I would like to wish every Slice reader a Christmas of rich spiritual blessing. I would also like to say thank-you to so many of you who have expressed concern for the purity of the Gospel and a love for the Word of God in these times by sending news stories and leads. While I am not always able to respond personally, I read the emails and appreciate the help so much. I would also like to thank all those in online ministry today who are committed to the defense of God’s Word. You have all been a great encouragement to so many, including me. In closing, I leave you with these wonderful carols in German, Silent Night and Oh, How Joyfully, one of my favorites.

If you’re fed up with getting hit in the face with sleazy advertising on Facebook, My Space, and YouTube, I have discovered a Firefox plugin that replaces the ads with Bible verses. You can read more about the filter here at the Grace Community Church media website. I tried it out on Facebook and was delighted to get Bible verses in the right hand column. Spread the word.

CBS News 48 Hours has contacted us looking for an interview regarding their upcoming smear job, The Lord’s Boot Camp, to air during the Christmas season. You can see the trailer here.

That’s like Adolf Hitler calling to ask if you want to be featured in one of his latest “documentaries” on the Jewish issue. Opposing views are welcomed. Just don’t be surprised that when you finally screen the film you find that they have edited in lice crawling over your face.

Sorry CBS. We’re not going to help you in your vicious attack on Christians. We’ll also be waiting for your 48 Hours exposé on Islamic hate to be aired during Ramadan.

There’s a reason that old media is dying. My young adult children don’t even watch television of any kind. New Media, we welcome you.

The Institute for Religion and Democracy has just sent out this press release announcing the resignation of Mr. Cizik. Given the outrageous and unbiblical statements Mr. Cizik has made as chief lobbyist for the NAE, it was clear that the something or someone had to go. If you are spouting the lines of Planned Parenthood, gay rights activists, left-wing environmental groups and mainline apostates, you are going to feel a lot more at home over at the National Council of Churches. Why anyone in leadership felt Mr. Cizik was the appropriate voice for the NAE remains a matter of mystery. In any event, God’s people were heard from and hopefully, NAE President, Leith Anderson, has been put on notice that there are still 7,000 evangelicals, at least, who have not bowed the knee to this kind of apostasy. Here’s the release from Mark Tooley this afternoon:

“The IRD hopes NAE can now focus on theological and ethical convictions that the Evangelicals hold strongly in common.”

-Mark Tooley, IRD Director of UMAction

Washington, DC—The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) announced today that its longtime lobbyist and spokesman has resigned. Richard Cizik, Vice President of Government Affairs for the NAE, met with NAE President Leith Anderson and the two mutually concluded that his resignation was “a difficult but appropriate decision.”

The resignation follows Cizik’s recent controversial comments on National Public Radio, in which he said that he is “shifting” on the issue of marriage and now favors same-sex civil unions, if not same-sex marriage outright. For several years, Cizik has generated criticism for his activism on Global Warming.

Founded in 1942, The NAE represents churches that have membership in the tens of millions. NAE’s Washington, D.C.-based Government Affairs Office sets its policy direction on issues before Congress, the White House, and Supreme Court.

IRD Director of UMAction Mark Tooley commented:

Both Rev. Cizik and the NAE leadership made a wise decision in his departure. Cizik had lost credibility for advocating positions that were not those of the NAE or most Evangelicals.

The IRD hopes NAE can now focus on theological and ethical convictions that the Evangelicals hold strongly in common. This is particularly important when those convictions are being challenged in the public square.

We wish Rev. Cizik well and know that his long history of service to Evangelicals in Washington, DC will have laid the groundwork for many opportunities. Specifically, the IRD commends Cizik for his partnership on global religious liberty issues.

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches’ social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad

www.TheIRD.org
-30-

Consider yourself warned. The Christian Post reports that Jessica Simpson is interested in wading into the waters of religious studies. My recommendation is that she apply to Fuller Theological Seminary where they specialize in religious nonsense with popular appeal. Just look at Rob Bell, one of the school’s premier graduates. Brace yourself for a new line of Simpson-authored books from Zondervan’s Faith division. Some suggested titles are Tanning Booth Truths: 365 Meditations from a Day Spa, Life Can Be Icky, But U Can Be Happy, and Jessica: Spiritual Botox for a Wrinkly Old World. Remember that you read it here first.

