Seeing Red Over 'Going Green': A Christian Response To 'Earth Day' And 'Agenda 21'
Earth Day: Worship of the creation over the Creator (or the one day each year when people preach about how trees need to be saved when they should be preaching about how souls need to be saved).
I gotta admit that Earth Day 2015 snuck up on me this year. No matter, I still plan to shred this pseudo-religion to shreds today and leave those shreds littered on the hallow ground before the Altar of Political Correctness.
I guess it's no secret that I detest the "Green Economy" and "Hug-A-Tree" types of messages we so often hear these days and throughout the year.
I can distinctly remember "celebrating" Earth Day in 1990-1991 (I believe I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time) by watching a bizarre doom-and-gloom movie about how me and my fellow classmates may never get to have a family of our own one day if we didn't recycle that one plastic bottle of Pepsi and plant a tree in our backyard.
The basic premise? Recycle and take care of the environment -- or the planet was going to shrivel up die and there would be no place for us to live in the near future.
For all the talk about the so-called "Separation of Church And State" within the public square, it's quite ironic to think that Conservationism/Environmentalism/Green Initiatives have essentially become secular society's own "religion" in a sense.
That's the common mentality, isn't it? How's that mentality been working out for us in the 25 years since I watched that film in Elementary School?
Since I'm a Christian writing a piece like this, I'm sure that some people reading it right now will instantly want to have a knee-jerk reaction to my stance and tone so far by reminding me of verses like Genesis 1:26 and how it sets up a model of environmental stewardship.
Please understand that I'm not for a single second suggesting that Christians should not concern themselves with being good stewards of God's creation.
What I am suggesting is that it's wrong (dare I say sinful?) for us to elevate stewardship of this kind to a level where we idolize it (and those who commit to a "Green" way of life) as though it's the penultimate "good work" that's emblematic of our own "true righteousness" or something.
Personally, I'm just so sick and tired of the constant barrage to "Go Green" or to "celebrate" Earth Day each and every year. I mean, the guilt trip that other Christians try to impose on those of us who perhaps don't take environmental concerns as seriously as they do is downright laughable!
Then again, maybe I should recall what St. Thomas wrote to us...
All kidding aside, we shouldn't just view all this "Save The Environment!" and "Save The Planet!" stuff as if it's only a benign playground for the most extreme liberals or that it won't have a bearing on each and every one of us someday.
For instance, take "Agenda 21" and what it proposes.
Now, I know that in most Christian circles, whenever Agenda 21 gets mentioned it's usually in connection with some kind of absurd "conspiracy theory" that instantly makes the reader think twice about reading any further.
However, it's not a "conspiracy" per se when the people behind such an agenda tell you quite plainly in their own words what they hope and intend to do with such a plan.
In the simplest sense, Agenda 21 is the United Nation's blueprint for the 21st Century. I can state this with confidence because I can read. What do I mean? I mean to say that you don't have to "read between the lines" when you review the actual Agenda 21 document itself, because they tell you as much in no uncertain terms.
See what I mean?
This is the official, global policy of the United Nations.
So, what exactly does Agenda 21 contain? It consists of 115 different and very specific programs designed to facilitate, or to force, the transition to what's called "Sustainable Development" on a worldwide scale. The objective, clearly enunciated by the leaders of the "Earth Summit," is to bring about a change in the present system of independent nations.
As you can see, Agenda 21 addresses nearly every single aspect of our modern lives. For more information, I highly recommended visiting The Green Agenda for unparalleled research on this important subject.
As the author of that site noted...
I couldn't agree more based on a reading of all the facts.
If that makes me a "Christian Conspiracy Nut" then so be it!
For those looking for a real-world, current example of Agenda 21 in action, then take a good, hard look at China or Russia. That's the way they want it to work.
Do a Google search for "Agenda 21" and the very first thing you'll see in the search results is this...
