Podcast appearances and mentions of George Barna

Get ready to think biblically and critically this hour. We start by discussing a seismic victory for religious liberty coming out of the Chicago Public School system. We then talk with Dr. George Barna about his latest American Worldview Inventory report that reveals a significant shift in faith allegiance. Don’t miss this timely conversation.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest worldview research from the Cultural Research Center, led by renowned researcher Dr. George Barna, are shockingly disappointing from a Christian perspective. Most self-identified Christians don't understand even the basics of biblical Christianity. In this eye-opening episode, George and I dig into some of the key findings on Americans' understanding of God and the implications for the church today.MENTIONED IN THE SHOW (in order of mention):My first interview with George Barna (Sep 2022): https://natashacrain.com/what-is-a-biblical-worldview-with-george-barna/  Cross Examined Instructor Academy: https://crossexamined.org/what-is-cia/Take the Worldview Assessment yourself: http://www.acuworldview.com/ Coupon Code for 30% off: 79NJEQXW

Are we experiencing a spiritual revival—or facing a full-blown discipleship crisis in the American church? In this powerful conversation, renowned researcher Dr. George Barna shares alarming new data and challenges us to rethink how we measure spiritual health and make disciples in a post-Christian culture.Main TopicsThe Decline of Belief in the God of the BibleThe fastest-growing spiritual segment in America is now the “don'ts”—those who don't know, don't believe, or don't care if God exists.Barna reveals a 30-year decline in belief in the God of the Bible.Why Discipleship Metrics Are FailingMost churches track attendance, programs, and budgets—but not spiritual transformation.Barna outlines six biblical criteria for true discipleship based on Jesus' teachings.Only 1 in 10 born-again Christians actively disciples others.The Crucial Role of Children's Ministry and Worldview FormationA child's worldview is largely formed by age 13, starting as early as 15–18 months.Only 12% of children's pastors have a biblical worldview themselves.Barna's "Seven Cornerstones" research shows that rejecting even one foundational belief drops the likelihood of a biblical worldview from 83% to just 2%.What if the greatest threat to the church today isn't cultural hostility—but our failure to make true disciples?View the transcript, leave comments, and check out recommended resources on the Episode Landing Page!Learn More about the 2025 DNA Forum in Panama

Dr. George Barna joins us to explain the “seven cornerstones of the biblical worldview.” This powerful list brings clarity and a practical blueprint to go with his ongoing research. A great conversation to pass on to others!

It's Wednesday, May 7th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Ugandan Muslims stabbed evangelist after winning Muslims to Christ Islamists killed a Christian evangelist in Uganda last month after he led several Muslims to Christ.  Thirty-eight-year-old David Washume spent three days preaching in eastern Uganda. Many people responded, including some Muslims. Shortly afterward on April 3, masked men stabbed David to death.  One person who heard his preaching before he died told Morning Star News, “On the third day the attendance increased in number, and he demanded a response of putting sin to death in their lives, to kill sin and identify themselves with Christ and against Satan, and their voices lifted to Heaven in song.” In Matthew 16:25, Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Thousands joined Ireland's March for Life Thousands of people joined the March for Life in Dublin, Ireland on Monday. (You can watch the 44-minute rally here). The number of recorded abortions in Ireland rose from over 2,800 in 2018 to over 10,000 in 2023. Newly elected Irish Senator Sarah O'Reilly spoke up for the little ones and for the women who are being sold abortion. O'REILLY: “Every life matters. Women deserve better than abortion. We are here because we know Ireland can be a place where compassion and courage walk hand in hand. Our soaring abortion numbers reveal a tragedy that cannot and must not be ignored any longer.” Senator O'Reilly also addressed the need for conscience protections for pro-life doctors and nurses in Ireland, so that they will not be coerced into participating in surgical and chemical abortions. O'REILLY: “In addition to the terrible loss of life from the abortions that will take place, there are not sufficient freedom of conscience protections in place for doctors and other healthcare workers who don't want to facilitate abortions. The lack of transparency surrounding what is happening under the abortion law is allowing coercive abortion practices to operate freely. “Some of you will be aware of the horrific story involving a minor in care who was locked in a room and forced to take an abortion pill. Something is clearly not right in our country when a story like this is relegated to the ‘news in brief' section of a daily newspaper and completely ignored by all the other media outlets.” And Senator O'Reilly referenced the deadly demise of Irish babies with Down Syndrome. O'REILLY: “Up to 95% of unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome at the hospital now end up being aborted. When that announcement was made, there was no outrage, no expressions of remorse by the architects of Ireland's new abortion regime.” Trump's new religious liberty commission In the United States, President Donald Trump established a religious liberty commission by Executive Order last Thursday. The commission consists of 14 members, including evangelist Franklin Graham, Dr. Ben Carson, Christian writer and talk show host Eric Metaxas, and First Liberty Institute President Kelly Shackelford.  Trump directed the commission to evaluate threats to religious liberty. Specifically, he wants the commission to address the challenges to the First Amendment rights of pastors, attacks across America on houses of worship, the debanking of religious entities, and challenges to parental authority to direct the education of their children, including the right to choose a religious education. Listen to comments made by Texas Republican Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick. PATRICK: “We were a nation birthed by prayer, founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic to ensure that people could worship as they wished without interference from government. But that is no longer the case. “The last administration attacked people of faith for four years. There's a saying that ‘No one should get between a doctor and a patient.' I think we would say, ‘No one should get between God and a believer. (applause) No one should get between God and those seeking Him.” Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender soldiers In a 6-3 vote on Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme allowed the Trump administration to implement a ban on transgender troops.  At issue is an Executive Order from Trump which stated, “A man's assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member.” The Supreme Court's decision could lead to the discharge of thousands of military personnel.  177,000 jobs added in April; Unemployment at 4.2% American job growth was stronger than expected last month. The U.S economy added 177,000 jobs in April. The unemployment rate remained low at 4.2%. Seema Shah, chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, noted, “We can push recession concerns to another month. Job numbers remain very strong, suggesting there was an impressive degree of resilience in the economy in play before the tariff shock.”  Trump considers 100% tariff on foreign movies Speaking of tariffs, President Trump announced a potential 100% tariff on foreign movies on Sunday.  The tax could apply to films produced abroad and sent into the U.S. Trump said, “We want movies made in America, again!” Only 66% of Americans identify as Christian today And finally, Christian pollster George Barna released his latest report on the American worldview. The study found 66% of U.S. adults describe Christianity as their faith, down from 72% in 2020. Meanwhile, non-Christian faiths have grown significantly. Buddhism has grown 56%; Judaism by 21%; and Islam by 12%. And people who identify as having no faith grew 10%, outnumbering Catholics now.   Furthermore, only 18% of adults consistently rely upon the Bible to discern moral and spiritual truth. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, May 7th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Greg discusses a new report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University indicates that millions of deity-doubters are open to being persuaded that the God of the Bible does, in fact, exist and influence people's lives—Under the Right Conditions and why this is good news.

Ron Sandison of Spectrum Inclusion and author of "Adulting on the Spectrum," talks about his growing up with autism, living as adult with it, and how churches can better serve people with autism and their families.  George Barna of the Cultural Research Center opens up the latest findings from the American Worldview Inventory 2025 report, including how most Americans don't understand His revealed character and His part in their lives.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

In this compelling episode of Fearless Features, we dive deep into the scarring effects of the transgender ideology, shedding light on the lifetime of regret many individuals are experiencing. We'll also explore the insights from George Barna's new American Worldview Inventory Report, which provides a thought-provoking look at our culture today. Finally, we address an important topic that's close to many hearts: overcoming church hurt and navigating the painful experiences inflicted in the name of Jesus through church membership. Join us for a heartfelt discussion filled with hope, understanding, and the power of faith as we empower each other to heal and grow. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and share your thoughts on our conversation! Are you ready to see our culture through a bold, faith-filled perspective? Join us in watching one of our fearless films today! Discover eye-opening stories that challenge the norms and bring clarity to today's pressing issues—all rooted in biblical truths. www.fearlessfeatures.org ***SHOW NOTES*** DETRANSITIONER STORY - DAISY STRONGIN https://www.facebook.com/laurie.higgins.376/posts/pfbid0SppVvah4onLiZK2VeFuJJ8KspAuDMeUbooBH7BxAjR3i9YrFnsBWZhRF85jAC2bal Major Corporations Are Dumping The LGBTQIAAP2S+ https://www.infowars.com/posts/major-corporations-are-dumping-the-lgbtqiaap2s China's Palm Payment Push is Here https://www.infowars.com/posts/chinas-palm-payment-push-is-here 2025 AMERICAN WORLDVIEW INVENTORY - REPORT #4 https://www.arizonachristian.edu/category/2025-american-worldview-inventory/ ***FEARLESS FEATURES*** Learn more about our ministry —> www.fearlessfeatures.org Subscribe to our newsletter and emails! —> www.fearlessfeatures.org/ Shop the Fearless Store —> www.fearlessfeatures.org/shop Support the Podcast —> donorbox.org/tip-the-hosts

In this episode of the Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy and Wayne Stender discuss the challenges parents face when trying to nurture their children's faith, especially when it seems like their efforts aren't yielding the desired results. They emphasize the importance of having meaningful conversations that go beyond faith discussions, engaging with kids on various topics that interest them. The episode features insights from Dr. Kathy, who highlights findings from George Barna's American Worldview Inventory Report. This report reveals that many adults are open to the idea of God under certain conditions, presenting both a troubling reality and a powerful opportunity for fostering faith in children. The conversation aims to equip parents with the understanding that having a trusted person in a child's life is crucial for building their faith. Tune in to explore how to guide children in their spiritual journey without overwhelming them. The insights from this podcast reference Dr. Kathy's work Start with the Heart>>

