Published Monday, August 24, 2026 |
|
SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND HERE. |
|
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD THEREFORE I MUST VOTE! |
The well-known 23rd Psalm begins with the phrase, “The Lord is my shepherd,” and goes on to describe the impact of the shepherd on the writer’s life.
The writer then pauses to express his gratefulness for the shepherd’s ever-abiding power and presence in the face of the inevitable cultural conflicts which ensued.
Cultural conflicts (enmity) between the wicked and the one declared righteous by virtue of the life of the Great Shepherd are promised in Genesis 3:15.
The paths of righteousness upon which the Psalmist's Great Shepherd was leading his sheep to follow brought the flock face to face with those who are enemies of the shepherd and his earthly cause. |
Having Christ as one’s shepherd is an honor bestowed by divine grace and is accompanied by more than personal transfiguration. Each individual whose life is transformed by Christ experiences also the birth of a cultural ministry shaping families, societies, and nations.
It was the Great Shepherd’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12-50), just over 4,000 years ago, that combined the divine blessings bestowed upon the individual together with divine blessings bestowed upon the nations.
Australian Anglican Theologian, William Dumbrell, wrote in his Covenant and Creation:
The kingdom of God, established in global terms, is the goal of the Abrahamic covenant . . . The biblical plan of redemption does not finally focus upon a saved people so much as it does upon a governed world. |
In 2017, Craig G. Bartholomew, H Evan Runner Chair of Philosophy at Redeemer University College, published The Contours of the Kuypernian Tradition.
It is a book describing the divine teaching of the great anthropological truths which are introduced in the opening chapters of Genesis. It thus presents the general thrust of the divine call incumbent upon all mankind.
Focusing on the divine calling of all men described in Genesis 1:28, Bartholomew writes:
All humans are image bearers, in that all humans have (delegated) authority together to steward and develop the creation so that it develops to God’s glory. |
The twentieth century British theologian, Dr. Lesslie Newbigin, spoke of an eviscerated gospel which had lost its foundational substance. He wrote that:
Within the evangelical world we too often retain a commitment to Jesus primarily as personal savior so that we have little of consequence to say to a world in crisis.
Prime Minister (Netherlands) Abraham Kuyper, author, theologian, journalist, and political leader, addressed the church when he wrote:
For only Christianity has in it the germ of life which can regenerate the world, and you are the ones called to bring that life to the world. The Christian life is inherently both personal and social. |
Until our pulpits return to the Biblical mandate to not only be holy on a personal level but also the Salt of the Earth (impacting culture, society, family, government), nations will continue to become ever more uncivilized, shoot political opponents, and press toward the irrationality which describes rhetoric and violence of the 21st century's universities and revolutionaries.
The solution resides in the church. It means many of God's people doing many things to combat societal evil and build the kingdom of God.
It means all of God's people obeying the divine calling to societal responsibility by simply developing consistent fundamental cultural awareness and voting accordingly!
I am told that only 10% of the evangelical church votes in primary elections. This means that most of the evangelical church is not listening to the Great Shepherd of the sheep!
I must presume their pastors are equally out of step with the kingdom which Jesus preached. |
It is incumbent upon the 21st century church to understand the cultural and political elements of their homeland and to project into that cultural environment (including the voting booth) the light of Christ.
We have his everlasting presence and the delegated authority of his rod and his staff (Psalm 23) to see us to the victory supper where we will enjoy the riches of the King of Kings. ___________________
THE TRANSFORMED LIFE: Psalm 23:1-4 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
CONFRONTING THE CULTURE Psalm 23:4-5 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. |
DR EVERETT PIPER from Sunday, AUGUST 23, 2026
J.D. HALL’S NONSENSE: EVEN BILL MAHER SEES IT |
Recently, Bill Maher, in discussing the history of Israel and the Middle East, said the following on his show:
Young people [are learning] everything about Israel on TikTok. They don’t know s__, and their leaders are not standing up and saying, ‘Kids, you don’t know what’s going on here… |
Of course, he’s right about all of this, with one exception. Everything today’s burgeoning political class knows about the Middle East is not just learned on TikTok; unfortunately, much of it is derived from pseudo-intellectuals like the disgraced Baptist minister J.D. Hall.
