Gary answers a listener question about the parenthetical statement in the Gospels about "letting the reader understand." Other similar instances are also found in other areas of the NT. Were these something that was said originally, or were they added by the author as a clue to how to interpret the context?
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 46 Gary discusses how to read the book of Revelation. Christians too often fail to take the context of the first century into consideration when reading Revelation and instead interpret it based on events in their own time. But how would the original audience and readers have understood and interpreted the letter based on what they had available to them soon after Jesus' ascension in the days of the early church?
Gary discusses a few "things in the news" and gives his unique spin on them. He mentions that in addition to the usual nonsense happening, there are also signs that things are slowly changing. The support for Pride Week is at an all-time low, and many businesses are shutting down funding for this and other DEI initiatives.
Gary discusses Islam, the Gospel, and the recent "interview" of Ted Cruz by Tucker Carlson. Cruz supports Israel because he says "the Bible commands it." But is this true? Do Christians have a scriptural obligation to support Israel (financially, politically, and militarily) regardless of their reasons for going to war with the countries around them?
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 45 Gary answers a very often-asked question these days about Israel's role in the biblical "end times." It will come as no surprise to any regular listener, but Gary explains why modern-day Israel does not have any prophetic significance, including their current "wars and rumors of wars."
Gary discusses two recent writings: one a book by Andrew Klavan and the other an article in World Magazine. Both deal with the question often asked by Dr. Gary North: "What is the proper response?" The Bible has the answers to today's moral dilemmas, but too often people believe that modern issues require modern solutions. The Bible deals with human life as it is, not in an idealized way. For this reason, its "ancient" answers are exactly what we need.
Gary responds to comments from critics on Facebook to his recent article about Acts 24:15 and the Greek word mello . The point of the debate is getting somewhat lost, but Gary shows (again) that some of the original Three Questions letter signers teach the very same thing that Gary is saying about Acts 24:15 and mello (about to be).
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 44 Gary discusses Bible prophecy and timing. Making predictions about the future is easy if the events are hundreds or thousands of years in the future. There is no way to verify the veracity of the "prophet," which means there's no way to enforce Deuteronomy 13 & 18 and the test of the prophet. The NT is very clear that the events it is speaking about are "soon" to take place.
Gary discusses a recent interview with entrepreneur Peter Thiel about particular views he has about Christianity. Thiel claims to be a Christian, but has some contradictory views to the Bible, as well as some strange ideas about eschatology. While the Bible can inform modern ideas and cultural movements, it is primarily relating real events, not high-level philosophies.
Gary responds to a critic accusing him of nefarious Bible study tactics, including "cherry picking" select commentaries and tools. While "cherry-picking" does indeed sound bad and something one should never do, the question must be asked: How else would you do it? If we cannot select sources that help bolster our own views or reveal the weakness of opposing views for fear of being a "cherry-picker," how then should we do scholarship?
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 43 Gary responds to a recent article that presents a tired old argument that a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem is going to happen soon. The Bible speaks about Jesus being the fulfillment of all the requirements of the OT, not remaking everything, which would be an abomination to the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Gary discusses a recent article responding to one of his articles about the Greek word mello . Luke, the author of Acts, uses this word often throughout his history of the Apostles and the Early Church. Most places it's used it means "about to be," but there's some dispute about what it means in several places, especially in Paul's trials near the end of the book.
Gary comments on several recent news items, hoping to bring a bit of sanity (and biblical worldview) to the cultural craziness. The Catholic Church, SPLC, Charlie Kirk, transgenderism, and track and field all get a bit of analysis from Gary. He even closes the episode with a bit of health advice. It has something for everyone!
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 42 Gary concludes his response to John Piper's book, Come, Lord Jesus . Time statements, context, and other books of the Bible help us to understand what words and phrases in the Bible actually mean. We also need to be careful that we are interpreting biblical words in light of how an ancient audience would understand it, not how a 21st century audience does.
Gary responds to a listener from Australia that wonders about how certain Greek words are translated in the new Legacy Standard Bible. Presuppositions, especially eschatological ones, are powerful and affect how translators interpret Greek words, which in turn influences their translation efforts.
