Pagan Philosophy, Unbelief, and Irrationalism
January 31, 2008
Biblically speaking, holding philosophical beliefs that contain internally self-refuting contradictions is an expression of irrationalism. It can also be a case of inexcusable ignorance. Ultimately, all non-Christian philosophy starts with bold rationalistic assertions about reality and ends up in irrationalism. The philosophy of logical positivism is one example. The positivist philosophy can be described as empiricism (all knowledge comes through sensations) with a vengeance. This positivist philosophy is a vengeance against all metaphysical statements. A popular contemporary form of empiricism that derives from John Locke is known as the theory that the mind at birth is a blank tablet (tabula rasa) and then assimilates knowledge through sensations. This theory could be called the "blank mind theory" of knowledge.
The Positivist School boldly asserted as it’s starting principle that they will only accept what can be verified empirically. The positivists would accept a statement like "some cars are red," because this could be verified empirically. A color-blind person would have to take this statement by faith. A statement like "God exists" would be rejected since God cannot be brought into a science laboratory and inspected. Once upon a time, someone asked, "How does the positivist school verify its own starting principle empirically?" With that question, the empirical, positivist school collapsed. There are still those who promote elements of this philosophically discredited theory, not realizing that in doing so they have become an irrationalist, or guilty of inexcusable ignorance. Positivism collapsed because, as in all non-Christian philosophy, it contains its own internally self-refuting contradiction. This positivist contradiction is in the same category as with those who assert "there is no truth." Supposedly, this assertion is true.
The Birth Of Eskimo Inuit Art Prints
January 30, 2008
Unlike Inuit sculpture, art prints from the Canadian Arctic are a twentieth century innovation in Inuit Eskimo art. One of the most significant events that happened during the development of contemporary Inuit art was when Canadian James Houston taught the Inuit to make art prints by incising designs into linoleum tiles, stone blocks and stencils from sealskins. He had previously studied printmaking in Japan since the Japanese were considered innovators in this art process.
One day in 1957, Houston met up with a local Inuit art carver by the name of Osuitok Ipeelee in Cape Dorset. Ipeelee had been studying the identical printed images of a sailor’s head on two cigarette packages he had. Houston demonstrated the process of printmaking to the Inuit carver by rubbing ink onto one of Ipeelee’s ivory tusk carvings and made an impression of it on a piece of toilet paper. Upon seeing the resulting graphic, the Inuit artist said, “We could do that.” This resulted in the birth of Eskimo Inuit art prints.
Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement: Part Three
January 30, 2008
Part Three continued
It is important to recover and relearn the “original intent” of the founding fathers. Study in this area is valuable. Nothing said in this article should be interpreted as ridiculing constitutionalists who are engaging in serious historical research. Battles should happen on many different fronts. The results of serious research should be presented at all levels of our democratic process, especially to our elected representatives. This goes back to my idea of picking our battles. Where can we be most effective? Adopting strategies that will bankrupt the system have not been carefully thought out. This is actually seen as a possible strategy by some tax protestors. It is not in anyone’s interest to help precipitate a financial collapse. The resulting ugly, bloody anarchy would more than likely lead to a severe police and military crackdown. It should not be forgotten that "totalitarianism is built upon the ashes of anarchy." The freedoms we enjoy today could very well be lost. An oppressive government may be better than complete anarchy. The founding fathers of our nation had taxation without representation. Today we have taxation with representation. Let’s change our representatives.
Ethics? How To Take the Measure Business
January 29, 2008
When asked to write a small piece pertaining to ethics and integrity in the business world, my first inclination was to draw on personal experience.
Everyone has bad experiences to relate. We deal with a business, determine that we were treated shabbily therefore that business has no integrity. Or perhaps we disagree on the implementation of a refund, hence the business or owner has no ethics.
Rather than using ethics or integrity to describe business practices, a better definition might be “character”.
My dusty old copy of Webster’s New World Dictionary provides the following definitions for use in this context:
-ethics…the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment; moral philosophy.
-integrity…the quality or state of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity.
-character…an individual’s pattern of behavior or personality; moral constitution. moral strength; self-discipline, fortitude, etc. reputation.
If you will look at these definitions you can see that ethics relates to standards of conduct. Period. Ethics are…no good or bad comes into the mix. Integrity either is or isn’t. Sound moral principle is relative to the observer or end user.
It stands to reason, therefore, that the best measure of good or bad practice falls to basic “character”.
Seven Strategies You Need to Know About Strengthening Your Self-Esteem
January 28, 2008
Did you know that your life’s success in all areas is directly related to having a healthy self-esteem? You’ve heard the cliché "You are what you eat." Many would also argue that "You are what you think."
Nathaniel Brandon, one of the most notable psychologists on self-esteem put it nicely: "There is no value-judgment more important to man-no factor more decisive in his psychological development & motivation than the estimate he passes on himself."
It is the secret or "hidden self-esteem" in particular, that will get you through those very dark spots. It will enable you to find a valuable lesson each time you face an obstacle.
