The Christian Worldview

GUEST: GRANT CASTLEBERRY, Senior Pastor, Capital Community Church (Raleigh, NC)While no one but God knows and determines the events and timing of the future, 2024 portends to be a turbulent year. A presidential election looms in November which will impact to varying degrees whether the United States continues to run full-speed ahead on its God-rejecting, globalist course.Many other major fissures contribute to the uncertainty: aggressive deconstruction of the Biblical marital, moral and gender norms, unprecedented financial debt, massive illegal immigration, major wars in Israel and Europe, and much, much more.Before His crucifixion and ascension, Jesus timelessly declared, “in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).In other words, if one is “in Christ” (born again), one can have peace and take courage because our Redeemer has overcome the world (“to conquer, prevail”)…and therefore so can the believer with His help.Comparing with other passages, overcoming the world doesn’t mean that believers and the church literally conquer or take dominion over the world but rather can live faithful, sanctified, and joyful lives in the midst of it.Grant Castleberry, pastor of Capital Community Church in Raleigh, NC, joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to discuss how Christians, pastors, and churches can overcome the world rather than being aligned with and negatively impacted by it. Grant will also analyze how Christian leaders like Tim Keller and organizations like Christianity Today have influenced evangelicals under age 40 to support the political left (read this post by pastor Josh Howerton on “How Misapplying Keller Hijacked US Christianity”).------------------------------Thanks to many of you for your encouraging notes and support of The Christian Worldview. We strive to do this radio ministry in order for God to say, “Well done, good and faithful slave…” (Mt. 25:21) but to hear that you are praying for us, being impacted by the programs, and urging us to keep on keeping on, is a shot in the arm to be faithful week after week. We are sobered and grateful.

GUEST: SCOTT ANIOL, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Grace Bible Theological SeminaryAs we celebrate Independence Day, which commemorates the signing in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of our nation, when the original 13 colonies declared their autonomy from British colonial rule.John Adams was a signer of the Declaration, one of the framers of the U.S. Constitution (1789), and the second President of the United States. Likely not a born-again Christian but rather a deist (a believer in a supreme being who is uninvolved in the affairs of mankind), Adams wrote the following about the link between morality and civil society:“…should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation [pretending] towards one another…which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practicing iniquity and extravagance…while it is rioting in rapine [violent seizure of property] and insolence [rude behavior], this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”We are seeing John Adams’ warning prove true in America today. We are at a low point in our nation when laws are passed granting the “freedom” to kill a child anytime during the nine months of pregnancy, when the “degrading passions” of homosexuality are normalized and codified as “marriage”, when adults parade openly and lewdly down the streets in front of children, and when children are led into the sin of cross-dressing and physical mutilation in the name of “gender affirming care”.Wicked depravity is now tolerated and affirmed in our nation and the predictable results are division, confusion, chaos, violence, harm, and hatred.So what are Christians to do, who like Lot living in Sodom “felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds” (2 Peter 2:8)?Most Christians would say that our nation desperately needs to reclaim our Biblical foundations and establish laws and policies based on the truths of Christianity. But how would that take place? Is that Scripture’s call for Christians and the church to work to “Christianize” government?This weekend on The Christian Worldview, Scott Aniol, editor-in-chief of G3 Ministries and professor of pastoral theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary, joins us to discuss “Christian Nationalism”, a term that means different things to different people.To some Christians, it means electing representatives who advocate for biblical principles in government. Other believers see it as a biblical mandate to work toward Christian rule over government and all institutions in society. While non-believers view it as religious extremists trying to institute a theocracy and oppress non-believers.Join us for a discussion on Christian Nationalism and what Bible says about Christians and government.---------------------------------------RELATED ARTICLES:The Mixed Blessings of a Christian NationChristian Faithfulness: The Biblical Alternative to Christian NationalismWhat if We Win? A Brief Response to Doug Wilson

