Signs of the Times – Part unknown

West Bank Settlements Draw Jews from Abroad

A building boom has been in progress for several years in the lands known as the West Bank which Israel has occupied since the 1967 war Known to Jews as Judea and Samaria, this territory is particularly important to religious Jews who associate it with thousands of years of their history In an attempt to keep this territory from ever being negotiated away in any future peace concessions the Israeli government has been subsidizing Jewish settlement in the area

An increasing number of American Jews are joining these settlements These usually are highly religious, orthodox Jews who fear being absorbed into the American melting pot They want to raise their children in a Jewish environment where they will not be assimilated Most feel a religious and emotional zeal to participate in the development of Eretz Israel

Even though they are among 750,000 native born palestimans, the 35,000 Jewish settlers look on the Arabs as aliens and, outside of employer employee relationships, have little personal contact with them Many feel that Israel is entitled to this land not only because they won it in the 1967 war but also because they define Israel s borders to be from the Nile to Euphrates and on both sides of the Jordan

Although the American immigrants feel deeply devoted to Israel and become Israeli citizens, they also retain their U S citizenship which they are allowed to do under current interpretation of U S law Some do return to the U S, but the dropout rate for settlers in Judea and Samaria is much less than for those who go to other parts of Israel

In recent times America has been the primary source of material and moral support for Israel Now, in spite of their relative affluence and freedom from persecution, American Jews are making an increasingly important contribution to the human resources of the resurrected nation of Israel.

Molotov Reinstated

After more than two decades as a “nonperson” in the Soviet Union, Former Minister Vyacheslav Molotov is reported to have been reinstated in the Communist Party on the occasion of his 94th birthday. During the Stalin era Molotov held the positions of premier and foreign minister but was deposed after a failed attempt to oust Nikita Khrushchev in 1957.

He was known for his hardline policy toward the western powers and negotiated the 1939 non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany that preceded Germany’s attack on Poland and the start of World War II.

Molotov became a Bolshevik at the age of 16 and took part in the 1917 revolution. Having been a close associate of Joseph Stalin no doubt contributed to his relegation to obscurity in the desalinization that Khrushchev instituted in the early sixties.

During his retirement he is said to have continued to pay his monthly party dues and asked repeatedly to become a member again. On his birthday he is reported to have received a cordial telephone call from President Chernenko. It is doubtful if any political significance can be attached to this event but it does seem to be in character with the change from detente to more of the intransigence that characterized the Stalin era.

Religion and Politics

The current presidential election campaign in the United States is involving churches to a greater extent than any campaign in recent years. Thousands of protestant churches recently joined in a nationwide voter registration drive with the goal of enlisting 2 million new voters in the conservative cause. The TV evangelists are joining forces to try to elect candidates of their moral persuasion through an organization called the American Coalition for Traditional Values (ACTV). Although claiming to be nonpartisan, ACTV plans to issue a moral report card on the platforms of the major political parties to show how they compare on their list of “traditional values” such as abortion, gay rights, school prayer and other issues.

On the liberal side certain protestant churches are joining in a group called the Churches’ Committee for Voter Registration-Education. This group is concerned primarily with issues related to the needs of poor people. In many states Catholic bishops are educating their parishioners on the U.S. hierarchy’s position on such issues as abortion, nuclear weapons and U.S. policy in Central America. Democratic candidate Jesse Jackson is getting black churches to register voters and even raise campaign money.

Moral Majority continues its efforts on behalf of conservative candidates and produces literature on political issues. The Republican Party is doing what it can to help and the White House is reported to have five staff people acting as liaisons with various religious groups. A handbook on political participation by “church-going Christians” is being distributed by the Republican National Committee.

The activists believe it is their duty and obligation to gain the political power to impose on the nation their moral and religious values through the making and administration of laws. Laudable as this objective may be, the scriptures clearly indicate the last days to be a time of moral and spiritual decline which will not be remedied by the efforts of mortal men but must await the administration of divine power in the earth when Jesus Christ returns.

