[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”949″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”“A Piece of My Mind”” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”February 2021 Newsletter” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
Advancing Christian Faith and Values,
Defending Religious Liberty for All,
Supporting Civility and the Common Good
through Preaching, Teaching, Writing, Activism and Reasoned Conversations
www.donaldshoemakerministries.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1304″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Former Vice President Mike Pence
A Man of Honor and Courage
who lives out
his Christian Faith & Values
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A Timely Prayer for our Country—
Then and Now
In 1791 Bishop John Carroll (first Catholic bishop in the United States) issued a prayer for the young country during President Washington’s first term. It is appropriate still today. Key excerpts:
We pray O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the president of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.
Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for . . . the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-3
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Bible Insight – Does the Bible say anything about abortion? Is “when life begins” a religious issue?
“If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. – Exodus 21:22-24 (King James Version)
As abortion became increasingly legal in the 1960’s my initial concerns did not rise from any particular religious convictions but from what I learned in my non-religious secular science classes in public schools. There we learned that each human life begins at conception. I had no religious ax to grind.
Later, in my graduate studies as I prepared for Christian ministry I took a class on the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses). The two opening chapters of Genesis speak of the creation of human beings. God breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils and he became a living being (Genesis 2:7). I asked the professor in class if this might have implications about abortion. He said,
“I don’t know.” (I wonder why some can be so dogmatic about creation but so agnostic about its ethical implications, but that’s a different topic.)
“I don’t know” well sums up Evangelical thinking about abortion in the 1960’s.
When we moved to California in 1970 and bought a home, we noticed the previous owner left behind an old copy of LIFE magazine—from 1965—titled “Drama of Life Before Birth.” For you younger ones, LIFE magazine was probably the premier periodical of that day. That issue of LIFE would change the focus of my ministry!
“Life Before Birth” said, “The birth of a human life really occurs at the moment the mother’s egg cell is fertilized by one of the father’s sperm cells” and “In the Western world a person’s life is reckoned from the day he comes out of the womb. But the Chinese, overestimating by three months, traditionally counted a child one year old at birth in recognition of the unceasingly active life that has already taken place.” Now, that’s science, not religion!!!
But did the Bible say anything? I could recall some rather obscure verses somewhere in Exodus. Turns out it was Exodus 21:22-24. The verses in the King James Version seemed to suggest that the loss of the unborn (“her fruit depart from her”) might be regrettable but certainly not a major moral issue. After all, the pregnant woman was struck while others were fighting. It didn’t appear to be an intentional thing. The man who struck her must pay an undefined amount. However, if more injury happens (perhaps serious injury or even death to the woman), the punishment would be greater. This seemed to imply that unborn life, while not without value, isn’t equal to life after birth.
The New American Standard Bible (1971 edition and before), used for years in many Bible classes, backed this idea up: “…so that she has a miscarriage…”
But let’s look at this scripture more thoroughly.
The Hebrew language of Exodus 21:22 translated “her fruit depart from her” (וְיָצְאוּ יְלָדֶיהָ – w’yasu y’ladeyha) literally means, “Her children come out.” The same verb as here (יָצָא – yasāh – “to come out”) is used twice in Genesis 25:25-26 for the births of Esau and Jacob. It is also used twice in Genesis 38:28-29 for the births of Perez and Zerah. Thus, the words “come out” likely refer to a premature birth in Exodus 21:22, not a miscarriage. The Hebrew Bible has a word for miscarriage (מְשַׁכֵּלָה – m’shakkelah), used in Exodus 23:26.
Conclusion: Exodus 21:22-24 is “case law” describing the wrong of striking a pregnant woman while two men are fighting. As a result, the woman goes into labor and delivers a live child. Whether she was struck intentional or not, she sustained an injury deserving compensation, and the man who struck her must pay a civil judgment (as the husband demands and as the judges decide). But if there is any further injury—to the child or to the mother—or even death, the penalty must fit the wrong (according to lex talionis, the law of equitable retribution, as expressed by “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth…”).
This better understanding of Exodus 21:22-24 regards the unborn as having the right not to die or be injured. It does not fully address the current issue of abortion (such as: #1 – intentional abortion; #2 – the father and mother and medical personnel as moral agents; #3 – what laws should say). But it for sure doesn’t mean what I first thought it meant. It is a key “pro-life” text.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Good News from Grace
Generosity during the Pandemic Crisis
“In the midst of a very severe trial . . . they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.” – 2 Corinthians 8:2-3
The past twelve months have been an incredible challenge to churches, church members and church leaders nationwide.
