Ben Stein’s movie Expelled was released this weekend.  Mary and I went to see it on Friday evening.  In case you haven’t heard about it, Ben Stein means to sound the alarm that freedom is in grave danger in the good ole  US of A.  How?  Because complete freedom of thought is being systematically and thoroughly eradicated.  This movie shows numerous documentable cases in which college and university professors have been fired due to their favorable opinion of “intelligent design” as an explanation for the origin of  life and the universe. 

This is a documentary and as such is meant to be informative more than entertaining.  Expelled begins with Stein speaking to an auditorium of students and then cuts away to show his interviews with various heavyweights in academia and those who have been canned by them for their views.  The interviews are fascinating as Stein plays a Columbo-like role gently but tenaciously asking the powers that be to explain why teachers are being fired for views they hold.  It’s enlightening to watch the likes of Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) squirm as he tries to explain how he lives with no meaning or purpose in life. 

The point that freedom is in danger is driven home again and again by actual footage of Nazi Germany, the holocaust and the gulag of the Soviet Union.  Are we becoming like these despotic societies?  The parallels are obvious.

Would I recommend this movie?  Definitely. Keep in mind this is not an evangelical movie but we share  much common ground with Mr. Stein.  I would not recommend it to young children or those who find the sight of holocaust shots overwhelming.  We should pray that God will use this film to wake up those who should see the evil and foolish path we are on. 

Expelled is a powerful testimony to the truth of Romans 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools.   May God revive His Church and preserve us in the midst of this increasing foolishness.

I am now sitting in the Jackson, MS airport with Pastor Carroll, ready to make our way home. Our annual time at the Twin Lakes Fellowship is over.  It was a very good time – seeing old friends, making new ones, and being encouraged from the Word of God (yes, pastors need that too!) was a real blessing.  I was able to spend some time on the ride to the airport with some folks planting a church in Lansing, Michigan.  Lansing was one of the places that Deb and I considered upon graduation, as we sought the Lord’s will for future ministry.  It was so good to hear from them that the work is going forward well.

As good as our time was, it will be very nice to be back home.  I enjoy talking about PCA goings on, theology and ministry; but I miss throwing the ball with my boys, having Abby jump up on my lap, and Deb.  I miss my house.  I miss Houston.  And I miss Christ Church.  I joked with Rick Phillips, a PCA pastor and prolific author, who had recently moved to Greenville and is happy with his new work, that I might be the only guy happier in his ministry that he is!

I hope to have opportunities to share with you some of the things we heard and saw there, and to answer the questions you always had about dogs barking in the middle of of the night.

John Carroll and I have just arrived at the Twin Lakes Fellowship outside Jackson, MS.  Right now, Dr. Ligon Duncan is speaking to us about the purpose and mission of the Fellowship.  It is a time for pastors to be refreshed, encouraged and energized for the work of a pastor – bringing the ordinary means of grace (the Word of God and Sacramets) to the people of God.

Our flight was uneventful, and even though when we got off the plane the weather was colder and stormier than when we got on.  Already I have seen more than a dozen old friends, and been encouraged by the way in which the Lord is working throughout the country.

I hope to give more updates during the Conference.  Stay tuned.