World Population till Explosive

Although the annual rate of world population growth is estimated to have declined from 2 percent to 1.7 percent over the last decade, the falloff in growth has taken place almost exclusively in developed countries, leaving the Third World regions with rates as high as ever, according to former World Bank president Robert McNamara. In an article in Foreign Affairs, McNamara predicts dire consequences for the world and especially for the poorer nations if immediate steps are not taken. World population, now 4.7 billion, is expected to become 11 billion in the next century bringing on starvation, illiteracy, poverty and a ravaged environment.

Relations between the have and have-not nations will become increasingly strained, and political authoritarianism will be necessary to impose population control as is being done today in China with some success although at the cost of harsh restrictions on individual liberty. McNamara sees disaster being averted only if the developing nations take action within the next decade. He advocates the setting of fixed targets and deadlines and more aid and research in population control from the developed countries, not less, as many in the U.S. administration are advocating.

Whether the necessary steps will be taken in time is an open question. Many in the Third Word regard high fertility as a matter of religious principle regardless of the consequences. Some countries lack the organizational capacity to administer family planning programs. When a 160 nation Population Conference convenes in Mexico in August, the U.S. administration, under pressure from right to life groups, is expected to present a position paper advocating less U.S. aid for population control rather than more. Critics of the administration warn that if this paper is presented in its present form it will be a foreign policy embarrassment of serious proportions.

The chances then for voluntary control of world population do not look good and the chances of adjustment of the earth’s resources to a population of 11 billion would also seem slim considering the conditions of poverty and hunger in the world today. It would seem then that the time must be close at hand when God will perform his rescue operation so that His promise of a peaceful earth with joy-full inhabitants will become a reality.

European Disunity

A summit meeting of the ten member nations of the European Economic Community, held last March in Brussels, ended in failure Originally established to lead Europe toward unity and progress, the alliance has never achieved its goal and observers see little hope for the future The U S ambassador to the Community gave as the reason, “the things that divide the Europeans are still stronger than the things that unite them” The condition is quite aptly symbolized by the iron and clay feet of the image of Daniel chapter 2 These nations, the political and geographical descendants of the iron empire of Rome, have resisted all attempts at unification even though it would be in their best interest to set their nationalism aside

The present disagreement involves the question of how much money Britain should pay into the EEC’s budget The British feel their expected contribution is too much for the benefits Britain gets from the EEC.

French president Francois Mitterrand who presently holds the rotating presidency of the EEC has proposed restructuring the community without the British if a compromise cannot be reached While the other partners would follow this course only as a last resort, Britain with her widespread ties outside Europe feels she is making a sacrifice to be involved in the EEC The role of Britain in later day prophetic events has traditionally been seen as separate from the continent of Europe, and recent events seem to support that view.

Church and State Clash in Poland

Efforts of the Communist government of Poland to enforce the longstanding principle of the separation of church and state by banning display of the crucifix in public institutions brought on student demonstrations against the removal of crucifixes from school classrooms Four hundred students of the Stanislaw Staszic agricultural school in the town of Gar­wolin occupied the school in protest until police put an end to the demonstration. Roman catholic church leaders supported the protesters and continued their efforts to have the ban rescinded. The Polish authorities however remained firm and closed the school indefinitely.

Although the church has on other matters followed a policy of cooperating with the government, in this issue it was firmly behind the protesters. The incident provides evidence of the continuing influence of Catholicism behind the iron curtain in spite of efforts by the Marxist leaders to restrict its power.

Arafat Visits China

President Reagan had hardly left China when the visit of another foreign leader was announced. Yassir Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organization was warmly received by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and assured of continuing Chinese support. He pointed out how China has been one of the staunchest supporters of the P.L.O. for over 20 years and would continue to take that position.

Arafat called for a U.N. sponsored Middle East peace conference to deal with the Palestinian issue. In addition to helping the P.L.O. China is a major arms supplier to Iran whose hard line Shiite Moslem oppose any peace plan short of the complete destruction of Israel.

