakers – and community foundations, but few would become one or join one. In fact, many would not even know such entities existed. They may reside in organizations like financial institutions, YPO, Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, churches and temples or come roaring out of the Blog-blue. These hybrids of for-profit and nonprofit endeavors will increasingly look and feel like social movements”

KELLER FRIEND AND INFLUENCER JAMES DAVISON HUNTER SURFACES AGAIN.

Image result for james davison hunter

Tim Keller and Rick Warren have worked closely with some groups influenced by the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture “. The work has included many from the evangelical circles including the leader of the Lausanne Movement Doug Birdsall and the heads of several Christian universities along with the sociology departments of Yale and Princeton on developing a “Theory of Social Change “ . This movement also includes the Global Generosity focus.

In previous writings we have looked at the description of Hunters organization which is partnering throughout these circles as the key thought leader and coordinator -especially and specifically focused on the evangelical church. Until recently the website for IASC included its inspiration comes from the origins of Cultural Marxism , The Frankfurt School .

https://web.archive.org/web/20170619010841/http://iasculture.org/about

“Our institutional inspiration comes from the close-knit intellectual fellowships of the past (such as the Frankfurt School and the Vienna Circle); our philosophical inspiration comes from a thoughtful re-appropriation of the theologies and classical philosophies which characteristically champion the dignity of the person, the pursuit of the just life, and the flourishing of the human community.”

Very recently, however, the “about IASC” page has been changed to make no mention of the Frankfurt School

https://iasculture.org/about

HUNTERS IDEOLOGICAL WORK WITH “THE WORLD WE WANT “

The influential work of IASC is included as a resource in the “World We Want “ project “Catechism of Philanthropy “. His book discussed below echoes the message for world societal change and the use of the social sciences to bring this change about within the church.

“The World We Want xii See Randall Collins’ “Global Theory of Intellectual Change” and James Hunter’s work “To Change the World xiii See the 1974 essay by Stephen Jay Gould: “This View of life:Size and Shape. Nat Hist 1974:83:20-26 xiv Reference to the concept of Appreciative Inquiry that asks unconditional questions with the aim of discovery of what gives life to a living system.

https://www.amazon.com/Change-World-Tragedy-Possibility-Christianity/dp/0199730806

The call to make the world a better place is inherent in the Christian belief and practice. But why have efforts to change the world by Christians so often failed or gone tragically awry? And how might Christians in the 21st century live in ways that have integrity with their traditions and are more truly transformative? In To Change the World, James Davison Hunter offers persuasive–and provocative–answers to these questions.

Hunter begins with a penetrating appraisal of the most popular models of world-changing among Christians today, highlighting the ways they are inherently flawed and therefore incapable of generating the change to which they aspire. Because change implies power, all Christians eventually embrace strategies of political engagement. Hunter offers a trenchant critique of the political theologies of the Christian Right and Left and the Neo-Anabaptists, taking on many respected leaders, from Charles W. Colson to Jim Wallis and Stanley Hauerwas. Hunter argues that all too often these political theologies worsen the very problems they are designed to solve. What is really needed is a different paradigm of Christian engagement with the world, one that Hunter calls “faithful presence”–an ideal of Christian practice that is not only individual but institutional; a model that plays out not only in all relationships but in our work and all spheres of social life. He offers real life examples, large and small, of what can be accomplished through the practice of “faithful presence.” Such practices will be more fruitful, Hunter argues, more exemplary, and more deeply transfiguring than any more overtly ambitious attempts can ever be.

Q: Why did you write To Change the World?

Hunter: I wrote this book because I saw a disjunction between how Christians talk about changing the world, how they try to change the world, and how worlds –that is culture–actually change. These disparities needed to be clarified.

Q: How does this build on your previous work?

Hunter: One way it builds on my earlier work is that it provides a bigger picture of the nature of cultural conflict, why Christians seem to be neck deep in it, and why the approaches that they take in cultural conflict are so counterproductive. This is a response to some of the earlier work that I have done on the nature of culture wars and alternatives to them.

Q: Who do you hope reads this book?

Hunter: The audience I had in mind was the diverse communities that make up American Christians and their institutional leaders–those who think about the world we live in today and how best to engage it. Those who think about these matters will find here a useful guide.

Q: What three things do you want readers to take away from reading this book?

Hunter: The primary ways of thinking about the world and how it changes in our society are mainly incorrect. There is an answer to the question of how to change the world, but how it actually changes is different from how most people think.

