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Antisemitism

I remember learning in school as a child in Dallas about the Holocaust. We had survivors of the Holocaust come to our elementary school in the Richardson ISD to speak to us personally about what they had endured in Europe in the 1930's and 40's. The thoughts of how that could ever have happened, and how people could do those things to other human beings, came to mind.

At Baylor University, I learned about the history of Germany and Europe in the last several centuries. It was difficult to understand how pervasive antisemitism had become over time in Western and Eastern Europe. Jews had been persecuted across most of Europe at one time or another. The German people have produced some of the greatest thinkers in modern history, so the idea that the Nazi Party could gain power in Germany in 1933 was an enigma to me. Teachers and professors throughout my education often repeated that the Holocaust is taught so that those mistakes would never be repeated. As an educator in public schools, I have taught social studies for over 30 years. The Holocaust, antisemitism, and human rights have always occupied a prominent place in the curriculum.

Today, the nation whose soldiers liberated Nazi concentration camps and freed Europe from Hitler's threat is now turning on the Jews. So many Jews fled to America in past decades for freedom and safety, only now to be targeted by angry mobs in major cities and college campuses. You think that it will not get any worse than protests? There are members of Congress who support the angry mobs, and other politicians and much of the media are afraid to challenge the mobs. Now, go look at a history book. That is the playbook that Hitler and the Nazi's followed. Once people fear wrong, no matter how few support it, then the wrong can seize power.

Maybe the saddest part of this is that most of those college students were taught about the Holocaust, saw "Schindler's List," and yet have been prompted to be antisemitic without much effort. Just as Hitler scapegoated the Jews in the 1920's and 30's about Germany's situation, Israel and the Jews today are being scapegoated by radicalized people from the Middle East and from here at home.

Things are changing, and not for good. Read your history, and be aware that if this is not stopped now then the very thing that the world never wanted to happen again, will happen again. It might not look exactly the same, but it will be tragic nonetheless.

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The Satanic Temple is planning on filing suit in court against the new Texas law ending most abortions. The grounds of their lawsuit? They state that limiting abortion violates the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. They say that it limits their religious freedom if they cannot kill unborn children. Having the Satanic Church supporting Planned Parenthood shouldn’t be a surprise. Satan has been behind the murder of babies for thousands of years.

Leviticus 18:3, 20:3-5, Jeremiah 32:35, Matthew 2:16-18

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Gathering Again for Corporate Worship

Our nation has been through so much turmoil and change over the last weeks and months. Schools are closed in much of the nation, and colleges do not know when they will return to campus this fall. Many companies have shut down, and restaurants are mostly serving take-out and drive-through window service. 

Churches are also going through so much change. Most houses of worship have been empty of worshipers in recent weeks as internet broadcasts have sought to replace the gathering of believers. Online broadcasts are a very good substitute, but they have limits. The First Baptist Church of Poolville, Texas, where I have served as pastor since 2004, is resuming “in-person” worship this Sunday, May 3rd. We are excited and thrilled to do so, as we have missed the gathering together experience of worship (Hebrews 10:25). Governor Abbott has supported and promoted churches as essential, and now that support has been expanded. Our church has decided to resume the opportunity for corporate worship together. This is being done for several reasons:

1. The known infection rate in northern Parker County and the surrounding rural area is quite low. With a low population density and many remote locations, “social distancing” is not much of an issue.

2. Many people in our church and community have little to no access to the internet. This is symptomatic of rural areas in America, and the Poolville area is no exception. As such, many church members have no access to online worship services on Facebook Live. Why that is the case is irrelevant to the discussion.

3. Our sanctuary is the largest auditorium in Poolville. While our facility isn’t exactly Madison Square Garden, it is large enough for the ones who seek to attend worship to come and be spread out. Many in our church cannot attend due to their jobs or medical conditions, so that will allow further accessibility to those who do come this Sunday. If we need to have overflow, we have the Fellowship Hall as a backup with sound.

