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Road to the Killing Fields: The Cambodian War of 1970-1975
Texas A&M University Press, 1997 - History - 307 pages
In 1970, the small nation of Cambodia was sucked into the vortex of Cold War geopolitics, a war whose denouement led to one of the worst bloodbaths in history. Road to the Killing Fields is the first book to deal exclusively with the military aspects of how that tragedy developed.
Because U.S. involvement in that part of Southeast Asia was largely clandestine, Americans have had little exposure to the events that led to the horrific citizen massacres known as the "killing fields." Author Wilfred P. Deac offers background information in his introductory chapters, describing Cambodia and its people, the decades of French colonialism, and the early years of independence under Prince Sihanouk.
Deac describes how Sihanouk walked a tightrope between the right and the left, the East and the West. During the 1960s, plotting from both left and right assured that the prince would be overthrown, ultimately by the right wing. The coup-makers' belligerence toward the Vietnamese Communists and the reaction of North Vietnam, whose goal was control of all Indochina, led to the outbreak of open warfare. The Cambodian government, supported by the United States and South Vietnam, was pitted against the Communists, who consisted of Khmer Rouge, North Vietnamese, and Viet Cong aided by the Soviet Union and China.
In the balance of the book, Deac describes the events of the five years of warfare: the early American and South Vietnamese incursions and the first Cambodian government offensives; the government's lost battle for control of the countryside; the corruption, popular unrest, and political in-fighting that weakened the government; the ascendancy of the Khmer Rouge over their North Vietnamese allies; the nonstop, 189-day American bombing offensive in 1973; the siege, strangulation, and fall of Phnom Penh; and the introduction of the horror of the killing fields. A brief afterword looks at Cambodian postwar policies, the Khmer Rouge–Vietnamese War of 1978–79, and today's prostrate Cambodia, an inevitable result of war.
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Road to the killing fields: the Cambodian war of 1970-1975User Review - Not Available - Book Verdict
The Cambodian "killing fields" and the 1975-79 regime of Pol Pot followed a vicious civil war in Cambodia, where from 1970 to 1975 the Cambodian Republic fought the Khmer Rouge with massive U.S. aid ... Read full review
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Ricotta cheese is a staple in my kitchen, so when I saw Nina's recipe for these scrumptious crumpets, I immediately decided to serve them for dinner alongside a fresh vegetable salad. Nina topped hers with a lovely mulberry sauce, but looking for a sweet and spicy twist, and lacking mulberries besides, I topped mine with some jalapeno and apricot cheese spread. The possibilities for toppings are as endless as the imagination of the cook and they would be enjoyable for breakfast or brunch as well as dinner. I'll certainly be making these again.
|Ricotta Crumpets
|Recipe by Lisa Turner
Adapted from Easy Cooking from Nina's Kitchen
Published on April 24, 2009
Quick and easy, creamy and comforting crumpets made with ricotta cheese — great for breakfast or snacks with your favorite toppings
Print this recipe
Cherry Ricotta Crêpes
Baked Strawberry Ricotta French Toast
Jalapeño Spoon Bread


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you see smoke at Atlantic City International Airport late Saturday morning, you need NOT call the fire department. Firefighters and personnel from the New Jersey Forest Service and the airports Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighters will already be on site for a controlled burn of several acres northeast of the intersection of the airports two main runways.
The fire is a critical component of a plan to control an invasive plant called Chinese bush clover (Lespedeza cuneata) and restore the area to native plants, said Chris Boggs, a wildlife biologist in charge of the airports environmental programs. The burn is part of the environmental mitigation program at the airport, funded in part by grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
A portion of the 5,500-acre airport site is home to the Upland Sandpiper, an endangered species that needs the native grasslands being displaced by the invading clover. It hides its nests in the tall grass and raises its fledglings there. The most recent count found five nesting sandpiper pairs in the airport grasslands, Boggs said. Upland Sandpipers are on the states endangered species list.
The habitat preservation project was undertaken with the assistance of the New Jersey Audubon Society.
The controlled burn will occur between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30, weather permitting. If conditions are unfavorable, the burn is scheduled for either of the next two Saturdays.


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About the seasonal flu vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides this information about the seasonal flu vaccine.
What's in the seasonal flu vaccine?
Each seasonal influenza vaccine contains three influenza viruses: one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus.
Are there two kinds of vaccine for the seasonal flu?
Yes, the vaccine can be administered as either a shot or in a nasal mist.
The shot is injected in the arm and contains a dead virus. The inactivated flu injection is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions
The mist vaccine is administered as a nasal spray and contains a live, weakened virus that cannot grow well in human tissue. Healthy non-pregnant people ages 2 through 49 years old without any chronic health conditions are eligible for flu mist vaccine.
If you have an underlying health condition or a special medical concern, check with your doctor about which vaccine is most appropriate.
When should I get vaccinated?
Seasonal flu vaccination can begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available. Because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary, you can get a vaccination throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine?
- Children age 6 months to 19 years
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for individuals at high risk for flu complications.
- Anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu.
Who should not get a seasonal flu vaccination?
Some people should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These groups include:
- Children less than 6 months of age.
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
Will the H1N1 flu vaccine I get protect me against the seasonal flu?
No. The 2009 H1N1 flu is different from the seasonal flu, so the H1N1 flu vaccine won't work against seasonal flu. You will need to get two different vaccines this year, one for seasonal flu and one for 2009 H1N1 flu.
For more information about the seasonal flu vaccine
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.
Last updated Mar 22, 2019


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Pregnancy Scared?
Worried you might be pregnant? Evaluate your risk, find out what steps you may need to take next, check in with your feelings and by all means, breathe. We're here to walk you through it.
The Pregnancy Panic Companion
In the thick of a pregnancy scare? Freaking out? Not sure what to do? Welcome to your virtual pregnancy scare doula.
Be Your Own Superhero: Learning How and When to Stand Up for Ourselves
Feel like being able to clearly set boundaries, stick to them, and assert yourself must require superpowers? Nope! You've already got all the goods: here's how to develop and use them!
Have a Little Faith in BC
An article about choosing methods and trusting methods
Self-Care When It's Scary
At Scarleteen, we're all about making choices. But sometimes, we see users making choices that are, ultimately, the opposite of the self-care the need in that moment.
The Scarleteen Safety Plan
If you're in an abusive relationship, to make abuse stop you've got to get away and stay away. Here's help to do that safely, and to be as safe as you can before leaving.
Anxiety Lies.
The same disorder that makes me feel so insecure, tense, vulnerable and outright petrified, also convinces me that it's protecting me from harm. The disorder that terrorizes me persuades me to keep it active, as a security system, even though it is anything but.
You're Not Pregnant. Why Do You Think You Are?
Some people struggle with strong pregnancy fears when there isn't a pregnancy or hasn't even been any real risk of pregnancy. What's that really about, and how can you move forward?
Self-Care: A La Carte!
Some helps for the care and keeping of you when you're stressed, depressed, riddled with anxiety or fear or going through something wretched and trying to come out the other side.
Dealing With Doctors: Taking Control of Your Health Care Destiny
Taking charge of our own healthcare can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know how to navigate healthcare systems or work with providers. We're demystifying some of that for you, providing a toolbox to help you make sound decisions and get the best care possible.
Young people need our help and support. We need yours.
As we begin our 15th year, we need help to keep Scarleteen up and thriving. Find out how just $20 a month can improve the lives of young people around the world.
When Sex "Just Happened" (And How to Make It Happen Instead)
Does sex feel like it's "just happening," rather than something you're actively doing? Here's how to change that.
Lube 101: A Slick Little Primer
Meet our good friend, Lube. It can't create world peace, but it can make some kinds of sex more comfortable, masturbation or other sex you already enjoy even better, help prevent condoms from breaking and more.
Risky Business: Learning to Consider Risk and Make Sound Sexual Choices
Choices about sex and intimacy will always involve some risks, and making sound choices when risks, emotions and social high stakes are involved isn't something anyone is magically expert at. How can we learn to do it well, and what are some common things that trip us up?
The Simple and Underrated Art of Washing Your Hands
Handwashing, seriously? Yep, handwashing. Seriously. (Well, mostly seriously.) Here's how to do it and why it's so important to do.
This is About Genital Herpes
I realized that I was uncomfortable associating myself with genital herpes. Will people think I have it? Why else would someone write about genital herpes and risk that association if they didn't have it, right? So I pressed on, putting myself at the center of an itty-bitty social experiment that resulted in some pretty big stuff.
The Scarleteen Do-It
Feeling low about your body and how it looks? Thinking about, or already doing, some drastic things to try and change it? You're not alone. But you can get to a better place with your body and how you feel about it without doing anything that keeps you feeling just as bad, or puts your physical or mental health at risk. Here's some ways to ditch the die(t)s and go for the happy, healthy do's.
Legit or Unfit? Finding Safe, Sound Sex Educators & Support Online
How can you separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to sex educators, sex education services and online sexuality spaces for young people online? We walk you through it so you can be more sure that wherever you're talking, you're getting good information in a space that's safe for you.
Sound Counsel: A Conversation With Lynn Ponton
Considering counseling or think you or a friend might benefit from some therapy? Here's a basic introduction and a shared conversation with adolescent therapist and author Dr. Lynn Ponton to clue you in on what to expect from the couch.
You, Them and a U-Haul: Considering Cohabitation
Are you at a point in your life and relationship where you're considering moving in with a partner? We've got the scoop on some things to consider, talk through and get going in advance to be sure that if you make the move to shack up, it's a good one.
What Are Menstrual Cups?
Looking for an alternative to tampons or pads? A user asks about menstrual cups, and we give her -- and you -- the scoop.
Getting Through a Breakup Without Actually Breaking
Breakups sure can suck. But you can get through them, and come out on the other side okay. Find out what can make that easier, what can make them harder, and some ways to help yourself with so you can deal, heal and get back to the business of being your kickass self.
Chicken Soup for the Pregnancy Symptom Freakout's Soul
What are the early symptoms of pregnancy and when do they start to happen? Why are symptoms not the smartest way to tell if you're pregnant, and how CAN you tell if you are? If you're losing your mind during a pregnancy scare, and finding symptoms everywhere you look, here's some on-target information and a dose of comfort to help you separate the real deal from the hype.
I, Being Born Woman and Suppressed
Menstrual suppression is becoming increasingly popular, and has been widely promoted for women. For some, especially women with reproductive health issues which are helped by suppressing periods, it's an obvious boon, and some using it electively also report it to be a blessing. But what about the health risks? What about the attitudes informing that choice which cheerlead suppression by maligning menstruation? What about the benefits, emotional and physical, our periods can offer us? An opinionated, no-holds-barred look at the whole works and a paean to the period, no matter what a woman chooses to do with it.
Peeing on a Stick: All About Pregnancy Tests
Choosing a pregnancy test can be pretty overwhelming. This article is designed to give you a general overview of pregnancy tests. It will discuss what a pregnancy test does, the difference between a urine test and a blood test, how to choose a pregnancy test, when and how to use pregnancy tests, and finally what to do after a pregnancy test.


