Attention Adults: Grow Up!

In a recent study presented in the Norwegian Journal Science, researchers found that there are some commonalities between 10-year-olds and adults who expect government entitlements to supply their needs.  The differences within these groups (and other groups) lie in their views regarding equal and unequal rewards received by people.  On the one hand, 10-year-olds tend to believe that everyone should receive equal rewards regardless of achievements.  This seems to be much like the “participation ribbon or trophy” where there are no real winners and losers.  On the other hand, adults who were generally politically conservative, believed that people deserve unequal rewards based on their individual and unequal achievements.

In this study, they found that the “…meritocratic views [get what you earn] increases as the cognitive abilities of the children mature.  In other words: kids outgrow socialism.”  Also quoted in this article are the findings of the University of Virginia’s moral psychologist, Jonathan Haidt.  Haidt finds that, “liberals focus on one kind of fairness, where everyone’s needs are met to some degree.  Conservatives…see fairness when people are rewarded for their efforts…”

This exemplifies the need to mature as whole individuals.  We all have the need to be changing, growing, reaching maturity in all aspects of life.  This includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.  If any of these can become stagnant, then imbalances occur. In the example above, when young people are not taught to push past the thoughts and understanding of children, then the foundation is set for expecting entitlements.  Conversely, when we train our children to mature in their thinking and emotions, then strong principles of morality and more conservative thought forms their foundations.

In God’s Word, we see many examples of the need for growing and maturing (Luke 1:80; Luke 2:52; 2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:10).  We are not expected to remain stuck in our childish ways, but rather, to grow, mature, and understand God’s ways.  We are admonished to— “Study to present yourself to God as one approved…” 2 Timothy 2:15 [see also: 2 Peter 3:18 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5].

Therefore, as Christians we are to make concerted efforts to train those that God has given to us for instruction.  We cannot simply “hope for the best”— but work diligently to teach our families and congregations to study and understand what God’s ways are.  We must ask the appropriate questions for our churches and families to discover whether we are accomplishing this.  Family devotions that train, ministries of study and training in our churches, including children and youth ministries, and Bible Studies that teach the deep truths of doctrine and Christian life are crucial to move our children (and others) along to Christian maturity.  Then we are prepared to be positive influences in our culture as well.

My friend: Set a goal for yourself, your family, and church to be able to say along with the Apostle Paul— “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child.  But when I became a man [adult], I put childish ways behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

The Equality Act Is Not Equal

In Galatians 3:28, Christians learn from Paul that all are equal in the love of Jesus Christ— “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This kind of view was revolutionary for its time— and promoted a kind of equity within the early church that was radical for its time and place.  In fact, even though women were denigrated in the ancient world, the early Christian church featured many prominent female leaders and theologians.

Despite this egalitarianism, there is no Biblical evidence for denying that there are, in fact, differences between males and females.  In Matthew 19:3-6, it notes that God has made males and females to complementarily join in the bond of marriage— “Haven’t you read,” said Jesus, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Apparently, these words spoken some 2,000-years ago would be news to members of Congress who are set to implement The Equality Act— a bill which would allow biological males to compete against (and beat) biological women in sporting events.  This move has been couched in terms of protecting the identities of transgender individuals. However, it has shown little to no regard for the needs of the biological women who will now be forced to compete against individuals who have had the advantage of having testosterone pumping through their bodies for the first few years of their life.  This advantage is hardly insignificant.  After all, testosterone is used as a performance enhancing drug for a reason!

If one wants empirical proof of this masculine advantage, one needs to only review the comparable statistics available for male and female body builders on StrengthLevel.com. When comparing listings for male and female athletes on the average bench press, the differences are staggering.  At an “elite” level, a 170-lbs. female can press 231-lbs.  At an “elite” level, a 170-lbs. male can press 333-lbs.  Across the board, there are wide strength disparities at every skill level.

This factor has been largely ignored because it does not fit the narrative of promoting “authenticity” and relative ideas of identity that have been promoted by modern existentialism.  Ultimately, this philosophy has trickled down into popular culture and has encouraged people to deny any idea of absolute truth based on how they are made in the image of God.

As Christians, we should not support legislation like this— which paints factual assessments of relative physical ability as somehow discriminatory.  The fact that there are acknowledged differences between males and females should not be seen as discriminatory.  It is all part of God’s design— but does not degrade the value of any particular group.

