Christ's Lost Tomb?

There was a report out over the weekend that some archeaologists have found the tomb of Jesus Christ. Not the tomb from which he arose. It is believed that one was discovered long ago and is where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is located. These archeaologist have found what they claim was the real tomb where Jesus was buried and from which he never arose. It was allegedly found with Jesus' father, Joseph, his mother, Mary, Mary Magdalene and the son of Jesus born to Mary Magdalene (Da Vinci Code?).

It is amazing to me the lengths that people will go to in order to attack the foundation of Christianity. No God fearing Christian will believe that this alleged tomb was really the tomb of Christ, but some unbelievers might be persuaded. And that is sad.

That's why we as Christians must do all we can to carry the message of hope in Christ's salvation around the world. In my writing I try to convey a message of redemption. I realize that I am primarily preaching to the choir because most of Christian fiction readers are Christians. But hopefully some of what I write will land in the hands of non-believers and thereby have an impact on them.

Jerome

Long Lasting Impact of Christianity on Politics

Many try to exclude faith and religion from politics. But where would our culture be without men and women of faith like William Wilberforce? Wilberforce was an evangelical who helped bring an end to the British slave trade. There is a movie out called Amazing Grace about Wilberforce's life. I haven't seen it yet but it might be worth catching. Here is some more information about Wilberforce.

Would someone else have stood up if Wilberforce had not? Perhaps. But the truth is that Wilberforce did. His faith required it. What about today? Are there local, state and national leaders who will allow their faith to impact their decision making? What about the current slate of presidential candidates? Do they apply their faith to how they serve in office? Personally, I find a candidate's faith important to whether I support them or not. I know many disagree with me. But there must be something inside a person that impacts how they will make decisions. If it is not their religious faith, then what is it?

On a different note, I saw an article today that there is a remote possibility that Joe Lieberman might switch to the republican party. And it would be caused by the senate democrats' push for a vote on the war in Iraq. Wouldn't that create entertaining chaos in the senate?

Jerome

Mona Charen

Union University hosted Mona Charen today as part of its 9th annual Spring Forum. Juan Williams will be here in March. Ms. Charen's speech was very interesting and probably had some in the room squirming in their seats. She talked about the war on terror and how the United States must continue the fight. Much of it was the same as I hear from other conservative pundits. But there were some facts that I had not heard previously.

Ms. Charen talked about how muslims were slow taking over Europe and by mid-century they will be in the majority, not the minority, in Europe. One statistic she based this on is that Europeans are reproducing at a rate LESS than necessary to repopulate the continent and the muslims are reproducing at a much higher rate. Interesting.

Mona Charen was very interesting and entertaining. If you get a chance to hear her speak, you should take it. You can read some of Ms. Charen's articles at this site.

Jerome

Should Religion and Politics Mix?

It's an age-old question. Some argue that religion and one's relationship with God should be a personal matter and not have a bearing on politics. They are argue that religion should stay out of politics. Similarly, others hang their hat the "constitution" and argue that there should be a "separation of church and state". The problem with that argument is that this provision is nowhere to be found in the constitution.

Jim Wallis of Time writes today that the era of the religious right is over. I doubt that is true. If it is, then why are so many candidates courting the support of religious leaders? Another article takes the position that voters are more likely to find Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in church than Rudy Guiliani or John McCain. The point of the story is that the religious gap between the republican party and the democratic party is narrowing. Is it?

Others are tauting Rudy Guiliani as having the ability to sway conservative voters without bowing to the religious leaders. Guiliani has said that he hates abortion but supports a woman's right to choose. He is in favor of civil unions and gun control and has been married three times. Richard Land of the Southern Baptists' Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission said that Guiliani is "unacceptable" to social conservatives. But Guiliani says that he will appoint conservative judges like Alito and Roberts -- judges that are strict constructionists -- and that is music to conservatives' ears.

It's an interesting discussion: The mix of politics and religion. One's religion has always been part of that person's decision making. And that makes the separation of politics and religion virtually impossible. A person's fundamental belief -- whether shaped by religion and faith or something else -- will influence their decision making if they hold public office. There is no way around it. So should religion and politics mix? I think it is unavoidable.

Jerome

Christian Writers Market Guide

When I first began writing several years ago and wanted to learn how to find a publisher or agent, I turned to Sally Stuart's Christian Writers Market Guide. I still have the 2001 edition on my shelf. It contained a gold mine of information.
Sally Stuart is out with the newest edition and the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is blogging about it this week. Here is a link to Sally Stuart's website. And if you are interested in ordering a copy, you can do so here. Like Terry Whalin's Book Proposals That $ell, the Christian Writers Market Guide is a must-have.

Jerome

The Three Kingmakers

In a recent post I questioned whether Jerry Falwell was still relevant to the question of what religious leaders have influence on the political process. This article in Newsweek discusses the Three Kingmakers (Jerry Falwell, Pat Roberston and James Dobson). According to this article Falwell appears to be in McCain's camp; Robertson appears to be leaning toward Romney; and Dobson hasn't settled on a candidate yet. Huckabee might ultimately be Dobson's choice.