Nerve Gas Warfare

Iraq appears to have repelled the Iranian military offensive for the time being, but evidence is accumulating that the le­thel nerve gas Tabun played a part on the battlefield. This gas which has not heretofore been used in war, is said to be ten times more lethal than the mustard gas which Iraq has already been accused of using against Iran. In response to a complaint by Iran a team of United Nations investigators reported finding samples of nerve gas on the battlefield and the U.N. Security Council without actually naming Iraq condemned the use of chemical weapons. U.S. intelligence has confirmed that Iraq has the capability of producing nerve gas and the U.S. State and Commerce departments are restricting exports of the chemicals from which it is made. The chemicals, however, have other legitimate uses and can be purchased many places in the world, so experts believe it will not be possible to keep the Iraquis from obtaining all they need. The equipment and technology used to make the gas are quite similar to those used in the manufacture of insecticides and some observers fear that if the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning chemical weaponless is allowed to be violated with impunity the use of such weapons may proliferate rapidly.

Unlike nuclear technology, many third world nations either already have or can easily obtain the know how and equipment to make poison gas. Israel would be particularly vulnerable to this type of weapon and in the hands of terrorists a new era in horror would be opened up.

Free–Trade with Israel

A treaty that will allow free trade between the U.S. and Israel is said to be nearly ready for signing. Both countries want an agreement as soon as possible and the U.S. administration particularly would like to get congressional ratification before the fall election. The only question to be decided is how long a time would be allowed for Israeli industry and agriculture to be fully open to competition from America. Israel wants two years to adjust but the U.S. would like to limit the time to a year or less. Israeli economists are confident that the eventual increase in trade brought about by the elimination of duties will more than offset the loss of tariff protection for their industry and agriculture.

A Visit to Korea by the Pope

Pope John Paul II whose personal charm has been used to advantage in maintaining the unity of the Roman Catholic faith throughout the world came to Korea to celebrate two centuries of Roman Catholicism there and to urge Korea to spread the faith throughout Asia. He led ceremonies that canonized as saints 103 martyrs among the more than 10,000 Korean Catholics who were victims of persecution in the 19th Century.

In view of two previous attempts on the Pope’s life, all possible security precautions were taken but even so a young man with a toy gun was able to interrupt the procession through the streets of Seoul.

The Christian religion is growing rapidly in South Korea. Since 1960 the number of Christians has tripled to about 9 million and if the trend continues Christianity is expected to overtake Buddhism as the dominant religion in a little over a decade. Almost all the many variations of Christian faith are represented with the Protestant denominations making up about 80 percent of the total and Catholics 20 percent.

The Christians of Korea practice their religion with enthusiasm and zeal. Church attendance among them is higher than in Europe and America, and one church claims to have a congregation of 370,000 members making it by far the largest in the world.

Already fluent in seven languages, the Pope studied the Korean language over a period of several months in preparation for the trip so that he could say the mass in Korean. Gestures such as this are what makes this Pope so influential as a representative of his church and an instrument in the process of reviving the power of the church that is to be expected in the Last Days.

Israel and U.S. Discuss Military Alliance

Representatives from the U.S. State Department and the Pentagon met in late January with representatives from the government of Israel to discuss the implementation of a new military alliance proposed last November. The Alliance was purposely kept low key be­cause of protests from moderate Arab states such as Tunisia, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

The alliance also known as “the strategic consensus,” will include giving Israel $2 6 billion in military aid as an outright grant rather than a loan. The outright grant arrangement has been proposed to reduce Israel’s foreign debt burden which has become a serious problem for that tiny country

Some of the topics said to have been discussed at the talks included the So­viet threat to the Middle East and the ways the U S and Israel can cooperate in other areas such as Latin American and even the Pacific Basin; specific planning for stockpiling of supplies such as medical equipment and fresh water to be available for the U S Rapid Deployment Force for the Persian Gulf; possible joint naval exercises concentrating on anti-submarine warfare, possible use of Israeli landing fields by American naval planes.

About the time the talks were being held, Saudi Arabia announced the purchase of a French air defense system to protect its oil fields Saudi officials said the U S -Israeli alliance was a factor in their decision to buy the $4 5 billion French system rather than an American defense system, but a French spokesman said a major factor in the decision was the difficulty likely to come up when the deal goes for approval before the U S Congress The Saudis remember the humiliation they endured over the purchase in 1981 of the AWACS air reconnaissance system and they do not want to go through that again in a U.S. presidential election year.

