Biblical Christian Worldview

In mid-December of 2023 the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (details here) polled over 1200 adults from the West Bank and Gaza during the time of the latest ceasefire. With a 4+- margin of error, the following are highlights of that poll.

Those who are theologically dispensationalists (explanation here) will likely continue to support Israel and their right to both protect themselves and exist as a nation. For them, it is not a function of who is right and who is wrong in the conflict. It comes from a view of Scripture that God’s chosen people will return to Him as Messianic Jews (here). However, for those who reject dispensationalism, covenant theology (here) offers a more pragmatic view of the conflict. Whichever is valid, or some combination of the two, the fact remains that this small piece of land, (85 miles by 290 miles), has seen continuous conflict for thousands of years and will likely be the center of the conflict that ends all conflicts. 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

In December of 2023, Harvard-Harris released a poll representing just over 2k registered voters, seeking their opinion on a broad range of issues (see poll here). The following were questions pertinent to the disparity between age groups in America regarding the subject of Antisemitism on college campuses and the war in Gaza. 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

There are, sadly, some today who believe that they have committed a level of sin(s) so egregious that God could never forgive them. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Paul, in the book of Romans, makes clear that there is no limit to God’s grace in the forgiveness of man’s sins. 

The good news (Isaiah 52:7) is that our bad behavior in life, no matter how horrific it may be, does not prevent us from receiving salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. The only thing we can do to remain subject to the punishment we deserve (Luke 23:41) is to reject God’s calling, and by doing so, be unwilling to accept the payment of our sin, through the work of Christ on the cross and the benefit of receiving the Holy Spirit as our Counselor. To refuse to accept the Holy Spirit into our hearts is to reject God and the forgiveness that comes through Christ. That is how Romans 5:20, Mark 3:29, and Matthew 12:21-32 fit together in perfect harmony. 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

There is no question that some denominations and religious groups have a formal theology that, if adopted, leads to eternal life… while others clearly do not. However, our Lord looks at the heart of the individual and not the church, synagogue, temple, or the group one is affiliated with. There are saved Muslims and lost Baptist. There are Messianic Jews and there are hell-bound Pentecostals and Presbyterians. There are those who attend church whenever the doors are open, heading to Hell and those who have not been to church in decades, heading to Heaven. 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

The word “Evangelism” means different things to different people. For some, it is a calling of God on their lives. At the other extreme, there are those who find Christian evangelism disingenuous at best and fascism at worst. 

Finally, it is important to remember that as Christians, we are held accountable to serve God by sharing His path to eternal life in Heaven. However, we are not held accountable for the outcome. Regardless of the evangelism method(s) used, God calls all believers to share their faith with a lost and dying world (1 Peter 3:15, 2 Tim. 4:5). Our love for God, our desire to see those we care about come to Christ, as well as His clear command to share our faith (Mark 16:15, Romans 1:16) should compel the believer to offer to others the Good News of Jesus Christ. God will give us the words to say if we would just take a step of faith (Luke 12:12).

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

Does God have a choice when it comes to allowing sin? Couldn’t He just speak sin out of this world, given that God created the universe and everything in it? Why did God allow Sin into the world? 

Summary

So the question we started with was, “Why does God allow sin”?

The answer is that it is necessary to perfect His will over mankind, which is to allow us to love and honor Him. Sin and evil are sadly necessary to show the opposite – our love for God and His love for us (John 3:16). Adam and Eve likely never understood the concept of love before their fall into sin. Free-will is not free if there are no good vs. bad choices. In Heaven, we will be without sin, but we will have a memory of it and how God offered us His Son as full payment for our sins. Our worship and love of God will emanate from what He did for us through His Son on the cross.

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

Writing regularly on BCWorldview.org and Medium, for the past two years, I have grown theologically and have a better understanding of Christianity from a secular viewpoint. I began my journey toward Christ over 35 years ago, based on Apologetics (defending the truth of Christianity with head-knowledge). However, as ironic as it sounds, what I have learned is that it is nearly impossible to defend God when the listener does not have some level of faith. And, it is impossible to have faith unless one is willing to be open to the possibility that there is a loving God who truly cares deeply for mankind.

As Biblical Christians, we have no idea who God will touch, creating that spark of faith. And so, we need to be ready at all times to share the Good News of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 4:2), answering the questions of seekers as best we can (Luke 12:12). However, the burden of convincing someone to consider Christ is not on our shoulders (John 21:6). 

1 Corinthians 3:7 - So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

Though the word “Xmas” has receded in our annual lexicon to a large degree there still remains a vacuum in the hearts of man related to the spiritual aspects of this special holiday season. Replaced by Santa and presents, it’s important to reflect on the true “reason for the season”. Below are 15 Christmas symbols. Of course, some have their roots in pagan or non-religious traditions. However, they still act as reminders of God and Jesus when viewed through the lens of a Biblical Christian worldview. Much of the credit for the actual list came from an article recently published in Parade.com. 

These are some of the elements that are reminders of the true meaning of the Christmas season. 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

In 1863 then President Abraham Lincoln was finally persuaded to declare a national Thanksgiving holiday (more details). His wife and many others had been pressuring him for some time to set aside a day to celebrate America’s accomplishments and as a distraction from the divisiveness created by a raging Civil War. Below is a full transcript of Lincoln’s speech that began a tradition still celebrated today. Thanksgiving remains a day to be thankful. However, in large part our focus has shifted away from the God of all creation to our own efforts as the source of blessings.

Imagine the reaction if a sitting president made a contemporary version of this speech today. There would be such an outcry coming from all sides on the need to reject any form of Christian Nationalism. Have we come so far in our globalist ideology that any form of patriotism, national unity, and the recognition of the supranational must be rejected at all costs? Are we throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater? Finally, are we as a nation (without functioning borders) laying the groundwork for the future One-World Government? 

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This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.

Over the last few weeks, my wife and I have had the opportunity to travel through multiple countries, including Iceland, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. It has been amazing to see the sights and experience a slice of such a broad range of cultures and climates. 

Through it all, however, we have been struck with an overarching and unshakable sadness on the lostness of mankind. 

The problem is that the same God that allows evil in the world demands that man must pay for the evil he commits. That payment is extracted at physical death by spending eternity in a real and literal Hell. However, God also provided an alternative to man paying for his own sin (or his commitment of evil behavior). God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Christ died at the hands of man and by His sinless, sacrificial death paid for man’s sins. This payment was a free gift of God offered to all who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, rose from the grave (referred to as the resurrection), and are willing to acknowledge Him publicly as both Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). Accepting this is the answer, the only answer, for eternal life in Heaven (Romans 10:9). 

These are the thoughts of a Biblical Christian as I look at humanity going by in front of me, knowing how few have any knowledge or interest in these eternal matters. Why is the supernatural so hidden from the natural? Satan wins every battle when, so often, humanity pays no attention to these truths. Yet, praise God, the evil one may win battles, but we know from Scripture, that he ultimately loses the war (Philippians 2:10-11). 

"Let us know what you think."

This podcast is based on original BCWorldview.org content. Some episodes are narrated using an AI-generated version of the author's own voice.