I just received a Rod Parsley (TV Evangelist) political update concerning the so-called "Hate Crimes" legislation that Congress seeks to institute as law, and surreptiously connected to a much-needed Defense Spending Bill.
Now, although a fan of George W. Bush, and although a fellow Pro-Lifer as President, "President George" is proving himself less and less a friend of the Religious Right, so much so, in fact, that the Bible-believing section of the Democratic Party may be a better fit!
Truly, it is the Democrats and not the Republicans who continually push for legitimizing sodomy, push for same-sex marriage (which goes against the Natural Law), and also are in favor of infanticide. But, within the African American Christian community (still predominately Democrat), these important moral issues fall in line with Christian Thought, and therefore may be the 'hope' of the future, provided the Black Community will vote according to conscience and not according to party designation alone.
Exemplars such as Bernice King (youngest daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) are not the same type of Black Christian Leader as Barack Obama. Obama, although a suave, good-looking young man, is nonetheless still a member of the almost unitarian universalist denomination United Church of Christ. Therefore, for the T.D. Jakes type of Black Christian Leader, Obama represents a failure, rather than a success of the African American Christian community. Now if Condoleeza Rice or Bernice King were to run for President, then this would be a different story. Both women are staunchly in favor of conservative Judeo-Christian America, albeit from a Democratic perspective (Bernice King) or from a centrist, non-xenophobic Republican perspective (Condoleeza Rice).
The African American community (as well as I can discern) is simply not as 'welcoming' of homosexual activity within their midst. Whether the Black Leader is a practicing Christian or simply raised in a traditionally Christian home, the African American community simply does not support homosexuality.
Therefore, although white liberals like Hillary Clinton want to shove sodomy down our collective American throats, it is the Black Democratic Party that will ultimately have the final say!
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, Friend of ALL PEOPLE (including gays), BUT always upholding the TRUTH of CHRISTIAN TEACHING
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Growing up KING . . .
I just started reading a great book authored by Dexter King, son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The book chronicles the 'inner history' of the King family, including anecdotes about older sister Yolanda playing the role of 'theater director,' young sister Bernice being the 'tag-along' tom-boy and of course, Dexter's own reflections.
In reading Growing Up King by Dexter King, I fondly reflect upon my own KING surname. The KING name is derived originally from Saxon conquerors of Britain (8th century origin), but then spread to Ireland. I am unsure of which side of the King family my name is derived from since I have both English and Irish blood on my paternal side. What is striking, nonetheless, is that the grandfather of Martin Luther King, Sr. was actually an Irishman named "King" and since they all lived in Georgia (where my own family roots extend back to that generation), at some point I (like Barack Obama being a 'cousin' to Dick Cheney, the black sheep of the Obama family ;-) am actually genetically related to the great Martin Luther King, Jr. At some point in the King surname Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and myself have a common grandpa!
With that being said, it is striking how much our 'family of origin' matters. Like Dr. King, descended from royalty on his father's side, I also have had to struggle for Civil Rights. A King is a King. People generally do not like kings, unless of course they can benefit from their power. To Dr. King, this meant going off to graduate school in order to gain his doctoral degree and turn the King family from Atlanta royalty to National royalty. For myself, like my Father before me, it has meant moving (back) to St. Petersburg, FL in order to flourish. Gone are the days of persecution by feminist ideology. Now, the future is BRIGHT.
If you would like to see a King in Office, in fact, even the Oval Office, then please support my political calling. Kingship matters. It did for Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement and it does for 2007 U.S.A. in helping to get our young men and women out of Iraq, reducing government spending, shaping up our deficit-riddled budget and making prosperity a real option for Americans again.
Vote King.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, fan of my cousin Martin ;-)
In reading Growing Up King by Dexter King, I fondly reflect upon my own KING surname. The KING name is derived originally from Saxon conquerors of Britain (8th century origin), but then spread to Ireland. I am unsure of which side of the King family my name is derived from since I have both English and Irish blood on my paternal side. What is striking, nonetheless, is that the grandfather of Martin Luther King, Sr. was actually an Irishman named "King" and since they all lived in Georgia (where my own family roots extend back to that generation), at some point I (like Barack Obama being a 'cousin' to Dick Cheney, the black sheep of the Obama family ;-) am actually genetically related to the great Martin Luther King, Jr. At some point in the King surname Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and myself have a common grandpa!