As Christians know from Romans 12:6-8— “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

CA Schools Consider Bringing ‘god’ Back into the Curriculum

The capital “g” God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has not been welcomed in California’s public schools for a half-century— but an Aztek god who inspired child sacrifice is set for a comeback reports Steve Jordahl of OneNewsNow.com.

The god is known as Tezcatlipoca— a central deity to the Aztecs.  According to Britannica.com, Tezcatlipoca is recognized for bringing human sacrifice to central Mexico 900-years ago.

In the name of diversity and inclusion, the draft curriculum by the California Department of Education requires students to chant the name of Tezcatlipoca (and other gods) in an effort to build unity among marginalized students, The New York Post reported.  The chant is based on the poem “In Lak Ech.”

“By affirming the identities and contributions of marginalized groups in our society,” states the curriculum introduction, “ethnic studies helps students see themselves and each other as part of the narrative of the United States.”

The New York Post credited Chris Rufo (a researcher at the Discovery Institute), for uncovering the Aztec chant in the ethnic studies course.

Responding to the latest bizarre news from California, radio talk host Janet Mefferd tells One News Now this is the same state government that has fought Bible-based school clubs and punished students for sharing their faith.  “It’s very interesting how the liberals were always screaming separation of church and state at Christians,” she observes, “but now they’re fine with kids chanting to an Aztek god.”

On the issue of the Azteks and their gods, Mefferd offers a warning: By asking students to worship a god known for human sacrifice, California is dabbling in the demonic realm in its own classrooms.

Read 1 Kings 18:20-40— where on Mt. Carmel (today’s California) the prophets (CA’s Dept. of Ed.) of Baal (Tezcatlipoca) call for the worship of this false god, and hear Elijah (the One True God’s prophet) declare— “If the Lord be God, follow Him” (verse 21).

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Unchangeable

Even if you don’t routinely use vulgar four-letter words, perhaps you remember using one the last time you hit your thumb with a hammer.  When it seems like things aren’t going well, we can easily and quickly succumb to our weakest nature.  When everything seems to be crumbling, it’s important to remember that God is a consistent and loving Creator-Father.  He will never let you down; He can always be counted on; He is unchangeable, reliable and trustworthy.  How do we know?  Because He said so in His Word— and His Word is trustworthy.  If that sounds like a circular argument, spend more time in His Word and talking with Him in prayer and you’ll confirm this for yourself.

God is immutable and absolute; He does not change.  

James 1:17 says, “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.”  

Isaiah 40: 28 tells us, “Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.”  

Psalm 102: 27 says, “But Thou art the same, and Thy years will not come to an end.”  

Malachi 3: 6 tells us, “For I, the Lord, do not change…”  

1 Samuel 15: 29 says, “… for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”  

2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.”

When everything around you appears crazy, and you have no idea what’s around the next corner in life, it’s comforting to know (with certainty) that God is not indecisive or moody; He is a completely wise and consistent Father.  

In times of confusion and rapid change, we all need something or someone that’s a reliable anchor for our emotions— so we don’t crumble into a fearful and terrified pile of pity.  God alone is the perfect source of stability; He is in the business of helping those who know Him handle the stress of today … and beyond.

There’s only one problem: On this planet, besides death and taxes, little else is certain. But with absolute confidence, you can count on the unwavering promises of your Heavenly Father.  Don’t be tricked into thinking you’ll find comfort and peace elsewhere— because elsewhere always lets you down.  Only God is unchangeable, reliable, and trustworthy.  You can definitively count on Him.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Christian Participation in Politics

Evangelical Christians care a lot about politics.  This should come as no surprise— given that politics have a direct and material effect on the lives of every person under the authority of a government.

While Christians should certainly advocate for their faith, we must keep in mind that God will fulfill His will— no matter what petty dictators on earth decide.

Even if some in power abuse their position, governments are ordained by God for good, not for evil.  The main purpose of government Paul outlines in Romans 13:4 is that government is there to protect the citizenry from the everyday problems of crime and invasion: “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.  They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”  [Note: Twice in this verse Paul refers to the government as “God’s servant”— thus the government is subservient to God … not the other way around.]

Though governments can become oppressive of religion, Christians should not despair. They should defend their faith as best they can— but they do not need to control the government to evangelize.  Christians don’t need to win every political battle to advance the Kingdom of Heaven.

