The Christian Worldview

GUEST: Dr. Stephen Nichols, Ligonier MinistriesTheology is defined as “the study of the nature of God and religious beliefs.” So “what do Americans believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible?”That is how Ligonier Ministries frames The State of Theology survey that they and LifeWay Research partner together to produce every two years.If you’re a Christian and are paying attention to the shift away from God and Scripture that has taken place in our country over the past 75 years, you won’t be surprised to learn that Americans have an unbiblical, syncretistic worldview, which is a mix of flawed human reasoning and remnants of religious moralism borrowed from Christianity.The survey made 35 theological statements to over 3,000 respondents of differing backgrounds and regions. Respondents could answer “strongly agree, somewhat agree, not sure, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree”.Here are a few examples of the theological statements in the survey:“God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.”(67% agreed with this falsehood, as did 56% of Evangelicals).“Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.”(53% agreed with this lie, as did 43% of professing Evangelicals)“The Bible has the authority to tell us what we must do.”(52% overall agreed, with 94% of Evangelicals agreeing…thankfully)Dr. Stephen Nichols, chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries and president of Reformation Bible College, joins us on The Christian Worldview to discuss The State of Theology survey for 2022.

Billy Graham was the most well-known Evangelical Christian of the 20th Century. He led a parachurch ministry called the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association which hosted (and still hosts) large events all over the world, preaching the gospel to tens of thousands of people or more at a time.Recently on The Christian Worldview radio program, pastor Travis Allen of Grace Church in Greeley, CO joined us to discuss a sermon series he had given at a conference on the drift of Evangelicalism. which has become a wide umbrella term that includes theological conservatives, liberals, charismatics, social justice advocates, “gay Christians”, female pastors, and more.Pastor Allen commented how decisions by the most prominent Evangelical—Billy Graham—with regard to ecumenism (cooperation across denominations) and the rise of the parachurch (Christian organizations independent of the local church), contributed greatly to where Evangelicalism is today.This weekend, we’ll dive a bit deeper into the ministry of Billy Graham and its ramifications, learning from what was done right and wrong, using Scripture as a measuring rod.Related Resource:Evangelicalism Divided by Iain Murray

GUEST: PAUL TWISS, pastor, Former Officer in Royal NavyBy now you know, as most everyone in the world knows, that Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 96 after reigning over Britain and its Commonwealth of nations for 70 years.It would be hard to point to any other person’s death in western civilization over the last 100 years that has commanded more worldwide attention than the Queen’s death. Ten days of mourning and processions will culminate in her funeral on Monday, Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey in London.Paul Twiss, a citizen of the United Kingdom who now pastors Bethany Bible Church in Thousand Oaks, CA will join us to discuss the life and death—and faith—of Queen Elizabeth. Paul grew up and was educated in England, becoming an officer in the Her Majesty’s Royal Navy where he served as a nuclear engineer in the submarine service.We will also hear part two of the interview with Robert Knight, columnist for the Washington Times, as to why President Biden and the Left have ratcheted up their blame and vilification toward millions of Americans who supported Donald Trump, categorizing them as semi-fascists.

GUESTS:General Michael FlynnRobert Knight, columnistIn contradiction to President Biden’s promise to unify the country after the 2020 election, he and his administration have made the decision to accuse who he calls “MAGA Republicans” (Trump voters) as enemies of the state and the cause of all that ails America. He recently labeled tens of millions of Trump supporters as “semi-fascists” and then gave a fascist-looking and -sounding speech in Philadelphia with blood red lighting and two U.S. Marines behind him, blaming and vilifying those who oppose him.Robert Knight, columnist for The Washington Times, joins us on The Christian Worldview to explain what’s behind this ominous move by the federal government.Also, General Michael Flynn, who served 33 years in the U.S. Army and was U.S. National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, will join us to explain why he and other conservatives are relentlessly attacked and vilified and why we must stand up and speak up for Constitutional freedoms. General Flynn is the keynote speaker at the Citizen’s Council for Health Freedom event on Thu, Sept. 15 in Oakdale, MN (ticket deadline is Sunday, Sept. 11).Before we get to Robert Knight and General Flynn, we have one segment left with Pastor Travis Allen, as we discuss the drift taking place in Evangelicalism and the call to remain faithful in the midst of the compromise.