Dr. George Barna of Arizona Christian University Cultural Research Center is today's guest. He expands on a recent study about trends for shaping faith & culture.Arizona Christian University Cultural Research Center: https://www.arizonachristian.edu/culturalresearchcenter/research/Raising Spiritual Champions: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Spiritual-Champions-Nurturing-Childs-ebook/dp/B0CCK5238Zwww.worldviewmatters.tv© FreedomProject 2025See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Thursday, April 17th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark South African police rescue kidnapped missionary Praise God! Police in South Africa rescued a U.S. missionary from his kidnappers on Monday. Pastor Josh Sullivan, age 34, was preaching at Fellowship Baptist Church in South Africa's Eastern Cape province last Thursday. That's when four masked gunmen broke into the church, dragged him out of the pulpit, and took him hostage in front of his wife and children. They demanded a ransom. Providentially, police were able to locate him and engaged in a shootout with the kidnappers, killing three of them. Sullivan was found inside the same car that the kidnappers were in, but he was "miraculously unharmed.” Before Sullivan had been rescued WBIR, Channel 10 in Knoxville, Tennessee interviewed Sullivan's father-in-law, David Witt. He knew that Sullivan would rely on Christ in the midst of his captivity. WITT: “There's no way I can imagine going through this without Jesus, Christ.” Remarkably, he was convinced that his son-in-law would share the Good News with his kidnappers. WITT: “Giving them the Gospel. The greatest thing that could ever happen is for one of those kidnappers to get saved.” The missionary's father-in-law explained that all Christians should emulate the heart of Christ on the cross. WITT: “He said, ‘Forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And we have to forgive the people that kidnapped our son-in-law because they don't know either.” Please keep Pastor Josh Sullivan, his family, and church in your prayers. Psalm 146:7 says it is God “who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free.” U.K. Supreme Court affirms two biological sexes Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled that a person's sex is based on biology.  The case began in 2018 when the Scottish government allowed the definition of “woman” to include men pretending to be women. Women's rights groups challenged the decision, going all the way to the U.K. Supreme Court. The high court's ruling keeps men, pretending to be women, out of spaces intended for women. This includes women-only changing rooms, homeless shelters, swimming areas, and medical or counseling services.   Australian judge protects boy from being “transitioned” In Australia, a family court judge has ruled to protect a child from transgender drugs. Judge Andrew Strum recently awarded custody of a 12-year-old boy to his father. The father opposed attempts by the mother to put the boy on puberty blockers. She had been grooming him to pretend to be a girl since age 6. The judge noted, “I do not accept that the child, at this age . . . can properly understand the implications and potential risks of puberty blockers.” The ruling is the first of its kind against transgenderism in the country.  Appearing on Sky News, Chris Merritt, the Legal Affairs Contributor for The Australian, was grateful that the judge protected this 12-year-old boy from puberty blockers. MERRITT: “Had the father believed the misdiagnosis his former wife had received that their son had suffered from gender dysphoria, there would be no role for the federal circuit and Family Court. There's a precedent that makes it clear that if both parents agree about a course of gender blocking treatment, it will go ahead without any further involvement of the court. But in this particular case, because the father objected, it found its way into court.” The legal analyst was especially appalled by the dramatic lack of evidence presented by the medical experts which would warrant attempting to feminize this boy through puberty blockers and estrogen supplements. MERRITT: “When the medical experts were subjected to a bit of cross examination and their evidence was tested quite rigorously, over a long period, huge flaws emerged. Some obvious causes of the boy's gender confusion were not pursued. If we've got a misdiagnosis in this case, based on what the judge said was evidence infected with ideology rather than facts, there could be other cases like this.” Arkansas protects kids from being placed with homosexual couples Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the Keep Kids First Act into law last Thursday. The law protects Christian adoption agencies from having to place children in homes that go against their religious beliefs. In essence, they can bypass homes featuring homosexual couples. The measures also protect such agencies from being targeted by the government for their beliefs.  Greg Chafuen with Alliance Defending Freedom celebrated the new law. He said, “Arkansas has taken the critical step to pass . . . the Keep Kids First Act, which prioritizes the well-being of kids by prohibiting state and local government officials from discriminating against adoption and foster care providers and parents simply because of their religious beliefs and moral convictions.” 71st Sanctuary City for the Unborn Last Tuesday, Mullin, Texas became the 71st city in the nation to declare itself a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. The Mullin City Council passed the ordinance unanimously. The measure prohibits elective abortions in the city limits as well as mailing abortion drugs into the city.  Pastor Randy Bradley of Mullin First Baptist Church commented, “I was moved by the willingness of our city council to take such a bold stand for the lives of the unborn. I am overjoyed at being part of a community which passed this ordinance unanimously.” 27% of American adults say God does not exist And finally, Dr. George Barna released his latest study on the worldview of Americans. The study found that 27 percent of U.S. adults claim the God of the Bible does not exist. However, over a third of those who dismiss God's existence said they would be completely open to being persuaded otherwise by someone they know and trust. Dr. Barna noted, “Having an established relationship in place with people facing a crisis goes a long way toward helping them to know God and place their trust in Him.” 1 Peter 3:15 says, “In your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 17th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Thursday, April 10th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Sharp rise in persecution of Christians in Pakistan A new report from Human Rights Focus Pakistan documented a sharp rise in victimization rates against religious minorities in Pakistan during the first three months of this year.  Religious minorities, including Christians, faced more attacks, murders, blasphemy charges, abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages.  Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, said, “Pakistan's latest wave of atrocities against Christians in 2025 is not an aberration — it's a grotesque culmination of centuries of state-sanctioned brutality and indifference.” As of January, at least 20 Christians have been imprisoned for their faith in the Islamic country. Pakistan is ranked eighth on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.   Barcelona, Spain looking to close 17 Evangelical churches Evangelical Focus reports that 17 Evangelical churches are facing the threat of closure in Barcelona, Spain. This comes as the local government plans urban development that will affect buildings that churches own or rent. The Evangelical Council of Catalonia warns this could leave thousands of believers without a place to worship. Guillem Correa, the executive director of the group, said, “We understand that the case affects freedom of worship, and what characterizes the exercise of this right is that people can meet in the place of worship throughout the week. Without this, there is no religious freedom and no community life.” Man guilty of targeting churches with fake bombs In the United States, a federal jury returned a guilty verdict last Thursday for a 45-year-old man convicted of targeting churches. Zimnako Salah left fake bombs at churches in Arizona and California in 2023. Authorities discovered he was also building an actual bomb. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “This Department of Justice has no tolerance for anyone who targets religious Americans for their faith. The perpetrator of this abhorrent hate crime against Christians will face severe punishment.” Psalm 5:4-6 says, “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs except China President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for imports from most nations yesterday.  Trump's baseline tariff of 10% remains in place. Meanwhile, much of the additional “reciprocal” tariffs are on hold as countries negotiate with the United States. CNBC carried Trump's remarks on the White House lawn to reporters. TRUMP: “Last year, China made $1 trillion off trade with the United States. That's not right. And now I've reversed it for a short period of time, but we're making now $2 billion a day. Somebody had to do it. “Charles Schwab was here a little while ago, one of the great financial people. He said he's been waiting for 40 years for somebody to do what I did over the last month, and if you didn't do it, you wouldn't have a country. It wouldn't be sustainable. “So, I'm honored to have done it. Nothing is over yet, but we have tremendous amount of spirit from other countries, including China. China wants to make a deal. They just don't know how quite to go about it. They're proud people. President Xi is a proud man. I know him very well, and they don't know quite how to go about it, but they'll figure it out. They want to make a deal. “We have many other countries, as you know. Many more than 75. They're all calling, ‘How do we do this?' They all want to make a deal. I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn't retaliate, because I told them, ‘If you retaliate, we're going to double it.'  And that's what I did with China, because they did retaliate.” Indeed, China was the one country which is not getting relief. Trump said he would raise tariffs on imports from China to 125%. TRUMP: “They will be fair deals for everybody, but they weren't fair to the United States. They were sucking us dry, and you can't do that. We have $36 trillion of debt for a reason.  People took advantage of our country, and they ripped us off for decades.” Stocks surge U.S. stock markets surged in response to Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs.  The S&P 500 rose 8.5% yesterday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 7%, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 11%. Big tech companies led much of the stock market rally. Nvidia stock was up 15%. Tesla was up 17%. And Apple, Amazon, and Meta were up about 10%.  Lowe's closes on Resurrection Sunday Lowe's is closing its stores nationwide for this coming Resurrection Sunday.  The home improvement chain will close its 1,700 locations on April 20 and give its 300,000 employees a paid day off.   Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison said, “In recognition of our teams' continued hard work, we are pleased to provide a well-deserved day off so they can spend Easter with their loved ones.” It's the sixth year in a row that Lowe's has done this.  Send a thank you note to Marvin Ellison to let him know you appreciate that. Send it to: Marvin Ellison, Lowe's, 1000 Lowe's Blvd, Mooresville, NC 28117. 66% of U.S. adults have made a personal commitment to Jesus And finally, George Barna released its State of the Church 2025 report.  The study found 66% of U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today, That's up from 54% in 2021 but similar to what it was 20 years ago. This growth was fueled by young people, especially young men.  Sixty to seventy percent of men from the Gen Z and Millennial cohorts said they have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important today. However, many who made these commitments don't necessarily identify as Christian, indicating a patchwork of religious beliefs and identities.  Lamentations 3:40-41 reminds us, “Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in Heaven.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 10th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

The latest data gathered by George Barna in 2025 indicates that belief in the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity is at an all-time low. This episode examines the data and the decline in Trinitarianism over the last decade. We discuss why fewer people believe in the Trinity and how unitarians can use this opportunity to share their truths. Visit Amazon to buy your copy of my book Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John: https://a.co/d/6nFEbZg                     Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks                          To view the notes from this episode please click the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JuzC6pj28TCwrrtIzeZoGpwj2kOxEx1gF1mzIVUnP60/edit?usp=sharing            Check out some of my videos on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@BiblicalUnitarianPodcast              Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/OneGodPodcast  

Religionless Christianity Podcast Episode 258This week, Nickie and I discuss a recent survey put out by George Barna on what Christians belief. We will also discuss Dylan Mulvaney's appearance on The View because they talked faith and we will end with a discussion on Christian Conspiracy Theorists. If you enjoy the content, please consider following or subscribing and leaving a nice review. God bless!!TIME STAMP:Intro- 00:00Christian Survey- 03:31Whoopi and Dylan- 46:11Christian Conspiracy- 01:09:37ARTICLES:Christian Survey- https://tinyurl.com/5b4ca9byWhoopi and Dylan- https://tinyurl.com/4fp92zpjChristian Conspiracy- https://tinyurl.com/48d8jtf3PLEASE COME JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR CONSIDER SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY:EMAIL- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠religionlesschristianity@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FACEBOOK-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ReligionlessChristianityPodcast⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TWITTER- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ReligionlessC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT THE MINISTRY:PATREON- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/4jm7zj2s⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AMAZON AFFILIATE-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3lV4cBP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BEST⁠⁠⁠ BUY-⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/15JqMm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BUY ME A COFFEE- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RCPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CHRISTIAN ⁠BOOKS- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/home?event=AFF&p=1222679⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Podcast Community- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We are well into 2025 and major societal shifts are already unfolding. For over 40 years, Dr. George Barna has been tracking religious and national trends, and now he’s bringing his latest research to Equipped. Join us as he unpacks a dozen key trends shaping America this year—and offers his insights for navigating them with Biblical wisdom and confidence in our God. Today's resource: Faith & Culture Trends Likely to Emerge in 2025 Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support.  To donate now, click here.

