The Christian Worldview

GUEST: JAMES SPENCER, President, D.L. Moody Center You’ve no doubt heard about “artificial intelligence” also known as “AI”. Simply put, artificial intelligence is when a computer program, designed by humans, collect vast amounts of data on a given subject, then sort through and learn trends from that data far faster than any human mind, and then make recommendations or even take action based on analysis of the data.You likely are already using AI even if you don’t know it. For example, AI programs are tracking the websites you visit, the products you research, the content you search for online. Once the AI program collects this date about you and compares it with the patterns of others, product ads or content recommendations start appearing on the Internet pages you visit because AI has concluded that you want or need something and so it takes action to meet that want or need. This is why when you do a search for new car tires, all of a sudden ads for tires start appearing on every website you visit.If you were to get cancer, AI can analyze everyone in the world who has the same cancer, narrow the field to those of similar biological makeup, and then recommend treatments that were successful in others similar to you. No doctor could process all the health data on millions of people and offer such a data-based recommendation.AI is powerful because of its ability to collect, process, and learn from vast amounts of data and then provide recommendations or solutions it deems best.But “best” according to whom? What happens when government or the CIA uses AI to identify those who oppose the people and policies of those in power and then takes away your ability to buy, sell, speak, or travel? What happens when the military uses AI to conduct war, allowing computer programs to make decisions? These and countless other scenarios have the potential for leading the world right into authoritarian rule…right where Scripture states it will under the Antichrist.And finally, AI is already impacting the church. From using language AI programs like ChatGPT to generate newsletters, worship service format, and even create the sermon, it doesn’t take much imagination to see how data-driven computer programs will drive the church rather than Spirit-filled qualified men.James Spencer, president of the DL Moody Center, joins us on The Christian Worldview to discuss How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the World…and the Church.---------------------------------James Spencer has written a free guide for the Moody Center titled, “Twenty Questions: Christian Resistance, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence.”New Featured Resource: The Essential Church movie now on DVD/Blu-ray for a donation of any amount to TCW.

GUEST: TRAVIS ALLEN, pastor, Grace Church (Greeley, CO)The church is the body of true believers across the world that Christ redeemed for eternity through the shedding of His own blood in order to represent and proclaim the excellencies of Christ to a rebellious world.The church and its message of salvation through faith in Christ is the only hope for sinners. This is why the church is essential.Referring to Himself, Christ told the apostle Peter, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).Christ promises to build His church, to grow His body of believers, and that the powers of death and darkness (i.e. Satan) will not overpower it.The Bible says that Satan is the god of this world and he is active in deceiving nations, governing authorities, and peoples. The church is the primary obstacle for his deceit, which is why he incites governing authorities to persecute the church and introduces “tares” (false Christians, see Matthew 13) to lead it to compromise.This weekend on The Christian Worldview, pastor Travis Allen of Grace Church in Greeley, CO joins us to discuss the just-released documentary film, The Essential Church, which chronicles how three churches—Grace Community Church in Los Angeles and two churches in Canada—defied government mandates during the Covid pandemic, continuing to gather to worship because they understood that government does not have the God-given authority to dictate how a church worships.We will play audio clips from the film and then discuss some current events, including how a young believer was arrested in Wisconsin without warning for preaching on the street at a “drag queen” event, while other Evangelical churches are dressing themselves up in Star Wars, Barbie, or Toy Story themes for “At the Movies” sermon series.--------------------------------The Essential Church movie:When COVID-19 restrictions force Grace Community Church to close its doors indefinitely, the Los Angeles-based congregation takes a courageous stance and sues the government. This feature-length documentary explores the Church’s unwavering determination to exercise its constitutional rights and ecclesiastical authority to serve its assembly through faith and fellowship amidst government restrictions and global lockdowns.Find a theater near you

