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Tracy Linford, Queensland’s deputy police commissioner, recently described the murders of two police officers and a very unlucky wrong place/wrong time neighbour at a Wieambilla property as an act of Christian terrorism. Ms. Linford said that the bizarre love-triangle involving three Train family members operated as an “autonomous cell” which, according to her version of events, was “religiously motivated”.
Significantly, the Deputy Police Commissioner stated at her press conference:
What we’ve been able to glean from that information is that the Train family members subscribe to what we would call a broad Christian fundamentalist belief system, known as ‘premillennialism’.
Whilst the behaviour was similar in some respect to sovereign citizens, we don’t believe this was connected to a sovereign citizen ideology, we believe it’s connected to the Christian extremist ideology.
There was a belief that Christ will return to the Earth … and provide peace and prosperity.
But it will be preceded by an era, or a period of time of tribulation, widespread destruction and suffering.
They started preparing for the end of days.
Predictably, all this inspired articles steeped in scriptural ignorance, like this one.
Believing that Jesus is going to physically return is not “Christian extremist ideology” but traditional, mainstream belief. And what’s more, there is no denomination which condones the use of violence. Instead, one of the chief obligations of a follower of Jesus is to submit to governing authorities as we would submit to God Himself (i.e. Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13-17).
There’s a fundamental principle which should be drilled into all scientific and journalistic investigations: correlation doesn’t equal causation. To blame the horrific events of December on a certain interpretation of a book in the Bible is just as irresponsible as claiming that the Queensland Department of Education was responsible for Gareth Train’s murderous actions because he was a former public school principal.
Martyn Iles, director of the Australian Christian Lobby, has challenged the Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner to substantiate her claims. Iles wrote on social media:
The most popular eschatology in Evangelical and Pentecostal circles is apparently a motive for terrorism.
It is the first time “Christian ideology” (their words) has been linked to a terror attack.
I call on Deputy Commissioner Linford to point out where in premillennialism there is any authority given whatsoever for a person to use premeditated violence.
She can’t, because there isn’t.
Submission to the State is taught in three places in the New Testament. Jesus Himself submitted to Pilate’s judgement, acknowledging the man’s authority. He also said, “My kingdom is not of this world, or else my servants would fight.” Premillennialism affirms the absolute authority of these scriptures.
We’re living in clown world. In Ancient Rome, the authorities blamed Christianity for the evils of their day because they either hated it, or were totally ignorant concerning it.
I guess history can repeat. In a follow-up comment, Iles further wrote:
Premillenialism of the kind described in this instance has been around since 1845 and globally popular since the 1960s … and yet … not one single terror event has ever been perpetuated in the name of this belief … until now?
Clown world indeed.
As an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Australia, my observation has been that politicians and especially journalists, are generally illiterate when it comes to the teachings of the Bible. Mind you, this doesn’t stop them waxing eloquent about what they think the Bible says, or at least, what they would like it to mean. But, for the most part, when it comes to religion very few journalists don’t know what the hell (pun intended) they are talking about.
Iles is right. Not a single terror event has ever been perpetuated in the name of premillennialism.
If one were to sit down and read what the book of Revelation actually says, the likes of Deputy Commissioner Linford would quickly find that it condemns all forms of violence (e.g. Rev. 9:21; 21:8). Indeed, it actually says that people will be specifically judged for crimes such as murder. This remains true no matter what misinterpretation is applied by those who should know better, especially senior police officers.
thank you Mark,
this rubbish needs to be called out. It’s all too glib in the mouths of ignorant supposedly senior figures.
Thanks Mark.
I could make a lot of direct, more angry comments but will restrict them to simply saying that I agree with Peter O’Brien.
Jesus will return any day now. The signs are all there.! Leave it to Him to sort it all out.
Thank you Mark.
I have to fall in line with what the two Pete’s have highlighted.
I would add though, that, the managerial class really find purpose, in all its dark quarters, to marginalise anything of Christian significance, they basically want individual human values and beliefs banished from the circus tent.