Christian apologists like Peter Kreeft have spent years writing and speaking on the dire crisis of faith demonstrated in the United States’ “culture war.”  While Kreeft’s analysis of the dangers posed to Christians through this culture war is poignant, the fear of this dystopian outcome should not overcome our hope as Christians.

Even if Christianity is successfully driven out of the United States’ mainstream culture, God will see to it that His ends are achieved.  Even amid his sufferings, Job was able to cry out to God and declare to Him in Job 42:2: “I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.”  Similarly, Christians who are persecuted should recognize that God’s will can overcome any governmental barrier.

Even in Communist China, where Christians are physically threatened and abused on a daily basis, Christianity is still the fastest-growing religion in the nation.

Although Christians have every right to fight for and defend their freedom of expression and religion, they ought to remember that God is still in control— no matter what happens.  He will use whatever comes to accomplish His purposes.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

American Education: Erasing the Past Erases the Present

On March 2, 2021 (the birthday of Dr. Seuss and Read Across America Day), Dr. Seuss was pulled from the curriculum at Virginia schools— because the sketches in his children’s books (which typically depicted non-human characters of an in-determinate race) were accused of being implicitly racist.  The leftist group, Learning for Justice, led the charge to have Dr. Seuss removed from the curriculum— citing a study that alleged his work was rife with “orientalism, anti-blackness, and white supremacy.”

The same attitude was displayed when Stanford University literally cancelled the performance of the musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson!”— due to concerns that it made Native American characters a backdrop for telling the story of an American president who butchered them.

The trend toward attempting to erase “sinful” figures from history is a dangerous one. Even “problematic” figures provide context, and it is crucial to understand them as human beings— not just as grotesque monsters.

As Christians, we know that the Old Testament emphasizes the depravity of mankind in great detail and in the New Testament we see the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior.

In Romans 6:14, Christians are reminded that “sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”  The law to which the author of Romans referred was the Torah contained in the Old Testament.  Christians are taught that, under the New Testament, there is a new paradigm, a new era dawning!  We are reminded of this in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

In spite of the focus New Testament writers place on the new message of Jesus Christ’s death and our salvation, they do not tell Christians to erase the Old Testament from their memory.  Of course not!  To do that would remove a critical source of information for understanding the Gospel!

Dr. Jason S. DeRouchie cites Paul’s statement in Romans 15:4, which says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”  In DeRouchie’s words, “the [Old Testament], while not written to Christians, was still written for us.”

If we apply these same principles to the authors, literature, and stories from American history, we can see that knowing about these figures of history provides a deeper understanding of how we got to where we are today.  One cannot genuinely appreciate the value of freedom and equality before the law without recognizing that a world existed where those things were neither prized nor protected.

We should not teach our children (either in grade school or college) that they need to run from the past.  Although the allegations against Dr. Seuss are shaky at best, even if they are presumed to be true, there is still value in recognizing Dr. Seuss’ role in American literature and confronting his “problematic-ness” head-on.

Without the Old Testament, the New Testament does not make sense.  Without our history, we cannot make sense of our present.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Christians and Cancel Culture

By now, you have probably heard the phrase “cancel culture.”  Dictionary.com defines the term as “the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive.  Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.”

Nonetheless, even this definition fails to encompass the totality of cancel culture. Google, Facebook, YouTube, etc., will block, ban, and cancel anyone who steps over the invisible lines of what they consider offensive.  Cancel culture has also given license to deny the basic 1st Amendment right of free speech.  It far too often becomes an attack on Biblical values.

Since some Christians have become involved with the social justice movement, the question of what role Christians ought to play has been raised on a more frequent basis.

Some activists point to Psalm 82:3, which says, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”  They argue for a kind of Biblical social justice that targets causes like human trafficking, the abuse of the impoverished, and support for the widows.

Even if Christian involvement is limited to the narrow topics listed above, cancel culture is still part of the social justice movement at large.  The big question is: Should the Christians who subscribe to these movements use cancellation?

Stereotypical cancel culture is typified by the firing of a New York Times reporter who merely quoted a racial slur when asking a question.  This attack exhibits a merciless notion of “justice” that disregards intent— even though intent is what matters to God.  As it says in Proverbs 21:2, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

In another classic example, actress Scarlett Johannsson faced cancellation after saying that she should be able to play “any person, or any tree, or any animal.”— in reference to whether she should play a transgender character.

