Gary comments on a recent article by Pastor Kevin DeYoung about pastors becoming "political pundits." While it is true that many pastors simply comment on politics without making any reference to the Bible, our current situation is most certainly a biblical issue. Staying out of politics is not the correct response; bringing the Bible to bear on politics and culture is.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 30 There are many signs mentioned throughout the NT by Jesus and others that are said to come during the "last days." Many writers and prophetic speculators have claimed that these signs are happening all around us today. Unfortunately for them, the context for these biblical signs was "soon," as in soon when the NT was written—that is, in the first century AD.
Gary discusses more recent craziness coming from politicians and celebrities about transgenderism and sports. Proving that they are completely out of touch with the vast majority of Americans, these people are saying downright crazy stuff... and then repeating it. It's no longer forgivable as "political" speech; it is just pure insanity.
Gary discusses several recent examples about people believing absurd things just because of something they saw online. AI is only as good as the database it searches, and if errors exist in the data, the answers the AI gives will always be wrong. People need to learn to be discerning and check information out before repeating it.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 29 In this conclusion to his talk from a few years back at a conference in Nashville, Gary gives a quick hermeneutics lesson using Matthew 24. We must use the Bible to interpret the Bible and not overlook details like timing and locations. We cannot reinterpret these as relevant to our own day and still claim we are being faithful to the text as written.
Gary discusses a recent comment by late night host Stephen Colbert about Christians helping the poor. Colbert, not surprisingly, is terribly uninformed on how much the Church has done for the poor for thousands of years. In fact, until big government stepped into to "help," the Church was about the only organization doing it.
Gary interacts with recent claims that outbreaks of peace in the world have significance for Bible prophecy. Generally, most modern prophecy pundits point out all the talks of war as being signs of the end times, but now we must also be suspect of peace talks. Gary brings sanity to the discussions of both war and peace.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 28 In this talk given a few years back at a conference in Nashville, Gary introduces the topic of Bible prophecy and why it is important. Most Christians never challenge their view of the future and end up believing all sorts of strange "winds of doctrine" and get "tossed back and forth by the waves" (Ephesians 4:14).
Gary answers a listener question about the supposed historical fact that Antipas (mentioned in Revelation 2:13) was martyred in the mid-90s AD under Domitian. If true, this would mean the book of Revelation was written after the destruction of the city and the temple in AD 70. Preterists maintain that the book was written during Nero's reign in the mid-60s AD. So which view is correct and why does it matter?
Gary talks about the trend among young people where Bible sales are increasing and they are obviously looking for some sort of purpose. There is a sense where every generation rejects the views of the parents, but it also runs deeper. People say they are looking for their "true self" but how will they know when they've actually found it?
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 27 Gary discusses new "research" that has now determined and revealed China's role in Bible prophecy. With the publication of each day's news, prophecy speculators are writing blogs and releasing videos that reinterpret the previous day's speculations and surefire "end time" predictions.
Gary discusses DOGE and USAID and government overspending in general. Just as most people manage their own household budgets and spending, so is the Federal Government responsible not to spend money it does not have. An ignored requirement from Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution is an accounting of where money is being spent. Read Gary's DOGE article here: https://americanvision.org/posts/the-question-doge-should-be-asking/...
Gary discusses recent articles about immigration and birth rates. So called anti-natalists put the welfare of the planet over the welfare of humanity, but they are seldom willing to rid the planet of themselves first. Gary calls materialistic "science" into the argument to point out the hypocrisy. Get Gary's book, Why It Might Be OK to Eat Your Neighbor , here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/why-it-might-be-ok-to-eat-your-neighbor-book...
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 26 No matter what happens in the Middle East—good, bad, or indifferent—it is claimed to be a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Gary discusses current claims about the prophetic importance and significance about what's happening in Gaza. Once again, these claims are shown to be lacking biblical proof and are nothing more than sensational attention grabs.
Gary runs over a few recent news stories and how the media is struggling to keep up with everything happening. Gary puts his unique spin and view on the topics and reminds listeners that politicians, while important, are not the answer to solving everything. Christians need to stay involved and informed.