4. We are only doing Sunday morning activities. We will have masks for children to use, and adults are all welcomed to bring masks. All other church activities during the week are still cancelled until further notice.  

Now, the criteria for attendance at church this Sunday morning will be the following:

1. If anyone has a fever, has had a fever for the previous 48 hours, or is feeling sick in any way, please stay home.

2. We will keep social distancing in the building. Families should sit at least 6 feet away from others, and if they sit on alternating rows as well then that’s even better.

3. Hand-sanitizer will be provided in large volumes, and we encourage liberal usage of it. Common spaces (doorknobs, etc...) will be sprayed with Lysol early and often.

4. The offering plate will not be passed. We will have a time where worshipers can come forward on-by-one and place any offering into the plate sitting in the front. We will schedule the Lord’s Supper at some point soon, and it will utilize “all-in-one” pods that contain the elements needed. The pods will be sanitized on the outside, and will also be made available in the front for individual retrieval.

5. We will still televise the service at 11:00 AM each Sunday on the church’s Facebook page. If you cannot attend, or still feel concerned about attending in person already, then please try to watch online.

6. Songs will still have their lyrics placed on a screen. Now, for a traditional church as us, this is not easy. We still use hymnals. But, with people watching at home without hymnals it is necessary. So, those in attendance with us can (if they so choose) look at the screen instead of touching a hymnal. 

7. Please feel free to wear a mask to church, whether you are sick or not. It is not mandatory, but if it helps keep people safe and calm, it is a good thing. 

Again, we are thrilled to gather for worship together this Sunday! Our church began in 1877, and this church has witnessed pioneers struggling against epidemics for over a century. Our faith is in the only One Who can save and protect, and it is in Him that we trust.

In Christ,

Dr. Christopher Keefer, Pastor 

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Elephants and Gorillas

We know what they are. They are both huge animals. If we are near them, we are likely aware of it. They do not hide very well. They are right out there in plain view. They are obvious. This would be why there are sayings that utilize each of them: Either "the elephant in the room," or "the 800-pound gorilla in the room." (Side note: Are they all 800 pounds?) When something is undeniably obvious, these terms are often implemented. Why am I rambling on this? We all try to self-improve. We make resolutions and efforts. We sometimes try to make ourselves completely new. But, for the Christian who is seeking to renovate their life. they need to know identity of the proverbial 800-pound gorilla or the elephant in the room: ourselves. We can try to spiritually fix ourselves, but as we will see in Romans 7:1-8:4, only the Master Carpenter can really make a new us. Join us tomorrow morning at the First Baptist Church of Poolville at 11:00 as we continue our series called, "Looking for Your Fixer Upper" with a message entitled "The Mess is Addressed."

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50 Years

July 20, 1969.

Some dates, such as December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001, are burned into our collective American memory as days of “infamy.” They were shocking and deadly, and brought about war.

Tomorrow, we look back 50 years at events on a date that many cannot even believe happened. Human beings walked on the moon. But, it didnt happen in a vacuum. US President John F. Kennedy told Congress on May 25, 1961, in response to fears that the Soviets had surpassed us scientifically:

“First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”

Later, President John F. Kennedy challenged our nation at Rice University on September 12, 1962:

“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

With God’s blessing, and American determination and ingenuity, and tens of thousands of hours of work, we did it.

We returned 5 more times until 1972. My uncle worked at NASA through that time, and was a part of great accomplishments as a team.

It is easy for us today to look back and say, “Those were the “good old days.” But remember, this was done while America fractured over Vietnam, drugs, Supreme Court decisions that sought to remove God from the public square, and other divisions not seen here in decades. The ‘60’s were not all sunshine and daffodils. Instead, it more closely resembled storm clouds and LSD.