As I stated two weeks ago in this column. Mr. Hall is a former pastor from Sidney, Montana who was indicted in 2024 for drug abuse, domestic violence, and felony embezzlement. As a result of pleading “no contest” to these charges, he received a reduced sentence and an expunged record if he complied with all the conditions of his probation. Today Mr. Hall boasts of never “technically” being convicted of any of these crimes – again, because of the terms of the plea deal. This is the “theologian” Tucker Carlson chose to feature on his show to discuss all things related to Islam, Israel, the Middle East, and more specifically how Muslims have historically treated Christians. |
While the dialogue between Mr. Carlson and Mr. Hall lasted one hour and forty-four minutes, here’s how it essentially went. After spending about 54 minutes describing the evils of evangelical dispensationalists (people Mr. Carlson has said he “despises more than anyone else”), Mr. Hall began to laud how “kind” the Ottoman Empire was to Christians versus the “hostility” and “violence” perpetrated against believers in the modern state of Israel. Mr. Hall’s curious example of Jewish animus vs. Islamic love was his claim that Tel Aviv presently taxes the Christian Church while Muslims never have.
In fact, here is exactly what he said: “The Muslim rulers didn’t tax churches. During the Ottoman period. They were very kind to Christians.” Is this true? Were Muslim rulers in pre-British Palestine and its ancillary region very kind to Christians? And is it accurate to say that the Ottoman Empire never taxed the Church?
The answer is unequivocally no! This is not true.
First, any fair reading of history quickly dispels the notion of Islamic “kindness.” Even Muslim artwork depicts the barbarity of the Ottoman reign. Beheadings and crucifixions were common practices. Christians who refused to renounce their faith were also impaled, drawn and quartered, and burned at the stake. Women were raped, and children were conscripted into slavery. Even as recently as the 1860s, the “kindness” of the Muslim massacres in Lebanon and Damascus resulted in thousands of men and women being summarily executed simply because they were followers of Christ. |
And what about Mr. Hall's claim that Islam has never taxed the Church? Well, that is also pure fabrication.
Take, for example, the practice of Islamic apartheid, otherwise known as the “millet system.” This was a segregationist scheme dreamed up by the Ottomans to abuse, humiliate, and subjugate all the non-Muslims whom they had, for whatever reason, chosen not to kill. Under this caste system, these “very kind” Muslim rulers essentially forced all Christians into ghettos, i.e., “millets,” where they were required to pay three kinds of taxes in exchange for being allowed to live.
FIRST there was the jizya tax. This was imposed on all non-Muslims (otherwise known as “dhimmi”) who refused to convert. The jizya was a “poll or tribute” that Christians were required to pay in exchange for being allowed to live in their now conquered towns and villages. Failure to pay this tax resulted in serious penalties up to and including fines, imprisonment, even death.
SECOND, there was the kharja tax. This was a tax on all private property held by Christians, and it was often so overwhelming that it led to foreclosure and the confiscation of property so that it could be redistributed to local Muslims as a result.
THIRD, there was the devshirme, otherwise known as the “blood tax,” and it was the most pernicious of all. This was a “levy of Children” imposed by “kind Muslim rulers,” where Christian parents were forced to “pay a tax” of one (or more) of their sons to the Ottoman state so these little boys could, then, be marched off and trained to become jihadists for the Muslim Empire. Refusing to pay the devshirme was considered an act of treason and punishable by death.
As a former minister (defrocked though he may be), Mr. Hall surely knows that the Church is not the four walls to any given building, but rather, it is the collection of believers otherwise known as “Body of Christ.” And, furthermore, he must know that his claims about Ottoman rulers being “very kind” and “never taxing” it are patently absurd. Bill Maher’s basic premise is spot on. The “kids” today don’t know anything about Israel, Islam, Christians and the Middle East for two reasons. Either their education is no deeper than TikTok, or, even worse, they are getting their information from discredited men like J.D. Hall. |
Find Dr. Piper's complete article here. |
Find more Everett Piper here: Everett Piper (dreverettpiper.com, @dreverettpiper), a columnist for The Washington Times, is a former university president and radio host.
He is the author of “Not a Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth” (Regnery).
He can be reached at epiper@dreverettpiper.com.
Copyright © 2025 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Don't forget to watch his podcast!
Before you go about your day be sure to sign up for Dr. Piper's free podcast here.
It takes only a moment of time. ___________
Follow Dr. Piper on his podcast here.
