Gary recaps what's been done, what's being worked on, and what's to come. As a donation-based ministry, American Vision uses your funds as efficiently as possible to further the Christian and biblical worldview in all areas of life. Lots of new projects were finished in 2022 and new ones were started for 2023. Tune in to hear all about them... Please consider giving a year-end donation to further the work and mission of American Vision here: https://donate.americanvision.org/...
Dec 28, 2022•28 min•Ep 362•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses a recent article by Daniel Hummel about how concordances made Dispensationalism—and a "scientific" approach to Bible reading—possible. We take many of our modern study tools for granted, but each new help has brought with it challenges and unintended consequences to how we read and understand what we read in the Scriptures. Read the article here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/december/concordance-context-bible-reading-dispensationalism-literal.html...
Dec 26, 2022•20 min•Ep 361•Transcript available on Metacast 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 .
Dec 23, 2022•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gary summarizes the two recent interviews with Kim Burgess and what we can look forward to in ongoing discussions with him. While many people were enthused and appreciative of the interviews, others have taken issue with them. Gary explains his theological method of reading and interpreting the Bible on its own terms and some questions that arise from reading Scripture in light of Scripture.
Dec 21, 2022•26 min•Ep 360•Transcript available on Metacast Gary continues his interview with Kim Burgess about the complete story of the Bible. In this part, Kim likens systematic theology to dissection and biblical theology to vivisection. While both methods seek to understand what the Bible is saying, one works in bits and pieces, while the other works to understand the Bible as an organic whole. Traditional evangelical interpretations are too often informed by the dissection method and less by vivisection.
Dec 19, 2022•23 min•Ep 359•Transcript available on Metacast Gary has a much-anticipated interview with his long-time friend, Kim Burgess. The two discuss eschatology and how all the pieces of the Bible fit together as a comprehensive whole. Kim talks about the difference between systematic theology and biblical theology and how the Bible needs to be read and understood on its own terms. Part One of Two.
Dec 16, 2022•24 min•Ep 358•Transcript available on Metacast A reading for the first week of Advent in Lectionary A is from Matthew 24. In a devotional published on Christianity Today's website by Craig Blomberg admits that while it sounds like the events in the second half of Matthew's version of the Olivet Discourse are for Jesus' first century audience, they really can't be because the "cosmic" language was not actually fulfilled....
Dec 14, 2022•28 min•Ep 357•Transcript available on Metacast God created trees. He made them for us: for home building, decoration, shade, construction of fences, tables, chairs, sheds, and so much more. Just because pagans might have carved up a tree to make an image of a false god to be worshipped does not mean that we can’t use them to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s “indescribable gift” to us (2 Cor. 9:15). Read Gary's article here: https://americanvision.org/posts/are-christmas-trees-pagan-1/...
Dec 12, 2022•25 min•Ep 356•Transcript available on Metacast Gary interviews Robert Cruickshank at a recent conference in Virginia Beach. Gary and Robert have known each other for a long time through phone calls and email but had never met personally until this interview. The two discuss how questions they had about what they were reading in the Bible led them to where they are today.
Dec 09, 2022•22 min•Ep 355•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses the classic Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street . He points out many instances of how this film (and every film for that matter) presents opportunities for thinking through worldviews and Christian apologetics. Many questions are asked throughout the movie that may seem silly at first glance but are actually quite perceptive and help highlight the issue of ultimate authority.
Dec 07, 2022•27 min•Ep 354•Transcript available on Metacast In this second half of his interview with Dr. Michael Horton, Gary discusses what it means to be a Christian nation. There is much common ground between groups in America and many actually want Christian morality without Christ. This is nothing new. Christians must know biblical history as well as world history and be prepared to show how Christianity is the foundation of a proper and just civilization.
Dec 05, 2022•21 min•Ep 353•Transcript available on Metacast Gary was recently interviewed by Dr. Michael Horton on the White Horse Inn podcast. In this first part, Gary discusses how he came to understand the importance of politics, government, history, culture, and a biblical worldview.
Dec 02, 2022•20 min•Ep 352•Transcript available on Metacast Ideas have consequences and eschatology has implications. What you believe about tomorrow affects how you live today. While Gary often pokes holes in Dispensational eschatology, non-dispensationalists have their own cultural decay problems due largely to their views about the future. Obsessing about how it will all end paralyzes Christians into inactivity while the culture melts down around them.
Nov 30, 2022•28 min•Ep 351•Transcript available on Metacast Gary responds to two recent postings about current events and the "rapture of the church." Two important questions that should precede any discussion of the rapture is 1) what is meant by the rapture and 2) what does the Bible teach (or not teach) about it? Too often, prophecy writers and speakers assume the legitimacy of the doctrine of the rapture and look for newspaper clippings and Bible verses that seem to confirm what they already believe.
Nov 28, 2022•27 min•Ep 350•Transcript available on Metacast Gary concludes his discussion with Luke and Joy by addressing politics and foreign policy. Wars and national tensions are unavoidable in a sinful world, but reconciliation comes through the Gospel, not with guns.
Nov 25, 2022•11 min•Ep 349•Transcript available on Metacast Gary continues his interview with Luke and Joy from Apologia Radio. The conversations begins with historical artifacts and moves to how a Christian should think about national defense. A show of force is important and can help keep the peace at times, but at other times it can be a hindrance to foreign relations and evangelizing.
