TruthCurrents

I had breakfast this morning with nearly 100 men who gathered together for fellowship and spiritual warfare. I pastor a church where men are enthusiastically involved in disciple-making and pursuing Christ-likeness. I hear from other pastors all the time, “How do you get men involved at church because we are not being successful at it?” And I tell them that muscular Christianity is the key to living out the call of the gospel for men.

Artificial Intelligence is changing our world in unexpected ways and oddly enough, AI is the biggest thing that Christians are not talking about. We need to consider the way that humanity and human society will be altered over the course of the next generation by Artificial Intelligence. C.R. Wiley, “AI Jesus and other heresies from Silicon Valley,” January 6, 2025.Anne Kennedy, “In the care of AI,” March 3, 2025.Flynn Evans, “Dating alone,” March 18, 2025.Liz Lykins, “Should elementary students use AI tools?” March 19, 2025.

Are charter schools state schools or private schools? And can they be religious schools. There's an Oklahoma court case which has made it all the way to the Supreme Court and we should have answers to these questions in the next few weeks. Lael Weinberger, “Funding for the faithful?” May 1, 2025.Kristen Waggoner, “Making religious school choice a reality,” April 30, 2025.Steve West, “Church school, state school, or both?” April 30, 2025.

Does your church have a pastor? Because if you do, you might want to hold on to him. Because if he leaves you might not be able to get another one. U.S. Pastors are calling it quits across the nation. Elizabeth Russell, “Facebook removes churches' SermonAudio links,” May 5, 2025.U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, “Free speech for pastors, too,” April 15, 2025.Steven Wedgeworth, “A shortage of shepherds,” April 8, 2025.

The United Kingdom's top court recently issued a radical ruling. They said that a woman can be defined as someone who is born biologically female. In other words, men are men, women are women, and that can be defined in objective, biological ways. The highest court in Great Britain has now come down on the side of what every toddler has known for the last 5,000 years. Will America follow suit and once again be able to define what a woman is?Erin Hawley, “An odd way to celebrate women,” April 9, 2025.Jamie Bryan Hall and Ryan T. Anderson, “The Abortion Pill Harms Women,” April 28, 2025.

Today is Good Friday. It's the day that we celebrate and remember the cross of Jesus Christ, the sacrifice for our sins that culminates in the glorious news of the resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. These observances are ingrained in the history of Western civilization. Or are they?Nasser Hussain, “Canceling Easter,” April 9, 2025.Denny Burk, “What a difference a year makes,” April 16, 2025.

The wicked witch of progressivism is dead, right? And Christians finally have the opportunity that we said for generations that we wanted: the opportunity to engage culture and win. Well, we might not be as ready for that as we think.Andrew T. Walker, “All grace, no nature,” March 25, 2025.R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “They are going to call us Christian nationalists,” March 14, 2025.

Throughout human history, cultures have died and civilizations have vanished. Why? It's because, eventually, nations or people groups lose the foundational principles, the core values that allowed them to thrive and have success. When a nation allows poisonous enemies to begin to assault their core identity from within a nation has started the process of self-extinction. Craig Carter, “Mark Carney is a man with a plan,” March 12, 2025.Nathan A. Finn, “The great migration,” March 11, 2025.A.S. Ibrahim, “How cultures die,” March 7, 2025.

A few weeks ago, in February of this year, a Representative by the name of Laurel Libby, who serves in the House of Representative for the state of Maine, was censured by that body for what they termed, a reprehensible social media post. As it turns out, Libby had posted about a young, high school, male athlete who won first place in pole vaulting in the women's category of competition in the state of Maine. We need to talk about where we are right now in America on the topic of transgender athletes, as well as the topic of censorship of those who wade into the public square and dare to speak their minds.Liz Lykins, “Maine madness: Lawmaker still banned from House floor over social media post,” March 18, 2025.Nathanael Blake, “Sex and the post-Christian right,” March 11, 2025.R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “So boys shouldn't play on girls teams?” March 7, 2025.Lauren Canterberry, “Newsom deviates from progressives on women's sports issue,” March 7, 2025.

