Vision Forum
Vision Forum is an evangelical Christian organization based in San Antonio, Texas. Vision Forum Ministries is a 501(c) non-profit organization, while the associated commercial operation is called Vision Forum, Inc. It advocates Biblical patriarchy, creationism, homeschooling, Family Integrated Churches and Quiverfull beliefs. The president of Vision Forum is Doug Phillips, son of U.S. Constitution Party leader Howard Phillips.
Distinctive beliefs
Vision Forum is an advocate of "biblical patriarchy". The "Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy" article on its website advocates such beliefs as:[1]
- God reveals Himself as masculine, not feminine.
- God ordained distinct gender roles for man and woman as part of the created order.
- A husband and father is the head of his household, a family leader, provider, and protector.
- Male leadership in the home carries over into the church: only men are permitted to hold the ruling office in the church. A God-honoring society will likewise prefer male leadership in civil and other spheres.
- Since the woman was created as a helper to her husband, as the bearer of children, and as a “keeper at home,” the God-ordained and proper sphere of dominion for a wife is the household and that which is connected with the home.
- God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” still applies to married couples.
- Christian parents must provide their children with a thoroughly Christian education, one that teaches the Bible and a biblical view of God and the world.
- Both sons and daughters are under the command of their fathers as long as they are under his roof or otherwise the recipients of his provision and protection.
- The age-integrated communities of family and church are the God-ordained institutions for training and socialization and as such provide the preferred pattern for social life and educational endeavors.
Criticism
Vision Forum has been criticized for holding views that demean women and view them as property. Don and Joy Veinot of Midwest Christian Outreach interpret the Vision Forum statement to imply that "women really cannot be trusted as decision makers" and "unless a daughter marries, she functionally remains pretty much the property of the father until he dies."[2] They also argue that Vision Forum promotes a "pagan top-down view of authority".[3]
Events
The organization sponsors the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.[4][5]
In 2007, the group organized an alternative celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement, saying that the official celebration did not give enough emphasis to the Christian perspective of the settlers.[6]
Jonathan Park
Jonathan Park is a radio drama series created by the Institute for Creation Research in the late 1990s that is now being produced by Vision Forum Ministries. The storyline revolves around the lives and families of fictional characters Dr. Kendall Park and Jim Brenan as they build a creation museum.[7]
Albums
- Volume 1: Jonathan Park: The Adventure Begins ISBN 1929241852
- Volume 2: Jonathan Park: No Looking Back ISBN 1929241879
- Volume 3: Jonathan Park: The Winds Of Change ISBN 0975526367
- Volume 4: Jonathan Park: The Hunt For Beowulf ISBN 097875591X
- Volume 5: Jonathan Park: The Explorer’s Society ISBN 0978755960
- Volume 6: Jonathan Park: The Journey Never Taken ISBN 1933431849
- Volume 7: Jonathan Park and the Voyage Beyond
- Jonathan Park Goes to the Zoo ISBN 1934554286
- Jonathan Park Goes to the Aquarium ISBN 1934554294
- Jonathan Park Goes to the Galapagos ISBN 9781933431741
References
- ^ The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy, Vision Forum
- ^ L. L. (Don) and Joy Veinot, Midwest Christian Outreach Journal Spring 2007, p. 4. Emphasis original.
- ^ L. L. (Don) and Joy Veinot, Midwest Christian Outreach Journal Spring 2007, p. 7.
- ^ "Christian filmmakers to discuss replacement industry for Hollywood". Catholic News Agency. July 23, 2007. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/christian_filmmakers_to_discuss_replacement_industry_for_hollywood/. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ^ Kimball, Josh (January 4, 2009). "Over 700 Students to Converge Ahead of Top Christian Film Fest". The Christian Post. http://christianpost.com/Entertainment/Events/2009/01/over-700-students-to-converge-ahead-of-top-christian-film-fest-04/index.html. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
- ^ Geroux, Bill (April 11, 2007). "An alternative Jamestown fete: Christian group says it wants to shine more light on role of God.". Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Virginia). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-161871797/alternative-jamestown-fete-christian.html. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
- ^ 'About Jonathan Park' from official Web site
External links