My hypocrisy only goes so far.

Thursday, President Obama called for a return to the 1967 boundary lines with regard to a solution to the friction between Israel & the Palestinians.

Friday, KISS's Gene Simmons (born Chaim Witz in Israel) responded to the man he voted for, criticizing his suggestion. Check out this video clip where Simmons also addresses the moon, the UN, insects, and the death penalty [questionable language has been bleeped].


Let me just say, in general, I think it's hypocritical for the US to champion the idea of independence given our own history of denying that type of endeavor (e.g., the Civil War).

Don't compromise. Compromise is a language of the devil. Run in God's name and let the world stand back and in wonder.

Today marks the 150th anniversary of Captain George S. James sending the first mortar round through the air at Fort Sumter (SC). It was April 12, 1861. The Civil War was begun.

Abraham Lincoln was a polarizing figure, to say the least. On his agenda was dealing with a issue for which there really was no satisfactory compromise--slavery.

Were black folks afforded the same unalienable rights by the Creator?

I wonder how we'd feel about a president who split the nation and effected the death of more than 600,000 Americans if it happened today. What issues are worth that much bloodshed? Was the liberation of the slaves worth the price?

Suppose feelings about abortion were apportioned along geographical lines. How would we feel about a president whose conviction that pre-born babies are endowed by the Creator with the same unalienable rights as others moved him to drastic measures? Suppose the effects of that conviction led to a civil war and great bloodshed. Would their liberation be worth the price?

History has been kind to Lincoln, though it helps that his side was militarily successful. But, how would Americans 150 years later regard a president in our day who forced the issue on an issue for which there is no satisfactory compromise?

I honestly anticipate generations after us will see us as barbaric in our national lack of regard for the rights of those without a voice in our society, much as we view the proponents of slavery today.

You're killin' me, Smalls!

If I was before a congressional sports tribunal, I would repeatedly assert that, "I'm not here to talk about the present." This NFL season was over before it warmed up.

However, I am here to talk about the past, the NFL past. In particular, I can't hold my tongue after watching the NFL Network's Top 100 NFL players of all time.

The Top 10:
10. Dick Butkus, LB
9. Don Hutson, WR
8. Peyton Manning, QB
7. Reggie White, DE
6. Johnny Unitas, QB
5. Walter Payton, RB
4. Joe Montana, QB
3. Lawrence Taylor, LB
2. Jim Brown, RB
1. Jerry Rice, WR

Up front, I'm a Cowboys fan, but I found the list to be rather biased in an anti-Cowboys fashion.

The top Cowboy? Bob Lilly at #26. Emmitt Smith at #28.

Jerry Rice at #1?! Really? I'm not gonna argue that Emmitt should be in the top 10, but I will argue that if Rice is #1, then clearly Emmitt should be in the top 10.

Rice: Most receiving records ... over 18 years. Not a big surprise there. Emmit: Most rushing records ... over 14 years.

Rice & Emmitt ... both 3 Superbowl rings and both one Superbowl MVP. Emmitt: 1 NFL MVP. Rice: Zero. (Manning 4, and many others 3)

Yeah, but Emmitt had that great line! But, didn't Rice have some pretty decent QBs (namely, Hall of Famers Montana & Young)?

I'm not saying Emmitt should be #1, but #28? It seems to me that the criteria used to elevate Rice would naturally secure a high ranking for Emmitt, but clearly that wasn't the case.

Much of the top 10 didn't bother me, but that seemed a strange #1. Jim Brown would be my #1.

Anyone else feelin' me on Rice at #1?

FYI: Cowboys in the Top 100:
#26 Bob Lilly
#28 Emmitt Smith
#46 Roger Staubach
#62 Randy White
#77 Tony Dorsett
#80 Troy Aikman
#92 Michael Irvin
#95 Larry Allen

I won't say a hero, 'cause, what's a hero? But sometimes, there's a man. Sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place.

30 years ago today, this country made one of its greatest decisions ever, electing Ronald Wilson Reagan to be president of the United States of America.

Those who really lived through it know you'd be hard-pressed to come up with a president better suited for that era and the challenges specific to it.

I have a feeling President Reagan's closing remarks in the presidential debate with Carter will be useful in 2012:

"Are you better off now than you were four years ago? Is it easier for you to go and buy things in the stores than it was four years ago? Is there more or less unemployment in the country than there was four years ago? Is America as respected throughout the world as it was? Do you feel that our security is as safe, that we're as strong as we were four years ago? And if you answer all of those questions yes, why then, I think your choice is very obvious as to whom you will vote for. If you don't agree, if you don't think that this course that we've been on for the last four years is what you would like to see us follow for the next four, then I could suggest another choice that you have."