In spite of self-righteous defenses of the practice, Proverbs 26:24-25 unveils its true nature: “Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.  Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.”

Biblical principles aside, cancel culture is also contrary to standard legal principles that have been employed for centuries.  It ignores ideas like the presumption of innocence and preponderance of the evidence.  It makes no room for adjusting the punishment to match the intent.

Remember the reporter who was fired?  The New York Times released a statement after the fact declaring, “We do not tolerate racist language regardless of intent.”

If this attitude was employed in the courtroom, then there would be little discernible difference between homicide and manslaughter.  [“Manslaughter” is traditionally distinguished by state law from “murder” by one crucial thing: “malice aforethought.”  In other words, “intent.”]

Cancel culture does not leave room for nuance and runs the risk of becoming social vigilantism.

No one should be proverbially tried and executed in the court of public opinion without regard for context and any defenses they may offer.  Although a small subset of people who use cancel culture may have good intentions, their methods leave much to be desired.  

Christians should not support this cultural phenomenon.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Woke or Awake – Dark or Light?

“Woke,” according to the Oxford Language Dictionary, means, “… a political term [and] refers to a perceived awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice.”  This doesn’t sound so bad on the surface.  Using the word “justice” coupled with the terms social and racial, we get a positive leaning in our minds.  However, did you notice the word “perceived?”  This word throws the statement into a different light.  

Concepts hidden in darkness change their shape and color (meaning) when seen in the real light— the light of God’s Word, the light of Christ.  Social justice and racial justice are terms that are too often used to hide actual meaning in the shadows of darkness— their definitions obscured from reality.  In these types of false understandings there is some truth folded into the mix of definitions— enough truth to pique one’s interest, but enough false to be turned away from God.

It is easy to see how confusing it can get to separate the truth from the lies— good from evil.  We should not just “throw the baby out with the bathwater”— but, it would certainly be better for the baby to have clean water for the next bath.  The “Woke” way of thinking only muddies the water further, rather than clearing anything up.

As Christians, we are “called out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Further, we are to be lamps of God’s light to shine in this dark world (Psalm 18:28; 112:4).  God has chosen us to declare His truth and shine His light— enabling others to see clearly.  Avoid being entangled in the murky philosophies of this world where evil is called good and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20; Romans 1:24-25).  Work hard to separate the truth from the errors— so as to guide others into God’s way.  Do not settle for being “woke” and receiving the world’s praise.  

“Wake up and shout for joy.” (Isaiah 26:19)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples— but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Stop hiding this light under a bushel … rather bring it out and let it shine!

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

When Truth Is the Enemy

At its base, says Dr. Frank Wright (Pres./CEO of D.James Kennedy Ministries), the progressive ‘cancel culture’ is less about de-platforming extreme ideas and more about persecuting people with whom they disagree.  Their aim is not correction, but destruction— and they want to make sure nobody hears ideas with which they disagree.

Within the rotunda of Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, there are many inscriptions adorning the walls.  Among them are these words: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”  Given today’s ‘cancel culture,’ one can only wonder what the man who crafted the Declaration of Independence might say about it.  Perhaps he would resight the Declaration’s self-evident truths: “That we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Well, apparently what the Lord giveth the Lifetime Network taketh away.  After nearly 3-years of Lifetime airing DJK Ministries’ weekly “Truths That Transform” television program— one in which they apply biblical truths to the great moral, ethical, and cultural question of our day— officials at Lifetime have suddenly decided their program content is too “controversial”— forcing this Christian ministry off their network.

They objected to their exposé on Planned Parenthood— in which they documented their sale of baby body parts derived from abortions.  They objected to our exposé on billionaire radical George Soros and his systematic efforts to undermine American laws and institutions.  They even objected to their program on the spiritual life of George Washington.

While Lifetime Channel cancelled DJK Ministries, other Christian broadcasters on other major cable television channels and networks are cancelling entire blocks of religious programming. This is the new face of corporate responsibility in America— viewpoint discrimination, prior restraint, and outright censorship.

This spitting in the face of those with viewpoints differing from the new ‘woke’* orthodoxy by broadcast and cable television is bad enough— but it gets worse.  Others providing business services to those holding non-favored viewpoints are falling all over each other to demonstrate their ‘woke’ bona fides by denying services to those with the heretical audacity to hold views diverging from those permissible under Progressive woke-ism.

