Angel Tree

One of the most painful parts of being incarcerated is the inability to give Christmas gifts to your children. And for the children themselves, Christmas, which is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, becomes a time of mourning and disappointment. After her own personal experience of this pain in prison for 6 years, Mary K. Beard founded Angel Tree to give gifts on behalf of inmates to their children. With humble beginnings of just 556 children in 1982, Angel Tree gave gifts last year to 415,000 children. These gifts are a message of hope to the children, and a demonstration of the substitutionary love of Christ to their parents in jail. For ever $10.20 you give, a child receives a personally selected gift and an item of clothing on Christmas Day. Call 1-888-ANGEL-05 (888-264-3505) or click here to help as many of them as you can.

Various Current Events

Oral Roberts’s legacy (Christianity Today)
God’s man in Tulsa (Christianity Today)
Oral Roberts dies at 91 (USA Today)
Immigration bill announced in House (LA Times)
100 reasons global warming isn’t manmade (Daily Express)
If only Tiger had stayed single (ABC News)
Lessons from Tiger (Albert Mohler)
Looks buy happiness, but only in cities (MSNBC)
DC votes for gay marriage (Christian Post)
Muslim death threats over Swiss minaret (Christian Post)
Core values in health care bills (LA Times)
Why the banks still aren’t lending (WSJ)
The President is no B+ (Karl Rove)
H1N1 statistics (Fox News)
New RI prostitution law hurting strip clubs (Providence Journal)
Sec. Clinton’s human rights speech (State.gov)
Latino organization uses Jesus to promote census (USA Today)
VA middle school cancels Taliban assignment (Wash Post)
Domino’s to change its pizza recipe (USA Today)
H1N1 vaccines expiring, being recalled (USA Today)
Pope calls for action on climate change (Wash Post)
Tiger prompts advertiser “reputation insurance” (Atlanta J-C)
SC House nixes Sanford impeachment (The State)
BBC gets heat for discussing Uganda policy (London Times)
Scientists crack two cancer codes (London Times)
Sen. Schumer swears at stewardess (NY Post)
Valley teacher took students to Hooters (AZ Republic)
Sex makes people stupid (Maggie Gallagher)
Climate talks at crisis stage (CBS News)
Lieberman: people fund things they dislike (CNS News)
Spitzer’s call girl now an advice columnist (NY Post)
Obama: gov’t will bankrupt without health reform (ABC News)
Ugandan anti-gay bill divides Christians (Christianity Today)
Ugandan pleads with Americans on Hsex bill (Christianity Today)

Wacky Wednesday--Fiction Is Sinful

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~When we invent imaginary worlds, we are playing God.
~Fiction has a powerful capacity to shape our beliefs and our morals.
~You can easily write a story which generates sympathy for anyone, including the most detestable villains.
~Fiction is like an emotional drug which then makes you less and less satisfied with the ordinary experiences of real life.
~Ethics should be based on reality, not on hypothetical examples in a world which God didn’t actually make.
~When you can easily escape your own world by consuming fiction, you become less motivated to change the things about your life which dissatisfy you.
~The Bible says to pay no attention to fables and old wives tales.
~Fiction is highly addictive, and, if we are to not be attached to the real world, how much more should we be not attached to an imaginary one.

~Only God should be the Creator of worlds.
~How does fiction point people toward the Bible?
~Authors of Christian fiction always take some license, and license is just another word for error.

Wacky Wednesday--Logic Doesn't Matter

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~It must not matter since so many people are terrible at it, and yet we live fairly well.
~Our actions are guided almost entirely by emotion, experience, and programming, not logic.
~Name a major human problem solved by logic
~The Bible didn’t give us logic as a tool. Greek philosophy did.
~Reality is often unlikely or improbable and even irrational.
~The Pharisees killed Jesus because of logic. As a Sabbath-breaker, He clearly couldn’t be a true prophet and deserved death.
~Even highly logical people are still irrational
~Things don’t really need to be logical to be functional, just consider the English language.