Well, I guess with words like "non-binding" and "voluntary" we can all rest a little easier then, right? Right? Not so fast.
Case in point, if you're someone who thinks that there's no way that something like Agenda 21 could possibly find a foothold here in America let alone impact your day-to-day life, then think again.
My fellow Lutherans in the state of Missouri currently have a Bill (HB216) that was recently introduced pertaining to "Private Property Rights" that specifically mentions Agenda 21!
In fact, during the last presidential election cycle, one of the new additions to the Republican Party platform was clear and direct opposition to Agenda 21, but you probably didn't hear about that from your local and national news media outlets.
Even 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, knows the true story about Agenda 21. He's not the only high-profile US politician to try to call attention to this subject though. Texas State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) and state Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) have filed identical bills that take aim at the program. The bills would forbid any government entity from accepting money from, giving money to, or entering into a contract with any organization implementing Agenda 21 programs.
John Marler is a former mayoral candidate who says he has had numerous discussions with Senator Bob Hall and has given him "tremendous input" regarding Agenda 21. Marler described himself as one of the five leading national experts on the U.N. program.
Here's what he had to say about the global initiative...
Still unconvinced?
Well, then I would ask you to please consider that the state of Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Maine, Montana, Mississippi, Washington, Wyoming, and Kansas have also proposed similar legislation either in the past or recently.
As if that weren't enough evidence to convince you that there might actually be something to this debate, recent events in the state of Colorado also have the anti-Agenda 21 crowd believing that something called "conservation easements" are really "Trojan horses" (a sneaky way for the federal government to snatch private lands in pursuit of stealth implementation of Agenda 21).
Meanwhile, local governments across America -- under intense pressure from citizens and activist groups -- are slowly awakening to what critics call the "dangers" of this UN scheme. Dozens of cities and counties have withdrawn from ICLEI in recent years, and as awareness continues to grow, that trend is expected to accelerate. The ICLEI is a Germany-based, non-governmental/inter-governmental group (formerly known as the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives) that was enlisted by the UN in its effort to foist Agenda 21 upon the world.
It's not just here in the US where opposition to Agenda 21 exists. Skepticism and suspicion toward Agenda 21 is being seen in other places like New Zealand too. Auckland Council's attempts to ban or restrict open domestic fireplaces keep resurfacing.
But this is all just one big "conspiracy" and nothing to be concerned about, right? We Christians should not be concerning ourselves with political debates of this kind either, right? Um, wrong and wrong.
Look, I get it. This is the kind of topic you'd typically expect to get from Glenn Beck and/or the Tea Party groups as opposed to an apolitical Lutheran layman like me in a forum like this. I know we don't always dabble in these areas (hardly ever!), but Earth Day 2015 seemed like the perfect time for me to sound off on something I've been thinking about lately.
Here's the kicker...
See, this is why I'm always extremely concerned whenever I see Christianity being co-opted to advance these various environmental causes (what I've called the "unholy marriage" of Politics and Religion known as "Poligion").
Disguised as "environmental stewardship," Agenda 21 is nothing more than repackaged Socialism, and many heavy-hitters with billions of dollars and a worldwide influence are no doubt behind it.
No agenda is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
No politician is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
No international movement or political party is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
That role is already held by the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that job was already done by Him since He had an agenda of His own for you and for all of us.
Don't look to yourself or to others to save you or this planet. Look to the Redeemer of lost souls!
My dear friends, it's no longer a "conspiracy theory" when there are facts that tell us otherwise. Such facts are not to imply that we should respond to any of this with fear (Psalm 23; Psalm 112:7; Proverbs 3:25; 1 John 4:18), but we also shouldn't bury our heads in the sand any longer and ignore it either.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10). So, what this is all about is just me following the simple commands of Ephesians 5:11 and Matthew 10:16 in reporting on something that is relevant to a movement that is being celebrated today.