Greg overviews the latest research release from George Barna and the Cultural Research Center.

In Today's episode of the CBL Podcast, William Wolfe sits down with David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council, to discuss the state of the pro-life movement, challenges after the Dobbs decision, the federal vs. state debate, and Closson's new book "Life After Roe: Equipping Christians in the Fight for Life Today." Show Notes: Purchase "Life After Roe" – https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/life-after-roe-P005846462 Timestamps: 0:01:19 - Introduction of David Closson 0:05:00 - Discussion of COVID-19 experiences 0:06:42 - Dobbs decision leak and initial reactions 0:10:00 - Media commentary on Christians and abortion 0:14:23 - George Barna survey on church views about abortion 0:25:00 - Biblical passages about life (Luke 1 example) 0:37:08 - Christianity historical stance on abortion 0:44:04 - State-level ballot measures after Dobbs decision 0:52:55 - Equal protection under law for unborn children 0:54:30 - Chemical abortion pills and challenges 1:00:28 - Moral and spiritual reflection on the scourge of abortion 1:04:00 - Book availability and resources David Closson serves as the Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council where he researches, writes, and speaks about life, human sexuality, religious liberty, and related issues from a biblical worldview. He is the author of FRC's Biblical Worldview Series, which seeks to help Christians and Christian leaders apply the teachings of the Bible to difficult moral questions. Currently, David is a Ph.D. candidate in Christian Ethics at Southwestern Seminary. David is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.) and the University of Central Florida (B.A., political science, cum laude). David lives in the Washington, D.C. area and is a member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Learn more about David's work: https://www.frc.org/david-closson#gsc.tab=0 https://x.com/DavidClosson –––––– Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/BaptistLeaders Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-For-Baptist-Leadership/61556762144277/ Rumble – https://rumble.com/c/c-6157089 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@CenterforBaptistLeadership Website – https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/ To book William for media appearances or speaking engagements, please contact him at media@centerfor­baptistleadership.org. Follow Us on Twitter: William Wolfe - https://twitter.com/William_E_Wolfe Richard Henry - https://twitter.com/RThenry83 Renew the SBC from within and defend the SBC from those who seek its destruction, donate today: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/donate/   The Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast is powered by American Reformer, recorded remotely in the United States by William Wolfe, and edited by Jared Cummings.   Subscribe to the Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast: Distribute our RSS Feed – https://centerforbaptistleadership.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/id1743074575 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0npXohTYKWYmWLsHkalF9t Amazon Music // Audible – https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ababbdd-6c6b-4ab9-b21a-eed951e1e67b BoomPlay – https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/96624 TuneIn – Coming Soon iHeartRadio – https://iheart.com/podcast/170321203 Listen Notes – https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/center-for-baptist-leadership-center-for-3liUZaE_Tnq/ Pandora – Coming Soon PlayerFM – https://player.fm/series/3570081 Podchaser – https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-center-for-baptist-leaders-5696654 YouTube Podcasts – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMvfuzJKMICA7wi3CXvQxdNtA_lqDFV

It's Thursday, March 27th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Vietnam deny religious liberty The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its annual report on Tuesday.  The report advises the U.S. State Department to designate certain countries as Countries of Particular Concern for severe religious freedom violations. The commission recommended countries like Burma, China, North Korea, and Russia to remain on the list. It further recommended adding Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Vietnam. Nearly all the countries on the recommendation list are also on Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian. McKenna Wendt with International Christian Concern said, “[We are] particularly grateful for [the report's] focus on the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world.” Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” Christianity & Buddhism saw most losses from religious switching Pew Research released a new report on “religious switching” around the world. In many countries, about one out of five adults have left the religious group they grew up in. Christianity and Buddhism saw the most losses from this religious switching, while those with no religious affiliation increased. Religious switching was common across East Asia, Western Europe, North America, and South America. However, countries with large Christian populations, but with little religious switching, include Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, the Philippines, Poland, and Hungary. 10,000 Dutch were killed by euthanasia Sadly, nearly 10,000 people were killed in the Netherlands last year through euthanasia.  That's up 10% from 2023. Deaths involving psychological suffering were up 60%.  Bruno Waterfield, reporting for The Times, said, “There is concern that growing numbers of suicidal people, especially young people, are asking for help to die.” Proverbs 12:10 says “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Trump's signs Executive Order on Election Integrity In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Tuesday entitled “Persevering and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” The order directs states to require proof of citizenship when people register to vote in federal elections.  The order also stated, “Above all, elections must be honest and worthy of the public trust.  That requires voting methods that produce a voter-verifiable paper record allowing voters to efficiently check their votes to protect against fraud or mistake.” Births increased in states with abortion bans The National Bureau of Economic Research released a report on how abortion bans have affected birth rates. About a dozen states passed near-total abortion bans since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. This increased the distance to the nearest abortion mill from 50 miles to 300 miles for the average woman in those states.  Notably, births also increased by 2.8% in those states compared to what they were expected to be without the abortion ban.  Only 16% of Christians believe in Trinity Dr. George Barna released his latest research on American Christianity.  About two thirds of U.S. adults identify as Christians according to the report. However, only 16% of self-identified Christians believe in the existence and influence of each person of the Trinity. That number falls to 11% among the general population. People who read the Bible daily and attend church weekly were more likely to believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Dr. Barna noted, “These findings about America's ignorance or rejection of the Trinity are simply another in a long list of examples of people living without the truths and life principles of God shaping their lives.” In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Partial solar eclipse this Saturday morning And finally, a partial solar eclipse is coming to parts of North America this week. The moon will pass between the sun and the Earth on Saturday morning for viewers in parts of the northeastern U.S. The sun and moon won't be perfectly aligned, so only part of the sun will be obscured.  The spectacle will also be visible in eastern Canada, western Africa, and Europe.  Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, March 27th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Get ready to think critically and biblically this hour. We start with some of the stories making headlines before we hear from Dr. George Barna on his latest research on how Americans are minimizing the role of God in their lives. We round out the hour with Todd Nettleton who will give us very specific prayer requests coming from the Persecuted Church. Don’t miss this impactful hour of conversation. Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. George Barna joins us with a new report identifying a dozen key trends set to redefine life in America this year, including five faith-related shifts and seven social transitions. These include syncretism mental health, less college and more trades, more churches closing, family issues, and other shifts poised to influence the nation's cultural and spiritual future in 2025. 2025 Faith and Culture Trends: Barna Research Forecasts What's Ahead (https://www.arizonachristian.edu/2025/01/22/barna_crc_research_reveal_12_trends_that-will_shape_faith_and_culture_in_2025/)

It's Thursday, March 13th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Pakistani police rescue abducted 12-year-old Christian girl A 12-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan reunited with her parents last week after being abducted by a Muslim neighbor. Saba Shafique was abducted back in January and forced to marry her abductor.  Saba was beaten and locked in a room until police recovered her. She is glad to be reunited with her family. Sadly, such forced marriages affect hundreds of girls from religious minorities in the Islamic country every year, reports Morning Star News. Pakistan is ranked 8th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  Devout British Christians gave 11% of income to charity The Christian charity Stewardship released their latest Generosity Report on Christians in the United Kingdom. The study found the average monthly giving for Christians equated to 5% of their income. That's twice the national average.  Christians who attend church and read the Bible at least once a week give even more, donating 11% of their income. That's almost five times the national average. The study also found such committed Christians experienced the most joy when giving compared to those who attend church and read the Bible less frequently.  2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Stocks rose with lower inflation In the United States, U.S. stocks rose yesterday after February's inflation report showed signs of slowing price increases. The consumer price index rose 0.2% last month, putting February's annual inflation rate at 2.8%. That's down from 3% in January.  Stocks rallied at the news after a couple of days of losses. Markets have fluctuated in the face of President Donald Trump's tariff escalations with countries around the world.  However, Trump did not rule out a recession for the U.S. during an interview on Fox News. Instead, he signaled a period of transition. TRUMP: “There is a period of transition, because what we're doing is very big. We're bringing wealth back to America. That's a big thing. And there are always periods of -- it takes a little time. But I think it should be great for us.” Chase will no longer discriminate against conservatives, Christians A major bank has changed its Code of Conduct to protect against political and religious debanking.  JPMorgan Chase stated in a letter last week that it will not discriminate based on religious affiliation or religious views. Conservative and religious groups have complained in recent years that Chase has canceled their banking services.  Following the updated Code of Conduct, Jeremy Tedesco with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “This is a major victory for free speech and religious freedom in the marketplace. … We expect Chase's new policy to set the standard for the rest of the financial industry.” Pro-abortion activist paid $10,000 fine for vandalizing pro-life center Officials in Florida have exacted a $10,000 fine from a pro-abortion activist associated with Antifa.  Gabriella Oropesa worked with several other activists to vandalize pro-life pregnancy centers in the Sunshine state in 2022. They spray painted threatening messages on the facilities like “YOUR TIME IS UP!!” and “WE'RE COMING for U.” Oropesa also faces up to 10 years in prison.  Dept. of Education to cut staff by 50% The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday it plans to reduce its staff by 50%. Impacted staff will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “Today's reduction in force reflects the Department of Education's commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.”  This will cut the Department's workforce from 4,133 workers to 2,183 workers.  9% of Americans have interactive spiritual relationship with God And finally, Dr. George Barna  released a new report on Americans minimizing the role of God in their lives. Only 40% of U.S. adults believe God exists or influences human lives. Sixteen percent say God is the most important element of their lives, and 9% say they have an intimate and interactive spiritual relationship with God.  Among self-identified Christians, only 20% describe their relationship with God as intimate and interactive and nearly one-third do not believe He is actively involved in every aspect of their daily existence.  In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus said, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, March 13th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

