Blair, the Roman Beast, and The Mark (IV)

The visions in Daniel and repeated in Revelation seem to suggest the Roman Empire is the model for the Beast and indeed from the time of the New Testament to the present, the spectre of Rome haunts Christendom. From the Russian and British Empires, to the German, French, and American - all seek to emulate Rome. Whether Republican or Imperial Rome, the Western or Eastern iterations, all look to Rome as the paragon of government, the ideal they aspire to. All are inspired by its institutions and laws - and certainly its architecture. And all muse over its fall.

Blair, the Roman Beast, and The Mark (II)

As Western or even Global society waxes in a more Bestial direction we have to expect heightened opposition and exclusion. If faithful, we should be feeling it even now – even in liberal countries that supposedly are tolerant and don't persecute Christians. They may not execute us in the public square but soft persecution exists and there's a lot of pressure. I'm not speaking of the sort of things one might hear Evangelicals talk about on FOX – struggles over cake baking, cross necklaces, or workers forced to work on Sunday. They're actually part of it in most cases as they support the corporate control of workplace culture, selective censorship, and the economic system that puts profits over people.

Blair, the Roman Beast, and The Mark (I)

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64729442

Published in early 2023, this is a disturbing story on many levels. William Hague and Tony Blair are certainly evil men and their arguments and justifications for biometric identification are not to be trusted. The truth is after witnessing the events of the past decade or so, and given the growing instability within society, coupled with the sheer massiveness of modern populations, those sitting atop the state are nervous and fearing the spectre of chaos and the threat of pandemonium. They want mechanisms in place that allow them to exert and maintain control.

The Dissemination of Vigano's Warning – A Warning to all New Testament Christians (II)

As stated before, there are plenty of reasons to doubt the government and the Covid episode is no exception. Over many years the government and media have destroyed their own credibility and so in some respects they have brought this on themselves. And yet as also stated, conspiracies (to be judged as viable) have to make some kind of sense and they have to operate within the framework of reality. Many of the conspiracies floated by today's Right are divorced from reality and in other cases indicate a pervasive unfamiliarity with basic concepts, how institutions work, history and the like.

The Dissemination of Vigano's Warning – A Warning to all New Testament Christians (I)

https://theaquilareport.com/archbishop-viganos-startling-warning-to-the-american-people/

The fact that the Calvinist-affiliated Aquila Report published this piece by Roman Catholic Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is both interesting and informative in and of itself. That a publication such as 'American Thinker' found Vigano's comments profound is not too surprising.

More Disease Ridden Cures: Attacking Lausanne on the Basis of Right-Wing Politics (Part 2)

It was appropriate that in the Old Testament order there was a certain earthly glory and indeed like Abraham we are 'wealthy' pilgrims. But wealth and riches have to be understood in spiritual terms which Proverbs (ironically) defines as spiritual wisdom, something the New Testament elaborates upon. Once again I say ironic because the proponents of Christo-capitalism heavily rely on Proverbs to make their fiscal case but never see the questions in light of the New Testament and actually ignore the foundational concepts regarding wealth that are laid out in the early chapters.

More Disease Ridden Cures: Attacking Lausanne on the Basis of Right-Wing Politics (Part 1)

I was eager to read ES Williams' Ecumenism: Another Gospel (Lausanne's Road to Rome) which was published in 2014. It was in certain respects a 'good read' and at times helpful, even insightful. But in the end I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone.

Alongside a rightly guided Biblical critique of the movement which has become the international platform of post-war Evangelicalism, there was an unfortunate Right-wing aspect or angle which seems to govern Williams' thought.

Refugees, Clashing Empires, Signs of the Times and the Christian Calling

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-07/05/c_138201998.htm

https://www.csis.org/analysis/can-united-states-prevent-uganda-reaching-breaking-point

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think-tank is closely wed to the corridors of American power. If you listen to NPR or BBC, you're already familiar with the organisation and Anthony Cordesman is an old familiar voice.

Evangelical Manipulation of the Population Debate (Part 2)

The real problem is waste and consumption. The Western world bears most of the guilt but it must be admitted that they are not solely to blame. The developing world is wasteful in other ways and certainly nations like China are now playing their part as well, a part played by the West a century ago. They have adopted the Western lifestyle and are now part of the consumption carousel.

Evangelical Manipulation of the Population Debate (Part 1)

https://www.christianpost.com/voice/population-bust-not-population-bomb.html

Stonestreet once again misleads his audience as to the real questions concerning world population. For years the consensus has sounded the alarm about population and the far Right has responded with scepticism regarding their claims dismissing them as alarmist and agenda driven.

I don't doubt there are ideologues on both sides of the issue who have made their share of exaggerated claims. The world has proven resilient with regard to hunger although the costs are enormous and when considered long term the solutions of today may prove disastrous for tomorrow.