One final note. Please keep in mind that, as Christians, Romans 13 (among many other passages of Scripture) is our guide here in matters like this, and we should not advocate or promote any kind of rebellion or resistance, because all government authorities are established by God for His own plans and purposes for humanity, and we are to submit to the authorities (as long as we don't disobey God and His Word in the process).
Still, this needs to be on our radar so that we can prepare spiritually as best as we can for what seems to be coming sooner rather than later.
In a Lutheran layman's terms, this Agenda 21 business is one of the main reasons why I'm seeing red over going green, and this is my humble Christian response to it all on this Earth Day 2015.
For me, I prefer to worship the Creator and not the creation.
NOTE: I'm not a called and ordained minister of God's Word and Sacraments. I'm a layman or a Christian, Candy-Making, Husband, Father, Friend who lives in the "City of Good Neighbors" here on the East Coast. To be more specific, and relevant to the point I want to make with this note, I'm also a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism a little over a year ago. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is inconsistent with our Confessions and Lutheran doctrine (in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word, which our Confessions merely summarize and point us back to) so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray (James 3:1). Finally, please be aware that you might also discover that some of the earlier pieces I wrote on this blog back in 2013 definitely fall into that category since I was a "Lutheran-In-Name-Only" at the time and was completely oblivious to the fact that a Christian "Book of Concord" even existed (Small/Large Catechism? What's that!?!). In addition, there are some entries that are a little "out there" so-to-speak since the subject matter was also heavy influenced by those old beliefs of mine. I know that now and I'm still learning. Anyway, I decided to leave those published posts up on this website and in cyberspace only because we now have this disclaimer, and only to demonstrate the continuing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). Most importantly, please know that any time I engage in commenting on and/or interpreting a specific portion of the holy Scriptures, it will always closely follow the verse-by-verse notes from my Lutheran Study Bible and/or include references to the Book of Concord unless otherwise noted. Typically, I defer to what other Lutheran Pastors have already preached and taught about such passages since they are the called and ordained shepherds of our souls here on earth. Finally, I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the length of most entries. I'm well aware that blogs should be short, sweet, and to the point, but I've never been one to follow the rules when it comes to writing. Besides, this website is more like a dude's diary in the sense that everything I write about and share publicly isn't always what's "popular" or "#trending" at the time, but is instead all the things that I'm studying myself at the moment. For better or for worse, these posts tend to be much longer than most blog entries you'll find elsewhere only because I try to pack as much info as possible into a single piece so that I can refer to it again and again over time if I need to (and so that it can be a valuable resource for others -- if possible, a "One-Stop-Shop" of sorts). Thank you for stopping by and thank you in advance for your time, help, and understanding. Grace and peace to you and yours!
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I gotta admit that Earth Day 2015 snuck up on me this year. No matter, I still plan to shred this pseudo-religion to shreds today and leave those shreds littered on the hallow ground before the Altar of Political Correctness.
I guess it's no secret that I detest the "Green Economy" and "Hug-A-Tree" types of messages we so often hear these days and throughout the year.
I can distinctly remember "celebrating" Earth Day in 1990-1991 (I believe I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time) by watching a bizarre doom-and-gloom movie about how me and my fellow classmates may never get to have a family of our own one day if we didn't recycle that one plastic bottle of Pepsi and plant a tree in our backyard.
The basic premise? Recycle and take care of the environment -- or the planet was going to shrivel up die and there would be no place for us to live in the near future.
For all the talk about the so-called "Separation of Church And State" within the public square, it's quite ironic to think that Conservationism/Environmentalism/Green Initiatives have essentially become secular society's own "religion" in a sense.
"We don't need faith in God, because we have faith in ourselves! We can save this planet and save ourselves on our own!"
That's the common mentality, isn't it? How's that mentality been working out for us in the 25 years since I watched that film in Elementary School?
