10 October, 2005

Hugh "the Puritan" Heffner

William Bradford is, of course, interesting to me due to my Calvinism and the theological heritage of which I am a part. William Bradford is the noted Puritan which governed in Massachusetts upon the arrival of the Mayflower.

Our American (and Canadian) Puritan heritage is one that is to be revered, defended, and even used as an example of Christian living in an unbelieving and even pagan culture. The Puritans, on this continent, as well as Europe, fought to bring Jesus Christ and his Kingship to the masses.

Since the 16th and 17th century, the cultures that were reformed and even strengthened by Puritanism have been fighting against the influence of Puritan ideology. Puritanism requires Jesus Christ's Lordship to rule over all until he makes all of his enemies his footstool.

So the question remains, what does William Bradford have to do with Hugh Heffner? Mr. Playboy himself has answered that in a recent interview in Time magazine. Hugh Heffner has created a life that is in direct and purposeful rebellion against Jesus Christ and the Puritanism which HIS FOREFATHERS helped to bring to this country. Like many modern and post-modern people, Heffner is raging against the Son and imagining a vain thing. The Lordship of Christ is being evidenced in the antithetical existence of one hater of God...Mr. Heffner.


FOX NEWS -Hugh Heffner, king of the Playboy empire, says he had to reinvent his identity to leave his Puritan roots behind. Heffner tells Time magazine he is a direct descendant of William Bradford, a Puritan who came over on the Mayflower. "There was a great deal of repression in their lives and the way they were raised and, in turn, the way I was raised," he said.

"Instead of the Puritan world that my folks accepted and, from my perspective, paid the price for, I created a world for myself," he told Time.

Discussion Points:

-Dr. VanTil said that "atheism presumes theism"How do Heffner's comments "prove" that?

-What about the Church's fight against her heritage? Which is worse?

-What should be the method for calling back a culture to Christ?

12 comments:

shawn said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
shawn said...

-What should be the method for calling back a culture to Christ?

2 Words:

Covenanted Reformation

http://www.reformedpresbytery.org/books/covrefdf/covrefdf.htm

shawn said...

http://www.reformedpresbytery.org/
books/covrefdf/covrefdf.htm

Anonymous said...

What should be the method for calling back the culture to Christ? Simple-getting the gospel right. Christians have watered down the gospel so much that it is so far from the Bible. We have to call sin sin and not issues or problems. We are not just good people who are misguided and do bad things. We are totally depraved in need of a saviour. We can do nothing to save ourselves for our sins. Christians need to start living like Christ is Lord of their lives. We are quick to call him Saviour but not Lord. A revivial needs to start in the hearts and minds of those of use who know Christ. We need to me in daily repentenace and confession of our sins. We do not take our sin or the sins of others seriously enough. They are an offense to God.

Cheryl Hannah said...

Interesting. Heffner is a descendant of Bradford? I'm a 13th generation descendant of two people who came over on the Mayflower as well, only in my case, God was merciful and saved me from this type of rebellion.

I agree with Shawn. A covenanted reformation such as what Scotland experienced is called for. Not merely a looking back for what used to be, but a looking forward to what could be, should God's Spirit so move upon our lands.

shawn said...

Simple-getting the gospel right... Christians need to start living like Christ is Lord of their lives. We are quick to call him Saviour but not Lord.

This is true. The Great Commission is to bring the Gospel to the Nations and have them know Him as their Lord (KING).

I can see the application of this being a Worldwide Covenanted Reformation....

Is there any other option?

Anonymous said...

Heffner is a good example of unrestrained wickedness. I feel sorry for him to be honest, he has become a complete and total slave to sin. As Christians we ought to look on Heffner with pity and prayer for salvation. In our own lives we ought to battle sin by praying for sanctification and finding joy in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Anonymous said...

NotLiberal,
"...unrestrained wickedness."
Man alive, you're kicking against the common grace theological pricks here. Or if you're not, explain.
On the Heffner post, Bradford also had Mormon relatives, as close as his great-(great?)-grandson. In God's mercy at least one of them repented and believed on Christ.

