Every Fourth of July, we celebrate the "birth of the United States," but this is not quite accurate. The nation of America was born much earlier in the colonies. Thirteen colonies with independent governments and intact constitutions were operating in 1776. Gary discusses the early history of the colonies, and how they founded their laws and constitutions on the Bible.
Gary answers a listener question about the word "church" and how it is used by the Bible and interpreters over the years. Is God "doing something new" in the New Testament, or is He fulfilling exactly what He promised in the Old Testament? Was God's plan for His people changed when they rejected Jesus as their Messiah?
Gary discusses electric cars and the current administration's love affair with making political laws influenced by climate change. There is much to like about the EV industry, but there is also much to be addressed and figured out before EV can challenge the internal combustion engine and petroleum. Government doesn't understand economics, yet they consistently make decisions with huge economic ramifications, and usually for the worse.
Gary discusses how Paul and the apostles approached promised persecution and tribulation during their own lifetimes and ministries. Paul was told that chains awaited him in Jerusalem, yet he went anyway. Persecution may await us as well, but we are called to daily obedience and to preach and live the Gospel regardless of the political or cultural situation. Just as Caleb was not dissuaded by the giants living in the Promised Land, neither should we.
What’s the difference between eschatology and Bible prophecy? Does it make a difference what view you take in relation to future things? Gary talks about his experience sitting down with a seminary class and discussing various views on biblical prophetic interpretation.
Gary responds to two individuals critical of his own eschatological view and points out that preterism is the only position that takes the Bible text literally. Letting the Bible interpret itself can never yield any of the Rapture positions, despite how many times adherents claim that Preterists are "scoffers."
Gary answers several questions from a listener who is fearful and anxious about the world based on what local pastors are preaching and teaching about the "end times." The events they are claiming are for today happened in the first century and fulfilled the prophecies in the very timeframe Jesus claimed they would. Christians should not be fearful; the victory is won and the Kingdom is growing, despite what certain people are saying.
Gary recently returned from a Pastor's Conference in Mexico, where he spoke to a hundred pastors or so about eschatology. On today's podcast, Gary discusses his travel to and from Mexico, his experiences while he was there, and his takeaways from teaching through a translator.
In this second part of his interview with David Vaughn, Gary discusses worldviews and their importance. Everyone, regardless of religious belief or lack thereof, has a worldview. Facts do not self-interpret; facts are interpreted by people and all people interpret through a particular grid of what they believe about ultimate truth and reality. Worldviews are inescapable, and it is vital to understand this in order to effectively communicate with others, otherwise we talk past the issues and each...
Gary is interviewed by David Vaughn on his radio show, Worldview Matters . Gary and David discuss two big topics currently in the media: abortion and mass shootings. Gary points out that every moral argument requires a foundational system and that the biblical worldview protects both the unborn child and the right to self-defense.
Gary discusses Revelation 20 and the enduring topic of the thousand years and the various millennial positions found among Christians. None of the positions base their view explicitly on the small amount of information found in Revelation 20, which means they look elsewhere in the Bible for support.
Gary answers a listener question about 2 Thessalonians 2 and the man of lawlessness. Understanding Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians must be interpreted through the events of his first letter. Finding the rapture, the Roman Catholic church, or any other number of prophetic events in this chapter is simply not a valid way to interpret Scripture.
Gary answers a listener question about the two witnesses from Revelation 11. Are these actual people, or groups of people, or something else? There is of course an Old Testament applicability to these witnesses and we must not ignore the OT requirement in interpreting Revelation 11, as well as the rest of the book.
Abortion issues are continuing to polarize the national news stories. Nancy Pelosi was even barred from taking Communion by a church leader because of her public support of abortion. It is causing many media figures to say very dumb things, but is revealing their true motivations and beliefs.
Gary responds to a message from a pastor in Tennessee threatening civil disobedience. There are many paths available to American Christians, but taking up arms should not be one of them. Anti-Christian ideologies are self-defeating and we are beginning to witness the unraveling of humanistic thought in many areas. Christians must be steadfast in their daily roles of taking every thought captive and destroying speculations and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians...
