American Indian History

Cannibalism, Headhunting and Human Sacrifice in North America, A History Forgotten - 'a vivid account of the barbaric practices of both North Americans and European explorers and colonists.' With history revisionism, during the past century the American Indians' history has been falsified and sanitized to a sweet peaceful one-with-nature.

Book Review - The Mythological Native American

 Cannibalism, Headhunting and Human Sacrifice in North America, a History Forgotten by George Franklin Feldman - AbeBooks

Christmas

"Christians have celebrated the incarnation and nativity of the Lord Jesus on December 25 since at least the early part of the third century--just a few generations removed the days of the Apostles. By 336, when the Philocalian Calendar--one of the first calendars of the Patriarchal church--was first utilized, Christmas Day was already a venerable and tenured tradition. Though there is no historical evidence that Christ was actually born on that day--indeed, whatever evidence there is points to altogether different occasions--the conversion of the old Pagan tribes of Europe left a gaping void where the ancient cult festivals were once held. It was both culturally convenient and evangelically expedient to exchange the one for the other. And so joy replace desperation. Celebration replaced propitiation. Christmas feasts replaced new moon sacrifices. Christ replaced Baal, Moloch, Apollo and Thor. Glad tidings of great joy, indeed."

~From Christmas Spirit by George Grant and Gregory Wilbur, pg. 103

Photo by Jaimie Trueblood/newline.wireimage.com

Rethinking the Pagan Origins of Christmas by Brian Abshire

The twenty-fifth of December as just another day, and is of no religious significance. There is nothing “holy” about it, and it despite the efforts of the Fathers to calculate the right date, probably was not the day Jesus was actually born. However If the angels of heaven could publicly proclaim His birth, what possible problem can there be for us to likewise commemorate that wondrous event? How can it be wrong to sing those wonderful, postmillennial hymns which celebrate the birth of Christ during the month of December? And since the incarnation is so central to human history, then where is the problem with preaching a special series of sermons exploring the implications of the advent of the Lord Jesus?" Continue reading

~~~~~~~

In Defense of Christmas by Melody Seppi
"During the early missionary movement in Europe after the fall of Rome, tribe after tribe were converted to Christianity, the winter cult festivals were gone—leaving a gaping void—and as a result of following Christ their cultures were radically changed, instead of sin, bondage, a culture of death and human sacrifice, there was liberty in His law, freedom in Christ, a culture of life, and the worship of the one true and living God." Continue reading

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peter B's Christmas Poems:

The Fire of Christmas

also

The Joy of the Light

See the house of days gone by, decked out in greenery fine 

The cold, sharp wind about it rolls with specks of glimmer and shine 

Outside is quiet, only the wind, and trees that are moved to and fro’ 

Stir gently the stillness that lays all around the valley now covered in snow 

Inside there is merriment, laughter, and joy–the sound of the fiddle and flute– 

The lads and the lasses are dancing a jig, their tongues and feet are not mute 

The companions of work, of worship and thought, they now enjoy what they’ve won 

Relationships firm, founded on time, now exalted through music and fun 

Oh praise the Lord Christ! He re-made us to show this joyful and most loving way 

Who, when we were in darkness, came as the Light and delivered us unto His day 

Though days be dark, sharp, windy, and cold, we dare not submit to their gloom! 

We strike up a tune and go gallantly forth, proclaiming Him ris’n from the tomb! 

Thus the darkest of days 

Will submit to this praise 

And become the sunrise of morn! 

The darkness takes flight 

This day, our delight! 

For Christ the world’s Savior is born!

-Peter B.

 Deo Vindice

What Does The Bible Say About Food?

The Christian Philosophy of Food by Peter Bringe brings the light of Scripture into the confused and sometimes dangerous world of diet and nutrition. It is a door-opener for Christians to see what God has said about food. This courageous work is full of solid biblical principles for a life of health and blessing. 

Peter begins with a call to humility and fear of God: “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Prov. 3:7-8) and,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov. 1:7) 

He launches into Genesis 1:29: “God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’” From this verse the author sees plant foods as central in diet and nutrition. This is a bold statement; the American pulpit has been long silent because of the volatile controversy of Vegetarianism. Peter responds with these words: “The Bible teaches that plant foods are more central and important...Only plant foods are given as food in the beginning, for animals as well as man. Even after the fall mankind was restricted to only eating plant foods until after the flood. It would follow that plant foods are the foundational food for mankind.”

Peter offers a Christian food pyramid that follows the progressive revelation of scripture. Prioritizing plant foods at the foundation base of the triangle (Gen. 1:29), clean meats following (Lev. 11), and unclean meats last (Mark 7:15-19, Acts 10:12-16). 

