Did Jesus reserve his harshest criticism for the religious?
Often we hear like-for-like comparisons made between church leaders and the Pharisees. People might say something such as, ‘Jesus reserved his harshest criticisms for the religious leaders.’ A famous passage where Jesus seemingly does this is Matthew 23:2-4, 17, 27, 33, where he refers to the Pharisees as lazy, hypocritical, whitewashed tombs, snakes vipers, and children of hell. I could give a rundown of the modern-day equivalents of these insults, but I want to keep my job as a pastor. Suffice to say, Jesus hammered the Pharisees with enough invective that we can fairly accurately declare that he didn’t like…
Civil Days and Holy Days: ‘as Western society unravels at the seams, the celebration of days becomes more problematic, and indeed vacuous.’
It just so happens this year (2019) that Easter Sunday and Anzac Day fall near one another – on the 21 April and 25 April respectively. Given that the New Testament does not over-emphasise days (Gal.4:10-11), one is still meant, as an Australian, to appreciate Anzac Day in some kind of civil sense, and as a Christian, to recognise that Jesus Christ defeated death forever on Easter Sunday. However, one cannot help noticing that as Western society unravels at the seams, the celebration of days becomes more problematic, and indeed vacuous. In a secular society, Anzac Day – like Harmony…
China vows to crack down on Christianity and rewrite the New Testament: ‘One more Christian, one less Chinese’
A senior Chinese official who oversees state-sanctioned churches has vowed to purge Christianity in China of any Western “imprint”, calling for further “sinicisation” of the religion. Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), attacked the “Western influence” on Christianity saying, “[We] must recognise that Chinese churches are surnamed ‘China’, not ‘the West.’” “The actions by anti-China forces that attempt to affect our social stability or even subvert the regime of our country are doomed to fail,” Xu told delegates to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in…
Greens push for extreme abortion law reform in South Australia. Let’s push back!
The Australian Family Coalition has warned, the Greens are seeking to push radical new abortion laws through the South Australian Parliament. “These laws are arguably the most extreme in Australia – and amongst the worst in the world,” AFC said. “The Statutes Amendment (Abortion Law Reform) Bill, introduced by Greens MLC Tammy Franks shortly before Christmas, has been spruiked as ‘progressive’ and promoting a ‘healthy choice’ – but the stark reality is otherwise.” AFC went on to warn that if passed, the law would: Allow abortion up to birth, for any reason or none; Permit sex-selective abortions; Remove the need for…
People smugglers preparing for business after Labor and Greens work to weaken border security.
People smugglers are preparing for business again, with a former smuggler saying he’s been asked by his employers to return to Indonesia and begin gathering passengers willing to travel to Australia illegally by boat. It comes after Labor and the Greens passed new laws making it easier for doctors to order medical evacuations of illegals held in offshore processing facilities. Since passing the new medivac legislation last week, up to 300 refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus Island and Nauru have obtained recommendations from doctors to enable them to transfer to Australia. Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs, said: “The Bill…
Epiphany 2019: His great joy will be our strength.
Since 2014 I’ve been committed to considering what different things God might have to say at the close of Christmas. Traditionally this is Epiphany, the 6th January, marking the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Magi from the East (Persia), following the star (likely to be the well-timed rare alignment of three planets in our Sol system; a Nova or Super Nova) find confirmation of Micah 5:2: “but you, O Bethlehem who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin…
Children’s library introducing young kids to LGBTT2SQQIAA pride.
UPDATE: Library coordinator has since apologised for displaying this book in the Junior Area and acknowledged the book was incorrectly labeled as a Junior item and should not have been displayed in the children’s area. The library have corrected the labeling of all copies of the book to ensure the book is located in the Adult Non-Fiction section in future. Queensland’s North Lakes Library attracted numerous children during the holidays. The library hosted a variety of events over the Christmas period specifically targeting youngsters. During this time, the library thought it would be a good opportunity to promote LGBTQ Pride to…
WATCH: Vietnamese shopkeepers fight off African gang in Melbourne
Remember when you were a child and your parents would let you run to the local store, take your dog for a walk, or ride your bike around the streets with your friends? Would you let your children do the same now? Another violent brawl involving a gang of African men has been filmed by terrified onlookers in Melbourne. The incident, which took place on Christmas Eve, allegedly began when the gang asked a group of Vietnamese men for cigarettes. When the men refused to hand over the cigarettes, they were violently attacked. WATCH: African Gang Attacks Vietnamese Food Patrons.(St…
Queen Elizabeth Says, Jesus Is “Never Out of Date,” His Message Is “Needed as Much as Ever”
The Queen has delivered her 2018 Christmas Message to the Commonwealth, saying Jesus Christ and his message is still relevant today and needed as much as ever. “The Christmas story retains its appeal, since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. Instead, it’s about the birth of a child and the hope, that birth 2,000 years ago, brought to the world. “Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born, now billions follow him. I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by…
What if Mary gave birth to Jesus in, politically correct, abortion-obsessed, the-future-is-female, 2018?
Here’s how a committee meeting between Herod and his advisers might sound, if such a meeting were to take place in a Western context today. “This baby! This Jesus, his mother and father, is a threat to us! Committee members, you are asked to agree with Herod’s call for the genocide of all new born male Hebrew children. For by this child’s very existence, all the power structures that surround him stand unprotected. This so-called, “Prince of peace”, is a threat to safe spaces, our glorious goal of perpetual revolution and the power of its leaders.” “This child’s birth is…
“I’m an atheist, and I believe Australia needs to be re-evangelised.”
