This Week's 66/40 Radio Broadcast

Articles and Commentary

• 35 Years After Roe v. Wade - (Read)
• The Nature of Inflation - (Read)
• The Corinthian Letters - (Read)

Important News Headlines

Memory Verse of the Week

35 YEARS AFTER ROE V. WADE - (Print)

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision on the matter of Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that granted women the constitutional right to have an abortion. In the 35 years since the court's ruling there have been more than 50 million abortions in the United States. Statistics show that more than one out of every five pregnancies in the US will end in an abortion. The numbers are truly staggering.

This week thousands of protesters around the country are taking to the streets hoping to make their voices heard. Despite rain and chilly temperatures more than 200,000 people turned out for the annual March for Life in Washington. The March for Life is the single biggest annual march held in our nation's capitol city.

The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade remains one of the most controversial cases in US history and the legal battle over abortion is far from being settled. This past year the United States Supreme Court made another landmark ruling in the case of Gonzales v. Carhart, in which the High Court upheld a law banning gruesome partial-birth abortions.

The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 prohibits the partial-birth abortion procedure except when necessary to save the life of the mother. The ban, however, does not include exemptions for the "health" of the mother. On these grounds, several pro-abortion groups challenged the law in court and it was struck down by three federal court judges before going to the Supreme Court. Not surprisingly, abortion advocates were outraged by the ruling.

Absolute Right? Absolutely Not!

Ardent abortion activists tend to vehemently oppose any limitations on abortion - even those which most Americans see as reasonable, such as parental notification laws. However while Roe v. Wade may have given women the legal right to an abortion, that right is not absolute. In fact, none of our constitutional rights are absolute. Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, wrote the following on the subject of abortion and our constitutional rights:

"...There are no absolute individual rights in our Constitution. The Framers forged a system protecting individual rights while recognizing legitimate countervailing interests of the state. In that balanced system, even such fundamental rights as the freedom of speech and free press, association and religion have been subject to some limitations.

For example, when states prohibit screaming "fire" in a crowded theater, they are not diminishing free speech. Such reckless conduct is not part of any reasonable definition of the right to free speech, just as the categorical exclusion of required parental participation is not part of any reasonable definition of the right to an abortion.

Pro-choice advocates would make abortion the only absolute right in our Constitution, even though it was not fully recognized by the Supreme Court until 1973. Conversely, parental rights have been recognized since the founding of our Republic but are routinely dismissed when they collide with the almighty right to an abortion...

What these groups fail to recognize is that the rights of speech, association and religion mean little if parents cannot teach and reinforce moral choices within their families. Family values and integrity are not the enemies of the right to privacy but the very things that privacy is meant to protect."

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THE NATURE OF INFLATION - (Print)

Earlier this month, for the first time in history, the price of oil hit $100 a barrel. Oil prices have increased 5-fold in the last six years, starting from a low of less than $20 a barrel in early 2002. In 2007 alone, crude oil prices jumped nearly 60 percent. Analysts blame a weak dollar and rising demand for the spike in prices. Rising oil prices have brought into sharp focus the economic challenges facing our nation. In recent years the value of the US dollar has dropped, consumer debt has reached an all-time high, and we've entered into a nationwide housing crisis in which about one out of every 100 mortgages could end in foreclosure.

While some experts speculate that we may be headed for a recession, others say its already here. Top economists from two major Wall Street firms - Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs - recently predicted that the US economy would go into a recession this year. They cited a rise in unemployment and lower than expected retail sales as indicators. On Tuesday recession fears prompted the Federal Reserve to take emergency measures - reducing the federal funds rate from 4.25 percent down to 3.5 percent. It's the fourth time the Fed has cut rates since mid-September.

The Hidden Tax

The black horseman of the Book of Revelation speaks of a condition wherein a man's daily wages are so poor, he can barely support himself, much less his family. For the first time in the history of mankind we are seeing a condition which could fulfill that prophecy: global monetary inflation.

Inflation is essentially a massive, hidden tax imposed on citizens without their understanding or consent. Suppose you earn $10 for something you sold or a service you performed. You receive a $10 bill in exchange for your work. It represents the value of your hard work. It also means that at current market prices, your $10 will buy x amount of goods. Along comes government, which prints another $10 bill. It looks just like yours and spends just like yours. The only difference is that government did nothing to create its $10. Remember, you had to work for yours. At first, both $10 bills buy the same amount of goods. But after awhile, merchants notice there is more money "out there" and with it, more demand for their products. So they raise their prices. Suddenly, your $10 is worth $5 less than it was before. It is not the products and services which have become worth more; the currency is worth less than it was before.

Some economists say that inflation is a normal part of a healthy economy. This is false. It only exists when a monetary system has no sound base. We are also told that the boom and bust cycle is a normal part of all economic activity. It isn't. It's only part of an inflating money supply, and today that inflation is worldwide.

Economists say inflation between 3% and 5% is normal to moderate - a sign of a healthy, expanding economy. But let's assume 5% inflation over the lifetime of an individual. That 5% devaluation applies not only to the money earned this year, but to all money saved from previous years. At the end of year one, a dollar is worth 95 cents. At the end of year two, 95 cents is reduced again by 5%, being worth 90 cents and so on. By the time a person has worked 20 years, government will have confiscated by inflation 64% of every dollar the person saved over those years - not by taxes but by inflation. By the time the person has worked 45 years, the hidden tax will be 90%. The government will take virtually everything a person saves over their entire lifetime, not counting what they will pay in income taxes!