Among other things (e.g., economic recovery, strengthening of military, restoring respectability internationally, etc.), President Reagan appointed the first woman to the Supreme Court, despite claims by the other party to the pro-woman party.

Of course, he was known as the "Great Communicator," so I leave you with a few of his quotes.

• "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his."
• [to Carter] "There you go again."
• [about Mondale] "I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience."
• "Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives."
• "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."
• "Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets."
• "But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified 'Top Secret.'"
• "We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added."
• "The problem is not that people are taxed too little; the problem is that government spends too much."
• "The most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"
• "Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
• "Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15."
• "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
• "If we ever forget that we are 'One Nation Under God,' then we will be a nation gone under."

You make me want to be a better man.

Happy Reformation Day!

Critical of church corruption, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, sparking the world changing phenomenon known as the Protestant Reformation.

My heart today is expressed in a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (1662):

"And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen."

Thanks be to God for the Reformers, because of whom we are able to have and read the Scriptures in our own languages. May we appreciate and emulate their courage and passion for proclaiming the God of the Scriptures.

We who have seen war, will never stop seeing it. In the silence of the night, we will always hear the screams.

Last Memorial Day I got this in an email from my mom: "Memorial Day needs to be changed to War Movies Day."

They, particularly my dad, had been watching war movies all day.

So, I've been sitting on this post for about a year. Some suggestions for your viewing pleasure this weekend ...

Gunny's 10 Favorite War Movies:

1. Sergeant York - Perhaps my favorite movie of all time because it moves you to think about issues of faith & war and "the using kind of religion."
2. Patton - George C. Scott is outstanding and the opening speech for the 3rd Army is money. If nothing else, you must watch his opening monologue.
   
3. Glory - It sends a powerful and thought-provoking message about the Civil War and war in general.
   
4. Apocalypse Now - The first time I saw it I found it just bizarre, but I have grown to really appreciate the movie. Of course, the acting is top notch.
5. We Were Soldiers - Perhaps I'm biased because my dad knows LTC Moore, but I thought this was one of the Vietnam movies that didn't come off as somewhat anti-soldier, as many anti-war Vietnam movies do. This is an inspiring story about facing insurmountable odds and the value of courageous leadership.
6. Full Metal Jacket - The greatness of the movie actually happens prior to Private Joker actually arriving in Vietnam. You can't beat R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, your senior drill instructor.
7. Schindler's List - Though not laden with a lot of warfare, in the midst of war you learn about good & bad in humanity in this stirring film.
8. Platoon - This was the first Vietnam War movie I remember seeing and the soundtrack was memorable as well.
9. Braveheart - It's so quotable and stirring, particularly the motivating Mel Gibson. You'll never take away his freedom.
   
10. Saving Private Ryan - Though I don't think it's the best World War II movie ever made, it would be hard to find one made better, particularly the battle scenes.

Honorable Mention: Das Boot, Guns of Navarone, Tora, Tora, Tora, Escape to Victory, and The Longest Day.

Miss any?

UPDATE: The following are some greatly appreciated suggestions received in the comments.

• Hamburger Hill
• Taking Chance
• Band of Brothers (mini-series)
• Seven Samurai (though not an American war)
• Flags of Our Fathers
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• The Patriot
• Tears of the Sun
• The Bridge On the River Kwai
• Paths of Glory
• Gods and Generals
• The Boys in Company C
• The Lost Battalion
• Bravo Two Zero
  
• The Deer Hunter
• The Great Escape
• Midway
• U-571
• The Dirty Dozen
• Hart's War
• Basic
• Memphis Belle
• Bat*21
  

I'm ready to know what the people know, ask them my questions and get some answers. What's a fire and why does it ... what's the word? BURN!!!

10 years ago today 12 Aggies lost their lives in the collapse of Bonfire, arguably the greatest college tradition of all time.

I gotta say, I do miss "Bonfar," for the term conjures up for me some of the most miserable and some of the most enjoyable moments of my college days ... nay, of my life.

I fondly remember the way everyone seemed to rally around the fallen Aggies through Texas, even those whose horns needed sawing off.

I appreciate the memorial erected on the campus in their honor, but I hope someday there will be another bonfire at Texas A&M in their honor, to signify student dedication to the school and our burning desire to BTHO t.u.

As we learned as fish in the Corps of Cadets:

"Before the football game with t.u. each year, Aggies gather wood and timber to build a huge Bonfire which symbolizes the burning desire to beat the HELL outta t.u., and the undying spirit that all Aggies have for Texas A&M."

That burning desire has never wavered, but I hope one day to take my kids to experience its expression through the biggest intentional fire on the planet.

Well, you just told me that I had a plethora, and I would just like to know if you know what it means to have a plethora.