GUEST: TRAVIS ALLEN, pastor, Grace Church (Greeley, CO)“Evangelical” once meant a Christian who believed in the authority of Scripture and the call to evangelize the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the devil, so to speak, is in the details of how that has played out over the decades.Today many Evangelical churches and Evangelical para-church organizations—colleges, seminaries, publishing and music industries, camps, conferences, films, evangelism, social work, etc.—form such a wide tent in doctrine and practice as to defy definition, and worse, to dishonor God.This is a bad development. Misrepresenting God and compromising His Word is egregious sin.Paul told Timothy to “accurately handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). He didn’t tell Timothy to use creative, man-centered methodology to reach the culture but rather to “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16).Pastor Travis Allen of Grace Church in Greeley, CO joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to discuss the need for Evangelical repentance and reformation. He will explain how the Evangelical movement arrived where it is today and what must be done to avoid ending in apostasy.RELATED RESOURCE: You are encouraged to listen to the two messages Pastor Allen preached at the Reforming Evangelicalism Conference:The Need for Evangelical ReformationReforming the Evangelical Pastorate

GUEST: TRAVIS ALLEN, pastor, Grace Church (Greeley, CO)As our society rejects God, so it rejects God’s call for what a man is to be. The biblical call for men to be providers for their home, loving leaders of their wives and children, and strong and courageous in word and deed is misrepresented as “toxic masculinity”, “sexist”, and “patriarchal”. Even when a man offers sound advice and direction, especially to a woman, it’s criticized as “mansplaining.”Add to this the influence of feminism and homosexuality in our culture and the impact is seen all around us today—men who have no idea what God calls them to be.God created men and women of equal value and yet with certain character qualities and roles which are to be more prominent depending on whether male or female. This is a complementary design by God, resulting in joy for us and glory for Him.Travis Allen joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview radio program to discuss God’s call for men. Travis is pastor of Grace Church in Greeley, CO, married with five children, and served in the U.S. Navy as a member of the SEAL teams. But as you will hear, it’s not one’s ability to fire weapons or fast-rope from a helicopter that makes a godly man but rather allegiance and obedience to Christ and His Word.

GUEST: DR. STEVEN LAWSON, author, New Life in ChristConfusion characterizes our world. Or maybe delusion is the better word, in that people are deluded by others or just self-deluded.There are no shortage of “experts”—politicians, scientists, teachers, professors, writers, speakers, journalists, analysts, commentators, influencers, and yes, Christian leaders—confidently making assertions about all matters of life and faith.So if you’re pondering what is going wrong in the world, you will hear all kinds of responses—“racism, inequality, lack of education, capitalistic greed, moral corruption”—with all manner of proposed solutions, mostly promoting some new government program or law or political candidate.Despite all the talk, confusion and delusion still reign. People don’t know who or what to believe about what’s going on and don’t understand the root cause of the problems.Because all of Scripture is inspired by the holy and perfect God, Christians have a foundation for discerning truth from error, right from wrong, and wisdom from foolishness.Dr. Steven Lawson, president of OnePassion Ministries, expository preacher, and author of New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You’re Born Again and Why It Matters, joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to discuss:What is going on in the world right now?Why has there been division over the issue of “social justice”?What does it mean to be born again?Please join us for this important program.--------------------Related Resource:New Life in Christ: What Really Happens When You’re Born Again and Why It Matters addresses the most important issue—what it means to be born again. This book is for a believer to better understand the gospel of Christ and for a non-believer to understand and believe in Christ. 224 pages, softcover.  Available for a donation of any amount!

