The Texas Rangers won the World Series last night, earning the team’s first ever championship. Nearly 70 percent of Americans watch live sports. Twenty-two of the thirty most popular TV shows of all time are Super Bowls. Why is this? And how is this conversation relevant to our war-torn, conflicted culture? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/texas-rangers-win-the-world...
Nov 02, 2023•7 min
The National Retail Federation estimated that Americans would spend a record $12.2 billion on yesterday’s festivities. Halloween is popular for a number of reasons that reveal much about the state of our culture and the state of our souls. But when the trick-or-treating is done and all the candy has been eaten, where should we turn for the true antidote our culture and our souls need? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily ...
Nov 01, 2023•8 min
Israeli forces made a major advance overnight toward Gaza City. Critics of Israel’s continuing military action against Hamas are responding to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry that the death toll among Palestinians has already passed eight thousand, mostly women and minors. However, many doubt the veracity of this organization’s numbers. Yet Hamas’s strategy is intended to escalate Palestinian deaths and provoke an international backlash against Israel—and the strategy appears to be working...
Oct 31, 2023•7 min
When asked about his stance on controversial topics like same-sex marriage and abortion, new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson replied, “Go pick up a Bible.” How will Johnson’s Christian faith and biblical worldview affect his work as speaker? Author: Ryan Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/mike-johnson-new-speaker-of-the-house-go-pick-up-a-bible/ See Denison Forum's “ How fair ar...
Oct 30, 2023•6 min
Rev. Bryan Dunagan, senior pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas, passed away in his sleep two days ago. He was 44 and leaves behind his wife and three children. When such tragedies occur, it’s natural to question God’s goodness and fairness. But when we feel life’s deepest pain, we can respond in two biblical ways. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-art...
Oct 27, 2023•8 min
An intensive manhunt is underway for a gunman who opened fire at a bowling alley and a restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, last night. At least 22 people are dead and as many as 50 are injured. Meanwhile, Hurricane Otis became the strongest recorded hurricane to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast when it made landfall yesterday. And the war in Israel continues to increase global unrest. Consequently, many blame God or religion, but secularism is insufficient to save us from ourselves and each other. So where...
Oct 26, 2023•7 min
In an article titled “The US stands on the brink of global war with the Middle East and Asia,” Robert Clark writes, “The world is mustering for war. Conflict is already raging in Europe, with Russian and Ukrainian forces locked in offensive and counteroffensive. The aftermath of the Hamas terror attack upon Israel could now see the Middle East ignited.” He adds, “Within months, the US could be directly involved in two devastating wars on two continents [while] bankrolling a third in Ukraine.” Ho...
Oct 25, 2023•8 min
Mosab Hassan Yousef is the son of a founding Hamas leader. In response to the October 7 atrocities, he told a reporter: “I was born at the heart of Hamas leadership . . . and I know them very well. They don’t care for the Palestinian people. They do not regard the human life.” Why, then, are so many “pro-Palestinian” advocates in the West supporting them? Why is such support likely to escalate as Israel escalates its response to Hamas’s atrocities? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins...
Oct 24, 2023•7 min
America is facing the most crises since World War II, according to former US Defense Secretary Bob Gates. None can be solved; all could spiral into something much worse: the war in the Middle East; China and Russia’s growing military and economic collaboration; a malicious Iran; the unhinged leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un; and a massive spread of doctored or wholly fake videos to manipulate world news and opinion. As a Christian, what can you do in the face of such pressing crises? Author: J...
Oct 23, 2023•6 min
As the war in Israel continues, one of the questions we have been asked most frequently at Denison Forum is if the fighting there is a sign of the end times. But what is it about conflict in Israel that causes us to jump to the apocalypse so quickly? And how can we know if this conflict will be the conflict that will ultimately end with Christ’s return? Author: Ryan Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonfor...
Oct 20, 2023•8 min
Could the al-Ahli hospital bombing be a turning point in this tragic conflict in the Middle East? Will Hezbollah, who may be waiting for the IDF to enter Gaza, open another front on the war in northern Israel? Will Iran mobilize its jihadist forces in Syria and Iraq? Such a multi-front war has been called “an existential threat” to Israel—but they’ve been there before. Today’s article also includes seven biblical prayers for all affected by this conflict. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris...
Oct 19, 2023•8 min
More than 500 people were killed at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza yesterday, which was sheltering thousands of displaced people. Palestinian officials blamed Israeli airstrikes, but the Israel Defense Forces “categorically” denied blame and cited a “failed rocket launch” by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Independent analysts supported IDF’s denial. As the war continues, questions mount: Who are the Palestinians? Did Israel steal their land? Is their plight in Gaza Israel’s fault? How shou...
Oct 18, 2023•9 min
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, lost his arm from the elbow down in the Hamas attack at the Nova music festival. He was then captured, and authorities say Hamas is currently holding him hostage. His mother, Rachel Goldberg, is praying for his return and telling his story to the media, US senators, and Israeli politicians. She said, “I think when you’re in hell, if you stop, then you’re really stuck. So when you’re going through hell, keep walking—and that’s what I’m doing.” The Israeli people have don...
Oct 17, 2023•7 min
Former Israeli paratrooper Israel Ziv, 61, joined the fight of his own accord when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. His sacrificial and unselfish bravery on behalf of his people is one reason America stands with Israel. Why else is Israel important to America? And what do we know about Hamas and their aims as Israel prepares a ground assault in Gaza? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforu...
Oct 16, 2023•7 min
Rotem Matias, 16, was shot by Hamas terrorists, but his mother saved him at the cost of her life. His father also died in the attacks. Matias has chosen to keep the bullet removed from his stomach as a reminder of his parents and the many other victims of the ongoing war in Israel. Today, Israel appears to have four basic options in responding to Hamas. A ground offensive seems likely to happen as 300,000 Israeli troops have amassed at the Gaza border. What should Israel do next? And how should ...
