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2012 Elections: What to do “when the wicked beareth rule…”

By Angela Wittman (Revised and updated 9.16.2012) “ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn .” Proverbs 29:2 KJV There has been much discussion in Christian circles about how one should vote in the upcoming 2012 Presidential elections.  And while I won’t presume to tell the reader who to cast their vote for, I will share some Christian history on how earlier followers of Jesus Christ believed and taught on this important aspect of our life: Biblical Christianity and the civil government. Much of the information I am presenting was found in “Reformed Confessions Harmonized” edited by Joel Beeke and Sinclair Ferguson, the “Historic Church Documents” page at Reformed.org (CRTA – Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics) and the website “ A Puritan’s Mind ” created by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon. The Belgic Confession (1561) is known as one of the oldest reformed doctrinal standards and originated in the Nether

Google and the push to "Legalize Love"

By Angela Wittman Updated 8.14.2012 Christian Post recently featured an article on Google and its push/campaign to "Legalize Love" in countries that Google has offices " where homosexual activities are illegal or same-sex relationships are not legally recognized ." The Christian Post article goes on to quote Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe , the head of Google's Diversity and Inclusion department for Europe, Middle East and Africa regions as saying, "We want our employees who are gay or lesbian or transgender to have the same experience outside the office as they do in the office." And he then goes on to give Singapore as an example of a country where homosexuality is banned and Poland which does not legally recognize homosexual marriage. Frankly, Google isn't looking to "Legalize Love" because one cannot make a feeling or emotion legal or illegal.  It is my opinion that Google is seeking to overturn long-held political and cultural foundations of

Oreo cookies get political

By Angela Wittman Last week ABC News reported that Oreo Cookies had gotten "Gay Pride" and their rainbow stuffed cookie posted on Facebook  sparked some controversy . The article went on to say that some folks are planning to boycott the cookies made by Kraft Foods. I think boycotts are an effective tool for consumers to use. And frankly, the cookies really aren't a good food choice when one investigates their nutritional value : one serving of 34 grams has 160 calories, 7 grams of fat (of which 2 grams are saturated), 14 grams of sugar and 160 milligrams of sodium. The list of ingredients used to make these cookies includes high fructose corn syrup which has been linked to obesity and the many health concerns associated with it in North America . My advice for Christian consumers is to forego the unhealthy cookie that appears to have a political agenda and eat a healthier, tasty alternative that can easily be prepared in your own kitchen.  This alternative gives you cont

A closer look at the Sixth Commandment: How it relates to the Church and the Christian’s responsibility to stop the murder of the preborn

By Angela Wittman The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks and answers this question: Question 67 : Which is the sixth commandment? A: The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill . -  Exodus 20:13. Question 68 goes on to ask what is required in the sixth commandment and responds with: The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others. Francis R Beattie  (1848 - 1906) in The Presbyterian Standards , chapter 24 , section II, The Sixth Commandment, explains in greater detail what is required of God’s people concerning this command [emphasis mine]: In a general way, this command requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others. This is further explained by the Larger Catechism to include resistance of all thoughts, subduing all passions, and resisting all temptations, which tend to the unjust taking away of the life of any . It also requires just defence of life against violence , and

The Stefanos Foundation: Serving the persecuted Church in Nigeria

By Angela Wittman ‘Remember those in prison as if you yourself were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourself were suffering’ ~ Hebrews 13:3 The Stefanos Foundation describes itself as ‘the rising hope of the persecuted’ and bringing hope to a troubled nation while working for peace and justice.  Some of their featured projects  include widows support , care of orphans , trauma counseling , advocacy / media awareness , and rehabilitation/reconstruction  of burned and damaged homes while providing micro-funding to small businesses and helping to establish self-supporting small businesses. The foundation also provides advocacy and legal aid for those imprisoned and suffering injustice throughout the region. Their goal is to serve God’s Church by speaking as advocates for the persecuted while showing Christian love and compassion to all parties involved. Evangelism efforts include facilitating a radio program  which broadcasts God’s Word to the unreached

Illinois home educators oppose amending School Code with SB 3259

By Angela Wittman Illinois home educators are rallying in opposition to SB 3259 which calls for amending the Illinois School Code compulsory school age from 17 to 18 years . Organizations calling for citizens to take action and call their state legislators include ICHE (Illinois Christian Home Educators) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). Disagreement concerning SB 3259 stems from the belief that parents are in the best position to know what is best for their 17 year-old children, whether it be higher education or perhaps an apprenticeship to prepare them for employment.  It may not be in the best interest of a young adult at 18 years of age to be forced to remain in school. Home educated children often advance at a faster pace than students in government schools and as a consequence are ready for higher learning or career preparation such as a trade or technical school at an earlier age.  HSLDA states on their Academic Statistics on Homeschooling page under Independe

A cross and Christ-centered response to the death of Whitney Houston

By Angela Wittman He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. – Psalm 40, verse 2, KJV While the world mourns the premature death of one of its pop music icons, Whitney Houston , perhaps those in the Church should remember their humble beginnings as new creatures in Christ and what life for them was like before they came to know Jesus Christ.  And while we can rejoice in our new status as a redeemed people, set apart for good works in Christ Jesus, let us never forget that if not for the love of God and the sharing of the Gospel by His people, we might still be in a horrible pit, stuck and weighed down in the mire of our filthy sins.As Christians it is very tempting to separate ourselves from the world around us and somehow feel superior to the “pagans” and ungodly people we cross paths with everyday.  But I encourage you to remember that you were also once dead in your trespasses and sins ( Colossians 2:1