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Drawing, Painting
Gina Zanolli has taught at the Creative Workshop since 2002. She combines upbeat and thorough instruction with patient feedback and thoughtful reflections. Whether teaching beginning drawing, figure drawing or painting, Gina enjoys teaching from the artwork on view in the Gallery and by encouraging students to take on ever greater challenges.
Gina earned her MFA and BFA from the University of Buffalo. She has exhibited in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery's Western New York Exhibition (four times), and in the 10 Artists Exhibition at Hallwall's Gallery in Buffalo. She is also an adjunct associate professor of drawing at Monroe Community College
Above: Original art and photo of Gina (at left) and student by Rita Tafani.


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Sloss: Industry to Art explores the transition of Sloss Furnaces from its former industrial function to its recent role as a center point for the modern Cast Iron Art movement. APT's Emmy Award-winning documentary team investigates the rebirth of this timeless Birmingham industrial icon that has remained relevant for more than 100 years.
Alabama Iron and Steel Council
Alabama Humanities Foundation A state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities
Alabama Power, A Southern Company
Alabama State Council on the Arts
Jemison Investment Co., Inc.
National Endowment for the Arts


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MATERIAL: Norway Spruce Pine Cones & Resin
DIMENSIONS: 7/16" x 1 5/8" x 5 1/8" each scale (2)
COLOR(S): Natural Cone & Gunmetal Silver resin
STYLE: Scales
COMMENTS: Dual use scales -- Can be used Petals out or Spine out depending on the look you desire! Scales pictured have only been sanded to 120 grit & have been misted for photography purposes. We recommend fine sanding & CA for a polished look!
ALL of our resin products are professionally cast using a vacuum/pressure process until cured. We have been making these products since 2008 & know how to do it right! We take extra steps to ensure you receive a quality product!
Norway Spruce Pine Cone Scales -Lg- Gunmetal Silver (WS5-SSI)
- Brand: Ankrom Exotics
- Product Code: WS5-SSI
- Availability: Out Of Stock
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Tags: Norway Spruce, Pine Cone, Resin, Scales


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Through introducing technology from China and Pakistan, Myanmar plans to produce FC-1/JF-17 Xiaolong/Thunder multirole fighters domestically for its air force, reports the Yangon-based Myanmar Times.
The Myanmar Air Force has 23,000 pilots and ground personnel. With 10 major air force bases, it currently operates 32 Russian-built MiG-29B and MiG-29SE fighters, 25 Chinese-built J-7M fighters, 21 Chinese built Q-5 attackers and 16 trainers. In addition, it also has nine Mi-35 attack helicopters and more than 90 other types of helicopters. Chinese military aircraft have become very popular among the military of Myanmar in recent years, according to the report.
The air force has been looking to purchase a license from China or Pakistan to produce its own Xiaolong fighters, according to the report. Designed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, the FC-1/JF-17 fighter is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles including the PL-5EII, PL-9C and PL-12. The C-802A anti-ship missile can also be equipped when the Myanmar Air Force needs to provide air support to the nation's naval forces in combat.
When facing an enemy aircraft in close combat, the Xiaolong can attack its target with its Russian-built Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barreled 23 mm autocannon. The Pakistan Air Force is currently the only air force in the world operating Xiaolong. About 54 JF-17s have been produced in Pakistan for the air force. Other countries in Southeast Asia like Bangladesh could be potential consumers of Xiaolong fighters in the near future.


