It’s Thursday, December 19th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I’m Adam McManus. ([email protected])

By Jonathan Clark

Vietnamese pastors attacked by Communists

In recent months, masked attackers shot two pastors in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

62-year-old Pastor Y Hung Ayun and 57-year-old Pastor Y Pho Eban lead independent house churches. They are not registered with the communist government. Because of this, they often face harassment from officials.

Thankfully, the attacks were not fatal. However, gunmen left Pastor Eban unable to walk. In Pastor Ayun’s case, the attackers used rubber bullets which caused severe damage to his legs. 

Please pray for the church in Vietnam. The country is ranked 35th on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian. 

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Rising threat of global censorship

On Tuesday, Alliance Defending Freedom announced that it is launching a new litigation team called the Center for Free Speech. The launch comes in response to the rising threat of global censorship.

Phil Sechler is the director of the new group. He said, “A complex international web of shadowy government actors, nonprofit groups, and for-profit corporations are colluding to stop speech they don’t like, chanting buzzwords like ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’ as they go. The Center for Free Speech will work to expose what they’re doing and hold them accountable under the law.”

Alliance Defending Freedom has litigated many free speech and religious freedom cases, especially in the United States.

South Carolina does not want to fund abortions through Medicaid

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an abortion case yesterday.

The case could determine if states like South Carolina can prohibit the use of Medicaid funds for abortions.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster previously ordered the state’s Health Department to no longer provide abortion coverage through Medicaid. However, several courts ruled against the order. 

John Bursch with Alliance Defending Freedom is hopeful that the Supreme Court will side with South Carolina. He said, “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund facilities that make a profit off abortion.”

Defense bill gives pay raise to soldiers, ends trans interventions for minors

The U.S. Senate passed a defense bill yesterday to boost military spending to $895 billion.

The annual defense authorization bill includes pay raises for service members and a plan to increase the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific.

The bill also ends coverage of transgender medical interventions for children of service members. 

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “This legislation includes House-passed provisions to restore our focus on military lethality and to end the radical woke ideology being imposed on our military by permanently banning transgender medical treatment for minors.”

Disney ends gender identity story line

On Tuesday, Disney announced it is pulling a transgender storyline from Pixar’s “Win or Lose” series. 

The character is still in the show, but Disney removed references to the character’s so-called gender identity. 

A Disney spokesperson said, “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”

Federal Reserve lowers interest rate

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate yesterday to a range of 4.25% to 4.5%.

That’s down 1% since September, and the third rate cut of the year.

The Fed expects to cut rates more slowly next year since inflation is still over  2%. 

The federal funds rate influences the cost of other forms of borrowing like credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages.

Bible sales up 30%

And finally, Lifeway Christian Resources reports a 30% increase in Bible sales over the last year.

Publishers are noting an increase in first-time purchases of Bibles as well as young people getting Bibles.

Tommy Doughty is an assistant professor of Theology and Christian Worldview at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He commented on the Gen Z’s interest in the Bible. He said, “With loneliness and dislocation prevalent, especially in our socially-deprived youth, there is no wonder many would turn to renewed attempts at spiritual awakening.”

Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Close

And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, December 19th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus ([email protected]). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.