U.S. Senate Chaplain: True Freedom Comes from God

The Christian Post ^ | 7/4/11 | Ariel R. Rey

[ruralvoter]

Rear Admiral Barry C. Black, the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, reflected on the true meaning of Independence Day and asked if Americans are “free indeed” during a Sunday sermon.

Black began his sermon by recalling that on July 4, 1776, America declared freedom from Great Britain and democracy was born. As a result, Americans had the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and freedom of petition.

Yet “in spite of the marvelous freedom we have in this great land, there is still slavery in America because people are enslaved by sin, and the word of God declares if you are addicted to sin you are a slave of sin,” said Black in an In Touch Ministries special Independence Day program.

[Salvation]

 

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Chaplain Black is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and an alumnus of Oakwood College, Andrews University, North Carolina Central University, Eastern Baptist Seminary, Salve Regina University, and United States International University. In addition to earning Master of Arts degrees in Divinity, Counseling, and Management, he has received a Doctorate degree in Ministry and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology.

Chaplain Black has been selected for many outstanding achievements. Of particular note, he was chosen from 127 nominees for the 1995 NAACP Renowned Service Award for his contribution to equal opportunity and civil rights. He also received the 2002 Benjamin Elijah Mays Distinguished Leadership Award from The Morehouse School of Religion.  In 2004, the Old Dominion University chapter of the NAACP conferred on him the Image Award, "Reaffirming the Dream -- Realizing the Vision" for military excellence.

Chaplain Barry C. Black is married to the former Brenda Pearsall of St. Petersburg, Florida. They have three sons: Barry II, Brendan, and Bradford.

[Salvation]

More here:

http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/person/barry_black.htm

[Tucker39]

Barry Black was the guest preacher on Charles Stanley’s TV program on Sunday, July 3rd. He can preach to me anytime!

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Of course he is right but I am sorry that, in celebration of Independence Day, he did not remind us that the Declaration of Idependence correctly points out that our rights come from God, not the government. That would have been a good lead-in for what he said. Our rights are God given and unless we recognize that and follow the will of the God who gave us those rights, we are still not free.