A Change in Soviet Leadership

Konstantin Chernenko has been chosen by the central committee of the Communist party to lead the Soviet Union in place of Yuri Andropov who died after only 15 months in the top Soviet position. Although this 72 year old Politburo member’s name is not a household word outside the Soviet Union, he has long held positions of power in the Kremlin. He was a protege of Leonid Brezhnev doing propaganda work in the 1950’s and during Brezhnev’s declining years served as his assistant and confidant. When Andropov succeeded Brezhnev, Chernenko took over Andropov’s old post as chief of ideology, the No. 2 job in the party.

Chernenko is considered by Western observers to be a conservative party-line follower who is not likely to make drastic changes in foreign or domestic policy. It is expected that for foreign policy Chernenko will rely on the veteran Foreign Minister Anrei Gromyko whose 27 years in the post give the assurance that policy will remain constant at least for the time being.

On the domestic scene some observers feel that the reforms Andropov had begun toward the elimination of corruption and inefficiency in the bureaucracy may now be quietly forgotten. It is thought by some that the reason Chernenko was picked by the Politburo rather than one of the younger members that Andropov had promoted is that he is looked upon as “Safe” by some of the older Politburo members whose patronage was threatened by Andropov’s purge.

Experts who have studied Chernenko’s speeches and written articles have come to the conclusion that Chernenko is unlikely to change Soviet policy for better or for worse.

A Bitter War Continues

When the long bloody war between Iraq and Iran started it was expected to be over in a few weeks. Now three and a half years later the conflict is escalating and threatening to involve the United States and the NATO allies. Iraq began the war in retaliation for an attempt by the Iranians to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein and establish an Islamic state in Iraq similar to that led by the Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran. When Hussein sent his armies into Iran he thought that the Iranian military, weakened by purges and the arms embargo of the west, would be no match for the well trained army of Iraq. The factor that he failed to recognize was the fanatical fighting spirit of the Revolutionary Guards and willingness of Iranian youth to become martyrs in the holy war de­clared against Iraq by the Ayatollah Khomeini. In the war of attrition that followed the initial Iraqi advance, Iranian losses are estimated to be 150,000 killed and 200,000 wounded and Iraqi losses half to two thirds of those numbers.

Since oil revenues are vital to the ability of both nations to continue the war, attempts have been made by both sides to cut off each others oil shipments but so far without success. The Ayatollah has warned repeatedly that if Iranian exports through the Persian gulf are cut off the straits of Hormuz will be closed. In response to this threat the U.S. has stationed a naval force of over 30 ships including the aircraft carrier Midway to protect the shipping lanes through which 20 percent of the free worlds oil passes. British and French forces are also in the area and Britain has agreed to join the United States if any action is necessary.

Even though the U.S. and other western nations would prefer neutrality in the conflict, they realize the devastating effect an Iranian victory would have on the other oil exporting nations of the gulf. Steps have therefore been taken to help Iraq. French planes and missiles have given the air power needed and the U.S. is said to be considering the financing of an oil pipeline from Iraq through Jordan to the gulf of Aqaba to provide a more secure outlet for the oil they need to sell.

Although the Soviet Union has not openly become involved on either side, some observers are fearful of their reaction if it should become necessary for the ‘Western allies to act in defense of their oil supplies.

Permanent Israel Occupation of Lebanon

Shortly after the last of the U.S. peace keeping force left Lebanon the government of Lebanese President Amin Ge­mayel under pressure from the Syrians abrogated the treaty signed last May calling for simultaneous Israeli and Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.

Although Israel would very much like to have an agreement that would allow Israeli troops to leave Lebanon, the scrapping of the treaty virtually guarantees a long stay in Southern Lebanon. The question now appears to be where the defense line will be drawn. In the Israeli community a number of different opinions have been expressed ranging from that of former defense minister Ariel Sharon who favors the present defense line along the Awali River to that of Labor Party Leader Shimon Perez who says they should move back to the old Israeli border.

Israeli strategic planners have narrowed the choices to four defense lines, each with its separate set of advantages and disadvantages. Whichever line is finally chosen, Israel will have the task of policing large numbers of Lebanese people in the occupied area.

