A recent article on Crosswalk.com states the following: "Many wonder if Russia will have any part to play in the last days? The answer is a resounding 'yes.' We find the answer in Ezekiel 38-39." Gary responds to the article and the assumption that Russia and the current invasion of Ukraine is fulfilling Bible prophecy. Read the article here ....
Do Christians have a responsibility to obey the government in every and all situations? What about the jab and the hot-button topic of pandemic response? Gary responds to recent comments made on the "Ask N.T. Wright Anything" podcast about the shot and civil response. Safety, trust, and authority all factor into this huge political, cultural, and health issue.
Gary responds to a recent podcast from pastor John Piper about the gospel going to the world. Pastor Piper is answering a question about what it means that the gospel had been preached to the "world" and to "every creature under heaven" in Colossians 1. In his answer, Piper compares Colossians 1 to Matthew 24:14, and looks at the Greek in Colossians but not in Matthew. Gary points out that eschatology affects our gospel and missionary presentations, as well as how the Bible itself is translated....
Gary responds to a comment about the need for a "rebuilt temple." The New Testament knows nothing about a future physical temple, but it does speak often about the one standing in the first century being torn down. Jesus Himself is the true temple and the church is built with living stones. He is the ultimate fulfillment of what the temple represented: God dwelling with His people.
Gary responds to a video sent from a listener by Allen Parr about five signs that "prove" we are living in the end times. It's standard dispensational stuff for the most part, all of which has been dealt with on the podcast before. But several points Parr makes in the video are unique, and worthy of discussion. Listen in to hear Gary's response. The Allen Parr video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaNOyH5i33s
You've heard people claim that the Bible is not a textbook on particular topics. While that's generally true, the Bible is a book about all of life. Everything that it speaks of is useful and true for all times and all people. Humanity needs special revelation in order to see life from God's perspective, rather than through our own sinful perspective. In this final part of the interview between Gary North and Cal Beisner, they discuss Christian education and how we move forward.
In this second part of the interview between Dr. Gary North and Cal Beisner, the discussion turns to long-term and short-term views. A long-term victorious outlook will yield much different results than a short-term pessimistic outlook. Thinking through the consequences of the Christian worldview on every topic of human existence takes time. This will not happen when the church is convinced that its time on earth is short.
The first part of an interview between Gary North and Cal Beisner about worldviews and how they influence everything, including environmental issues. The Apocalyptic Environmentalists have been the majority voice in the media for decades. Cal and his organization, the Cornwall Alliance, work to inform, educate, and motivate Christians to get involved with facts, truth, and optimism.
Free speech continues to be a hot button topic. In this rebroadcast of a show from about a year ago, Gary discusses freedom, speech, and the Christian response. There’s a lot of talk about "free speech" these days. But is it really? Speech is not free in the sense of being without cost; it’s free (at least theoretically) in the sense of being without restraint. But those who cry the loudest for "free speech" when they think their’s is being restrained, are also the biggest restrictors of speech ...
Gary responds to a podcast episode where a biblical scholar reinterprets Paul as being purely "heavenly-minded." Claiming that Paul was convinced that a major eschatological event was in his future (especially in 1 Corinthians 7), the scholar believes that 1) Paul was mistaken, and 2) he was more concerned with spiritual realities than physical conditions in the first century anyway.
Gary discusses the latest political nonsense being perpetuated by Neil Young and others in response to Joe Rogan's podcast. The music industry has long been a proponent of free-speech and using art to "question the narrative," but now that people like Joe Rogan and Dave Chapelle are questioning the current narrative, the tables are being turned.
Gary discusses several upcoming book projects in the works based around the biblical theological work of James Jordan. His approach to the Bible is sometimes referred to as "interpretive maximalism" and uses the Bible to interpret the Bible. While not everyone will agree with the connections Jim makes with his "maximalism," it cannot be disputed that you will know and understand the entire Bible better and more comprehensively.
In this final part of his response to a Ray Comfort video about modern technology and the "mark of the beast," Gary discusses using the Bible to interpret the Bible. Gary shows how the Bible makes the most sense when taken on its own terms, and not by appealing to modern technologies. Beasts, marks, buying, selling, and numbers are all important parts of both the Old and New Testaments and we must understand Revelation in light of Scripture, not current events. Watch the Ray Comfort video here: ...