In honor of the upcoming Reformation Day on Saturday, a plethora of Reformation Day (October 31, 1517) links for your reading pleasure.

Read the lyrics of the Reformation Polka.



Read James Galyon's overview of Luther & the Reformation's birth.

Read Martin Luther's 95 Theses.

Read about the 5 Solas per James Montgomery Boice.

Read Gunny's thoughts on Sola Scriptura.

Read Reepicheep's piece about the biography of Luther leading up to and including his conversion.

Watch a video of D. James Kennedy explaining the significance of Reformation Day. (HT James Galyon)

Read a short selection from Roland Bainton's Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

Read some insight into the relationship between Martin Luther and his beloved Katie.

Read Erasmus' In Praise of Folly.

Read Gunny's thoughts on pre-Reformer John Huss.

Read Luther's thoughts on lazy pastors.

Read Luther's thoughts on God's punishment.

Check out John Piper's notes & audio of his biography of Martin Luther.

Read Gunny's reflections on the life of John Calvin.

Check out Tim Challies' 2008 collection of Reformation Day items.

Check out some Reformation Art.

Read Luther's explanation of his seal/rose.

Read Gunny's suggested acrostic to replace TULIP as the expression of Reformed soteriology.

Read Tom Ascol's thoughts on John Calvin and how his readers celebrated Calvin's 500th birthday.

Other suggestions?

"Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty."
- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, I.1.3

The devil always shaves his head.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Manson "family" murders, including 8 months pregnant Sharon Tate.

It occurred to me that it's likely quite a few may be unfamiliar with Vincent Bugliosi's book Helter Skelter or the movie of the same name. You're probably fortunate, for Steve Railsback's portrayal of Charles Manson still gives me the heebie geebies.

Included, for educational purposes only, is a current picture of Charlie, at age 74. (HT Lance)

He's been denied parole 11 times, but is eligible again in 2012.

Read Friday's story about Susan Atkins (aka Sadie Mae Gluts) having brain cancer and desiring to be released after nearly 40 years of a 7 years to life sentence, which she received after California did away with the death penalty shortly after the family was so sentenced.

Atkins held Sharon Tate while she was stabbed 16 times.

"She asked me to let her baby live," Atkins said. " I told her I didn't have mercy for her."

Reportedly, Atkins, like other "family" members have experienced the mercy of God through the cross of Christ. I hope so and I know that He is mighty to save.

But, should she be paroled? She's reportedly no longer a threat to society and her advocates say she's a drain on the economy of California. (Last year she cost the state$865,000 in medical expenses.)

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, the Manson family member notorious for trying to kill President Ford, is being paroled on August 16th, after 34 years of her life sentence, at age 60.

Will she be the first in a trend? Should any of them be paroled?

And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.

In 1945, why did the US drop atomic bombs on Japan?

[Hiroshima (August 6th) and Nagasaki (August 9th) on August 6th and 9th, killing approximately 140,000 and 39,000 respectively]

The Battle of Okinawa earlier that summer resulted in the loss of over 85,000 US military lives and over 140,000 Japanese lives. Approximately a quarter of the Japanese civilian population died resisting US invasion.

July 29, 1945 Japan rejected terms of surrender known as the Potsdam Declaration, which included Truman's ultimatum: "Surrender or suffer prompt and utter destruction."

Invasion of Japan to bring about surrender was daunting and would be costly to say the least, expected to last at least until 1947. Approximately 500,000 Purple Heart medals were made in anticipation of invasion of Japan.

However, with the hastened Japanese surrender, the vast majority of those medals were not needed. In fact, as of 2003 there were still some 120,000 of those WWII Purple Hearts on hand, despite the conflicts the 60+ years that followed (including the Korean and Vietnam Wars).

That gives you some idea of the anticipated carnage (on both sides) that was avoided by the dropping of the two atomic bombs. Could it be that such a grotesque weapon actually saves lives ? (cf. the Cold War)

Do you want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down for you.

Watching the Cardinals & the disAstros reminded me that 40 years ago humans walked on the moon. Thanks to Lance for reminding me of my favorite Brian Regan bit.


This was/is glorious AND so true! What if the lunar landing happened today, rather than in 1969? What would the media coverage look like?

They think he's a righteous dude.

John Calvin (i.e., Jean Cauvin) was born 10 July 1509.

If not for sin, he would have celebrated his 500th birthday today. Of course, if not for sin, we would have never had his great teaching concerning justification by faith alone.

If you've never read his Institutes of the Christian Religion, you might be surprised to know that's not some polemic for T.U.L.I.P., but a very nice treatment of Christianity in general. In it's beginning we learn that "the sum of human wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves."

That's always stuck with me. The more I know of the holiness of God, the more I know of my need and dependence on a gracious God who is at the same time forgiving and sin avenging.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Frenchie.