Gary discusses the inconsistent application of religion and politics between the two American political parties. Churches and pastors MUST be involved not only in biblical studies, but in the application of such studies, including in politics. All biblical worldview issues have real-world application, which is the actual reason for teaching the biblical issues in the first place.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 41 Gary continues his review of John Piper's book, Come, Lord Jesus . Pastor Piper discusses the actual language used by Jesus in the NT, but still argues that Jesus' words didn't actually mean what they appear to mean. Jesus promised He would come before that generation in the first century died, but Pastor Piper disagrees.
Gary discusses the newest media darling, Steven Hasan, and his BITE model of determining "cult" behavior. Far from being useful, Hasan's model could be used to define nearly any group as a "cult." Businesses, clubs, schools, churches, and even families could be defined as "cults" according to Hasan's methodology, and now even the FBI has jumped on board.
Gary discusses recent discussions he's had with people regarding eschatology and creedal authority. It seems that every theological topic of debate can be settled with Bible verses, except eschatology and especially ones about the "Three Questions." The arguments that most of Gary's critics make are circular and based on certain assumptions that aren't actually biblical.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 40 Gary begins reviewing John Piper's book, Come Lord Jesus . Most Christians haven't even thought about what it means that Jesus "comes," and definitely not in the context of many references to God "coming" in the Old Testament. This is very important and necessary to defining the entire "end time" framework.
Gary brings some "Memes of the Week" to discuss the current "outrage" from leftist opportunists. Some are claiming to be "offended" by a meme that shows Trump in popish attire. It is typical of these people to suddenly get religious when it suits their agenda, however much their claims are contradicted by what they say and do elsewhere.
Gary responds to an article written by a Vanderbilt professor that uses outdated information to make her argument. The professor quotes from Dr. Bruce Waltke in a 1968 Christianity Today article about abortion (Dr. Waltke has since changed his view) to dismiss Christians opposed to climate change. If it sounds ridiculous and confusing, it's because it is. But it's the state of modern "scholarship." Download Gary's written response here: https://americanvision.org/images/uploads/abortion-biblical...
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 39 Rick Welch takes over the Gary DeMar Podcast and interviews Kirk Cameron. Kirk has been very active lately in helping to promote American history, family values, and an optimistic world-and-life-view. Formerly known as a teen actor and "the Left Behind Guy," Kirk details some of the influences that have helped inform and guide his current work.
Gary comments on a recent speech by Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker. The governor uses inflammatory rhetoric to disparage (and warn it seems) Republicans about potential reprisals if they continue on their current path. He also refers to those who support President Trump as "quislings" that will not be tolerated.
Gary has been around long enough that what he has written 30 years ago is now current again. Christian Reconstructionism was a movement that bothered a lot of people in the 1980s and 90s and today the boogeyman is Christian Nationalism. The arguments against both are nearly the same, even though Reconstruction and Nationalism aren't the same. What they actually have in common is bad and unbiblical critiques by authors who should know better. Read the article Gary is responding to here: https://w...
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 38 Gary sits down with his friend Robert Cruickshank at the recent Berean Bible Conference. The two answer a listener question about Revelation 20, which is a very difficult chapter. However, as Gary points out, nearly every eschatological "system" assumes this chapter says much more than it actually does. Gary and Bob try to keep it real and biblical.
Back for a third time, Gary highlights a few of his favorite "Memes of the Week." He discusses track and field, transgenderism, abortion, atheism, presuppositionalism, and much more. There's always much to learn when Gary is selecting the memes.
Gary compares the two approaches to funding between Hillsdale College and Harvard. Despite having an enormous endowment of billions of dollars, Harvard still takes a large amount of tax money every year. Hillsdale takes none, not even indirectly. The school saw the trap of federal money from early on. So many colleges in the country are dependent on government money yet still have high tuition and less control over their product.
Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 37 Gary discusses common misunderstandings of Bible prophecy based on over-literal interpretations and misreadings of the Old Testament. The New Testament is the best commentary on the OT, but the OT also helps us better understand the NT. We can't selectively claim that certain parts of the OT are still future just because we don't like the fulfillment.
After discussing an issue that caused his Facebook page to be eliminated, Gary discusses the craziness coming from leftist Democrats about Jesus and immigration. One thing that you can always count on around Easter is that both sides of the political divide will attempt to make Jesus fit their own narrative and claim His support of their agenda.