But, we did it. As a nation we united in cheering NASA and those astronauts on to success. The world watched in amazement as the flag of only one nation was planted on the surface of a terrestrial body other than the earth. That flag? The Stars and Stripes.

There was such hope for the future in those days. Future decades would bring such technological advances because mankind had done something amazing. They thought that today’s society would look more like “The Jetsons.”

Fast forward to the present. We have a government that cannot agree on the day of the week. Our nation is drowning in debt. Political leaders publicly take stands that show a disdain for the nation they serve. Our society is more concerned with their smart phones than they are education for their children. There’s no way that we can choose to do something “hard” as a nation when our children cannot read or do math on grade level. A nation that incarcerates adults more willingly than it educates children should not expect to do anything great. A nation that turns from God and biblical truth, and tells children to do something “because it is right” or “I say so” instead of teaching them truth is doomed to incarcerate more than educate. We waste on a ridiculous scale while millions of American children do not know where their next meal will come from. We want everything done for us, as easily as possible, and with no discomfort or effort. If President Kennedy spoke at a college today the words he spoke at Rice University in 1962, they’d make him apologize for hurting their feelings.

July 20, 1969 should serve as a reminder of what was, and what cannot be again unless we get our act together.

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Waking Up

Watching the line of fishing boats come back from their night of work reminds me of a passage. After a long night of frustration at not accomplishing anything on their own, Jesus reminded them to trust in Him. Good lesson while sipping coffee and watching the sunrise.

“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. ” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.” John‬ ‭21:3-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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Where Do We Go From Here?

Well, if you are a Southern Baptist, if you were a Southern Baptist, or if you keep up with the news, then you may have heard that the #MeToo movement has arrived on Baptist shores. It actually was here already, but most ignored the issue. Well, it has now slobber-knocked the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) square in the face. Ignore it now at your own peril.

Southern Baptists tend to be focused on mission. Now, don’t read that and assume I mean the “correct” mission. Sometimes, Baptists are headed in the right direction as we serve the Lord in reaching the lost for Christ by doing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). Yet, many of us often get caught up building our own empires and kingdoms. Careers, personal agendas, and big business ministries get in the way of clear thinking and judgment. Churches have often been guilty of turning a blind eye to abuse and immorality because it would not look good on the front page of the newspaper or the local news. So, they would quietly “kick the can down the road” to the next church or community. Some of these abusers of women and children never get caught, or they are caught way too late. 

It isn’t as if people haven’t tried to stop this tragedy. There have been several suggestions in recent years to create a database of abusers and incidents by various SBC entities. Those suggestions were summarily shot down in the spirit of “if we don’t talk about it, it will go away.” Here’s the problem with that philosophy:

1. Ignoring it is illegal. Period.

2. Ignoring it creates an unintended “safe space” for abusers in the very places that women and children should be the safest.

3. Ignoring it flies in the face of everything we say that we believe as Christians. 

4. Ignoring it didn’t make it go away.

Much of the abuse has not been physical. There are sadly many cases of verbal, emotional, and spiritual abuse by leadership holders in churches and denominational agencies. People who were trusted to do the right thing, did not.

Now, some of you may be thinking that I am some “wild-eyed liberal” who should already be looking for an asbestos suit for my eternal digs. Well, I graduated from Baylor University with my undergrad. But, my Master of Divinity degree is from Luther Rice Seminary, which is extremely conservative. Finally, my Doctor of Ministry is from Gateway Seminary (2017), which is owned and operated by the Southern Baptist Convention.  I also serve as a bivocational minister, along with teaching in the public schools for 26 years. So, I have a different perspective than one who might try to protect “his” ministry or reputation. I know what it means to protect the helpless and weak, and to hold accountable those who hurt them.