“A predominately plant food diet is a defense against the argument that we cannot produce enough food for a growing population and so should not obey God’s command to ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” (Gen. 1:28) An acre of land used for cattle can supply 77 days of one adult’s protein needs. In contrast, if used for soybeans, it could supply 2,224 days of sustenance for an adult. “By eating more plant foods we are taking better and more efficient dominion of the earth.”

For some years a friend, Dr. Paul Shakespeare, came over every Monday and taught us about health, and the damages and dangers of unhealthy eating. As a missionary doctor in war-torn Biafra, in the 70‘s, starving refugees came, fleeing the devastation. Among these were pregnant mothers. Only those who were able to grow and eat black-eye beans, their babies lived (the beans contained enough protein and folate for the little ones to survive.)

Worried about protein deficiencies with a plant-based diet? “Broccoli contains more protein per calorie than steak.” Look at the apes and gorillas if you think you must have meat to build muscle. 

Next Peter addresses meat: “Even though plant food is more basic to our diet,” he writes, “God has also given us meat to eat.”

The Bible’s view of clean and unclean meats has been vindicated by Dr. David Macht in 1953. At John Hopkins University he studied the toxic effects of animal flesh. He found that clean animals were found to be nontoxic and all unclean meats were classified as toxic.

A byproduct our de-relationalized culture, Peter points out, is “pop-food,” which sacrifices health, lacks personal character, and appeals to the lowest common denominator of taste-buds.

Always keeping food and health in balance, Peter writes, “There is a time to eat conservatively, paying close attention to health, but there are also times to feast and make merry.” We are to be neither sensually self-centered or health obsessed, but to eat to the glory of God. “Food, hospitality, and relationships are strongly connected,” Peter writes. Food is meant to be enjoyed in community. “Simple and ancient things like eating and conversing together as a family are foundational to a Christian culture and society.”

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14:17)

In this book we find the wisdom and knowledge necessary for meaningful change, encouragement for eating more plant foods and a balanced biblical approach to diet and health. The book has fresh strength from God’s law as it advances Christian culture. We come to realize that all of life is holy. Behind this book is the covenant keeping God “Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

You may wish to purchase Peter Bringe’s book at

TheChristianPhilosophyOfFood.com 

We highly recommend his blog: 

ForChristsKingdom.blogspot.com 

The Bailey Kids by Madge Bailey Weise

Ruth, Mary (Mother), Fama, Naomi, Madge, Virginia, Lequanah, Malissa, Lillie

Madge tells the story of growing up in a family of 16 that settled on a 120 acre farm in the New Mexico mountains. A book written that the generations to come might remember their stories and trust in God.

The Secret File on John Birch

Dinah is reporting the beginning of the story:

The family of John Birch was Presbyterian till he was 12 when the church his family attended started teaching evolution. They found a Baptist church where they accepted credo baptism.

But theological liberals in the Baptist seminary were teaching evolution and discounting the miracles in the bible. JB had top grades, and was reluctant to make waves, till a preacher of righteousness came to town and John was convicted by his message. John started a Bible Study Fellowship club and preached in the open each week. An older man encouraged them to expose the professor who taught that salvation was merely a salvation from wrong willing, acting and improper feeling and denied the miracles in scripture. John sent out the three hundred letters, to Baptist pastors and exposed the heresy of professors at their Baptist Seminary.

John was harangued by students for being so intolerant.

Pastors were upset that the school was not orthodox. A church court trial was held with five judges. Thirty were saying John and five dissidents should be expelled. News reporters covered the story of students who were attempting to get Professor Freedman to resign for teaching heresy: evolution, discounting the miracles, and saying the Bible contradicted itself. The professor was exonerated, accepted as “a good Baptist.”

Outside the meeting, the “unholy” John Birch and his 12 friends faced a sign, “Lynch St. Birch."

Reflections on Robespierre and the Revolution in France

by Melody Seppi

“There is a way that seems right unto a man,

But the end thereof is death.”

Robespierre like Darwin was raised “Christian”

Both turning from their faith in their own way sought to undermine and

Veritably dismember all forms of Christianity.

In the Estates-General—the French Parliament,

the first called in a hundred years—commons comprised half the votes,

the Clergy and Aristocracy the rest.

Eating away piecemeal the commons swept away all titles,

From now on Monsieur, Madam, and Mademoiselle,

de and st were forbidden prefixes. Everyone was called “Citizen”. Suggestive of a similar ruling by the EU where in their parliament

you could not address a lady by Miss or Mrs. but by Ms.

Setting up their autonomous government after the dethronement of Luis XVI

Various committees were set up, most importantly the

irreproachably named Committee of Public Safety.

Safety was, however, only for those

who were Jacobins and “friends of the people”

Anyone else was non-people.

Price controls, a graduated income tax, mobocracy,

and the worship of “Reason” consumed France.

Robespierre calling continually for “purges”

of the National Assembly and the Jacobin Club

