Views of the News That You May Not Hear Elsewhere
August 29, 2008
(Updated Weekly)
New Chronological Study Bible
While chronological Bibles, such as the NIV One Year Chronological Bible (1995) have been published in the past, The Chronological Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson is the first study Bible to present the text of the New King James Version in the order of events as they occurred with notes, articles, timelines, maps, charts and full-color illustrations. As an example of some of the changes in the format, whole sections of Isaiah and Nehemiah are reordered to better reflect the historical timeline; the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are merged into one, based on Mark's chronology; and some of Paul's letters are woven into the book of Acts.
While many Christians find a Bible arranged according to historical events very helpful for understanding the context, some scholars have expressed concern about the new format. "I do think you do lose something when you start demolishing any book of the Bible," said Richard Hess, professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary. "You lose the literary and theological context."
Wayne Hastings, senior vice president for Thomas Nelson, has been responding to blog postings and news sites that have been somewhat critical of the chronological format. "Looking through the eyes of someone who has had trouble understanding the Bible, this could be a refreshing alternative," Hastings wrote.
The Struggle with Morality
A nationwide survey by The Barna Group indicates that Americans have redefined what it means to do the right thing in their own lives. Researchers asked adults which, if any, of eight behaviors with moral overtones they had engaged in during the past week. The behaviors included exposure to pornography, using profanity in public, gambling, gossiping, engaging in sexual intercourse with someone to whom they were not married, retaliating against someone, getting drunk and lying.
The most common of the eight behaviors evaluated was using profanity in public (28%), followed by gambling in the past week (including the purchase of a lottery ticket) (20%), intentional exposure to pornographic images (19%), gossiping (12%), drunkenness (12%), and lying (11%).
The moral pattern among adults under 25 was "one of the most stunning outcomes" from the Barna survey. The younger generation was more than twice as likely as all other adults to engage in behaviors considered morally inappropriate by traditional standards. For instance, two-thirds of the under-25 segment (64%) had used profanity in public, compared to just one out of five Boomers (19%). The younger group — known as Mosaics — was nine times more likely than were Boomers to have engaged in sex outside of marriage (38% vs. 4%), six times more likely to have lied (37% vs. 6%), almost three times more likely to have gotten drunk (25% vs. 9%) and to have gossiped (26% vs. 10%), and twice as likely as Boomers to have observed pornography (33% vs. 16%) and to have engaged in acts of retaliation (12% vs. 5%).
Other notable results showed:
- Liberals were five times more likely to participate in unmarried sex, more than three times as likely to view pornography, more than twice as likely to lie and to get drunk, and twice as likely to engage in retaliation and gossip than those who describe themselves as "mostly conservative."
- Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in six of the seven behaviors evaluated.
- Evangelicals were the group most likely to follow traditional morality, while atheists and agnostics were the faith segment most likely to reject those ways. Among evangelicals, profanity (16%) and pornography (12%) were the most common transgressions.
- People associated with faiths other than Christianity were twice as likely as evangelicals to engage in the behaviors explored.
According to George Barna, who directed the survey, the results reflect a significant shift in American life. "We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America," said Barna. "The consistent deterioration of the Bible as the source of moral truth has led to a nation where people have become independent judges of right and wrong, basing their choices on feelings and circumstances. It is not likely that America will return to a more traditional moral code until the nation experiences significant pain from its moral choices."
For the full report, visit Barna.org.
Hallmark Offers Gay 'Marriage' Cards
Hallmark Greeting Cards has four designs of same-sex 'marriage' cards that are being released this summer, even though same-sex 'marriage' is legal in only two states — California and Massachusetts. Hallmark says the purpose is to satisfy consumer demand. "It's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can," Hallmark spokeswoman Sarah Gronberg Kolell said. The wording inside the card is neutral making them suitable for either a commitment or a wedding ceremony.
Approximately 85,000 same-sex couples in the United States entered into a legal relationship when Hawaii started offering some legal benefits to same-sex partners in 1997. In the next three years, it is estimated nearly 120,000 more couples will marry in California. This means millions of potential dollars for a variety of wedding-industry businesses.
