The Christian Worldview

GUEST: SCOTT ANIOL, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Grace Bible Theological SeminaryAs we celebrate Independence Day, which commemorates the signing in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of our nation, when the original 13 colonies declared their autonomy from British colonial rule.John Adams was a signer of the Declaration, one of the framers of the U.S. Constitution (1789), and the second President of the United States. Likely not a born-again Christian but rather a deist (a believer in a supreme being who is uninvolved in the affairs of mankind), Adams wrote the following about the link between morality and civil society:“…should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation [pretending] towards one another…which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practicing iniquity and extravagance…while it is rioting in rapine [violent seizure of property] and insolence [rude behavior], this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because we have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”We are seeing John Adams’ warning prove true in America today. We are at a low point in our nation when laws are passed granting the “freedom” to kill a child anytime during the nine months of pregnancy, when the “degrading passions” of homosexuality are normalized and codified as “marriage”, when adults parade openly and lewdly down the streets in front of children, and when children are led into the sin of cross-dressing and physical mutilation in the name of “gender affirming care”.Wicked depravity is now tolerated and affirmed in our nation and the predictable results are division, confusion, chaos, violence, harm, and hatred.So what are Christians to do, who like Lot living in Sodom “felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds” (2 Peter 2:8)?Most Christians would say that our nation desperately needs to reclaim our Biblical foundations and establish laws and policies based on the truths of Christianity. But how would that take place? Is that Scripture’s call for Christians and the church to work to “Christianize” government?This weekend on The Christian Worldview, Scott Aniol, editor-in-chief of G3 Ministries and professor of pastoral theology at Grace Bible Theological Seminary, joins us to discuss “Christian Nationalism”, a term that means different things to different people.To some Christians, it means electing representatives who advocate for biblical principles in government. Other believers see it as a biblical mandate to work toward Christian rule over government and all institutions in society. While non-believers view it as religious extremists trying to institute a theocracy and oppress non-believers.Join us for a discussion on Christian Nationalism and what Bible says about Christians and government.-----------------------RELATED ARTICLES:The Mixed Blessings of a Christian NationChristian Faithfulness: The Biblical Alternative to Christian NationalismWhat if We Win? A Brief Response to Doug Wilson

GUEST: M.D. PERKINS, author, Dangerous Affirmation—The Threat of Gay ChristianityGod’s word is clear about the sin of homosexual actions and desires:“You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). “Men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts” (Romans 1:27).With this kind of crystal clear clarity and other similar passages like Genesis 19, which describes the homosexual depravity and God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, it’s quite remarkable that something called “Gay Christianity”—that one can identify as a homosexual and be a true Christian in good standing in the church—has pushed into Evangelicalism.MD Perkins will join us for Part 2 in our series on The Dangerous Affirmation of Gay Christianity and explain how everything within the historic faith must be re-imagined to accommodate the LGBTQ movement. Be informed and alert because this will likely come to your church, Christian school, or ministry as well.The Dangerous Affirmation of “Gay Christianity” – Part 1  [June 10, 2023]

GUESTS:Mom: Mary JaneSister: MarnieBrothers: Mark and JohnIf you have been a regular listener to The Christian Worldview over the years, you likely have heard the annual interview with my parents this time of year. They aren’t well-known with ministry platforms as speakers, authors, or social media influencers, but rather they resonate with those who hearken back to an era when Christians lived and spoke with clarity and conviction about life and godliness.As some of you know, my Dad died suddenly on February 1 at age 91. Based on God’s promise to those who trust in Him, my Dad’s soul went into the presence of the Lord while his physical body awaits Christ’s return and resurrection to an imperishable body fit for eternity. Scripture says,“For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:53-57).In light of this truth, we did a program earlier this year titled, “How To Be Sure of Eternity in Heaven” where we discussed, in light of my Dad’s heaven-going, God’s promises to the believer for eternal life after physical death.And now on Father’s Day weekend, we will move from the theological to the personal, as to the ways in which God sanctified and used my Dad to lead our family and impact others.My mom, sister Marnie, and brothers Mark and John will join us to discuss some of the qualities that the Lord formed in my Dad that made him the godly husband and father he was. We hope there are aspects for you to apply in your own life and family. The interviews were conducted separately, so listen for common perspectives that made my Dad the blessing he was to us and others.

GUEST: M.D. PERKINS, author, Dangerous Affirmation—The Threat of Gay ChristianityThat our country devotes the entire month of June to take “pride” in what the Bible calls “degrading passions” of homosexuality along with other sexual and gender perversions says everything about the depravity to which our society has fallen.Instead of helping those enslaved to sin to overcome it through salvation and sanctification, the opposite takes place: affirmation and celebration of the sin and the sinner.It is predictable that the God-rejecting do this but it is an even greater affront to God when professing Christians assert that one can be a homosexual—whether in practice or desire—and be a Christ follower. “Gay Christian” ideology entered the liberal mainline denominations long ago but now it has gained entry into the Evangelical church as well.How is this possible when the Bible is so clear that homosexuality is a sin and that God calls for our actions and desires to be right before Him?MD Perkins, research fellow of church and culture for American Family Association and the producer of award-winning documentary films we have previously featured on The Christian Worldview such as In His Image and The God Who Speaks, joins us to discuss the threat of “Gay Christianity” in light of his new book, Dangerous Affirmation.-----------------------------NEW FEATURED RESOURCE for a donation of any amount to TCW.Dangerous Affirmation by M.D. PerkinsThe Threat of "Gay Christianity"Understand the way “gay Christian” activists are rethinking theology, biblical interpretation, the nature and purpose of the Church, as well as how this rethinking is being used to create LGBT activists within conservative Christian churches.239 pgs, softcover [retail $24.99]Order Now