Some opposition members of the Israeli government argue that once such a line is established it would amount to a permanent change in the Lebanese-Israeli border. They say that first the territory will be considered vital for security, then the historic and religious claims will follow and pressure will mount to make the occupation permanent.

Terrorism Takes a New Turn

For over 13 centuries the Shiite sect of Moslems has been noted for its fanaticism and zeal for martyrdom Now under the mullahs of Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini they are adding a new dimension to terrorists activity throughout the world Although it is not a doctrine taught in the Koran, the mullahs teach Iranian youth that to die in a holy war will earn them an immediate pass port to heaven and to kill large numbers of infidels in the process will lead to even greater glory

It was from such a band of suicidal Shiite terrorists in the 12th century that the word assassin originated From a stronghold in the mountains near the Caspian Sea this group terrorized Persia and the Middle East for 150 years until they were broken up by Mongols Their practice of secretly murdering all enemies of their sect was carried out under the influence of the drug hashish from which they got the name hashishim which later became the French assassin

The recent suicide bombings in Lebanon of U S, French and Israeli forces were carried out by a group calling themselves Islamic Jihad (Holy War) who are thought by intelligence experts to have had the backing of Iran and Syria The willingness to die makes such acts much more difficult to defend against and eliminates the effectiveness of retaliation as a deterrent The recent bombings caused feverish activity to improve security of U S public buildings all over the world Concrete barricades were in stalled in front of the White House

It is ironic that the abilities that were developed to combat the terrorist tactics of the 1970 s may have brought about the human bombs of the 1980 s Increased airport security and the growing reluctance to yield to the demands of hostage takers have led to a change in tactics by terrorists and as terrorism has become more common, larger and more spectacular acts are required to gain the headlines. Terrorist casualties in Lebanon in 1983 were five times those of 1982.

Security problems for the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles are a source of concern to police officials and some observers are viewing with alarm the potential for violence in the presidential campaigns of 1984. Although no middle east terrorists have yet struck in the United States, security officials are taking all the necessary precautions. They also see the Caribbean area, particularly Puerto Rico as a source of trouble for the U.S.

Diplomatic Ties With Iraq Proposed

The terrorist activities of Iran have caused a move by the U.S. administration to improve relations with Iraq as a form of retaliation for Iran’s role in the bombings in Lebanon and Kuwait. Iraq has had no diplomatic ties with the U.S. since 1967 and Iraq itself has been involved in terrorist activities but not against the U.S.

U.S. special envoy Donald Rumsfeld visited Baghdad recently and is said to have explored a possible renewal of relations. Until now the U.S. has maintained neutrality in the four year war between Iraq and Iran since neither nation has been a friend of the U.S. The move for diplomatic recognition may also have been proposed for its strategic impact on Syria, a bitter enemy of Iran, to encourage more cooperation in peace efforts for Lebanon. U.S. help in increasing oil exports is said to be what Iraq would get from the deal.

Iraq has been attempting to escalate the stalemated war in recent months. Shipping bound for Iran has been attacked and sunk. Some observers speculate that Iraq is trying to provoke Iran into an attack on the oil lanes of the Persian Gulf to bring on the intervention of the western allies against Iran. Since 40 percent of the world’s oil comes from that region the U.S. and its European allies have declared their intention to intervene militarily on a call from the Arab states. What makes the situation particularly risky is the Soviet Union on the border of Iran ready to come down and claim the warm water port that was the dream of the Czars.

Cruise Missile Deployment Begins

The Cruise and Pershing missiles that NATO called for in opposition to the Soviet SS-20s have begun to be deployed. In 1979 the NATO allies agreed to start deploying the new generation of missiles by the end of 1983 unless the Soviets agreed to withdraw some of the SS-20s from the European theater. The Soviets hoped the anti-nuclear demonstrations and desire for good relations with the Soviets would cause the west to back down but such has not been the case. Leaders in the west had hoped the Soviet leaders would negotiate but instead they threatened an arms race if the missiles were deployed.

Some U.S. officials hope that now that deployment is started and the Soviets see that they have failed by political means to stop deployment they may again decide to negotiate before all 572 of the new missiles are in place. With the health of the top Soviet leader Yuri Andropov uncertain some observers see little hope for an early resumption of arms limitation negotiations. As the arms buildup continues with each side matching the other’s ante, the world grows increasingly more dangerous and the task of reaching agreement more difficult.