With that being said, it is striking how much our 'family of origin' matters. Like Dr. King, descended from royalty on his father's side, I also have had to struggle for Civil Rights. A King is a King. People generally do not like kings, unless of course they can benefit from their power. To Dr. King, this meant going off to graduate school in order to gain his doctoral degree and turn the King family from Atlanta royalty to National royalty. For myself, like my Father before me, it has meant moving (back) to St. Petersburg, FL in order to flourish. Gone are the days of persecution by feminist ideology. Now, the future is BRIGHT.
If you would like to see a King in Office, in fact, even the Oval Office, then please support my political calling. Kingship matters. It did for Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement and it does for 2007 U.S.A. in helping to get our young men and women out of Iraq, reducing government spending, shaping up our deficit-riddled budget and making prosperity a real option for Americans again.
Vote King.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, fan of my cousin Martin ;-)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Ethics, what is it, can it be secular?
Right now I am muddling through a whole stack of Applied Ethics mid-terms. These essays are written in response to a real-life Governmental Fraud type of scenario (illegal and over-billing in the Iraq War). In paper after paper that I am reading, I am struck by how various "ethical theories" exist, but then the actual conclusion varies quite widely based upon personality, ethno-cultural background, and occasionally religion.
What does NOT unify these ethical conclusions is the notion that there is one and only one correct answer. In fact, most 'ethics' courses are taught in such a way that norms are basically a thing of the past and all that matters is clearly elucidating one's position.
This leads to a question . . . Can ethics be secular?
My own answer is no.
Ethics is rooted in direct divine command, given by YHWH on Mt. Sinai to Moses and then radically re-interpreted through Jesus the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law.
Yes, there is still the 'natural law' that points to the inherent moral order of the universe. But, by and large, outside of issues such as reproduction and sexuality, the natural law tells us little. It takes a direct revelation from YHWH to tell us not to practice adultery, not to worship idols, not to covet our neighbor's wife or goods. No where else in secular ethics do such norms exist. In fact, in the secular western nations of Europe and N. America, adultery is no longer outlawed, one can worship idols and covetousness is the grist of the capitalist mill as our very fallen desires are then turned towards fulfilling the expectations of a consumer-driven economy.
So, no, secularists, ethics cannot be taught, only learned. I invite all of my Jewish and Christian colleagues to join me in 'reeducating America' during the next ten years!
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, follower of the Torah
What does NOT unify these ethical conclusions is the notion that there is one and only one correct answer. In fact, most 'ethics' courses are taught in such a way that norms are basically a thing of the past and all that matters is clearly elucidating one's position.
This leads to a question . . . Can ethics be secular?
My own answer is no.
Ethics is rooted in direct divine command, given by YHWH on Mt. Sinai to Moses and then radically re-interpreted through Jesus the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law.
Yes, there is still the 'natural law' that points to the inherent moral order of the universe. But, by and large, outside of issues such as reproduction and sexuality, the natural law tells us little. It takes a direct revelation from YHWH to tell us not to practice adultery, not to worship idols, not to covet our neighbor's wife or goods. No where else in secular ethics do such norms exist. In fact, in the secular western nations of Europe and N. America, adultery is no longer outlawed, one can worship idols and covetousness is the grist of the capitalist mill as our very fallen desires are then turned towards fulfilling the expectations of a consumer-driven economy.
So, no, secularists, ethics cannot be taught, only learned. I invite all of my Jewish and Christian colleagues to join me in 'reeducating America' during the next ten years!
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, follower of the Torah
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Homecoming, football and the old, old America . . .
The act of Homecoming is beautiful.
Recently I attended the annual conference of the Coming Home Network. The Coming Home Network is a Catholic Apostolate that is in place to welcome those from other Christian communities who desire full communion with the Vatican.
I greatly enjoyed this event, especially since the chief focus was Jesus Christ and also the Virgin Mary. Whether it was sweatshirts for sale or posters or rosaries, the focus was on good, old, old Catholic piety!
Here is where the United States of America must return to its true spiritual home. What started out as a place of Religious Freedom as established by English Puritans in the North, Baptists and Methodists (Anglicans) in the South and Catholics in the Southwest, sadly is now a 'ship' that has gone astray without its rutter.
From killing our babies in the womb (something illegal from the 1700's - 1973) to same-sex unions (homosexuality itself was outlawed in most states up until the 20th century) to fighting wars that are no longer 'just wars,' but instead are the wars of capitalist expansion, we are a Nation adrift without a rudder. Need oil, then go invade Iraq. Need fame, then go invade a country like Grenada.