It will be interesting to see which candidate these three support. None appear to be behind Guiliani, and it doesn't appear that Guiliani is courting any of the three. Other republican candidates are trying to secure endorsements from these religious leaders. McCain realizes the necessity of the religious right because he is attempting to repair damage he did to the relationship with religious leaders during the 2000 presidential primaries. However, none of the democratic candidates are seeking endorsements from conservative Christian leaders. I think that speaks volumes.

Jerome

GOP Searches for True Conservative II

As an update to my earlier post, I found this article on National Review on Mike Huckabee. The argument by some conservatives against Huckabee seems to be on taxes and restraining the size of government. The Club for Growth and Cato Institute take issue with Huckabee on both of these points.

Jerome

GOP Searches for True Conservative

The GOP continues to search for a true conservative to run for the White House in 2008. Mitt Romney is trying to become the right's candidate, but I'm not convinced he can fit the bill. This article points out why I'm not convinced. Romney's wife Ann did, however, point out that her husband is the only one among Romney, John McCain and Rudy Guiliani who has only had one wife. Conservative Christians will take note of that fact but is it enough to win their vote. I doubt it since Romney hasn't been consistent on other social issues.

What about Mike Huckabee? Here is a link to his interview over the weekend on ABC News. Huckabee doesn't fit the republican mold on every issue (who does?) but on social/cultural issues he is in line with conservative Christians. That will certain get him significant consideration among that voting bloc.

Lastly (and unrelated to politics) my friend, Terry Whalin, published a "must have" book about the secrets to getting published titled Book Proposals That $ell. It can now be ordered from this blog through the link on the side that reads "Want to get a book published?"

Jerome

Is Jerry Falwell Still Relevant?

Reuters has an article where Jerry Falwell stated that he would like to have a like minded republican elected president in 2008 and at least one more conservative jurist on the supreme court. I would like to see the samethings. But I wonder whether Jerry Falwell still has much influence among conservatives and the republican party. It seems to me that the mantle of the religious right is now in the hands of personalities like James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Richard Land and Gary Bauer. I don't hear much about Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson unless they are making some outlandish statement that the networks pick up on.

Electing a conservative republican to the White House in 2008 is extremely important. Having a conservative jurist appointed to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court is also very important. I'm just not sure that Jerry Falwell can make either happen.

And I doubt even Falwell is feeling inspired by the crop of republican candidates: John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Guiliani. But perhaps there is still hope of a true conservative emerging who will energize the religious right base of the party.

Jerome

Blog Tour for The Longing Season

This week the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is a blog tour for The Longing Season by Christine Schaub.

Follow the links above to see a review of The Longing Season and to learn a little more about Christine Schaub.

Jerome

Romney on Federally Funded Abortions

There is a great discussion at Red State about Mitt Romney's position on abortion. Romney's recent statements seem to raise more questions than they answer on his position over abortion and that gives many conservative Christians concern.

Jerome

Is Rudy In?

Back in November, Rudy Guiliani filed papers to create an exploratory committee and gave the caveat that he was "testing the waters." Over the weekend he said there was a really good chance that he was going to run. Today he filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Does that mean he's running or not?

The attached article reports that the filings today put Guiliani on the same page as John McCain and Mitt Romney, legally. Perhaps some more formal announcement can be expected from the Guiliani camp in the not too distant future.

Jerome

Single Issue Voter

If there is one issue on which you base your vote, what is it? What litmus test do you apply to candidates, particularly presidential candidates? I don't think I have just one, but I might. And if I am a single issue voter, that single issue is the candidate's stance on abortion. Joe Carter at Evangelical Outpost has a post about this subject today. He quotes David Gushee who is a professor at Union University, my alma mater, and someone who I see often. David doesn't live far from me and his writings are read extensively in religious circles, particularly in the area of bioethics. As Joe Carter and David Gushee both point out, where a person stands when it comes to the sanctity of human life is an extremely important issue. And I think it will indicate what other types of decision that person will make such as what jurists to nominate to the federal bench. It is a single issue but it has many tentacles.

So where do some of the leading republican candidates stand on the issue of abortion? Mitt Romney professes that his views have evolved over time and that he is now pro-life. Some question when this conversion actually occurred. There is no question that Rudy Guiliani is pro-choice and that will create a tremendous hurdle for him toward the republican nomination. Likewise, John McCain's position on abortion has been fluid.

Candidates like Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee are clearly pro-life but their names are never mentioned in the same breath as the big three.

If you have a single issue that determines your vote? Is it abortion? If so, which candidate are you leaning toward? Are there any democratic candidates who are pro-life?

Jerome

Germ by Robert Liparulo

This week the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is having a blour about Robert Liparulo's new novel, Germ.

Jerome