Theological Tuesday

~Should Christians say, “Jesus is coming back soon?”
~Is gratitude a skill or a gift?
~How should Christians respond to a recession?

Ethics Class, Session 32: Sexual Deviance 3

Tonight’s planned material includes: Homosexuality.

You can get more information at http://andrewtallmanshowethics.blogspot.com.

Click here to post your thoughts on the Ethics Class.

Obama’s Nobel Acceptance Speech

Last week, President Obama accepted his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, and he gave what can only be described as a stunningly unexpected speech. In it, he defended American foreign policy, defended the importance of warfare under the right circumstances, and even acknowledged that the committee was premature in giving it to him when he hasn’t really done anything yet. So, today, I thought we would talk about the speech and analyze it since I believe it’s one of his best so far.

Links:
Text of Obama’s Speech

Various Current Events

Eritrea arrests 30 missionary women (Christian Post)
Canadian pastor acquitted of hate crime (Christian Post)
Senate blocks abortion ban in health bill (Christian Post)
NOW thrilled with Nelson-Hatch defeat (NOW)
Two thirds of abortion clinics closed since 1991 (Christian Post)
Defending marriage by denying divorce (LA Times)
House passes college football playoff bill (My Way News)
Hillary’s pollster gets $6 million in stimulus funds (The Hill)
Pork in stimulus revealed by GOP (The Hill)
Opening video at Copenhagen (Gotta See!) (You Tube)
Gore falsifies in response to climategate (The Herald Sun)
Why science is not the final arbiter of truth (IBD)
Scientist feels pressured to defend global warming (Fox News)
The big price tag of a climate deal (NYT)
Obama’s Nobel acceptance speech (White House)
US Muslims pray for one nation, one God (Islam Online)
Mikulski: “Opposing health care morally wrong.” (CNS News)
The Tiger in you (Townhall)
Harry Reid’s History Lesson (WSJ)
Here’s why people don’t buy global warming (CBS News)

Wacky Wednesday--Legalism Is Right: Works Save You

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~Doesn’t James say that faith without works is dead?
~Matthew 25 teaches the parables of the 10 virgins, the talents, and the goat and sheep nations. All of these explicitly show that works are necessary for salvation.
~Jesus finishes His Sermon on the Mount (Matt 7) by telling us that obedience is necessary and to judge people by their fruit.
~In the parable of the wedding feast (Matt 22), the guy who isn’t wearing the right clothes is thrown out of the house.
~Many are called, but few are chosen.
~Paul says that sinners won’t inherit the kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10)
~Why would God give us rules unless He expected us to follow them and believed that we could? It would be unfair to impose rules that are impossible.
Aren’t we supposed to have the fruit of the Spirit? (Gal 5:22-23)

Wacky Wednesday--Antinomianism Is Right: Sins Don’t Matter

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~If good works can’t promote salvation, how can evil works hinder it?
~If we were capable of obeying the moral law, then we wouldn’t need the sacrifice of Christ, right?
~If salvation can’t be lost, then what would it matter how you live?
~Just as we don’t make sacrifices at the temple any longer, why would we need to obey the teachings of the law any longer?
~Circumcision has been done away with, why not the entire moral law?
~This solves the very tricky problem of distinguishing the parts of the Old Testament that still apply from those that do not. None of them do.
~The just shall live by faith, not by anything they do or avoid doing.
~David was a man after God’s own heart, despite adultery and conspiracy to commit murder.
~If you reject this, why is your view of Christian liberty so narrow?
~God welcomes and saves all people, not just the well-behaved.
~Isn’t this just the logical conclusion to be drawn from the concept of justification by faith alone?
~We are either under the law or under grace, not a little of both.
~This seems to be the dominant view held by mainline Protestants today, at least concerning sexual sins. How likely is it that all of them are just wrong?
~Consider how liberating it is to embrace this reality. Now you’re truly free to love God and even to honor Him in your behavior, since what you do earns you nothing and forfeits you nothing.
~Once saved, always saved, but with footnotes?
~We’re going to sin anyhow, so why fight it?
~The more we sin, the better God looks, right?
~The thief on the cross was saved without any works whatsoever, right?