On today's program: Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator from South Carolina, offers insight to the government shutdown fight, peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing violence in Syria. Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator from Nebraska and

Greg describes how hate is blinding the left in this this nation and how Donald Trump understands this and uses to his advantage.Greg visits with Dr. George Barna about the sixth annual study conducted by the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University. His research reveals that American adults have dramatically redefined the very nature and existence of God, contributing to widespread worldview confusion and a significant shift away from the God of the Bible. They also overview cultural and religious shifts and trends in 2025.

Greg visits with Dr. George Barna about the sixth annual study conducted by the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University. His research reveals that American adults have dramatically redefined the very nature and existence of God, contributing to widespread worldview confusion and a significant shift away from the God of the Bible. They also overview cultural and religious shifts and trends in 2025.

With the current presidential adminstration announcing expanded financial support for In Vitro Fertilization and cutting of medical research, Heather Zieger of the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity addresses some of the bioethical concerns of both from a Christian perspective.  George Barna of the Cultural Research Center helps us understand some of the current trends culturally and religiously, and how to navigate them. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Greg reviews his day at the Alabama Statehouse and visits with Rep. Leigh Hulsey about her bill to limit cell phones in public schools.He then talks through some of the latest research from George Barna about how Americans view God.

Greg talks through some of the latest research from George Barna about how Americans view God.

It's Friday, February 21st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 10th anniversary of Muslim beheading of 21 Libyan Christians Saturday was the 10th anniversary of when 21 Christians died for their faith in Libya. Islamic State militants beheaded them on February 15, 2015 for refusing to deny Christ. Most of the believers were Egyptian Coptic Christians. Vicky Hartzler with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said, “Today, we remember the 21 young men who were brutally murdered by ISIS solely for being Christian. The U.S. government must continue to be an unrelenting voice against violence that targets religious communities, including Coptic Christians.”  In memory of the 21 Christian martyrs, More Productions released a short, 13-minute animated film last year called “The 21.” You can watch it through a special link in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.  Libya has been in turmoil since 2011 and the overthrow of its then-leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi. Since then, numerous other militia groups have battled for control. According to Open Doors, Libya is the fourth most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. 74-year-old pro-life woman arrested for praying outside abortion mill Authorities in Scotland arrested a 74-year-old pro-life woman recently for standing silently outside an abortion mill in Glasgow. Rose Docherty was holding a sign that read, “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” Officials charged her with violating a new “buffer zone” law that limits activities around abortion mills. It's the first arrest under the law.  The arrest comes days after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance called out European leaders for violating the religious freedom of pro-lifers.  Kash Patel confirmed as FBI Director In the United States, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI Director on February 20th, reports The Epoch Times. PRESIDING OFFICER: “The Yeas are 51; the Nays are 49. The confirmation is confirmed.” Senators voted 51–49 to confirm Patel who gained prominence for exposing alleged FBI and Justice Department malfeasance during the Crossfire Hurricane probe into the Trump campaign. Crossfire Hurricane was the code name for the counterintelligence investigation undertaken by the FBI from July 2016 to May 2017, into links between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. Republican Senators  Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine crossed the aisle to join Democrats in voting against Patel's nomination. Surprisingly, GOP Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky supported Trump's nominee. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, age 91, serves as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Before the vote was cast, he made this last-minute appeal. GRASSLEY: “Mr. Patel has spent his whole career fighting for righteous causes. He's been a public defender, representing the accused against the power of the state. He's been a congressional staffer, investigating the partisan weaponization of our legal system. And he served in key national security roles, protecting Americans from foreign enemies. He's received support from former FBI agents, former federal and state prosecutors, and organizations representing more than 680,000 law enforcement officers. “But Mr. Patel's resume, his accomplishments, aren't why he's the best person for this job. Mr. Patel should be considered our next FBI director because the FBI has been infected by political bias and weaponized against the American people. Mr. Patel knows it. Mr. Patel exposed it. I've got plenty of examples to show what's wrong with the FBI.” Kash Patel wrote the 2024 book entitled, Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy. Military chaplain fired for citing Romans 1 in sermon A Veterans Affairs chaplain is fighting for his religious freedom.  Rusty Trubey served as a chaplain at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pennsylvania. However, Veterans Affairs removed him from his duties for preaching a sermon from Romans 1. The sermon was entitled, “When a Culture Excludes God,” and included homosexuality as an example.  First Liberty Institute and the Independence Law Center are representing Trubey. Last week, they sent a letter to Douglas Collins, the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The letter noted, “This is a systemic problem. We know that you will do the right thing to correct not only the unconstitutional policies at the Coatesville Facility, but also throughout our [Veterans Affairs] system.” 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” U.S. poll: Only 40% believe in God of Bible; 4% have Biblical worldview Dr. George Barna released his latest American Worldview Inventory report. The study found that 46% of Americans agree that there is only one Supreme Spiritual Being who created and rules everything in existence. That number rose to 60% among self-identified Christians.  Dr. Barna noted many have a mix-and-match approach to faith: “The latest research finds that while two-thirds of Americans identify as Christian, only 4% hold a Biblical worldview. Even more alarming, just 40% believe in the God of the Bible, down from 73% three decades ago. Instead, Syncretism—blending elements from multiple worldviews—has become the dominant perspective.” Joshua 24:15 says, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Meta plans to build 30,000-mile-long sub-sea cable And finally, Meta announced last week it is building the world's largest sub-sea cable. The tech giant is known for its social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.  Under its new plan called Project Waterworth, it will bring industry-leading connectivity around the world. The cable will connect five major continents and measure over 30,000 miles. That's more than the earth's entire circumference! Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, February 21st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. And now to close the newscast is my youngest child, Valor Tyndale McManus, who is turning 10 today. He's finally hit the double digits! Seize the day for Jesus Christ. (Adam@TheWorldview.com). 

Greg talks through five faith trends based on an analysis of its vault of data, seen through the lens of 40-plus years of religious trend tracking by George Barna.

Greg gives an overview of his day at the Alabama Statehouse highlighting bills related to veterans, paharmacies, and the National Anthem. He then comments on Donald Trump's executive order related to IVF.Greg talks through five faith trends based on an analysis of its vault of data, seen through the lens of 40-plus years of religious trend tracking by George Barna.

The Christian Outlook – February 15, 2025

Lie: The Dobbs decision prevents pregnant women from getting the medical treatment they need in emergency cases. Truth: All states with pro-life laws allow for medical interventions to save the mother’s life. Dr. Ingrid Skop will join us to teach us the truth about pro-life laws and how they actually protect women. Then, Dr. George Barna will describe faith and cultural trends that are likely to emerge in 2025. Get ready. It’s time to think biblically and critically.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg talks through several cultural trends for 2025 as identified by Dr. George Barna.

It's Thursday, January 23rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Iran giving Christians longer prison sentences Article 18 reports Iran is sentencing more Christians to longer sentences. The Islamic regime sentenced 96 Christians to a combined 263 years in prison last year. That's up from 22 Christians sentenced to 43.5 years in 2023. Christians are also facing longer individual sentences. Some face up to 15 years all on account of their faith and religious activities. Article 18 said these cases are only the tip of the iceberg, noting that many go unreported. Iran is ranked ninth on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  Germany's anti-Christian offenses almost doubled Germany's federal government reported there were 228 anti-Christian offenses last year, up from 135 cases in 2022. The offenses included one homicide, 14 bodily injuries, 52 cases of damage to property, 22 cases of threats or coercion, and 29 cases of incitement of the people against Christians.  Trump ends Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs In the United States, President Donald Trump issued an order Tuesday, entitled, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunity.”  The order ends the federal government's hiring practices based on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The administration also instructed agencies to close diversity, equity, and inclusion offices by 5 p.m. yesterday. Staffers of those offices were put on paid administrative leave.  Senator Hawley to Trump: Pardon the pro-lifers Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri called on President Trump to pardon the pro-life advocates imprisoned under the Biden administration. On Tuesday, Hawley posted this on X: “I hope President Trump will shortly pardon the pro-life prisoners unjustly targeted & jailed by the Biden administration. They deserve to be free.” Fox News' Kayleigh McEnany, former White House Press Secretary under Trump, also called for their release.  McENANY: “There are 21 pro-lifers that Biden put in prison, innocent individuals who sang about Jesus Christ in front of an abortion clinic in a hallway, not in the clinic. It was a peaceful protest. We played it on the show. Those individuals should be receiving pardons. “We are a week ahead of the March for Life, and I hope that the Trump administration deeply considers these peaceful Christians in a peaceful protest who were persecuted by President Biden. They should be freed.” Proverbs 17:15 says, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanks “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” Marco Rubio was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State on Tuesday. The Senate unanimously confirmed him Monday. Rubio had served 14 years in the chamber before becoming Secretary of State.  Rubio said the State Department would focus on making America stronger, safer, and more prosperous. After being sworn in, he gave thanks to God. RUBIO: “I want to end by thanking Almighty God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is truly the singular purpose of our lives. It's the most important priority. It's the only thing that will matter when we take our last breath on this Earth. “But this is an extraordinary opportunity. It would not have been possible without God's blessings. I'm honored, and I'm privileged, cognizant of the responsibility. And I want to thank President Trump for his confidence. “We will work hard every second of the day to help him achieve the agenda the American people have given him to achieve. Thanks for being a part of this today. God bless all of you. Thank you.” Winter storm hit the South A major winter storm hit the South on Tuesday. The storm brought record-breaking snowfall to parts of the Deep South, impacting a 1,500-mile span from the Texas Gulf Coast to Atlantic coast of the Carolinas. Even Florida and Alabama got historic snowfalls.   Psalm 147:16-17 says God “gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; who can stand before His cold?” FDA bans red food dye #3 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of food dye Red No. 3 last week. The synthetic food dye can cause cancer in laboratory rats.  The dye is still used in thousands of products to give food a bright red color, including candy, cereals, cherries, and milkshakes.  Companies still have a couple years until they must stop using the food dye.  Barna: Americans abandon discipleship and mental issues escalate And finally, Dr. George Barna released a new report on faith and cultural trends likely to emerge this year. The report notes several key trends. First, the syncretism train will keep rolling as people abandon a Biblical worldview for a blend of philosophies. Second, discipleship drops off the radar as the act of biblical mentoring becomes more uncommon in churches. Third, mental health issues escalate as Americans face more fear, anxiety, and depression. And fourth, the family will continue to be a contested and maligned institution.   Dr. Barna noted, “In the end, it's all about worldview. And for those who seek a worldview based on Truth, it's all about pursuing the God of the Bible for the answers and connection we deeply desire.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