In contrast to these recent developments in U.S. History, some of which were actually GOOD, like the Civil Rights Movement of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the distinctively Judeo-Christian aspect of our Nation state identity (which Dr. King eloquently and prophetically exemplified), must now be reinstituted. Reinstituted through prayer. Reinstituted through fasting. Reinstituted through recommitting our lives to Jesus Christ!
If you would like to return to the best of our original Judeo-Christian heritage, please support me politically. Ironically, Christian Teaching, when clearly and rationally stated is appealing to BOTH liberals and conservatives, whether it is concern for the poor, homeless, working class OR concern for the safety of children, including saving babies from the evil of infanticide.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, Christian Political Voice, lately leaning FULLY PRO-LIFE, potentially Democrat
Recently I attended the annual conference of the Coming Home Network. The Coming Home Network is a Catholic Apostolate that is in place to welcome those from other Christian communities who desire full communion with the Vatican.
I greatly enjoyed this event, especially since the chief focus was Jesus Christ and also the Virgin Mary. Whether it was sweatshirts for sale or posters or rosaries, the focus was on good, old, old Catholic piety!
Here is where the United States of America must return to its true spiritual home. What started out as a place of Religious Freedom as established by English Puritans in the North, Baptists and Methodists (Anglicans) in the South and Catholics in the Southwest, sadly is now a 'ship' that has gone astray without its rutter.
From killing our babies in the womb (something illegal from the 1700's - 1973) to same-sex unions (homosexuality itself was outlawed in most states up until the 20th century) to fighting wars that are no longer 'just wars,' but instead are the wars of capitalist expansion, we are a Nation adrift without a rudder. Need oil, then go invade Iraq. Need fame, then go invade a country like Grenada.
In contrast to these recent developments in U.S. History, some of which were actually GOOD, like the Civil Rights Movement of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the distinctively Judeo-Christian aspect of our Nation state identity (which Dr. King eloquently and prophetically exemplified), must now be reinstituted. Reinstituted through prayer. Reinstituted through fasting. Reinstituted through recommitting our lives to Jesus Christ!
If you would like to return to the best of our original Judeo-Christian heritage, please support me politically. Ironically, Christian Teaching, when clearly and rationally stated is appealing to BOTH liberals and conservatives, whether it is concern for the poor, homeless, working class OR concern for the safety of children, including saving babies from the evil of infanticide.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, Christian Political Voice, lately leaning FULLY PRO-LIFE, potentially Democrat
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Putting the Moves on PEOPLE
Lately I have been thinking about sex. I just wrote a Campaigns Wikia article entitled "Sex Strangely Considered" in which I argue for the normativity of heterosexuality. One person really went ballistic, but then calmed down and we could engage in a rational dialogue.
One of the main problems that I have seen with homosexuality (case studies are not what I am talking about!) is that there seems to be a certain tendency of homosexuals to lack self-restraint. I have had a gay professor reference my male genitalia in a Divinity School bathroom, countless gay men either touch me without invitation and even one old gay man who actively propositions people in the public park close to my home.
Greek philosophers talked significantly about "erotic behavior," largely because they were so heavily engaged in it, heterosexual OR homosexual.
Greeks largely wanted a 'civilized' society and so wrote endlessly about Virtue and the need for 'moderation' in all things.
Sadly, when judged by the standards of ancient Greek PAGAN society (or at least the best of it!) our own nation has become so decadent that our own whips & chains homosexual underground would be even outside of GREEK PAGAN NORMS.
So, there we have it. I pray for REVIVAL in JESUS CHRIST'S NAME. Without it, our nation will fall just as the roman empire once fell (also due to its decadence, but eventually making room for Christian Rule).
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, Father and Scholar for JESUS CHRIST
One of the main problems that I have seen with homosexuality (case studies are not what I am talking about!) is that there seems to be a certain tendency of homosexuals to lack self-restraint. I have had a gay professor reference my male genitalia in a Divinity School bathroom, countless gay men either touch me without invitation and even one old gay man who actively propositions people in the public park close to my home.
Greek philosophers talked significantly about "erotic behavior," largely because they were so heavily engaged in it, heterosexual OR homosexual.
Greeks largely wanted a 'civilized' society and so wrote endlessly about Virtue and the need for 'moderation' in all things.