Links:

Antinomianism (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Antinomianism (Grace Valley Christian Center)
What is Antinomianism (Got Questions)
Antinomianism Misapplied (Robert Traill)

Theological Tuesday

~“The Shack”

.

The Shack under attack: a response to Mark Driscoll, Part 1, Part 2 (Christian Post)

Ethics Class, Session 31: Sexual Deviance 2

Tonight’s planned material includes: Contraception.

You can get more information at http://andrewtallmanshowethics.blogspot.com.

Links:
A Brief History of Church Teaching on Contraception
Theology of the Body by Christopher West (And other Articles)
Contraception: Why Not? by Janet Smith
The Case Against Contraception by W. Patrick Cunningham
Why Not Contraception by George Sim Johnston
The Case Against Contraception by Rachel Miola
A Critique of the Culture of Contraception by Chris Brown
Quotes on Contraception
A Full Quiver Book on Large Families by Rick and Jan Hess
Pandora's Pillbox Conference Tapes at One More Soul
Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI 1968
Castii Conubii by Pope Pius XI 1930
Populorum Progressivo by Pope Paul VI 1967
Griswold v Connecticut 1965 USSC Case
Roe v Wade 1973 USSC CaseNFP book
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler
Pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions by Washington Post
Under-Population, Not Over-population Real Problem by UN
Rude "When Are You Having A Baby?" Question by Dear Abby
Debate Over "Deliberate Childlessness" by Albert Mohler
Under-Population Worries Baptist Leader by Bob Allen
Pro-C: Contraception and Abortion Twins? By Wayne Jackson
Pro-C: Catholics for Contraception by Catholics for Choice
Pro-C: Christians and Contraception by Bart Garrett
Pro-C: "Full-Quiver" Theology Appeals to Race by M. Torre
Pro-C: Inconceivable: Couples Refusing Kids by V. Shodolski
Pro-C: HappilyChildFree.com

Confrontation: Why We Don’t And How We Should

It seems like I’ve been besieged lately with confrontation opportunities (as even the thought of the day notices). Naturally, we all have situations in our daily lives where we observe people either irritating us, violating some social rule, sinning, or even breaking the law. Sadly, in my opinion, most of us fail to confront people when such things happen. The reasons why we avoid confrontation are fairly obvious: fear, laziness, expectation of failure, etc. But the Bible is pretty emphatic about the importance of confronting people effectively and lovingly. So, tonight I’d like to hear your stories of confrontations handled well, handled poorly, or avoided as we talk about how and why to confront people.

Bible References: Lev 19:16-18, Deut 19:15, Matt 5: 21-26, Matt 6:9-15, Matt 18:15-20, Luke 12:56-59, Luke 17:1-10, John 13:34-35, John 15:12, John 15:17, 1 Cor 6:1-8, 1 Cor 13:4, 2 Cor 13:1, Gal 6:1-3, 1 Thess 5:14-15, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Thess 3:14-16, 1 Tim 5:19, 1 John 2:8-11, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 4:19-21, James 5:19-20

