I am a student and sometimes teacher of Religion. I majored in Religion at #9 ranked Davidson College (a small Presbyterian school in North Carolina that is on par academically with Harvard, Yale, etc.). I studied Christianity as an M.Div., Th.M. and Ph.D. student. Finally, I have taught "World Religion" to scores of On-Line university students (300+).
In my time both studying and teaching World Religion, I have stumbled across that ancient religion native to Japan called "Shinto."
Sadly, in some recent research that I did on Shinto, the comparisons between it and U.S. Christianity are often quite appalling.
With the exception of strong born again Evangelicals, most of what I am seeing in the U.S. is this syncretistic mix of feel good "Dr. Phil" pop psychology passing itself off as Christianity. Whether it is the Franciscan (Catholic) magazine that I receive or whether it is mainline Protestantism (for example, United Methodism, my former denomination . . .), all that I am seeing is an attempt by some falling away Christians to invoke state authority in order to impose their belief systems (usually heretical!) onto other Christians.
Sadly, Shinto is also a state-supported religion that is focused on 'blind patriotism,' has its shrines to national causes, and is really nothing more than old-style pre-WW II Japanese imperialism mixed with polytheistic worship. In fact, Shinto actually believes that the Japanese are somehow 'divine' and therefore better than all other human beings.
And, like Shinto, in America, we have Christians who eagerly wave the flag, yet ignore the actual words and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ says that whomever divorces his wife (or husband) causes her (or him) to commit adultery, yet here in the U.S., divorce among Christians is skyrocketing!
Like Shinto, American Christianity might 'look religious' but usually is some watered down version of true Biblical Christianity, often only a type of "Dr. Phil" meets Oprah Winfrey "good advice" channel at best and outright persecution of other believers in Christ at worst.
Therefore, whether it is Franciscans becoming nothing more than pop psychologists or mainline Protestants standing up for homosexuality and abortion (both anti-Biblical), we in the U.S. NEED to be re-evangelized. Come Holy Spirit, move in the hearts and in the minds of the American People. Make us all true blood-bought born again believers in Jesus Christ.
Love always in Christ,
Rob J. King
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Christian WISDOM . . .
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."
PROVERBS 3:27
The understanding of 'Wisdom' in the West can degenerate quickly into whatever the news media says.
Well if 89% of Americans say it, then it 'must be truth.' This, my friends, is what is called according to Christian doctrine, a factual error. TRUTH is TRUTH and the ONLY source of TRUE TRUTH is JESUS CHRIST who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE."
But, so the media 'spins' what they 'think is true' . . .
Homosexual coupling is no longer called SODOMY (what the U.S. Military STILL calls such nasty, distorted, perverted use of genitalia!). No, the media somehow passes this off as 'okay.'
Abortion is no longer called infanticide (that is the killing of a baby, as it was called from the 400's through the 1900's A.D. in the West . . .). No, now killing one's baby is deemed 'okay' (but abortion is the stopping of a beating heart, tearing little baby limbs apart with grotesque medical instruments just like the Nazi doctors did in WW II).
And so, from Rudy Giuliani to ALL Democrat Presidential Candidates that the News media hoists upon us, we are forced by raw finance to swallow this garbage . . .
BUT, alas, Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, and a Republican front-runner, STANDS FOR TRUTH!!!
ARE YOU LISTENING AMERICA?
THE HAND of YHWH, the GOD of ISRAEL is NOW and forever set against thee . . .
May a NEW GENERATION of RIGHTEOUS, economically sensitive, PRO-LIFE CHRISTIAN LEADERS now run the U.S. May JESUS CHRIST run the U.S. Military. May JESUS CHRIST run the finance that controls the world and the heartbeat of America!
ONLY through Jesus Christ and the TRUTH of the Gospel (INCLUDING not butchering babies so that one can 'move on' with one's career!!!) can we as a Nation now survive the Divine Hand set against us.
JESUS CHRIST is LORD.
Love in Christ, Rob J. King, Democrat for Christ, but ONLY PRO-LIFE
PROVERBS 3:27
The understanding of 'Wisdom' in the West can degenerate quickly into whatever the news media says.