Now, I am not stating that we should throw out the whole Baptist Faith and Message- 2000, although I never saw anything critically wrong with the 1963 version of the same. It might not be a bad idea, however, to be willing to amend the BFM 2000 to somehow address the current issues. What the SBC needs to do is confess the sin of complacency and self-superiority that got us in the pickle we now find ourselves. We must create a database for those who have been criminally abused, whether physically or otherwise. We must seriously listen to women, and not just to avoid trouble. It is inconceivable that we serve in a time when women feel completely ignored and disregarded. In my secular job, I serve alongside more women than not, and I can tell you that most of them are a good deal smarter than the men I know. Women should not be forced to “raise their hand before speaking” based solely on gender. Nor should women be forced to answer for their behavior while a male skates free for much worse (see John 7:51-8:11 in case you’ve forgotten). Preventing women from studying certain topics in seminary because of their gender is ridiculous, and it sends the message that God does not value them. Sending that message would be a lie.  

The “Conservative Resurgence” was overall a positive thing, in that it caused the Bible to remain the authoritative Word of God in the teaching of the churches. But, I think we swung the pendulum so far that faithfulness to Scripture has drifted for some into behavior worthy of the Pharisees. 

Legally, the Southern Baptist Convention only really exists for two days of the year. Those two days are when the convention meets, while the other days agencies and committees carry out the wishes voted upon at the previous convention. At the 2018 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas next week, we have a chance to get this right. In fact, we cannot afford not to get it right. Multitudes of media will be there to cover every argument and speech. Critics will be ready to pounce on social media from the floor of the convention. Much more importantly, our daughters and sons and wives will be watching to see what is done. We must repent, seek God’s face, and get this right.

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Where the Rubber Meets the Road

I am a Southern Baptist pastor. This is the 14th year to pastor in the same location. I am also a public school educator in a Title I middle school. This is my 26th year in education. Those two descriptions seem to conflict with one another in the eyes of some. Either many evangelical Christians today are opposed to public schools, or they simply choose to bypass them altogether in favor of sending their kids to private, parochial schools, or to their own home school. My brothers and sisters in Christ are free to send their own children wherever they wish, if they are able to do so. Here is my issue. There are millions of children in Texas who cannot afford to attend private school, or their parents are not able to home school them. Yet, lawmakers in Austin have been seeking for ways to send public funds to fund private school education, or to pay for vouchers to allow parents to send their children to private schools that are better than their public school counterparts. I will be honest: I understand. Some of our public schools have become unsafe environments that are not preparing students for lifelong learning and productivity. Other schools have sought to cleanse God from the public square of opinion or discussion. Those situations are unacceptable for me. However, to pull money from the schools that are often barely surviving amounts to a death sentence for public education. Many would not miss it. I would, and not because I am employed by a public school. Never mind the church/state argument, although if the current trends continue I foresee a time when my tax dollars would be used to pay for Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu schools to teach their unbiblical religions on my dime. My reasons for saving public schools in Texas (and elsewhere) are straightforward and simple. I am a pastor at heart. Public schools are often filled with students who do not have parents who read to them at home, provide positive educational experiences outside of home, or know how to teach them important lessons themselves. School is usually where those children learn how to read. Children who can read "The Cat in the Hat" and "Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?" will also eventually be able to read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Changing funding to help a few, at the expense of many, is poor stewardship. If my fellow evangelicals are determined to fund church schools, then at least increase funding for public schools at the same level. Otherwise, to take away from Peter to give it to Paul will only put many at risk for not being able to read the writings of either. That situation is an unacceptable and eternal consequence.

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Protestant Reformation Celebration

Today marks an incredible milestone for biblical faith. On this date in 1517, Martin Luther had his “I’ve had all’s I can stands; I can’t stands no more!” moment. The church of the time had strayed from the authority of the Bible, and had placed authority on the desires of the men who ran the church. Whenever the church replaces God’s Word with anything else, heresy ensues.

The most amazing thing that needed to be reformed in the 16th century Catholic Church (among many) was the fact that the church vehemently opposed the Bible in the language of the masses. As long as Latin was the language of the Bible, the church believed they controlled truth. That was sin, pure and simple.