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Roger Taylor: "ADAM LAMBERT has the best range I've ever heard!"
Filed Under (news,video ) by Admin on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Posted at : Tuesday, February 21, 2012
32 comments:
I have just been trawling sites and links and I think on the whole Adam wont be too worried about any negativety, he probably expected it. There appears to be several reason why, his pop background, good old homophobia is alive and well also the fact he is American not english. But I feel he will win most over, this is a chance in a life time, it is not all about having a No1 hit, radio play etc, he is doing what he loves and on a huge scale. So good for you Adam.
- February 21, 2012 at 2:56 PM
If Queen fans have an issue with Adam singing they should take it up with Queen themselves - they INVITED Adam to perform because THEY think he is THE BEST!!! And of course they're right - HE IS!!
We all know that, Adam knows that too. But it sucks when haters hate just for the sake of hating.
- February 21, 2012 at 3:12 PM
Interviewer obviously had never heard of Adam because he seemed surprised and mentioned another singer who he thought was marvelous with Queen. Well BBC2 radio wake up and smell the roses, a year ago you refused to play Adam's songs, and hopefully after this concert they will recognize Adam for being the best Queen could have as their singer.
- February 21, 2012 at 3:16 PM
Some more positive comments about Adam with Queen:
The talking point here is Adam Lambert, who, like it or not, is one of the only people in the world right now who share Freddie Mercury's androgynous persona, unearthly vocal and theatrical stage antics. If you let bygones be bygones, then you can't fault the bands decision to invite him along to pay respect to the awesome Mercury.
I honestly think the 'haters' are definitely in the minority - and most of them just can't accept ANYONE other than Freddie. So sad -
- February 21, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Yeh, the DJ definitely kept trying to gloss over Adam and bring up other names. Loved what Brian had to say though.
There had better not be other singers now I have booked my saturday tickets for Knebworth!!!!!!
- February 21, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Interesting article for any haters or doubters: http://www.deaneogden.com/2012/02/14/adam-lambert-queen-and-creativity/#
- February 21, 2012 at 3:26 PM
Just a reminder to the haters - this is a quote from Adam:
"I in no way am trying to copy or mimic or replace Freddie or do what he did, that would be insulting to his memory and to the fans that hold him in such high regard," Lambert said. "I just am paying tribute. I am excited to sing the songs that he wrote and to try to give them some sort of flair that he would appreciate."
Since I don't have twitter, please forward this on -
- February 21, 2012 at 3:44 PM
This story will only grow more interesting as the days grow closer to the event. Hopefully, those of us who are not lucky enough to go will gets lots of video.
- February 21, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Being an Adam fan is a rollercoaster ride that forces you to hang on as tight as possible so you don't fall off.
- February 21, 2012 at 4:31 PM
What a totally rude interviewer. Can't believe he telling Roger they should have British performer Tom Champlin sing with them--implication is not Adam. Well friends, here is video from Mr. Champlin. Good but not even close to being in Adam Lambert's class. OK, I'm pissed. The Brits are so damn British!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMnMBSUJ0xU
- February 21, 2012 at 5:43 PM
I can't stand those Queen fans, Idol fans, Freddie fans, Rodger fans, Deacon fans. Bunch of butthurt haters that I'm sure they won't support Roger Taylor or Brian May no matter who they would have picked to front their band for one night. My guesstimate for these assholes are around 10 to 12%. The rest of the comments and blogs and what not are all positive and they are looking forward to this concert. Bunch of ignorant idiots and I won't waste my time on them anymore.
Let's promote our Rock Star, Adam Lambert:
1. Don't forget to vote for his BTIKM mv on VH1 Top 20 video countdown
2. Don't forget to request your local radio stations to play BTIKM
3. Let's throw tons of love, light, and glitter into the universe for Adam
- February 21, 2012 at 5:54 PM
I was never on Queen bandwagon and got to know about them more because of Adam. IMO Adam's vocal range is million times better than Mercury and not only Adam will make them proud he will blow all of their songs out into space. Remember he know how to change up songs. How many different versions of his own songs we heard on GNT? Recently, we heard BTIKM in so many different ways. Yay, Adam sing their stupid songs so well and make them your own. Make their jaws drop in you awesomeness!
- February 21, 2012 at 6:08 PM
I love QUEENS Music!!!!
- February 21, 2012 at 6:19 PM
I have a really eerie feeling that angry irrational Freddie M. fans will create some kind of disturbance at this performance. That would be tragic and so disrespectful, but there are many who are more than a bit unhinged and deify Freddie. They will see this in no way as a compliment to Freddies memory and talent and instead a threat. Please God that won't happen.
- February 21, 2012 at 8:03 PM
So far the remarks made about Queen+Adam are to me quite lop-sided or one-way only. Yes there is absolutely no doubt Queen did helluva lot in bringing Adam to the fore in the music scene. But what about the other way round. I looked at some Queen tributes to the late icon, Freddie Mercury and yes Brian and Roger lost that special sparkle and energy which were distinctly present when Adam sang with them at the EMAs. So I see this as a two-way scenario. Adam in his own magical way revived Queen and Queen music!! But at the same time, I can empathise with Freddie/Queen diehard fans who absolutely cannot accept Adam. Let's turn the tables round; if someone barges in and steps into Adam's boots, I'd probably be the first to cry foul!! :)
- February 21, 2012 at 8:03 PM
Please! Don't even think of any disturbance at that concert. Please. Please.
- February 21, 2012 at 8:22 PM
@8:03PM I can see why they feel threaten by Adam fronting Queen. Adam is young, handsome, charasmatic, flamboyant, entertaining, and has killer vocals. One of their comments said that Freddie never got any nomination in The Grammys and Adam got nomination on his first album. This is scary to them. I don't doubt that back of their minds they think Adam's performance at MTV EMA was incredible and maybe even better than Freddie. Queen is a band and Adam is a solo artist (thank god for that). I found some of them open minded and they looked forward to see this collaboration. And no they aren't Adam fans.
- February 21, 2012 at 8:40 PM
@Lam-my- You have a point, remember the guy from the voice that sang adam's WWFM and adam levine didn't know adam sang it, lots were pretty upset just over that. I just hope there are no problems at that concert. Can't wait for it myself and maybe this will finally shut up all these adam haters. I also thought that interviewer was kind-of rude bringing up that other guy (He is pretty good, checked him out on you-tube) But rodger already said he was singing with adam, so he should of zipped it right there and then!
- February 21, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Let's reverse the situation for a moment. As diehard Glambert fans, how would we feel if Adam were the lead singer of a world-acclaimed legendary band and he left the band for whatever reason, leaving the position vacant for either another full-time singer or one who performed with the band at a few gigs here and there? Would we say "no way", no one can replace Adam (obviously!) and we don't want anyone singing in his place either permanently or occasionally? In other words, would we be like some of the diehard Queen/Freddie Mercury fans saying no one can or should replace Freddie? Food for thought.
- February 21, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Chill! I don't think Queen's songs are stupid. That's a nasty, vengeful thing to say. They have written some of the finest songs ever. Furthermore, Adam wouldn't consider singing with Queen if he thought their songs were stupid.
- February 21, 2012 at 10:11 PM
8:40, 9:02
Thank you for your response.Yea it's very clear Brian and Roger, with their vast experience and wisdom know exactly what they are looking for, and Adam has this uniquely warm touch that draws people in to him. Well, Roger states it without a shadow of a doubt, when he emphasises..."Adam has the best range I've ever heard"! With Roger's stature, that pointedly sums it up for Adam most accurately! :)
- February 21, 2012 at 10:14 PM
I think Freddie fans MIGHT be more accepting of someone (other than Freddie) singing with Queen if he were a clone of Freddie. I've read some positive comments re this on youtube.
I listened to Tom Chaplin sing and he's OK but Marc Martel is a whole lot better.
I hope this Queen/Adam issue doesn't become nastier and nastier as time draws closer to the event. It's only February and the concert isn't 'til July!
- February 21, 2012 at 10:26 PM
I hear you @10:03PM. You have a very valid point. It's sensible to look at both sides of the coin even if it's not always possible to be sensible. I'm not going to run Freddie fans down. They are extremely passionate about Freddie just as we are extremely passionate about Adam.
It was a lovely compliment from Roger.
- February 21, 2012 at 10:43 PM
That is exactly what might happen! Speaking for myself, if another singer is able to step into Adam's mighty boots, then he must be another very great singer. So far no one has been able to come even close! Don't forget also, Adam can sing a song in 10 or more different ways and that's what makes him unique. Like just a while ago, I heard WWFM and it still sounded so fresh! Also, this supposed Adam stand-in may have the wide range like Adam's but what about the whole magical persona? Okay, to cut short, most likely I'd just keep listening to Adam singing but not likely I'd listen to the supposed Adam stand-in. But certainly no spewing of hate! Most likely when this scenario plays out, I wouldn't even be around anymore because this kind of voice and talent comes only once in a lifetime! :)
- February 21, 2012 at 10:52 PM
All the negativity surrounding Adam v. Freddie is depressing. :( The show must go on and on July 7, it will go on.
- February 21, 2012 at 11:39 PM
I cannot empathize with the so-called Queen fans at all. I've been a huge Queen fan since the
70's and there is NO one who can front Queen better than Adam. He not only has a fabulous voice, he brings back the spirit of Queen naturally.
What we are dealing with here, folks, are a bunch of Adam haters first and foremost. They are homophobic (yes, Freddie was gay, but like a "good boy" he never talked about it.). Adam is simply great with Queen and they can't handle that.
- February 21, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Anon 3:44
The haters (I, like Adam, won't cal them Queen fans) have NO DOUBT heard Adam say he's not trying to take Freddie's place. It does not matter. It's like talking to a brick wall.
I hope they have a lot of security, because some haters are already hoping bottles of urine get thrown at Adam.
- February 22, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Being harsh about Queen and Freddie doesn't achieve anything except make things worse for Adam when what we want is for Adam to gain more fans when he performs with Queen, so let's concentrate all our efforts positively by promoting BTIKM and his new album.
- February 22, 2012 at 2:56 AM
No one is being harsh toward Queen but the haters. I'm a fan of Queen and Freddie. So are Brian and Roger (and Adam). Queen and Adam don't need these kinds of so-called "fans".
Stop dancing on eggs. See them for what they are. They wouldn't like Adam even if he said he wasn't trying to take Freddie's place. (Oh! That's right! He did!)
I'm not saying talk and argue with them. Just don't give them respect they don't deserve. They are haters....not Queen fans. It's time to trespass, Glamberts.
"Shine when you want to shine. Make those faces crack. There's no turning back."
No trespassing...yeah, my -ass!
- February 22, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Wonder if Adam will also go with Queen to Moscow prior to the England show? I know his Russian fans would be absolutely thrilled!
- February 22, 2012 at 6:19 AM
The thing about Freddie is - he's dead. What is wrong with people? How can you take someone's place when the person is no longer on this earth. Will no one ever sing Whitney Houston's songs? Really, Queen invited Adam because he is the best singer alive to sing their songs. Period. The argument is stupid because there is no argument.
Knock em dead Adam!
- February 22, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Another thing about Freddie is...Brian and Roger organized the band and Freddie stepped in to take someone elses place! It wasn't Freddie's band to begin with!After he joined them they changed the name and became Queen.
- February 23, 2012 at 6:44 PM


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We are off to Sonoma California today where we will be celebrating a friends wedding this weekend. Several of us friends have rented a home that sits on a Pinoit Noir Vineyard. I am looking forward to visiting some of the local vineyards as well as being able to enjoy some fine wine!
{photo via here}


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Monitor your classic vehicle with the new Arrowtrack GPS tracking and security system from OPGI. The system features a compact and lightweight body that can be mounted in virtually any location and the three-wire connection is hassle-free. The Arrowtrack system can be linked together with 2 email accounts and 2 smart phones in order to provide real-time alerts based on your personal settings.
FEATURES OF THE ARROWTRACK INCLUDE: - Compatible with aftermarket alarm systems. Program an alert when a door switch or siren is activated - System performs a daily locate report on your vehicle - GEO Fence-in and Fence-out allows you to receive an alert anytime your vehicle enters or exits a pre-programmed radius - Get driving directions from one location to another - Locate command finds your vehicle in approximately 20 seconds - View the history of previous vehicle locations and account activity - When vehicle battery is low, the Arrowtrack lithium-ion battery takes over. In the event that the internal battery is low, you receive an alert - Receive an alert when vehicle voltage is low - Receive an alert when your vehicle exceeds a pre-programmed maximum speed - When your vehicle is moved, the system detects motion and notifies you - Receive an alert when the vehicle battery is disconnected or connected - After 15-minutes of inactivity, the GPS enters "Sleep-mode". Any movement reactivates the system - Keep track of mileage when vehicle is in motion.


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Atascadero Restaurant, Steakhouse and Card Parlour
Welcome to our Atascadero restaurant – Outlaws Bar, Grill & Casino. Whether you're here to dine, drink or play, we have something for you. As a local landmark located right off of Highway 101, Outlaws is known for the classic American feel with a touch of the west.
We are founded on the belief that everyone deserves to have great food at a reasonable rate. We are the only restaurant in Atascadero that has a card parlor right next door – so come on in for a delicious steak, maybe a cold beer, or try your luck a game of cards at the only card parlor in town!
The Outlaws Bar, Grill & Casino is unlike any place you've ever been. The western-themed Atascadero restaurant will have you developing a sense of nostalgia for the place. Outlaws is really a place to have a good time. The food is good and filling, and the staff, some of whom have been with the establishment since the beginning, is friendly and welcoming. In the restaurant industry for 20-something years, the owners believe that running a successful business requires understanding every aspect, plus a love of people and a lot of hard work. The folks at Outlaws Stage Western Steakhouse are like a family, and they work hard to make sure you and your family enjoy the time you spend with them.