Well if 89% of Americans say it, then it 'must be truth.' This, my friends, is what is called according to Christian doctrine, a factual error. TRUTH is TRUTH and the ONLY source of TRUE TRUTH is JESUS CHRIST who said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the LIFE."
But, so the media 'spins' what they 'think is true' . . .
Homosexual coupling is no longer called SODOMY (what the U.S. Military STILL calls such nasty, distorted, perverted use of genitalia!). No, the media somehow passes this off as 'okay.'
Abortion is no longer called infanticide (that is the killing of a baby, as it was called from the 400's through the 1900's A.D. in the West . . .). No, now killing one's baby is deemed 'okay' (but abortion is the stopping of a beating heart, tearing little baby limbs apart with grotesque medical instruments just like the Nazi doctors did in WW II).
And so, from Rudy Giuliani to ALL Democrat Presidential Candidates that the News media hoists upon us, we are forced by raw finance to swallow this garbage . . .
BUT, alas, Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, and a Republican front-runner, STANDS FOR TRUTH!!!
ARE YOU LISTENING AMERICA?
THE HAND of YHWH, the GOD of ISRAEL is NOW and forever set against thee . . .
May a NEW GENERATION of RIGHTEOUS, economically sensitive, PRO-LIFE CHRISTIAN LEADERS now run the U.S. May JESUS CHRIST run the U.S. Military. May JESUS CHRIST run the finance that controls the world and the heartbeat of America!
ONLY through Jesus Christ and the TRUTH of the Gospel (INCLUDING not butchering babies so that one can 'move on' with one's career!!!) can we as a Nation now survive the Divine Hand set against us.
JESUS CHRIST is LORD.
Love in Christ, Rob J. King, Democrat for Christ, but ONLY PRO-LIFE
Monday, January 7, 2008
Orthodoxy, Greek Food and the New Christian West . . .
Today I just read how Chris Kavouklis, age 18, won the annual Tarpon Springs, Florida Greek Orthodox Epiphany "cross dive." (Tampa Tribune, January 7, 2008, Metro section, p.1). The Greeks, always the athletically-inclined (they did invent the Olympic Games you know! :-) have this annual Florida tradition of young men jumping into the chilly Florida waters and retrieving a cross.
Well, from the ancient Greek Olympic Games, I too will now embark on a journey, this time as a Professor of Applied Ethics. I normally teach a variety of courses, ranging from On-Line to ground campus, but this spring and summer, I will get to bring the 'wisdom of Greek philosophy' (Aristotle, Plato) to the Greek Orthodox!
Yes, I will be 'speaking Greek to a Greek community' in the form of St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs campus! From Aristotle to Plato, but then into the Christian Era (i.e. St. Thomas Aquinas, Natural Law Thinker . . .) I will embark on a journey 'back in time' (Tarpon Springs, Florida was largely founded as a Greek Orthodox ethnic and religious enclave due to the nice Florida weather . . .).
But, as we celebrate pagan Greek philosophy and athleticism in the West (secular version of history, which is distorted historiography that the E.U. likes to hoist upon folks . . .), let us NEVER forget that the Greek community (St. Paul as a Hellenized Jew who spoke and wrote Greek, as well as the entire New Testament being written in Greek!!!) was the first Gentile community to embrace the GOSPEL message of Jesus Christ!
Even today, it is the CROSS and not some silly Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet that young Greek Orthodox men dive into frigid Greek waters to retrieve!
Let us, now as a united Continent of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico look to our Greek Orthodox Fathers in the Christian Faith and eat heartily of the food that only Jesus Christ can provide. The future of the West lies not with scientific advancement, nor does it even lie with human rights, but with the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Amen and Amen!
KURIOSIESUSCHRISTOS (Greek transliteration of the English, "Jesus Christ is LORD")
Love in Christ, Rob J. King, Professor, Scholar and Democrat for Christ
Well, from the ancient Greek Olympic Games, I too will now embark on a journey, this time as a Professor of Applied Ethics. I normally teach a variety of courses, ranging from On-Line to ground campus, but this spring and summer, I will get to bring the 'wisdom of Greek philosophy' (Aristotle, Plato) to the Greek Orthodox!