How can we increase our impact in 2025 in business, ministry, community outreach, and connection to younger generations? Today's episode features Dr. Adam Rasmussen, a distinguished Fellow at the Cultural Research Center Directed by George Barna. Rasmussen also serves as the Academic Dean at Arizona Christian University. Dr. Rasmussen brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive research on cultural worldviews and their influence on behavior. In this episode, he sheds light on the alarming decline in biblical adherence and offers practical, research-informed strategies for reaching and impacting the next generation. He emphasizes critical theological principles that can guide leaders in creating effective outreach and fostering genuine discipleship. Join us for a profound discussion that aims to equip leaders with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of modern cultural landscapes and inspire lasting change. In this must-listen episode, Dr. Rasmussen delves into groundbreaking research from the Cultural Research Center, offering invaluable insights on how to make a profoundly positive impact in your community, ministry, and personal life. Here are some key takeaways: 1. Understanding Worldview Development** Worldview starts forming as early as 18 months and is mostly intact by age 13. Only 4% of U.S. adults hold a biblical worldview, highlighting a significant gap. 2. Engaging with the Next Generation** Importance of addressing identity, anxiety, and social justice to connect with younger generations. Practical strategies to counteract the rise of syncretistic beliefs and point people back to biblical truths. 3. Actionable Outreach Tactics** "P.A.S.T." Acronym for outreach: Pray, Ask, Serve, Tell. Building authentic relationships and gently guiding people back to spiritual truths. 4. Foundational Beliefs for Leaders** Seven cornerstone beliefs essential for discipleship. The significance of self-leadership and aligning one's life with the Gospel.

The Christian Outlook - January 18, 2025 Greg Seltz turns to Ed Stetzer, Dean of the Talbot School of Theology, for a look at the brutal fires that have ravaged Los Angeles. They discuss the importance of Christians demonstrating peace and love in response to tragedy, while reflecting on the evolving state of the church and its role in today's society. Greg Seltz and Jeanne Mancini, outgoing president of the March for Life, discuss the pro-life movement's focus on changing hearts and minds about abortion, and the value of every life and the importance of supporting mothers. Bill Bunkley turns to Adam Rasmussen who serves with George Barna at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University to discuss the impact of Christian voters in the 2024 presidential election. Andy Bales and Mike Minter, part-time pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin, TN, discuss the importance of trusting God's character during life changes, highlighting how significance comes from being a child of God rather than from worldly roles. For the full conversation, click here. John Hall and Kathy Emmons invite Sarah Zylstra of the Gospel Coalition to shares the story of Pat Forrester, a former senior NASA executive and astronaut, who left his job to serve as a development director for 9 Marks, drawn by its impactful mission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Jim Bakker Show welcomes Dr. George Barna! Dr. Barna is Director of Research and co-founder of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, and founder of The Barna Group. Hear the breakdown of the voters in the 2024 presidential election, why the government should legislate morality, and how Christians and churches have gotten a worldview instead of a biblical worldview. Dr. Barna also shares from his book, Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child's Heart, Mind & Soul. Learn how to teach them how to live a life that honors God, otherwise the media will raise them! Learn how to apply Dr. Barna's 7 Cornerstone Beliefs to achieve a biblical worldview.

On today's program, hosted by Jody Hice: Mark Tapscott, The Epoch Times Senior Congressional Correspondent, reports the latest fallout from the last minute scrapping of the Continuing Resolution negotiated by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Sam Faddis,

Raising your kids to love and know Jesus has never been easy, and in a culture saturated with messages about human sexuality, it can feel next to impossible to raise your kids with biblical values and a Christian sexual ethic. How do we effectively disciple our kids? Dr. George Barna, founder of the Barna Group and America's foremost faith and culture researcher, joins Juli to talk about his new book, “Raising Spiritual Champions”, and what parents can do to equip their kids with a robust faith.   Website: georgebarna.com Book: Raising Spiritual Champions by Dr. George Barna   Trying to teach your kids about Christian sexuality? Check out our free resource, “10 Questions and Answers Your Child May Ask About Sexuality”   Partner with Authentic Intimacy— donate today!   Java with Juli with Dr. Juli Slattery – Christian Discussions on Marriage, Sex and Singleness.

