SCIENTISTS BREAK THE SPEED LIMIT -
 

The field of physics worships at the altar of c, the velocity of light. It is widely regarded as the inviolate constant which affects all things: from our knowledge of astronomy to the very behavior of subatomic particles. The idea that the speed of light is constant and unbreachable is at the foundation of modern physics and it is a key factor in Albert Einstein's special theory of relativity, which led to his deduction E=mc² (in which the total amount of energy obtainable from an object is equivalent to the mass of the object multiplied by the square of the speed of light). However in recent years some scientists have suggested that Albert Einstein may have been wrong.

A pair of German physicists now claim to have broken the speed of light - an achievement that would undermine our entire understanding of space and time. The report on their findings has yet to be published, however the scientists say they have conducted an experiment in which microwave photons traveled "instantaneously" between a pair of prisms spaced several feet apart. The scientists claim to have taken advantage of a phenomenon known as "quantum tunneling" to force light to move instantaneously across this gap.

Newtonian mechanics imposes no maximum upper limit to attainable velocities in the universe, but Einstein's relativity theory does. As charged particles are pushed up near the present speed of light they grow heavier, and more and more energy input is required to gain a smaller and smaller increment of increased velocity. Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity prohibits physical objects from traveling faster than the speed of light (which is approximately 300,000 kilometers per second) - it is also believed that to exceed the speed of light would require an infinite amount of energy.

The ability to travel faster than the speed of light would have a variety of bizarre implications. For example, an astronaut moving faster than light would theoretically arrive at a destination before leaving.

Throughout history our knowledge of how light travels has changed. Greek philosophers generally followed Aristotle's belief that the speed of light was infinite. Even Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), the German astronomer and mathematician best known for his laws of planetary motion, maintained the majority view that light was instantaneous. Rene Descartes (1596-1650), famous for his work in both philosophy and mathematics, also believed in the instantaneous propagation of light.

It wasn't until 1677 that a Danish astronomer named Olaf Roemer announced that the anomalous behavior of the eclipse times of Jupiter's inner moon, could be accounted for by a finite speed of light. It took another half century for that notion to be accepted. It wasn't until 1729 that James Bradley's independent confirmation finally ended the opposition to a finite value for the speed of light. Roemer's work, which had split the scientific community for 53 years, was finally vindicated.

The speed of light has been measured 163 times by 16 different methods over the past 300 years. However, in recent years, reexamining the known experimental measurements to date, some scientists have suggested that the speed of light is not constant, but appears to have been slowing down. Needless to say, this view is highly controversial and most physicists reject this hypothesis. However, if such a theory were eventually proven correct, it would dramatically alter our concepts concerning the physical universe.

It is possible that the entropy laws of physics and the ostensible decay of c, the slowing velocity of light, were a result of the fall of man recorded in Genesis Chapter 3. We have explored this possibility in many of our previously published materials, if you are interested in learning more listen to our briefing titled Beyond Perception (this week's special offer).

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BULLDOZERS DIG ON TEMPLE MOUNT
 

Muslim authorities in Jerusalem are digging a 150 meter trench for water pipes and electricity cables on the Temple Mount. Archaeologists are outraged, they say the digging is causing irreparable damage the holy site. Dr. Gabriel Barkai, a prominent Israeli archaeologist, said the area being destroyed was once part of the outer courts of the Second Temple, built by Herod the Great in the First Century BC. According to Barkai, "They are digging in the most crucial and delicate point of the Temple Mount - of the whole country. They should be using a toothbrush, not a bulldozer."

Any archaeological discoveries that appear to substantiate the Biblical account of history undermine the Palestinian cause. This explains why Wakf officials have been known to bulldoze sensitive archaeological sites on the Temple Mount with blatant disregard for the treasures buried there. (The Wakf, sometimes spelled Waqf, is the Islamic Trust that controls the Temple Mount.) Israeli archaeologists and volunteers have sifted through the piles of ruins discarded by the Wakf - rubble taken from the Temple Mount to a city garbage dump. Amidst the rubble they have uncovered numerous history-rich artifacts dating back to the First and Second Temple periods.

Such discoveries underscore Israel's long and rich history in the Promised Land. It is a legacy that Israel's enemies would like to erase. They claim that the idea of a historical Jewish homeland is a hoax – invented to justify Israel's occupation of Palestine. Yet with each passing year, more new discoveries are made which corroborate Jewish claims to the Holy Land.

The oldest archaeological evidence of Jerusalem's history dates back to the Early Bronze Age (circa 3000 BC). With very little exception, the Jewish People have had a continual presence in the city since King David made it his capital 3,000 years ago. This religious and historical connection has fueled the modern Jewish Zionist movement. Throughout the centuries, Jews have dreamed of returning to Jerusalem and have never ceased to mourn the destruction of the temple and the ancient city.