Since I'm a Christian writing a piece like this, I'm sure that some people reading it right now will instantly want to have a knee-jerk reaction to my stance and tone so far by reminding me of verses like Genesis 1:26 and how it sets up a model of environmental stewardship.
Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Please understand that I'm not for a single second suggesting that Christians should not concern themselves with being good stewards of God's creation.
What I am suggesting is that it's wrong (dare I say sinful?) for us to elevate stewardship of this kind to a level where we idolize it (and those who commit to a "Green" way of life) as though it's the penultimate "good work" that's emblematic of our own "true righteousness" or something.
Personally, I'm just so sick and tired of the constant barrage to "Go Green" or to "celebrate" Earth Day each and every year. I mean, the guilt trip that other Christians try to impose on those of us who perhaps don't take environmental concerns as seriously as they do is downright laughable!
Then again, maybe I should recall what St. Thomas wrote to us...
Edison 1:1 "It is a sin to use too much electricity by keeping all the light bulbs in your home lit for too long or at the same time. Besides, why do you need all that light when you already have the Light of the World to rely on?"
All kidding aside, we shouldn't just view all this "Save The Environment!" and "Save The Planet!" stuff as if it's only a benign playground for the most extreme liberals or that it won't have a bearing on each and every one of us someday.
For instance, take "Agenda 21" and what it proposes.
Now, I know that in most Christian circles, whenever Agenda 21 gets mentioned it's usually in connection with some kind of absurd "conspiracy theory" that instantly makes the reader think twice about reading any further.
However, it's not a "conspiracy" per se when the people behind such an agenda tell you quite plainly in their own words what they hope and intend to do with such a plan.
In the simplest sense, Agenda 21 is the United Nation's blueprint for the 21st Century. I can state this with confidence because I can read. What do I mean? I mean to say that you don't have to "read between the lines" when you review the actual Agenda 21 document itself, because they tell you as much in no uncertain terms.
"Effective execution of Agenda 21 will require a profound reorientation of all human society, unlike anything the world has ever experienced a major shift in the priorities of both governments and individuals and an unprecedented redeployment of human and financial resources. This shift will demand that a concern for the environmental consequences of every human action be integrated into individual and collective decision-making at every level."
*– excerpt, UN Agenda 21
See what I mean?
This is the official, global policy of the United Nations.
So, what exactly does Agenda 21 contain? It consists of 115 different and very specific programs designed to facilitate, or to force, the transition to what's called "Sustainable Development" on a worldwide scale. The objective, clearly enunciated by the leaders of the "Earth Summit," is to bring about a change in the present system of independent nations.
As you can see, Agenda 21 addresses nearly every single aspect of our modern lives. For more information, I highly recommended visiting The Green Agenda for unparalleled research on this important subject.
As the author of that site noted...
"Agenda 21 is not an environmental management policy, but an attempt to impose a global centrally planned quasi-government administered by the United Nations. Under Agenda 21 all central government and local authority signatories are required to conform strictly to a common prescribed standard and hence this is just communism resurrected in a new guise."
I couldn't agree more based on a reading of all the facts.
If that makes me a "Christian Conspiracy Nut" then so be it!
For those looking for a real-world, current example of Agenda 21 in action, then take a good, hard look at China or Russia. That's the way they want it to work.
Do a Google search for "Agenda 21" and the very first thing you'll see in the search results is this...
Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
Well, I guess with words like "non-binding" and "voluntary" we can all rest a little easier then, right? Right? Not so fast.
Case in point, if you're someone who thinks that there's no way that something like Agenda 21 could possibly find a foothold here in America let alone impact your day-to-day life, then think again.
My fellow Lutherans in the state of Missouri currently have a Bill (HB216) that was recently introduced pertaining to "Private Property Rights" that specifically mentions Agenda 21!
In fact, during the last presidential election cycle, one of the new additions to the Republican Party platform was clear and direct opposition to Agenda 21, but you probably didn't hear about that from your local and national news media outlets.