Is a one-world, global government even a real possibility in our generation? As it turns out, political leaders, almost since the dawn of human history have always pursued an impulse to take global control of mankind.Larry Schweikart, “Return to Babel: The temptation of globalism persists despite historic failures,” World Magazine, pp.45-51, January 27, 2024.

The Gallup polling group recently released new data on a very interesting subject. They have decided that the LGBTQI+ collection of viewpoints is nothing more than an incoherent, undefinable absurdity of random political positions that really have nothing to do with each other. What they're telling us is, far from being a monolithic political force in our country, this media narrative of a group of people that share all of these commonalities, in fact, is nothing more than a man-made, artificial special interest group. How do we approach this revelation, that the whole idea of LGBTQ is, in fact, meaningless; what one writer called, “an undefinable absurdity.”Glenn T. Stanton, “An undefinable absurdity,” March 3, 2025.Nathanael Blake, “The Cass Report remains undefeated,” February 28, 2025.Josh Schumacher, “Iowa governor signs new law combating gender ideology, February 28, 2025.

This generation continues to be marked by the persecution of the church of Jesus Christ across the globe. It's not just a single enemy. Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, in a variety of countries are persecuting the church and martyring believers. We need to talk about the persecuted church because you won't hear about it in the mainstream media.“Christian Husband, Wife First to Be Convicted Under Anti-Conversion Law,” January 27, 2025.A.S. Ibrahim, “Another familiar attack,” February 27, 2025.___________, “Muslims head for the exits,” February 21, 2025.

I lost some church members recently. They left evangelicalism to become Roman Catholic. That surprised me because I would consider that a reverse reformation. But as I did some research, it turns out that there is a slight trend, right now, of people leaving Protestantism, disillusioned with a variety of things, to make their way back to the church of Rome. How do we think about this theologically? How do we assess the differences in the branches of Christianity and the options available to us? How do we answer people who say that they are going back to the original church?Bekah McCallum, “Pilgrimage to Rome,” World Magazine, January 2025.Andrew Voigt, “Some Evangelicals Are Leaving Protestantism for Other Traditions,” August 13, 2024.Gavin Ortlund. What It Means to Be Protestant. Zondervan, 2024.

A few months ago, I received a letter from a friend asking for advice. The letter says, “I want to ask for some advice regarding politics. I started trying to help 5 years ago and in those 5 years, I've never seen so much deception, greed, lies, good ol' boy clubs, evil plans, abuse, etc. My eyes were truly open to the amount of evil in our country and our city. I had no idea.” It then goes on to describe the cost of that 5-year involvement. And the loss of friends, the breaking of relationships, friends walking away and saying rude things.And then she says “I've got friends involved in politics with me and we are tired, exhausted, crying, and ready to give up. We just can't do it anymore. Nobody not in the fight seems to care that there is a fight. Knocking at doors trying to tell neighbors, trying to get their church to help. We all get the same thing: ‘I don't want to know.' ‘I don't care about politics.' ‘I don't have time, I have a golf game to get to.' ‘Why are you doing this? These things aren't happening.' Pastor, how do we stay in the conflict?”Joe Rigney, “The bishop's untethered empathy,” January 24, 2025.Daniel Darling, “More dangerous than ever,” August 28, 2024.

Rafael Samuel rocketed to world-wide fame about six years ago with a simple lawsuit. He filed a lawsuit against his own parents for bringing him into the world without his consent. Now, six years later he admits that that was pretty much nothing more than a publicity stunt. He knew the judge would throw it out and it didn't have any real standing, but he wanted to raise issues that he believes need serious consideration. Samuel is an anti-natalist. Let's talk about another bad idea that flows out of a secular worldview. Grace Snell, “Extinction event,” February 1, 2025.