American Greetings Corp., Hallmark's largest competitor, says its current offerings are general enough to speak to a lot of different relationships and has no plans to enter the same-sex 'marriage' card market. [yahoo.com, citizenlink.org]
The News at a Glance
• Ore. Indian Tribe Legalizes Same-Sex 'Marriage'
The Coquille Indian Tribe may be the first of its kind in the United States to legalize same-sex 'marriage.' Like most other American Indian tribes, the Coquilles have their own laws and customs. "Native Americans, more than anyone, know about discrimination," Coquille Indian Tribe Chief Ken Tanner. "Our directive is to provide recognition and respect to all members of our tribe." Tanner, 68, said the tribe's law was not intended to make a statement about gay 'marriage' or advocate for similar legislation from any other tribe or governing body — they are not looking for national recognition of any kind. [abcnews.com]
• Legalized Abortion Drives Down Adoption Rates
Adoption rates in the U.S. have plummeted since abortion became legal in 1973, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent CDC report shows that before 1973, nearly nine percent of babies born to never-married women were placed for adoption. By 2002, that number had dropped to about one percent. [citizenlink.org]
• Neb. New 'Safe-Haven' Law
Nebraska's new "safe-haven" law allows parents not only to abandon unwanted children at hospitals with no questions asked, but it goes beyond that and potentially permits the abandonment of anyone under 19. The law raises the possibility that frustrated parents — or anyone since the law does not specify — could drop off misbehaving teens or even severely disabled older children with impunity. "Whether the kid is disabled or unruly or just being a hormonal teenager, the state is saying: 'Hey, we have a really easy option for you,'" said Adam Pertman, executive director of a New York adoption institute and a frequent critic of safe-haven laws. [christianpost.com]
• One of the Largest Utilities in Calif. Pushes Same-Sex 'Marriage'
One of the largest natural gas and electric utilities in the nation has donated $250,000 to defeat California's marriage-protection amendment — Prop. 8, which goes to voters in November, would restore the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. Though Pacific Gas & Electric claims the money used came from shareholder-funded political contribution accounts, Tom Strobhar, president of the corporate-research firm Pro Vita Advisors, questions that claim and believes the money ultimately comes from the ratepayers. "It's exceedingly insensitive to enter this controversial political subject, to take sides in this, and essentially take it out of the ratepayers' pockets." [citizenlink.org]
• Ark. Proposes Ban on Unmarried Adoptions
In November, Arkansas voters will decide whether foster kids and prospective adoptees deserve a home with a married mom and dad. A proposal aimed at effectively banning gays and lesbians from becoming foster or adoptive parents was cleared Monday to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. This measure would prohibit unmarried couples living together from fostering or adopting children — and Arkansas doesn't allow gays to marry or recognize gay marriages conducted elsewhere. [cbsnews.com, citizenlink.org]
• Ala. Workers Will Pay If Overweight
Alabama — the first state to charge overweight workers — has given them a year to slim down or they'll pay $25 a month for insurance that otherwise is free. The State Employee's Insurance Board this week approved a plan to charge state workers starting in January 2010 if they don't have free health screenings. If the screenings turn up serious problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose or obesity, employees will have a year to see a doctor at no cost, enroll in a wellness program, or take steps on their own to improve their health. If they show progress in a follow-up screening, they won't be charged. But if they don't, they must pay starting in January 2011. [cbsnews.com]
• Airlines Offer Unfiltered Internet Access
U.S. airlines are rolling out unfiltered, in-flight Internet service, with few regulations to monitor viewing of pornography. American Airlines is the first carrier to offer the service, with Delta, Alaska, Northwest and others expected to follow suit.
Daniel Weiss, senior analyst for media and sexuality at Focus on the Family Action, called the decision another example of pornography running amok. "Because this nation has not been serious about vigorously attacking pornography, some believe it is appropriate to view in public," he said. "Not only will the flight attendants be placed in a situation that could be considered sexual harassment, passengers who openly view porn where children can see it may be violating federal harmful-to-minor laws."
JetBlue Airways and Continental Airlines plan to filter their Internet access. [citizenlink.org]
• Feds Work to Protect Doctors' Religious Freedoms
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released information last week about a proposed new rule that would strengthen protection for medical professionals who refuse to perform abortions for moral and religious reasons. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said that health care professionals should not face retaliation from employers or from medical societies because they object to abortion. "Freedom of conscience is not to be surrendered upon issuance of a medical degree," said Leavitt. "This nation was built on a foundation of free speech. The first principle of free speech is protected conscience." [worldnetdaily.com, cbsnews.com]
Leading Candidates' Positions
The following table provides a comparative summary of where the leading candidates (listed alphabetically) stand on some pertinent issues in the campaign:
|
Abortion |
Defense of Marriage |
Stem Cell Research |
Taxes |
Immigration |
John McCain
(R)
|
Opposes
Medicaid-funded abortions. Supports
federal parental notification law. |
Opposes
U.S. Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman, but he would veto any bill that would weaken any provision of the federal DOMA. |
Supports
adult stem cell research, embryo-destructive research and using umbilical cord blood banks. |
Supports
repeal of the federal estate (death) tax. |
Opposes
legislative initiatives that emphasize border security over all other forms of immigration reform. |
Barack Obama
(D)
|
Supports
Medicaid-funded abortions. |
Opposes
U.S. Constitutional amendment to define marriage as one man and one woman, and would support repeal of certain DOMA provisions. |
Supports
therapeutic cloning, embryo-destructive research. |
Opposes
repeal of federal estate (death) tax. |
Opposes
legislative initiatives that emphasize border security over all other forms of immigration reform. |
| FRCAction.org offers a more in-depth look at the candidates' stands on issues. For videos of the candidates themselves, visit CitizenLink.org/content/a000006338.cfm. |
The above is excerpted with permission from Focus on the Family's "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" dated August 29, 2008 ©2008 Focus on the Family
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