Gary responds to a recent article that discusses Matthew 24:22. "Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened." The article claims this is referring to all people on earth, but Gary points out the context and meaning that the verse is actually talking about. It's about the end of the age, not the end of the world.
Gary is interviewed by Pastor Uri Brito about various topics and experiences he has had over more than 40 years in ministry. The two discuss Dr. Gary North, eschatology and many other subjects over the course of a half-hour conversation.
Gary discusses a recent media screed about the 'racist' nature of homeschooling. The article uses actor Kirk Cameron as an example, which is uninformed at best, dishonest at worst. All education is driven by someone else's agenda. No curriculum is neutral; all seek to impose some sort of ideology in what they present as 'true' and 'factual.'
Gary answers a listener question about the difference between sending the disciples out to the "lost sheep of Israel" in Matthew 10 and the "Great Commission" in Matthew 28. Are they the same thing? Are they different? How?
Gary discusses a few "contradictions" commonly pointed out by critics. These textual "issues" seem to be difficult on the surface, but a bit of deeper reading makes it obvious that these "problems" with the Biblical text are not really problems at all. Christians must read in order to understand, and recognize that differences in how things are reported in the Bible are theologically significant and add depth and layers to the text as a whole.
The Gospel of Matthew must be read in the context of the first century and not the 21st. Beginning in Matthew 10, Gary walks through Matthew pointing out the important passages that relate to preaching the Gospel and the impending judgment awaiting the temple standing in the first century.
In a recent talk given in Huntsville, Alabama, Gary discusses why he spends so much time talking about Bible prophecy. Many think it is a divisive topic (which it is) and that we shouldn't waste time on it to avoid dividing Christians. However, many topics are divisive and polarizing. Bible prophecy is a topic that the Bible itself deals with and should not be avoided simply because people disagree about it.
Gary responds to a recent video and emails he has received that were critical of his views on Matthew 24. Gary points out (again) that the these critical views are 1) nothing new, and 2) have been refuted hundreds of times by commentators writing centuries and centuries ago. Preterism is not new as some claim, and more importantly, it allows the Bible to interpret the Bible, rather than current events.
Gary concludes his interview with Chris Arnzen on "Iron Sharpens Iron." Gary answers a question about 1 Thessalonians 4 and encourages Christians to be educated beyond "buzz words" that tend to shut down discussion, words like "Calvinism," "Arminianism," "Postmillennialism," "Hyper-Preterism," etc.
In this first part of two, Gary is interviewed by Chris Arnzen on the "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program about biblical understanding and denominational traditions. Many modern Christians seem to believe only what they have heard, but rarely know what the Bible itself says. Gary points out that asking questions can be useful in getting people to think outside their traditions.
Political battles around the country are focusing on schools, the Bible, and prayer. Critics want the Bible and prayer removed from schools, yet also want other things added. Everyone has an agenda and seek to impose their view of the world on others. There is no neutrality.
Gary briefly discusses the four major interpretive approaches to the book of Revelation. Futurism, Historicism, Idealism, and Preterism have all been promoted—to greater and lesser degrees—throughout church history. What others have believed in the past should not determine how the Bible should be understood, but what the Bible itself actually says.
Gary begins a short lesson on the four views of the book of Revelation. He begins with the most popular: futurism. The vast majority of futurists are premillennial and dispensational as well. A recurring problem with this view is that the dependent pieces of the system are simply not found in the Bible; they're just not there.
Gary discusses recent news articles and events that have been flushed by the liberal media because they don't fit the narrative. It's not just a right-wing conspiracy anymore. The divide and the lack of objectivity in the mainstream media is becoming impossible to ignore... in their own words.
Gary begins to discuss the book of Revelation and points out important details that most modern Christians dismiss. Although the Bible is written FOR us, it wasn't written TO us. The vast majority of the New Testament is recording historical events and their significance. These past events still have great importance and meaning, especially for vindicating Jesus' authoritative claims about His identity.