I experienced a variety of feelings at one of the first live events I organised as an independent activist, one I hosted with Mark Latham in the middle of 2017, when a gentleman stood up during the Q&A portion of the evening and said for everyone’s information, “My name’s Chris, I’m an atheist, and I believe Australia needs to be re-evangelised.” On one hand you could have knocked me over with a feather, often being more familiar with irrational aggression from atheists than affection. On the other hand, he was substantiating a belief I’ve long held that the real world…
Santa recruiter sacked after suggesting he wouldn’t hire a woman to play Santa Claus.
New Zealand is fast becoming one of the most “progressive” left-wing nations in the world, particularly when it comes to LGBTQI and gender related issues. Their most recent pursuit revolves around the white-bearded, red-suited, plump and jolly old man, who in modern folklore delivers presents to children at Christmas time. That’s right, even a fictional character invented to bring joy to children around the globe has been deemed “offensive” in New Zealand. The Farmers Santa Parade marks the start of the Christmas season and has brought joy to the children of Auckland for eighty four years. For the last five years,…
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer accused of being homophobic, transphobic, racist, misogynistic bigotry, which depicts bullying and verbal abuse.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Rudolph the Marginalized Reindeer? The 1964 children’s Christmas classic is “seriously problematic,” according to HuffPost. A video posted on Twitter claims, viewers are noticing the tale may not be so jolly after all. Two random individuals are then quoted, with blue verification check marks, although the first account is not currently verified, and the second, doesn’t exist. “Yearly reminder that Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is a parable on racism and homophobia with Santa as a bigoted exploitative pr-ck,” the first tweet read. “Santa’s operation is a HR nightmare and in serious need of diversity…
WATCH: Organisations are teaching migrants to lie to border police and pretend to be persecuted Christians.
Lauren Southern’s team have gone undercover and exposed the director of a major Non-Governmental Organisation in Europe which is teaching migrants to lie to border police by pretending to be persecuted Christians. Director of a major NGO in Europe tells our undercover team how she teaches migrants to lie & pretend to be persecuted Christians to border police. Last year they worked w/ 15,000 migrants. The UN has responded to our investigation calling it 'alarming' – https://t.co/O88y5BiuPD pic.twitter.com/uzj5INVdam — Lauren Southern (@Lauren_Southern) November 12, 2018 Ariel Ricker, Advocates Abroad: “I tell them that this is acting, all of this is…
Should churches be taxed?
There are some strange things that people believe. Some people think the Apollo space craft never landed on the moon, others that the world is flat, and still others that all religions are the same. It seems that we are inclined to believe things that go against reason. One of the many myths Aussies believe is that churches do not pay tax. However, churches do pay tax, because everyone in church who makes an income pays tax on that income. They pay income tax, GST, various council fees and taxes, and many other taxes that we all have to sacrifice…
Aboriginal woman pens powerful letter to divisive Australians
Jacinta Price has shared a remarkable letter she received from “a true survivour and the kind of Aboriginal woman our leaders need to listen to, especially Greens Leader Di Natale.” I want to share this letter sent to me by a woman I regard as a sister. She is a true survivor and the kind of Aboriginal woman our leaders need to listen to, especially Greens Leader Di Natale!! Hear her words and please share her story! – I’ve spent an hour trying to figure out how to start this letter and there’s no easy or good way to…
Hilarious: Tucker Carlson’s #100RacistThings
Tucker Carlson presents: 100 Racist Things! In these dangerous political times, it’s important you know what is and is not racist. So, here’s a list! 1. Tamarisk trees in Palm Springs, California. https://t.co/a8Tih2Fmen — Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) December 22, 2017
Grown ups believe in Santa too, they just call him by a different name
The idea of a big, benevolent man in red, distributing gifts to all free of charge, is not limited to the imaginative minds of children. This is a fantasy held by many adults too. Only, they don’t refer to him as Santa Claus, but the Government – and Ron Paul is Ebeneezer Scrooge. In a Christmas post on Facebook, Paul shared a pictured that said, “Before you make fun of children for believing in [Santa], remember there are adults who believe in benevolent governments.” The former presidential candidate went on to say, “Government is not Mother Teresa. It’s not ‘caring,’ or…
The West is doomed: “My dog is just as important as your kid”
Last year News.com.au posted an absurd article titled, My dog is just as important as your kid. The piece contains some real zingers, like: If there was a fire and I had to choose between saving my dog or your son, I’d save my dog. I’ve had people tsk-tsk me, giving me crap for paying for doggie daycare one day a week… So why the hell are dog owners treated like second-rate citizens in this so-called pet-loving country of ours? Our puppers aren’t allowed in so many places, like on public transport, even though the ratio of well-behaved and clean dogs to…
For we are dumb and policed
“For we are Young and Free.” What a lovely line. I think of swimming at the beach, a cheering crowd at a concert, a happy family eating Christmas lunch. Or we might think of the freedom to live where we want, to study what we want, to work where we want, and to buy what we want. Below these delightful tip-of-the-iceberg freedoms, lie the four foundational freedoms of conscience, assembly, religion, and expression. Freedom of conscience is your freedom not to be coerced to act against your convictions about what is good and what is evil. Mel Gibson’s 2016 movie Hacksaw Ridge, for…
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