Most people believe that politics is a large part of the answer to the problems that we face in the world, and so a second insight would be the limitations of politics. Political strategies are not only counter-productive to the ends that faith communities have in mind, but are antithetical to the ends that they seek to achieve.

A third thing that I would like for readers to take away is that there are alternative ways of thinking about the world we live in, and engaging it, that are constructive and draw upon resources within the Christian tradition. In the end, these strategies are not first and foremost about changing the world, but living toward the flourishing of others.

Hunter’s book and work is part of Karoff and the World Changers “Catechism For a Great Foundation

“https://www.theworldwewant.org/ Click to download on this page. Peter Addresses The Gates Foundation

Catechism for a Great Foundation:

On February 14, 2008, Peter Karoff gave a presentation for staff of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation entitled “Catechism for a Great Foundation,” drawing on themes from his book, The World We Want: New Dimensions in Philanthropy and Social Change. In the presentation, Peter discussed the increasing intersection between the social and private sectors as a promising philanthropic model. He also addressed some of the challenges facing a great foundation, as well as its remarkable potential to transform philanthropy and effect societal change.

The language of the Catechism is totally about the social sector and private sector partnerships to “transform philanthropy and effect societal change “. With the furtherance of Government sign on both national and international levels – the Three Legged Stool is complete.

THE CATECHISM

The Philanthropic Initiative or TPI is Karoffs organization which has overseen Billions in global philanthropy over the years. TPI ,since at least 2008 has been working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as outlined in the Catechism.

“The World We Want book is about three big things. The first is a vision for better world. The second is doing the work. And the third is what this means – for you, for me, and for the people we love. The book itself is an extension of the TPI experience, and my own 35-year journey into the heart, soul and process of philanthropy, that by the way began at a memorable evening in the early 60’s when the president of the Boston NAAC was so upset at my hubris, he literally threw a chair at me!

Put simply, philanthropy – whether the issue it presumes to address is homelessness, global health, or poverty – can not do it alone, and in fact that realization has been the guiding principle behind any successful public policy work. While philanthropy’s limited financial resources are a challenge, even more it is the sheer complexity of solving social issues – complex problems can never solved by any one, single, actor. And that is one message the Gates Foundation has understood from inception

These were the questions my eclectic group of heroes were asked to consider: What is your vision of a better world? What are the obstacles that need to be overcome to realize it? What parts of the vision are realistic, and what ideas, strategies, and plans, can make it so?

The end results are stories from an extraordinary group of practical visionaries. Some are dreamers, others realists, entrepreneurs, activists, spiritualists, secularists, ethicists, critics, cynics, and reluctant seers

At the other end of the spectrum is a world where silos are broken down – where all the sectors, Civil Society, government, and the market economy, work together to harness and integrate their resources. Perhaps the biggest take-away from the book is the growing impact of what is called the Open Source phenomenon which resonates so totally with the concept of an ‘open society.’

Of special interest is how to integrate the unlimited capacity of the market economy. What Steve Case, co-founder of AOL calls creating a “new paradigm that bridges business and the social sector. ” Bill Gates’ speech on Creative Capitalism three weeks ago in Davos builds on that theme.”

A DISTURBING NEW MAINSTREAM SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE CHURCH

Since at least 2007 Southern Baptist Rick Warren has been working with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on programs like the World Health Organizations Global Health Initiative, Now we see indications of the Gates Foundation and influence spreading among evangelical ministries though organizations like The Gathering https://thegathering.com/ which is a clearing house for Christian Philanthropy and which connects donors who give over $200,000 per year to ministries in need of funds.

The 2018 meetings of the Gathering reveal the growing ties between The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Christian Philanthropy and ministries, This is despite huge difference in moral issues like Abortion and human sterilization which are far from Christian conviction of mission. The Gates Foundation and other global partners focus intensely on their shared concerns of population growth and limiting it as the “address global issues”

Fred Smith ,long time president of the Gathering has also served as co-founder and for many years as a board member for Bob Buford’s Leadership Network driving the Evangelical church toward “The World We Want “.

http://praxislabs.org/mentors/individual/fred-smith

“Fred Smith is a graduate of Denver University and Harvard Divinity School. Fred spent several years as teacher and administrator at Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina and The Stony Brook School in New York before moving to Tyler and joining Bob Buford in founding Leadership Network, where he served as President for 12 years.