The weird thing is, that they are more interested in apportioning blame to others than actually looking at the world that the valueless managerial elites have created, and alienated the heart of man’s soul from his very existence. And it’s’ here man discovers his fallen state.
As we can all attest in the yoke of the world, offers man, little, if any restorative comfort, God,Jesus Christ does, and did not deceive us, He if is 100% faithful to us and by way of analogy ,and as Einstein discovered ,in faith of truth we discover the true nature of God – the Quantum.- Light.
And we leap for Joy because we know it is there…………out of our physical grasp, yes, but ‘well’ understood with abstract musing – the math, the physics and the cerebral cosmotic chemistry (world) of intuition and heart.
In other words a physical (material matter) action and being is a precursor for, and precipitates (the Genesis) the existence of the immortal domain.
Hope helps!
The socialist globalists are anti-Christ. If they can find any avenue to denounce the values and morals of Christianity, ignorant of any truth then they will.
I would suggest the police look rather at what happens when three people lose their livelihood and freedoms of choice because they refused to be jabbed with poison.
Religion has nothing to do with the event. Toxic Government overreach was the cause of the tragedy, nothing else.
I agree, the prime cause was nothing to do with Christianity. It was a predictable reaction to heavy handed government measures. Border closures included amongst many.
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I don’t want to be taken as anti-vaccination but there certainly was over reach in that regard.
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But it doesn’t stop there, it is the whole woke nanny state. There are so many laws these days that purport to deny our freedoms.
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Community reaction to these restrictions can be expected to conform to a natural distribution. Some people will meekly comply, others grudgingly, some meekly object, some grudgingly and lastly there will be some who will strenuously, even violently object.
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Politicians should tread lightly when legislating against fundamental rights.
“Train family members subscribe to what we would call a broad Christian fundamentalist belief system, known as ‘premillennialism’.”
I think their actions were more affected by the Ice Age.
The linked ABC article, written by what appears to be a 15 year old girl (judging by the photo attached to the bio on the “journalist”), quotes Josh Roose, an associate professor of politics and expert on far-right and religious extremism at Deakin University, as saying “We’ve seen … significant economic decline over the last decade, climate change, global warming, catastrophic weather events increasing. COVID too and this idea that the government was becoming all powerful and the notion that … government are out there seeking to … bring them under control. Combined with populist leaders, like Donald Trump, who really pushed this Christian textualist agenda, and now we see the emergence of Christian nationalism in the US … there is a renewed momentum for such movements.”
That’s quite impressive, linking Christianity, climate change, extreme weather events and Trump in the one paragraph!
A perfect example of Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). Lends further support to the theories of norsaint, below!
“that politicians and especially journalists, are generally illiterate”
The fullstop should have been applied right there, Mark.
One gets the feeling that after the most worthless amongst us are propelled into politics, the most stupid make their way into academia and law enforcement.
Thank you Mark, well said! Your point on biblical illiteracy is very relevant. I see this malady on a daily basis in my work as a chaplain. Dr Greg Clark former CEO of the Australian Bible Society, in 2013 published an excellent commentary on biblical illiteracy aimed at the ‘Millennial Generation.’ “The Great Bible Swindle…and what can be done about it” (ISBN: 978-0-647-5186-5) is very readable and simple to understand. Maybe the Deputy Commissioner and a good number of journalists would benefit from reading said book.
“Oh goody gumdrops” she said, “we’ve found a religious one that isn’t Muslim”.
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That explains it.
Exactlyl!
Sorry, I meant, Exactly!
(Pretty bad when you mess up on one word!)
February 20, 2023
The linked article says, “Here’s what we know about the Christian ideology that an expert says is growing in momentum around the world.” According to the “expert,” not much is known about premillennial “communities” (whatever that means–perhaps what most people call churches). They’re “active online,” “pervasive in certain forums,” and “They’re poorly understood and really, there’s not a lot known about to what extent they’re present.” Apparently, these highly dangerous cells are secretive and don’t want people to know what they’re up to.