Over the last couple of weeks, have you noticed there has been a vibe change in America? Much of America is moving from despair to hope, from trepidation about the future to enthusiasm about where we're headed. Except, in some quarters, the movement is in the opposite direction. Let's talk about that. Daniel Darling, “Evangelicals in today's America,” January 27, 2025. Alex Kocman, Seize the Moment: 8 Ways Pastors Can Leverage Today's Freedom for Tomorrow's Mission, December 5,2024.

This week we were privileged again, to observe something that is relatively rare in the history of nations. We watched the peaceful transition of political power from one president to another. In a nation as divided as ours, it is remarkable to watch a president from one party voluntarily leave office and a president of a different party take the oath to be inaugurated. This is one of the marks of why America as political structure is exceptional in the history of nations. Sharon Dierberger & Emma Freire, “The Battle for America's Identity,” April 20, 2024. Larry Schweikart, “An Exception to the Rule,” July 15, 2023.

As we approach the inauguration a new presidential administration in just a few days, it might be worth while for us to examine the soul-searching process that progressives have undergone over the last ten weeks trying to figure out why Democrats were so overwhelmingly set back and defeated last November. The question is, have they learned any lessons? But there's another question: what lessons should we learn?

Welcome back to TruthCurrents! The holidays are passed. It's 2025, and it's time for us to look forward. A new year usually brings out resolutions because we've decided that there are things in our lives we want to make better because we're chasing a nebulous idea: I want to be happy. Well, we now have scientific research that tells us the secret recipe for being happy. Katelyn Walls Shelton, “Who are the happiest people in America?” December 16, 2024. Shane Morris, “Looking for happiness?” August 2, 2024.

Almost two weeks ago British lawmakers advanced a bill toward full engagement in Biritish society that legalizes euthanasia, or what is often referred to as medically-assisted suicide. The culture of death continues to make advances across the globe, particularly in western industrialized societies. How do we think about this biblically? Lauren Canterberry, “U.K. Parliament backs assisted suicide bill,” November 29, 2024. Brad Littlejohn, “Taking the easy way out?” November 27, 2024. Samuel D. James, “The ‘death of expertise,'” October 30, 2024.

As we enter a season with a lame-duck President, we find that President Biden is not just running out the clock. He is, in fact, desperately trying to accomplish things that he couldn't get done otherwise while he still has democratic support and the opportunity with the stroke of a pen to do what he thinks is ok, whatever that happens to be. How do we think biblically about his abuse of office? Carolina Lumetta, “Biden pardons his son Hunter after promising not to,” December 1, 2024. Tyler Arnold, “Biden Awards Medal of Freedom to Former Planned Parenthood Leader Cecile Richards,” November 22, 2024.

Should Christians ask for miracles? Should we demand a sign from God? What is the purpose of signs and miracles? This week on TruthCurrents, Pastor Michael finishes his conversation with Emilio Lartigue from the podcast Truth Matters about tough theological questions. Last week the topic was evil and the demonic. This week these two focus in on signs and wonders. TruthMatters Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2MTFu4NfqwjKhOWJBUzEQ

What does the Bible say about Demons? Why hasn't God destroyed Satan and his demons yet? Why do bad things happen to Christians? This week on TruthCurrents, Pastor Michael continues his conversation with Emilio Lartigue from the podcast Truth Matters about tough theological questions about evil. Last week the topic was hell. This week these two focus in on Satan and demons. TruthMatters Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2MTFu4NfqwjKhOWJBUzEQ

Have you ever wondered about hell? Why did God create hell? How can hell be a just punishment for sin? Who goes to hell and who avoids it? For the next few weeks, Pastor Michael and his friend, Emilio Lartigue from the podcast TruthMatters, are teaming up to discuss some pertinent questions about hell and related topics. Thanks for joining us on TruthCurrents.   Truth Matters Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK2MTFu4NfqwjKhOWJBUzEQ

The election was just this week, and we have about 70 days ahead of us of interim period before a new president takes the oath of office, and before a new congress takes their place. How should we approach this historical moment over coming weeks?