Deception is simply taking a piece of the truth, and twisting it. That's what makes it so convincing. It sounds right... sort of. Almost. I believe I first read in one of C.S. Lewis's books, probably in several of them, that evil defines itself by the absence of God, just as darkness defines itself as the absence of light. Satan cannot create anything; all he can do is pervert something that God made, and intended for good.   The introduction of Jonathan Cahn's most recent book, "The Dragon Prophecy," puts this extremely well, so I'm going to just quote him. He writes, "If God is good, then how could there be evil? And if God is evil, then how could God be good? But if God did not create evil, then how could evil exist? Or how could God be God?... If evil was created, it would not be a problem, nor would it be evil. Evil is a problem for the very reason that it was not created. It should not exist, because it was not created, and yet it does. The existence of evil defies the created order. It is not of the creation and thus exists in opposition to the created order. Evil exists in defiance of existence... evil is not simply a force, like that of an earthquake, a hurricane, or a fire. All these bring calamity and destruction. But none would constitute true evil. Serial killers are. Why? The hurricane is an impersonal force. It acts without consciousness, will, choice, volition, or intent. But the serial killer commits his acts with conscious intent, will, an volition--and so is evil. And so evil is not an impersonal force--but a personal one, requiring consciousness, volition, will, and intent. Thus in our search for an answer to evil, we are led to personhood... Evil is an inversion--an inversion of truth, of reality, of existence. Evil is, by nature, inverted and, by nature, inverts. It twists, bends, and turns existence in upon itself. It exists as anti-existence. Its being is anti-being, and its nature, anti-nature. It is a negation and therefore seeks to negate, a nullification that exists to nullify. It has no true, ultimate, or absolute existence and therefore acts to bring that which exists into non-existence... Possessing no absolute or true existence of its own, evil is, as well, by nature, parasitic... Evil must use the good. And so though good can exist without evil, evil cannot exist without good. Truth can exist without falsehood, but falsehood cannot exist without truth. Laws can exist without crimes, marriage without adultery, and life without murder. But crimes cannot exist without laws, adultery without marriage, nor murder exist without life. Destruction requires structure, immorality requires morality, and sin requires the holy. The good is primary. Evil is the parasitic inversion of the good. And so the existence of evil inadvertently testifies not against the existence of the good--but for it. It bears witness, unwillingly, to the existence of the good--the existence of God" (9-10). So if evil itself is an inversion of something created to be good, then nearly everything God created for our pleasure and enjoyment can also become evil... but because it contains the seeds of something that was originally good, Satan can also use that kernel of goodness, or truth, to convince us that the twisted version is actually good and true, too... and if we don't know the truth well enough to tell the difference, we'll fall for it.  The Syncretism Trend According to Dr George Barna's research with the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, the dominant worldview of Americans (92%) now is syncretism (https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CRC-Release-AWVI-2-April-23-2024.pdf): that is, an amalgamation of disparate and contradictory beliefs, pulled from multiple religious or philosophical ideologies, according to an individual's personal inclinations and emotions. Syncretism is therefore not a single worldview, but a mishmash of beliefs--hence the common phrase, "your truth" and "my truth." The implication is that these can be mutually exclusive, without any logical contradiction. This strategy of Satan's is nothing new. He is a liar and the father of lies by nature (John 8:44). He sticks with this approach because it works.  Syncretism in the Old Testament Syncretism has  been around since the days of the Old Testament, and was the main reason why the Israelites couldn't seem to stay on the "blessing" side of God's covenant (Deuteronomy 28). Literally the first of the Ten Commandments was "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Ex 20:3)--and al, the Hebrew word translated "before", also means "by" or "beside." So God wasn't saying they simply had to worship Him the most, but it was okay if they occasionally sacrificed to Baal or Molech or Asherah--so long as He was the most important. No; they were to have no other gods besides Him. Period. The entire Old Testament history is a cycle of the Israelites' disobedience of this one commandment. The first example after the Ten Commandments were given is the golden calf that Aaron made with the spoils from Egypt while Moses was up on the mountain receiving God's law (Ex 32). These Israelites had spent their entire lives in Egypt, where a pantheon of gods were worshipped (many of whom God specifically humiliated by the plagues chosen to eventually force Pharaoh to let them go). When they made the golden calf, the Israelites declared that this was God--the One who had delivered them from Egypt (Ex 32:4). So they weren't exactly abandoning Yahweh for some other god; rather, they were mixing Him with the gods they had grown up with. Then, the Israelites tended to mix worship of Yahweh with worship of the gods of neighboring nations, even before they ever got to the Promised Land. Israel's enemies feared God, and one of them (King Balak of Moab) sent for Balaam, a local seer, to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). God wouldn't allow Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam wanted Balak's money... so instead, he told Balak how to get the Israelites to curse themselves, by placing themselves on the "cursing" side of God's covenant (Deuteronomy 28). Numbers 25 shows the result: the Moabite harlots used sex to entice the men of Israel into idolatry. The issue in this case wasn't so much the sex, as it was that sex was used in worship of false gods.  The cycle repeats throughout the Old Testament: Israel falls into idolatry, they fall under the 'cursing' side of God's covenant as a result (bringing themselves out from under His protection, and subject to Satan's machinations), they get oppressed by their enemies, they cry out to God, and God delivers them. They renew their vows to and worship of the One True God in varying degrees, but then they forget again, fall into idolatry, and the cycle repeats. God had laid out very clearly that they would be blessed if they followed His laws, and cursed if they didn't (Deut 28), and the very first commandment was no gods before Him. It was the first for a reason: God knows that we were made to worship something, and we treasure what we worship. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt 6:21), and our hearts guide the course of our lives (Prov 4:23).  Eventually Israel split into two kingdoms (Northern and Southern, or Israel and Judah) over this very issue. Most of the subsequent kings of both nations perpetuated idolatry, though a few tried to purge the nation of idolatry to varying degrees, and enjoyed the 'blessing' side of the covenant for a time as a result (Deut 28). But God sent prophet after prophet to the Northern and Southern nations (writers of most of the major and minor prophetic books of the Old Testament), warning them of impending destruction if they did not repent of their idolatry. They ignored the warning, and eventually both nations were taken into captivity because of their idolatry: Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon. (Though of course, God was not done with Israel, and His promises to them still stand--Ezekiel 37 prophesied their restoration to their own land as a resurrection of dry bones, which miraculously took place on May 14, 1948. And the nation of Israel takes center stage throughout most of the book of Revelation, from chapter 5 on.)  Syncretism in the New Testament  Syncretism was around during the time of the early church, too, particularly in Paul's ministry. God sent him as the apostle to the Gentiles, who practiced varying forms of pagan beliefs already. They attempted to mix Jesus with these beliefs, until Paul's preaching convicted them to follow Jesus only, burning their books of magic arts and getting rid of their idols of Greek and Roman gods (Acts 19:11-20--which turned into a big riot in the city, v 21-41). Paul described the end times as being a time of "unrighteous deception among those who perish" (2 Thess 2:10), so we can expect that as we approach that day, this will only increase. Jesus told us that in the last days, "if possible, even the elect" would be deceived (Matt 24:24). The Greek work for deception in these verses is planao, and it means "to lead away from the truth, to lead into error." This inherently means that there is such a thing as truth. If you believe something contradictory to that truth, that is deception. We're living in an age that largely borrows from postmodernism as part of the syncretic worldview. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "Postmodernists deny that there are aspects of reality that are objective; that there are statements about reality that are objectively true or false; that it is possible to have knowledge of such statements (objective knowledge); that it is possible for human beings to know some things with certainty; and that there are objective, or absolute, moral values." Holders of this worldview are therefore confused about even observable or mathematical truths, let alone those that are not observable (such as whether or not there is a God, and if there is, how many, and which one, how do we get to Him, etc). So before we even approach the topic of how to avoid being deceived, we have to establish that there is such a thing as objective truth. If there isn't, then there is no such thing as deception, either, since deception derives its definition from truth (just as darkness derives its definition from light, by the absence of it). What Is Truth (i.e. Is There Such A Thing As Objective Reality?) The best argument I've heard on the topic of whether or not there is an objective reality comes from Dr Jason Lisle's "The Ultimate Proof of Creation" (which is a book, but here is his lecture on the argument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ_UxcV-xcM). While there is an abundance of apologetic evidence for the scientific and historical accuracy of scripture (here's the first in an apologetics series I did on the subject, https://www.drlaurendeville.com/anthropic-fine-tuning/), Lisle points out that none of these arguments can be definitive, because someone who holds a different worldview can simply invoke a "rescuing device" to explain away any evidence that seems to contradict his own position. We all do this, and it's not necessarily a bad thing--for example, if someone points out an apparent contradiction in scripture, my first reaction isn't, "Oh, I guess the Bible is wrong!" Rather, I assume there's additional information I don't happen to know about yet, which resolves the apparent contradiction, and then I go look for it. Even if I can't find it at the time, I am still certain it exists, and someone will find it eventually. That's a rescuing device, to preserve an otherwise deeply held worldview without logical contradiction. The real key to establishing which worldview is correct lies in that last statement: "without logical contradiction." There are laws that govern the way the world and the universe works--laws that we all have to believe in and abide by in order to know anything at all. C.S. Lewis expounded on this concept in "Mere Christianity" (https://www.authorcagray.com/posts/mere-christianity/) with respect to morality, in particular--the idea that we all know that there are universal laws of decency and conduct, and we further know that we don't live up to them. But, that being the case, who made those laws? Where did they come from? He argues that their very existence necessitates a lawgiver. Lisle takes this argument further--the existence of non-moral rules that govern how the material world works, such as the laws of logic, and principles of math and science, are the presuppositions upon which all knowledge is based. Everyone has to abide by these, no matter what their worldview is, or it would be impossible to know anything at all. But who made those rules? Where did they come from? Why does math work? Why do we all assume the laws of logic in order to have a coherent conversation? This, too, necessitates a creator. Many who abide by laws of math, science, and logic (and morality, for that matter) don't happen to have a theistic worldview, but that in and of itself is a logical inconsistency; they can't account for those rules in their worldviews at all. They have to borrow from the theistic worldview in order to make any of their other arguments.  This is the very place where postmodernism diverges, though. If there is no objective reality, then knowledge of any kind doesn't exist. Most of those who hold this worldview at least believe in morality of some kind. Lewis's argument might be most relevant here--you'll never get someone persuaded by postmodernism and religious syncretism to argue that murder, or genocide, or racism are fine, for example. They know these are wrong because they "feel" them to be wrong--and they're not just wrong for them, they're wrong for everyone. Now we have at least one absolute... which necessitates a lawgiver not only for morality, but also for at least one logical law: that of non-contradiction. This already establishes the existence of an objective reality. If there is an objective reality, then necessarily, some statements about it must be true while others must be false. The world is round and not flat, for example. If a world exists at all, both things cannot be true about it at the same time and in the same way, simultaneously--that would be a logical contradiction. Which Objective Reality Is It? (Can Anybody Know?) If some objective reality does in fact exist, how do we know which one it is? How do we know that our senses are reliable, first of all, and that we're not living in a simulation a la "The Matrix," for instance--one in which the laws of morality, logic, math, and science are simply foundational to the code? This argument goes back to Descartes, who concluded that at the very least, he must exist after some fashion, because his consciousness told him he must. C.S. Lewis in "Mere Christianity" used a similar line of reasoning, arguing that if there were a deeper reality, one that created this reality, we couldn't possibly find out anything about it through our five senses. Of course we couldn't; those senses are of the physical world, and can thus only give us information about the physical world. Our consciousness, however, has no identifiable physical reality. (To this day, science cannot explain what consciousness actually is - https://www.drlaurendeville.com/electromagnetism-vital-force/.) So Lewis argues that, if there were anything knowable about the world beyond our own, the only place where we might possibly expect to find clues about it would be in our own consciousness. And there, in fact, we do find such clues: specifically, we all have a sense of right and wrong. While we might quibble about the details therein--someone might say that under such and such a condition, killing someone is not murder, for example--no one will seriously argue that murder is morally fine. One might have different rules surrounding the morals of sex, but nobody is going to say you can just have any person you like anytime you like. This establishes several things, according to his argument: the existence of a moral law outside of our reality, of how we ought to behave (even though we know we don't, or at least not always, and certainly not perfectly), which necessitates the implied existence of a law-giver. The very fact that we do not keep the law (even though we know we should) is the whole point of the law of the Old Testament, too (Romans 7)--but even those who didn't know the Old Testament were aware of the moral law to this extent, so that no one is without excuse (Romans 1:18-2:16). Once we know that there is a moral law, and that we're incapable of keeping it on our own, that narrows down the possible religions considerably. We must choose one that hinges on the concept of grace, not works. There is literally only one of those. (More on that in this podcast: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/relational-apologetics/). That's why we call Christianity the gospel, which means good news: the good news is that, while you can't make yourself righteous no matter how hard you try, you don't have to make yourself righteous because Jesus did it for you. All you have to do is accept what He did on your behalf. Once you've gotten to this place, now all the scientific apologetics (start here: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/anthropic-fine-tuning/) can fall into their proper place: as corroborating evidence for the Bible. But the Bible has to be philosophically established as authoritative first. Once we've established that the Bible is truth (John 17:17, Psa 25:5, Psa 91:4, Psa 96:13, 100:5, 117:2, 119:142, 151, 160; 138:2, Prov 3:3, Col 1:5), we've got to learn what it says--well enough that Satan can't take it out of context and feed it back to us, or add a tiny bit to it to change the meaning. That's exactly how he works, though. He even tried that with Jesus (Luke 4:1-13). Fortunately Jesus was the Word made flesh (John 1:14), so He didn't fall for it... but the less we actually know the scripture, the more vulnerable we'll be to this strategy. Knowing the Truth Well Jesus warned us that as the last days approach, Satan will double down on this strategy: that false prophets will rise up and deceive many (Matt 24:11), claiming to be Jesus returned (Mark 13:6), some with signs and wonders. At the same time, Revelation suggests that in the last days, the church will become apathetic, so prosperous materially that we will be unaware of our spiritual emptiness (Rev 3:14-22). (This sounds a lot like the seeds choked by thorns in Jesus' parable of the sower: the seed is choked by "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and he becomes unfruitful", Matt 13:22). Peter tells us that "scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Paul tells us that the last days will be accompanied by a great "falling away" (2 Thess 2:3). Deception comes in many forms, but one thing they all have in common is that they act almost like a vaccine against the truth. There's just enough truth to them, mixed with a lot of untruth, that it's hard to tease apart the good from the bad. In that way, they can deceive "even the elect, if possible" (Matt 24:24, Mark 13:22). We protect against this, in a nutshell, by knowing the truth really, really well. This is the way bankers are trained to recognize counterfeit money: they don't study every possible counterfeit (there will always be a new one). Rather, they learn what the real thing looks like so well that they'll know when something seems off, even if they can't articulate what it is. In the same way, we're to renew our minds with the Word (Romans 12:2); that's how we will recognize truth from lies. Otherwise, it's all too easy for Satan to take a sliver of truth, mix it with a lie, and so deceive us. An Old Testament example of this is found in 2 Kings 18. The back story: in Numbers 21:6-9, the people had sinned, had come out from under the protection of God's covenant, and were dying from bites from poisonous snakes. God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent on a pole, and told the people that if they would only look at the serpent, they would be healed. We know with hindsight that this was a type and shadow of Jesus, who was made sin for us, and became our substitutionary sacrifice ("by His stripes, we are healed," Isaiah 53:5). But the Jews didn't realize that; all they knew was that God ordained healing through looking at the pole, so the pole became a symbol of deliverance. But over the centuries, they made looking at the pole into a formula: the shadow without the substance of Jesus behind it. It became an idol, which they called Nehushtan. Back to 2 Kings 18, centuries later: verse 4 tells us that King Hezekiah had torn down the high places and broke Nehushtan in pieces. Later in the chapter, Judah is threatened with destruction by a messenger from the King of Assyria, Rabshakeh. This would have been especially terrifying, since Israel (by this point they has become two nations, Israel and Judah) had already been carried into captivity by Assyria, in punishment for the fact that the people kept falling into idolatry and had forsaken God. So when Rabshakeh threatened the people with destruction, he said, "You broke down God's symbols of worship! Why would He come through for you?" (2 Kings 18:22). The people of Judah had to know God and His word well enough to know that what Hezekiah did was actually right in God's eyes (2 Kings 18:5-7). God had originally ordained the serpent on the pole, yes, but the people had made it into an idol, which broke the first of the Ten Commandments. Hezekiah's actions had placed the Jews on the right side of God's covenant (Deut 28), so they, unlike their sister nation of Israel, could trust that God would come through for them. But if the people had not understood all the back story, they might easily have believed Rabshakeh's taunts. They could have lost faith that God would come through for them, convinced that they would go the way of Israel before them, and turned against Hezekiah, thinking he'd brought them out from under God's protection. This is how the enemy works. The serpent is subtle and cunning (Gen 3:1, 2 Cor 11:3-4). Satan tried to deceive Jesus not even by misquoting scripture, just by quoting it out of context (Matt 4:6). This happens to us today all the time. One common example is the teaching that God causes or (directly) allows sickness in order to discipline us, or to teach us something, or for the "greater good". This sounds so spiritual, and a host of out of context scriptures even seem to back it up--yet Deut 28 makes it clear that sickness is always considered a curse. Jesus became a curse for us and redeemed us from the curse (Gal 3:13-14), and even before that, He healed all who came to Him (Matt 15:30, Matt 4:23-24, Matt 8:16, Matt 9:35, Matt 10:1, Matt 12:15, Matt 15:30, Luke 4:40, Luke 10:9). Jesus He was a perfect representation of the Father (John 5:19, 5:30, 8:28, 12:49). So this cannot be right. He may take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good (Gen 50:20), but that doesn't mean He caused the evil in the first place. Not even close. (For more on this, see https://www.drlaurendeville.com/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective/). Truth is the foundation of the spiritual armor (Eph 6:14)--it must go on first, before anything else. The Bible can testify to us that not only is the Word truth, but God is the God of truth (Isa 65:16), that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). Only knowing the truth will make us free (John 8:32). If we focus on knowing the truth, we will recognize deception. It's important to also rely upon the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1 John 5:6), to guide us, rather than on our own understanding (Prov 3:5-6), or the wisdom of the world (1 Cor 1:20-2:7), or any other spirit besides the Holy Spirit. The world is confused about what truth is (John 18:37-38) because they don't hear His voice--but we do. This shouldn't be a problem for us.  Cross-Reference What You Hear Along those lines, just because we hear a doctrine preached from the pulpit doesn't mean it's so. It's our responsibility to be like the Bereans in Acts 17--when Paul and Silas preached the word to them there, Luke writes of them, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed" (Acts 17:11). They didn't just take Paul and Silas's word for it; they went straight to the source text to confirm it. Paul later wrote to the Galatians, "even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8-9). He repeats himself, because this is so important. Forget him--even if an angel preaches it, let him be accursed! We are not to blindly follow any person simply because of his or her authority. (We're to respect authority of all kinds, Romans 13:1-7--that's a different issue. But when what someone in authority says comes in conflict with God's word, we obviously go with God's word, Acts 4:19). There are plenty of warnings about false teachers in scripture (though one important note here--there's a difference between a false teacher, and a good person doing his or her best who is simply flawed. None of us is going to get everything right. This is the reason why James says that not many should become teachers, as they will "receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things," James 3:1-2.)  A false teacher, though, is one who will distort the truth (Acts 20:29-30, 2 Peter 3:16), by mixing it with myths/fables (Titus 1:14) or "merely human commands" (Matthew 16:1-12) or the traditions of men (such as forbidding to marry, abstaining from certain foods, 1 Tim 4:3), according to the principles of the world (Col 2:4-8). They will pretend to be godly or moral, though (2 Cor 11:13-15, 2 Tim 6:5)--so we must use discernment. There are a few criteria we're given to distinguish a false teacher from just a flawed human being, in process like the rest of us: Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a false teacher (1 John 2:22-23, 4:2-3) Some may lie intentionally for their own gain (Deut 18:20, Ezekiel 13:9, Jer 14:14, Jer 23:16, Titus 1:10-11) or in hypocrisy (1 Tim 4:2-5), using "godliness" as a means of their own selfish gain. Others may be so blind that they truly believe they are doing God a favor in persecuting His true followers (John 16:2). Romans 16:18: Paul said in this verse that these individuals use good words and fair speeches and deceive the hearts of the simple. This means that they flatter people (2 Timothy 4:3) and appeal to the same selfish desires that they themselves have, to draw people after themselves (Acts 20:30). We can't judge another person's motives (Matthew 7:1-3), but we can, and should, judge the fruit of their lives and ministries (Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 3:7-9). There are many who claim to be believers but aren't (Matthew 7:21-23) and they'll be among us until the end of the age, when God will finally separate them out (Matthew 13:24-30). Truth, "Signs," and Our Emotions We are the gatekeepers of our hearts (Prov 4:23), and have to guard its boundaries, careful of what we allow in. I always thought the parable of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30) only referred to evil people sown amongst the good people of the church. But what if it also means good and bad ideas from good and bad spirits within a given individual-- in other words, we can bear good fruit and bad fruit from different 'trees' even within our own hearts? This might be why Jesus could tell Peter "get behind me Satan" (Matt 16:23) and James and John, "you don't know what spirit you are of" (Luke 9:55), but the men themselves were still His. This also probably goes along with the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:3-15)... the 'tares' we allow into our own hearts are part of what can choke the word and render it unfruitful. Truth of course must correspond to an accurate description of reality (Gen 42:16)--which should negate any postmodernist philosophy, or syncretism, blending contradictory descriptions of reality. Once we know the truth, we are to continue in what we were taught (Col 2:6-7, 1 John 2:24), not mix a little Christianity with a little of some other contrary message. Paul rails against this practice in many of his letters. In 2 Cor 11:3-4, Paul is angry that the Corinthians' minds may be corrupted so that they receive the one preaching a different Jesus or gospel from the one he preached. In Galatians 1:6-9, as mentioned earlier, the Galatians are falling prey to a perverted gospel, and Paul curses those who preach such a gospel. In Eph 4:14, he writes that only "children" in Christ are tossed about by every wind and wave of doctrine, taken in by trickery and craftiness and deceit. We're supposed to guard against not just what we hear from other humans, but to test what the spirits say too--hence Paul's angel comment (Gal 1:8-9). John also tells us, "do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). In a lot of denominational churches that don't believe in the supernatural gifts of the spirit (1 Cor 12), this may not come up much. But in those that do, or for individuals who might ascribe to varieties of syncretism (believing in "signs from the universe" if they seem especially coincidental, perhaps), this will become important. Just because a prophet seems to be speaking from a supernatural source doesn't mean what they're saying is from God. It might be, but we have to test it. Just because an idea out of left field pops into our minds doesn't mean it was the Holy Spirit who put it there. Just because a black crow perches on a tree doesn't mean it's an omen foreshadowing our future. Just because we see the same state license plate on every car doesn't mean God is telling us to move there, etc. Solomon writes, “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps” (Prov 14:15). Elsewhere "simple" is used as a synonym for "fool" (Prov 7:7, 8:5, 9:13). We have to remember that the physical world is a battleground. Until the earth lease is up, Satan is still technically the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4). So God can send us signs in the physical realm, yes--but so can Satan. God can whisper thoughts to our minds--but so can Satan (in fact, this is his primary tactic, 2 Cor 10:3-6). Peter writes that the scriptures are a "more sure word of prophecy" even than hearing an audible voice from heaven (2 Peter 1:19-21), probably for this exact reason: anything using the physical realm has the potential to be counterfeited. That doesn't mean God can't use physical means to communicate with us, but it's clear that the primary means He uses for His own are the scriptures, and the Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 26), who also often speaks to us by bringing the scriptures we know to our remembrance. He also will speak through the prophets (1 Cor 12:1-11), dreams and visions (Acts 2:17-18), but we have to check all of this against the Word. Scripture will divide between soul and spirit (what originates with us vs Him, Hebrews 4:12), as well as what might originate with a malevolent spirit sent to lead us astray. David tells us it's the scriptures that make the simple wise: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). What if an idea comes to us as an idea, a dream, a vision, a prophecy, or a "synchronicity" moment that seems supernatural, and it's something that isn't addressed in scripture at all, though? How do we know if it's from God, from us, or from the enemy then? The first thing to check there is whether or not the message is consistent with God's character. Jesus said we can ask anything in His name and He will give it to us (John 14:14). What's in God's name (https://www.drlaurendeville.com/names-of-lord-psalm-9-9-10-meditation/)? He is Jehovah Nissi (the Lord my Banner), Jehovah-Raah (the Lord my Shepherd), Jehovah Rapha (the Lord that Heals), Jehovah Shammah (the Lord is There), Jehovah Tsidkenu (the Lord our Righteousness), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (the Lord who Sanctifies You), Jehovah Jireh (the Lord who Provides), Jehovah Shalom (the Lord is Peace), Jehovah Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts).  The next thing to check is the fruit that message produces (Gal 5:19-23, Romans 8:6-8). God won't lead us into anything producing negative fruit--if the fruit is bad, it's from the flesh or the enemy, and not the Spirit. If it passes those tests, though, then as we continue to pray about the message (dream, vision, prophecy, idea, etc) then it's also biblical for us to ask for additional confirmations of the message--Paul says in 2 Cor 13:1 that every word should be established by two or three witnesses. If the message is from God, He'll make sure you know it. His Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13). And as you continue to seek Him and pray about it, peace (a fruit of the Spirit) should grow, confirming that the message comes from God (Col 3:15). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Dr. George Barna is a professor at Arizona Christian University and the Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center, as well as the Senior Research Fellow at Family Research Council Center For Biblical Worldview. Dr. Barna has authored 60 books, including the most recent ‘Raising Spiritual Champions.'Cultural Research Center: https://culturalresearchcenter.com/Raising Spiritual Champions: https://raisingspiritualchampionsbook.com/www.worldviewmatters.tv© FreedomProject 2024