This is a rebroadcast of a program that first aired December 24, 2022.This weekend’s program was first broadcast in December 2022 and was prepared to focus our attention on the Christ of Christmas. In the left column are resources and ideas for you to use personally with your own families.  The Christian Worldview wishes all of you a memorable and meaningful Christmas.  To God be all Glory!Christmas is upon us. While it’s easy to get distracted by all that competes for our attention—current events and politics, work and school, sports and recreation, travel and material things, even family and church—there is really only one most important issue and that is the person of Jesus Christ and what He has done for mankind.Jesus said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).That couldn’t be more clear. Where you spend eternity hinges on whether you place your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.Christmas is the time when Christians remember and celebrate God sending His Son into our world, born of a virgin woman, mighty and holy in word and deed, and loving and sacrificial in offering His perfect life to satisfy God’s wrath and justice for our sins.Today will be a program to think about not Christmas generally, but the Christ of Christmas specifically. We will read God’s word, listen to some music, even do a Christmas quiz, all to appreciate and worship the God/Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. For none of us would have any hope without His “One Solitary Life”.-----------------------------------CHRISTMAS RESOURCES for you and your family:QUIZ/POEMS/READINGS:Christmas QuizHistory behind I Heard the Bells on Christmas DayOne Solitary LifeOn Going Home for ChristmasVIDEO:The Gospel | Paul WasherTreasures of the Snow filmThe Legend of the Candy CaneTruce in the Forest short filmHans Brinker film AmazonMUSIC:O Holy Night | Phil WebbThe Messiah | Robert ShawTCW Christmas Music (Spotify)

GUEST: ABNER CHOU, head translator, Legacy Standard BibleChristmas is a season when Christians remember, rejoice, and praise God for sending His Son Jesus Christ into our world to offer Himself as the atonement for sin. The details of Christ’s birth and life were prophesied in the Old Testament and then fulfilled hundreds of years later in the New Testament.Christmas is also the end of the calendar year, and as we look to the new year, Christians often consider how to know and love God and His Word in a deeper way. Bible reading plans are hatched, sinful tendencies resolved to overcome, and godliness purposed in our hears.These are good desires. Paul told Timothy, and by extension all Christians, to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).Godliness—or becoming like Christ—is the goal of the Christian life. But how do we “discipline” or “train” ourselves to pursue godliness?Abner Chou, president of The Masters’ University and head translator the the Legacy Standard Bible, which is a new English translation of the Bible that many consider to be the most accurate and one that The Christian Worldview is carrying in our store, will join us to discuss how to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.Abner will also explain how Christ was fully God and fully man during His time on earth and why that is so critical.---------------------------------Legacy Standard Bible:  Learn More | On Sale Now!We are carrying two versions (handy size and large print) of the LSB in various styles from faux leather to cowhide, red, black, brown, indexed and non-indexed

GUEST: STEVE MILLER, author, One Day NearerLast week in part one on our two-part series on Biblical prophecy, Steve Miller joined us to discuss his 365-day devotional book One Day Nearer: Daily Devotions in Anticipation of Jesus’ Glorious Return.He pointed out that the motivation to understand Biblical prophecy goes beyond knowing the what and when about the future but that it should impel believers to a deeper love for God and His awesome plan and victory when His Son returns in glory to judge and reign.Steve bolstered our faith by pointing to several Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled in the New Testament, such as Christ being born of a virgin woman in the town of Bethlehem. He also explained the three main end times views: premillennialism, amillennialism, and post-millennialism.This weekend in part two, Steve will answer some of the intriguing questions that believers have pondered over the years:When does the prophesied war of Gog and Magog take place and who is involved (i.e. Ezekiel 38-39)?Will the Jewish Temple be rebuilt next to the current Islamic mosque in Jerusalem?Who is “Babylon the Great” in Revelation 17 and where does America fit in to end times prophecy?And, what is the believer’s call at this time?Steve’s daily devotional One Day Nearer is our new featured resource available for a donation of any amount to The Christian Worldview.-----------------------------------Steve Miller’s PodcastNEW Featured Resource: One Day Nearer365 Days of Keeping Watch and Finding Hope! Steve Miller’s daily devotional will help you live with an eternal perspective and in anticipation of Christ’s return. (384 pg, softcover)