Yes, I will be 'speaking Greek to a Greek community' in the form of St. Petersburg College, Tarpon Springs campus! From Aristotle to Plato, but then into the Christian Era (i.e. St. Thomas Aquinas, Natural Law Thinker . . .) I will embark on a journey 'back in time' (Tarpon Springs, Florida was largely founded as a Greek Orthodox ethnic and religious enclave due to the nice Florida weather . . .).
But, as we celebrate pagan Greek philosophy and athleticism in the West (secular version of history, which is distorted historiography that the E.U. likes to hoist upon folks . . .), let us NEVER forget that the Greek community (St. Paul as a Hellenized Jew who spoke and wrote Greek, as well as the entire New Testament being written in Greek!!!) was the first Gentile community to embrace the GOSPEL message of Jesus Christ!
Even today, it is the CROSS and not some silly Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet that young Greek Orthodox men dive into frigid Greek waters to retrieve!
Let us, now as a united Continent of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico look to our Greek Orthodox Fathers in the Christian Faith and eat heartily of the food that only Jesus Christ can provide. The future of the West lies not with scientific advancement, nor does it even lie with human rights, but with the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Amen and Amen!
KURIOSIESUSCHRISTOS (Greek transliteration of the English, "Jesus Christ is LORD")
Love in Christ, Rob J. King, Professor, Scholar and Democrat for Christ
Saturday, January 5, 2008
From Criticism to Constuctivism: Barack the New Prez???
I just read a Newsmax headline that was already using the phrase "President elect Obama . . ."
Now to be fair to Barack Obama, I actually agree with him on a couple of key points.
First, Obama and I agree that U.S. troops in Iraq should be brought home!
Second, Obama and I agree that a black man should serve in the White House!
Now that we are agreed on this, and to be frank, if an African American is what the voters desire, then someone like Alan Keyes (http://www.alankeyes.com/) should serve as President. Alan is intelligent, a strong PRO-LIFER who wishes to PROTECT the lives of babies in utero, and simply a better choice (I actually receive Keyes' mailings on a regular basis).
But, rather than supporting a GOOD man like Keyes (G.O.P. side), the Iowa voters were duped by Obama's charm and good looks. Give me a break . . .
Rob J. King, Christ-alone in U.S. Politics
Now to be fair to Barack Obama, I actually agree with him on a couple of key points.
First, Obama and I agree that U.S. troops in Iraq should be brought home!
Second, Obama and I agree that a black man should serve in the White House!
Now that we are agreed on this, and to be frank, if an African American is what the voters desire, then someone like Alan Keyes (http://www.alankeyes.com/) should serve as President. Alan is intelligent, a strong PRO-LIFER who wishes to PROTECT the lives of babies in utero, and simply a better choice (I actually receive Keyes' mailings on a regular basis).
But, rather than supporting a GOOD man like Keyes (G.O.P. side), the Iowa voters were duped by Obama's charm and good looks. Give me a break . . .
Rob J. King, Christ-alone in U.S. Politics
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thompson, Romney, Hillary & the rest . . .
Well, the results are in.
Iowa, a grass-roots kind of place, a place with row upon row of fields and one of the top states in the U.S. for its focus on Education has decided to go both liberal and conservative.
On the conservative side, Huckabee scored a major blow, owing largely to his consistent Bible-based ethic and the Midwest's propensity towards Biblical conservatism.
On the liberal side, in an interesting show of force, the liberal Barack Obama won out over Hillary.
Strange how the pundits never see the end result until the final outcome.
Hillary raises the most cash, but ends up in third behind someone who is only a first term senator.
Again, life is strange and life is quite unpredictable.
Blessings in Christ,
Rob J. King
Iowa, a grass-roots kind of place, a place with row upon row of fields and one of the top states in the U.S. for its focus on Education has decided to go both liberal and conservative.
On the conservative side, Huckabee scored a major blow, owing largely to his consistent Bible-based ethic and the Midwest's propensity towards Biblical conservatism.
