Reality and "truth" are being fragmented by modern political and social efforts and promulgated through the internet and social media. Non-Christian beliefs dont and cant offer anything in terms of a comprehensive worldview. On this repeat of a previous episode from 2021, the late Dr. Gary North joins Gary DeMar on today's episode with a discussion about today's fragmented world.
Gary discusses the recent advice by Alistair Begg about Christians attending gay "weddings." There is much more behind Pastor Begg's advice, and anyone who was paying attention wouldn't be very surprised. Carl Trueman also weighed in on the issue with an excellent article on First Things (read the article here: https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2024/01/can-christians-attend-gay-weddings)...
Gary responds to a recent article by Pastor Robert Jeffress in Dallas, Texas about the world looking like it's getting very close to the "end." The biblical passages used by Pastor Jeffress have been used by nearly every generation to prove that their generation was living in the "last days." Jeffress also uses 2 Timothy 3, which Gary takes time to answer in detail. Get David Chilton's The Great Tribulation here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/the-great-tribulation...
Gary discusses the concept of dominion and what it means. Many get upset by the word and the implications of man "dominating" the earth and other people, but what Gary points out is that dominion is an inescapable concept; there's always someone seeking to impose their idea of dominion on your and your family. Read the articles here: https://americanvision.org/posts/dominion-an-inescapable-concept/ and here: https://americanvision.org/posts/biblical-dominion-comes-by-obedience-and-service/...
The Gospel of Jesus was "a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:23). Despite being in the cultural minority, the early church "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). Gary discusses the Christian worldview, how we got where we are today, and how we get back to being world-changers.
Gary discusses an article that makes the claim that Hamas attacked Israel in order to stop the sacrifice of the "red heifer." Whether it's true or not, it's still a very interesting point that influences Christians, Jews, and now, Muslims. The problem is that there is no need, or Scriptural prediction, for any "red heifer." As the perfect Sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled everything necessary.
Gary discusses three recent items that address the ideas of the intellectual "elites" who believe they know how to understand and fix the world. Their primary solution is to eliminate you and others like you to stop you from messing up the world, but their borrowed capital only takes them so far.
Gary comments on a few recent video clips where leftist narratives are being exposed and challenged. He points out that the information is readily available, and opposing voices are being lifted against the mainstream media's consistent leftist propaganda. These voices need to be sought out, but they exist and are steadily gaining traction.
Gary answers a listener question about the uses and abuses of Artificial Intelligence. Many Christians irrationally fear AI because they believe it will be used for some "end-time" scenario, but this misunderstands both information and intelligence. Thinking isn't neutral and doesn't happen in a vacuum, it all depends on the programming.
Gary discusses an article by Wayne Grudem about 10 reasons to vote for Ron DeSantis over Donald Trump. While many of Grudem's points make sense, they don't factor in the current political "mood" prevalent in the country right now. Trump is certainly a lightning rod, which is exactly why he is opposed at every turn by the mainstream media.
In Matthew 19:28 Jesus tells His disciples "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Is Jesus on His throne now? If so, are we in the "new world"?
Gary talks about recent comments from Elon Musk and an English rapper named Zuby. Both have opinions about Christianityalthough Musk's are somewhat contradictoryand how civilization absolutely needs it. There is a growing understanding that the promises of the Enlightenment and humanism have been left unfulfilled, with no future hope in sight.
Gary discusses a recent question answered by Vivek Ramaswamy about the American government "propping up" Christianity and Christian Nationalism. Aside from the fact that it's so far from the truth, the questioner is asking from a secular/satanic/atheist perspective that has no basis for ANY morality other than "kill or be killed."
Gary discusses a recent call by some atheists to get out to the polls and vote in 2024 to prevent Christian Nationalists from winning. The article claims Christians will put atheists in concentration camps and persecute them once they get in power. It is so far from reality, but this is nothing new for the fantastical atheist "worldview" that consistently borrows (i.e. steals) ethical norms from Christianity. Get the book here: https://store.americanvision.org/products/why-it-might-be-ok-to-eat-...
Gary continues his discussion of the confusion over how God's law should be understood and applied in modern times. It is impossible to say God's law no longer applies (which makes everyone a law unto themselves), but some seem to be saying this very thing. God's revealed truths are for His people forever (see Deuteronomy 29:29).
