This just in from National Right to Life

The House adopted the NRLC-backed Stupak-Pitts Amendment, 240-194. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment removed two major pro-abortion components from H.R. 3962. Specifically: (1) the amendment would permanently prohibit the new federal government insurance program, the "public option," from paying for abortion, except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest; and (2) the amendment would permanently prohibit the use of the new federal premium subsidies ("affordability credits") to purchase private insurance plans that cover abortion (except to save the life of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest). The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mi.) and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.). It was supported by 176 Republicans and 64 Democrats. It was opposed by 194 Democrats. One Republican withheld his support by voting "present."


I am somewhat happy about this vote, but...what this means, if the public (statist) option goes through, is that many women may claim rape or incest in order to get federal funds. When the civil government promises to pay, many people lie to get it. Consider all the Medicare fraud going on! That means pro-life people will be paying for abortion that they do not agree with.


In fact, I do not think rape or incest justifies abortion, since a human being has been conceived, however wrongfully. You don't solve one problem (illicit, immoral intercourse) by another one (aborting an innocent human being made in God's image). I do not want my money going to pay for these abortions.

Pro-life people have some hard days ahead. It will be worse for the unborn.

Groothuis Talk at Auraria Campus, November 16 at 11:45 AM

"Collision" DVD Review

"Collision" recounts several debates between atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian pastor Douglas Wilson.

This production suffers from all the worst of the postmodern sensibility and aesthetic. While billed as a "debate," there is no linear presentation of ideas in a classic debate forum. Rather, the video jumps from one setting to another. Now it's a TV exchange; then it's a debate at a seminary; next they are in a bar. I lost track of how many settings there were. It is maddening to anyone trained in linear logical thinking and analysis. All the actual arguments between the two men are clipped and lack sufficient context. Moreover, the camera angles, set conditions, and lighting are deeply annoying. There are strange high-glare closeups, jiggling cameras, as well noisy backgrounds. It is unnerving. Call it videographic ADHD.

Despite all this unnecessary clutter and chaos, a few arguments stand out. For example, Wilson claims that Hitchens has no philosophical grounding for his moral pronouncements, and Hitchens admits as much while denying God as a foundation for morality. Those trained in apologetics, will note that Wilson uses the Van Tillian presuppositional method (with some help from C.S. Lewis on objective moral law). This approach, while helpful for critiquing non-Christian worldviews, has deep limitations in apologetics, since it can marshal no genuine constructive arguments based on natural theology, science, and history. At several points, Wilson seems to concede that he and Hitchens inhabit different thought worlds entirely. If so, how can you build a logical or evidential bridge with the unbeliever? The cumulative case approach--used by William Craig, J.P. Moreland, Douglas Geivett, (if I may) myself, and many others--is the far better method. See Craig's debate with Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, God: A Debate Between a Christian and an Atheist (Oxford, 2003).

Unlike Hitchens, Wilson is not that articulate. However, he is knowledgeable, civil, courageous, and funny at times. He reduces Hitchens worldview to this at the end: "There is no God: s--t happens." We need more Christians, who, like Wilson, are willing to engage in meaningful debates with unbelievers. However, we need less DVDS in which the original debate form is debauched through the insane postmodern insistence on fragmentation and incoherence.

On Not Speaking Truth to Power

Obama refuses to meet with the Dali Lama and figures opposed to tyranny. This is typical of the hard left. They refuse to support those who speak truth to tyrannical power; instead they curry favor from the powerful, as long as they are hostile to the West. This is unjust, perverse, and ungodly in the extreme. Wake up, America. Your president is a no friend of freedom, democracy, or "hope."

Beyond the shiny spectacle of this "historic" president is an empty suit, political mantras (meaningless), a magic teleprompter, and a man who is putting America and its deepest ideals at risk for the sake of his neo-Marxist ideology.

Truth: Act!

Tax money for abortion: Refuse it!

Whence Mind? No Matter!

In a recent issue of The Philosophers Magazine, atheist philosopher Raymond Tallis admits that Darwinism cannot explain the human mind. Of course, Christianity can.

#$%^*(_*)_

I posted one obscenity (from a Darwinist) for illustrative purposes. No more will be published.