GUEST: MIKE STONE, candidate for president, Southern Baptist ConventionHeresy is defined as “belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine.”For two millennia of church history, it has been the orthodox belief of Christians and churches who esteem Scripture as the highest authority that men—not women—with character “above reproach” are qualified to serve as pastors or overseers in the church.Scripture and church history are so clear on this that to propose that women should be pastors is to willfully reject God and His design for His church.1 Timothy 3 is one Scriptural basis for male-only pastors. Notice the specificity of men as church overseers and the use of male pronouns:It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7).The Bible is perhaps even more clear in the previous chapter:I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. (1 Timothy 2:12-14).Rick Warren is arguably the most well-known pastor in the world. He was the pastor at the mega-church Saddleback in Southern California for decades, is the author of numerous best-selling books, and speaks at major venues all over the world.Rick Warren is also the current chief proponent for the heresy of female pastors being integrated into the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in America and the one his own church was disfellowshipped from due to Rick Warren ordaining multiple women to pastoral roles.Rick Warren is not going silently into the night on this issue. The Southern Baptist Annual Meeting is coming up June 12-13 in New Orleans where the attendees (or “messengers” as they are known) will vote to confirm or rescind the disfellowshipping of Saddleback. In the lead-up to the meeting, Rick Warren is using his formidable position and influence to persuade the Southern Baptist Convention away from biblical and historical orthodoxy on the issue of female pastors to heresy (again, “belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine”).This weekend on The Christian Worldview, Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, GA and candidate for president of the Southern Baptist Convention will join us to discuss this issue and others within the SBC and what his vision is for the denomination going forward.

You have likely heard about and may have seen The Chosen television series. Tens of millions of people all over the world are watching it. It’s been translated into dozen of languages. Most Christians love it and call it life-changing. Even many non-Christians say how it’s given them a new perspective on Jesus.The series, now in its third season, depicts the life of Jesus generally based on biblical accounts and particularly from the perspectives of those closest to Jesus. “Generally” being the important word because what Dallas Jenkins, lead creator, has done is added all kinds of “plausible” fiction to the gospel accounts. For example, Jesus is portrayed as doing speech prep before the Sermon on the Mount. The apostle Matthew is portrayed as autistic.Is this a problem? Don’t all films and books use “artistic license”? Isn’t the greater good that so many millions of people are seeing Jesus in a “fresh” and “relatable” way?This weekend on The Christian Worldview, we will examine The Chosen and ask the questions—is it honoring to God and His Word and therefore something you and your family should watch?

For listeners near the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, there is still opportunity for you to attend The Christian Worldview Speaker Series event on Saturday, May 20 from 9:00 am - 10:30 am at Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MN.International journalist Alex Newman, who specializes in global trends, will be our featured speaker on “Being Informed and Prepared for the Great Reset.” There will be an interview and audience Q and A following Alex’s presentation.A pre-event breakfast is from 8:00 - 9:00 am in the foyer of the church. If you want to come to the breakfast, please register, but you don’t need to register if you’re coming just for the speaking part of the event at 9:00 am.In the opening segment of the radio program this weekend, Alex will give a brief preview of his message, explaining how we are entering the “fourth industrial revolution”.The rest of the program will be devoted to a deeper understanding of the World Economic Forum’s globalist goals to control every aspect of life—from business to finance to ethics to food to “upgrading the human body” with nanotechnologies.It doesn’t take much of an imagination to see that this is all headed toward what the Bible describes in Revelation as global, authoritarian governance before Christ returns to defeat His enemies and rule over the earth.The purpose of the event and program is not to make Christians fearful but to prepare and strengthen us for what lies ahead, so we can be shining lights for Christ in a darkening world.