GUEST: DARRELL HARRISON, co-host, Just Thinking Podcast“Environmentalism” then “global warming” now “climate change” (or “creation care” to some Christians) is one of the most useful means to achieve humanistic ends of global control.Energy is a fundamental aspect of life. Our bodies need energy to survive and therefore we eat animals and plants, which require energy to farm and harvest, which require energy to transport to markets, which require energy to build and cool and heat, which need power plants to produce, which need people to operate, who need energy to live, and well, you get the circular cycle.So if “the science” can be “settled” that humans’ use of fossil fuels (like coal, natural gas, and petroleum) are harming the earth and threatening our very existence, then the powers that be “must act” to save us from self-annihilation through restricting the energy we use to live, eat, travel, work, and more.This is why dire predictions of climate catastrophe are constantly peddled—to create fear so that people will accept the control governments seek to impose on their lives.Climate change is about control, power, money, and global governance (otherwise the scaremongers wouldn’t be hypocritically living in large, energy-sapping estates and flying here and there on private jets).But there’s something even deeper—climate change is, at its core, a religion which rejects worship of the Creator and instead worships the creation and the creature (man).This is exactly what the Bible says about the God-rejecting: “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).Ideologies like climate change that seek to mislead Christians to gain their support will invariably use language and concepts of Scripture to entice them to their side. Climate change plays into Christians’ desire to care for God’s creation, to have compassion on those ostensibly harmed by climate change (“to love our neighbors”), to “do good” in our world, and to not be outsiders by questioning “the experts”.This weekend on The Christian Worldview, Darrell Harrison, co-host of the Just Thinking podcast, “a long-form, expository podcast that boldly confronts cultural, social, political, and theological issues through an orthodox biblical worldview”, joins us to discuss How the “Empty Deception” of Climate Change Entices the Christian Mind.---------------------Related Podcast:  Darrell and his co-host, Virgil Walker, just did an episode on “A Biblical Theology of Climate Change” that reveals how climate change is a religion that Christians need to discern as unbiblical.Related Resource: Global Warming Skepticism for Busy People

GUEST: CAL THOMAS, Journalist and Author, A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on AmericaCal Thomas is a radio and television commentator and one of the most widely syndicated columnists in America. Cal is also a Christian who seeks “to serve God first and then my country.”Now 80 years old and still going strong (as you will hear in his voice), Cal has seen and commented on an era of major transforation in our country. In his new book, A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America, Cal starts in 1984 and goes year-by-year to 2022, providing insight on the major events that have shaped our nation.The book provides an interesting and helpful arc of perspective on the worldview transformation that has taken place in our country, proving what the Bible says: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).Cal Thomas is our guest this weekend on The Christian Worldview, and much like listening to past interviews with my parents, who are slightly older than Cal, you will hear a similar type of insight and conviction that is anchored in the truths of Scripture.ANNOUNCEMENTS:The Essential Church in Theaters Starting July 28!The Essential Church is a feature-length documentary that explores the struggle between Church and government throughout history. This story takes us to multiple countries and uncovers those who have sacrificed their lives for what they believe in.Journey with us as we rediscover why the Church is essential and how we prove that our stand remains true from a scientific, legal, and most importantly Biblical perspective.... Find a Theater Near You!Salem Media Announces the Passing of its Co-founder Stuart Epperson Sr.Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) with a heavy heart, announced today the passing of co-founder, Stuart Epperson. He was 86. Stuart, along with his brother-in-law, Edward Atsinger, founded Salem Communications (now Salem Media Group) in 1986 and expanded Salem’s influence with Christian and politically conservative News Talk formatted radio stations and media assets nationwide… read more

This is a re-broadcast of a previously aired program on 05/12/2022.GUEST: Dr. GEORGE BARNA, Cultural Research Center, AZ Christian UniversityA true follower of Christ has the indwelling Holy Spirit to discern that the professed Bible-believing church in America has drifted. The lights go down and the “worship arts team” spends 30 minutes or more performing the audience into an emotional, quasi-spiritual experience. Then the pastor takes the “stage” and roams, gesticulates, and emotes his (or her) way through a 25-minute “sermon” of life-coaching with personal stories, humor, props and a few quasi-Christian principles mixed in.So it makes perfect sense why well-known researcher Dr. George Barna finds that…Only two percent of professed Christian parents have a Biblical worldviewJust one-half of self-described Christian parents accept the Bible as the true and trustworthy words of GodOne out of every four do not bother to praise, worship, or thank God during a typical week.This is a death spiral for the church, families, and even our country. And yet, Christ continues to build His church—not necessarily the visible brick-and-mortar church but the invisible remnant of true believers.Dr. George Barna, director of research and cofounder of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to discuss his most recent studies along with an exhortation for each of us to examine ourselves, repent, and revive.

GUESTS: ABRAHAM HAMILTON III, General Counsel and Public Policy Analyst, American Family Association and SOEREN KERN, Writing Fellow for Middle East ForumThis week on The Christian Worldview, we are going to examine some current events taking place in America and Europe. First, Abraham Hamilton, General Counsel and Public Policy Analyst for American Family Association, will join us to analyze three decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court:Affirming the right of a Colorado website designer to not be compelled to design a site for a homosexual weddingOverturning affirmative action at colleges and universities where a prospective student’s minority racial profile gained them merit for entryOverturning President Biden’s executive order to “forgive” hundreds of millions of dollars of federal student debt.Then, Soeren Kern, Christian geopolitical analyst and Writing Fellow for Middle East Forum, will join us from Europe to discuss how the widespread, destructive riots and rage by Muslims in France after a 17-year-old Muslim was killed by police is indicative of an intractable immigration and assimilation problem that bodes darkly for the future of Western Europe.

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