P.S. Check out Ligonier Ministries' special today only: Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology for a donation of any amount. This one day offer can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-435-4343.

The book is a collection of authors (e.g., Jerry Bridges, John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson, Jay Adams, and Tom Ascol) writing about Calvin's life & theology. John Piper has high praise for the authors: "To my knowledge, there never has been a collection of authors of any edited volume under whose ministry I would rather sit than these."

Sorry, Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.

In keeping with my Bohemian heritage and Reformation Day, I thought I'd highlight one of the lesser known figures, the pre-Reformer John Huss (also spelled Jan or Johannes Hus).

Huss was from Bohemia (now part of the "Czech Republic) and was the master of the University of Prague. He preached in the language of the people (not Latin) at Bethlehem Chapel, at a time when possession of a non-Latin Bible was punishable by death.

His theological views and criticisms of the church were heavily influenced by John Wycliffe, the English pre-Reformer.

Huss (whose name means "goose" in Czech) was among the first to buzz the tower and draw the ire of the church.

He opposed the corruption in the church and was on the "wrong side" with regard to accessibility to the Bible, authority of the pope, and issues of salvation. He spoke against simony (the purchase of church offices) and indulgences (the purchase of forgiveness).

Huss was excommunicated for siding with Pope Alexander (as did the people of Bohemia) instead of the Pope who succeed him (and may have murdered him) and for failure to comply with the order to ban and burn all the works of Wycliffe, and failure to stop preaching. Part of that papal bull of excommunication forbade anyone to give Huss food, drink, salutation, discourse, purchase, sale, or hospitality.

Huss was undaunted:

Huss reminds his friends that Christ himself was excommunicated as a malefactor and crucified. No help was to be derived from the saints. Christ’s example and his salvation are the sufficient sources of consolation and courage. The high priests, scribes, Pharisees, Herod and Pilate condemned the Truth and gave him over to death, but he rose from the tomb and gave in his stead twelve other preachers. So he would do again. What fear, he wrote, "shall part us from God, or what death? What shall we lose if for His sake we forfeit wealth, friends, the world’s honors and our poor life?... It is better to die well than to live badly. We dare not sin to avoid the punishment of death. To end in grace the present life is to be banished from misery. Truth is the last conqueror. He wins who is slain, for no adversity "hurts him if no iniquity has dominion over him." In this strain he wrote again and again. The "bolts of anti-christ," he said, could not terrify him, and should not terrify the "elect of Prag."
-Phillip Scaff, History of the Christian Church, §45.

Even though the Council of Constance had condemned Wycliffe and ordered his writings burned and his bones exhumed, burned, and sprinkled in the river, Huss did not distance himself from Wycliffe.

"I indeed confess that I hold the true opinions propounded by Master John Wycliffe, professor of sacred theology, not because he taught them but because the Scriptures taught them."
-Matthew Spinka, John Hus at the Council of Constance (New York: Columbia University Press, 1965), pp. 69-70.

In the face of trumped up charges and imminent death, Huss was able to express joy to Christ while being burned at the stake as a heretic in 1415. As Huss stood before the stake he reportedly said, "In the truth of the Gospel which I have written, taught, and preached, I die willingly and joyfully today."

584 years after Huss experienced a humiliating and cruel death, Pope John Paul II apologized to the Czech people on December 17th, 1999.

"Today, on the eve of the Great Jubilee, I feel the need to express deep regret for the cruel death inflicted on Jan Hus and for the consequent wound of conflict and division which was thus imposed on the minds and hearts of the Bohemian people."
-The Vatican Information Service (VIS)

Incidentally, Huss proved to be a prophet at his execution when he said, "You are roasting a poor Bohemian goose, but in 100 years there will arise a swan whom you will neither roast nor boil."

I don't know if any would refer to him as a swan, for Pope Leo called Martin Luther a "wild boar" (i.e., pig) in his papal bull of excommunication, Exsurge Domine. ("Rise up, O Lord, for there is a wild boar loose in your vineyard.")

I have every confidence that this "pig" would find kinship with "the goose" and wouldn't hesitate to say, "Ich bin ein Hussite."

"A cantionale, dating from 1572, and preserved in the Prag library, contains a hymn to Huss’ memory and three medallions which well set forth the relation in which Wyclif and Huss stand to the Reformation. The first represents Wyclif striking sparks from a stone. Below it is Huss, kindling a fire from the sparks. In the third medallion, Luther is holding aloft the flaming torch."
-Phillip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, §45.

On the 490th anniversary of Luther's nailing of the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenburg, we also celebrate John Huss, an early advocate of sola Scriptura, who was willing to die a martyr's death for the One who had died for him.