Gary begins a two-part podcast about preterists and God's law. He is receiving a lot of comments of his Facebook page from some preterists who are claiming that since the OT is fulfilled, then God's law no longer has the same applications. This topic is in reality a worldview issue and encompasses much more than eschatology.
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.
Gary responds to a video where a pastor claims you must "rightly divide the Bible," based on 2 Timothy 2:15. By this he means that you must rightly divide the "people" of God into Jew and Gentile and understand New Testament passages in light of "the Church age." The Bible never speaks of a "Church age" but this does not prevent many from claiming that it must be there all the same. They claim it is inferred and is the "key" to correctly interpreting Jesus' prophetic words in the Olivet Discours...
Gary summarizes the initial two podcasts from the Covenant Hermeneutics and Biblical Eschatology series with Kim Burgess. Now that the first volume of the book is available, this recap was due for a re-run. While many people were enthused and appreciative of the interviews, others have taken issue with them. Gary explains the theological method of reading and interpreting the Bible on its own terms and some questions that arise from reading Scripture in light of Scripture. Get the book here: htt...
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 cant use them to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Gods indescribable gift to us (2 Cor. 9:15). Read Gary's article here: https://americanvision.org/posts/are-christmas-trees-pagan-symbols/...
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.
Gary discusses an article written by a woman who regrets pursuing her own goals and fulfillment in the workforce and being single. Ideas have consequences, but some ideas have very serious lifelong consequences, as this woman is quickly learning. In many ways, the Bible esteems maturity as one of the primary goals of life in this world: learning that it's not all about you and your own personal happiness.
Stories keep piling up about the self-appointed "experts" going out of their way to enforce everyone to think and believe what they demand. Newspeak and media brain-washing are the tactics, but many regular citizens are (finally) starting to push back and question the "upside down" world of the cultural elite.
Like many in Israel at the time of Jesus birth, Christians today are looking for a political savior to rescue them and break the chains of tyranny. Christian leaders tell people to look up and ahead to Jesus second coming and rejoice that their redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). But was this the response of Simeon and Anna? Were they rejoicing in what God would do millennia in the future, or were they rejoicing about what God was doing then? Read the article mentioned in this episode at th...
One from the archives. Gary answers an interesting question that was submitted to another podcast. The question is tied to Jesus' words in Matthew 24 about "this generation" and the Pharisees as "brood of vipers" in Matthew 23. This question, which Gary had never heard before, caused a lot of discussion on the show and revealed that far from questioning the timestamp of Matthew 24:34, it actually confirms it even more. Note: This was originally recorded in Dec 2021, when Dr. Heiser was still act...
It is often claimed by revisionist historians that America was founded not on Christian principles but on Enlightenment ones. This is a huge overstatement. It is more correct to say that America was founded on both, however even the Enlightenment-influenced Founders were products of their time, which means they were also influenced by Christian principles and wrote them into our founding documents and governance.
Still in his basement, Gary answers a listener question about the "number of the beast," Nero, and Titus. The listener asks about Pastor Phillip Kayser's view that while Nero could be a candidate, he believes the Roman General (and later Emperor) Titus works better for 666. Gary discusses this and much more about this most notorious number from Revelation 13 (and 1 Kings 10). Gary's article on this topic: https://americanvision.org/posts/the-beast-and-his-number/ Phil Kayser's article: https://b...
Gary is recording from his basement because the usual recording studio is occupied. He takes the time to discuss a recent article by a Jesuit priest claiming that Donald Trump is the "antichrist." As usual, these writers never mention previous failed claims (many, many of them) as well as never defining "antichrist" biblically.
Part Two of Two. Gary is interviewed by Paul Edward Stevenson on the Last Man Standing radio show about Israel, Hamas, and popular prophecy. Most people who believe that the events in Gaza right now are fulfilling Bible prophecy have no idea what their system actually says about what awaits Israel in the "end times."
Part One of Two. Gary is interviewed by Paul Edward Stevenson on the Last Man Standing radio show about Israel, Hamas, and popular prophecy. Most people who believe that the events in Gaza right now are fulfilling Bible prophecy have no idea what their system actually says about what awaits Israel in the "end times."