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Bacon Makes Everything Better
Sizzling ways to add one of the South's tastiest ingredients to any dish.
Which is more tantalizing – the smell of frying bacon or the sound of the sizzle? Traditionally relegated to breakfast or the BLT, bacon has found it's way into almost every dish imaginable. Candied bacon swizzles are used as cocktail garnishes, bacon bits are baked into chocolate chip cookies, and have you ever heard of a PB&B? We don't advocate you going crazy with your bacon love, so this lineup of bacon recipes will show you how to cook bacon into recipes such as salads, soups, and fried egg sandwiches. What's even better, you no longer have to stand over a hot skillet, getting splattered with hot grease while cooking bacon. Oven roasting is an easy, hands-off method of cooking bacon. So while it is true that bacon can be an integral component of most any dish, you still can't beat the iconic combination of bacon and eggs. Unless it's bacon and pancakes. Just add coffee.


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KiteRight is the world's first charity dedicated to using kite sports in all its formats to help, support, educate and develop people of all ages with physical, mental health or learning challenges. For more information visit: http://www.kiteright.org/about


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Jon Dawson reviews 'Apocryphon' by The Sword and 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' by Alan Parsons Project
New album: Apocryphon
Artist: The Sword
Label: Napalm Records
Rating: 4 out of 5
Like all forms of popular music, metal has been through many upheavals over the past 20 years. Between thrash bands that can play 400 mph and the doom metal crowd that de-tunes guitars down to q-sharp, bands such as The Sword that deal in the heavy groove have had to fight for their spot at the table.
It�s a little known secret that within the pages of the Associated Press stylebook there�s an entire chapter that requires all music writers to compare all metal bands to Black Sabbath.
In truth, there is no such chapter in the AP book, but The Sword does possess some of that good ol� Sabbath swagger. �Apocryphon� is not a rehash of Sabbath�s �Master of Reality,� but the two are definitely sharing some DNA.
Led by vocalist/guitarist J.D. Cronise, The Sword always has walked the line that divides the thinking man and the dirt bag. The thinking man wants songs with a little meaning, while the dirt bag wants something to pump his fist and bite his bottom lip to. Ingeniously, �Apocryphon� tracks such as �Seven Sisters� and �Arcane Montane� will satisfy both camps.
Lyrics about inner earth and religion flow gloriously along with the best new old-school metal jamming you�ll hear this year. It�s enough to make one wonder why this type of music (allegedly) went out of fashion in lieu of Poison and the Bullet Boys.
Drummer Santiago Vela turns in a noteworthy performance throughout. His ability to mix the swing of Bill Ward with the precision of Judas Priest�s driving 1980s attack colors the personality of �Apocryphon� more than the casual listener might notice. Bassist Bryan Richie and guitarist Kyle Shutt know when to lock into a groove and when to counter it. The lack of unnecessary overdubs gives Shutt, Richie and Santiago plenty of room to dance around Cronise�s mammoth vocals.
�Hawks and Serpents� is a great road tune in the tradition of �You�ve Got Another Thing Coming,� and the album�s closing title track crams enough memorable riffs and chord progressions for 20 songs into a five-minute space. It would be misleading to describe this closing track as having a prog influence, but just imagine the multi-sectioned songs of early Deep Purple retooled for the 21st century to get an idea of what The Sword is up to with this track. There are no noodling or middling solos; just great part after great part.
�Apocryphon� is not a retro work, but rather proof as to what grand things can be accomplished with the tried but true guitar/bass/drum setup. Metal fans are as loyal as NASCAR fans, and The Sword appears to be one of those bands that�s in it for the long haul.
If you�re a fan of heavy music and have been looking for a new band to follow, you�ll most likely be happy with The Sword.
Classic album: Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Artist: Alan Parsons Project
Label: Mercury
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Alan Parsons made his name as an engineer and producer who worked on such landmark albums as Pink Floyd�s �Dark Side of the Moon� and The Beatles� �Abbey Road.� Instead of plowing headlong into a production career, Parsons spent much of his time recording albums with songwriter/vocalist/producer Eric Woolfson under the �Alan Parsons Project� banner.
The first album released by the Alan Parsons Project was an odd collection of music wrapped around the work of Edgar Allan Poe. Since Poe�s prose was blanketed in death and madness, it�s no surprise that �Tales of Mystery and Imagination� didn�t turn out to be a collection of catchy pop tunes about babes and partying.
The album did and does have its detractors, but if the idea of creating a soundtrack to some of Poe�s most celebrated works doesn�t set off your personal pompous alarm, there is much on this album to enjoy.
The sonics of this album are nothing short of stunning. In the days when giant stereos graced every living room and/or basement, the shimmering, lush keyboards of �A Dream within a Dream� projected a regal awesomeness. Much like the long, keyboard heavy introduction of Pink Floyd�s �Shine on You Crazy Diamond,� �A Dream within a Dream� shut off the distractions that may have been bouncing around the listener�s head and created a mood for what was to come.
Although it�s hard to digest now, in 1976 it was possible to land a song titled �Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether� in the top 40 singles chart. The concept of the �Tales� album may have given off the whiff of bloated 1970s rock indulgence, but Parsons and Woolfson were keen on creating pop singles.
Like prog, these songs were bursting with layers of musicality and superb production, but they were still songs that worked on the radio. It�s as if these guys were the first to figure out how to take what was musically interesting about progressive music and condense it into a digestible format. Remember, this is the same band that went on to have a pop hit with �Eye in the Sky� and created the song the Chicago Bulls would take the floor to (�Sirius�).
With Parsons and Woolfson forming the nucleus of the band, many guest musicians were invited to take part in the �Tales� sessions. Arthur Brown � who had a hit in 1968 with the bizarre but great �Fire� � contributes vocals to �The Tell-Tale Heart.� A remixed edition that appeared in 1987 features readings from Orson Welles, while U.K. singer/songwriter John Miles makes an appearance on �Dr. Tarr ...� On paper it may look like a train wreck, but the album flows like a flawless soundtrack to a Broadway musical.
Through the cynical lens of 2013, �Tales of Mystery and Imagination� may be seen by some as a work of its time that doesn�t translate to future generations. While the album surely will never have the street cred of The Sex Pistols, the album continues to sell year after year. Surely there must be a good reason?
Jon Dawson�s album reviews appear every Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or email@example.com. Purchase music, books and candy cigarettes at jondawson.com.


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Public Notification: OrgaZen 3500 contains hidden drug ingredient
Public Notification: OrgaZen 3500 contains hidden drug ingredient
[12-28-2015] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use OrgaZen 3500, a product promoted and sold for sexual enhancement on various websites and in some retail stores.
FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that OrgaZen 3500 contains tadalafil. Tadalafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved prescription drug Cialis, is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). This undeclared ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs such as nitroglycerin and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
- Complete and submit the report online at MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form, or;
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
- Subscribe to the RSS feed
- Beware of Fraudulent 'Dietary Supplements'


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Atlanta's #1 Choice for Vietnamese Food!
(404) 589-8889 / Click Here to Order Online
Atlanta's #1 Choice for Vietnamese Food!
(404) 589-8889 / Click Here to Order Online
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Dua Vietnamese Noodle Soup has been pleasing our customers with authentic Pho and other great Vietnamese dishes for years. We are happy to serve our customers the highest quality food with the perfect mix of seasoning and spices that can only be found at Dua. If you are craving a great meal Dua is always great choice. You can pop in everyday, except for Sundays, and try some of our famous Vietnamese dishes that keeps Atlanta locals always coming back.
Really busy? Try Dua II Go, our restaurant located next door for takeout and delivery. Online ordering is also available from Dua II Go.
Located two doors down from the original Dua Vietnamese Noodle Soup, Dua II Go was born out of the need to feed our ever growing fan base. Dua II Go serves the same menu as the original Dua but this restaurant is intended for delivery and carryout out orders.
If you are in a rush and want the same great Vietnamese food Atlantans have grown to love from Dua, then try Dua II Go. Stop in or give us a call for carryout and delivery or use our online ordering for delivery and carryout orders.