Tomorrow morning I will be on with David Wheaton for The Christian Worldview radio show. You can read what we’ll be talking about here.

Thank you, Slice readers, for your love for the Lord and for truth. It’s an honor to be able to serve the church with news and needed information on the trends and issues of the day, presented in the light of the Word. May you and your loved ones have a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving Day. At our church service tomorrow morning, this is one of the hymns we will be singing as we give thanks to God for all things.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k43ysxLzc0[/youtube]

This just in from Christian Newswire. Rev. Peterson will be our guest today on Crosstalk at 2pm Central.

Rev. Peterson: Black Preachers are Worshiping the Wrong Messiah

…There shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…2 Peter 2:1

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 /Christian Newswire/ — With the November 4 election of Barack Obama, black preachers have been celebrating across the country. Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND Action, Inc. is rebuking these black preachers for their part in electing the most left-wing presidential candidate in American history:

“Ninety-six percent of black voters supported Barack Obama and the majority of these voters were influenced by black preachers to put race ahead of their country and their faith,” said Rev. Peterson. “How can ministers who are supposed to lead their flock to Jesus Christ instead lead them to a socialist like Obama? The truth is that most black ministers don’t have a real relationship with God and they are leading their congregations to hell. These blind leaders helped elect their black ‘Messiah’. This ‘Messiah’ happens to be the most left-wing member of the U.S. Senate,” said Rev. Peterson.

Here’s where president-elect Obama stands on key issues:

* Believes in abortion on demand (virtually under any circumstance), and has told Planned Parenthood that sex-ed for kindergartners is ‘the right thing to do’ (as long as it’s ‘age appropriate’);

* Has promised to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act and would allow homosexual ‘marriages’ to be made legal in all 50 states;

* Would appoint far left activist judges who’d pervert and misinterpret the U.S. Constitution;

* Has pledged to dismantle ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ in the military. Supports open homosexuality, bisexuality, and transexuality in all military branches, barracks and shower facilities.

This is what influential black ministers said after the Obama election victory:

* Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter’s House church said that Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign “encouraged, validated and gave inspiration to not only the people of the United States of America, but to the people of our world.”

* At Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, Rev. Calvin Butts invited his congregation to stand up “and give God praise for the election.” Several hundred churchgoers rose as one and cheered, “Yes we can! Yes we can!”

* Grammy-winning gospel singer, Rev. Shirley Caesar-Williams said, “Too long we’ve been at the bottom of the totem pole, but he [Obama] has vindicated us, hallelujah.”

* Rev. John L. Lambert, Bethel AME Church in Indianapolis, “If ever there was an answer to ‘who cometh to our help?’ that was the answer…Look at what God has done.”

* At Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Rev. Otis Moss, III, said history would note that Trinity was the holy place where “God stirred a young man’s soul and put him on the path to the presidency.”

Rev. Peterson added: “For the past eighteen years I’ve said that most black preachers are not called by God, but instead are called by their mammas. If there was ever a time that this was the case, that time is now. In order for black Americans to turn around, they must drop their anger, and find the truth within themselves, not from corrupt, racist preachers or from a false black Messiah.”

BOND Action, Inc., is a nonprofit, pending 501 (c) (4) new cultural action organization, which exists to educate, motivate and rally Americans to greater involvement in the moral, cultural and political issues that threaten our great country. Contributions to BOND Action, Inc. are not tax-deductible. For more information call (877) WE-ACT-77, visit www.bondaction.org or write to us at BOND Action Inc., PO Box 35586, Los Angeles, CA 90035-0586

Christian Newswire
To: National Desk

I think this is wonderful. The Home School Legal Defense Association is helping to spread the word. It’s great to be able to promote the learning of God’s Word among young people! Visit their website here.

From Christian Newswire:

On May 31, 2005 at the age of 23, Shelby Kennedy went home to be with the Lord after an intense struggle with cancer. Shelby was described as a “one-in-a-million Christian who had an unusual spiritual gift of faith–a special person who radiated joy, life and hope to everyone she met.” Although Shelby had minimal energy and needed to use a wheelchair most of the time she was awake, what energy she had was focused on proclaiming Jesus Christ. Her testimony of hope in the midst of a fiery trial sparked a spirit of revival in those around her.