Additionally, Fred is the Founder and President of The Gathering, connecting an international community of givers focused on the support of Christian Ministries.”

THE GATHERING STAFF AT GATES FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS IN OCTOBER 2018

The Gathering

October 23 ·

Great morning with @johnkeithsage at the @gatesfoundation. #gathseattle

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ANOTHER SOUTHERN BAPTIST, ERLC / RUSSELL MOORE TIES INTO THE GATES FOUNDATION AND THE GATHERING.

The Gatherings 2018 event included Southern Baptist ERLC President and lead progressive mouthpiece Russell Moore https://thegathering.com/event/speakers/

RUSSELL MOORE

Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.

Later on Facebook The Gathering Fred Smith voiced high praise of Russell Moore

The Gathering

September 21 ·

“He is iraenic and a peacemaker because he is at peace himself.” Fred Smith Dr. Russell Moore #gathkeybiscayne

THE FORGOTTEN TRUTH OF GLOBALIST CHRISTIANITY

We find in the Word of God in plain view- the glorious truth that the “Globalist” Christians thinking that their partnership with the world and global goals are the work of the gospel or have any lasting value is pure modern myth. How fool hearted for evangelical ministers to think these efforts to ally with a system hostile to God can constitute the establishment of His Kingdom or that working for the betterment of a world under Divine judgement is in keeping with the commandment not to love the world and for those who use its systems ,we warned not to be caught up in them.(1 Cor 7:31)

Psalm 33

4 For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
⁵He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

⁶By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
⁷He gathers the waters of the sea together ^[b]as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses.

⁸Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
⁹For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.

¹⁰The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
¹¹The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

¹³The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
¹⁴From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
¹⁵He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.

¹⁶No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
¹⁷A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

Psalm 2 continues and offers us in no uncertain terms the outlook of God and mankind’s rebellious efforts to save himself or his world – and directly points out who and how His Kingdom is established .

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
⁵Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
⁶“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

The best we hope for our herd of global pastors and Evangelicals is that the failure of their plans and seduction of the church will dawn on them before the house of cards they are helping to build collapses on their heads. Let us pray to that end.

Have Mercy O Lord and awaken the sleeping giant of the real global church .

Worldview Weekend Interview. Shedding Light on the False Gospel Movement in the Church.

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On December 2nd Brannon Howse and I discussed the Authoritarian movement among evangelical churches starting at minute 13 on the first link and then move into detailed discussion of the globalist, social justice , Marxist infiltration into our seminaries , denominations and church planting/ missions organizations

FALSE AUTHORITY : DON’T SURRENDER YOUR PRIESTHOOD AS A BELIEVER ( MINUTE 13 )

VIDEO 2 DISCUSSION THE DECEPTIONS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE INFILTRATION

THE GLARING RACIAL HYPOCRISY OF AL MOHLER AND RUSSELL MOORE

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SOUTHERN BAPTISTS AND THE SOCIAL JUSTICE VOTER:

THE DREADFULLY RACIAL ANNUAL SBC MEETINGS COMING TO BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA IN 2019

Image result for cp STAGE PHOTO REMOVING THE STAIN OF RACISM IN THE sbc

Pictured above is Albert Mohler at the SBC Dallas 2018 panel discussion on “Removing the Stain of Racism from the SBC.”

Mohler’s glaring racial hypocrisy will be shown in the article below.

(As this article is being released my home town Birmingham Alabama is suffering the national spot light as a mall shooting during the holiday shopping season is being turned into a stage for Black Lives Matter and the National media circus. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/24/us/alabama-mall-shooting.html The dread of watching a repeat performance of the horrific racial TGC and ERLC event in Memphis being repeated among our residence of all races- creeds and ethnic origin is too much to remain silent over. Birmingham, Alabama needs the Gospel- Al Mohler and Russell Moore – NOT a racial movement in our churches driven by hypocritical Baptist professors of Theology and progressive politics. Please- NO MORE)

Rev Thomas Littleton 11/27/2018

Race and Racism in our culture are hotbed issues in the political arena and in the daily news. It is reported that some $85 million and counting have gone into Black Lives Matter to fuel that organization’s racial narrative alone. There is always power and advantage to be gained by those who promote racial division, who are determined to distort issues and manipulate people along racial divides. In the church, sad to say, there are many with the same motive and willingness to use these same tools of the trade. Instead of slavery, some Evangelical leaders want to promote an endless “reconciliation” as a means of enslaving of the Church to their racial narrative and forcing them to maintain ownership of it.