Various Current Events

20 health advances people don’t notice (WSJ)
Climategate: Follow the money (WSJ)
Climategate: Facts on GW have changed (Guardian)
Climategate: UN doesn’t care (Guardian)
Climategate: Worst scandal of generation (Telegraph)
Climategate: WH denies importance (The Hill)
Climategate: The science isn’t settled (WSJ)
Seven stories Obama doesn’t want told (Politico)
Lose weight or no diploma (CNN)
Police shoot cop-killer in Washington (USA Today)
Cop killer was out despite rap sheet (Fox News)
Huckabee clemency issue resurfaces (NYT)
Study claims 45,000 Americans die from no insurance (Harvard)
Read the abstract
Megachurch donates $9.6 mil in volunteer hours (Christian Post)
Chinese megachurch leaders sentenced to jail (Christian Post)
5 more pastors jailed in China (Christian Post)
Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit (Christian Post)
Rampant extinction threatens all species (LA Times)
Swiss ban minarets (LA Times)
Switzerland and the minaret (WSJ)
Swiss vote for intolerance (NYT)
Obama’s Afghanistan speech (White House)
Risk meets reality in Dubai (LA Times)
Tiger Woods should explain (AZ Republic)
Woods blames same media he profited from (Yahoo)
CA movement to ban divorce (CBS)
This I believe (NYT)
A conservative praises Obama on Afgh. (CS Monitor)
Tiger Woods scandal (CS Monitor)
UK counselor fired for not counseling gays (Christian Post)
Belgian man recovers after 23 year coma (Christian Post)
NH court to hear home school case (Christian Post)
FRC releases porn study (Christian Post)
NY rejects gay marriage bill (NYT)
Questions for Obama on Afghanistan (CS Monitor)

Wacky Wednesday--We Should Enact A War Tax

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~This is a natural extension of requiring men to register for selective service.
~All Americans should share the burdens of conducting a war.
~If people won’t pay for it, they shouldn’t be conducting it.
~Paying now is better than indenturing our children with massive debt.
~War should not be possible without at least some daily awareness of its costs.
~This might encourage clearer goals and a speedier resolution.
~We have to pay for the war somehow, isn’t this the most fiscally responsible way?

Links:
Pay as you fight (Politico)
Time for a war tax (Tax.com)
Historical perspective: sacrifice and surcharge (Tax History.com)
Some dems propose tax surcharge (USA Today)
Obey’s war tax (Time)
David Obey’s war tax (Economist)
Obey wants Obama to pay for troop increase (ABC)
Hoyer signals support for war tax (CNS News)
“Share The Sacrifice Act of 2010”

Wacky Wednesday--A Little Lust Is Alright

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~When it comes to alcohol, tobacco, savory foods, and other things, we say that it’s okay to use it just a little as long as we don’t overdo it.
~Moderation in all things, right?
~Lust perpetuates gender distinctions, and isn’t it important to keep this concept alive and well?
~It’s okay to look as long as you don’t touch.
~The vast majority of men indulge in a little lust and still make great husbands.
~Trying to prohibit it entirely doesn’t work. So maybe allowing it a little is the way to go.

Theological Tuesday

~Should churches have performance reviews for members?

~Is gratitude a skill or a gift?

~How should Christians respond to a recession?

~Should churches be pet-friendly?

Ethics Class, Session 30: Sexual Deviance 1

Tonight’s planned material includes:

Pornography

You can get more information at http://andrewtallmanshowethics.blogspot.com.)

Dove Evolution Ad On Female Beauty (Excellent!)
The Photoshop Lie (Another Excellent Video)

The Stories And Icons Of Science

Since my dad is here and this was his idea, I thought I’d do it while I have his brain to help me. One of the easiest ways to identify and perpetuate a worldview is its stories. So today, I thought we could talk about some of the stories used for the science worldview and the images (icons) which surround science.

Links:
Science as storytelling by Serendip
Science and narrative by Steve Denning
The discovery of penicillin by Pantaneto
Teaching the nature of science by Serc.Carlton.edu
100 scientists who shaped history by Adherents

Theological Tuesday

~Should churches have performance reviews for members?

~Forgiveness.

~Do you fear “spiritual” books?

~What does Christianity cost? What has it cost you?

~What expression do you imagine on God’s face?

~Should children be encouraged to study Evolution?

~Does God reward and punish people in this life?

Ethics Class, Session 29: Sex, Dating, and Marriage 4

Tonight’s planned material includes:

~What’s so great about dating?
~Is there a viable alternative?
~Why is pornography a problem?
~How should I select a spouse?

You can get more information at http://andrewtallmanshowethics.blogspot.com.)