I’ve been retired for nine years from the senior pastorate I was privileged to hold for 28 years, and where our “church home” still is. Most of us have been cut off from worshipping with our physical presence. Worship inside the church facility has been almost completely cancelled; worship outside has been on-and-off. Most of our “scattered church” worships via the Internet, partaking of Communion weekly at home. As the Apostle Paul would say, not physically present but together in spirit (1 Corinthians 5:3).
I continue to marvel at the loyalty of these people as evidenced by their giving in the midst of this time of economic, social and medical difficulty:
• General Fund giving of almost $1.3 million exceeded operational expenses by $150,000.
• $32,000 was provided to other churches facing financial challenges.
• $50,000 was set aside to assist the start-up of another church.
• Over $7,000 was raised for “Compassion” ministries (above what was already provided in the General Fund).
• $27,000 was received into the “Caring Fund” to help those in need.
• $10,000 in extra donations was added to the General Fund’s Missions Budget of $97,000 to go to missionaries and various projects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1598373738095{border-radius: 3px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Losing “The Peoples’ Capitol”
Historic mural (1 of 8) in the U.S. Capitol by Allyn Cox (1974)
What happened in the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was the worst incursion since the British burned it (and the White House and several other government buildings) in August 1814 during the War of 1812. The federal government had mostly deserted Washington at the time. President Madison fled to Virginia.
My first trip to Washington, DC was in 1960, a 15-year-old with my father. At age 52 he climbed the 898 steps of the Washington Monument at my begging, and back down too. I now appreciate what he did a lot more!
From our hotel adjacent to the Capitol grounds we walked right inside it at the rotunda entrance. We had an excellent tour of the building and saw many of its features. Since no one else at our hotel showed up for the ride, I got a private half-day limousine tour of Washington for $7 (Dad didn’t want to go).
During a 1990 visit I spent hours freely roaming the vast building on my own. I sat for a long time in the Senate balcony, watching proceedings that included Ted Kennedy and other senators I recognized. I rode the rail shuttle to the Senate Office Building with Senator Helms sitting nearby. On a lower floor I encountered retired Chief Justice Warren Burger. Knowing how he hated photographers, I sheepishly asked if I could take his picture and he graciously posed for me, adding “You are very welcome” to my “Thank you, sir.”
In 1997 I did a speaking tour in the area and one day my congressman, Dana Rohrabacher, took me on an underground ride from his House Office Building to the Capitol and then walked me through many of its features, including the front of the House chambers where he cast a vote.
Things changed in 1998, after an armed man stormed through security and killed two police officers. Then enormous change came after “9/11” (the Capitol building was the likely target of the hijackers of UA Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania). You could only move about with touring groups or an approved escort. When my family visited in 2006 the tour was hurried, the features limited, and there was a heavy feel of security. It was not pleasant. That was our last visit.
I don’t question the need for heightened security. I sorrow over the loss of openness at the key building of our republic, “The People’s Capitol.”
Beware “The New McCarthyism”
Today we’d call Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI) a right-wing extremist. During the early years of the Cold War when many Americans were concerned about Communist subversion, he’d sweep away the innocent and ruin their lives as he searched for Communists in high places. “Guilt by association” is a fallacy associated with McCarthyism. The senator (from 1947 to 1957) was finally censured by the Senate for his smear tactics.
Today a “New McCarthyism” is surging in left-wing circles. “Guilt by association” is commonplace. CNN’s Don Lemon said those who voted for Trump voted with the Nazis. By the same argument, all who voted for Biden voted with the Socialists. Did you attend the rally where the president spoke on January 6? If yes, you share guilt for what happened later at the Capitol.
People find their careers cancelled in the private sector if they attended. Some government workers, such as in law enforcement, have become suspect too. But they have First Amendment protection—the right to free speech and to peaceful assembly (at the rally and procession, but not as part of the riot). Criticizing the election process can make you persona non grata fast.
Condemn the rioters and insurrectionists. Condemn those who enabled and encouraged them. Disagree with those who question the election.
But don’t be a McCarthyite.
Don’t Compare the Attack on the Capitol to Kristallnacht
I won’t call such a comparison “anti-Semitic” but it comes close. It diminishes the horror of what happened to Jews in Germany in 1938 and after.
Kristallnacht, “The Night of Broken Glass,” happened throughout Germany on November 9-10, 1938. Reinhard Heydrich, second in command of the SS after Heinrich Himmler, reported 815 Jewish shops destroyed, 171 dwelling houses set on fire or destroyed, and 119 synagogues torched with 76 completely destroyed. 20,000 Jews arrested, 36 deaths reported (source: Michael Brown).
Kristallnacht was throughout the country, not just in one place. The Capitol insurrection is condemned by almost all Americans, but almost all Germans were silent about Kristallnacht or approved of it.
Did the DC Mayor want less or more police presence?
Well, Madam Mayor, which way do you want it?