Even 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, knows the true story about Agenda 21. He's not the only high-profile US politician to try to call attention to this subject though. Texas State Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) and state Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) have filed identical bills that take aim at the program. The bills would forbid any government entity from accepting money from, giving money to, or entering into a contract with any organization implementing Agenda 21 programs.
John Marler is a former mayoral candidate who says he has had numerous discussions with Senator Bob Hall and has given him "tremendous input" regarding Agenda 21. Marler described himself as one of the five leading national experts on the U.N. program.
Here's what he had to say about the global initiative...
"[Agenda 21] is developing a Soviet-style über-government. If you take Russia for a perfect example ... the government appoints panels that regulate all the way down to whether or not the toilets should flush."
Still unconvinced?
Well, then I would ask you to please consider that the state of Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Maine, Montana, Mississippi, Washington, Wyoming, and Kansas have also proposed similar legislation either in the past or recently.
As if that weren't enough evidence to convince you that there might actually be something to this debate, recent events in the state of Colorado also have the anti-Agenda 21 crowd believing that something called "conservation easements" are really "Trojan horses" (a sneaky way for the federal government to snatch private lands in pursuit of stealth implementation of Agenda 21).
Meanwhile, local governments across America -- under intense pressure from citizens and activist groups -- are slowly awakening to what critics call the "dangers" of this UN scheme. Dozens of cities and counties have withdrawn from ICLEI in recent years, and as awareness continues to grow, that trend is expected to accelerate. The ICLEI is a Germany-based, non-governmental/inter-governmental group (formerly known as the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives) that was enlisted by the UN in its effort to foist Agenda 21 upon the world.
It's not just here in the US where opposition to Agenda 21 exists. Skepticism and suspicion toward Agenda 21 is being seen in other places like New Zealand too. Auckland Council's attempts to ban or restrict open domestic fireplaces keep resurfacing.
But this is all just one big "conspiracy" and nothing to be concerned about, right? We Christians should not be concerning ourselves with political debates of this kind either, right? Um, wrong and wrong.
Look, I get it. This is the kind of topic you'd typically expect to get from Glenn Beck and/or the Tea Party groups as opposed to an apolitical Lutheran layman like me in a forum like this. I know we don't always dabble in these areas (hardly ever!), but Earth Day 2015 seemed like the perfect time for me to sound off on something I've been thinking about lately.
Here's the kicker...
The United Nations is doubling down on its controversial plan. In June 2015, or just 2 months from now, governments from all over the world will be meeting in Rio de Janeiro for the so-called "Conference On Sustainable Development" -- known as "Rio+20" for short. According to official documents released by the global body, the summit, headed by Chinese Communist Sha Zukang, will be seeking to dramatically transform human civilization under the guise of environmentalism.
See, this is why I'm always extremely concerned whenever I see Christianity being co-opted to advance these various environmental causes (what I've called the "unholy marriage" of Politics and Religion known as "Poligion").
Disguised as "environmental stewardship," Agenda 21 is nothing more than repackaged Socialism, and many heavy-hitters with billions of dollars and a worldwide influence are no doubt behind it.
No agenda is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
No politician is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
No international movement or political party is going to redeem and save this planet and the people who live here.
That role is already held by the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and that job was already done by Him since He had an agenda of His own for you and for all of us.
Don't look to yourself or to others to save you or this planet. Look to the Redeemer of lost souls!
My dear friends, it's no longer a "conspiracy theory" when there are facts that tell us otherwise. Such facts are not to imply that we should respond to any of this with fear (Psalm 23; Psalm 112:7; Proverbs 3:25; 1 John 4:18), but we also shouldn't bury our heads in the sand any longer and ignore it either.
Isaiah 8:12-13 (ESV) Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him yous hall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10). So, what this is all about is just me following the simple commands of Ephesians 5:11 and Matthew 10:16 in reporting on something that is relevant to a movement that is being celebrated today.