On the liberal side, in an interesting show of force, the liberal Barack Obama won out over Hillary.
Strange how the pundits never see the end result until the final outcome.
Hillary raises the most cash, but ends up in third behind someone who is only a first term senator.
Again, life is strange and life is quite unpredictable.
Blessings in Christ,
Rob J. King
Thursday, January 3, 2008
War, Republicans and Why the Democrats will win in '08 . . .
Technology is the key to survival in the New West . . .
If we ever seek to overextend ourselves in the Middle East then we are in grave danger of compromising our National Security because we will soon lag behind technologically.
The Republican answer is that we are to maintain a 'tough stance' in the Middle East (i.e. V.P. Cheney's aggressive stance towards Iran . . .). Yes, there are some more moderate, less hawkish voices (e.g. John McCain), but by and large the Republicans, although largely Pro-Life, are nonetheless the 'Party of War.' Want to go to war, then vote Republican . . .
The Democrat answer can be a better way. The proper stance towards Iraq is one of measured respect for the Iraqi government, empowering their self-rule, and a presence maintained in Iraq, but without further acts of aggression on our parts.
From former airborne soldiers who are now stridently anti-war to Christian Leaders like myself, it is the Left who will now take the lead.
If you would like to see a STRONG MILITARY that does not have its resources depleted, then Vote Rob J. King.
Love in Christ,
Rob J. King, Democrat, Father, Scholar and Activist
If we ever seek to overextend ourselves in the Middle East then we are in grave danger of compromising our National Security because we will soon lag behind technologically.
The Republican answer is that we are to maintain a 'tough stance' in the Middle East (i.e. V.P. Cheney's aggressive stance towards Iran . . .). Yes, there are some more moderate, less hawkish voices (e.g. John McCain), but by and large the Republicans, although largely Pro-Life, are nonetheless the 'Party of War.' Want to go to war, then vote Republican . . .
The Democrat answer can be a better way. The proper stance towards Iraq is one of measured respect for the Iraqi government, empowering their self-rule, and a presence maintained in Iraq, but without further acts of aggression on our parts.
From former airborne soldiers who are now stridently anti-war to Christian Leaders like myself, it is the Left who will now take the lead.
If you would like to see a STRONG MILITARY that does not have its resources depleted, then Vote Rob J. King.
Love in Christ,
Rob J. King, Democrat, Father, Scholar and Activist
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
U.F.O.'s, Cocaine Users and the New Democrats . . .
I just read in today's Wall Street Journal (Wednesday, January 1, 2008, p. A1) about minority Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich's unparalled 'close encounter' with a U.F.O. where he felt "a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind" (according to a new book by that wacky New Ager Shirley MacLaine).
Well, from U.F.O. lovers to former cocaine users, the Democrats really are hoisting up some 'winners.'
To be frank, with the exception of Ms. Clinton, I am not sure if the other candidates have the analytical skills to lead the U.S. (of course, Kucinich probably has his thoughts 'telepathically' given to him by some little green man from Mars!).
No, it seems that intelligence is low on the list of Presidential qualifications . . .
But, if you would like to scribble in a quick vote for "Rob J. King" (still officially undeclared), then you will be electing INTELLIGENCE and most of all a STRONG Jesus Christ-centered economic progressive who won't let your hard-earned dollars be wasted in the quagmire of Iraq.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King
Well, from U.F.O. lovers to former cocaine users, the Democrats really are hoisting up some 'winners.'
To be frank, with the exception of Ms. Clinton, I am not sure if the other candidates have the analytical skills to lead the U.S. (of course, Kucinich probably has his thoughts 'telepathically' given to him by some little green man from Mars!).
No, it seems that intelligence is low on the list of Presidential qualifications . . .
But, if you would like to scribble in a quick vote for "Rob J. King" (still officially undeclared), then you will be electing INTELLIGENCE and most of all a STRONG Jesus Christ-centered economic progressive who won't let your hard-earned dollars be wasted in the quagmire of Iraq.
Love in Jesus Christ,
Rob J. King
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