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Everything's set in downtown Lancaster for the kickoff of the city's sixth annual Red Rose Festival tonight. There's just one thing missing – you.
So gather up your family and head down to Lancaster's historic downtown for two days of outdoor concerts, dancing in the streets, arts and crafts, kids activities, a car show, dog show, photo contest, roaming entertainment and more.
A No. 1 ranking is a challenge to attain, and even tougher to keep.
As it turned out, the Lancaster High School Lady Bruins earned their top ranking in early January and kept it the rest of the way for a state crown.
The final record was a brilliant 27-0 mark, capped by the LHS girls' exciting 44-42 win over Lakewood High School of Sumter County.
Lancaster, in its first year of competition in Class AAA, made it most memorable with the school's first state championship in girls basketball since the 1958-59 season.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, when we should all be grateful for all of life's gifts, big and small.
The annual American holiday, held the fourth Thursday of November, commemorates the Pilgrims' celebration of the good harvest of 1621.
Thanksgiving celebrates the simple treasures of good food and fellowship – conjuring up popular images of family seated around a table, complete with a steaming big bird, mounds of dressing and pumpkin pie.
Registered voters will be able to exercise one of the most precious privileges our democracy grants us – the opportunity to determine who will represent us in our government – on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters will help choose our next U.S. senators, U.S. House representatives, S.C. governor and other statewide seats.
Locally, they will help choose school board members, a probate judge, the 6th Circuit solicitor and County Council members. See today's news pages for a list of the races on ballots in Lancaster County.
It's hard to believe summer is nearly over for local schoolchildren. While autumn doesn't officially arrive until next month, on Monday morning, about 12,000 Lancaster County students will say goodbye to the carefree days of summer and return to their classrooms.
This week, school administrators and teachers are making last-minute preparations for the 2014-15 school year. Their planning and preparation welcomed the students back at recent drop-ins and open houses.
Today we don our red, white and blue. We'll wave our flags, fire up the grills, parade down Main streets and country roads to cheering crowds.
We'll shoot fireworks, rally with family and friends and picnic anywhere we can place a blanket. And why not. We're celebrating our 238th birthday.
The United States of America is considered a teenager compared to other countries on Earth.
On Tuesday, June 10, registered voters across the state will be able to exercise one of the most precious privileges democracy grants us – the opportunity to determine who will represent them in their government.
Locally, we'll select a Republican candidate to face the lone Democrat in the 6th Circuit solicitor's race.
The list of hopefuls for the U.S. Senate race will be narrowed. So will the lieutenant governor, adjutant general, agriculture commissioner and state treasurer races.
The June 10 primary is just a few weeks away. Locally, we'll select a Republican candidate to face the lone Democrat in the Sixth Circuit solicitor's race.
The list of hopefuls for the U.S. Senate race will be narrowed. So will the lieutenant governor, adjutant general, agriculture commissioner, state treasurer and S.C. House District 53 races.
I have read that President Barack Obama is weak and that Obama's actions may put the United States in physical war against Russia because of his stance on Ukraine. I agree with the first point, but I hope the second point will not come true!
I am a Democrat who voted for Obama twice. It seems every day that goes by, I see how stupid the second vote was.
What Doris Starnes thought was an act of vandalism instead was a pack of determined coyotes.
Some type of prey, most likely a rabbit, sought refuge in a drain pipe buried well beneath the ground in Starnes' front yard.
Not ones to give up easy, the wild canines tore away the ground and destroyed about 80 feet of the drain pipe. The responding sheriff's deputy said it probably took hours for the persistent pack to do the damage. The fate of the prey is unknown.
Copyright © 2019
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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"Remembering the Holocaust does not just mean that we look to the past," said FRA Director Morten Kjaerum. "Antisemitism is still a harsh reality in Europe. Some of it is outspoken and violent, but it is often far more subtle and quietly accepted. In order to move on, anti-Jewish prejudice must be addressed more firmly at every level of society, and we should all condemn antisemitism wherever we meet it."
FRA's recent report on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU, which was based on a survey of Jewish communities experiences and perceptions in eight Member States, demonstrates that antisemitism is still very much a problem, and one that cannot be ignored.
- 66% of respondents said that antisemitism was a problem in their countries.
- 76% said that antisemitism had increased over the last five years.
- 59% said that antisemitism in the media was a big problem, with the figure rising to above 70% in some countries.
- 46% worry about becoming a victim of antisemtic verbal insult or harassment over the next 12 months, while 33% worry they may be physically attacked in the same period.
The FRA report made a number of proposals to improve the situation, recommending that EU Member States:
- underline the responsibility of politicians and other opinion makers to condemn antisemitism in public debate immediately and unequivocally
- ensure that Holocaust education is integrated into school curricula
- collect comprehensive data on how Jewish people experience fundamental rights in their everyday lives.
FRA provides the EU institutions and Member States with independent, evidence-based advice on fundamental rights. The Agency's aim is to help ensure full respect for fundamental rights throughout the EU.
The figure below represents the key findings for the survey for the topic 'Experiences of antisemitism'. Click on the image to access the interactive country data explorer.