The hidden or secret self-esteem is how you feel about yourself deep down. It is the most accurate description of how you feel, regardless of what obstacles are thrown in your path.
If it’s strong, then you will be able to deal better with stress and your relationships. You’ll be successful by your own standards and have no need to boast about it. Your surface self- esteem, however, can vary widely depending on the day of the week. It’s a temporary feeling.
Environmental factors can play a role in how you view yourself.
Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement: Part Two
January 27, 2008
Part Two continued
The Christian’s duty of paying taxes even extends to "de facto" rulers. If Hodge is correct, then the jurisdictional argument stands in direct conflict with Scripture at this point. Renowned commentator, John Murray, adds his substantial theological influence to the question concerning whom "the powers that be" refer to:
The powers that be refer to the de facto magistrates.13
Christians especially should think twice before dismissing the insights of these exegetes whose reputations are well known and beyond dispute. If we are to pay taxes to de facto magistrates, how much more should we be careful to pay taxes to those representatives properly elected? "De facto" rulers may even be those rulers who emerge after a revolution. As will be shown, there has been a radical revolution from within in this country. In truth, failure to pay taxes is rebellion towards God which will result in His judgment (Romans 13:2). It also needs to be noted that the passages in Romans 13:1,2,5 control the proper interpretation and the recipients of taxes in Romans 13:7. There is not a hint anywhere in the writings of the apostle Paul, that believers were to resist Roman taxation.
What is Feng Shui, and How Does It Work?
January 26, 2008
Feng shui (say “fung shway”), often called the art of placement, could just as accurately be called “the art of flow.” This ancient Chinese practice, literally translated as “wind” and “water,” aims to maximize the beneficial movement of chi–the universal life force present in all things–through an environment.
Just as fresh air and clean water nourish our bodies, so does fresh, clean chi nourish our homes and our lives. When the flow of chi through our space is blocked, weak, or misdirected, our relationships, cash flow, creativity, health, and career can suffer. Chi wants to meander gracefully through a space, like a gentle breeze or a winding stream. When it flows too strongly, it becomes like a hurricane or flood. We are likely to feel tossed about by winds of change, unstable, prone to crises, struggling to “keep our heads above water.” Where chi is blocked it becomes stale and stagnant, like a pond choked with algae and fallen leaves. We may feel tired, run down, depressed, unable to focus, hampered in our efforts to move forward in our lives.
Flow as in Flower
January 25, 2008
The seeds you sow determine the crop you reap. This is pretty common knowledge. Knowledge, unfortunately, is only productive in its application, not in its accumulation or ownership.
We desire peace but sow seeds of violence and are surprised when violence is the crop.
We desire abundance but sow seeds of limitation and are surprised when lack is the crop.
We desire meaningful lives but sow meaningless acts and are surprised to reap meaningless lives.
We desire more time and longer lives but sow wasted moments and are surprised to reap time slipping away.
We desire prosperity but sow seeds of scarcity and are surprised when scarcity shows up.
We desire love and sow indifference.
We desire freedom and sow security.
And so on and so forth.
Ah, but, things are the way they are and it is best/easiest to go with the flow rather than fight it. This is the common wisdom…go with the flow.
Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement
January 25, 2008
Rebuilding society and the tax protest movement: A Biblical Opinion and Strategy By Jack Kettler
I have sympathy and am grateful that many tax protestors are concerned enough with the unjust tax system to educate themselves beyond the great majority of their fellow citizens. Nevertheless, I disagree with many of the tax protest arguments and strategies. As this article proceeds I will raise questions along the way that the tax protestor is morally obliged to answer. These questions are intended to provoke thought and challenge assumptions that have not been carefully thought out. Interspersed throughout the article I will touch on issues that are related to the high level of taxation and the resulting loss of freedom, along with thoughts on a strategy to regain freedom in our society. My comments in this article should make it abundantly clear that I do not favor the present level of taxation or the system itself. The present tax system needs to be completely repudiated and done away with. Accomplishing this depends upon a biblical strategy. Departure from or rejection of Scriptural teaching will ensure further loss of freedom and defeat.
Learn How to Be Delivered From Witchcraft, Drugs, Sexual Perversion, Pain and all Addictions.
January 24, 2008
Exposing Hidden Sin
For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (Luke 8:17). On February 10th 1998 I just completed a five-week prophets length fast that consisted of drinking only water and fresh juice after the Holy Spirit directed me. My whole life felt brand-new as I was naturally and spiritually awakened and renewed by the power of God. In that time and season I was preaching under a new prophetic anointing. I was so charged in my spirit that I felt I now had the power and the anointing like Jesus to heal the sick and cast out devils. But something strange happened to me three days after I completed my fast. As I was in my bed resting, all of a sudden I heard a great rumpling noise and my bedroom walls began to shake, then it happened! I felt an evil presence come into my bedroom through the walls and it grabbed me and I felt my spirit leave my body. The evil force took me down to a lower dark region. I saw many small demon spirits dressed in black robes surrounding me in a circle.