This writer grew up in the deep South and in the 1960s. By the mid-70s things were changing and, by the 80s, racial discrimination was greatly reduced. Many people on both sides of a once racially divided city and region have seen great progress in moving beyond race and racial divides especially in the church. In 2018 we have a generation that do live in a largely post racial generation and who look at the politized narratives of today and wonder what is behind them. In the Church we can and should be far removed from racial identity politics. It is not sinful to be white or black or Hispanic or Asian or to value our respective cultures and ethnic diversity. My own family is comprised of 5 ethnic groups and 6 nationalities. It is not so easy to conflict such genetic diversity and this is true of more Americans than not. There really are such distinctions that have no trace of racism whatsoever. In the Church we celebrate a higher identity –

Ephesians 2:14-16 Christ our Peace

¹⁴For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

This writer was also part of a church body in the ethnically diverse and often racially charged New York City for over a decade. In that body of believers over 100 nationalities worshipped the King of Kings side by side under one roof in five services each week and then went forth as yoke fellows to minister in our diverse neighborhoods daily with virtually no focus on race or the many ethnic differences represented. Race was a non-issue because of Christ and the great common ground our mutual faith provided. It is possible for true Christians to live and worship and serve together in such an atmosphere. The great common bond is the shared joy and life of redemption by which means our sins have been forgiven and we no longer identify by them. What remains a mystery is how the constant drum beat of selective remembrance of the racial histories of others can serve the Southern Baptist leaders who are hounding the church about reconciliation.

SBC SEMINARY HEAD, ALBERT MOHLER, SITS ATOP A RACIST CHAIR WHILE POINTING THE FINGER OF RACIAL ACCUSATION.

The SBTS archives and special collections reveal the pivotal role played by Joseph Emerson Brown in the history of SBTS. After the Civil War, the seminary faced closure. “The seminary community faced other challenges. The faculty carried out constant fundraising efforts in the 1880s and traveled extensively to solicit donations. Notable successes included fifty thousand dollars from U.S. Senator Joseph E. Brown of Georgia and twenty-five thousand dollars from prominent Baptist oilman J. D. Rockefeller.”

While Mohler is being admired for his more than 3 decades of involvement at ETS and 25 years as President of SBTS, a careful look at the Joseph Emerson Brown Chair he has proudly occupied for 13 years reveals a very disturbing fact:

Joseph E. Brown

Albert Mohler has held the position of Joseph E Brown Professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since 2005.

Southern trustees elect Mohler to storied chair of theology

“LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s board of trustees has elected President R. Albert Mohler Jr. to the Joseph Emerson Brown Chair of Christian Theology.

Fellow Southern Baptist Race Baiter, Russell Moore, now head of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission, had the greatest of praise for Mohler’s ascent to the esteemed position in 2005:

Mohler was equally proud of the honor bestowed on him as he assumed the staunch advocate of slavery SBTS chair:

“This means more than I can say,” Mohler said of the trustee action.

“Especially with Dr. Boyce and Dr. Mullins holding that chair during their presidencies, it is an historical connection that speaks to my heart and to the sense of calling.

FLAUNTING RACIAL HYPOCRISY WHILE POINTING FINGERS

What Mohler did not say about his Chair is disturbing. Joseph E. Brown boasted, “One thing every white man knows, regardless of how low his estate, he is the better of every black man.” As it is recounted, “He saved The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary financially in the 1870s.^[1] There is now an endowed chair, the Joseph Emerson Brown Chair of Christian Theology at the institution.^[2]

Dr. Mohler, you have been sitting atop the “Stain of Racism” in the SBC. Yet you castigate all Christians as “racists” knowing full well that the Joseph Emerson Brown whom you praised in 2005 as “a significant individual” “that the Lord has used…to make this institution what it is” was a white supremacist who bred the racial hatred which fueled slavery and led to the carnage of the Civil War. In your September 2018 Q&A below, after you acknowledge Joseph E. Brown’s true character, your feigned sympathy for victims of oppression rings hollow:

Albert Mohler – Ask Anything Live (Episode 8)

The low view of Joseph E. Brown you expressed in your September 2018 Q&A utterly contradicts the high praise you and Russell Moore lavished on Brown in the 2005 Baptist Press article. One would think that, as President of SBTS, you would be zealous to repudiate that professorial chair and retire it immediately. Instead, the rhetoric of critical race theory in the SBC continues unabated, dividing the black and white races in unison with the secular culture which seems to be fomenting the next American Civil War.