Gary continues his response to a video by Ray Comfort about Bible prophecy. We must read the New Testament in context and in terms of what was already revealed in the Old Testament. The time was short for the original readers in the first century. The immediacy of the New Testament texts is real, but they cannot be ripped out of their pre-AD70 context to explain modern events and technologies. Watch the Ray Comfort video here: https://youtu.be/B-KnKLU5osA...
Gary responds to a recent video by Ray Comfort with Living Waters Ministries about microchips and the "mark of the beast." In this first part, Gary discusses the obsession with trying to tie the newspaper and modern technologies with Bible prophecy. The Bible itself is its own best interpreter, not modern events or worrisome cultural and technological trends. Watch the Ray Comfort video here: https://youtu.be/B-KnKLU5osA...
In this final part of his civics presentation to a high school class, Gary discusses the issue of civil disobedience. Is it ever right for Christians to disobey a law or an edict of the government? What does the Constitution say? What does the Bible say?
Gary discusses the real meaning of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. One will search in vain for the phrase 'separation of church and state' despite the claims of many that this is what the First Amendment means. The amendment is a limitation on Congress, not on citizens or churches. It is a recognition of jurisdictional separation between the two, and not an elevation of one over the other.
In this lesson given to a high school class, Gary reveals the debate and thought tricks used by unbelievers to support their unbelief. Christians must be aware of the mental trickery being used to identify and uncover the whole story and force the unbeliever to recognize their own inconsistent worldview.
Gary concludes his interview with Dr. Gary North. Van Til and Rushdoony led the way. North and many others continued the research and writing in the 80s and 90s. The information exists and is easily accessible. Now it is up to the next generation(s) to do something with it. Dr. North sketches a potential path forward for motivated individuals to take the information into the 21 century and beyond...
Gary interviews Dr. Gary North about his own personal history and how he came to know and be mentored by Dr. Rousas Rushdoony. North and Rushdoony heavily influenced 20th century theology with their voluminous books about a great deal of topics. The legacy of Rushdoony is still being felt today, more than 60 years after his first book was published in 1959.
Those who question climate and vaccine "science," are being labeled as "science-deniers" in the media. Science is all about questioning and doubting and only moves forward when this happens. Science as a whole can only be done in terms of a Christian worldview, because God made an ordered and orderly world that yields results that can be predicted. This can't happen in an evolutionary, random-chance world.
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 take His place. Even atheism is a religion, despite the denials of its adherents.
A great way to start the new year! This is the first part of a series of lectures Gary gave to a high school class last year. Beginning with foundational principles for any worldview, Gary forces the students to think about their own assumptions and why they believe what they claim to believe. Facts are important, but worldview precedes facts and interprets the facts.
Gary discusses his new project: a commentary on 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?
A high level of expectancy fills the early pages and events of the New Testament Gospels. Herod, the Magi, Anna, Simeon, and "all of Jerusalem"—to name but a few—were all eager and expecting God to act. Thanks in part to the prophecies in Daniel and other prophets, Jerusalem was on edge before and after Jesus' birth. As we say goodbye to 2021 and welcome 2022, Christians need to be reminded that God is always "doing something," and to keep our own high level of expectancy and hope.
Gary continues his interview with Jerry Bowyer. Many details given in the Gospels are extremely important for a proper interpretation of what Jesus said and did and why. These historical and cultural clues are often overlooked, but they add depth and context to the New Testament that modern readers can and should apply to their reading and preaching of the Gospel.
In this first part of his recent interview with author Jerry Bowyer, Gary discusses the economic and cultural arena of the first century. The Bible cannot be interpreted properly without a clear understanding of the times and customs of the people and places described in the text. As an example, Jerry helps add clarity to Jesus' words to the rich young ruler.
Too much time and money, we hear, are spent on the public side of Christmas — the hustle and bustle of shopping, the lavish decorations, and the often insincere displays of seasonal piety. Meanwhile, the true spirit of Christmas gets left behind. Some even argue that all public displays of Christmas are inappropriate. Read the article on the American Vision website .
Gary answers a listener question about theological resources and courses to help a young pastor. Not everyone can attend or will benefit from seminary. Reading and teaching the Bible doesn't require a seminary education, although it is certainly helpful. Many books and courses are available today to help all people get a better understanding and a more comprehensive knowledge of the entire message of Scripture.
Christians continue to fall for the "neutrality" idea, by allowing leftists to set the terms of political debate and practice. Political commentator David French recently wrote articles that seem tactical on the surface, but reveal the deep problem of trying to play "nice" in political and policy discussions. Gary responds to these articles on today's episode.