Miscellaneous Monday

There are a bunch of things I’d like to talk about today, but I don’t know whether any of them will necessarily occupy the entire hour. Here, in no particular order, is what’s on my mind:

~Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga at the AMA
~The Manhattan Declaration
~Dancing bunnies and Internet security.

Links:
Manhattan Declaration

Various Current Events

Enumerated Powers Act H.R. 450, S. 1319
Newsweek on Palin (Newsweek)
Newsweek cover (Newsbusters)
Original Palin photo (Notice other flag, photos) (Runner’s World)
MSNBC uses fake photos to mock Palin (MRC)
AP assigns 11 fact-checkers to Palin book (Fox News)
DeMint rips bogus stimulus claims (The State)
Hasan, not KSM, is our real problem (WSJ)
A breast cancer preview of Obamacare (WSJ)
When is a bow a bow? (ABC News)
Obama’s wow bow (LA Times)
Obama’s wow bow II (LA Times)
Critics of bow owe Obama an apology (The Guardian)
Radical cleric born in US instigating terrorism (NYT)
Holder defends trial decision (NYT)
Holder waffles with Graham (NPR)
Canadian parents win suit against homework (The Guardian)
Man forgives victim who wrongly accused him (WSMV)
CA bans energy hog flat-screens (Fox News)
Senate version taxes cosmetic surgery (NYT)
$55 million Silverdome sells for $583,000 (CS Monitor)
US infrastructure needs investment (Findlaw)

Wacky Wednesday--Premarital Sex Is A Wise Idea

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~You don’t buy a car before you take it out for a test drive or two.
~You don’t buy a cow before you’ve tasted the milk.
~If you’re going to do it eventually anyhow, why wait?
~Sex is such an important part of a relationship that you really need to be sure it’s good enough before you get too serious with someone.
~The best way to see if you’re a good match is to try all the married stuff before you make a permanent commitment.
~The real reason for prohibiting sex outside of marriage was the children, but we’ve solved for that problem.
~Modern contraception takes away all the dangers of premarital sex.
~“Sex is natural. Sex is good. Not everybody does it, but everybody should.”
~How else would I prove my love to someone?
~Only prudes and the Amish think that you shouldn’t do this.
~If God really wanted us to not have sex, why did He make it feel so good?
~Who are you to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do with my body?
~The vast majority of all Americans do it, including Christians. So how serious are you about it being a bad idea?
~Most of the people who say it’s bad did it themselves before they were married. What hypocrites!
~Lots of people who have sex before they’re married have great marriages.
~Given the easy availability of sexual partners, the person who refuses this will not be able to retain a mate.
~Sexual repression is unnatural.
~You only get good at doing something by persistent practice.
~Men are going to find sex somewhere. What would you prefer, that they go to prostitutes?

Wacky Wednesday--The Constitution Doesn’t Matter

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~The Constitution is a living document, which means that we can work around it if the circumstances justify it.
~Is our government working or not at present, compared to other governments?
~If people keep voting for elected officials who disregard the Constitution, how can you really say the will of the people is being disregarded?
~The people who argue something is unconstitutional only do so when it reinforces their viewpoint. ~No one does it consistently.
~If even Senators don’t know it by heart, how much can it really matter? Do you know it by heart?
~It was written so long ago by people so unfamiliar with our culture and experiences that it seems silly to let them rule our country from a 200 year distance.
~Explain to me how some guy in 1789 can cast a vote which will obligate me to a particular form of government 220 years later? I’ve heard of honor your father and mother, but this is ridiculous.
~If it were really so bad to violate the Constitution, then people who say we ought to honor it would have better success with their arguments, and they wouldn’t seem like wing-nut weirdos like Ron Paul.
~It’s far too hard to amend, which is why we just ignore it when necessity dictates.
~Are you really going to tell me that a silly little piece of paper is more important than saving someone’s life with medical insurance?

Theological Tuesday

~Is tradition good or bad?