GUEST: STEVE MILLER, author, One Day NearerI recently watched a program on Fox News Channel that featured some of the sharpest conservative minds, including Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, and Mark Levin. They were discussing the crumbling state of affairs in America and abroad with regard to overwhelming illegal immigration across our border, a takeover of the government school system by a Marxist worldview, crushing economic policies and inflation, political corruption, widespread anti-Israel sentiment, and several more.They detailed the problems accurately but I was left wondering what these intelligent men believe is going to happen in the future. Do they think with a different president that we’ll pull out of this death spiral? Do they think that America is too big to fail and that the pendulum will swing back the conservative way at some point? Do they know and believe what God has prophesied in the Bible about the end times?Only the born again Christian who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and accurately interprets Scripture is able to understand what is coming. While God has chosen to not reveal every detail and precise timing of the future, He has put enough in Scripture that we should know what’s coming, most especially, the return of Jesus Christ to defeat His enemies and reign.With each passing sunset, we are “one day nearer” to the return of Christ. And that is the best news! Why would the believer want to struggle on in this world—with sin, conflict, persecution, disease, and death—when we can live for eternity in perfection in the presence of Christ?Steve Miller is our guest this weekend and next. He has studied Biblical prophecy for decades and is the author of Foreshadows: 12 Megaclues Jesus’ Return is Nearer than Ever and the 365-day devotional book that we will be discussing today, One Day Nearer: Daily Devotions in Anticipation of Jesus’ Glorious Return. One Day Nearer is our new featured resource available for a donation of any amount.This week he will explain the purposes of Bible prophecy, the three major views (i.e. premillennialism, amillennialism, and post-millennialism),  and whether the idea of a “rapture” of church-age believers is a recent invention.-----------------------------Steve Miller’s Podcast: Foreshadows ReportNEW Featured Resource: One Day Nearer for a donation of any amount!365 Days of Keeping Watch and Finding Hope! Steve Miller’s daily devotional will help you live with an eternal perspective and in anticipation of Christ’s return. (384 pg, softcover)Additional Resource from Steve Miller: Foreshadows book

** This program was previously aired 11/27/21 but the DVD offer is available again for a short time.GUEST: DR. JERRY NEWCOMBE, producer, The Pilgrims documentaryA small group of biblical Christians known as the the Pilgrims are widely considered to be “the founders of America”.Numbering only about 400-500 souls, they had fled religious persecution in England to settle in Holland. But after ten years there, they decided on another move across the Atlantic Ocean to an unknown land that would become the United States.About 50 Pilgrims were on the first vessel called The Mayflower, arriving in modern-day Cape Cod in Massachusetts in November 1620. One year later in November 1621, after a brutal winter in which many of them died, they celebrated a bountiful harvest with local Indians who had helped them in what has become known as the first Thanksgiving.The Pilgrims and their biblical beliefs which led directly to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution 150 years have been mostly forgotten by the majority of our population. “Separation of church and state” is a sacrament of mainstream society today…but it wasn’t to the Pilgrims. They said they came to America “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”Dr. Jerry Newcombe, producer of the documentary film, The Pilgrims, joins us this Thanksgiving weekend on The Christian Worldview to discuss the Pilgrims’ story and what they believed and lived by. For in them we have an example for how we can live in our pilgrimage in a contrary world.--------------------The Pilgrims DVD -- available for a donation of any amount.