Defining Terrorism Down

The mainstream press and Obama are very reluctant to admit that the homicidal rampage of a Muslim psychiatrist and General were the result of Islamic terrorism, although the evidence is mounting. Call it defining terrorism down. CAIR and their cronies (the political left) will chalk it up to mental illness or somehow blame the US armed forces. As a good friend of mine from Africa has been saying for yours, "Political correctness is killing your country." This is literally true.

Spiritual Warfare: The Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness

My sermon on Ephesians 6:14 is available at the Wellspring Church web page. It was given on 10-11-09. Scroll down to find it. I can send you sermon notes if you'd like.

Another Obama-nation

Obama Manufacturing Czar agrees with Mao's power politics. Mao Tse Tung was the greatest murderer of the 20th century. My God, what is happening to my country, its Constitution, and its heritage?!

Rule: Publication of the Civil

There is some new activity on this blog in light of comments about and participation in the recent conference on Darwinism and ID. As is typical, Darwinists insult, condescend, and label anyone who disagrees as an ignoramus. The policy of this blog is to not post insults and invective. If you have an argument, make it without assassinating any one's character. For some strange reason, Darwinists usually have difficulty doing this. Richard Dawkins is the poster boy on this, and serves as a model for many. I know from long experience.

Fear it. Oppose it.

"The Worst Bill Ever": Obama/Pelosi takeover of American medicine.

"Live and Love as We Like"--Sounds like a 1960s Pop Song

Read Albert Mohler on Obama's sexual relativism and endorsement of the homosexual lobby's Trojan Horse on "hate crimes."

Twitter Query

How do people--I mean non-celebrities--get these huge numbers of Twitter followers? I only have about 140.

Pot Shots, Cheap Shots, and More!

Here is some classic cant against ID. Count the logical fallacies, although it may get tiring.

Berklinski on Darwinism (thanks to Sarah Geis)

"'Swimming in the soundless sea, the shark has survived for millions of years, sleek as a knife blade and twice as dull. The shark is an organism wonderfully adapted to its environment.' Pause. And then the bright brittle voice of logical folly intrudes: 'after all, it has survived for millions of years.' This exchange should be deeply embarrassing to evolutionary biologists. And yet, time and time again, biologists do explain the survival of an organism by reference to its fitness and the fitness of an organism by reference it its survival, the friction between concepts kindling nothing more illuminating than the observation that some creatures have been around for a very long time." - excerpt from pp 43-44 of The Deniable Darwin by David Berlinski

The Legacy of Darwin and Intelligent Design

I attended and participated in this conference in Castle Rock, CO, last night and today. It was superb--a world-class conference in every way.

Steve Meyer present the essence of his information argument the first night, covering a huge range of material in an approachable, but challenging way. He thus outlined the major argument of his magisterial work, Signature in the Cell. (Amazingly, we had met in 1986 in Dallas. I forgot; he remembered!) On Saturday morning, Michael Behe winsomely explained the nature of ID and illustrated it with material from Darwin's Back Box and (to a lesser degree) The Edge of Evolution. Then Steve Meyer interviewed the inimitable David Berlinski on Berlinski's life and his take on Darwinism. (I was able to give Dr. Berlinski a copy of my book, On Pascal.) John West gave a stellar presentation on the social and political implications of Darwinism. The conference ended with a panel discussion moderated by Craig Smith that included myself (the minor leaguer), Mike Behe, Steve Meyer, and John West. We discussed how to take the ID message to "the next generation."

Despite the attacks on the web page and the attempts to jam their phone lines, the conference was very well attended. The Douglas County Events Center was perhaps 70% filled, not counting the bleachers. There were perhaps 1000 people. I was heartened to see many Denver Seminary students. Many books and DVDs were available and seemed to be selling well.

I encourage you all to visit Shepherd Project web page (when it is de-hacked) and pick up these DVDs or audio files. All the presenters did an excellent job. I was honored to play a small part in this and to get to hang out with these folks for two meals and some other informal time. It was a near-heaven experience for me.