~Why are converts more devoted than children of believers?

~What does Christianity cost? What has it cost you?

~What expression do you imagine on God’s face?

~Should children be encouraged to study Evolution?

~The Little Prince and idolatry.

~Does God reward and punish people in this life?

Tradition
Bible References: Exodus 20:12, Deut 5:16, Isaiah 28:9-10, Isaiah 29:13-16, Matt 15:1-9, Matt 16:17-19, Matt 18:15-20, Matt 22:29-33, Matt 28:16-20, Mark 7:1-13, Luke 1:1-4, Luke 4:1-13, John 10:34-38, John 16:12-15, John 21:24-25, Acts 5:27-32, Acts 15:15-21, Acts 17:1-4, Roms 10:17, 1 Cor 11:1-3, 2 Cor 10:8-12 , 2 Cor 11:12-15, Gal 1:11-19, Col 2:5-8, 1 Tim 3:14-15, 2 Tim 2:1-3, 2 Tim 3:13-17, 2 Tim 4:1-4, 1 Thess 2:13, 2 Thess 2:1-4, 2 Thess 2:15, 2 Thess 3:6-9, Heb 5:11-6, 2 Peter 1:16-21, 2 Peter 3:1-2, 2 Peter 3:14-18, 1 John 2:4-7, 1 John 2:18-19, 3 John 13-14, Rev 22:18-19

Links:
Bible, Tradition, and Church (Catholic)
Scripture and Tradition (Catholic.com)
Tradition and the Bible (Church of God)

Various Current Events

Dem warned by White House for going on Fox News (LA Times)
Obama sits out Berlin Wall anniversary (Fox News)
Man fired for challenging gay “marriage” (Fox News)
Neo-Nazis rally in Phoenix (AZ Republic)
Why the Berlin Wall fell (WSJ)
The Berlin Wall, 20 years later (CS Monitor)
Abortion at the heart of health care wrangling (NYT)
Sen Reed: “Obamacare just like the draft” (CNS News)
Sometimes an extremist is an extremist (LA Times)
US knew of suspects radicalism ties (NYT)
Lawmakers criticize day-care rate hike (AZ Republic)
Officials: Ft. Hood attack not terrorism (AZ Republic)
Property valuation appeals soar (AZ Republic)
Church loses appeal, can’t feed poor (AZ Republic)
Plan to imprison 9-year-old prompts outcry (AZ Republic)
Kids arrested for food fight (NBC)
Dr. Phil and the Fort Hood killer (WSJ)
What the Pelosi bill contains (WSJ)
Why we need a strong individual mandate (WSJ)
Prejudice, denial, and Ft. Hood (WSJ)
Justice Kennedy demands prior restraint (WSJ)
Go forth and multiply a lot less (Economist)
Falling fertility makes economists happy (Albert Mohler)
Earth still absorbing carbon dioxide (Telegraph)
Mjr. Hasan’s lecture on Islam (Wash Post)
Army not told of Hasan’s emails (WSJ)
Dare to call it terrorism (National Review)
Why the DC sniper case moved so quickly (CS Monitor)
When home ownership is the wrong choice (LA Times)

Trading women’s rights for political power (NYT)
Progress on Luke getting the F-35 (AZ Republic)
Grocery strike looms for Safeway and Fry’s (AZ Republic)
Man impersonates Marine at reunion (Smoking Gun)
District nixes cash-for-grades fundraiser (News Observer)
Black prof punches white woman in argument (NY Post)
Black prof not charged in assault (Norfolk Examiner)
Obama rejects war options (Boston Globe)
Anita Dunn resigns (Townhall)
Muslims, mass murder after Ft. Hood (Steve Chapman)
Sen. Nelson punts on Constitution question (CNS News)
Sen. Alaka punts on Constitution question (CNS News)
Dems reject being put under Obamacare (CNS News)
Constitutional contempt (Walter Williams)
Viruses can store illegal material on your PC (Denver Post)
Publicly, a whole new lewdness (Wash Post)
AZ struggles with 9-year-old killer (USA Today)

Wacky Wednesday--Christians Should Only Read The Bible

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~If the Bible is the Word of God, why would you want to read anything else?
~Everything you need to know is contained in it.
~Everything else is corrupted by people or sin.
~If you have the Holy Spirit guiding you, you don't need other information.
~Look at how many Christians haven't even read the entire Bible once.
~Ever heard of "Sola Scriptura?"
~How seductive is every other source of information?