For more information on inflation, the history of our monetary system and financial institutions, and what the Bible has to say about it see our topical study Behold a Black Horse. Also be sure to check out Chuck's new briefing The Vortex Strategy, in which he discusses how we can prepare for times of economic uncertainty.

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THE CORINTHIAN LETTERS - (Print)

One of the most strategic locations in the Roman world was the isthmus of Corinth. This narrow neck of land between the Corinthian Gulf and the Saronic Gulf guaranteed its continued commercial prosperity. The transit across this isthmus avoided the long, risky voyage around the rocky, storm-tossed capes at the south of the Peloponnesus. It was literally the crossroad of the world where the north-south trade routes intersected the east-west traffic. It thus became one of the most dominant cultural centers of its day: materially prosperous, intellectually alert, and morally corrupt. Even in the pagan world the city was known for its moral corruption. "Corinth" came to imply licentiousness; korinthiazesthai, "Corinthianize," meant to live in debauchery. It was Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York all rolled into one.

It is no wonder then that the letters to the church at Corinth embody so many of the concerns that plague us today. It is also impressive to discover how many basic Christian issues are addressed in these two (remaining) letters Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: the "foolishness" of God contrasted with the "wisdom" of man, the distinction between salvation and rewards, problems of church discipline, resorting to lawsuits, marriage and divorce, Christian liberty, the Lord's Supper, and the troublesome issues concerning speaking in tongues.

The Spiritual Gifts

The most thorough treatment of the controversial issue of the spiritual gifts is the focus of Chapters 12 to 14. [Remember: the chapters were not divided up until the 13th century; the verses not until the 16th.] The gifts are, indeed, also for today, but are as diverse as there are ministries. The Spirit divides them as He will (1 Corinthians 12): there are a diversity of gifts, but one spirit; there are a diversity of members, but one body; there is a diversity of service, but one church. Despite an excessive focus by some, the gift of tongues is not the most important: Paul indicates that the greatest of the gifts is prophecy (1 Corinthians 14): it most edifies the church; it most convinces outsiders; and yet, its use should be orderly. Furthermore, an entire chapter on "a more excellent way" is wedged between these two pivotal chapters on spiritual gifts: 1 Corinthians 13! The gifts are valueless without love: this most famous of all chapters emphasizes the utter necessity of love, the moral excellency of love, and the abiding supremacy of love.

Fabulous stuff, indeed! Although there is yet another chapter that Paul seems to insist is the most important chapter in the Bible! It deals with a subject without which we have nothing! The Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter opens with the precise definition of the Gospel. It is surprising to many to discover what, in fact, the Gospel actually is. It is even more astonishing to discover that it is not preached in most pulpits in America! Paul makes no mention of Jesus' teaching: many will acknowledge His profound instruction. Paul makes no mention of His example: many will extol aspects of His personal life. Paul makes no mention of His miracles: many will even acknowledge that He did miracles. None of these things are the Gospel. This profound chapter then reveals the seven transitions which are destined for the believer!

Relevance to Today

As the "worldly church," Corinth certainly becomes increasingly relevant to us in our own day of materialism, moral decay, and church controversies. Paul unflinchingly addresses many of the tensions which entangle all of us, and the careful study of the Corinthian letters is guaranteed to impact each of us in our own walk and fellowships. The placement of these letters - immediately following the definitive Book of Romans - seems conspicuously appropriate, and richly rewarding, to the diligent student of God's Word!

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Tens of Thousands Cross Downed Gaza Wall - January 23, 2008
Masked gunmen destroyed about two-thirds of the metal wall separating the Gaza Strip from Egypt in the town of Rafah and tens of thousands of Palestinians poured across the border to buy supplies made scarce by an Israeli blockade of the impoverished territory. AP

10 Iraq Churches Bombed in 2 Weeks - January 22, 2008
The tenth Iraqi church bombed within two weeks recently occurred in the northern city of Mosul, injuring two people and damaging the church. It was the most recent in a series of attacks targeted at Christian places of worship, most notably the seven churches and convents bombed in what appeared to be coordinated attacks on January 6th. Christian Post

All Options Open on Iran - January 22, 2008
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned Monday that all options are open when it comes to keeping Iran from obtaining atomic weapons, his clearest sign yet that Israeli could use force against a nation considered among its most serious threats. Addressing a closed meeting of the parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Olmert was quoted as saying that Israel would not accept an Iran armed with nuclear weapons. AP

Russian Navy Holds War Games in Mediterranean - January 22, 2008
Russia has drawn eleven warships from its BlackBlack SeaSea and Atlantic Northwest fleets for a joint war game in the Mediterranean to underline its drive for a naval presence in all the world's seas and oceans. The fact that the Russian vessels will only visit Arab - not Israeli ports - reflects Moscow's decision to strengthen its ties with Arab states. DEBKA File

Iran Plans on Destroying Tomb of King Cyrus, Friend of the Jews - January 22, 2008
Iran is planning on submerging the tomb of King Cyrus, the Persian King known for authorizing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Holy Temple. The government is in the final stages of constructing a dam in southern Iran that will submerge the archaeological sites of Pasargad and Persopolis – the ancient capital of the Persian Empire. The site, which is considered exceptional in terms of its archaeological wealth and historical importance, houses the tomb of King Cyrus. The Iranian ayatollahs are planning on destroying the tomb as part of a general campaign to sever the Persian people from their non-Islamic heritage. INN

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 51:6 KJV

"Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

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