A Protester Remembered

On the 500th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther last November both Protestants and Catholics joined to celebrate the occasion. Although Luther rebelled against the excesses of the papacy and considered it the Antichrist of the Bible, Pope John Paul II honored him by eulogizing him from a protestant pulpit. In East Germany, Luther’s homeland, the communist party that until recently had denounced Luther as an enemy of the “proletariat” for his denunciation of the peasants who rose up against the feudal princes, now claim him as a critic of 16th century capitalism and that his intent is now being realized in the state socialism of the German Democratic Republic. Lutheran sites have been refurbished; the church at Wittenberg where he issued his 95 theses against indulgences and his room in Wart burg Castle where he translated the New Testament in 11 weeks have been carefully restored.

Fundamentalist churches whose ancestors in the 16th century were his bitter enemies now honor him for his enunciation of the doctrine of salvation by faith and devine grace. His affirmation of the authority of the scriptures over tradition also was a break from the apostasy of his time. Although he looked for the second coming of Christ he still held many of the unscriptural teachings of the church such as infant baptism, a personal devil, and antisemitism. In his later years his writings against the Jews became particularly scurrilous and were used by Hitler’s Nazis as justification for the holocaust.

His literary output was tremendous, resulting in more than 100 volumes of lectures, sermons, and letters. He wrote 37 hymns and the music to several with words by others. In his later years he completed his translation of the whole Bible into the German language, in itself a monumental work. Luther is said to have expressed the wish that all his books would disappear and the Holy Scripture alone be read.

Although he was excommunicated by the church, historians credit the political events of the time with saving Luther from the martyrdom that was the fate of others who opposed the abuses of the church. Luther was undoubtedly one of those whom devine providence gave the task of preserving the Gospel that was in danger of extinction at the time when the apostate church was at the height of its power.

Is the World Warming Up?

A report by the Environmental Protection Agency predicting changes in the earth s climate due to the greenhouse effect received considerable publicity in October The report warned that a gradual warming of the earth s atmosphere is to be expected in the next half century The amount of warming is estimated to be 3 to 9 degrees depending on latitude The report recommends contingency planning to avoid catastrophic consequences

The term greenhouse effect is descriptive of the process by which carbon dioxide and other gasses in the atmosphere trap energy from sunlight and raise the temperature much as a glass green house does The more carbon dioxide present the higher the surface temperature needed to maintain a balance be tween the energy received and that radiated back into space The planet Venus is an extreme example of this effect The atmosphere there is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide and the surface temperature is over 700 degrees Fahrenheit

Here on earth the air contains only about 340 parts per million but it is increasing due to the increased burning of coal, oil and gas as well as the increased clearing of tropical rain forests for agriculture Measurements have shown a gain of about 20 percent since the mid 19th century and scientists predict an increasing rate of growth as the exploding populations of underdeveloped countries require more burning of fuel for industry and more land clearing for agriculture to keep them out of poverty

It is predicted that by the year 2050 the concentration will be double that of a century ago and that by then drastic changes will be taking place in the environment some good and some bad Since carbon dioxide is an important plant nutrient the yields of some crops may be improved where irrigation is available. Rainfall patterns, however, are expected to change, so, conditions for the growing of crops may be shifted from their present locations. Ocean levels will rise due to melting of the polar ice and some experts predict that as much as half of Florida will be under water. On the other hand winter heating requirements for much of the country will be much less. One of the most serious consequences of these changes is the political disruption resulting from the unequal distribution of the good and bad effects around the world.

The authors of the report recognize that due to political and economic considerations little can be done to prevent the changes but they urge advance planning to ameliorate the unfavorable effects. As with all long range predictions of this kind there are experts who disagree. Some see a leveling off in energy use rather than the present exponential increase. But it is also argued that even if a worldwide coal ban were instituted by the year 2000 the warming would be delayed by only about 15 years. Even if worldwide population growth rates were to fall to the rates now occurring in the industrial countries, total world population would nearly double before leveling off in about 30 years.

