Thanks to theologian and author Scot McKnight for linking to my recent article on CNN and to the women at Her*menutics for tweeting on it. My article was related to Jesus’ command to occupy until he returns as contrasted with the nebulous goals and demands of the Occupy movement. The text I explored was Jesus’ parable of Ten Minas from Luke 19.

At the outset, it should be stated that the provocative title, “Jesus was a free marketer, not an Occupier” wasn’t chosen by me or my team at FRC. CNN changed the title which was originally “Jesus: Occupy Wall Street.”  CNN’s title doesn’t capture the nature of my argument, which was simply that given the Biblical affirmation of work from Genesis through Revelation, Jesus’ use of a market-based system of remuneration in this parable is instructive. Unlike some of those currently “occupying” around the nation, Jesus did not condemn the distribution of wealth based on initiative and diligence.

During my recent appearance on CNN I reiterated that parables use common activity to express a spiritual message.  In this particular parable, Jesus is telling his followers that the kingdom of God they believed he was going to set up on earth was not going to happen for a while, and he goes on to give instructions on what they should do with their lives until His return.  To do this he draws a parallel to certain positive functions of the business world.  He says, “Occupy until I return.”  In the Greek the term actually means “be engaged in business.”  This positive portrayal suggests that return based on honest effort is a just outcome.

Of course, this is in no way an endorsement of unethical or illegal activity that some on Wall Street and in business have engaged in.  Instead, Jesus’ parable refutes the idea that we will or should all be given the same outcomes regardless of what we do

Friday, Scot McKnight shared via Twitter:

“Read K Snodgrass, Stories with Intent. The parable has nothing to do with free enterprise but with kingdom responsibility.”

I agree with McKnight that the spiritual lesson here is primarily about kingdom responsibility. However, implicit in the parable is the idea that merit justifies greater reward – a principle essential to free-market capitalism.

Where greed, graft, and abuse have distorted the marketplace and exploited the vulnerable, Christians should rightly be brokenhearted and pursue justice. Yet to advocate, however, a government system which redistributes wealth en masse as a response to the abuses of the few, would mean losing the benefits of free moral agency available in a free market. One need look no further than levels of charitable giving prevalent in America as compared to socialized Western Europe.

The way to remedy exploitation and injustice is not by destroying the free market but repairing those elements of it which need restoration.  We cannot change human nature, but we can provide safeguards that restrain the excesses of human evil in the context of economic liberty — a liberty that promotes prosperity, freedom, and the health and well-being of individuals, families, and society.

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USA Today contributor Tom Krattenmaker (“On gay rights, keep fighting or adapt?” USA Today, February 14) wrote recently that “we’ve reached a point on gay rights that is similar to that moment in a football game . . . when you know it’s over even though it’s not over”—claiming that social conservatives have already lost on this issue.

It is true that social conservatives suffered a defeat in the vote to repeal the 1993 law against homosexual conduct in the military. (It is also significant that the repeal bill was forced through a lame-duck Congress using desperate maneuvers at the last minute, because they knew that the new Congress—the one that actually represents the contemporary political consensus—would never pass it.)

However, to say that social conservatives should surrender to the forced affirmation and celebration of homosexual conduct, because of a single legislative defeat, is like saying the Green Bay Packers should have forfeited the Super Bowl once the Steelers achieved a first down.

And to walk off the field because the far-left advocacy group the Southern Poverty Law Center throws the “hate” label at pro-family groups would be like retiring from the sport because one loud-mouthed fan of the opposing team yells, “You stink!”

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[The following is a speech delivered by Tony Perkins to the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center's "Hope Has a Name" Annual Benefit Banquet on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the Bakersfield First Assembly of God Church, Bakersfield, CA]

As a nation – and maybe it’s in our nature as Americans – we like to be the first.  Tiny Delaware crows about being the first state to ratify the Constitution.  Today it’s more likely to be the first place you send your credit card payment.

And Bakersfield is no different.  I understand that there’s been a controversial competition going on between this city and the cities of Fresno and Merced about where the first leg of the state’s bullet train will be built.  I don’t know which side of that debate you’re on, but wanting to be first just comes naturally to most of us.  We’re even here at the First Assembly of God.

It’s the same way with mottoes.  When I use the phrase, “Cradle of Liberty,” which city in America do you think of?  For me, Boston comes to mind.  Even a specific place in Boston — Faneuil Hall.  Boston has a pretty good claim to the name, of course, dating to before the Revolution.

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Evidence of the political tension in Honduras extends beyond the graffiti that remains from last year’s political demonstrations.  Yesterday we were awakened by local news reports that the airport in Tegucigalpa was being closed for five days because of rioting in the capitol city.  Originally we planned to depart Tela this morning for Tegucigalpa; however, our plans quickly changed, and we left Tela yesterday morning to try and obtain a flight out of San Pedro Sula.  Upon arrival, we received conflicting reports about what was going on.  After contacting the Embassy, we were informed that there was no rioting.  The city had experienced torrential rains over the weekend which resulted in flooding and some deaths.  The runway at the airport had apparently been damaged, and the airport was closed temporarily for runway repairs.  So we spent the night in San Pedro Sula and left at 2:30 a.m. for the trip to Tegucigalpa.