Oct 13, 2023•7 min
J. J. Kimche, a doctoral student in Jewish history at Harvard, wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal denouncing the more than thirty Harvard student groups who supported Hamas and blamed their actions entirely on Israel. Such claims that the two sides are morally equivalent is evidence of rising antisemitism. Unfortunately, as Israel heightens its military response in Gaza, we should expect such antagonism against Jews to escalate. How can Christians combat such antisemitism? Author: Jim De...
Oct 12, 2023•7 min
The Israeli death toll has passed 1,100 at this writing. President Biden confirmed yesterday in his address to the nation that fourteen US citizens were killed in the conflict and that Americans are known to be among the hostages held by Hamas. And yet some students at Harvard have blamed Israel for the war, and many pro-Hamas rallies are being held across the globe, which leads to the question: Why is antisemitism rising? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.den...
Oct 11, 2023•7 min
Article Description With regard to Hamas’s infiltration into Israel, how did such a massive operation remain a secret from one of the most advanced intelligence agencies in the world? It’s a question that Israel will grapple with in time, but some details are coming to light. As the war in Israel continues, how should we as Christians take part in the spiritual battle being waged? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Arti...
Oct 10, 2023•8 min
At this writing, more than 700 Israelis and about 413 Palestinians have died in the war in Israel; more than 2,200 have been injured. After declaring war for the first time since the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel launched retaliatory strikes against military compounds and locations connected to Hamas’s leadership in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced this morning that it has retaken control of all communities around the Gaza Strip. Why did Hamas attack? What’s going to happen next?...
Oct 09, 2023•9 min
When compared to news stories about violent crime, politics, and war, it’s easy to see why so many are infatuated with the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce relationship. TV tends to cater to what we want as a culture, but we’re more anxious, depressed, and lonely than ever. In a world that’s often all about us, why is this? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/taylor-swift-...
Oct 06, 2023•7 min
A Texas LGBTQ advocacy group claimed a federal judge cannot be “fair and impartial” because of his Christian beliefs. It’s human nature when facing opposition and rejection to oppose and reject those we face. The “fight or flight” response is our automatic physiological reaction to events that are perceived as stressful or frightening. But it is precisely the wrong way for Christians to respond to our cultural opponents. So how should we engage our broken culture? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrat...
Oct 05, 2023•6 min
House lawmakers voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker yesterday afternoon, the first time in US history that a speaker has been voted out. Meanwhile, another unprecedented event is unfolding away from the headlines with ramifications that are even more foundational for biblical Christians in a secularizing culture: the pope is signaling support for blessing same-sex unions. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article...
Oct 04, 2023•7 min
The Unconditional Conference hosted by Andy Stanley and North Point Community Church concluded last Friday, and details are beginning to emerge about what was taught across the two-day event. While there is much with which I disagree regarding the implications of Stanley's message, hearing the heart with which Stanley said it is helpful for responding to it in a way that is fair and honors God. Author: Ryan Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read...
Oct 03, 2023•7 min
Article Description Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s dating relationship continues to generate headlines in stark contrast to news that directly affects us, such as the aversion of the government shutdown and America’s growing frustration with inflation and slow economic growth. Americans want to be “inspired by a new, optimistic future,” but this won’t begin with secular culture. It must begin with spiritual rebirth, and that must begin with us as Christians. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: C...
Oct 02, 2023•7 min
Diver Rex Colubra has posted that his best friend is a fish he named Elvis. Whether joking or not, the story illustrates Americans’ increasing loneliness and anxiety. How have we come to the place where half of all Americans have three close friends or fewer? And how might we as Christians be the antidote to this malady? Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/my-closest-fr...
Sep 29, 2023•7 min
The seven Republican presidential participants in last night’s debate took aim at each other, President Biden for his perceived failings, and former President Donald Trump for not attending. Across much of human history and in much of the world today, last night’s event would never have occurred. In this light, Dr. Jim Denison considers our cultural fascination with Rome and an urgent parallel between the Rome of old and the America of today. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subsc...
Sep 28, 2023•7 min
The US government is facing a shutdown soon that could affect hundreds of thousands. Here we find another example of the fact that what happens in the halls of power affects people far from them. Let’s reflect on this reality in light of the most urgent moral issue of our time: abortion. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/how-a-government-shutdown-could-impact-you/ We ...
Sep 27, 2023•7 min
A leaked Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training video instructs staff to confirm that men can get pregnant and encourages them to refer to a pre-born baby as an “embryo” or “fetus.” The VA training video correctly states, “Language has a profound impact on what people hear and learn.” Therein lies Dr. Denison’s point as he describes our culture’s pervasive four-part strategy to normalize unbiblical immorality, legalize it, then stigmatize those who disagree and ultimately criminalize their...
Sep 26, 2023•7 min
Senator John Fetterman’s (D–Pa.) preferred clothing of shorts and a hoodie generated national headlines when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that he was relaxing the Senate’s longstanding requirement that its members wear a suit on the floor. The backlash was immediate and bipartisan. Author: Jim Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/john-fetterman-senate-dress-code-co...
Sep 25, 2023•7 min
Andy Stanley and his church are in the news once again in the buildup to the Unconditional Conference they’ll host next week. The event appears to focus on helping people understand how to minister to LGBTQ+ children and youth and has already generated controversy within Christian circles. But is controversy the right response? How should Christians engage with this subject? Author: Ryan Denison, PhD Narrator: Chris Elkins Subscribe: http://www.denisonforum.org/subscribe Read The Daily Article: ...
Sep 22, 2023•8 min