One final note. Please keep in mind that, as Christians, Romans 13 (among many other passages of Scripture) is our guide here in matters like this, and we should not advocate or promote any kind of rebellion or resistance, because all government authorities are established by God for His own plans and purposes for humanity, and we are to submit to the authorities (as long as we don't disobey God and His Word in the process).
Still, this needs to be on our radar so that we can prepare spiritually as best as we can for what seems to be coming sooner rather than later.
In a Lutheran layman's terms, this Agenda 21 business is one of the main reasons why I'm seeing red over going green, and this is my humble Christian response to it all on this Earth Day 2015.
For me, I prefer to worship the Creator and not the creation.
Romans 1:22-25 (ESV) 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
(emphasis mine)
NOTE: I'm not a called and ordained minister of God's Word and Sacraments. I'm a layman or a Christian, Candy-Making, Husband, Father, Friend who lives in the "City of Good Neighbors" here on the East Coast. To be more specific, and relevant to the point I want to make with this note, I'm also a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism a little over a year ago. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is inconsistent with our Confessions and Lutheran doctrine (in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word, which our Confessions merely summarize and point us back to) so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray (James 3:1). Finally, please be aware that you might also discover that some of the earlier pieces I wrote on this blog back in 2013 definitely fall into that category since I was a "Lutheran-In-Name-Only" at the time and was completely oblivious to the fact that a Christian "Book of Concord" even existed (Small/Large Catechism? What's that!?!). In addition, there are some entries that are a little "out there" so-to-speak since the subject matter was also heavy influenced by those old beliefs of mine. I know that now and I'm still learning. Anyway, I decided to leave those published posts up on this website and in cyberspace only because we now have this disclaimer, and only to demonstrate the continuing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). Most importantly, please know that any time I engage in commenting on and/or interpreting a specific portion of the holy Scriptures, it will always closely follow the verse-by-verse notes from my Lutheran Study Bible and/or include references to the Book of Concord unless otherwise noted. Typically, I defer to what other Lutheran Pastors have already preached and taught about such passages since they are the called and ordained shepherds of our souls here on earth. Finally, I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the length of most entries. I'm well aware that blogs should be short, sweet, and to the point, but I've never been one to follow the rules when it comes to writing. Besides, this website is more like a dude's diary in the sense that everything I write about and share publicly isn't always what's "popular" or "#trending" at the time, but is instead all the things that I'm studying myself at the moment. For better or for worse, these posts tend to be much longer than most blog entries you'll find elsewhere only because I try to pack as much info as possible into a single piece so that I can refer to it again and again over time if I need to (and so that it can be a valuable resource for others -- if possible, a "One-Stop-Shop" of sorts). Thank you for stopping by and thank you in advance for your time, help, and understanding. Grace and peace to you and yours!
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Thank you for visiting A Lutheran Layman! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question since we do not exercise censorship. We've seen a similar policy with other blogs and it's worth repeating: Please act as if you're a guest in my home, and we'll get along just fine. I think anyone would agree that the kind of back-and-forth that is characteristic of blogs/chat forums and social media is becoming tiresome for all of us. Still, we should confess, edify, and love (and contend and defend when needed). Bottom line? Search the Scriptures! Apply Acts 17:11 to anything and everything you find here and, if you do happen to disagree with something you find here (which is certainly ok), or think I'm "irresponsible" and "wrong" for writing it, then please refute my position by supporting yours with Scripture and/or the Confessions. I don't think that's an unreasonable request, especially for those who identify themselves as "Christians" here, right? Besides, Proverbs 27:17 tells us "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" and 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." If you have an opinion that's great, I welcome it, but try to support it using God's Word. I mean, if the goal here is to help us all arrive at the truth of God's Word (myself included), then it should be easy to follow through on this one simple request (I'm talking to all you "Anonymous" visitors out there). Grace and peace to you and yours!