Witness the good folks at wannabe-gatekeeper Mail Chimp— the simian-friendly email platform— whose ‘Standard Terms of Use’ were recently modified to include this language: “Mail Chimp does not allow the distribution of content that is, in our sole discretion, materially false, inaccurate, or misleading in a way that could deceive or confuse others about important events, topics, or circumstances.”

How Mail Chimp is singularly qualified to adjudicate matters of truth or falsity across a wide range of cultural issues escapes the notice of most neutral observers.  But herein lies the genius of Progressive thinkers: If the viewpoint in question is different than ours, it must be false.  Case closed.

Or witness the noble work of the enlightened folks at Wells Fargo in forcibly closing the financial accounts of people highly visible in the conservative and Christian landscape. Or California-based Logix Federal Credit Union refusing accounts to people even doing business with religious organizations.  Naturally, the elephant-in-the-room question is: When will ‘woke’ financial institutions begin targeting the supporters of Christian and conservative organizations?

In a biblical context, many are familiar with the predictive prophecy that restricts buying and selling to those with “the mark of the beast.” (Revelation 13:16-17; 14:9-10; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4) What we see emerging today is a secular version— in reverse order. Instead of everyone having the mark, those with disfavored viewpoints and ideals are anointed with a latter-day scarlet letter.  More like the “No soup for you” pronouncements from Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi (Season 7, Episode 6, Nov. 2, 1995).

However it’s characterized, foundationally the progressive ‘cancel culture’ is less about de-platforming extreme ideas and more about persecuting people with whom they disagree. Their aim is not correction— but destruction.  If the Southern Poverty Law Center were true to their own disingenuous and defamatory definition of hate, they would have to include two-thirds of the Progressive left (and themselves!) on their infamous map.

Today’s Progressives more resemble Orwell’s dystopian epic ‘1984,’— where Winston Smith, who was outed as non-conforming, is brainwashed back to Oceanian orthodoxy and then awaits his execution.

One might argue that the foundational question here is: Why are Progressives so deathly afraid of the free marketplace of ideas?  They are in urgent need of reading—– perhaps for the first time— John Milton’s ‘Areopagitica.’  In his polemic against the state-sponsored cancel culture of his day, this Puritan(!) declared: “Let [Truth] and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?”

Milton argued that the best defense of freedom of speech and expression was the debate and discussion of ideas— where good ideas would tend to rise and bad ideas to fall.  Perhaps the ‘cancel culture’ is a latent acknowledgement that Progressive ideas suffer under the weight of scrutiny.

Whatever the case, it is self-evident that the solitary idea nearest to the Progressive heart is to make sure nobody hears your ideas.  This is nothing less than Jefferson’s “tyranny over the mind of man.”  For those who understand how hard-won freedom is, we too must swear eternal hostility against the efforts of those who would steal it.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

* If you frequent social media, you may well have seen posts or tweets about current events that are tagged #staywoke.  ‘Woke’ is a slang term that is easing into the mainstream from some varieties of a dialect called African American Vernacular English (sometimes called AAVE).  In AAVE, ‘awake’ is often rendered as ‘woke,’ as in, “I was sleeping, but now I’m woke.”  The word ‘woke’ became entwined with the Black Lives Matter movement; instead of just being a word that signaled awareness of injustice or racial tension, it became a word of action.  Activists were ‘woke’ and called on others to ‘stay woke.’

No Demographics in Christ

In the letter that Paul writes to the Church of Galatia, he calls for unity and implores the Christians to find camaraderie in their faith in Christ’s death and resurrection: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

This call for brotherhood is especially poignant considering the past few years which have seemed to sharply divide the United States of America over some of the very lines that Paul names in Galatians: religion, enslavement, and sex.

In the age of social justice movements, it has become increasingly clear that there are many individuals who are pushing the notion that the sum-total of a person’s value can be reduced to accidents of their circumstances: race, ethnicity, sex, ability, nationality, economic status, etc.

This framework is based on the idea that there are inherent power struggles between demographics (especially intersectional demographics) and that there are always oppressors and oppresses.  For a prime example of this ideology, consider this quotation from a Time article on the subject: “Think of an LGBT African-American woman and a heterosexual white woman who are both working class.  They ‘do not experience the same levels of discrimination, even when they are working within the same structures that may locate them as poor.’”