Much of what kept Shelby’s joy alive in her last days was time spent studying the Word of God. Shelby is the inspiration behind the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, a nonprofit ministry established in her name to encourage children and youth to grow in Christ through Scripture memorization. Shelby’s testimony sparked an incredible vision–to launch a world-class Bible Bee!

We are excited to introduce our first annual National Bible Bee, a motivating Bible memory competition for children and youth from 7 to 18 years of age. Sponsored by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, the goal of the Bible Bee is to build godly character in young people by calling them back to the lost discipline of Scripture memorization. Most people are familiar with the Scripps National Spelling Bee, where youth compete annually in the nation’s longest- running educational contest. While it is certainly beneficial for our children to commit the spelling of words to memory, imagine how much more life- changing it would be for them to memorize the Word of God!

Local Bible Bee Contests will be conducted throughout the United States on Saturday, September 12, 2009. One hundred finalists from each of three age categories will then advance to the National Bible Bee for a two-day, world-class competition held in Washington D.C. on November 5-6, 2009. The National Bible Bee will distribute more than $260,000 in prize money with $100,000 being awarded to the first-place winner of the top age bracket.

Now Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs are not different “religions” but “denominations”, and this company wants to have your child learn about all of these “denominations” when she plays with her dolls. “Look, Mommy, my dolly with the hijab has her Koran and her plastic explosives and she’s ready to blow up our church!”

Unique multi-denominational dolls enrich and educate Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Girls

Doll Creation Station has launched a new line of culturally diverse, 18-inch dolls and accessories aimed at teaching and reinforcing rich religious heritage and social values to girls, ages 4 to 11.   This line of unique high quality dolls was created to offer young girls the opportunity to learn more about their religious and cultural inheritance as well as the values that share with people from all other religions. Each dolls is soft bodied with vinyl arms, legs, and faces and come in a variety of hair colors, hair styles, and eye colors.

Christian dolls come with a jeweled cross necklace set (for doll and owner), a Baptism dress, a Christmas dress, an Easter party dress, and a small book of Scriptures featuring The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus’ birth, and the Resurrection.

Jewish dolls come dressed in a Jewish themed shirt and matching skirt, a Star of David bracelet set and necklace set (for doll and owner), a 10-piece wooden toy Shabbat Kit, a Chanukah dress and historical Queen Esther dress.

Muslim dolls come with a hijab (head scarf covering) and robe, a prayer bead bracelet set (for doll and owner), a doll size prayer rug, stick on henna tattoos (for the Eid celebration), and a fancy Eid (Holy Day) dress.

The dolls began production in 2008. Founder and owner Lee Stein of New Jersey, says she created the dolls to offer young religiously affiliated girls an opportunity to enjoy their doll play within a fun, creative, yet undemanding religious context.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity of heritage and tradition found amongst the major religions of the world. Our dolls and accessories offer young girls the opportunity to learn more about their respective cultures, as well as the values they share with people of other popular religions.”

The dolls strike a chord with young religious girls and their families.  Not an expensive doll, for many Christian, Jewish and Muslim families having a religious doll helps reinforce the positive religious and social values their children learn at home and at school.  Prices with accessories range from $40 to $60 plus shipping.

Doll Creation Station plans on launching a line of ethnic dolls, as well as expanding their religious line. Future dolls will include a Mexican doll, an Indian doll, a Native American doll, and an Asian doll.
For more information visit www.dollcreationstation.com.

Can’t they make anything these days without some religious or spiritual agenda? What ever happened to Baby Burp’ems or Chatty Cathy or the dolls that really wet their diapers? (Environmentalists probably shut those down because they were disposable diapers…) Does everything have to come with a United Nations Diversity Seal of Approval? These social engineers need to get out of the toybox and let children be children. Good grief.

**Updated** The terror group Hamas is also celebrating Obama’s win, calling it an “historic victory for the world.” Click here for the news story.

**Venezuelan goon, Hugo Chavez, is also pleased as punch over Obama’s election.**

Richard Abanes is nearly falling over himself today as he gushes about “history being made” in the election of an African-American to the White House. He has even dug up some images on google of KKK rallies where “Protestants” supposedly participated. (We’ll never know because they’re wearing hoods in the photo.) Somewhere in his zeal to seem an enlightened true friend of diversity, he forgot the very words of civil rights champion, Dr. Martin Luther King, when King said he looked forward to the day when the content of a man’s character was what was important, not the color of his skin.

