by Emmett Smith

According to Friday's issue of "The Bruin", the UCLA International Institute hosted Peter Singer recently as a guest lecturer. The lecture was derived from his new book, "The President of Good & Evil: The Ethics of George W. Bush". Speaking critically of the President, Singer addressed what he considers, "ethical contradictions", in President Bush's policies.

What business does Singer have discussing Ethics? Well, he's the DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. His "ethics", however, are far from the mainstream, and when one notes that the mainstream these days is far removed from the Biblical worldview, that's saying a lot. During his criticism of the President's opposition to stem cell research funding, Singer said, "I don't deny that embryos are human, and I don't deny that they're living, but I don't think it makes them, (in Bush's words) 'something precious to be protected'".

Singer's comment on Bush's "simplistic" morality was, "I think he has a ... very literalist reading of what (being) an ethicist requires; it requires a lot more nuance, not just the black-and-white terms of 'good' and 'evil'." The very definition of nuance includes the term subtle. Which brings to mind that Genesis 3:1 refers to the serpent as, "more subtle than any beast of the field".

Yes, the evil one loves nuance. It's of inestimable value in the process of rationalization. Pretty soon, one learns to, "call evil good and good evil" and to "put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Isa. 5:20). Ethics is, by definition, the study of morality. It's too bad Mr. Singer hasn't spent more time studying the Master Text.

By Emmett Smith

February has been an interesting month. For one thing, the "controversy" surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" seems to have become increasingly shrill as the movie neared release. On top of that, we've been bombarded from all sides with images of homosexual "marriages" in San Francisco. Who needed to see Rosie O'Donnell "marry" her lesbian partner? Certainly not me.

On the other hand, perhaps the "in your face" strategy we've been witnessing will awaken anyone who has gone back to sleep since 9/11/2001. You do remember 9/11/2001 don't you? A prominent Australian Muslim cleric went on record this week claiming that it was "God's work". He also spoke of an Islamic revolution, and said not to be surprised if a muezzin called out "Allah is Great" from the "top of the White House" some day.

It's worthy of note that God has historically punished nations for their ungodly ways. As this nation debates the homosexual agenda and as anti-Christian "critics" (devout humanists) insist that the biggest problem with an upcoming movie is that it takes the Biblical record "too literally", let's all remember how God warned Israel through Jeremiah, "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it." (Jeremiah 18:6-8).

The enemy is at the gate. Have you been AWOL?

By Emmett Smith

The lyrics to the 1994 song of that title seem to have really resonated with a lot of people. It got a lot of airplay, so most of us were probably exposed to it in some venue or other. The notion that sex is simply to be enjoyed indiscriminately with no emotional complications is not new. But the widespread acceptance of this philosophy is relatively new here in the U.S (as I've said before, we're a generation or so behind the Europeans).

Just this past Friday, an article in Worldnet Daily discussed upcoming officially sanctioned events at Tufts University in Massachusetts. According to the article, these events were mind-boggling in their explicitness and depravity. It's hard to believe this is sanctioned on any college campus. The unfortunate fact, however, is that such things are also encouraged in many, if not most, publicly funded secondary schools. Tolerance is highly esteemed as a virtue these days and is preached energetically in these forums as well.

But what can I, as a Christian, tolerate? What do these folks mean when they preach their doctrine of tolerance? Well, as anyone with one eye and half sense can deduce, they're not preaching tolerance of the Christian worldview. No, the message is that we must be "tolerant" of:

• Homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle (Massachusetts and San Francisco are making big waves at present)
• The inviolable "right" of any woman to "choose" to abort her unborn baby at any time she wishes
• The acceptance of paganism and Wicca into the mainstream
• The idea that personal character isn't important in choosing a political leader

Of course I could continue the above list ad infinitum. But surely you get the picture. As a Christian, I must not lend my support to such vile false doctrines. As Paul ended his discussion of activities for which, "God gave them up", he said, "Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them" (Rom. 1:32).

That's not a very tolerant position is it? Paul made it clear that as Christians we may not give approval to those who practice such abominations.

What's love got to do with it? Here's what!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil" (Jn. 3:16-19).

by Emmett Smith

In a Newsweek article discussing the upcoming release of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ", Jon Meacham was highly critical of Gibson's "literal-minded rendering" of the Biblical accounts. He also wrote that "the Bible can be a problematic source" as he sought to discredit the historical accuracy of the Biblical record.

Mr. Meacham also wrote that God's, "mercy is not limited to those who confess the Christian faith." But that's not Biblical either. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Yes, the Bible is problematic. If you accept it, then you must accept personal responsibility as well. And that's anathema to today's "politically correct" crowd.

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

By Emmett Smith

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous." (Prov. 13:22, ESV)

For those who have been blessed with enough material wealth to survive them in this world, estate planning is a wise decision. As stewards who will answer to God for how we've used these blessings, it behooves us to plan for several eventualities.

• Minimizing losses to the state.
• Maximizing glory to God.
• Blessing our children.

Others would undoubtedly choose different options or priorities. But surely we would agree that a Christian steward could make better decisions than an increasingly secular state. Likewise, if one supported various worthy Christian activities during life, bequests continuing that support might well be in order. And of course, the above text from Proverbs certainly supports bequests to our children and grandchildren. But that presupposes that we have had the wisdom to bequeath a spiritual heritage as well.

Many parents will pay consultants to help them plan their estate to ensure that they pass on the maximum benefit possible to their heirs. Hopefully, they will show the same foresight in ensuring that their children become faithful Christians. After all, as Solomon said, the sinner’s inheritance will be enjoyed by the righteous!

"But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish'" (Lk. 16:25, ESV).

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mk. 8:36, KJV).