GUEST: DAVID De BRUYN, pastor, New Covenant Baptist Church (Johannesburg, South Africa)Bible-preaching churches are always under relentless attack by Satan and heretical teachers, who strive to destroy, or at least compromise, the accurate proclamation of Scripture and the saving gospel to a lost world.Many of the epistles (i.e. letters) of the New Testament are filled with exhortations and reproofs for churches and pastors to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). For example, the apostle Paul wrote to the younger pastor Timothy:“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:13-14).Over the past two weeks, we have examined how the Evangelical church has been heavily influenced by Pentecostal or Charismatic practices and beliefs. Attend a prominent Evangelical church today and you will likely encounter the trademark methodology of a Charismatic worship service—driving music and environment that is crafted to bring worshippers to an ecstatic experience. This stands in contrast to the historic Evangelical worship service being a rational, volitional, and then emotional response to what God has revealed.Additionally, Pentecostal expectations that the miraculous sign gifts of the first century are in operation by men and women today have also seeped into Evangelicalism as well.There has been much listener feedback to these two programs and so we decided to devote a third program exclusively to answering listener questions and comments. David de Bruyn, pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa will again join us. We encourage you to read his column series on “The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship”, which was the genesis for these programs.RELATED PROGRAMS:Part 1 – Pentecostalization of Christian WorshipPart 2 – Pentecostalization of Christian WorshipRELATED ARTICLES:“Strange Lyre: The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship” – Part 1Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship – Part 2Pentecostal “Praise and Worship”: A Radical Departure from Historic Worship – Part 3The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity – Part 4Strange Lyre: Nothing But Feelings – Part 5Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship – Part 6Strange Lyre: Conclusion – Part 7

GUEST: DAVID de BRUYN, pastor, New Covenant Baptist Church (Johannesburg, South Africa)Think back 50 years or more to how a Bible-preaching church service was depicted. There would be a father and mother standing with children at their side in a well-lit sanctuary, wearing their “Sunday best”, holding hymnbooks and singing hymns of the faith.Now think about how professing Bible-preaching Evangelical churches depict themselves today. The ubiquitous photo you’ll see is silhouetted individuals, arms raised high in the air inside a dark room accented by stage lighting with a band performing in the background. The unspoken caption to the photo might as well read: “Peak worship”.Setting aside for a moment which one is better, let’s ask a more basic question: “Why has there been such a major change in the first place?”Last week in part 1 on The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship, David de Bruyn, pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa, explained how the Pentecostal or Charismatic movement—the largest and fastest-growing branch of Christianity in the world—has taken over Evangelical church services, not just with contemporary music styles but also with the objective of worship itself.He writes, “Pentecostal authors have written that praise is a kind of ‘path’ into the presence of God. That is, worship is not a series of gracious revelations from God’s Word with faith-responses from His people. Worship becomes a series of steps or stages, growing in intimacy and intensity. Charismatic worship writers speak of the importance of “flow”: a technique of uninterrupted, continual music, designed to emotionally transport the worshippers into the climactic experience of “worship”, which they deem to be more intense and focused than “praise”.This week in part 2, David de Bruyn will join us again to explain how music has been the primary entry point for Pentecostalism’s influence on Evangelicalism and what effect this is having not just in music but in Evangelical beliefs and practices as well.-----------------------RELATED ARTICLE SERIES:“Strange Lyre: The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship” – Part 1Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship – Part 2Pentecostal “Praise and Worship”: A Radical Departure from Historic Worship – Part 3The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity – Part 4Strange Lyre: Nothing But Feelings – Part 5Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship – Part 6Strange Lyre: Conclusion – Part 7FURTHER READING:Religious News Service: “There’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the same”

GUEST: DAVID de BRUYN, pastor, New Covenant Baptist Church (Johannesburg, South Africa)There are many paradigm-changing issues and events taking place nationally and internationally right now. The move to a cashless society with digital currency. The insertion of computing technology into the human body. The rapid expansion of the Marxist-based woke religion, promoted by all institutions. War in Europe, Africa, and potentially the Far East. The promotion of cross-dressing, physical mutilation of gender confused children, and even adult-child sexual relationships.So why discuss “The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship”? And by “worship” I mean not just music but the worship service itself being “pentecostalized” in its purpose and doctrine.Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches—mostly Evangelical churches—used to be the greatest point of influence in our society. As these churches have weakened and preaching has softened in the attempt to attract “seekers” (rather than strengthening believers), broader society and its institutions have corrupted without the sanctifying influence these churches once had.As if that weren’t tragic enough, Evangelical churches today are becoming unrecognizable, as Pentecostal or Charismatic beliefs and methodologies are subsuming them, particularly through worship music. Case in point: a recent study showed that almost all music in Evangelical churches comes from four megachurches…all of which are charismatic.David de Bruyn is the pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa and is our guest this week and next on The Christian Worldview. He recently wrote a seven-part column series called “The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship” which shows how the burgeoning charismatic movement has been welcomed into Evangelical churches (and schools, radio stations, and ministries)…and changed everything.---------------------------ANNOUNCEMENT:Upcoming FREE Speaker Series with Alex Newman May 20, 2023 held at Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MNRELATED ARTICLE SERIES:“Strange Lyre: The Pentecostalization of Christian Worship” – Part 1Early Beginnings of Pentecostal Worship – Part 2Pentecostal “Praise and Worship”: A Radical Departure from Historic Worship – Part 3The Idols of Intensity and Extemporaneity – Part 4Strange Lyre: Nothing But Feelings – Part 5Cessmaticism: The Strange Hybrid of Contemporary Christian Worship – Part 6Strange Lyre: Conclusion – Part 7FURTHER READING:Religious News Service: “There’s a reason every hit worship song