Once it is in the atmosphere carbon is gradually absorbed by the oceans but the process is slow and could take several hundred years to return to former levels. This appears to be another of those crises facing the world that seem insoluble by human effort alone, another indication that these are the “last days” before the God of heaven intervenes to establish his kingdom upon earth.

Non–Sexist Scripture

Since the days of the Apostles the doctrines they set forth have often undergone changes in the churches to suit the popular thinking of the times even though the scriptures themselves have come down through the centuries relatively unchanged. Now, however, the National Council of Churches in response to modern thinking in regard to sex bias has published a new lectionary — a book of selected scripture readings — with all the male oriented language eliminated including all reference to an exclusively male deity. Instead of “Lord,” the sexually neutral “Sovereign One” is used, and Jesus is the “child” of God rather than the “Son.” A prayer of Jesus’ has been changed to “[God my Mother and] Father, the hour is come.”

Many such tampering’s go beyond difference of interpretation and actually give a false meaning to many passages of scripture. The new lectionary has drawn the ridicule of the secular press and many churches have already rejected it. But to Christian Scientists it should not be startlingly new because more than a century ago Mary Baker Eddy used the term “Father – Mother God” in her writings. Perhaps the basic idea of the lectionary is at fault in that it selects out only portions of scripture for reading. It is only by considering the scripture as a whole and in context that its message for us can be understood. If all of scripture is taken as God’s inspired word a sexually neutral bible presents serious difficulties indeed.

“Behold, How Great a Matter a Little Fire Kindleth”

Although former secretary of the interior James G. Watt is said to be a devout evangelical Christian and is looking for the imminent return of Jesus Christ to the earth, his forced resignation appears to have been a result of his failure to apply the message of the third chapter of the Epistle of James concerning the power of the human tongue. Although Watt’s policies regarding the development of Federal resources had been controversial, his many enemies could not muster the power to oust him until he helped them out with his injudicious choice of words.

His statement that his coal lease advisory board was composed of a “black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple,” stirred up such a clamor that he was eventually forced to submit his resignation. The call for him to leave came from members of his own party who viewed him as a political liability because of his obvious insensitivity not only from this statement but also from a number of previous ones which were not so much offensive be­cause of their basic content as they were from the choice of words and the manner of their utterance. Although Watt is considered to have been a good administrator and to have done his job well he is likely to be remembered more for what he said than for what he did.

Relations with Soviet Union Deteriorate

Relations between the United States and the Soviet Union are seen by some Soviet officials as having reached their lowest point since the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. In an interview with western newspaper representatives recently a high Soviet official expressed his concern that the two nations may be in a “prewar” phase. President Ronald Reagan in particular has been the subject of rhetorical attack ever since he described the Soviet Union as “the focus of evil in the world.”

The U.S. Arms buildup and the deployment of the cruise and Pershing missiles in NATO countries are viewed as a serious strain in relations between the two nations. At the recent military parade in Red Square on the anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution Defense Minister Dmitri Ustinov charged that the United States and its NATO allies threaten world peace and that the arms race is entirely their fault. He also made a non-specific reference to Grenada when he accused the U.S. of trampling under foot the sovereignty and dignity of independent countries.

Such rhetoric is often dismissed by foreign affairs analysts as propaganda intended for home consumption. Even so there appears to be a condition developing from which neither power can back away without loss of prestige. There appears to be no end short of Armageddon.

Worldwide Weather Patterns Change

This year the United States experienced the worst drought since the dust bowl years of the ’30s Low summer rainfall and 100 degree temperatures have lowered soil moisture to the lowest level in years. The corn crop has been totally destroyed in many places and overall a 38 percent drop from normal is expected

Before the drought began in July, heavier than normal spring rainfall had boosted soil moisture to the highest level in 50 years resulting in a bumper winter wheat crop Similar extremes of weather have been noted throughout the world. The worst drought in history struck Australia causing fires with damage in the billions of dollars Droughts also hit Spain, North and South Africa, India, Central and South America and many other countries as well

Torrential rain, wind, and high tides struck the coast of California and flooding caused severe damage in the southern U.S Floods in such diverse regions as South America and China took hundreds of lives and did damage worth billions of dollars Almost every part of the world had changes from the normal weather pattern