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For our time in the Word of God tonight, I want to draw your attention to the second chapter of James. So, open your Bible, if you will. In the time remaining, I want us to look at James chapter 2, verses 14 through verse 26, the end of the chapter.
We introduced this a couple of weeks ago to you but we want to really dig in to the text as we look at it again tonight. A couple of key verses to take note of in this section, James 2. The first is verse 17. There James writes, "Even so, faith if it hath not works is dead being alone." Then verse 20, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead." Then verse 26 basically says the same thing, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." The theme of this very important passage then is "dead faith."
And as I suggested to you last time, the distinguishing mark of dead faith is the absence of righteous deeds. It reflects a person who believes in the facts of God's truth but feels no particular compulsion to behave in a righteous manner and produces no works of true goodness. And this is of great concern to James. In fact, it's of great concern to God and therefore a great concern to us.
James, really, throughout his entire epistle is concerned to deal with the reality of living faith as opposed to dead faith. And like John, in 1 John, he gives some tests of a living faith. Let's go back to chapter 1 for a moment and we'll note in verse 12, "Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he is tested or tempted he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love Him." And here we find that one of the tests of living faith is a person's endurance in trials, reaction to trials. Down in verse 19 we read, "Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God." Another test is a person's reaction to circumstances.
How does a person react to trials? That will tell you about whether their faith is living or dead. How does a person react to circumstances? Do they react with wrath and anger? That works not the righteousness of God.
And thirdly, what about their reaction to the Word of God? That's another test of true living faith. Notice verse 21, "Putting away filthiness and over-flowing of wickedness and receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your lives, be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves." Another true test of living faith is obedience to the Word, reaction to the Word. Is there obedience? And therein lies the distinguishing mark of living faith.
In verse 26, he says further that if a person doesn't bridle his tongue he has a meaningless religion. There's another test of living faith, the control of the tongue.
We come down to verse 27, another test of living faith, pure religion and undefiled before God is to visit the orphans and the widows in their affliction. So another mark of living faith is a concern for the needy. How a person reacts to trials, how they react to circumstances, how they react to the Word, how they control their tongue, how they demonstrate concern to the needy is a combination of things which mark out living faith.
Then in verse 27, at the end, "To keep oneself unspotted from the world." A person's relationship to the world is a mark that will distinguish them in regard to what kind of faith they have. In fact, later on in this very same epistle, chapter 4, James says if you're a friend of the world, frankly you're an enemy of God. So he's very concerned with tests of a living faith.
Another one is in chapter 2 verse 9, "If you have respect of persons, you commit sin and are convicted of the law as transgressors." That is another test of living faith is your partiality or impartiality...not playing favorites.
Another test of living faith is in chapter 3 verse 13 down through verse 18. It talks about wisdom that is from above. You can look at a person and determine by their behavior whether they evidence a demonic kind of attitude or a godly kind of wisdom. Chapter 4 verse 6 talks about humility. God resists the proud, gives grace to the humble. Verse 10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of God and He will lift you up." Another distinguishing trait of living faith is humility.
And so, we see then that James is giving us all through his epistle and there are others, tests of a living faith. And in the midst of it, in chapter 2, he points out the character of a dead faith. That is a faith that says all the right things and affirms to believe all the right things but manifests no transformed life.
Now as I mentioned, also, last time, James wrote to Jews-- that's indicated in chapter 1, verse 1. He wrote to Jews who had come out of a traditional legalistic Judaism. And the stress there was on works, works, works, works and that's how you become right with God. You do certain religious deeds, certain righteous works and you are made right with God. That works system was a stifling burdensome system that could not accomplish what it promised to accomplish. And so people were tired of legalism. They were tired of a works-righteousness system and when the gospel of grace was preached, many of them ran to the freedoms of the gospel in hopes that it would be a deliverance from the unsatisfying work-system they had known for so long. And when they came to freedom in Christ, and liberty in Christ, and the grace of God in Christ, they perhaps went too far under the mistaken notion that now all they needed to do was believe, they showed some indifference toward any works at all. No works were necessary. Works weren't efficacious so we won't give any thought to that at all. It's simply a matter of believing.
But that was not right either. They had gone all the way from legalism to antinomianism and neither of those is correct. In fact, early pagans used to accuse the Jews of joining Christianity because it was cheaper than Judaism. You weren't required to pay a certain amount. There was no legalism at that point. And the new message of Christianity about grace and faith and freedom looked like great relief to them and they rushed into it with a very intellectual kind of assent and no change in their life. And this same phenomena can be seen today. As I pointed out last time, people run out of a legalistic background and they usually abuse it by going overboard in their new found freedom.
And so, we understand the context then. Behind the scenes we have people who are at last free from a legalistic works/righteousness system and are only interested in the liberation and not in the reality of righteousness. I remember as a boy singing a song very often in church, "Only Believe, Only Believe." And you perhaps remember that song as well. Well, it isn't quite that simple. A better song is "Trust and Obey." There is a consequence to true belief. It isn't just only believe.
But there were many people to whom James writes in this sojourning Jewish community whose faith was a dead faith. They would not pass the tests of a living faith. Their reaction to trials was not a godly reaction. Their reaction to circumstances was not a holy reaction. Their response to the Word of God was not a proper response. Their treatment of poor people, orphans, widows, their connections with the world betrayed that they indeed had not been transformed. They perhaps showed respect of persons. They demonstrated a demonic worldly wisdom rather than a wisdom from God. In fact, if we go into chapter 5, they may be being described there as those who are deep into riches, who will howl when they face the judgment of God. But, intellectually they believed the right facts. They assented to the facts of the gospel but there was no transformation. And you must understand that a person can believe the facts of the gospel and never embrace the lordship of Jesus Christ and never know the transforming power of God.
Let's look, then, at the character of dead faith, and then the comparison, the character of living faith in these verses. Three things mark out non-saving dead faith, three things. Number one, empty confession...empty confession, verse 14; "What does it profit, or what good is it, or of what benefit, what gain, my brethren," speaking of his Jewish brethren and of those who were brethren at least in the visible church on the outside, "What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has faith and does not have works? Can that kind of faith--parenthesis-- save him?"
Now this person claims to have faith in God, claims to be a believer, claims to be in right relationship to God. Perhaps even affirms believing in Jesus Christ. Back in chapter 2, verse 1, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons?" In other words, don't have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that manifests itself this way. So we could assume that the faith here in verse 14 is a faith that would embrace Christ. They believed that Jesus was God, the Messiah. Perhaps they believed, of course, that He died and rose again. All of those facts were in the right perspective. But what good is it, what profit is it, of what use is it to make a claim that you believe that, to say you have faith if you have nothing to evidence it?
For the sake of argument, James says a man comes along and makes the claim. He confesses to believe the truth of salvation, present tense. He is constantly saying he has faith. He keeps on making that claim and maybe he even identifies outwardly with the visible church. But what good is such a continual habitual claim to faith if he doesn't have works? And here the works referred to are good works, righteous deeds. If these are not the evidence in his life then where is the salvation.
The point being, you cannot have a true salvation without evidence. You cannot have a genuine conversion without a product. I mean, there has to be a transformation. If before my redemption I live for the flesh and against God and if redemption is transformation then at least has to be a reversal of that so that I now long to live for God and to do those things which His power is working in me. So what good is such faith? The answer is no good. It's no good at all. It's nothing but an empty confession. It's nothing but a meaningless profession. It is like Matthew 7, "Lord, Lord, we did this and we did that..." And He says, "Depart from Me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity."
In other words, the point is this, I don't know you. I hear what you're confession but I see when I look at your life that you are workers of what? Of iniquity. Your claim is meaningless. Of what value is a claim to believe when all the evidence is unrighteousness? The point being that where there is the work of God there will be the evidence. And that is why in looking at false teachers in that same seventh chapter, he says "By their fruit you shall...what?...you shall know them." That's the evidence. It's the product.
I mean, it's so simple, people. Listen, it's this simple. You can not know that anyone possesses saving faith any other way than by their works. There's no other way to know it. It's the only way. And a claim with no evidence substantiates nothing.
Now, what works might we expect to see? Well, let's go back and go over that little list we looked at a minute ago. Go back to verse 12 of chapter 1. One of the evidences of living faith would be a man who endures trials, a man who has patient endurance, a man who has triumphant endurance, a man who shows consistency in trials, consistency under pressure. It's not the patience here, hupomone is not the patience that sort of passively endures, but it's the spirit of victory. It's the spirit of triumph. It's the spirit of hope. And nothing shows living faith better than endurance in difficulty.
Remind yourself of Matthew 13 in the rocky soil. The seed went in, plant jumped up and then everything looked good. But when tribulation and distress came, the plant was scorched and it died. Nothing will reveal genuine faith better than a trial. It shows whether a person has triumphant faith, triumphant endurance. Go down to verse 18. "Of His own will begot He us with the word of truth that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures, wherefore since we are new creations, my beloved brethren, that will be evidenced by our response to circumstances, being swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath, because those things don't work the righteousness of God."
A changed life, a life marked by a readiness and an eagerness to listen to the Word of God and a slowness to speak one's own opinion. And verse 21 reflects the context being that of listening to the Word rather than reacting with self-opinion and self-authority. Verse 21 talks about purity, putting away filthiness and wickedness. Talks about meekness. These are all evidences of living faith. Verse 22 to 25 talks about attentiveness and obedience to the Word, being not just a hearer but a doer of the Word. That's another evidence. That's another fruit, obedience to the Word of God. Not like the man who looks down, takes a passing glance and looks away and forgets what he saw, but the one who has living faith looks long into the Word of God and does all he can to implement it in his life.
Verse 26 again, the person who has living faith demonstrates control of his tongue, not all the time but some of the time. In fact, John Calvin suggested that such a person is continually pointing out the defects of others in a lustful attempt to make himself look good. In other words, that's the person who thinks himself to be religious, verse 26. The person who thinks himself to be religious is always pointing at everybody else's defects. But the person who is truly religious, who has a true faith, a living faith is one who bridles his tongue, one who controls his tongue.
To look at it in a contrastive way, if you are a true believer and you have living faith, it's evidenced by your works. If you have a dead faith, you're usually busy condemning the works of other people, or condemning even the sin of other people because you have nothing to show for yourself so you play the hypocrite by condemning others.