Image result for joseph E brown

The Atlanta Journal Constitution points to the ironies of Brown’s legacy still being celebrated in Georgia.

“Case in point, Atlanta’s Brown Middle School. Located in the city’s West End neighborhood, it has a mural in its auditorium of black leaders such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman. It is an interesting juxtaposition for a school named after the Georgia governor who opposed the abolition of slavery and pushed the state into the Civil War.

“Like many who were Confederates for four years, Joseph Emerson Brown shows the complex and multi-layered history that is the South. He reentered American society after the war and served in key positions. He helped start the Atlanta public school system and served on its board for 25 years until his death in 1894.”

While it is debatable that removing confederate statues and legacies from public view in the South will change or ease the modern day politized racial tensions that drive them, the stark irony of Mohler’s hypocrisy in “Removing the Stain of Racism in the SBC” while holding the Professorship endowed by Joseph Emerson Brown is beyond disgusting. Russell Moore loves riding the nerve of fellow Southern Baptists over racism but has only praise for its legacy upon which his mentor, Mohler, sits enthroned while teaching future generations of pastors and missionaries. Mohler is quick to recount the “fortune” that $50,000 represented in the post-Civil War era so it appears the money speaks louder than the racial heritage its donor represents to the sensitive Drs of theology, Mohler and Moore.

THEOLOGICAL MASK OF TGC/ ERLC HAS SLIPPED – BREEDING SOCIAL JUSTICE VOTERS

During the lead up to the 2018 midterms, The Gospel Coalition and the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the SBC outed themselves and the masquerade is OVER. The efforts of these organizations to use issues like Race, Immigration, Refugees and Sexual and Gender minorities as essential values driving Evangelical voters, thus producing a Social Justice Christian Voter block, is now undeniable. No longer can the Genie of progressive political change be hidden or forced safely back into the bottle of neo Calvinist theology. No effort needs to be wasted in denying the retooling, re-thinking or re-messaging operation. Tim Keller and Russell Moore ARE political tools of the progressive political left and no thinking Christian need ever mistake them as anything else. By now it is clear they are bringing all their resources to bear upon unhinging the Evangelical vote from the conservative wing of the Republican Party, its family values platform and even from the “single issue voting” of pro-life convictions.

Advancing the insane narrative of the radical Left may be working for some but a growing number of evangelicals have seen the light and an alarm has gone off in the collective Evangelical mind. How can our leadership from TGC/ ERLC be operating on Biblical conviction or principle while at the same time attempting to redefine family and weaken the pro-life base among evangelical voters by broadening pro-life to embody progressive policies like refugee resettlement, racial identity politics and the global goals of the United Nations?

THE THRILL IS GONE

For years parachurch ministries like TGC and their denominational affiliates have enjoyed unquestioned influence in Reformed circles as they touted the resurgence of theology among the Young Restless and Reformed. With a massive internal media machine, huge funding and inroads into our seminaries, the talking points of evangelical media has been changing rapidly. Some few smelled the distinct odor of progressive politics and compromise, but the turning point came in April 2018 with the ERLC/ TGC co-sponsored event called MLK/ 50. The rush to shame white evangelicals, deify racial reconciliation, vilify Southern Baptists as worshipping Jim Crow and alienating African Americans by voting for President Trump, and swimming in a swamp of white privilege – just did not thrill the souls or resonate with believers both black and white who live far beyond the realm of the rhetoric of CNN or TGC. By the end of MLK/50, social media in the SBC and PCA circles were lighting up and the bluesy sound of the “Thrill is Gone” filled the air. The TGC/ ERLC star was and is fading.

By the time June rolled around and the Southern Baptist Convention held its annual meeting in Dallas TX, the reconciliation mantra was full bore. Messengers were being told to “Check your privilege” at the door. Every sermon and most of the reports from the platform contained the obligatory nod to Racial Reconciliation and even one messenger attempted to force an amendment to one resolution up for vote to include a demand that Vice President Pence make a similar statement in his upcoming address to the Convention. In the press room, a host of years old racially packed ERLC materials and books were left out for members of the press like dead animals at a cat owners’ doorstep. One of these was a 2015 collection of essays titled “Removing the Sin a Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention.”