#190: General Robert F. “Bob” Dees served for 31 years in the U.S. Army in a wide variety of command and staff positions culminating in his last three assignments as Assistant  Division Commander for Operations, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault); Commander,  Second Infantry Division, United States Forces Korea; and as Deputy Commanding General,  V (US/GE) Corps in Europe, concurrently serving as Commander, US-Israeli Combined Task  Force for Missile Defense. Bob is a graduate of numerous military schools including the  Command and General Staff College, the Naval Postgraduate School, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. He has authored and taught Management Science topics in the Department of Engineering at West Point, as well as multiple Resilience courses at Liberty University. Following military retirement in January 2003, Bob served as a Microsoft Corporation executive; followed by leadership of a non-profit outreach to the military. He authored the  Resilience Trilogy (Resilient Warriors, Resilient Leaders, and Resilient Nations) and pioneered resilience programs for the military as Vice President for Military Outreach at Liberty University.  In the 2016 Presidential cycle, Bob served as National Security Advisor and Campaign Chairman for Dr. Ben Carson. Bob now heads Resilience God Style, a national movement to restore resilience to every area of American life, including recent publication of the Resilience  God Style book, study guide, video series, and training game (www.ResilienceGodStyle.com). Bob is a senior advisor for the newly formed Faith-based Veterans Support Alliance (FBVSA). Bob is also President of the National  Center for Healthy Veterans (www.HealthyVeterans.org) with the mission of “Returning Healthy  Veterans to America.” This broad and comprehensive Healthy Veteran initiative ranges from trauma recovery using best practices, faith-based programs to veteran microbusinesses which afford dignified work, skills training, and economic opportunity. Community is a critical element of the initiative, including veteran tiny home villages for formerly homeless Veterans and others.  While the Healthy Veteran initiative will help Veterans, the real winner is America with Healthy  Veterans positively impacting culture as role models for our youth, as experienced leaders in business, and as standard bearers in every walk of life. Bob speaks at numerous seminars and conferences, as well as commentary on national security, leadership, and resilience in a wide array of media, military, business and church venues. He was featured as one of 30 “Master Leaders” in America by noted author George  Barna and was awarded the Council for National Policy George Washington Military  Leadership Award in 2018.  For more on General Dees check out www.ResilienceGodStyle.com as well as www.HealthyVeterans.org Enjoy the show 