The shipping container remains in customs.  With the help of Sen. David Vitter’s (R-La.) office, we were able to determine that the hold up is over the yet-to-be-assembled bunk beds not being reported as lumber.  So the federal agency in charge of wood will have to determine what permit and fee is required.  The Honduran infrastructure may be lagging behind us, but its ability to find creative ways to tax is sure on par with our government.

We were able to provide another day’s worth of medical treatment for the children in the village of Tornabe on Monday.  One little girl, who is nine-years-old, came to see the doctors and join us for a church service.  She was born with what our doctors said was a correctable birth defeat that caused her feet to turn under.  She can only take a few steps by walking on the top of her feet; most of the time her mother carries her.  Honduras has public health care, but it is very rudimentary and surgeries like the one this girl would need to correct her feet are nearly nonexistent.  My daughter Kendal and she quickly became friends.  We are hopeful that we might be able to find an orthopedic surgeon who would treat her.

Once the final disposition of the shipping container is determined we will be sending a small team back to Honduras, hopefully in August, to assemble the beds and distribute the supplies to the children in Tornabe.

A week in Honduras, or most any foreign country for that matter, is a reminder of how blessed we are to live in the United States—a country that has enjoyed the fruit of a nation with a Christian foundation upon which our ordered liberty was built.  It is also a reminder of what America could become if we lose that liberty.

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This has been such a busy trip that I’ve not had time to share details of our outreach.  Yesterday, we finished our fifth full day here in Honduras.  On Saturday and Sunday our medical team saw children and adults in Tornabe and at our mission church here in Tela.

We joined the congregation at our mission church for a Saturday evening service followed by an authentic Honduran meal.  The meal and the fellowship were outstanding.  The church has just called a young new pastor, Pastor Gerson David, so we were able to hear him share his heart for reaching the people of Tela with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Last night our team cooked for the folks at Tornabe, and then we joined them for Sunday night service and listened to Pastor Marvin preach.  He leads the small church that is host to the outreach to the nearly 100 orphans in Tornabe.

Our progress at the orphanage in Tornabe has been limited because the shipping container which is holding most of our supplies, including the beds for the children, remains tied up in Customs.  We are praying that we receive the container before we leave so that we can at least assemble the beds and put them in the rooms that are going to serve as temporary dormitories for the boys and girls.

The lack of supplies has made for an interesting trip as we’ve had to hunt locally for food and supplies.  I’ve spent a good portion of each day trying to obtain needed construction items for the church/orphanage and food and supplies for the 30 people on our mission team.  Trying to shop for groceries for 30 people here in Tela will give you a much greater appreciation for Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club!

I now know where every mom and pop grocery store and meat market is here in Tela.  I use the term “grocery store,” but they are more like a 7-11s without air-conditioning and with intense security by men with shotguns.  Fortunately, we have some great friends here, like Ester Maldonado, who, among other things, helps me overcome the Spanish labels at the “grocery store.”

Join us in praying that we get some good news on the container of supplies today!

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As rescue workers continue in their efforts to rescue and care for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake — Planned Parenthood is raising money to create more victims.

While Americans have literally given tens of millions of dollars to rescue and aid children and their families in Haiti, the International Planned Parenthood Federation launched a fund-raising appeal within a day of the earthquake seeking funds for their family planning clinics in Haiti.

They certainly know their business and know opportunity when they see it. In the wake of a disaster such as this and hurricanes like Katrina, pregnant mothers who have lost homes, incomes and even family members are in crisis. Planned Parenthood’s solution — charitable giving in the form of “reproductive healthcare” or in plain English, abortions. This is nothing new, after 9/11 they offered women in New York free abortions. Following hurricane Katrina, Planned Parenthood offered free “morning after” pills.

Hopefully, the Haitian people will encounter the charitable hand of Americans through the ministries and organizations that will save lives not take them. I am encouraging people to give to Christian ministries like those listed here and Christian adoption organizations like Bethany Christian Services who will offer real help to the people of Haiti.

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Tony Perkins and a few other FRC staffers give their rendition of what the classic winter song, “Let it Snow” would sound like if it were written and performed by the current Congressional leadership…

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This week’s Perkins on Point video:

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In December, more than 170 countries are meeting in Copenhagen to talk about a world treaty to cut greenhouse gasses.  (A conference, ironically, that’s estimated to create 40,584 tons of carbon emissions—roughly the same amount that the entire country of Morocco generated in 2006).  Liberals are hoping to put the environment on the front burner before Denmark—but that might be difficult considering the political climate in America.