That’s funny; the church of which I was a member before moving where I now live stated on the sign we put outside our rented hall every Sunday that we were premillennial. The church of which I am now a member has in the past stated that right on the pamphlets we letterboxed all over town. While we no longer have it on our pamphlets, we are certainly not secretive about that doctrinal stance, and neither are the hundreds (literally) of other Independent Baptist churches I have visited. (Shock, horror, many of them were in the US!). An ABC reporter or anyone else could easily find out about this or any other doctrinal stand simply by visiting one of these churches and asking us. We quite openly expect the Lord’s return for His own, and as the vast majority of us believe that that will be BEFORE the tribulation, we have no need to prepare for that time of horrible judgment.
It is, unfortunately, possible that these warped people had gotten some motivating factor out of twisting a biblical belief; but I cannot see any connection between premillennialism and murdering policemen (or anyone else).
Do you suppose that the authorities will ever even consider the possibility that any extremist indoctrination that the Trans went through occurred on-line–when they had little else to do–due to government lockdowns and job restrictions? Perhaps, when pigs sprout wings.
Typo, again: “Trains,” not “Trans.”
There are not enough champions of main stream Christianity that can call out these types of attacks and take on these bigots.
MP: “There’s a fundamental principle which should be drilled into all scientific and journalistic investigations: correlation doesn’t equal causation.”
Agreed. If only climate modellers and the purveyors of “attribution” pseudoscience would stop doing it, perhaps one day God in His mercy will save us from the apocalyptic alarmists.
As one reviewer wrote several years ago, the entire climate fear industry does not make a competent scientific case that CC is caused by humankind’s emissions of trace amounts of a harmless gas. “It only makes the case that a group of ill-informed tribalist ninnies are fearful. To spew out a lot of factoids suggesting the climate is changing is not proof of causality. Everybody knows that. The issue is who or what is causing it.”
I am employed by a company that is committed to achieve 40% women, 40% men and 20% any gender in leadership roles across the business by 2030.
Merit, Skills, Attributes, Qualifications, Work Experience and Competency are no longer the required job essentials. I’m not sure how the leadership identity percentage is a basis for winning competitive tenders/contracts.
The company has fallen for the identity trap, as is the same with the Queensland Police Force.
Is Tracy Linford an example of putting identity before competence, merit skills..?
Yes , Philip – look around the world to see the the deterioration of law enforcement , as well as here in Oz , and a common denominator is that women are in charge as Governors , Police chiefs, AG’s or politicians with Defense portfolios . And it’s not that they are women , but women with an agenda , or an axe to grind . Add that to the failing upward incompetency of a Kamala Harris , or a Christine Nixon and the “circle the wagons” , protect this poor maligned woman at all costs from the media , and you get a deliberately weaked West .
When once society was much less Biblically illiterate than today we recognised people for their God-given talents and abilities, not solely whether they were male or female, white, coloured or brindle.
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And so we got things done competently and efficiently, or more or less so. Some will recall these words from the Book of Exodus written 3,500 years ago:-
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Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 31:1-11, NIV)
“31 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.””
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Today, of course, few recognise God and his Spirit. In many minds, even vestigial knowledge of Him is to be purged in the interests of D-I-E – diversity, inclusion, and equity. The acronym is blissfully ignorant in its appropriateness.
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C S Lewis wrote “When the author walks on to the stage the play is over.” Those who earlier rejected Him will then make painful discoveries.
One of my favourite quotations is Thomas Sowell on heroes et al:
‘Any group whose past has not provided them with as many heroes, cultural contributions, or other glories as some other group’s past now has a grievance against those who write history. Apparently, a past to your liking has become an entitlement’.
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Thomas Sowell, Is Reality Optional? And Other Essays, 1993 used by Don Carson in his The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism 1996
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It seems to me that after decades of spectacular failures to find their own heroes and cultural contributions the progressive left, neo-Marxists or whatever one chooses to call them these groups, groups to whom constructive contribution seem never to be on the hymn sheet, have, in recent decades, resorted to tearing down the heroes of other groups or the institutions that have gifted them with their opportunities to be both narcissistic and perpetually destructive.
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That would seem to the the new form of entitlement.