2008 Issue 2
A gigantic effort is underway today to convince the evangelical citizenry of the United States of America that the political state of Israel rightfully owns in perpetuity the so-called "Holy Land" at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea by virtue of God's bequeathing it to Abraham and his descendants in the Old Testament. This effort is being made not so much today by the secular leadership of the state of Israel as by self-acclaimed Christian scholars and televangelists who claim to speak for over seventy million evangelical Christians. These men, including Assemblies of God preacher and televangelist John Hagee, founder and pastor of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas; Kenneth Copeland, televangelist; Paul and Matt Crouch of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN); Jack Hayford, founder and pastor of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, and president of the Foursquare Gospel Church; Benny Hinn, pastor of the yet-to-be-built World Healing Center in Dallas, Texas; Rod Parsley, pastor of the World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio; Pat Robertson, founder and chief executive officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and the Bible teacher on the 700 Club;4 and Jerry Falwell, founder and pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church and founder of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, are all purveyors of that system of hermeneutics known as Dispensationalism.
Any culture at war with God is at war with man, because man images God. To hate God is to love death. As our culture's affinity for abortion demonstrates, we live in a culture of death. Man is the likeness of God (although sin has heavily distorted that likeness), and anyone who suppresses that truth distorts, murders, and deceives. This confusion coupled with anemic preaching on this doctrine has created anemic Christians, ill-equipped to combat this culture of death.
The purpose of this paper is not to outline fully the effects of a skewed understanding of man's origin, nor is it to "break new ground" on the biblical understanding of man as God's image-bearer. Instead, we will review the biblical treatment of man bearing the image of God in every facet, the Creator God who defines and determines all in all.
Although he "went forward" to receive Christ only a month ago, Bob, who recently ended his NFL career, has just informed his discipleship group that he is called to the ministry. In fact, next week he will be teaming up with a businessman who has also decided that he is called to the ministry. Together, they will form a sports evangelism team.
A familiar story for those of us raised in evangelical circles, this fictional account illustrates the practical importance of the question, "What is ministry?"
Dinesh D'Souza, born in India and educated in America, is a former White House domestic policy analyst and is currently the Rishwain Research Scholar at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of a number of books, The End of Racism among them. His most recent book is What Is So Great about Christianity.
Book jacket comments include the following: "Is Christianity believable in the face of the discoveries of modern science and modern scholarship? The answer is a resounding 'yes'. More than a decisive refutation of atheistic attacks, it is a powerful, affirming, genuinely exciting argument for Christianity. "
Grandparents are seasoned treats that widen smiles on tender faces. "Father, thank you for this food, A-men," I prayed, enclosing my Grandson's tiny hands in mine.
"Keylor, God made these green peas for you," I said, popping the lid open on the baby food jar, and touching a spoon full of peas to his tender lips. He knew it was not fruit, but he swallowed it anyway."
I think it makes sense mint jelly goes with lamb-it means the Passover meal had the clean taste of forgiveness. Now the Preacher breaks the bread and takes the wine in his hand. It took me years to believe; still I barely understand-how Christ makes an appearance. Some things are hard to forget, some to remember.