Since claiming an oppressed identity has become a form of social currency, it has become important that the identity that one adopts be “justified” to those who would question it.  This is the controversy at the center of the Hilaria Baldwin scandal that took up far too many headlines.  It was alleged that Baldwin, a Boston-born yoga instructor and wife of Alec Baldwin, fabricated a Spanish/Latina identity, including faking an accent, to capitalize on special social benefits afforded to members of this “oppressed” class that were meant to even in the odds in their favor.  Baldwin had defended herself by saying that she spent time in both Spain and Boston as a child and that she called Spain “home” because her parents now live there.  This has done nothing but generate ire of those who describe themselves as “actual Latinos.”

This kind of anger is derived from one key problem: a crisis of identity.  People at large no longer have a strong sense of who they are and what they mean— without splitting their sense of self into a multitude of demographic groups.

This has led to clashes and disunity, even within the Church.  This conflict has become so great that a group of Christians felt called to publish a “Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel” to deal with their concerns that social justice activism runs the risk of becoming heretical.

Although there are certainly people on both sides of this issue who have good intentions, the fact of the matter is that dissecting a person— based on arbitrary demographics— has an inherent bad tendency to make people more prone to discarding the unifying identity of “Christian.”  This is a dangerous outcome that must be guarded against.  Our duty is to advance the Kingdom of God— not a special interest group.  In Ephesians 2:10 we are reminded that “…we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

To pursue this calling, we cannot allow ourselves to devolve into squabbles over who is and is not a member of an “oppressed class.”  The slaves which Paul called to brotherhood were certainly being called to unity— even though they were certainly oppressed.  That is not to say that Paul called them to accept wanton abuse— but, rather, to say that they should find their sense of self in the Lord and Body of Christ, not in their slavehood.

Our identity is and should always be foremost defined by being members of the Kingdom of God.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

As Christians, we know that we live in a fallen world.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed the commands of God, they brought sin, death, and brokenness into the human world by splitting the relationship they had with the Triune God.  The first part of 1 Corinthians 15:22 reminds us as much, saying— “For as in Adam all die …”

The COVID pandemic has brought out the worst of this fallen humanity and displayed all the callous and exaggerated pride that fills the twisted hearts of humankind.

For example, a recent Wall Street Journal article indicated that China refused to give the World Health Organization access to raw data on COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the global pandemic.  Burying this information might have led to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of people and caused untold pain and heartache.  Do the Chinese government officials feel any guilt for their callousness?  Probably not.  Have they been punished for their nationalistic attempts to prop up the image of their repressive government?  Like before, the answer is probably not.

If you want further proof, look to the United States, where New York Governor Andrew Cuomo hid data that indicated the pressure his administration exerted on nursing homes to take COVID patients likely contributed to deaths and illnesses as the contagion spread through the facilities.  Cuomo’s former aide admitted that they hid the data out of fear it would “be used against us.”  Has Cuomo received any genuine retribution for the consequences of this obviously stupid decision?  No.  Has he been punished for trying to hide the disastrous results of his actions?  Also, no.

Even normal expectations of basic decency are all-too-often lacking.  For instance, despite promising to fire anyone who was known to be abusive, President Biden’s Administration announced that they would merely be suspending a week’s worth of pay to TJ Ducklo— despite his threatening a female reporter who outed one of his affairs with a different journalist.

Often, Christians lament the folly of evil people, wondering how it is that they do not receive any apparent retribution for their actions.  They are not alone in this lament.  The prophet Jeremiah expressed similar sorrow over two millennia ago in Jeremiah 12:1.  The prophet boldly interrogates God with his own perceived injustices: “You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you.  Yet I would speak with You about Your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why do all the faithless live at ease?”

Despite the apparent wrongness of this impunity, Christians would be wise to remember God’s promise in Ecclesiastes 12:14— “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

It is also important to remember that there is hope beyond this world.  Although the first part of 1 Corinthians 15:22 reminds us that Adam’s sin has condemned our world (“For as in Adam all die …”), the second part offers us hope— “… so in Christ all will be made alive.”

No matter how dark or bleak the world seems— No matter how evil humankind becomes— God will ultimately hold the wicked accountable.  He will save those who trust in His Son’s name.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Catholic Spokesman Gives Biden a ‘No Confidence’ Vote on Religious Rights

Within his first month in office, President Biden (who campaigned on “equity” for all) is already receiving backlash from a prominent religious leader for catering to the LGBTQ community— when it comes to fighting for “human rights.”  Michael Haverluck of OneNewsNow.com reports.