By the way Shawn, on my website drollflood.blogspot.com, You posted a question, I gave you a response as well as another question.

Anonymous said...

Shawn Can you explain in simple terms what you mean by Convenanted Reformation?
Let us not forget that we are capible of sinning just as bad if not worse than Heffner. It's by God's grace that we have any good in us.

steveandjanna said...

Well Durwood, I never suggested that there wasn't common grace. There are times when God does not restrain evil as much as in other times. For example, we would agree that the years Hitler was running the show in Germany saw more evil than Purtain New England. Hitler is no where near as evil as he could have been had God not restrained him, at least a bit.

Charles Jurries said...

Well, well, well. Hugh is a descendant of one of the colonial immagrants. INTERESTING...

Family tree's are fun, especially when it's someone elses! ;)

shawn said...

nejmLet us not forget that we are capible of sinning just as bad if not worse than Heffner. It's by God's grace that we have any good in us.

Yes, this is definately something to keep in our minds. Thanks for the reminder.

Shawn Can you explain in simple terms what you mean by Convenanted Reformation?

The link I gave is a detailed debate, but as for the short and simple... This is when a people, even a nation responds to God's grace and mercy and say, "Because you have been our God, we will be your people."

And so they seek to rid the land of all that is called evil, and promote and protect all that is called good, including bringing the Church to unity in faith and doctrine.

It is also an ordinance or a means of grace (but not a sacrament) by God, so that people could be further obligated as a united group to faithfulness.

We see it all the time in the days of Israel under Asa, Hezekiah, Josiah, Ezra and Nehemiah, etc:

2 Chron. 34

Neh. chapters 9 and 10

Notice the steps taken in the different Covenanted Reformations:

1. Nationally eradicate idolatry and false religion (with iconoclastic zeal) (cf. 2 Chron. 34:3-7; 2 Chron. 31:1; 2 Chron. 15:8; 2 Chron. 15:16, etc.).

2. Nationally promote the true worship, discipline, and doctrine of the church of Christ (2 Chron. 29:11-30:6; 2 Chron. 30:12-27; Ezra 10:10vv.; Neh. 10:31-32, etc.).

3. Nationally establish the one true religion and church (cf. 2 Chron. 34:8-17; 2 Chron. 29:3-5; 2 Chron. 31:2-3; 2 Chron. 31:20-21; 2 Chron. 32:12, etc.).

4. Nationally confess their own sins and the sins of their fathers (2 Chron. 34:21; 2 Chron. 29:6-7; 2 Chron. 30:7-9; Ezra 9:6-10:2; Neh. 9:2-37, etc.).

5. Nationally publish the truth (2 Chron. 34:30; Ezra 10:7-8, etc.).

6. Nationally renew covenant with God (with specific regard to the present testimony) and set the state upon a fully covenanted biblical pattern, agreeing to nationally obey the law of God (2 Chron. 34:31; 2 Chron. 29:10; 2 Chron. 15:12-15; Ezra 10:3-4; Neh. 9:38-10:31, etc.).

7. Nationally cause (by civil power) the inhabitants of the nation to stand to the Covenant (2 Chron. 34:32-33; 2 Chron. 15:12-13; Ezra 10:5, etc.).

THIS is certainly not what the US is seeking to do, but rather to promote a pluralistic land of tolerating all false doctrine and practices. And of course the Church is not standing against our land's government, giving Testimony according to the Bible, but rather has adopted it's principles of toleration. So no one seeks to unify, because there is no NEED to. After all, I'll tolerate you if you tolerate me. Which is another way of saying I will tolerate your false worship/doctrine, if you tolerate mine. This is pathetic, and not glorifying to Christ!

This nation needs this agenda to be Covenanted to the Triune God, Jehovah alone... this is our only remedy. our only cure. (as to our responibility)

So that seems short and simple. Can I clarify anything? Would you like me to add any details, or give a fuller explanation?

I would suggest reading the book I posted - it will definately challenge you.

If you are looking for further discussion, feel free to email me.

- Christ_saves_sinners@yahoo.com