Wacky Wednesday--Zero Tolerance Policies Are Wise

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~They’re really popular among administrators, so there must be something to it.

~You can’t make exceptions without undermining the whole concept of having rules.

~People just take advantage of leniency.

~This protects authorities from the consequences of making disparate decisions.

~You must treat all people the same.

~This is a really good example of the rule of law in operation.

~Some things are so awful that there can be no tolerance of them at all.

~The safety of our kids has to come first.

~If there’s any wiggle room, people will think they can talk their way out of whatever it is.

~Doesn’t God sort of have a zero-tolerance about sin?

~You have to draw the line somewhere. Why not draw it before any evil at all?

.

Links

The trouble with "zero tolerance" (NYT)

Theological Tuesday

~Should we capitalize “God?”
~Why are converts more devoted than children of believers?
~Do you fear “spiritual” books?
~Is $130 million too much for a church complex?
~What does Christianity cost? What has it cost you?
~What expression do you imagine on God’s face?
~Should children be encouraged to study Evolution?
~The Empty Pot as Gospel narrative.
~The Little Prince and idolatry.
~Does God reward and punish people in this life?
~Should Christians with Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Links:

Converts more devoted than non-converts (Christian Post)

Dallas megachurch to build $130 million complex (Christian Post)

God or god? (Atheism.about)

Uppercase (Secular humanism)
Fasting during Ramadan (Christianity Today)

Ethics Class, Session 27: Sex, Dating, and Marriage

Tonight we are going to try to get through the first of the applied ethics sections, having already finished all 70 of the Criteria in the ethics syllabus. (You can get more information at http://andrewtallmanshowethics.blogspot.com.) This means we will be talking about sex ethics and related topics.

Miscellaneous Monday

There are a bunch of things I’d like to talk about today, but I don’t know whether any of them will necessarily occupy the entire hour. Here, in no particular order, is what’s on my mind:

~Why are we reluctant to tell people what we make?

~Are metal-detector users creepy?

~What is government good for?

Various Current Events

Abortion clinic leader quits after seeing procedure (Fox News)
Gore’s profit from global warming (NYT)
Down syndrome births down in US (ABC News)
Text of Obama’s education speech (White House)
East Valley Tribune going away (AZ Republic)
Cell phones and illicit lovers (NYT)
Aborted fetus cells used in beauty product (Wash Times)
Obama’s health plan outline (White House)
Voters deny Valley schools budget increases (AZ Republic)
Gay marriage rescinded in Maine (NYT)
Maine voters repeal gay marriage (Christian Post)
Unhealthy America (NYT)
Climate change ruled a religion in Britain (Telegraph)
Rich get richer, Yankees win 27th title (LA Times)
Uganda makes gay behavior a crime (Christian Post)
The health care disaster in Canada (Dick Morris)
GOP releases health reform alternative (Breitbart)
Judge tosses mortgage - bank can’t prove it owns it (NYT)
Programs help empower parents to teach kids (Boston Globe)
Flu danger from employees without sick days (NYT)
Can yoga classes be taxed? (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Obamacare would fund Christian Science (LA Times)
Dems seek to limit payday loans (Politico)
Racist La Justice of the Peace resigns (USA Today)
RI closes 30 year prostitution loophole (Providence Journal)
Cabbie ejects gay couple in NYC (NY Post)
Verizon doubles wireless cancellation fees (Wash Post)
Fix Health Care Policy.com
Tuesday election results (NYT)
GOP sweep, big wins (Findlaw)
Census might not count illegals? (LA Times)
People in US want texting and driving illegal (NYT)
Neighbors sue over backyard smokers (Sacramento Bee)
Dem law changes add up (WSJ)