Yes, indeed, Richard, history has been made, but if you look beyond skin color, as we are supposed to do, you will find that the history is rather unsavory. Never before has such an enemy of human life been elected to the Oval Office, (real men defend babies, they don’t turn their backs on them when they’re dying); never before has such a champion of socialist economics been elected to the White House–someone who actually openly talks of redistributing wealth; never before has someone so unqualified, so unprepared and so untested taken the reigns of the most powerful office in the world; never before has there been such complicity between the world’s media and wealthy elite to place someone in control of America’s destiny; never before have so many Americans been so ready to trade national security and freedom for temporary economic benefit, and I could go on and on. Yes, Mr. Abanes, it is certainly an historic day. But while you, Doug Pagitt, Brian McLAren, Oprah, Condoleeza Rice and reporters from the media sob into your hankies, overcome with emotional incontinence, the ship of our great Republic heads ever closer to the rocks.

I have been getting email election prophecies for weeks from a couple who declared that God had authoritatively told them that McCain/Palin would be winning it.  Their e-alert came out this morning.

Dear Friends,

We feel a great weight of responsibility to communicate with you in regards to the elections and the McCain-Palin prophecy.

At this moment we are truly in a state of shock and disbelief at the outcome of this election, as we completely believed we had heard clearly from God on this or we never would have shared it. As a ministry, we are setting time aside to pray and seek God’s counsel.

We know that Obama has not yet been sworn in, and it is possible that things could happen or be exposed to change the ultimate outcome. But, at the same time it is possible that he will be sworn in, and if so, that leaves us with an inaccurate prophecy about the outcome of this election.

We are seeking God for understanding in all this.

If in the end this prophecy does prove to be inaccurate…Then we sincerely ask God for his forgiveness, for our weak use of his power and for bringing any reproach to His name. And secondly, with brokenness, sincerity and humility, we ask that you would forgive us if in any way we gave you false hope.

Humbly in Christ,
(Names Withheld)

For weeks, I have additionally been getting the wildest prophecies from another misguided individual who begins every one of them with this line: “The Holy Spirit SEZ…”

Folks, do not send me this garbage. In the Old Testament, false prophets were stoned for making God a laughingstock and for being liars. We don’t need soothsayers and seers when we have all we need for life and godliness in God’s Word. Wiser believers knew that God would do what was right for His church in this country, no matter what that decision was. Four more years of carnality, complacency, false doctrine, spiritual laziness, materialism and idolatrous self-absorption would be catastrophic, and that is exactly what we would have had under another “conservative” leader. Just like four years ago, there would have been a collective sigh of relief from evangelicals saying, “We’re safe for another four years. Whew!” Now, all of us realize afresh that the cost of following Jesus Christ is about to go up. We are reminded that God judges nations in history, and that He will not hold back in patience forever when America scorns and mocks Him. The true church, not the false church of which there are countless thousands, will need to seek God more fervently. We will need to root out the Laodicea in all of our hearts as we face the unknown and, from a human standpoint, frightening future. As to the future, friends, God is already there. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Here is what Luther wrote about God in his commentary on Psalm 90:

Such a God have we, such a God do we worship, to such a God do we pray, at whose command all created things sprang into being. Why then should we fear if this God favours us? Why should we tremble at the anger of the whole world? If He is our dwelling place, shall we not be safe though the heavens should go to wrack? For we have a Lord greater than all the world. We have a Lord so mighty that at his word all things sprang into being. And yet we are so fainthearted that if the anger of a single prince or king, nay, even of a single neighbour, is to be borne, we tremble and droop in spirit. Yet in comparison with this King, all things beside in the whole world are but as the lightest dust which a slight breath moves from its place, and suffers not to be still. In this way this description of God is consolatory, and trembling spirits ought to look to this consolation in their temptations and dangers.

—Martin Luther

Amen.