ALBERT MOHLER AND THE STAIN OF PROGRESSIVISM AND LGBTQ+ FLOURISHING IN THE SBC

Albert Mohler’s SBTS incubated the development and growth of the most radical pro LGBTQ+ movement Evangelicals have seen to date. Three weeks before the SBC Dallas meetings the story broke of the radical LGBTQ+ Revoice conference with deep ties to Al Mohler’s Seminary SBTS and to the ERLC. One of the most controversial parts of Revoice prior to the late July conference was its boast of the Treasures of Queer Theory and Queer Culture for the Church and the New Jerusalem.” At the annual meeting, this author personally interviewed Dr. Mohler about his concerns over Revoice. Dr. Mohler expressed agreement with the problematic language on Queer Theory but left the interview and headed to the CP Stage for panel discussion on the retreaded 2015 book and topic of “Removing the Stain of Racism from the SBC.” Mohler contributed a chapter to the book and sat down with his other contributors, most if not all SBTS affiliates, and the compiler of the article, author Kevin Jones. In the panel discussion, Critical Race Theory was mentioned, highlighting the irony that Dr. Mohler had just agreed that Queer Theory being touted by his recent New Testament Instructor and Revoice Founder, Nate Collins, was using in the LGBTQ+ Christianity conference was problematic. Mohler at minute 3 asserted that the SBC was “born in racism and Jim Crow.” He further asserted that the “stain of Racism will never be completely removed from the denomination this side of eternity and therefore we must always work to do what we can to address it.” Mohler continued at minute 5 to say, “racism is a stain we will always be dealing with in the SBC but if handled rightly ….” Here we are given the clear message that this effort to drive the wedge of race will be ongoing in the SBC.

REMOVING THE STAIN AUTHORS TAKE SBC MEN TO RACIST ZIMBABWE

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-132504/Zimbabwe-white-farmers-fight-flee.html.

Near the end of the panel discussion in Dallas on Removing the Stain of Racism there is a discussion about how to start dealing with the stain – the books co- compiler Kevin Jones boast the contribution of new-ager Dallas Willard to his own personal journey and advocates the infusion of, in his view, a racially balanced selection of books into homeschool, Christian School or public schools curriculum. He asserts that other higher educational faculty do the same integration of their “approved” racial reconciliation books. This is no different than what public schools are doing in designing curriculum to “confront white privilege . The panel discussion also revealed that some of its members are working with NAMB to take White pastors to Zimbabwe and use their book Removing the Stain as curriculum for some type of “SBC Spiritual Race Journey “ to free participants of their own stains. All this while the nation of Zimbabwe is undertaking a government appointed landgrab and potential genocide in white farmers in their country President Robert Mugabe demands that 3000 of the nations 4500 white owned farms be given over to black occupation even after 112 years of ownership. It seems

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE

Mohler and Moore are positioning their team to keep their racial spin front and center in the SBC. Fellow Mohler panelist and SBTS guy, Curtis Woods, was selected to serve on the resolutions committee which decides which submissions for official positioning on key current issues will come each year before the Baptist Messengers in the annual Convention meetings. Mohler and Moore appear to have “leveraged their privilege as Curtis suggest to make this strategic placement on the Committee .This is little more than Critical Race Theory and Racial Identity Politics SBTS style but this strategy will keep the racial issues, as Mohler and Moore want then seen, front and center.

KBC’s Woods named to SBC’s Committee on Resolution

Published April 3, 2018

DALLAS—The Kentucky Baptist Convention’s associate director for convention relations, Curtis Woods, has been selected to serve on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Committee on Resolutions during its Annual Meeting in Dallas on June 12-13.

“I am absolutely humbled by the invitation to serve our messengers, and a watching world, on this committee. God has providentially selected a diverse group of thinkers who will help each resolution reflect a clear voice in chaotic times,” Woods said.

Curtis Woods, Associate Executive Director for Convention Relations

“Woods, a contributing author to “Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention,” is a member of Watson Memorial Baptist Church in Louisville.”

NAMB/ ERLC / IMB RACIAL POLITICS AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN SBC MISSIONS?

D.A. Horton, a Hispanic minister in the SBC who works with NAMB and pastors a church in Long Beach, explained in 2016 how the advance of minorities in the SBC was launched through an affirmative action approach.