One of the reasons we do TruthCurrents here at Evergreen is because I believe we have the responsibility as Jesus followers to be intellectually solid enough in our thinking to be able to apply biblical truths to the currents events and circumstances of our generation. We need to be able to recognize truth and to identify it to live by it. We also need to be able to recognize what one writer calls “damnable lies,” that is, falsehoods that really do damaging and damning things to a culture. In this final week before an election I want us to consider some damnable lies that are circulating in our day. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “This is how religious liberty dies,” October 28, 2024. Robert J. Pacienza, “It's time to sound the alarm,” October 18, 2024.

The Washington Times reported last week on a story out of the United Kingdom. A man by the name of Adam Smith-Connor, a 20-year Army veteran, was arrested for anti-social behavior. Taken to court, he was convicted and fined nearly $12,000 and given 2 years of probabtion. What was his crime? Well, Adam Smith-Connor was standing on a street where there was an abortion clinic, with his back turned from the abortion clinic, he closed his eyes, bowed his head, and clasped his hands while he prayed silently. When confronted, he was arrested, taken to court and convicted. Now if he had been standing in the same posture, in the same location, but thinking about a math problem, or how to get to his next location on Google Maps, he would have been fine. His crime was, he was talking to God. They decided that that was harmful to the abortion clinic, convicted him of anti-social behavior, and this case becomes a precedent for the first ever thought-crime conviction in the United Kingdom. He's guilty…of thinking thoughts of which the government does not approve. Well, that could nnever happen here, right? Well, let's talk. Ericka Andersen, “A warning for all Christian organizations,” October 17, 2024. Daniel R. Suhr, “Jailed for exercising your right to free expression?” October 10, 2024. Bethel McGrew, “Pope Francis strays from doctrine…again,” September 23, 2024.

Jesus Christ left to his church a charge that we call the Great Commission. He told us to go and as we go to make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe everything that he commanded. But as human history seems to be coming to a conclusion, how do we accelerate the spread of the gospel to the nations in these last days. Let me tell you about what's happening in the global church. Justin Schell, “Lausanne at 50: Effective Mission Still Depends on Right Theology,” July 16, 2024.

Leftists in our generation love to say that the very topic of persecution of Christianity is nothing more than overblown misinformation because they say, Christianity is the oppressive force that makes up the patriarchy. In other words, you can't be oppressed if you're the oppressor. Well, a new report has a different take on this subject. Center for Religious Liberty, “Free to Believe? The Intensifying Intolerance Toward Christians in the West,” Family Research Council, 2024. Maria Baer, “Laws that should be broken,” October 3, 2024. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “The empire strikes back,” October 3, 2024.

The publishing industry has a new popular theme: books related to the “threat to American democracy.” Turns out that, according to books like, “The False White Gospel,” “Confronting Christofascism,” “The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy,” and “American Idolatry,” the common theme is: there is a danger to the destruction of American democracy and it is, horror of horrors, American conservative Christians, evangelicals. We are the extremists that the world needs to be warned about. Well, American democracy is in fact in danger, but let's talk about where the real problems are. Eric Teetsel, “Killing the filibuster to kill the unborn,” September 26, 2024. Miles Smith, “'Unburdened' by the Constitution,” August 28, 2024. Daniel Darling, “The extremists you warned us about,” August 20, 2024. Jordan J. Ballor, “The Supreme Court isn't broken,” August 15, 2024.

One of the story lines that keeps recurring during this election season is the incessant handwringing among the progressive left, worried about the fall of what they call “our democracy.” Pointing fingers, they actually make the claim that conservative evangelicals are the real threat to the survival to the American experiment. Well, let's think about that for a minute and process what it means for democracy to be in danger. Joe Rigney, “Avoiding ‘the progressive gaze' in the voting booth,” August 21, 2024. James R. Wood, “Against political Donatism,” August 9, 2024. Miles Smith, “Whose democracy?” July 24, 2024.