Wacky Wednesday--It's A Sin To Be Fat

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~That’s no way to treat the temple of the Holy Spirit.
~Being unhealthy is a form of suicide.
~It’s bad stewardship of the body gift you’ve been given.
~It makes you less able to do things because you get winded so easily.
~Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.
~Gluttony and sloth are both deadly sins.
~In this culture, it offends people and prevents them from hearing the good news you have to give them.
~Women should be attractive for their husbands.
~How can you be fat when people are starving?
~Our treasure is supposed to be Christ, not succulent food.

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Links

Bible References: Deut 21:18-23, Prov 23:1-3, Prov 23:20-21, Prov 28:7, Daniel 1:1-21, Matt 11:16-19, Matt 15:1-20, Mark 7:14-23, Luke 15:22-24, John 2:1-11, Rom 14:1-23, 1 Cor 6:12-20, 1 Cor 9:23-27, Gal 5:19-26, 1 Tim 4:6-8, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 2 Peter 1:5-7, 3 John 2

Gluttony (Whitestone Journal)
Sloth (Whitestone Journal)
Seven Deadly Sins (Whitestone Journal)
Gluttony (Wikipedia)
Gluttony (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Sloth (Wikipedia)
Sloth (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Is it a sin to be fat? (Free library)
Is gluttony a sin? (Got Questions)
Is it a sin to be fat? (blog)
Should fat people expect to go to heaven? (Yahoo Answers)
Is it a sin to be fat? (Yahoo Answers)

Wacky Wednesday--Obamacare Is Constitutional

Note: Before reading the following arguments, please understand that they are not what I believe. On Wednesdays, I deliberately argue for wrong ideas, challenging my listeners to call and defend the obvious right answer, which is usually far harder than one would expect. This is a summary of what Wacky Andrew will be arguing, not a representation of what real Andrew believes.

~It’s an essential way to improve the “general welfare” of the people.
~Insurance is a matter of “interstate commerce.”
~This plan is part of the “necessary and proper” facilitation of a health care marketplace.
~The current system creates inequalities which violate the 14th Amendment’s “equal protection of the laws.”
~Ensuring health care is merely an extension of protecting the “right to life.”
~Congress has the power to tax.
~Congress has the power to encourage behavior through tax policy, as the various deductions and credits of the 1040 show.
~Health care is an essential matter of national security, as shown by the legality of mandatory vaccinations.
~The Constitution imposes other positive duties on people, such as jury duty.
~Our duly elected officials believe that it will be a good thing.

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Links

Con Health-care reform and the Constitution (WSJ)
Con Sen. Hatch questions Obamacare’s Constitutionality (CNS News)
Con All the President’s mandates (pdf) (Cato)
Con Obamacare vs. the Constitution (World Net Daily)
Con Obama admin. doesn’t care if Constitutional (First Things)

Con Constitution doesn't allow insurance mandate (Orrin Hatch)

Con Illegal health care reform (Wash Post)

Pro Health care reform is Constitutional (Politico)

Pro Constitutionality of Obamacare part 1, part 2 (Findlaw)
Pro Health care reform is Constitutional (DOJ 1993)

Theological Tuesday

~What does it mean to be a missional church in America?
~Should children be encouraged to study Evolution?
~The Empty Pot as Gospel narrative.
~Does God reward and punish people in this life?
~Should Christians with Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Links:
Missional Church (Tim Keller)
Fasting during Ramadan (Christianity Today)

Miscellaneous Monday

There are a bunch of things I’d like to talk about today, but I don’t know whether any of them will necessarily occupy the entire hour. Here, in no particular order, is what’s on my mind:

~Natural and acquired moral intuitions
~Are metal-detector users creepy?
~What is government good for?