GUEST: OWEN STRACHAN, author, The War On MenMaybe you’ve seen the t-shirt that proclaims, “Smash the patriarchy.” Or you’ve heard the gender studies professor say, “Masculinity is toxic” or “the future is female.”This is the spirit of our age, that manhood as prescribed and exemplified in Scripture is oppressive and the cause of conflict and injustice in the world. We have moved light years beyond portraying men as goofs and buffoons in television programs and commercials; men are now the enemy.The prevalence of homes without fathers, men who live to consume and amuse rather than provide and protect, or males who look and act in feminine ways, all point to a subversion of God’s design for men. It’s not surprising that the clear Biblical prohibition against female pastors is a domino tottering across Evangelicalism.Owen Strachan is our guest this weekend on The Christian Worldview Radio Program. Owen is provost and research professor of theology, Grace Bible Theological Seminary and the author of the excellent new book, The War on Men: Why Society Hates Them and Why We Need Them.We will discuss how we go to the point of scorning Biblical masculinity, and fundamentally, what Biblical masculinity actually looks like.This is a program for men and boys, of course. But it’s just as much a topic for women and mothers to understand, so they can discern the right men for marriage and raise their boys to be…Biblical men.-----------------------The War on Men: Why Society Hates Them and Why We Need Them by Owen Strachan for a donation of any amount to The Christian Worldview.

GUESTS: CHRIS KATULKA, Radio Host, Friends of Israel Gospel MinistryA “moral equivalency” is argumentation that attempts to make two opposing sides equal, when in reality one side is far more immoral than the other.Example: Israel and Hamas. The Islamist group Hamas, based in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, barbarically slaughters 1400 civilians in the October 7 raid on Israel and immediately those who side with Palestinians make the moral equivalency that Israel is no better with their racist, oppressive, colonialist, genocidal, apartheid state.A better moral equivalency to Hamas murdering non-combatants, including children, would be the American zealots who advocate for the “right” to kill pre-born children at any time and for any reason during pregnancy. In fact, the latter group has been much more effective from a death toll standpoint than the former. And the people of Ohio just voted for abortion to be a “right” in their state constitution.In last week’s program, Chris Katulka of Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry clarified the disinformation (i.e. lies) that so many believe and espouse about Israel and the Jews, such as, they are occupying Palestinian land. Chris detailed the ancient history of Israel with God establishing for them a far larger area of land than their currently inhabit and how in 1948 they were unexpectedly granted a portion of their historic homeland to settle.This week in part two of the interview, Chris will explain what is behind the widespread anti-semitism in the world, how Christians should obey God’s command to bless the descendants of Abraham and Sarah (the Jews) despite their current God- and Christ-rejection, and what these events mean for Biblical prophecy.----------------------------Related Resource:One Day Nearer by Steve Miller

GUESTS: ALEX NEWMAN, Journalist and CEO, Liberty Sentinel Media and CHRIS KATULKA, Radio Host, Friends of Israel Gospel MinistryThe prophet Isaiah spoke the following about God’s control over nations and rulers:“He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown, Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, But He merely blows on them, and they wither, And the storm carries them away like stubble” (Isaiah 40)Last week, Christian journalist Alex Newman joined us to discuss whether the United States is withering and in decline like other great empires in history. He pointed to the immorality of our nation (e.g. heterosexual, homosexual, transvestism, abortion), the exorbitant spending and debt, and the growing rejection of our Constitutional values as common markers of empire decline over history.The other possibility is that the American empire is actually rising to be the leader of the global empire described in Revelation—the evil world system of Babylon the Great that Christ will return to destroy.This week in part 2, Alex will discuss more markers of American empire decline, such as uncontrolled immigration and the unequal administration of justice. The Bible is clear that the future does not revolve around the United States but around God’s chosen nation, Israel and the Jewish people. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes:“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery…that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26).Huh? Does he mean the Israel and the Jews, who despite being back in their historic homeland are living in rejection of God and His Son Jesus Christ, will someday be saved?Yes, that’s what he means and what the final book of the Bible Revelation describes.In light of this truth, we will also hear the first part of an interview with Christ Katulka, radio host for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, a long-time organization which seeks to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the Jewish people. Chris will explain the history of modern-day Israel and the Palestinians and many more dynamics taking place there and around the world.