The first indication that something unusual was happening occurred in the spring of 1982 when data collected by the U S National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration instruments in the Pacific and by satellite weather stations deviated so much from normal that the computer rejected it as coming from faulty instruments A second look at the data showed that a tremendous change in ocean currents and air movements was taking place in the Pacific The normal east to west flow along the equator was reversing and causing a warming of the surface waters near the coast ot South America This reversal called El Nino is known to have occurred seven times in the past 100 years, most recently in 1972, but the 1982-83 occurrence has been the most devastating of them all. The cause of El Nino is not yet understood, but scientists are studying the information accumulated during the latest occurrence of this phenomenon. Also taken into account will be the relationship of volcanic activity or sun spot activity to this condition.

The conclusion that seems to stand out from all this is the vulnerability of life on earth to changes in the delicate balance of natural forces. Are these forces governed by random chance or is a supreme intelligence governing this unique habitat on which we live ?

Chad Becomes World Trouble Spot

Chad is a country in north central Africa that until a few weeks ago was unknown to most Americans. With an area almost double that of Texas but a population of less than 5 million, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. This former French colony depends on France for its economic survival and has had almost continuous internal strife since becoming independent 23 years ago.

Libyan dictator Col. Moamar Khadafy has long had designs on the territory of his southern neighbor. In 1973 he annexed a 40,000 square mile along the border. Now he has openly moved south with tanks and planes to aid rebel forces led by former President Goukouni Wed­deye against the loyal forces of President Hissene Habre. To counter the serious upset in the power balance the U.S. persuaded the reluctant French to send in troops supported by a U.S. AWACS plane. The U.S. and France are faced with a difficult choice of either getting involved militarily in a country of no vital interest or letting Khadafy have his way.

France who depends heavily on Libyan oil would like to avoid a confrontation and appears willing to compromise with Khadafy. The Soviet Union so far has been keeping a low profile in the matter but it is clear that Khadafy’s move is compatable with the Soviet interest in adding another link in the chain of allies surrounding the Middle East.

Begin’s Successor to Continue Present Policies

After six years as prime minister of Israel Menachem Begin has insisted on stepping down. After two heart attacks and a stroke his health is poor and he was especially devastated by the death of his wife last November. The problems of Israel, especially the mounting casualties of the war in Lebanon have depressed him. So, when he reached his 70th birthday in July he decided to keep the promise he made when he took the position in 1977 that he would retire at age 70.

Foreign Minister Yitzak Shamir is the man chosen by the Herut party to replace Begin as its leader and the man most likely to be asked by the President of Israel to form a new government when Begin formally submits his resignation. Although his style may be different, Shamir is expected to continue Begin’s hard line policies. He is expected to continue the building of West Bank settlements while stalling on the reviving of autonomy talks with the Palestinians. He is expected to continue the work he was engaged in as Foreign Minister of seeking to break Israel’s isolation by seeking friends among the African and South American countries.

Shamir, age 68, has a background very similar to Begin’s. Born in Poland, he migrated to Israel, became a Stern Gang leader and was imprisoned by the British during the fight for independence. When he comes to power the strength and tenacity he displayed in those early years will certainly be needed to overcome the formidable problems he will face.

An Act of Infamy

No event in recent years has so inflamed public indignation as the shooting down of the Korean Air Lines jet with the loss of 269 lives. The full consequences of this event will probably not be known for some time. It will be for future historians to put it in perspective. Similar alleged atrocities in the past have been credited with changing world history. The sinking of the Lusitania by a German submarine is considered to have prepared the American public to accept the entry of the United States into World War I. The attack on Pearl Harbor unified the nation to declare unconditional surrender as the goal of World War II.

Already some are looking to this recent incident to reduce opposition to increased defense activity and deployment of the MX missile system. With nuclear weapons capable of such fearful destruction, many people are concerned that these weapons are in the hands of so paranoid and trigger happy a people as those who shot down the airliner. The incident is a vivid illustration of the dangerous state of the world today and our hearts might be failing us for fear if it were not for our belief that God will not allow His creation to be annihilated but will at the appropriate time exert His divine power to bring an era of peace and security to an earth He created to bring glory to His name.