Nov 23, 2022•15 min•Ep 348•Transcript available on Metacast In this first part of an interview with Luke and Joy from Apologia Radio, Gary discusses the book, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States . While the influence of Christianity on the founding of America is undeniable, this book collects so much of that history into one volume that it is something of a library (and an education) itself. Get your copy of Christian Life and Character here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/christian-life-and-characte...
Nov 21, 2022•23 min•Ep 347•Transcript available on Metacast Gary responds to a recent article that claims to "deconstruct" the understanding of the Dominion Mandate in Genesis 1:28. The idea is not for one group of people to dominate another group of people, but to have authority. The author mistakes "dominion" for "domination," and the article gets only more muddled from there.
Nov 18, 2022•25 min•Ep 346•Transcript available on Metacast Should our faith influence how we think, move, have our being, and vote? Should Christians be politically motivated and seek to make changes in the world around them according to biblical principles? Or should we simply live out our faith quietly and privately before those around us? In this rebroadcast from early 2021, Gary discusses an interchange he had with “Chaplain Mike” on Facebook.
Nov 16, 2022•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses a recent appearance by Ray Comfort on the Dr. Phil Show. Ray decries the practice of "microchipping" people and how unethical and irresponsible it is (which it is) and how it "might" fulfill Bible prophecy and Revelation 13 (which it doesn't). Christians must stop looking for prophetic signs in every modern technology and start reading the biblical text as significant and relevant to those living in Israel in the first century.
Nov 14, 2022•21 min•Ep 345•Transcript available on Metacast Gary relates the early days of American Vision and how much it took to get a book published. Christians should take advantage of modern technology to teach and proclaim the Gospel. Just as early Christians benefitted from the roads created by the Roman Empire, so we benefit from electronic and networking advances today. This excerpt is from the Burros of Berea podcast. Listen to the full interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-77-testimonies-gary-demar-for-god-and-country/i...
Nov 11, 2022•20 min•Ep 344•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses the history and work of Joel Belz and WORLD Magazine. A very high-quality, bi-weekly, full-color publication, WORLD Magazine is something you want to read and have in your house. Getting good information can be difficult in today's "always on" media-saturated information blitz, but WORLD makes it fun and easy to keep up on things and share with your family and friends. Check out the WORLD Magazine website here: https://wng.org/...
Nov 09, 2022•20 min•Ep 343•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses the consolidation of information and the recognition that we are in a war of ideas and worldviews. Christians often decide not to get involved, but must live with the consequences anyway. Voting isn't a long-term solution, but ignoring it isn't the right response either. It takes work: Get informed, vote, and get to work. Get informed here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/restoring-the-foundation-of-civilization...
Nov 07, 2022•27 min•Ep 342•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses the providential history of his life after high school and college and how he met and worked with Greg Bahnsen, David Chilton, Ken Gentry, and many others. This excerpt is from the Burros of Berea podcast. Listen to the full interview here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-77-testimonies-gary-demar-for-god-and-country/id1588605731?i=1000584078209...
Nov 04, 2022•21 min•Ep 341•Transcript available on Metacast Gary answers a listener question about 2 Peter 3 and the fire language. Will the physical earth and heavens be destroyed in a universal conflagration, or is something else being communicated here? Will God destroy his creation in order to make another one, or will He redeem the existing one? We must read 2 Peter 3 in the context of Peter's first letter, as well as the Old Testament.
Nov 02, 2022•28 min•Ep 340•Transcript available on Metacast The Geneva Bible is a Bible of firsts: it was the first complete English translation of the entire Bible, it was the first to include chapter and verse divisions, it was the first to add explanatory study notes throughout, and so much more. The Geneva Bible was also the Bible that helped build America. The story of the Geneva Bible is a fascinating and important part of world and Church history. Get the Geneva Bible here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/geneva-bible...
Oct 31, 2022•21 min•Ep 339•Transcript available on Metacast Two movies are discussed on today's episode, one recent and one from more than a decade ago. Bros and Brokeback Mountain are separated by 16 years but both were agenda-driven propaganda pieces for the homosexual lifestyle. Bros was a spectacular box-office failure for several reasons, and speaks volumes about public support for the gay ideology. Read Carl Trueman's review of Bros here and Larry David's "review" of Brokeback Mountain here ....
Oct 28, 2022•21 min•Ep 338•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses the film, The Omega Man , with Charlton Heston. Based on the book I Am Legend (with a 2007 Will Smith remake as well), the film is very prophetic considering modern climate armageddonists claiming that the "end is near" thanks to our continuing use of fossil fuels. Read Eric Peters' articles here: https://www.ericpetersautos.com/
Oct 26, 2022•22 min•Ep 337•Transcript available on Metacast Gary discusses a news story about the governor of New York claiming that the Bible supports abortion. Since most of her supporters have little to no real knowledge about what (or what is not) in the Bible, claims like this often go unchallenged and a whole generation of people adopt a falsehood as truth. This is nothing new. Authority figures have been claiming to speak for God ever since the beginning in the Garden of Eden.
Oct 24, 2022•20 min•Ep 336•Transcript available on Metacast The defeat of evil and of demonic powers is associated with Halloween. For this reason, Martin Luther posted his 95 challenges to the wicked practices of the Church to the bulletin board on the door of the Wittenberg chapel on Halloween. He picked his day with care, and ever since Halloween has also been Reformation Day. The power of Satan has been broken once and for all, and our children can mock him by dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches. Check out Doug Giles' amazing art here ....
Oct 21, 2022•26 min•Ep 335•Transcript available on Metacast 