Catholic League President Bill Donohue argues that even though Biden spent his first day as president discussing human rights, he focused on giving privileges to homosexuals and transgenders— to the exclusion of most other people groups.  The Democratic president, says Donohue, began his Oval Office duties by signing a flurry of executive orders— including one forcing all federal agencies to add sex and gender to discrimination protections.

“Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room or school sports,” Biden declared via executive order on January 20— confirming his administration’s determination to permit biological males to compete against girls in sports while sharing their locker rooms, showers and restrooms.

Global LGBTQ push The Catholic League leader emphasizes that Biden is pushing LGBTQ activism beyond America’s borders.  “President Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was committed to taking numerous steps to prioritize the rights of what he called LGBTQ persons abroad,” Donohue noted.  “Before his confirmation, Blinken vowed to fill an LGBTQ envoy at the United Nations, as well as to allow U.S. embassies abroad to fly the LGBTQ pride flag.”

Biden also signed an executive order expanding the number of refugees permitted into the United States— giving more access to refugees with LGBTQ gender and sexual orientations.  “My administration will reinvigorate our leadership on LGBTQI issues and do it internationally,” Biden vowed without saying what the ‘I’ stands for, according to the Catholic League, before adding an unexplained symbol to the acrostic.  “We want to lead by the power of our example in the cause of advancing the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world.”

Donohue admits he found that declaration unsettling.  “The determination of the Biden Administration to impose radical secular Western values on parts of the world that do not share our libertine vision of sexuality is disturbing,” Donohue expressed.  And one thing couldn't be clearer about the president’s proclamation, Donohue added: The negative effect it will have on religious rights.  “He made it plain that his interest in this subject extends far beyond efforts to combat discrimination,” Donohue stressed.  “He wants an activist campaign that encourages foreign aid programs abroad to promote the agenda of the LGBT community. This directive could potentially limit the federal funding that religious organizations receive.”

Donohue impressed that his organization could not find any directives or executive orders to improve Christian human rights— amidst Biden’s “obsession” with heaping on privileges to sexual minorities— despite proliferating Christian persecution in China, Africa, the Middle East, and countless regions globally being regularly reported by human rights groups.

“The persecution of Christians is on the rise,” Donohue revealed from the findings of Open Doors and Freedom House.  “For example, in 2020, more than 340-million people faced maltreatment, victimization and oppression for their faith in Christ.  A total of 4,761-Christians were martyred.  Every day, on average, 13-Christians were killed, 12-churches or Christian buildings were attacked, and 12-Christians were unjustly arrested or imprisoned.”

Leftist ideologies, such as those touted by Biden, were included in the leading causes for Christian persecution – among Islamism, communism, repressive regimes and weak states – and Donohue said it is disturbing that America’s second Catholic president refuses to acknowledge or address the abysmal treatment of Christians around the world.  

“He must know, or should know, that Christians are being slaughtered and unjustly imprisoned in record numbers— they are not the victims of mere discrimination in the workplace,” Donohue asserted.  “Why are the rights of LGBT people given preferential treatment over Christians and other people of faith?  Catholics, evangelicals, Mormons, Muslims and observant Jews would love to know.”

The Catholic leader had a few more questions for Biden regarding his limited so-called “human rights” campaign.

“Whatever happened to respect for diversity?  Aren’t we supposed to respect the cultural norms and values of other peoples?” Donohue asked.  “Why are we engaging in ideological imperialism, shoving our twisted ideas of sexuality down the throats of Africans, Asians, and Muslims?”

The outspoken Catholic essentially gave Biden a vote of no confidence regarding the protection of Christians’ God-given rights— both home and abroad.

“Biden’s selective interest in human rights is disturbing, as it … suggests that the rights of Christians at home – such as the Little Sisters of the Poor – count less than the rights of males and females who are sexually confused,” Donohue concluded.  “To put it mildly, our ‘devout Catholic’ president has gotten off to a bad start on human rights.”

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Not “Unity” – But Humility

In Romans 14:1-3 we read that Christians do not have to be in complete agreement on every matter.  In Paul’s words, “accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”

Just as Christians are not required to be united with one another on every matter, neither is the nation required to be so united.

