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Should we run away in Iraq?

I would refer you to Cal Thomas' piece in the Jewish World Review

The Reformation Study Bible

The Reformation Study Bible is a goldmine of information, commentary, random observation, and quick reference. Before I added my two-cents’-worth to the review pile, I wanted to spend a number of weeks using it as a both a study tool and devotional aid. In order to facilitate this, I actually purchased the digital version from Nelson rather than the print version. My Bible study is primarily done within the Libronix Digital Library System (logos.com), so this was the most useful format for me. Therefore, my comments relate to content and not presentation in the book format.

First off, I am glad that the Reformation Study Bible is offered with the ESV translation of the Bible based on both readability and a good attempt at being a translation that seeks to expose the underlying Greek text. This is my personal favorite translation, and I am happy with the large number of resources being quickly released to help me use this version.

My favorite feature of this study Bible is the short essays throughout called “Theological Notes.”  In my opinion this Bible is worth its purchase price for these notes alone. Let me give you a flavor of what they cover by listing some titles:
    -The Image of God
    -Body & Soul, Male & Female
    -The Fall
    -God’s Covenant of Grace
    -Infant Baptism
    -The Baptism of Jesus
    -The Unpardonable Sin
    -The Transfiguration of Jesus
    -Hell

Next, a very large number of in-text maps are provided which make for excellent resources. Since they are presented in the context of a certain passage of Scripture, they are much more useful than the maps often provided at the end of Bibles or in Bible Atlases. The editors’ hard work is obvious in making the maps easy to use to understand the text with which they are presented. Great work here.

Many charts are also included which help get a birds-eye view of the text, especially when large amounts of information are presented throughout a number of chapters or when a logical progression of thought is particularly important or difficult to follow. The ones that are included are very useful, but I do wish that more charts had been created.

I have seen a number of negative reviews based on individual issues with which reviewers disagree with this Bible. I will say that I have come across a number comment with which I mildly disagree or would have wished had been stated differently (discussion of creation). And there are a few topics with which I greatly disagree (infant baptism). Nevertheless, the historical Reformed position is presented, and on controversial issues, the opposing positions are mentioned. This is not a downfall of the Bible, in fact, I think that it is a strength. Positions are offered and defended rather than simply presenting innocuous historical fact or some inoffensive application as many other study Bibles do. Nevertheless, for that reason, if I was looking for a Bible as a gift to a learning believer which I would agree with on a wider-breadth of issues I would choose the MacArthur Study Bible. But as a great study tool and a more in-depth Study Bible than MacArthur's I would go with the Reformation Study Bible.

How Many Lives Can a Music Video Save?

Wow. Check out this music video by Nick Cannon. It is the story of how Nick's mom decided not to have an abortion, and he is challenging his listeners/viewers to think through what they are doing when they have an abortion. This video is getting play too. I have no doubt that it has saved many lives. Please spread the word. And when after you see it, vote for it on MTV's TRL & BET 106 and Park. Spread the word.

In a PBS interview, Nick Cannon says,

I'm not saying one should do this or one should do that. I'm saying this is what happened in my life. And I think that's what artists are supposed to do. It sparked so many different conversations, you know. And it's not saying, this is the way you should be. I've talked to people who are pro-choice and said, wow, this song has really helped me. I've talked to people pro-life and they've said the same thing. And you can interpret it any way tat you want to interpret it, and whatever you need to get out of it, you can definitely get out of it.

I do not know exactly where Nick stands except to say that he believes that "there's a life" in the womb...so he can't be too far off. And his music video has done more for the prolife cause and has saved more lives than anything that his prolife critics are tossing his way. I wouldn't do it that way, but his no-judgment,  just-tellin-a-story position certainly helps people not write him off as the prolife fringe (part of the "vast right-wing conspiracy"). And it makes his message maybe more palatable for many. I'm not defending that statement, but I don't want to hear any criticism coming out of our camp against Cannon. In its context, he is simply trying to sidestep the politics, because murder and childbirth are so much higher than the political plane on which we discuss them. He tells his story in a poignant and unavoidable way to say, "Thanks, mom, for letting me live." As the video closes his prolonged gaze into the camera seems to be begging the pregnant woman watching to do the same.

 I praise the Lord for this video. As I was watching it I got chills as I was thinking about all the pregnant moms who were watching that and were forced to conclude that to have an abortion would be murder. In 17 years hopefully thousands, even tens of thousands of babies will get to repeat Cannon's thanksgiving to his mom.