GUEST: CAL BEISNER, President, The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of CreationNo doubt you have noticed that the price of nearly everything has increased. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Over the 12 months ended June 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 9.1 percent…the largest 12-month increase since the 12-month period ending November 1981.”For example, food (for the home) increased 12.2%. Motor fuel increased 60.2%. Electricity rose 13.7%. Natural gas increased 38.4%. New vehicles rose 11.4%.Ask ten people why prices have increased so much and you’ll likely hear explanations like “price gouging” or “Putin’s war in Ukraine” or “Covid” or “supply chain problems.”But are these the real reasons? Cal Beisner, our guest this weekend, doesn’t think so. He is the president of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation and a respected teacher on the environment, economics, and ethics.You may be surprised to learn that the price increases have almost everything to do with inflating the money supply through the latest nearly one trillion dollar spending bill misnamed the “Inflation Reduction Act”, which was pushed and passed on August 7 by President Biden and the Left, that will among other things, hire 87,000 new tax agents.The very next day, former President’s Trump home was raided and searched by FBI agents for reasons not well-explained by the Justice Department.Cal will also address other questions, such as:Why are businesses struggling to find workers?Why Evangelicals have been influenced by the late Ron Sider, a leader in the “Evangelical Left”?The ethical question as to whether a Christian should attend a homosexual “wedding” to “be a good neighbor”?---------------------------Related Resource:Global Warming Skepticism for Busy People by Roy Spencer

GUEST: CAL BEISNER, President, The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of CreationJust as the root of redefining marriage and gender is rebellion against God’s Word, so the same motivation drives the left-wing “climate change” movement.God commanded Adam and Eve in the first chapter of Scripture, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28).This is the “dominion mandate”, where man, as the pinnacle of God’s creation, is called to populate the earth and rule over it in ways that, above all, benefit mankind and glorify God.The humanistic environmental worldview reverses this—the environment (“Mother Earth”) is prioritized above the needs of man and worshipped instead of the Creator.Because we all live in and are dependent on natural resources for energy, food, water, air, shelter, raw materials, medicines, clothes, and more, and because we all are drawn to the beauty, majesty and power of God’s creation, co-opting the environment (through lying and scaring people) is one of the most useful means to achieve godless, humanistic ends.This week on The Christian Worldview, Cal Beisner, president of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, a “network of Christian theologians, natural scientists, economists, and other scholars educating for Biblical earth stewardship, economic development for the poor, and the proclamation and defense of the good news of salvation by God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection”, joins us to discuss how the war on energy—specifically fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal—harms mankind, especially those most vulnerable.Why are fuel prices high, when our nation is blessed with all kinds of fossil fuel resources? Is the transition to electric vehicles going to improve life and the environment? And is it true, as we are constantly told, that man is causing irreversible and catastrophic climate change?We invite you to hear an uncommon—and biblical—perspective as Cal answers these questions and more.--------------Related Resource:Global Warming Skepticism for Busy People - for a donation of any amount!

This program is a rebroadcast from 3/12/22GUEST: PASTOR JAMES COATES, co-author, God vs. GovernmentPersecution, imprisonment, and murder of Christians is nothing new. The gospels recount the crucifixion of Christ and the book of Acts chronicles the threats, beatings, jailings, and stonings of first century Christians.Today is no different for believers in Communist China or North Korea, where Christians defy government edicts and gather secretly. In some Islamic countries, Christians are jailed and martyred for refusing to keep silent about the gospel.In countries like the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand that were founded on Christian values with guaranteed individual liberties, the state has generally allowed citizens to pursue their faith.That changed about a decade ago when the homosexual movement began prosecuting Christians for refusing to participate in“same-sex” so-called weddings. It was a shock when Christians lost their baking or photography business or were fined for following their biblical beliefs.But the God-haters wouldn’t stop there. With Covid came a new opportunity to silence and persecute Christians, as government-mandated restrictions and closures of churches in the name of “community health and safety”.Most pastors and churches “compiled”, but some, like GraceLife Church in Edmonton, Alberta where James Coates pastors, understood the Biblical command for churches to “not forsake our own assembling together” (Hebrews 10:25).Alberta’s governing authorities couldn’t allow GraceLife to defy their order and so Pastor James was arrested and imprisoned. For what? For continuing to gather as a church in obedience to God’s Word.---------------------Related Resource:God vs Government by Nathan Busenitz and James Coates: https://bit.ly/3Q0rrac