Follow Dr. Everett Piper weekly in The Washington Times here |
SEND THIS NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND HERE. |
MAY 27 MEETING
WADE BURLESON REPLICATING THE FOUNDER'S TOAST |
Watch Wade here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
THE TOAST TO COMMEMORATE THE FOUNDER'S TOAST |
________________
DR KEVIN CROW INTERVIEWS THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES |
Watch Interview here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER TODD RUSS GIVES REPORT |
Watch Interview here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
TY ENGLAND LEADS IN SINGING GOD BLESS AMERICA |
TY CLOSES MEETING LEADING US IN THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE |
MAY 13, 2026 MEETING:
CANADIAN LEADER
STOCKWELL DAY |
Watch Stockwell Day here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
Watch the panel here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
TY ENGLAND & GRACE REFORMED BAPTIST HOMESCHOOL SINGS GOD BLESS AMERICA |
Watch Ty & the Kids Sing here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here. |
TY ENGLAND CLOSES THE MEETING WITH: THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE |
Watch Ty Sing here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here. |
APRIL 1, 2026 MEETING: ALEX GRAY |
The international experience of Alex Gray is unmatched and his presentation illustrates his competence to speak on the most sensitive areas of national affairs.
Watch Alex's presentation here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here.
|
After watching this ten minute presentation, every Christian in Oklahoma should be furious about the lack of integrity of our school boards, our school superintendents and administrators and our legislative leadership.
Watch Karen's presentation here.
Find Take Back The Classroom here.
Watch the full meeting here.
Find our complete video library here. _________ |
NOTES FROM MARCH: TEENPACT |
THIRTY YOUTH Home Schoolers from Elgin, Oklahoma TPUSA Students |
Grace Reformed Baptist Church Homeschoolers from Elgin, Oklahoma led the Pledge of Allegiance |
KENDRA WESSON JOINS RYAN WALTERS AND TEACHER FREEDOM ALLIANCE |
Kendra Wesson is stepping aside from other responsibilities to work full time with Ryan Walters and the Teacher Freedom Alliance (TFA) with a goal of providing teachers a pro-America Christian environment within which to work.
Thus far, the effort has been massively successful as thousands of teachers are fleeing the pro-Marxist teacher unions including the National Teachers Association (NEA).
Watch Kendra's Announcement here.
Watch the full meeting here.
News media was there to cover the TFA announcement. |
DECEMBER 3 MEETING: SAMANTHA FULNECKY INTERVIEW With OCPAC Foundation President Bob Linn and Senator Shane Jett |
Watch Samantha Fulnecky interview here.
Note:
Senator Shane Jett was pointed in his query and his followup remarks.
Shane Jett's first question begins at: 9:38 mark. Shane's blistering salvo to the University begins at the 11:21 mark.
Watch the full meeting here.
|
LEGISLATIVE COMMENDATION GABE WOOLEY |
GABE WOOLEY here
Full Meeting here |
WES LANE, PRESIDENT SALT & LIGHT LEADERSHIP TRAINING SALLT |
Wes Lane was the keynote speaker and once he finished, it was clear why he has had so much success challenging the church to step forward in boldness.
Watch Wes Lane's presentation here.
Watch the full meeting here. |
We anticipated the professionalism of Jen Nicole's voice, but her moving presentation of the Christmas season was breathtaking. She opened the meeting by leading us in "O Come All Ye Faithful" and brought tears to our eyes as she followed Wes Lane singing "O Holy Night."
Watch the presentation here.
Watch the full meeting here. |
TPUSA Students were in attendance Supporting Samantha |
SHANE JETT MESSAGE TO POLITICAL CLASS |
Senator Shane Jett here
Watch the full meeting here.
BOB LINN PRESIDENT OF OCPAC FOUNDATION |
I encourage each of you to support our mission.
To get started, we are suggesting:
The Century Club
To join, mail a cancelled check to:
OCPAC FOUNDATION P.O. Box 721212 Norman, OK 73070
Your $100 per month donation will help support the development of the Foundation’s work to widen our audience and outreach capabilities with quality meetings and enhanced educational video content.
Our beginning financial goals will allow us to secure the initial permanent staff positions necessary to the function of a foundation with ambitions to change the world. |
We are in desperate need of returning our nation and our state to Biblical foundations.
Thank you for your activism. |
|
|
|
|