For a long time I have been linking to an excellent blog called Truth Matters. Months ago I noticed a link there by the blog’s author, Josh, about his mother’s situation, but I did not do anything further. Today, the Lord brought it to my attention again. I do not often make personal appeals in these situations, but I am going to do so today. We have several thousand Slice readers visit this site daily. If everyone who visited was willing to make a small love gift, Carol, her husband and Josh would be greatly, greatly blessed. Having had family with serious illness, I know how emotionally traumatic and draining it can be in every way. Josh and his family are OUR family, if we belong to Jesus. If you can do anything at all to help. please follow our family’s lead and do so. This need is real, and we can come alongside and help lift a burden today. I know how precious my mother is to our family, and I extend my warmest encouragement to Josh, his father and mother. As my godly grandmother used to say in faith whenever there was a challenge: “Now we’ll see what God can do!”

P.S. God works through His children.

Here we go again. The church leaders at New Harvest Church can’t help themselves. Like lemmings following each other off a cliff or like a pack of junior high kids at the mall without an original thought in their heads, New Harvest is following the crowd. Monkey see, monkey do. Kansas City is the latest metropolis to be victimized, or should I say vandalized, by the Lust Evangelism Task Force. Hide the children, honey, the Christians are coming. You think I jest? Here are the billboards thrust into the faces of unsuspecting Kansas Citians. Not just billboards, readers, but 150 yard signs, as well, promoting www.KCSEXCHALLENGE.com. There’s a Presidential election on, the economy is crashing, and the Christians are erecting signs about sex. Onward Christian soldiers.

Reaction, it is reported, has been mixed. If I lived across the street from one of those yard signs and my young son had to look at it while playing outside, I’d give the church some reaction all right, and it wouldn’t be mixed.

I’m done hearing these hirelings’ excuses about how God made sex, and sex is good, and we’re just gonna talk about it and tell everybody how to do it right. What an excuse for pastors, many of which are hitting middle-age, to strut around on “stage” at church getting their thrills from breaking taboos. I have seen these videos, and these guys are having the time of their lives in mixed settings, talking about these subjects in great detail. One church even featured a blog where the pastor’s wife posted personal video updates on she and her husband’s progress in their 30 Days of Sex campaign. It’s an excuse for the flesh and a chance to get media and female/male attention. A word to pastors at New Harvest: Serial killers and rapists get media attention, too, so just because KMBC shows up with cameras doesn’t mean you’re attracting admirers. The media also covered Hurricane Katrina and 9-11, just remember that.

Where do things go from here once these pastors have exhausted this line of outreach? Things will have to get worse more cutting edge—you know that. I’ve already made my prediction that there will be live “drama” on “stage” in these churches soon, all done with married participants to justify it. I hold to my prediction, and the way things are going, it won’t be long now.

Here is the full story from KMBC.

A few weeks ago, I accidentally lost the blogroll here at Slice. I have slowly been rebuilding it but could not remember all that I had linked to. If your blog was removed, be assured it was not a deliberate act and let me know. Thanks.

My page on Facebook (the one under my name) is back after I learned to better navigate the settings to control the incoming news, etc. For those who emailed wondering where I went, I am now back up.

Here is the new Slice link for those with Facebook accounts. My name will take you to my page, this link takes you to Slice.

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Slice-of-Laodicea/2746436742

Here is the Crosstalk Facebook page.

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Crosstalk-Americas-Official-Youtube-Channel/36018224594

And we wonder why Wicca is growing so quickly. Read this piece from the Washington Times. I wish I could say the story about the blind man is an oddity. Sadly, it’s not. Since starting Slice, I have heard from so many church refugees. Some were fleeing the carnage of their churches that went Purpose-Driven. Some are tired of being ignored by pastors who are obsessed with a younger demographic. My mother-in-law was home bound and her pastor never visited. Not once before she passed away. She used to reminisce about the pastor who used to go and give communion to the shut-ins when her parents were elderly. The church did, however, remember to send a fund appeal when they ended up in the red. Some are fleeing church because they can’t stomach the sex campaigns, motorcycle stunts, American Idol-style youth services, and so forth. I wonder if the author of The Fall of the Evangelical Nation is on target. I got in a discussion about this book with a young student last week in a class I’m taking. This is what the publisher says about the book:

Evangelical Christianity in America is dying. The great evangelical movements of today are not a vanguard. They are a remnant, unraveling at every edge. Conversions. Baptisms. Membership. Retention. Participation. Giving. Attendance. Impact upon the culture at large. All are down and dropping. When veteran religion reporter Christine Wicker set out to investigate the evangelical movement, her intention was to forge through the stereotypes and shed new light on this highly divisive religious group. But the story soon morphed into an entirely new and shocking tale of discovery, as Wicker’s research unearthed much more than she originally bargained for.