Summer is over and school is back in session, but not for Enoch Burke. Burke is a Christian who also happens to be a teacher in Westmeath, Ireland. He was fired from his job recently because he refused to endorse or affirm transgenderism. Because he refused to address students by their trans names or employ third person pronouns, he was suspended, and then after an investigation he was fired. Because he continued to show up for work after he was fired, he was eventually given a 400-day prison sentence for contempt of court. He had not been accused at any point of abusing students in any way. He had not been accused of offering inadequate instruction as a teacher. Nevertheless, Burke was told that his presence was “stressful” for students and staff and he posed a health and safety risk to the population of the school. And by the way, he was also fined €200,000. Can we please talk about free speech? Timon Cline, “School's out for ‘blasphemers,'” September 4, 2024. Andrew T. Walker, “Why free speech should be a Christian priority,” September 4, 2024. Erin Hawley, “Censoring the truth,” August 29, 2024.

A few weeks ago on X, formerly Twitter, there was an account managed for the Sesame Street character Elmo. A post was made on that account that simply said this, “Elmo is just checking in. How's everybody doing?” That message received over 200 million views, prompting thousands of people to unburden themselves. They told Elmo about their broken relationships, about their career and financial struggles, about other personal problems that have created sadness in their lives. There's a lot of unhappiness in America. Even President Joe Biden chimed in telling us all to be there for one another, to help our neighbors, and, most importantly, ask for help when we need it. In other words, if you're sad, talk to someone besides Elmo. Here's the problem, if you're sad, you need to be careful who you talk to because you're not going to get the same advice from everybody. Adam M. Carrington, “The deadly message of the ‘death capsule,'” August 26, 2024. Carl R. Trueman, “Assisted suicide and the happiness imperative,” March 18, 2024.

Despite the Dobbs decision, which reversed Roe vs. Wade after a generation, it turns out that right now is a tough time to be a pro-life voter in America. Every time abortion has appeared on a state-level ballot in recent days, it's lost. Turns out abortion is popular in America and our politicians are running for cover. What is a pro-life voter supposed to do? R. Albert Mohler Jr. “Trump and abortion,” September 3, 2024. Andrew T. Walker, “On abortion, Trump is his own worst enemy,” August 29, 2024. Leah Savas, “Democrats' radical abortion policy playbook,” August 27, 2024. Christina Grube, “Vance signals further GOP retreat on life protections,” August 26, 2024.

When I was a boy I used to laugh at the old men who would sit around and bemoan the fact that they miss the good ol' days, the way things used to be. And I made a decision when I was young that I was never going to be that guy, that I was never going to complain about missing the past. And yet, now I find myself in a position where there are some things from the past that I miss, some things that I used to have that I don't have anymore. One of those things is the ability to have a conversation with someone who disagrees with me without starting world war 3. How do we function in a culture that refuses to listen? Joseph Backholm, “Reality, anyone?” July 10, 2024. Andrew T. Walker, “No, it's still not right,” May 15, 2024. Bethel McGrew, “How high the cost for transgender ideology?” March 21, 2024.

Molech is a name you may not recognize. He was a pagan god from the ancient world and he shows up in various places throughout the Old Testament. Molech was an oppressive god who demanded much from his subjects, particularly the sacrifice of children. You may be tempted to think that Molech is just a story from the ancient past. He's long-lost to the pages of history, but I'm here to tell you that Molech is making a comeback in 21st century America. Christina Grube, “Montana Supreme Court overturns parental consent requirement for abortions,” August 15, 2024. Bethel McGrew, “The state of California vs. parents,” July 19, 2024. Nathan A. Finn, “The (college) kids aren't all right,” July 11, 2024.