In verse 27, again one of the marks of a living faith as we saw will be compassion. That's a mark of the work of God in the heart. That's the Lord at work. Another thing is to be unspotted from the world. And then chapter 2 verses 1 to 9 where the faith is a living faith, there will be a love and there will be not the respect of persons that marks most people, but an equality of love that treats everyone the same. And then in chapter 3 there will be wisdom from above that is pure and peaceable and gentle, verse 17, and full of mercy and good fruits and with partiality, without hypocrisy and fruits of righteousness will be sown in peace by them that make peace. Chapter 3 again, verses 6 to 10, talk about humility, as we saw. So, all of these things will be the evidences of living faith, some of the good works that James identifies.
So what good is it...going back now to chapter 2...what good is it to make an empty confession about your belief if there's nothing to prove it? This is not an uncommon thing, beloved. This goes on all the time. Recently I had occasion to pray with a person and to hear them affirm faith in Jesus Christ and make a commitment to Christ with no change.
In fact, I had an interesting incident happen to me the other night. I was having a discussion while we were walking along the freeway, I was with a fellow pastor and he took me out to dinner with our wives and the wives took the car and went in that car because they didn't know where to go...his wife didn't know where to go and I rode with him and he had not enough gas to get where we were going. So, about 9 o'clock on Friday night we ran out of gas, just about where the Ventura Freeway unloads into I-5, right at the turnoff there, the ramp going down toward 5 going to Los Angeles. The car just stopped. And the cars, of course, are going by like you can't believe. And he said, "What do we do now?" I said, "Walk and carefully."
So, we got out and we began to walk and the only consolation for our half-hour trek across the freeway was I found a lot of golf balls that had been hit out of Griffith Park and stacked my pockets full, being the Scotsman that I am. But as we were walking along, we were having a profound discussion about the matter of saving faith. And he said, "Don't you believe it's enough?" And I remember it so visibly because I was walking across...we had to walk on the freeway, jump over a couple of streets where off ramps were, go across the freeway on one of those ramps and the bridge is only a very narrow place to walk and then a very low railing and all these cars are going under me and he's asking me profound questions and I'm just trying to get there without falling off. But we had this very meaningful discussion about the...and he said, "Isn't it enough to believe in Christ, isn't that enough?" And I said, "You tell me if it's enough for a person to pray the prayer and invite Christ into his life and then you watch the life and there is no change. Now tell me that's enough. Tell me that the work of God is done but there's no change. No."
Well, he couldn't say that. And that's the point. That's what James is saying. He's not asking for perfection here. He's just asking for some fruit, some good work. I mean, every branch that bears not fruit, He what? John 15, He cuts it down and burns it. And in 1 John 1, John keeps saying, "If we say...if we say...if we say..." and the implication of all of that is if that's all there is, so what? If we say...it's the if-we sayers versus the if-we doers. If we say...if we say...if we say. But if we do then we give evidence of belonging to God.
James adds at the end of verse 14, "Can faith save him?" What's the answer? Not that kind of faith. Faith not accompanied by moral character, faith not accompanied by righteous conduct, can that be saving faith? James answers no. Can such an empty confession save from a God who is merciless to the man who shows no mercy? Go back to verse 13. I don't know how people can miss the implication of that verse. "God will have judgment without mercy on the one who has shown no mercy." What it's saying is God will judge a person who's not shown mercy. Well, wait a minute, is the standard of salvation showing mercy? No, but that's the evidence of it. And if a person hasn't shown mercy, then it's evident the work of God is not wrought in his heart and therefore he will be shown no mercy because he will be judged as an unbeliever. God judges us on the basis of our works because where true salvation exists, works are manifest.
Go back to Romans 2. In Romans chapter 2, verse 1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." It says you're condemning other people for things you're doing yourself. And then he goes on to talk about the judgment of God. And he says in verse 6, and here's the basic bottom line in judgment, "God...the end of verse 5 mentions God, and then it says..."who (verse 6) will render to every man according to his faith." Is that what it says? What does it say? "According to his deeds." You say, "Are we going to be judged on our works?" That's right. "To people who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, honor and immortality, He'll give eternal life."
You say, "Wait a minute. You mean eternal life comes to those who do good deeds and seek for glory and honor and immortality?" That's right. "Well, I thought salvation was by grace." It is, it's only the grace of God and the soul of man that can produce those works. But if those works aren't there then the grace isn't a work. The transformation hasn't occurred. On the other hand, those that are contentious, do not obey the truth, obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath is going to come.
And so, verse 9, "Tribulation, anguish upon every soul of man that does evil." Verse 10, "Glory, honor, peace to every man that works good, and to Jew first, and also to the Greek." In other words, we'll be judged on our works. Why do you think God is keeping the books? Revelation 20 says that everybody in the great white throne day is going to be judged out of the books, the record of our deeds, because our deeds are what manifest whether or not there's a transformed life. That's the point.
So, can a faith with not product save? Of course not. Go back even further in your New Testament to the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, Matthew 25, and you'll find again the same teaching is there. This is not some new teaching in James. "When the Son of Man comes (Matthew 25:31) in His glory, all the holy angels with Him, He'll sit on the throne of His glory; before Him shall be gathered all the nations, He'll separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. He'll set the sheep on the right hand, the goats on the left." Here's the judgment. "Separating the righteous from the unrighteous. And He separates them and says to the ones on His right, You're going to inherit the Kingdom." And why? Why you going to inherit the Kingdom? "Well, I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink. I was a stranger, you took Me in. I was naked and you clothed Me. I was sick and you visited Me. I was in prison and you came to Me."
Wait a minute. You mean you're saved by philanthropy? You're saved by being merciful to people, giving food away and drink and lodging strangers and giving clothes and visiting sick people and prisoners? You mean that's what saves you?
No, "Then shall the righteous say, Lord, when did we ever do that? When did we ever do that? When did we ever see you hungry and feed You or thirsty and give You drink and so forth?" And He says in verse 40, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, My brethren, you've done it to Me."
Now wait a minute. He literally says you're going into My Kingdom on the basis of your what? Your works. You say, "Well, doesn't that contradict Scripture?" No. It doesn't contradict Scripture. You can talk about salvation by faith but you can't talk about salvation by faith without works. And so the works are always the evidence in judgment because they're the only criteria there is. There isn't any other. And if they aren't there, the faith isn't legitimate. We're not in conflict with Paul's teaching at all in Romans. Paul and James are simply coming at the issue of salvation from different viewpoints. Paul is emphasizing in Romans that salvation is by grace through faith. Apart from works, he says in Ephesians 2:8 and 9. Yes, you're not saved by works, you are saved, Ephesians 2:10, "Unto good works." Very basic. Paul and James completely agree that God gives grace and then out of that grace comes the fruit of that grace, righteous works, righteous deeds.
Jesus said, "If you continue in My Word then you're my real disciple," John 8:31 and following. So, the manifestation of true salvation is in the product. James is considering here then empty confession with no evidence, an intellectual external acceptance of Christianity but not wholehearted commitment to Christ. And that's the issue.
So, dead faith initially then is marked by empty confession, empty confession. Compare that, for example, with Acts 19 where that great revival in Acts 19 in Ephesus when the people believed the gospel immediately what did they do? They brought all their magical books and all of their paraphernalia and they did what? They burned it all. There was an initial response with a changed heart. And what about the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1? He says, "I'm so glad that you turned from idols to serve the living and true God." There was a transformation, there was a turning in your affections. That's basic. Any doctrine of grace which eliminates the fruit of grace strikes a blow right at the heart of grace for it is transforming grace, not just forensic grace. It is not just a declaration of salvation without a transformation, it is a real transforming grace. No one is saved by works, but no one is saved without producing works.
James is very similar to 1 John. Look at 1 John for a moment, chapter 2, very very similar because John is compelled also to deal with marks that distinguish living faith. Verse 3 of 1 John 2, "By this we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments," that's fruit. "He that says I know Him and does not keep His commandments is a liar," I mean, that's pretty straightforward stuff. "The truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word," that is obeys the Scripture, "in him verily is the love of God perfected and by this we know we are in Him."
You see, John is giving the tests of living faith here, also. It's not like in chapter 1, as we mentioned, if we say this and if we say this and if we say this, it's if we do His Word, if we love His law. It further says, verse 9, "He that says he's in the light and hates his brother, he's in darkness no matter what he says," the fruit isn't there. "He that hates his brother," verse 11, "is in the darkness, walks in darkness, doesn't know where he goes because darkness has blinded his eyes." And so he says it doesn't really matter what you say, what matters is the fruit of your life.
Verse 15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is...what?...not in him." Again, you're looking at fruit...you're looking at fruit. And in verse 19 he says,"There were some people who went out from us but they never were of us because if they'd been of us they would have stayed with us. But they went out from us that it might be made manifest they were not of us." They left because they weren't interested in the climate of fruit bearing.
So, empty confession then is nothing but dead faith. And this calls for self-examination. Is yours a confession that evidences its reality? Or is it an empty confession? Look at the second thing. The first is empty confession, the second characteristic of a dead faith is false compassion...false compassion. James wants to deal with this, so he's selective in his three distinguishing marks, the second one is false compassion.
Verse 15, "If a brother or sister is naked and is without daily food." Now here's a person in dire circumstances. They don't even have clothing. They're naked and that probably doesn't mean stark naked but they're without the proper clothing. And they do not have...not only not having luxuries or fancy food, they don't even have daily food. They're starving without clothes. "And one of you says, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled." It's like saying, "I wish you well, hope you make it, fella." "Nevertheless you don't give him the things needful to the body, what does that profit?"
If you see an ill-clad brother or sister, absolutely deprived of the necessities of life, starving to death, brother or sister, and all you have for that brother or sister are a bunch of empty platitudes about, "Well, I hope you make it," "Be warmed, be filled," "I wish you well," then how does that kind of faith profit that doesn't reach out to the fatherless and the orphan and the widow and the stranger and doesn't show love? And John says the same thing exactly in 1 John chapter 3 and verse 17, the parallel is obvious, "Whoever has this world's goods, sees his brother have need, closes up his compassion, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, we don't love in word, neither in tongue, we love in deed and in truth." It's the same thing...just empty words, pious indifference.
There was a strain of Greek religion, by the way, in which this sort of attitude was prevalent. There was a Greek word, still is, apathea(?), we get the word "apathy" from it. It basically is a word meaning the complete absence of all feeling, the complete absence of all emotion. And the Stoics believed that was the highest virtue. So you tried to be unemotional about anything and totally unfeeling so you could maintain your own serenity. So, your serenity was your supreme quest and you did all you could to make sure you never felt grief and you never felt pity and you never felt anything that upset your own serenity.
But that's a far cry from a Christian attitude. If we can look at someone with that kind of indifference, we have to ask ourselves the question that James is posing and John posed: is our faith saving faith or is it dead faith? What good is that kind of faith? It's no good at all. It's dead...empty confession, false compassion. And so, in verse 17 he says even so faith--that kind of faith--if it doesn't have any works is dead because it's alone, it produces nothing because it can't produce anything, it has no life.
It may have been their idea that now we believe and we'll leave everything to God. We have no responsibility for anything, we feel no duty, we sense no obligation. Dead faith, empty confession, false compassion, thirdly, James identifies dead faith as having shallow conviction...shallow conviction.