In that the book is endorsed by Brian McLaren, this may be a case of the wish being father to the thought. You have to wonder, however, how long these jumbo Disney churches will survive. Maybe there will always be enough people to want to go to the circus. On the other hand, as America’s economy tanks, it may be harder and harder for these churches to pay their substantial light bills. More and more people seem to crave real community and real Christian relationships that these cavernous theaters will never provide.

*Update* We’re getting this straightened out thanks to Lane Chaplin. I’ll update later.

To those Slice readers trying to find Slice on Facebook, you can give up now. I just did. Read Slice right here where you always have. It is so much easier than these nightmarishly complicated social networking sites. I thought it would be good to have a Slice presence there as John MacArthur and a number of other ministries do. In order to do get involved at Facebook, of course, you have to have an account, so I duly punched in my info, and now I have a Facebook account. In other words, I am hip and up-to-date. But wait. This weekend I got lost on there. I was lost on Facebook, wandering confusedly down corridors and tunnels without any clue where I was going. I never did find Slice that a friend of mine said was on there now. (It’s not you, Lane, it’s me, really.)  I was supposed to post pictures, so not having a decent one, I was toying around late one night with a joke photo of a pig in pearls and sunglasses. Little did I know that all my “friends” on Facebook could also see the pig in pearls. I start to get messages. It seems whatever you do on Facebook is public. Anything you edit or change is announced, literally,  to the Facebook world as in, “Ingrid just changed her photo.” So readers click to see what new photo is up and see a pig in pearls and lipstick, or it will announce “Ingrid just edited her birth date and she’s now 5 years younger.” (Joke) So I think I don’t like Facebook or My Space or any of those cool sites. What started out as a noble effort ended up with me completely baffled. I now have 40 some “friends”, many of whom I have never met. (I’m not opposed to new friends, but what are my obligations to them?) I’m seeing Obama ads running that look like I posted them in the right margin. (Not likely.) My Facebook presence may be the shortest on record unless I learn to navigate it.

There’s the standing joke about how kids can operate technology or do things online that baffle parents. Let me tell you, it’s no joke. When I was in high school we had Commodore 64’s with black screens and green letters and, get this, DOT MATRIX printers. The floppies were actually floppy back then. My son asked me what a dot matrix printer was the other day. In my best quavery voice, I described the ancient device. And cell phones, I remember my dad’s first one which had to be one of the prototypes. It was about 9-10 inches tall and weighed about 15 pounds. It had a huge antenna on top that extended another several inches which, no doubt, irradiated anyone’s head who used it. He would set that thing on the table at restaurants and everybody would stare at us. It was horrifying. Well, this halts my trip down memory lane. When/if I figure out the Slice bit at Facebook, I’ll let you know. And if I don’t return for some time here, you should send someone after me because I may be lost again.

It’s brown wrapper time at Lifeway Christian Stores. WorldnetDaily is reporting that Gospel Today magazine incurred the ire of the Southern Baptist leadership that owns the stores, and they are only selling this month’s edition from under the counter. The five ladies featured on the cover were all dressed in black. Clergy black. The headline reads, “Female Pastors: Breaking the Glass Ceiling”. Looking like the line-up from The View, these stylin’ clergy babes are busting through the gender barriors in church and they’ve made it to the pulpit. This offends the Southern Baptist leadership, as well it should, and the magazine has now been relegated to porn status. But wait! Before that round of applause for LifeWay, shouldn’t there be just as much outrage over false teachers like Robert Schuller, Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, et al whose books are earning the Southern Baptists a big chunk of change? These are men who are telling us that sin is the lack of self-esteem, that there is no hell, no Second Coming and no need for a substitutionary atonement, and that the Bible is not the product of Divine fiat, but rather a human product. Shouldn’t these books be sold from under the counter, too? Come to think of it, if you took all the books by false teachers, all the Jesus junk, all the trashy T-shirts and worthless CD’s and put them under the counter where they belong, there wouldn’t be much left on the shelves to buy.