Sadly, when judged by the standards of ancient Greek PAGAN society (or at least the best of it!) our own nation has become so decadent that our own whips & chains homosexual underground would be even outside of GREEK PAGAN NORMS.
So, there we have it. I pray for REVIVAL in JESUS CHRIST'S NAME. Without it, our nation will fall just as the roman empire once fell (also due to its decadence, but eventually making room for Christian Rule).
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, Father and Scholar for JESUS CHRIST
Monday, November 5, 2007
Jews, Gentiles and the NEXT CHRISTENDOM
Time is shaping our events in unexpected ways.
On the left coast, our original names of Spanish Catholic cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) are now largely a by-product of a culture long since vanished.
On the east coast, the puritan settlement that was the original northeast has become unitarian universalist at best, hedonistic welfare recipients at worst.
But, in the 'heartland' (places like S. Dakota, Indiana, North Carolina, and Lousiania), Christianity is 'alive and well.' Interestingly, it is the heartland, not the left coast nor the upper northeast, that elects Presidents. Baptists, Catholics, mormons, Jews (practicing) and other secular supporters of Christendom are the ones who put the President in office.
So, in union with these 60% of Americans, I now call upon the Name Jesus Christ to elect whom HE desires to see in the Oval Office.
Blessings & LOVE in JESUS CHRIST,
Rob J. King
On the left coast, our original names of Spanish Catholic cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) are now largely a by-product of a culture long since vanished.
On the east coast, the puritan settlement that was the original northeast has become unitarian universalist at best, hedonistic welfare recipients at worst.
But, in the 'heartland' (places like S. Dakota, Indiana, North Carolina, and Lousiania), Christianity is 'alive and well.' Interestingly, it is the heartland, not the left coast nor the upper northeast, that elects Presidents. Baptists, Catholics, mormons, Jews (practicing) and other secular supporters of Christendom are the ones who put the President in office.
So, in union with these 60% of Americans, I now call upon the Name Jesus Christ to elect whom HE desires to see in the Oval Office.
Blessings & LOVE in JESUS CHRIST,
Rob J. King
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Time, space, physics and the HAND of GOD
I am not a scientist. I am a theologian, part-time historian, maverick Republican, and a STRONG PRO-LIFE CATHOLIC in the Spirit-Filled Christian Tradition (e.g. the Spiritual Homilies of Desert Father St. Macarius).
As such, I often speculate about Einstein's view of "time-space" relativity.
Do we really simply limp along from one minute to the next in boring mechanistic Newtonian fashion?
Is "G-D" some arbitrary Divine Clock-Maker who sets the world in motion and then takes His Hand of Protection away from us?
OR, like Einstein sought to prove in Nature, does Space and Time radically impinge on the other? Is the LORD God so sovereignly IN CONTROL of the universe that the atoms of matter from millions of years ago are not through the space-time relativistic continuum impinging on 2007? On 2017? On 2177?
How do we know that our ancestors (especially our ancestors in Jesus Christ, such as my grandpa King) do not effect our lives in 2007 in radical ways? I walk like my father, but somehow also have my son's mannerisms. Is my son part of me or am I part of my son?
Is my uncle really my father's brother or somehow (even through the DNA of a King) also not my father in some real biological sense? We both, afterall, dislike the Boston Red Sox! :-)
So, just a point to ponder.
Jesus Christ is the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end. HIS hand is over ALL of history.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, written in 2007 A.D. ("the year of our LORD")
As such, I often speculate about Einstein's view of "time-space" relativity.
Do we really simply limp along from one minute to the next in boring mechanistic Newtonian fashion?
Is "G-D" some arbitrary Divine Clock-Maker who sets the world in motion and then takes His Hand of Protection away from us?
OR, like Einstein sought to prove in Nature, does Space and Time radically impinge on the other? Is the LORD God so sovereignly IN CONTROL of the universe that the atoms of matter from millions of years ago are not through the space-time relativistic continuum impinging on 2007? On 2017? On 2177?
How do we know that our ancestors (especially our ancestors in Jesus Christ, such as my grandpa King) do not effect our lives in 2007 in radical ways? I walk like my father, but somehow also have my son's mannerisms. Is my son part of me or am I part of my son?
Is my uncle really my father's brother or somehow (even through the DNA of a King) also not my father in some real biological sense? We both, afterall, dislike the Boston Red Sox! :-)
So, just a point to ponder.
Jesus Christ is the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end. HIS hand is over ALL of history.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King, written in 2007 A.D. ("the year of our LORD")
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