Attend, Learn--Despite the Attacks

Atheists have disabled the web page for the ID conference in Castle Rock this weekend. They are also calling the 800 number and trying to tie up the lines so others cannot get through. This is really ugly. I am re-posting the information on this event info below. They will take people at the door, but get there early. Despite the opposition, several hundred have already signed up. If so inclined, pray for the vicious souls doing this and for the success of the event itself.

Colorado-Based Shepherd Project Ministries Announces the Legacy of Darwin Intelligent Design Conference for Oct. 30-31, 2009.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his culture-shaking book, The Origin of Species. What has been the impact of a century and a half of the theory of naturalistic evolution dominating our universities and secondary education systems? As even secular researchers have discovered, the answer is frightening. Recent films like Ben Stein’s Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed have contributed to a growing awareness in the non-Christian world that the implications of embracing naturalistic evolution as a culture have been destructive and far-reaching.

On October 30-31 at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock, CO, Shepherd Project Ministries will offer a revolutionary conference featuring scientists, researchers and speakers from the Discovery Institute. The conference will explore the cultural impact of Darwinism and the ground-breaking new evidence for Intelligent Design that is changing the shape of this crucial conversation today.

With presentations by some of the world's foremost Intelligent Design experts, this conference will equip Christians to understand the key issues and be able to speak effectively into a culture that is foundering in the sea of meaninglessness that is Darwin's most lasting legacy.

The world-class line-up of presenters includes Dr. Stephen Meyer (author of The Signature in the Cell), Dr. Michael Behe (author of Darwin's Black Box), Dr. David Berlinski (featured prominently in the recent film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed), Dr. John G. West, Dr. Craig A. Smith, Dr. Douglas Groothuis and more!

Presentations will include:

· Signature in the Cell: DNA Evidence for Intelligent Design
· Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution
· Darwin Day in America: The Impact of Darwinism on Our Culture
· Training the Next Generation: Practical Strategies & Resources

Because Shepherd Project Ministries is dedicated to touching both the head and the heart, we have also asked nationally known singer/songwriter Danny Oertli to lead times of worship before each main session.

No scientific background is necessary! This conference is designed to equip ordinary Christians to have an extraordinary impact on our culture.

Space is limited.

Conference Details:
Oct. 30-31 (7-9:30 pm Friday & 9:15 am – 3:30 pm Saturday)
Douglas County Event Center, 500 Fairgrounds Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80104
Cost: $10 (single), $20 (family), $5 (student)

Silence Dissent, Don't Refute It

Darwinists play dirty pool in trying to disrupt ID conference (at which I will speak as a minor player).

Debate information

Intelligent Design: Is It Viable?http://isintelligentdesignviable.com/

Welcome to the official website of the event Intelligent Design: Is it Viable? A debate between Dr. Francisco J. Ayala and Dr. William Lane Craig. Moderated by Dr. Bradley Monton. The debate will occur on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 7 p.m. EST at Indiana University Auditorium. This debate is sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ at Indiana University.

Crying to Jesus: Urgency in Prayer

Here is a tremendous short meditation on urgency in prayer, "Crying to Jesus," by the great Puritan divine, Samuel Rutherford (author of Lex Rex).

How many of us throw our entire personality intro prayer? Most put more effort into rooting for sports teams or television programs or other lesser goods.

Debate on God's Existence at ACC

The Arapahoe Community College Philosophy Club, The Think Tank, presents:

A Philosophical Debate about God

Questions include:

Is morality possible without God?
Is proof of God’s existence evident?

Robert Casteline: Denver Seminary
and Mark Gowan: ACC philosophy faculty

Thursday, November 5, 7-9:30 p.m.
ACC Cafeteria
Admission Free!

Goodbye to TV Cable

We just cancelled out our very minimal Comcast cable TV subscription. My wife called and spoke to a startled functionary, who couldn't believe her ears. "You are cancelling?!" My wife retorted, "Television is boring and stupid. We never watch it." The functionary said, "You won't even be able to watch the news!" My wife said, "We never do, anyway. There are other ways to get the news."

This is good. I savor it. And we save $200 a year. Follow us.

On Criminalizing Dissent Against Islam

Here is a two minute update on a UN resolution that would crimalize, through international law speaking out against Islam. Call it jihad through law.