ISRAEL UPDATEJanuary 25, 2004 – Mount Rushmore stands as one of the most notable achievements ever erected by the efforts of man - a truly monumental feat.
Its creator John Gutzon Borglum, was not only an innovator, but also a gifted artist whose previous accomplishments brought him to the attention of Presidents, many Congressman and Senators, and also the Wright Brothers.
While most people do not know Mr. Borglum by name, I am sure even fewer knew of his political affiliation as a Ku Klux Klan member… who tried desperately to have a fellow Klansman elected as President of the United States.
It is not clear how Congressman and Senators who voted to approve funding for the Mount Rushmore project perceived such open actions; as they were no doubt preoccupied about the rise of Hitler's Germany in that time period.
Still more puzzling is that Charles Lindbergh, once America's hero, had his public stature severely tarnished when his affiliation with the German Nazi movement and its politicians was brought to life.
So to look at the Mount Rushmore Monument or the Spirit of St. Louis plane, we see just one more example of the condemnation of one activity, while the other parallel to it is condoned or ignored. This is a textbook example of hypocrisy.
The Ku Klux Klan or the American Nazi party, were both very dangerous to our nation during the last century. Now the radical Nation of Islam with its rhetoric and activities is being “smoothed over” in our nation and around the world… while Israel is condemned again and again – all of this being very dangerous to our country.
January 25, 2004 – Recorded history tells us that while the Apostle Paul did not personally encounter Christ and His message, we know he was converted on the road to Damascus.
While John 3:16 has been used as the bedrock verse for leading people to Christ, I believe we must also look to the foundation of the gospel – G-d's grace.
Paul drives home this fact in the majority of his writings, but I choose to focus on one particular passage in II Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of G-d in him.”
Notice the key elements of this verse. First, he had to be made sin (or take on sin). A born-again Jesus would have to be sinful before this process.
Second, he knew no sin, echoing the words of I Peter 2:21, assuring us that G-d turned his back on Him as the He hung on the cross - because the Sinless One had taken on the sins of humanity.
Third, he completed a requirement that no one else could accomplish. He being sinless taking on sin finished the process of we, the sinful beings, now able to be forgiven, standing in righteousness, or right standing with a Holy G-d.
Paul, given the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to write so much of the New Testament, gives us special assurance here. Don't be distressed or deceived, the only one to die for man’s sin knew no sin.
The dangers of the born-again Jesus teaching can truly be seen as altering the deity of Christ. Many religions have been notorious at this for over 1900 years now.
To be continued. . .