Martin Luther is an imperfect historical vessel that brought about a messy series of events and reforms that were not perfect in their own right, either. He was a man who saw a great need for change, and followed through with it against great opposition from the powers that were at that time.

There are over 5 billion people in the world today who do not profess any faith in Jesus Christ. Tens of millions are in people groups who do not have the Bible in their own language. Romans 10:14 (NKJV) tells us:

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

Martin Luther saw the need for biblical authority to return to Christianity, and that starts with God’s Word in the hands, eyes, ears, and hearts of every tribe and group. It is worth remembering that fact every October 31st, and then getting up to share His Word with someone who needs to hear.

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On days such as this...

When the storms come, and they will come, never forget that He is ultimately in control. The stronger the storm rages, the closer we must cling to Him. “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” Psalms 46:1-11 NKJV

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Working definition of "irony"

‪The "Rev." Jessie Jackson says the POTUS won't get into Heaven. Says the politically-correct Pharisee who supports the death of unborn babies.

So, a minister who chooses to believe the Bible "cafeteria-style" has decided that God's grace isn't as powerful as his own liberal hatred.

The POTUS isn't perfect. Not even close.

No one is. Not even close.

Apparently, Mr. Jackson needs to revisit the "Roman Road:"

Romans 3:23 NKJV: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” ‭‭Romans 6:23 NKJV: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ‭‭Romans 10:13 NKJV: “For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”” ‭‭

Be thankful that our eternal destiny is not based upon our ability to keep God's Law, or the demands of sinful people on earth. It is based on the grace of God through His Son, and nothing less.

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Nothing New

Hurricane Harvey has become a storm threat to my state. It has brought evacuation plans and storm relief plans to the forefront. It also has brought illogical fools out of the woodwork. People are claiming that Harvey is proof of "global warming." Of course it is. Hurricanes never occurred before Al Gore informed us of his "Inconvenient Truth." Wait. Didn't Galveston, Texas get nearly annihilated in 1900 by a monster hurricane? Didn't Indianola, Texas become a ghost town after hurricanes in 1875 and 1886? These are two examples. There are thousands of others. Huge storms have happened for thousands of years. This is nothing new. “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This is not a commentary against the global warming issue. This is a rant against the knee-jerk political reaction to ANYTHING they perceive might help them. Global warming, or the perception thereof, doesn't cause everything. Stand down...

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Reminder to the Christian Churches in America

“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”” Matthew 22:35-40 NKJV

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Pastors, beware of "polarization affiliation"

Ministry today would have to be described as challenging. We live in an age of short attention spans, 24-hour news cycles, and over a dozen social media platforms that allow "self expression" in an almost unlimited manner. Couple this scenario with an American public that is more divided politically, socially, and culturally than at any time since probably 1860, and you have a minefield in which to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. People say more today than ever, and yet truly communicate less. We take more pictures with our gadgets every three minutes than were taken during the entirety of the 19th century combined, but probably appreciate beauty less than ever. You can have hundreds of "friends" and "followers," and yet be more lonely than ever. Now, in our nation we have become so divided and so connected simultaneously. Pastors must be careful. How? It is too easy to be seen as a foot soldier for a political party, movement, or worldly cause when we are supposed to be the hands and feet of Christ delivering a message of hope. People must see us affiliated with Christ, and not politics. Now, don't get me wrong. I preach issues from God's Word that relate to today's society, and I tell people the importance of voting and supporting for biblical issues in the public square. No one in the church I serve doubts where I stand on protecting the unborn, preserving biblical marriage, or the inerrancy of the Bible. Yet, I do not invite politicians into the pulpit or use the pulpit to preach politics. Pastors who hitch their proverbial wagon to human leaders are then subject to the words and actions of that leader. If a political leader, for example, "tweets" messages that do not reflect Christ-like thinking, and people associate me with that leader, then my efficacy as a messenger of the Gospel is likely diminished. Society today is looking for a reason to argue, be defensive, make accusations, and point out inconsistencies. Pastors, you are called to preach to that world their need to repent and follow Christ. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us let His light shine. Should we give counsel and advice to political leaders? Definitely. Should we take a biblical stand on issues? Yes. But, make sure that the world is able to distinguish Who we serve.