“Ministry leadership at; the ERLC, NAMB and IMB – Dr. Russell Moore, Kevin Ezell and David Platt have been game changers regarding the rebranding process of the SBC in the eyes of ethnic minorities. Not only have initiatives been created to recruit, train and send qualified minorities on the field for service, key leadership positions with influence and decision-making capacities have been extended to competent and qualified emerging minority leaders.”

The sad reality is that Southern Baptist efforts to deal with the race issue in our culture and in our churches have little to do with reality. The real time progress in racial relations is virtually ignored. The glaring self-exemption among leaders like Albert Mohler and Russell Moore are nauseating and reek of the worst kind of hypocrisy. Young black men in the SBC are being used and exploited to drive, not true reconciliation, but the worst sort of racial division – the sort that profits those who enslave us all in their false narrative. Kingdom goals and Gospel causes are not served in the least, and using white guilt or black anger has zero redemptive drive and will produce no peaceable fruit of righteousness.

MORE OF THE RACIAL RECONCILIATION DRIVE IN THE TGC/ ERLC / SBTS AND PCA .

Here are just a few of the many prongs of the racial division in the TGC ,SBC and PCA circles . It is an honest question to ask where is redemption and forgiveness and unity – in fact where is the Gospel in any of this so-called Gospel Issue movement?

Red Yellow Black or White- just stop when you have had enough:

The TGC / ERLC hard sell – you must buy this book

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433643340/?tag=thegospcoal-20

Race baiting in the Chapel at Covenant College by Jamar Tisby of RAAN/ Witness a Black Christian Collective –“The Long History of Racism in Reformed Theology “

https://www.covenant.edu/calendar/all/2018/10/29-0

The TGC/ ERLC handbook for the Racial Narrative

https://erlc.com/resource-library/book-reviews/book-review-divided-by-faith

TGC celebration of WOKE Church – keeping white privilege on the ropes and checked at the door. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabiti-anyabwile/woke-is/

And the turning point for many Christians who have had enough of the Social Justice narrative in the SBC and PCA came with this horrific Critical Race Theory Extravaganza in Memphis by TGC and ERLC in which Russell Moore accused white Christian in the South of worshipping Jim Crow as Jesus and Thabiti Anyabwile – who still uses his black Muslim identity / name knocked the conversation out of the actual Gospel ball park .

http://mlk50conference.com/ ( warning Sane individuals or people with high blood pressure should not attempt to watch more than one of these videos in a 24 hour period.

Part of ERLCs ongoing legacy from the MLK/50 race-fest was for political operative and former TN Republican Party Executive Directer Brent Leatherwood to announce the establishment of a MLK Scholarship endowed at the announcement with $1,5 million dollars from Lord only knows where . SBTS ,SEBTS TEDS (TGC headquarters) Wheaton are named among the 20 schools participating in the Scholarship . It is fair to say the Dream Forward MLK Scholarship Initiative will serve to honor MLK/ 50 and its sponsors ERLC and TGC more than it will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. http://mlk50conference.com/memphis/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/april/mlk50-christian-schools-memphis-minority-scholarships.html

SBC PAINTING THE TOWN BLACK IN BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA IN 2019

While touting the racial divide the SBC leadership are furthering it, if anyone is paying attention. When we consider that the core message of the Gospel is forgiveness, how can the endless remembrance of past sins – in many cases the sins of fathers or grandfathers over the generations – represent the true Gospel message? When is forgiveness truly embraced and who grants absolution? Only God can forgive sin and transform a human heart. Where is the past sin of Christians deposited? It is cast into the depths of the sea and remembered no more. Micah 7:19.

Birmingham Alabama does not need more of the SBC leadership driving the racial divide in the name of racial reconciliation. All of it in light of TGC and ERLCs midterm rhetoric appears to little more than progressives in the SBC attempting to further their drive to creat a Christian Socila Jutice Voter in our denoiminations. Our painful history does not need to be dredged up and exploited to provide a canvas for Albert Mohler or Russell Moore to spread their politicized racial messages while they sit on theological chairs celebrating the racist heritages of those who endowed them, like the white supremacist, Joseph E Brown.

Birmingham and cities across the nation and the world and the Southern Baptist Convention need the Good News that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto Himself and has committed to us the Ministry of Reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. We have a higher calling and a greater task and need better leadership than those who want to exploit race in the Church for their own gain. Stop the Madness or don’t bring it to our town.

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