One of the things that happens to me and virtually any other pastor who dares to speak about politics in this generation is that the critics come out in full force. And in my experience, critics tend to land in one of three camps. There are one of three types of criticisms. So, as we attempt to think biblically about the world in which we live, I want to answer those three typical criticisms. Let's talk about politics. Denny Burk, “Evangelicals for Harris,” August 14, 2024. Jeremy Schwartz and Jessica Priest, “Churches are breaking the law and endorsing in elections, experts say. The IRS looks the other way.” October 30, 2022.

I often hear this question: “Can an authentic Christian vote for the Democratic party?” Well, I think that's the wrong question. Politics come and go. Issues and positions change. Culture shifts. I don't think you can make a blanket decision about voting for or against a political party in every instance, in every situation for all time all the way down the ballet. But I do think a legitimate question in this political season is, “Can an authentic Christian honor the word of God by voting for this particular pair of Democratic politicians who have been presented to us as candidates for the White House?” Let's talk about that. Levi J. Secord, “Ready for the radical leftism of Gov. Walz?” August 7, 2024. Erick Erickson, “Harris picks Tim Walz,” August 7, 2024. Carolina Lumetta, “Harris taps Gov. Tim Walz for running mate,” August 6, 2024. David L. Bahnsen, “Kamala Harris' economic agenda,” July 30, 2024. Addie Offereins, “Harris has a muddied track record except on abortion,” July 23, 2024. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “Abortion at the center of her agenda,” July 23, 2024. Erick Erickson, “The Kamala Harris flaw,” July 22, 2024.

As we enter the month of August it's time to turn our attention to presidential politics. I've heard Christians say this year, more than I've ever heard before, that they plan to sit out this election because there's just not a candidate they can vote for in good conscience. I want us to consider: how do we approach politics from a biblical worldview? Andrew T. Walker, “Christian realism and the new GOP,” July 19, 2024. Erick Erickson, “It's Trump-Vance 2024,” July 15, 2024.

After decades of government promoted abortion, it turns out that nations are now beginning to incentivize parenthood because they've discovered that they need more babies. Talk about the law of unintended consequences… Bekah McCallum, “A global baby bust,” July 5, 2024. Daniel Darling, “The limits of secularity,” June 10, 2024.

As we come to the end of another Pride Month in America, it's appropriate for us to consider where we stand with our culture with regard to “gay pride” and “LGBTQ rights.” Colin J. Smothers, “The modern West's infertility gods,” June 24, 2024. Ericka Andersen, “Who is the oppressed and the oppressor?” June 10, 2024.

Last week in Indianapolis, IN, almost 11,000 messengers representing hundreds of churches from across the United States and across the world came together for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. In light of negative news coming out of most evangelical denominations in recent months combined with the misrepresentation by the mainstream media of much of what happened there, it's important for you to have a report about our convention from someone who was there. So, let me share with you the good, the bad, and the future.

In recent news, the Boy Scouts of America have now completed their surrender to the culture that started several years ago. And the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs has ignited a firestorm of criticism because he committed the audacious sin of commending his wife for being a great stay-at-home wife and mother. We live in a nonsense world. Joseph Backholm, “Just ask a Boy Scout,” May 28, 2024. Joe Rigney, “Assuming the center,” May 23, 2024. Kim Henderson, “More crime, less punishment,” March 21, 2024.

“Death to America!” That's a chant that we see on TV sometimes. It usually comes from somewhere in Tehran or another place in the Middle East, but lately it has shown up in Dearborn, Michigan, the jihad capital of America. Let's talk about that. Janie B. Cheaney, “More than bedrock,” April 18, 2024. A.S. Ibrahim, “A wake-up call about Islamism in the United States,” April 18, 2024. Bethel McGrew, “Poor Richard's Christianity,” April 9, 2024.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day and in a culture that can no longer even define the term “woman,” Mother's Day is a bit of an anachronism. It's a day that reminds us of some things that we intuitively know beyond a shadow of a doubt. But it's a day that points out just how much nonsense has emerged in our culture. So let's consider mothers. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “And a little child shall tell the truth,” May 13, 2024. Liz Lykins, “Title IX changes could threaten rights of the accused,” April 26, 2024. Lauren Dunn, “Department of Education rolls back protections for girls,” April 24, 2024.