A recent Pew poll found that Americans don’t think global warming is a serious problem.  The number that do fell sharply—from 44% last year to 35% now.  Others are skeptical that climate change was even a problem to begin with!  That percent is bound to double or triple after scientists at the University of East Anglia admitted to “throwing away” raw temperature data to support their claim for global warming.  According to the U.K. Times, “The CRU is the world’s leading center for reconstructing past climate and temperatures.  Climate change skeptics have long been keen to examine exactly how its data were compiled.  That is now impossible.”  This news, combined with ClimateGate and Americans’ doubts, should be more than enough to put off any international agreements on global warming indefinitely.  President Obama has agreed to make the trip to the conference to lobby for cutting emissions by 17% in 2020.  Given the revelations of disagreement in the scientific community and the growing skepticism in the public, the President should back away from a treaty that will cut U.S. jobs and raise energy costs for families.

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In a heated exchange with the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder stood by his decision to jeopardize–not only New York City, but 200 years of American tradition—by launching the trial of the century against 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and five other terrorists in the Big Apple.   Holder insists that New York is the best “venue to obtain justice,” but as Senators on both sides of the aisle argued, prosecuting terrorists minutes from the graveyard they dug for 3,000 innocent U.S. victims is “dangerous,” “misguided,” and “unnecessary.”  Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was the most visibly upset.  “We’re making history here, Mr. Attorney General…bad history.”  Rather than leave the terrorists’ fate to a military tribunal, Holder is rolling the dice with a jury of civilians who–with a single “not guilty” verdict–could exonerate men who committed an act of war against our nation.  Essentially, the decision boils down to a global PR stunt to showcase America’s fairness.  It’s more than a little ironic, then, that both Holder and President Obama have already determined the outcome.  “Failure is not an option,” Holder said.  If that’s the case, why bother with a trial that endangers the city, shows disdain for our military, prolongs the process, and wastes millions of taxpayer dollars ($75 million a year for security alone)?  This entire charade besmirches the memory of every 9-11 victim and family–and, more than that, it disrespects every soldier, living and dead, who put on a uniform to fight in the war these villains started.

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If so, please send it to Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.). She is the latest example of a Member of Congress who should not be there. I am sure the Founders never envisioned elected Representatives who would not have a grasp of the most basic concepts of the Constitution. It may be time for an amendment requiring members of Congress to take a basic proficiency test on at least the Bill of Rights.

Still lamenting the overwhelming defeat that she and her pro-abortion cohorts suffered in the House when the Stupak-Pitts amendment was attached to the health care bill, Rep. DeGette is now calling for religiously-affiliated groups to be shut out of the public policy process as the bill goes to the Senate.

“Last I heard, we had separation of church and state in this country,” she said. “I’ve got to say that I think the Catholic bishops and all of the other groups shouldn’t have input.”

In other words if a group of people who are in association with one another because of their Christian faith, they should not have a collective voice in the crafting of public policy. What she is asserting is that if your ideas and actions are a product of your faith, you’re a second class citizen and your voice should not be heard.

This is a far cry from what the Founders believed. Several months after the British surrender at Yorktown, George Washington, in a letter to the Reformed German Congregation of New York, wrote, “The establishment of civil and religious liberty was the motive which induced me to the field (of combat).” Sadly, Diana DeGette seems eager to smother these precious freedoms, neither of which can exist without the other.

Rep. DeGette’s comments serve to only further confirm that this takeover is not about healthcare, it is about a radical social policy in which the expansion of abortion, at tax-payer expense, is at the very center of this effort.

If you have a spare Constitution, send it to Congresswoman DeGette.

UPDATE 11/18 (Editor): It now appears that The Hill inaccurately quoted Rep. DeGette.  See Tony Perkins’ correction and further statements here.

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[Clips and footage courtesy of Mass Resistance]

For more information on Kevin Jennings’ radical past, and how you can take action, visit: stopjennings.org

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The radical National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) began circulating a petition this week attacking the Family Research Council for its opposition to the government takeover of healthcare. That of course is nothing new; they’ve been attacking us for months. But what is new, is that the petition suggests NARAL may actually support the biblical account of Sarah giving birth to Isaac when she was over 90 years old:

Anti-choice extremists at the Family Research Council are launching an outrageous media and lobbying campaign claiming that Congress’ health-care reform bills will deny seniors the medical care they need in order to pay for abortion.

On second thought, suggesting NARAL supports Scripture might be a stretch. But I am sure that if Planned Parenthood and NARAL had been around in Sarah’s day they would have been right there, on our dime, helping Sarah end the life of her baby.

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A report from the U.S. Geological Survey is giving birth to concerns about the decline in the fish population because of the feminizing of fish.  No, I am not talking about cross-dressing fish, but referencing what experts say is a widespread problem in which certain species of male fish are growing egg cells.

What’s behind this feminization of male fish?  Birth control pills.  Women’s birth control pills and other hormone treatments have made their way into the nation’s rivers through the sewer systems.  Birth control pills are not only the leading form of pregnancy prevention here in the U.S., but are often the tool of choice for the population control forces in third world countries.

The tragedy is that the population control message is most often promoted by the global warming crowd and others who view people as negatively impacting the environment and consuming limited resources.  In reality, it’s their efforts to reduce the population (people) that are actually destroying the environment (fish).

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[Script follows after the jump]

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