Gary responds to a recent article by Ken Gentry that called Gary out for his views on eschatology. Gary's point has consistently been that a real exchange needs to happen between different views regarding certain elements of Bible prophecy that some (like Ken Gentry) insist have been "settled." The same hermeneutic that informs partial preterism is being used by others to defend consistent, or full, preterism.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 25 Gary answers a listener question about progressive dispensationalism about how it "differs" from the popular dispensationalism that informs the majority of end-time bestsellers sold in the last 50 years. Gary argues the progressive part of it was made necessary by the many failed prophecies of the popular interpretations.
Gary discusses the current state of the country now that President Trump has taken office. Many of the things Trump is doing in his first week in office are positive and following through on campaign promises, but some are still nitpicking his every move. Gary tries to bring some historicity, rationality, and biblical worldview to the situation.
Gary discusses several recent (and not so recent) instances of individuals leaving the Christian faith after being in it for some time. Sometimes these deconversions are called "deconstructions" and Gary highlights some examples of these and what his views are on them.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 24 Gary responds to several critics on Facebook that disagree with his interpretation of Bible prophecy. Gary gives two points of advice before jumping into a debate: 1) know what your own position actually teaches, and 2) know what your opponent's position actually teaches.
Gary explains the interaction he had on Facebook with a former pastor who has since deconverted. Alan Bondar now claims to be an atheist and even wrote a book called "How to Kill God the Easy Way" (presumably those without the book are stuck with the "hard way"). Gary ties his discussion with Bondar into the classic debate between Dr. Greg Bahnsen and Dr. Gordon Stein.
Gary discusses the recent funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood sang John Lennon's song "Imagine" at the funeral at Carter's request. Gary gives some little known background information about Lennon and how he actually grew to become "embarrassed" by the words to his famous song.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 23 Gary discusses Genesis 6 and the whole "sons of God" controversy and how it gets tied in with Bible prophecy. There is an endless amount of speculation that comes from these four verses in Genesis and entire worldviews are built on it, often including UFOs and aliens.
Gary mentions five encouraging signs that he has seen recently about the state of the culture. While most of them aren't the signs that most Christians would be looking for, they each show that foundational beliefs are changing in a major way. Christians need to be informed and aware of what's happening and always ready to bring the salt and light of the Gospel and a biblical worldview every area of life.
Gary discusses two new books now available from American Vision, Gary's North's Victim's Rights and Gary DeMar's newest book Prophecy Wars . These two have more in common than might be apparent to many, but both are essentially apologetic works about controversial topics about the Bible.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 22 Gary discusses a popular interpretation of Matthew 24 that assumes a split in time in what Jesus is explaining to His disciples. Gary doesn't agree and shows how it can't be possible, especially when looking at the parallel passage in Luke's gospel and his description of the same events. See the chart that compares Matthew 24 and Luke 17 here: https://americanvision.org/images/uploads/luke-17_mathew-24-chart.pdf...
In this continuation of his first lecture given to a high school class, Gary points out that religion will always exist in society. If the biblical God is not recognized in a culture, something else will always take His place. Even atheism is a religion, despite the denials of its adherents.
Gary continues his discussion about how we should respond to the grievance merchants in modern society. The Bible deals directly with this issue and gives a lot of guidance about what the proper response should be to tyranny and social injustice. Listen to Part One here . Get the R.J. Rushdoony article here: https://murraymoerman.com/3downloads/books/R.J.Rushdoony-The-Religion-of-Revolution.pdf...
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 21 It can be surprising the lack of understanding most pastors have about Bible prophecy. Congregants assume their pastor to be an expert when it comes to biblical issues, but this is actually seldom the case. This is not meant to demean pastors, but to reveal how many other responsibilities most pastors have on their to-do list. The popular view on Bible prophecy becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in how it gets taught and promoted....
A great way to start the new year! We must always begin with first principles in any debate. In this episode, Gary teaches students how to think about their own assumptions and foundations and why they believe what they claim to believe. Facts are important, but worldview precedes facts and interprets the facts.