While the controversy over the Temple Mount rages, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks on Palestinian statehood. This week the two leaders met privately to discuss some of the most contentious issues - such as who will control Jerusalem, what will happen to Palestinian refugees, and where the final borders of the Palestinian state will be. President Bush has called for a Mideast peace conference, expected to take place in November, to advance a final Israeli-Palestinian accord. However hopes are not high that an agreement will be reached.

It would seem that both Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas lack the power and influence necessary to make sweeping changes. Abbas has lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas and Olmert is facing increasing pressure to resign his post. Polls indicate that approximately 70 percent of Israelis think the prime minister should step down - partly as a result of his disastrous handling of last summer's conflict with Hezbollah. Meanwhile Israel and its enemies continue to prepare for a war that many experts believe is unavoidable.

To learn more about Biblical archaeology listen to our briefing titled Digging Up The Truth (see link below).

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THE BATTLE FOR THE HEART
 

What is our most important stewardship? While many of us tend to focus on economic or financial aspects of our "stewardship," most of us should be spiritually sensitive enough to recognize that there are other priorities that should supersede economic or material things: family, etc. But what priority should be the paramount consideration among the competing demands on our time and resources? What aspect of our lives will prove to be the primary determinant of our eternal destiny?

Many demands continually consume our attention: family, careers, and the economic pragmatics that determine our personal prerogatives, etc. The "urgent" will tend to preempt the important.

But our most critical stewardship is our heart. That is what God is most concerned with, and it is this stewardship which will determine our response to all of the other issues we face-moment-by-moment, day-by-day, throughout the year, and, in fact, which will determine our eternal destiny. While our salvation is based entirely on what the Lord has done, our ultimate rewards will derive from our responses to the opportunities He provides to us.

Our decisions will derive from our perspectives, and these, in turn, derive from what is commonly called our "world view": our global perspective of the world we find ourselves in - our origin, our purpose, and our assumed destiny. There are, however, only two basic world views:

1. We are simply the result of a series of cosmic accidents; or
2. We are the result of a purposeful design
 

There are no other alternatives. All of our attitudes and perspectives derive, consciously or presumptuously, from our world view. If we believe that we are, as our government schools continue to inculcate our children, simply the result of randomness, it shouldn't surprise us that many lack a sense of destiny or moral responsibility. If, however, we recognize a design in the universe - and in ourselves - we not only acknowledge a responsibility, but also yearn to know as much as possible about the Designer and His intentions.

We live in a dark world. Paul warned his protégé, Timothy, that times would become increasingly hazardous:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:1-5)."

However there is hope for the future. Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  Let's not lose sight of our fundamental anchors in this sea of distress:

1. God still reigns;
2. The Church is still precious in His sight;
3. Its mission is still clear;
4. Our focus is still Heaven; we are but pilgrims, not "earth-dwellers"; and
5. Victory is still certain.
 

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ISRAEL 2 ? THE ISSACHAR TRIP
 

Koinonia Institute's next trip to Israel will be October 8-19th, 2007. This trip is referred to as the Issachar Trip and one of its many focuses is to get an Insider's Briefing on the Israel of today. Our itinerary is salt and peppered with guest speakers from the IDF, Mossad, Knesset and Shin Bet. This is a trip that is unparalleled; last years trip followed the Lebanese War and our sites included Kiryat Shamona as well as meeting with the mayor of Hatzor. This year we are offering an optional low-flying Flight Excursion over the Valley of Armageddon in 3-4 passenger seat planes. This is a ONE BUS trip and the seats are filling up! If you would like a brochure, or if you would like to sign up, please contact Sharon Stolebarger at sharon@khouse.org. Simply put...this will be a trip that you will never forget!

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Turkey Elects Controversial New President - August 28, 2007
Abdullah Gul has been sworn in as Turkey's new president. He is the first politician with an Islamist background to become head of state since the creation of the deeply secular Turkish Republic in 1923. BBC

Bush Warns Iran Over Insurgents - August 28, 2007
US President George W Bush has warned Iran to stop supporting the militants fighting against the US in Iraq. BBC

WHO Warns of Global Epidemic Risk - August 28, 2007
Infectious diseases are spreading faster than ever before, the World Health Organization annual report says. Since the 1970s, 39 new diseases have developed, and in the last five years alone, the WHO has identified more than 1,100 epidemics including cholera, polio and bird flu. BBC

Syrian Missile Deployment Nearly Complete - August 28, 2007
Syria has almost completed a massive deployment of missiles capable of carrying non-conventional warheads as far as the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel's Army Radio reported on Monday. CNS

Russia Steps Up Military Expansion - August 28, 2007
Vladimir Putin announced ambitious plans to revive Russia's military power and restore its role as the world's leading producer of military aircraft. The remarks follow his decision last week to resume long-range missions by strategic bomber aircraft capable of hitting the US with nuclear weapons. Patrols over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic began last week for the first time since 1992. Guardian

Bishop Says We Should Call God Allah - August 28, 2007
A Roman Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands has proposed people of all faiths refer to God as Allah to avoid controversy. The Bishop reportedly spent eight years in Indonesia, where some priests use the word "Allah" while celebrating Mass. ABC