(a.k.a. Friends of the Constitution and the People)

This “Constitution” was made twice and then suspended;

supreme control was given to the Committee

of Public Safety under the National Assembly.

Changing the 7-day week to a 10-day week,

abolishing Christian holy days,

altering the names of days and months,

and 1792 was changed to Year 1 of the Revolutionary Republic of France.

Street names were changed to those honoring Marat, Rousseau and Voltaire.

French culture was dramatically changed and

Every vestige of Christianity was summarily uprooted,

For France had solemnly renounced God and placed Reason on His throne

One would think Marx got his Manifesto from the French Revolution.

Why the End of the World is Not in Your Future by Gary DeMar

This book shows the long history of prophetic prognosticators and their failed predictions in trying to identify the Antichrist, the date of Christ's return. These failed prophecies took away from the duty of Christians to disciple the nations and look to the future with optimism.

Instead of Christians being a city on a hill, a model of Christian Charity many get sidetracked with an eschatology to rescue the saints out of this world, away form cultural responsibility and Biblical stewardship.

~ Book Review by Lance Seppi

Pre-Civil War Evangelical eschatology was largely postmillennial, expecting Christ to return in judgment after a millennial reign of one thousand years. Post-Civil War Evangelical eschatology was dominated by a new doctrine of premillennialism. This view expected Christ to return before the millennium to take the saints out of this world in an event called the "rapture." ~Donald Dayton, Discovering an Evangelical Heritage

So Much More, book review by Lucy Petrov

“I would recommend this book to every daughter and father,
as well as mothers and sons.”

This book is written primarily for fathers and daughters, and shows how incredibly important it is that they foster and build a good relationship in the home. This book also shows the daughter’s beautiful, feminine purpose in life, and how she can be protected from being led astray by the world through being under her father’s authority.

The Botkin sisters, who co-authored this book at ages 15 and 17 show that as a daughter, it is important to have a good relationship with your father because he is the authority God has put over you to protect you and guide you. Additionally, the book wisely points out that all women are not to be in submission to all men. Instead, God has commanded us as daughters and wives to be submissive to our husbands and to obey our fathers, because they are the authority that God expects us to honor, cherish, and obey; to do so, you must truly turn your heart to your father (Malachi 4:6). Through striving to be good daughters to our earthly fathers, we can further understand how to be good to our Heavenly Father.

The book also states that by honoring and serving your parents, especially your father, you find true purpose in life. Your main purpose as a daughter is to help enlarge your father’s mission and vision and to help encourage your family to become more godly. It also includes teaching your siblings to be young warriors for Christ and to be a good influence in this wicked world, by not compromising. Most girls make the mistake of thinking that they have nothing to do with their brothers and sisters. However, the Botkin sisters show that this is far from reality once you realize that your influence as a sister/daughter is far greater than you may have ever imagined. We must realize that to have real men in our society, we need real women, and also consider that we may be influencing some of the greatest (or worst) men and women of tomorrow...

I was also inspired by how the Botkin sisters pointed out that God, in His great wisdom, chose you to be in your family out of all the other families there ever were, or will be. This means God must have a huge plan with you in the midst of your family (Jer. 29:11). It has been said: “You chose your friends, but God chooses your family.” By serving your family now, you prepare yourself to serve your future family.

Lastly, the book talks about how fathers can, and should, protect their daughters from the negative influences of the world. However, fathers can do this much more easily if we, as daughters, would be thankful for their protection, and encourage and respect it – considering that our behavior has to be worthy of our father’s protection. As the head of the family, it is the father’s duty to help their daughters keep themselves pure. If the father and daughter have a good relationship, the daughter will not be as easily tempted to search for other men that would protect her. Additionally, if a girl can talk to her dad about anything, he can be aided in understanding how to protect her from negative influences, advise her on her clothes, and he can also point out more wisely what needs to be changed in her attitude, helping her become a more godly young woman. However, we must remember that this will not always be easy, because God will bring trials to teach us to be selfless rather than selfish (1Pet 1:7).

Again, I highly recommend every wife, husband, daughter, and son -which is everyone- to read this book. It will help everyone understand how important it is for every family to know their own purpose and to know that God bestowed His mercy on us ladies by placing us under the authority and protection of our fathers. I also want to give glory to God for the Botkin sisters, for inspiring and helping them write this book. May God bless them, their family, and everyone else that has read, or will read, this book. May God keep us in His care and give us wisdom.