On January 5, the day before the Capitol riot, D.C. Mayor Bowser posted a letter sent to the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army:
To be clear, the District of Columbia is not requesting other federal law enforcement personnel and discourages any additional deployment without immediate notification to, and consultation with, MPD if such plans are underway. [BOLD mine]
The day after the riot, she criticized the federal Capitol Police for its weak response: “Obviously it was a failure or you would not have had police lines breached and people entering the building by breaking windows.” Then she complained that the federal response to the Black Lives Matter protests were stronger than the response to the Capitol riot.
Does she want Tuesday’s limitations or Thursday’s expansions? It would be hard to find a more self-serving political reversal than this one! Actually, responses to disruptions caused by either the right or the left should be evenhandedly strong.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Religious Liberty Vigilance –
Religious Freedom Day 2021
“I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.” – Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 1808
My Words to Long Beach City Council (January 12, 2021) in support of Religious Freedom Day and its ideals:
Mr. Mayor and city council members, my name is Donald Shoemaker.
I am a resident of the 5th district and I have been a Christian minister in our community for over 50 years.
Each year on January 16 our country observes “Religious Freedom Day.”
On that day in 1786 the Virginia General Assembly adopted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. That statute became the basis for the 1st Amendment of our U.S. Constitution and led to freedom of religion for all Americans.
Religious Freedom is the “1st Freedom” in the 1st Amendment. Government is prohibited from establishing an official religion and from interfering with the “free exercise” of religion.
The Coronavirus pandemic has created many challenges to our nation and to our elected officials. Mayor Garcia deserves our strong appreciation and support for his informed and devoted leadership to our city during this crisis.
I scarcely need to mention that government restrictions during the pandemic have fallen hard on religious communities. These restrictions have strained the constitutional guarantee of free exercise of religion and the right to assemble peacefully.
We have seen unfair situations such as in Nevada where gambling places could have 50% capacity but places of worship only 25% capacity capped at 50 persons. In California our churches are shuttered while businesses of questionable essentialness have remained open.
Recently the US Supreme Court has come down strongly for fair and evenhanded treatment of places of worship compared to other venues.
I pray this pandemic ends soon and our new vaccines are effective. Until that day, I call on city and state governments to recognize the essential role of religious communities to our social wellbeing, and to uphold fair and equal treatment of all houses of worship.
Thank you. And my thanks to Mayor Garcia for his leadership.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
“Mobocracy” is authoritarian, unchristian, and contrary to American ideals, whether it is by leftist extremists or right-wing extremists.
1. It often impedes the free movement of other citizens (in so doing, it can be a form of kidnapping).
2. It sometimes destroys the means of livelihood of the very people it claims to represent.
3. It assumes the right to speak for everyone, when in fact it doesn’t (at best, the will of the mob is anecdotal, not a provable manifestation of the will of the people).
4. It tries to force changes without regard to the will of the people.
5. It impedes and may even prohibit the movement of emergency services.
6. It silences, ostracizes, intimidates and even harms those who speak out with opposing views.
7. It is lawless and violates public order, creating danger to life, liberty and property.
Some Final Words…
Will We Heed a Warning from the Coronavirus Scare?
“The coronavirus will come and go as others will also, but those seeking power and control over innocent citizens will never forget how easy it was to take control of the lives of literally millions of people, by controlling every sporting event, classroom, restaurant table, church pew, and even if you would be allowed to leave your home.”
– Columnist Richard Boddie, Long Beach Press-Telegram (January 3, 2021)
AOC Calls for Controls on the Media
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) thinks the government needs to step up and set the media straight: “We’re going to have to figure out how we rein in our media environment so that you just can’t spiel out disinformation and misinformation.”
To save her some time and help her focus, I’ll mention how she would have to start:
Repeal the First Amendment!
Tossing in Bible Verses Doesn’t Make You “Biblical”!
Speaker Nancy Pelosi read a list of grievances supporting impeachment of President Trump and then added, “The Bible says, ‘Think on these things.’”
Yes, Nancy, the Bible does say that, but you are way out of context. Here is what we’re told to think about—in doing so we will find great peace:
“Whatsoever things are honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report… if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Commentator Leslie Marshall said on Fox News’ “Outnumbered” –
“The Bible says the tongue is mightier than the sword.”
No, Leslie, the Bible doesn’t say that. It does tell us how hard it is to control our tongues (James 3:1-12), which would be a great text to give to politicians. The actual quote is “The pen is mightier than the sword,” spoken by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839. It is an appropriate reminder against Islamist terror like the killing of Charlie Hebdo writers in Paris in 2015.
It’s usually better for politicians and political commentators to avoid quoting scripture. But please, when you do, quote real scriptures and quote them in context.
www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
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