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God's Side

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We often think that fighting over something is always about us. We have an agenda, and we need to win. As believers, we should remember that the fight is not ours, but instead it is His. We do not follow one another. We follow God. He does not follow us. Joshua wanted to know whose team the man supported, causing Joshua to not recognize the man standing before him as the commander of the army of the LORD.

We get so caught up building our kingdoms, and fighting our fights, that we lose sight of the One Who called us to follow Him, and His kingdom that we should be seeking to build. The next time you are tempted to ask God a question such as, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”, be prepared for a reality check.

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Remember the Salt

Christian education is very important to me. There are not many places left where young people can be taught with a Christian worldview. Christian colleges and universities have been funded with the gifts of many believers through many decades. They intended to see the schools receiving these gifts to continue educating people about Jesus Christ. The results have been mixed. Not because the Gospel isn’t enough, for it Is more than sufficient. Instead, these schools have tried to please too many people. Some have allowed Greek social organizations to be on campus, which in many instances do not serve the cause of Christ. Many have stopped teaching the Bible in its entirety, so as not to offend anyone. It is kind of difficult to teach someone about Jesus if you only give them the parts of the message that will make them feel good. Jesus spoke of believers who drift so close to the world that they lose their distinctiveness for Christ.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:13-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Now, my alma mater has lost just about any saltiness it had left. Baylor University is still the largest Baptist school in the world, although it is nominal as such. It is more interested in becoming a world-class research school instead of serving to show Christ to a lost and dying world. Most Baptists now send their kids elsewhere, since Baylor resembles a state school more than the one funded for 170 years by Texas Baptists. If a Christian school no longer seeks to sincerely educate young people about Jesus Christ, and will not attempt to live up to the standards in God’s Word, then it would be better for that school to quit pretending and misleading people and drop the farcical pretense of a "Christian” affiliation. Then, they can run with the state and non-parochial schools that they so richly admire.

Rev. Christopher Keefer Baylor University Class of 1991 5/26/2016

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The Fork in Our Road

Well, here we are collectively as Americans. We have run through a political process that involved 20 men and women across two major parties. We are left with someone who has been a life-long liberal that supported liberal causes, has supported a woman’s legal right to kill her own unborn child, and never let truth or morals get in the way. Oh, and we also have Hillary Clinton. Political wonks and talking media heads would refer to me as a “social conservative.” I cannot bring myself to vote for someone who believes that innocent life is disposable. I also cannot vote for someone who supports an illegitimate form of “marriage” that goes against Matthew 19:4-6 or Genesis 2:24. My first vote ever was cast for Bush ‘41, and I still have my “Reagan/Bush '84” pin. I am not a Republican, however. I do not vote per party, but rather based on issues. The Republicans were the only party that supported life, freedom of religion, and biblical marriage. But, in their zeal to win an election at any cost, they have sold their soul. In the 1850’s, the Republicans were founded as an abolitionist party opposed to slavery, and they elected a man who led us away from the horror of involuntary servitude. In the 1970’s, the Republican Party began opposing the even more horrible atrocity called abortion. They have been electing people to end infanticide, and I support that effort. Now, they have moved away from me. I have been amazed by how many “evangelicals” who support Donald J. Trump. Apparently, they have either not actually heard what he says he will do as president, or they have misplaced their Bible. Maybe they agree with him. Or, they are on the bandwagon. Or, maybe they just don’t care what he says. Well, I still do. Until the GOP moves back to me, they are DOA to me.

-The opinions here are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of any entity with which I associate.