According to social researcher Dr. George Barna, 72% of Christians voted in this year's election. On today's edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson and his guest, Gary Bauer, discuss Donald Trump's historic win and how Christians stepped up to promote righteousness in the public square. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29

It's Thursday, November 14th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Myanmar's persecution of Christians The military regime of Myanmar continues its persecution of Christians. Authorities imposed new restrictions in the capital of Rakhine State. Churches cannot display crosses. They must also submit membership lists to police and get authorization to hold services. One local Christian told the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, “Last month, we installed a cross, a symbol of our faith, as a way to identify the Christian church here, but the police came and demanded it be removed. We prayed before putting it up, so we refused to take it down ourselves, and instead asked them to do it on their own.”  The southeast Asian nation is ranked 17th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of countries where it most difficult to be a Christian.  Slovakia's March for Life draws 40,000 This past September, nearly 40,000 people participated in the fourth March for Life in Slovakia, reports LifeSiteNews. The slogan of the march in the Eastern European nation was “Love is pro-life.”  Jozef Miklosko, the country's Commissioner for Children, addressed the crowd, saying it's his job to stand up for children, born or unborn. Abortion is currently legal up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, the abortion kill pill is not legal. Slovakia also voted to reject a resolution by the European Parliament to make abortion a so-called right.  Trump nominates Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Dept. of Government Efficiency In the United States, President-elect Donald Trump announced tech billionaire Elon Musk and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency.  Trump said in a statement, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.”  Musk said the department's actions “will be posted online for maximum transparency. We will also have a leaderboard for [the] most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars. This will be both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining.” In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Trump picks Matt Gaetz as Attorney General Trump also tapped Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida to be his Attorney General, reports CBS News.  Trump praised him as a "tenacious attorney" who will "end weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations and restore Americans' badly shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department." Gaetz immediately resigned from Congress. Trump picked Fox News host & veteran Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary President-elect Trump also surprised many by picking Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, reports Fox News. Trump wrote, “Pete has spent his entire life as a warrior for the troops, and for the country. Pete is tough, smart, and a true believer in America First."  Hegseth, age 44, an Army National Guard veteran who served tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, has hosted the FOX Nation "Patriot Awards" since 2019, which is the network's version of a Hollywood awards show honoring heroes like first responders.  Take a look at the winners of the 2023 Patriot Awards through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Court: Blue Cross to pay $12 million for firing over COVID shot A former employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield won a $12 million settlement last Friday in a religious liberty case. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan fired Lisa Domski in 2021 after she sought a religious exemption for the COVID-19 shot. The insurance company denied her request, calling into question her objections as a Catholic.  Her attorney, Jon Marko, said, “Lisa refused to renounce her faith and beliefs and was wrongfully terminated from the only job she had ever known. The jury's verdict today tells [Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan] that religious discrimination has no place in America and affirms each person's right to religious freedom.” Judge blocks Ten Commandments at schools On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked a Louisiana law that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles ruled the law is “unconstitutional on its face.”  Louisiana's Attorney General Liz Murrill said she would appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She said, “This law, I believe, is constitutional . . . you don't have to like the posters. The point is you can make posters that comply with the Constitution.” In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, God said, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children … You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Trump won 56% of the Christian vote And finally, Dr. George Barna released a report on the Christian vote in this year's presidential election. The report found self-identified Christians made up 72% of the voters who turned out, and Trump won 56% of the Christian vote. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris won 60% of the non-Christian vote. The study noted, “not only did most of President Trump's votes come from Christians, but they gave him a 17-million-vote cushion over Mrs. Harris, which proved to be an insurmountable lead. The incumbent Vice President fared much better among people associated with non-Christian faiths and with no religious faith, but those segments represented too small a slice of the voting population to make her bid for the White House viable.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, November 14th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). And now, here to close the newscast, is my daughter, Mercy Geneva, who is turning 13 today. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

As many as 104 million people of faith, including 32 million self-identified Christians who regularly attend church, are unlikely to vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5 mainly due to lack of interest, research from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows. Today, the author of this new study, Dr. George Barna joins me to discuss why he believes that “the 32 million Christians sitting in the pews each week who refuse to vote are a game changer. It's low hanging fruit for pastors as they try to motivate those congregants to carry out their civic duty and honor God through their influence for things that matter in our culture." SPONSOR: Thank you to TUVU for sponsoring our podcast today! While other platforms thrive on addiction, TUVU is engineered for relational connection. No advertisements, no explicit content, none of the junk that leaves you feeling empty on the other sites. The first 500 to tuvu.com/heidi to get six months free! Show Notes: http://heidistjohn.com/blog/podcasts/christians-vote-we-win-dr-george-barna

Did you know that according to renowned social researcher, George Barna, 32 million Christians are projected to abstain from voting in this upcoming presidential election? On today's edition of Family Talk, Charlie Kirk, the founder and president of Turning Point USA, points out how the Church has been largely silent on political issues. He also challenges Christians to take a stand in this election, otherwise the lasting legacy of the American church will be the destruction of this country. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29

As voter registration quickly comes to a close across the country, it's a race to see which side can get more people registered. While Charlie provides some great news from his home base of Arizona, he also delivers a significant warning to all Christian voters: Far too many of their brethren are disengaged from the election this year. George Barna sheds light on the very real possibility that by not voting, Christians may give Kamala Harris the presidency and destroy the pro-life movement nationwide. Become a member at members.charliekirk.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.