“Unity” was a word that was used all-too-frequently during President Joe Biden’s inaugural address.  He declared that “…without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.”

Contrary to the President’s commentary, unity for its own sake is not what this nation needs; and political disagreements, do not, invariably, lead to bitterness and fury.

It is possible to have a respectful debate that is approached with humility.  If it is possible within the politics of the church, it is possible within our society.

A prime example of this respectful and humble disagreement can be found in the friendship between the late Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  The two often found themselves on opposite ends of the political spectrum.  However, they remained close friends who shared a love of food, travel, and opera.  They respected each other and refused to discard or “cancel” one another’s work simply because they disagreed.

President Biden likely intended his speech to address the wide public and social incivility— which has plagued the political discussions of our nation.  However, dis-unity is not the cause of our current problems.

Our current political discussions lack civility— because both sides have discarded the virtue of respect and humility.  We have alienated our fellow Americans by caring too much about ideological conformity— or “unity,” as the President put it.  Even within factions, like the social justice movement, disagreements in thought have led to degrading terms like “Uncle Tom foolery” being thrown at scholars like Loretta Ross— who advocated for “calling-in” instead of “calling-out.”

Collins English Dictionary says that “When there is unity, people are in agreement and act together for a particular purpose.”

Given the Loretta Ross example, the factions engaged in this rift are currently no more united than the American people.

In 1 Peter 2:17, Christians are called to— “…show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”  Although these words call for respect and humility, they do not require Christians to agree with everyone or aid them in achieving a purpose that they consider immoral.

The idea of moral objections is fundamental— given that our nation is still predominantly Christian.  There are many Christian objectors to the President’s proposed policies— and I’m one of them!

Consider a letter-to-the-editor from a self-described Catholic who stated— “The Democrat platform clearly promotes many horrendous intrinsic evils; of which abortion is the preeminent but NOT the only one, in addition to the failing policies on poverty and human rights.”

Despite President Biden’s inaugural address, the people of the United States are not in agreement and cannot, in good conscience, act together to achieve the same purposes as his administration.  That kind of society would stifle the free market of ideas that the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution was intended to protect.

Neither repression nor a civil war is an answer to these ills.  It is critical at this point that cooler heads prevail.  The Biblical virtues of respect and humility need to be mutually accorded between political opponents.  “Just agree with me, already!” cannot be used as a substitute for grappling with the reality that America is not united.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Conform or Transform?

A much-loved passage of Scripture is— “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

More than ever in my lifetime, there is a determined push for believers to conform— instead of being transformed.  There are several examples: compliancy rules of COVID; social media standards; vaccination regulations; acceptance of variant lifestyles and the list goes on.  With all this pressure to conform, let's take a look at what conformity means as described here:

By definition, “conformity is the tendency for an individual to align their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with those of the people around them.  Conformity can take the form of overt social pressure or subtler, unconscious influence.  Regardless of its form, it can be a powerful force— able to change how large groups behave, to start or end conflicts, and much more.  At its worst, though, it can bring out a person’s darkest impulses and even be used to justify— and carry out— large-scale atrocities.”

Given the awareness of the many times we are called upon to conform, how does the Christian stay in that place of transformation that renews the mind and places us in God's will?  Britt Mooney, former missionary in Korea and podcast speaker of “Kingdom over coffee,” shares five tips to guide the Christian in staying in the will of God:

1. Stop doing things for God.  Live with Him.
2. Submit your will to the Father’s will.
3. Ask yourself, “Does the decision go contrary to God’s revealed universal law?”
4. Humbly seek counsel from the community of faith.
5. Don’t worry about making a mistake.

God revealing His will is found in the continuing transformation of the mind.  Godly activities are commendable— but living with God in the mindset of, “Is this Godly?” is better.  That mindset then bears witness in action such as with Daniel when he chose not to conform to the King’s food: “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)  Daniel submitted his will in favor of the Father’s will.

It is easy to conform.  It is almost mindless.  We see, we do.  And not all conformity is evil.  Driving on the correct side of the street is an example of conforming that is good for everyone.  It is when we conform to the world and float blindly in the river of “whatever” that we find ourselves seeking “evil with the masses” (Exodus 23:2) rather than “being alert and sober.” (I Thessalonians 5:6)  Stop and grab for the hand of another believer to yank you back to the shore and solid ground.

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.  You’ll be changed from the inside out.

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel