Generations Radio

A recent survey found that the average woman kisses 22 men before centering in on Mr. Right. Another study found that Christians (on average) use contraception as much as the wider population. Apparently 98% of Catholic women use birth control (compared to 99% of the wider population). Evangelicals are known to use the birth control pill and hormonal methods more than Mainline Protestants and Catholics. In what ways might a Christian and his family look different from the world, if he really had. . . well, you know. . .faith!?

S&P’s downgrade on American bonds is a first since Pearl Harbor, another sign of the 8 foot fissures in the debt-based economy. But can we blame the government for its debt and the nations for their birth implosions when Christians employ birth control and mortgages? What’s the relationship of the micro to the macro? What about small families who have not been blessed with children? Kevin Swanson describes how the micro relates to the macro, and how to look upon small families who have not been blessed with large numbers of children.

Here is the story of the Nazi occupation in Holland through the eyes of Dr. John Vandenberge who lived through it. Sometimes the contrast between good and evil, tyranny and freedom is sharp and clear. Dr. Vandenberge describes the horror of the Nazi invasion and the subsequent occupation. When it comes to the future, it is critical that our children understand the past that they might be better prepared for the future. In this interview, Dr. Vandenberge explains the risks that we face given our present situation. he also has some excellent advice on how to prepare for the difficult and challenging years ahead.

When it comes to the kingdom of God, relationships are key. Although human relationships are weak and tenuous in the present day, it is our vision to restore and revive relational life in 21st Century. Pastor Sam Crabtree from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, has a helpful little book out called "Practicing Affirmation." It's something we forget to do. It's something some of us don't know HOW to do very well. But it's critical for vital relationships in family and church. Kevin Swanson interviews Sam Crabgrass on this edition of Generations.

Since 1970, incredible changes have radically changed the nature of the family in America. Men are leaving the work force in droves. Women are entering the work force. And the labor market is shrinking. More people work for the government, and less people are working, period. We are the largest debtor nation in the world. This makes for a disastrous economy. Kevin Swanson points out that the problem is more social than economic. Dads left the home in the 20th century. Moms are leaving the home in the 21st century. Sons aren’t growing up, and daughters are going to college. The social pressures just intensify on mothers who raise their daughters to leave the home.

According to NBC news, between 6 and 12 million people are part of the "home church" movement in America. Is this a positive sign or a distressing sign of more apostasy away from the historical church? What are the benefits to meeting in a home? Does the Bible specify optimum church size? As the new generations abandon their parent's crusty old church and confessions, and as the clergy-laity distinction destroys body vitality, and as the mega-church movement encourages more anonymity and transience, and as the small church dies the death of 100 conflicts. . . a frustrated and concerned minority desperately grasp for the next interesting alternative. Will the home church movement salvage the faith in the west?

A judge in Mississippi, purportedly concerned about truancy issues and fake homeschoolers, calls for a roll of every home educating family in the state. Should he be concerned? There are homeschoolers that do a lousy job at it. They may cheat the system. But where does the state interfere in such cases? Then, ABC's 20/20 program covers the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church, suggesting that these folks create the conditions requisite for physical and sexual abuse. Evidently, they did find some sin in their midst. So what's the solution? Abandon the fundamental tenets of the Bible for humanist solutions? Do the fundamentals tend towards externals and an unbiblical legalism? Is there an over-emphasis on corporeal punishment? Kevin Swanson brings some balance to these discussions in this segment of Generations.

What You Can Do About It“The End of Christian America,” headlines the front cover of Newsweek Magazine, and Christian leaders rush to explain the cause of the failure of Christianity in the west. The still-concerned are clawing for some substantive handhold, some piece of “relevant” Christianity, some kind of meaningful Christian relationships, or some fragment of an historical faith (whether catholic, protestant, or orthodox). On this edition of Generations, we interview Michael Spencer from internetmonk.com on the coming collapse of evangelicalism in the west. There are no easy answers on this segment of Generations, but some thoughtful remarks that may be the beginning of laying down a more deeply-rooted faith that will transcend the generations.

The State of Children in AmericaCNN gives us a story announcing that the “kids are doing just fine!” But, by what metrics? More homosexuals. Less pregnancies. More psychotropic drugs. Less suicides. And, 70% of young men are not “grown up” by 30 years of age (up from 30% in 1970). We also review a very important report from the Family Research Council entitled, “Who Should Decide How Children are Educated.” The good news, is parents are very dissatisfied with public schools, and only 73% of American children are enrolled in public schools, down from 80% in 1990. Interesting stuff on this edition of Generations!

Takers and MakersNow there are 2 government-paid bureaucrats for every 1 manufacturing worker in America. The Taker to Maker Ratio was 1 to 1 in the early 1990’s! Hearkening back to the wisdom of the Proverbs, we read “For the transgression of the people, many are the princes thereof.” Kevin Swanson and Dave Buehner open up the Operations Manual, God’s Book of Wisdom on this segment of Generations. If you look under – “How to Run a Country,” you get some pretty wise advice. You’d be surprised!