The Stupidity of Liberals

June 23, 2009 by johnconverse

           Before I jump into the content of this article I want you the reader to understand that I know that the subject of the stupidity of liberals is a vast topic and can be approached from many angles— just ask Ann Coulter. 

            Last week two of my fellow blue-collar workers said, “Barack Obama will be the first [American] president to serve more than two terms.”  Unfortunately for them their lack of knowledge of American history made them look stupid, but fortunately for me their lack of knowledge gave me something fun to write about.  Thank God for wordpress!

            Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only elected president to serve more than two terms.

            Somehow my co-workers turned the subject into racism. As during the the time of the election, these men accused me of being a racist, because on November 4, 2008 the only reasonable vote I could cast was against B. Hussein Obama.  I personally wanted Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney to be the presidential nominee.  Despite the Republican Party’s past election defeat, I feel that Sarah Palin was an excellent choice made by MacCain.  Senator John McCain, I hope that you do not regret choosing Sarah Palin as your running mate.  Introducing her to America may be one of the greatest things that you have done for our country, and you sir have done many great things for America. Thank you.  I am grateful to you and your service. 

            So what is it that makes liberals stupid?  Is it something that they ate?  Is it in the water?  No.  What makes liberals stupid is the philosophies and in turn their policies. I am NOT a racist and for anyone to accuse me of such a horrible thing is shameful. I voted against B. Hussein Obama because of the policies he advocates and not for any other reason. 

            The stupidity of liberals is what ensnares the American people with such poisoned hooks as racism, religion, and handouts. The liberal media broad-casted to the American people during the 2008 election that the election was more about race than policy.  This is absurd and the liberal media should be ashamed of their poor reporting and for advocating their party’s agenda over a fair and balanced report. 

            The stupidity of liberals coerces the American people to think that government is designed to give them a free ride (handout) through life’s hardships.  Liberal politicians project the image that they are the governmental Santa Claus, but in reality they are self-preserving men and women, who want power that only the people can give and they know it. 

            The devastating truth is that many in America want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Many in America think that government is the tree with all of the Benjamins on it.  Didn’t your mother ever tell you that money doesn’t grow on trees— especially government trees?  Believe me America we don’t want this from our government.  History shows us that the head of a great leader was severed from his body and placed on a silver platter to appease the wishes of a wicked queen.  Big government destroys the leaders that are for the people and more importantly for Christ and his kingdom.

            By allowing liberal politicians to partake of any form of governmental power is a death sentence waiting to happen.  Liberal politicians long to strip us of any of our rights and freedoms, because they know that the more they take from us, the more power they have to enforce their social agenda— just look at any totalitarian regime. 

            Liberals tell the people on the one side of their mouth that they are the solution for all of the world’s problems, yet on the other side of their mouth— the side that they hope that you cannot hear— they pray to their stupid liberal god that they make history by forming the first American totalitarian government. 

            One thing that I wish liberal politicians would realize is that stupidity is not constitutional.  Should I really say more?  Despite this fact all we can do as conservatives is pray that God’s will be done in America, and that our voices redirect the people toward the liberties of democracy. 

            America’s founding fathers never intended our government to function as a social handout center.  These men risked their lives and the lives of their families to hand down to us— their posterity— the right to “the pursuit of happiness”.  They swore this to one another and to the nation that was forming in the Declaration of Independence. 

            Many people get the chills when they try their best to quote the famous words written in the Declaration of Independence, but few seem to understand what these words mean.  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.— That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers by the consent of the governed.”  

            The first thing out of most people’s mouth is that all men are equal, and this is true, but many people try to fit this sacred statement of our founding fathers into a social debate. This statement has nothing to do with our social status rather it has to do with our rights as human beings.  Let me put it this way, not all have the same education, not all have the same amount of income, but every time equal rights comes up people want try to use the words above as their foundation, but it has nothing to do with social status. I often remind people of those famous words “the pursuit of Happiness” to mean that the founding fathers foresaw us to be an active people, a people who would work hard for an income, a people who finds honor in dying for democracy, because after all as in the words of Ronald Reagan, “it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.” 

            The stupidity of liberals intends to diminish the work ethic that America has become known for by positioning a dark cloud of doubt and apathy over the mentality of the people.  Insodoing the liberal will be free to propose his social schemes.  Liberals want to diminish the American dream from the hearts of the people so that they can create big government to babysit us as if we were children.  The stupidity of liberals is that they too often forget that democracy is for the people and by the people.  We need someone to babysit the liberals— show them how government is to function!  

            Reagan fought long and hard against communism.  Are we going to allow it to raise its evil and decaying head from the abyss that our beloved Reagan drove it or will we pursue revolution and reform to maintain liberty? America cannot afford to allow a socialist government to rule our people.  A utopia has nothing but empty promises and, it is these empty promises that fuel liberal policies which will in turn rot America from the inside out.   

            The truth of the matter is the liberal is too stupid to see that he lives in a fantasy world of politics.  When he sits across from a conservative, truth is staring him right in the face, but he’s so wretched within himself that he cannot see the glorious light of liberty!  

            The stupidity of liberals is to see the truth and consciously cast it aside.

Maxim Hot 100 Disappoints

July 7, 2009 by johnconverse

Have you seen this year’s Maxim Hot 100?  Well, if you haven’t I assure you that you will be disappointed. Maxim claimed to name us 100 beautiful women for 2009’s addition, but only gave us 99 beauties.  Now we know where they stand on the great Jessica debate: Alba or Biel? Like I said, you’ll be disappointed.

          I flipped through the magazine and didn’t argue with there selection until I came to #93.  I was so shocked when I saw this that I glanced back at the cover just to assure myself that I was looking at Maxim Magazine.   I was not only shocked, I was disgusted.  No, I need a stronger word.  I detested the selection of #93.  No, I was appalled by the selection of #93.  The reason isn’t because the woman isn’t good-looking.  I’m certain she’s good-looking to someone out there, but in my opinion #93 isn’t the caliber of woman worth mentioning in Maxim Magazine.   

          After I glanced back at the cover, I found #100 and compared her to #93.  In most cases Maxim can get away with such a selection, but not this time because #100 is must prettier than #93.  In fact all of the women that Maxim placed in the #94-100 spot are much more beautiful than #93.  Maxim, what were you thinking?

          I’ll tell you what you were thinking.  You were using your status and the slim bit of media power that you have to influence people and promote Barack Obama because you have a biased opinion of him.  It’s obvious by your actions that you are among the liberal media— how disappointing!  Your placement of #93 was politically motivated and you know it— how pathetic! 

          What I would like to know is since Maxim is promoting #93 for a political tool in some way to make your candidate look cool to a young generation, where is Cindy McCain?  Where is Sarah Palin?  These women are not only smart, and have decency about them, but they are beautiful as well.  Everyone knows this. 

          Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin are much prettier than your #93.  Even the liberal media was biased to this during the 2008 election.  They accused Cindy McCain of being Senator McCain’s trophy wife.  This was not said about #93.  The liberal media accused John McCain of using Palin’s natural beauty to sway votes because after all sex appeal matters. This was not said about #93. Oh, and did you forget that Palin is known for winning a beauty pageant? This was not said about #93 either. 

          I am certain that you, the reader are questioning who Maxim’s #93 is, and are hoping that I will name her.  However, as much as I do not want to upset my hero Sean Hannity by the following statement, I know no other way to say this, other than to say that #93 is not worth being named in this article. I have given you plenty of hints throughout this article, but if you want to find the mystery woman #93— good luck, because I’ll not name her. 

          Maxim rest assured I did finish flipping through the 2009 list.  At this point, the main reason that I continued to flip through the magazine was to assure myself that Nancy Pelosi or Hilary Clinton were not mentioned as one of the 100.  Thankfully neither Pelosi nor Clinton was named on your list. 

          Maxim, in the years to come when you claim to publish another hot 100 list, please select 100 beautiful women rather than 99.

The Last of the Kingdom Preachers

July 4, 2009 by johnconverse

Dedicated to the memory of Kelley Varner

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”  Romans 13:7

             A great man of God by the name of Kelley Varner recently died.  He is the last of a circle of ministers to preach the “kingdom message”.  The kingdom message was first made popular among our circles in Oklahoma by a man by the name of Bill Briton.  Briton brought the kingdom message to Daniel “Web” Willhite’s small community church in Tulsa, Oklahoma where it spread like wild fire among his young minister’s whom he called his “boys”. The names of the ministers that I wish to honor are my father, Robert E. Converse, Tony Pannell, Lloyd Willhite, Floyd Carlile, Buddy Ridener, Doc Agan, Andy Giddens, and the late Houston “Tuffy” Fairchild and Kelley Varner. 

             My generation has coined a name for certain of these men among whom Varner is apart as “the heavy hitters”.  We call certain of these men “the heavy hitters” because of their aggressive style and immense knowledge of the Bible.  These men have a love for the Scriptures and a discipline for long hours of study.  The Holy Spirit would compliment these men by anointing them to preach a powerful word, prophesy, and to perform healings and miracles among the people.

             These men preach a seasoned message for all generations and that message is the kingdom message.  What is the kingdom message?  The kingdom message proclaims that the establishment of the kingdom is not a future event such as the rapture.  In fact the kingdom message opposes the view of the rapture and condemns it as false doctrine.  The kingdom message is a vast topic, but to make it simple, the kingdom message is the declaration that the kingdom of God has been reinstated through Jesus Christ, and that the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom manifested through the Christian Church. 

             We get a glimpse of this in Peter’s sermon in Acts 3:24, “Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

             I want you to notice the phrase “all the prophets from Samuel”.  This is significant because an event took place in Samuel’s day that is important to understanding the kingdom of God.  That event is the fact that God [The Invisible King] was usurped as king of Israel and Saul [the first man to be king] was placed on the throne to rule his people.  This is why Peter said in Acts 3:24, “all the prophets from Samuel”.   

 Notice that in 1 Samuel 8-12 God was the [invisible] king of Israel:

             1 Samuel 8:7 reads, “And the Lord said unto Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the People in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.

 1 Samuel 10:19 shows us this same principle, “And ye have this day rejected your God, Whom Himself saved you out of all adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, ‘Nay but set a king (man) over us:’ ye said unto me, ‘Nay: but set a king over us:’

 1 Samuel 12:12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, ‘Nay but a king shall reign over us:’ when the Lord your God was king.

 In 1 Samuel 8:20 we see that the People wanted to be like all the nations of the earth.  They wanted a king that they could see, whereas God’s kingship was invisible (or by faith).

This same principle is also shown in 1 Samuel 12:13, 14, 17, 19, 25

Also, notice that in John 18:36-40 Jesus hid himself from being made a physical king.  This shows us that Jesus understood the fact that he would rule as the invisible king of the Christian Church, which would be reestablished on the day of Pentecost when God would set his throne on the hearts of men (Acts 2:16-21; Hebrews 8:8-13)

              Romans 14:17 states, “For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink; but it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” 

             Most of these men do not have a formal education, but they are more knowledgeable of the Bible than many who attend seminary or formal college.  This simply shows that individual study can surpass a formal education.  Their dedication to the word of God is scarce in the Christian Church, and it is for this reason that the Lord is giving a prophetic call to the coming generations to give themselves to the study of the Bible, a devoted life of prayer, worship, and integrity.

             Despite some of these men’s shortcomings they are worthy of being commended.  These men stand against opposition, and study the Bible to find truth rather than to defend a particular doctrine. 

             There is a new generation of kingdom preachers coming on the scene among who I and Jimmy Clanton are apart.  Jimmy, we must progress the kingdom message; it is our heritage and our commission. 

             The kingdom of God is established on earth (Deut. 11:21) and it must extend its reach to the nations of the world— “for we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) 

For Christ and His Kingdom,

John Converse

Does the Doctrine of Free Will Glorify God?

June 24, 2009 by johnconverse

Does the doctrine of free will glorify man?

Or does the doctrine of free will glorify God?

Below are the five points of Arminianism (free will) followed immediately after each point are questions asking how God is glorified in the doctrine of free will.  The reason for this is to provoke your thinking concerning how it is that the doctrine of free will glorifies God.  I hope that by providing this format for you will allow you to give a better assessment of the dooctrine of free will.

Point one of the five points of Arminianism is Free Will or Human Ability which states: Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness.  God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man’s freedom.  Each sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it.  Man’s freedom consists of his (man’s) ability to choose good over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not enslaved to his sinful nature. The sinner has the power to either cooperate with God’s Spirit and be regenerated or resist God’s grace and perish.  The lost sinner needs the Spirit assistance, but he does not have to be regenerated by the Spirit before he can believe, for faith is man’s act and precedes the new birthFaith is the sinner’s gift to God; it is man’s contribution to salvation.   

How is God glorified in point one of Arminianism?

How is God glorified in Free Will or Human Ability?

Man is glorified in point one of Arminianism.

Man is glorified in Free Will or Human Ability.

Point two of the five points of Arminianism is Conditional Election, which states: God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call.  He selected only those whom He knew freely believe would of themselves the gospelElection therefore was determined by or conditioned upon what man would do.  The faith which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man’s will.  It was left entirely up to man as to who would believe their own free will, and therefore as to who would be elected unto salvation.  God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ. Thus, the sinner’s choice of Christ, not God’s choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation. 

 How is God glorified in point two of Arminianism?

How is God glorified in Conditional Election

Man is glorified in point two of Arminianism.

Man is glorified in Conditional Election.

Point three of the five points of Arminianism is Universal Redemption or General Atonement, which states:  Christ’s redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone.  Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe on Him are saved.  His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the condition that they believe, but it did not actually put away anyone’s sins.  Christ’s redemption becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it. 

How is God glorified in point three of Arminianism?

How is God glorified in Universal Redemption or General Atonement?

Man is glorified in point three of Arminianism.

Man is glorified in Universal Redemption or General Atonement.

Point four of the five points of Arminianism is The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted, which states:  The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation, He does all that He can to bring every sinner to salvation.  But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully resist the Spirit’s call.  The Spirit cannot regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith (which is man’s contribution) precedes and makes possible new birth.  Thus, man’s free will limits the Spirit in the application of Christ’s saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His way with them.  Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give life.  God’s grace, therefore, is not invincible; it can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man. 