In his prescient novel, 1984, George Orwell argued that the control of language is a means by which governments and other totalitarian agencies control the narrative, the agenda, the way we control people. It is interesting that in 2024, language is becoming the battlefield for control in our culture. What does the bible have to say about this? R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “The Antisemitism Awareness Act is a big problem,” May 6, 2024. _________________, “Breaking news—the media class is liberal,” April 17, 2024. Jordan J. Ballor, “False prophets and politicians,” March 25, 2024. Joseph Backholm, “An era of euphemism and lies,” March 22, 2024.

A couple of years ago when the Dobbs decision threw Roe vs. Wade back to the states, a lot of us thought that the abortion conversation would begin to decline and eventually become less significant as a part of the public discourse. In fact, the exact opposite has happened and abortion is once again, not only a topic of conversation, but it is a lynchpin for this year's presidential campaign. Let's talk about it. Bethel McGrew, “Saying it out loud,” April 17, 2024. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “Kamala at the death camp,” March 20, 2024. Katy Faust, “Expendable lives,” February 29, 2024. Erin Hawley, “Billions for abortion advocacy,” January 31, 2024.

Critics of the Bible often say that rather than the Word of God, the Bible is just a man-made document that is about ancient stories and has no relevance to today. And yet, over thousands of years the Bible has consistently been proven accurate by archeological evidence. It has explained and helped us understand events in the course of human history. Why can't we turn to the Bible to evaluate the events happening around us today. Well, we can. William Inboden, “A troubling milestone indeed,” April 15, 2024. ______________, “Is the United States abandoning Israel?” April 8, 2024. ______________, “The UN dithers, while Israel stands alone,” March 27, 2024. Mike Evans, “What God is Calling Us to Do,” March 2024.

In the category of “You Just Can't Make This Up,” last Sunday, March 31st, 2024 was both Easter Sunday for western Christianity as well as National Transgender Visibility Day. In writing the proclamation for that observance, President Biden said to the transgender community, “You are America and my entire administration and I have your back.” Well, I wonder who has the backs of those who have been observing Easter for 2000 years. Let's talk about the clash of historic faith and current political ideology. Carl R. Trueman, “The dangerous logic of hate crimes,” April 2, 2024. R. Albert Mohler Jr., “It's not working, Mr. President,” April 1, 2024. Andrew T. Walker, “The Biden White House really went there,” April 1, 2024.

This week is opening day for the 2024 MLB season. We ought to be talking about the prospects for each team or how the LA Dodgers committed $1 billion this winter to are agents trying to buy a World Series, but instead we are talking about one player: Shohei Ohtani, arguably the best baseball player on the planet. But we aren't talking about him because he's a talented ball player. We're talking about him because he's at the center of potentially the biggest gambling scandal in sports in a generation. How should we think about sports betting as Believers? Mike Florio, “The Ohtani gambling scandal, in a nutshell,” March 24, 2024. Keith O'Brien, “A Massive Baseball-Gambling Scandal Is Brewing. But Sports Betting Has Already Exploded—and Congress Couldn't Care Less,” March 21, 2024. Daniel Darling, “The dark underbelly of sports betting,” February 29, 2024.

I had a private conversation recently where I used the language, “tyrant” to refer to some decisions by our federal government. The person I was talking to said, “Pastor, that's a little overkill. Isn't that word a little strong for what we live with in our culture?” So I wondered if I am maybe using the wrong language. So I decided to try to define what a tyrant looks like. I think I've done it and I think we need to consider this biblically. Adam M. Carrington, “Unserious judges subvert the Constitution,” February 15, 2024. Timon Cline, “Not all protests are created equal,” February 2, 2024. Joseph Backholm, “They lied to us,” January 29, 2024.