Follow his thought in verse 18, "Yes, a man may say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works and I'll show thee my faith by my works." Now let me tell you what this verse is saying, it's a marvelous verse.
The man here is James. But he's too humble to use himself and so he speaks in the third person because he doesn't want to be thought to be boasting about his works. So let's say James for the words "a man." "Yes, I James may say to an antagonist, to somebody defending a faith without works, I may say you have your faith, do you? Well, I have my works. I'll tell you what, you show me your faith without any works. Go ahead, show it to me." How can he? How can you do...can you see faith? Can you say, "Well, open your mouth wide and say, Ah?" How am I going to see your faith? Am I going to give you a brain scan? How about an EKG? Is it going to show up there? Where am I going to see your faith? And James is asking a paralyzing question to the person who wants to support the idea that you have a faith with no fruit. He's saying, "All right, show it to me." And he says, on the other hand, "I'll show you my faith by my works. I can do that, you can't do what you say." I have works, that's the mark of living faith...the acid test. Go ahead, show me your faith. It's impossible. Can't do it. How's he going to show it? I'll show you my faith by my works...the only way. That is the only way possible.
So, here is a very, very simple test. The one who claims to have faith needs to show it. And if there's no evidence of a transformed life, there's no faith.
Look at verse 19, let's follow the little debate he's having with his imaginary antagonist. So he says to him, "You believe there's one God. You are a monotheist? You do well." That's very sarcastic, folks. Aren't you something? A little applause, please. You believe there's one God, do you? Oh, you're doing so well.
And, of course, that was the shimma(?), I mean, that was the heart and soul of all of the theology of Israel. The Lord our God is one, the Lord is one, Deuteronomy 6: 4 and 5, and so forth. The basic theological doctrine of Scripture is the unity of God. And the Jews prided themselves on their orthodoxy. And so he's saying you believe there's one God, you stand in the great Judeo Christian heritage, you believe that? That, by the way, you believe "that" there is one God is houti(?), it's an intellectual rather than the preposition en(?) or ais(?) which would be "you believe in," or "you believe into," which would be relational. This is just intellectual. You believe the fact about God. You have the right belief. I say this is a shallow conviction, this is a superficial belief. "Believe" in a true sense is a commitment. In fact, we don't have time to really develop it but back in John 3, that very beloved sixteenth verse, God tells us the gospel in brief terms, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth..." That same word "believe" in 3:16 is translated in chapter 2 verse 24, "But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them." And the word "believe" can as well be translated "commit" because it implies that commitment. It is not just an acknowledgment of facts, it is a commitment to a person.
So, here you have those who believed that there was one God, not necessarily believing in that one God, and certainly not committing to that. Like many people in the Roman Catholic Church today and in other forms of quote/unquote "Christian" tradition, they hold an orthodox theology. They're representative of people that you could say today, "Do you believe that Jesus is God? You do well, you do very well."
How well do you do? "The devils also believe and they go one better than you, they shake. You, my friend, are inferior to demons in your understanding." You see the sarcasm of "you do well, oh, you do well?" You're just one notch below demons. At least they shake. They're orthodox. You know that? They're orthodox. All demons are orthodox, there are no neo-orthodox demons. There are no liberal demons. There are no rationalistic demons. There are no heretical demons. They all believe the truth because they know it's true. They are orthodox and they tremble. The word "tremble" literally is the word "to bristle" from hair standing on end. They know what the godless are going to get and when they believe in God, they believe that God is and they know who God is and they shake because they know God is the judge. They go one better than those with dead faith. Dead faith is inferior, may I say it, dead faith is inferior to demon faith because at least the demons shudder. They don't produce good works either, by the way.
But that's far from saving faith, far from faith which produces righteousness. It's far, far from the faith of the Beatitudes--the poverty of spirit, the meekness, the brokenness over sin, the hunger and thirst after righteousness--far, far from that.
Thomas Manton(?) that great Puritan who has written so many marvelous, marvelous things demonstrating insight into Scripture, describes non-saving faith this way: "A simple and naked assent to such things as are propounded in the Word of God and maketh men more knowing but not better, not more holy or heavenly. They that have it may believe the promises, the doctrines, the precepts as well as the histories. But yet, living saving faith it is not, for he who hath that findeth his heart engaged to Christ and doth so believe the promises of the gospel concerning pardon of sins and life eternal that he seeketh after them as his happiness and doth so believe the mysteries of our redemption by Christ as that all his hope and peace and confidence is drawn from thence. And doth so believe the threatenings, whether of temporal plagues or eternal damnation, as that in comparison of them, all the frightful things of the world are as nothing."
Manton further adds another aspect of non-saving faith. He says, "It is distinguished from temporary faith which is an assent to Scriptural or gospel truth accompanied with a slight and insufficient touch upon the heart called a taste of the heavenly gift and of the good word of God and the powers of the world to come in Hebrews 6:4 to 6. By this kind of faith, the mind is not only enlightened, but the heart is affected with some joy and the life in some measure reformed, at least from grosser sins called escaping the pollutions of the world in 2 Peter 2:20. But the impression is not deep enough, nor is the joy and delight rooted enough to encounter all temptations to the contrary. Therefore, this sense of religion may be choked or warn off, either by the cares of this world or voluptuous living or great and bitter persecutions and troubles for righteousness sake. It is a common deceit. Many are persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the only Son of God. And so are moved to embrace His person. And in some measure to obey His precepts and depend on His promises and fear His threatenings. And so by consequence, to have their hearts loosened from the world in part and they seem to prefer Christ and their duty to Him above worldly things as long as no temptations do assault their resolutions or sensual objects stand not up in any considerable strength to entice them. But at length, when they find His laws so strict and spiritual and contrary either to the bent of their affections or worldly interests, they fall off and lose all their taste and relish of the hopes of the gospel and so declare plainly that they were not rooted or grounded in the faith and hope thereof," end quote.
This is nothing new. In the 1600's, men like Thomas Manton recognize the same reality. And so, James says, "You believe there's one God, you're orthodox? Isn't that nice. Dead faith is only one notch below demon faith."
Verse 20, "Will you know, O vain man," and again, the imaginary antagonist, "Will you know that faith without works is dead, will you know, O vain," that's a word for empty-headed, "will you know, O empty-headed man," used often of imposters, "will you know, you imposter, that unproductive barren fruitless faith is dead?" Faith without works is dead. Faith without works is barren.
He uses two different words for dead. Earlier he used the word nekra(?) which means dead, here he uses a word arge which means fruitless. Fruitless faith is a useless faith. Faith without works is fruitless, produces nothing. So, you have a verbal confession, no meaning to it at all, empty confession, empty, shallow conviction and a hypocritical compassion.
In closing, and just briefly, from verse 21 to 26, he shows living faith. We need not say much about it because it's so very apparent. But notice in continuing his little argument with his imaginary objector, he turns the corner and describes living faith. And he says this, first of all I want to give you number one illustration--he gives three illustrations of living faith. Number one, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?" He's speaking to a Jewish audience so he calls him Abraham, our father. Was he not justified by works. And you say, "Whoa. Paul says he was justified by faith. And Genesis says that Abraham believed God-- chapter 4--and it was counted--pardon me, Romans chapter 4-- Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness." That's a quote from back in Genesis. Genesis 15:6, that it was Abraham's faith. "What are you saying it was his works?"
Well, see, James is just coming at it from another angle. Was Abraham justified without works? No. The demonstration of his faith in God came when he had offered up Isaac his son on the altar. Genesis 15:6 said, "Abraham believed God, it was counted to him for righteousness." That's quoted in Romans 4 again. Now listen. He was saved by faith. By the time you come over to chapter 22, seven chapters later in Genesis, it's about 30 to 50 years later, and it said in chapter 15 that he believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. But the truest proof of that is recorded in chapter 22, "For there his salvation raises a monument of legitimacy as he willingly offers his son Isaac on the altar." His beloved son, the one in whom all his hope resided. And that is what James is saying. Was Abraham not justified by works when he offered up Isaac on the altar, was that not a work that spoke of a real faith in God that would pay any price? Was that not a righteous deed?
Verse 22, "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith fulfilled?" The Scripture was fulfilled in Genesis 15:6 when Abraham did what he did in Genesis 22. Scripture was fulfilled. His declaration of Abraham's faith, God's declaration of Abraham's faith in Genesis 15 is verified in Genesis 22. So Abraham, as to the legitimacy of his faith, was proven by the willingness to offer Isaac. He was then justified by faith. That act...he was, I should say, then justified by works which were the verification of his faith.
The second illustration, we're hurrying a little, Rahab and it's in...let's finish up Abraham first. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Verse 23, "The Scripture was fulfilled which said," and he quotes Genesis 15:6, "Abraham believed God, it was counted to him for righteousness, he was called the friend of God. You see then that by works a man is justified and not by faith only." So, you take Genesis 15:6 and you have salvation by faith in the case of Abraham. You take Genesis 22 and the works are the verification of that. And that's the sum of his testimony to Abraham.
Then in verse 25, quickly, in like manner you have Rahab. Rahab was a harlot. You can't get any further from Abraham than a harlot. She was a Jew...he was a Jew, she was a Gentile. He was a righteous man, she was a harlot. He was a man, she was a woman. The contrasts are obvious.
So, this harlot Rahab was justified by works. Yes, she believed in the true God. Yes she understood enough about the true God to believe in Him, to trust Him. But the evidence of her faith was when she received the spies and had sent them out by a way of escape to be delivered from those who would have taken their life. She believed God and the evidence of that belief was in her life. In Hebrews 11:31, it says this about Rahab. "Rahab, the harlot Rahab, by faith perished not with them that believed not when she had received the spies with peace." The act of receiving the spies, protecting them and getting them out without losing their lives, was the way her faith demonstrated its reality. She first believed...go back and read Joshua 2:1 to 11, she believed. It says there she believed. She acted on that belief, the good works--Joshua 2:12 to 22--prove her faith.
So, James is saying there's no such thing as a living faith without works. Finally, the third illustration is an analogy, verse 26, "As the body without the spirit is dead." Is that not so? What have you got when you have a body with no spirit? Death. "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead, also." Living faith, beloved, must manifest itself in righteous deeds. And so he contrasts dead faith and living faith.
And you need to study this even more deeply for yourselves because I've hurried through that last portion. But let me draw you to a concluding point in the end of the book of James, the last two verses. "Brethren, if any one of you do err from the truth and one convert him, let him know that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins."
You know what I believe James is saying here? There are a lot of people who believe on the surface, but they really err in misunderstanding dead faith to be living faith. And if you convert them to the reality of a living faith, you will save a soul from what? From death. Believe to the saving of your soul and bring others to that same true faith. That's what James is saying. And what an important and essential word that is for all of us. Let's bow in prayer.
Father, we have just covered this so briefly and there's so much here. But confirm to our hearts Your Word. We rejoice in the privilege of knowing You with a living faith. O how grateful we are and for those who have even this week come to the Kingdom with a true and living faith. We would pray also, Lord, for those who may have nothing more than a dead faith. O Lord, bring them to a true and living faith, a faith that works, a faith that produces righteousness, therefore giving evidence of the power of the grace and the transforming strength of the work of the Spirit in the human soul. We thank You for the living faith that we enjoy. We bless Your name, for Christ's sake. Amen.
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