How is God glorified in point four of Arminianism?

How is God glorified in The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted?

Man is glorified in point four of Arminianism.

Man is glorified in The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted.

Point five of the five points of Arminianism is Falling from Grace, which states:  Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up with their faith, etc. All Arminians have not been agreed on this point; some have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ— that once a sinner is regenerated, he can never be lost.  Salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond) — man’s response being the determining factor.  God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, “choose” to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of graceAt the crucial point, man’s will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation. 

How is God glorified in point five of Arminianism?

How is God glorified in Falling from Grace?

Man is glorified in point five of Arminianism.

Man is glorified in Falling from Grace.

Calvinism-Arminian Controversy

June 24, 2009 by johnconverse

“The following material from Romans: An Interpretative Outline (pp. 144-147), by David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas, contrasts the Five Points of Arminianism  with the Five Points of Calvinism in the clearest and most concise  form that we have seen anywhere.  It is also found in their smaller book, The Five Points of Calvinism (pp. 16-19). Both books are published by The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., Philadelphia. (1963). Messrs. Steele and Thomas have served for several years as co-pastors of a Southern Baptist church, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  

Point one of the five points of Arminianism is Free Will or Human Ability which states: Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness.  God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man’s freedom.  Each sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it.  Man’s freedom consists of his (man’s) ability to choose good over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not enslaved to his sinful nature. The sinner has the power to either cooperate with God’s Spirit and be regenerated or resist God’s grace and perish.  The lost sinner needs the Spirit assistance, but he does not have to be regenerated by the Spirit before he can believe, for faith is man’s act and precedes the new birth.  Faith is the sinner’s gift to God; it is man’s contribution to salvation.   

Point one of the Five Points of Calvinism is Total Depravity or Total Inability which states: Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel.  The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt.  His will is not free, it is in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he will not – indeed he cannot – choose good over evil in the spiritual realm.  Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit’s assistance to bring a sinner to Christ – it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature.  Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of God’s gift of salvation – it is God’s gift to the sinner, not the sinner’s gift to God. 

 Point two of the Five Points of Arminianism is Conditional Election, which states: God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call.  He selected only those whom He knew freely believe would of themselves the gospel.  Election therefore was determined by or conditioned upon what man would do.  The faith which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man’s will.  It was left entirely up to man as to who would believe their own free will, and therefore as to who would be elected unto salvation.  God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ. Thus, the sinner’s choice of Christ, not God’s choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation. 

Point two of the Five Points of Calvinism is Unconditional Election, which states: God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will.  His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response or obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom he selected.  These acts are the result, not the cause of God’s choice.  Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man.  Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willingly acceptance of Christ. Thus God’s choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

Point three of the Five Points of Arminianism is Universal Redemption or General Atonement, which states:  Christ’s redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone.  Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe on Him are saved.  His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the condition that they believe, but it did not actually put away anyone’s sins.  Christ’s redemption becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it. 

Point three of the Five Points of Calvinism is Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement, which states: Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them.  His death was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners.  In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him.  The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore guaranteeing their salvation.   

Point four of the five points of Arminianism is The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted, which states:  The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation, He does all that He can to bring every sinner to salvation.  But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully resist the Spirit’s call.  The Spirit cannot regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith (which is man’s contribution) precedes and makes possible new birth.  Thus, man’s free will limits the Spirit in the application of Christ’s saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His way with them.  Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give life.  God’s grace, therefore, is not invincible; it can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man. 

Point four of the Five Points of Calvinism is The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace, which reads:  In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a specialinward call that inevitably brings them to salvation.  The external call (which is made to all without distinction) can be, and often is rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion.  By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinner to Christ.  He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man’s will, nor is He dependent upon man’s cooperation for success.  The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ.  God’s grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.

Point five of the five points of Arminianism is Falling from Grace, which states:  Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up with their faith, etc. All Arminians have not been agreed on this point; some have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ— that once a sinner is regenerated, he can never be lost.  Salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond) — man’s response being the determining factor.  God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, “choose” to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of grace.  At the crucial point, man’s will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation. 

Point five of the Five Points of Calvinism is Perserverance of the Saints, which states: All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved.  They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.  Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God.  The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ’s death affective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel.  The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone.  Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.”

The information provided above is taken from Loraine Boettner’s The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination (1932) (pp.433-436; Appendix). 

The five points of Calvinism can be easily remembered by the acronym TULIP. 

Total Depravity or Total Inability

Unconditional Election

Limited Atonement

Irresistible Grace

Perserverance of our Savior or is more commonly known as Perserverance of the Saints