On September 10th Charlie Kirk was killed in broad daylight on a college campus in Utah by the alleged assassin Tyler Robinson. Another casualty of the woke war on the West. An insidious revolt that many Christians have a hard time wrapping their minds around, which is why this edition of Hank Unplugged is dedicated to summarizing the issue at hand in memorable fashion via the word W–O–K–E.
 
 
 
“W” representing the word Worldview. Students, particularly in the West, are being propagandized by a WOKE WORLDVIEW. Charlie Kirk was committed to dismantling the absurdities of this paradigm in polite and principled public discussion.
 
 
 
“O” will serve to remind us of the word “Oppression.” The woke West seems intractably bent on taking the Marxist oppressor/oppressed maxim to unthinkable extremes. Their objective is to liberate an entire generation from such perceived oppressions as cis-gender normativity, and from the oppression of what is perceived to be arbitrary moral law.
 
 
 
“K” — I use the letter “K” to emblazon upon our collective consciousness that Kids — your kids, my kids, are a primary target of leftist woke revolutionaries. Charlie Kirk recognized this reality and, as such, became the enticing target for an assassin’s bullet.
 
 
 
“E” serves to remind you and me of Extremism. Extremism in Education, Environmentalism, and in Entertainment.
 
 
 
The murder of Charlie Kirk is emblematic of the woke worldview war being waged against you, your children, and against the very soul of Western Civilization. Charlie Kirk, may your memory be eternal.
 
 
For more information on the WOKE Worldview, please see “The War on Western Civilization: Everything You Need to Know about the Cult of Wokeism“. https://www.equip.org/product/special-issue-of-the-christian-research-journal-titled-the-war-on-western-civilization-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-cult-of-wokeism/
 

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
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If wisdom is so important in the life of a Christian, why is it that so many of us fail to develop disciplines that will lead us to lives of wisdom? 

Hank Hanegraaff has been friends with Mark DeMoss for over 40 years and on this episode, Mark joins the Hank to discuss a passion that they both share in common--wisdom literature. Mark DeMoss is so passionate about the subject that he wrote The Little Red Book of Wisdom to pass on what he has learned throughout his life about the importance of the pursuit of wisdom. No matter where we are in our walk with Christ, we can always develop a greater understanding of the wisdom of the Lord—we hope this conversation--and Mark's book--will help you develop a deeper well of wisdom. "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Topics discussed include: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom—Psalm 90:12 (5:15)

What Mark’s cancer diagnosis taught him about gratitude (10:30)

A conversation Hank and Mark shared before both were unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer (16:00)

What is the key to finishing life well? Living well today (18:45)

What is focus? (29:20)

Work less, think more—thinking is the hardest work there is (37:15)

Buy Some Stamps—the lost art of letter writing (42:10)

A wise perspective on possessions—what Mark learned when his home burned down (50:00)

How much should we give? Think about a turtle on a fence post (55:10)

The wisdom of firsts (1:03:00)

There are no degrees of integrity—you have it or you don’t (1:07:45)

Read a chapter of Proverbs every day (1:10:45)

Seek out older people—the wisdom of age (1:18:30)

Read, Read, Read—The importance of books (1:23:15)

Anticipating deathbed regrets—if you died today what regrets would you have? (1:29:00)
Christians should be known as people of gratitude (1:34:15)


For more information on The Little Red Book of Wisdom: Updated and Expanded Edition by Mark DeMoss please click here.  https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-little-red-book-of-wisdom-updated-and-expanded-edition/

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

God doesn’t see time the way we do. While we live according to hours, deadlines, and a focus fixed on the future (chronos), God operates in kairos—sacred moments filled with purpose and a pursuit of being fully present. We can sanctify chronological time by living with eternity in mind—sensing God’s presence in every moment. 
 
In this episode, David Hanegraaff explores the importance of a proper theology of time—Kairos—as opposed to a human understanding of time—Chronos. Learning to trust God’s timing can reshape our daily lives, reorient our expectations, and draw us deeper into communion with Him. 
 
Let us learn to pray the following prayer: “Lord, stamp eternity on our eyes so we live every moment with Your will and purpose in mind. Help us to live not in the fantasy of past and future, but the reality of Your presence right here, right now. Amen.”
 
This is the second talk given by David Hanegraaff for the Set Apart retreat for young adults at Gospel for Asia in Wills Point, Texas. Interested in serving with Gospel for Asia? Contact [email protected], and the CRI team will connect you with GFA.
 

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Have you ever felt like the least qualified person in the room? David Hanegraaff discusses what it is like growing up as the son of the “Bible Answer Man” and how he does his best to say yes to the call of the Lord even when he feels unqualified. David has learned to overcome self-doubt by trusting the Lord and taking those leaps of faith—because when God calls you, he equips you.
 
 
Recorded during a talk at the Set Apart retreat for young adults at Gospel for Asia in Wills Point, Texas, this candid presentation by David Hanegraaff offers encouragement for anyone seeking to follow God’s will for their life. Interested in serving with Gospel for Asia? Contact [email protected], and the CRI team will connect you with GFA.

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Make sure to listen to this special message as Hank Hanegraaff reflects on the fiscal year’s end, he underscores Christian unity and global missions while warning of The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning), which claims a Chinese woman is the reincarnated Christ and fulfillment of Jesus’s Olivet Discourse. Doctrinally deviant and sociologically subversive, this group masquerades as a persecuted Christian movement to advance dangerous dogmas. In CRI’s special issue of the Christian Research Journal, believers are equipped to recognize and confront such cults. Hank shows how your prayers, partnership, and generosity make an eternal difference in fulfilling the Great Commission. Donate Now to Receive this Special Issue of the Christian Research Journal! Click here.
https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-special-print-issue-48-02-03-the-eastern-lighting-cult-christ-returns-to-earth-as-a-female-hup0625/

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

The following interview is from 2017, when Hank Hanegraaff was joined by the eminently quotable Larry Johnston, a friend and colleague of over forty years, for a wide-ranging conversation certain to send you searching for a dictionary. Today, Larry is absent from the body, present with the Lord. We don’t know the date of our death, but apart from the return of the Lord, we know that day will come. Larry’s testimony will impact your life, and we hope that you will walk away with a greater perspective of eternity—“Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

**This podcast was originally recorded and released in 2017. The introduction, however, is NEW**

Topics discussed include:
Hank begins the podcast by commemorating his dear friend and colleague Larry Johnston (1:00)
Hank and Larry discuss understanding their ages and the importance of making a difference while they still can (17:30)
Their interwoven journeys in ministry over the past forty years (23:50)
The battle for the mind in an age when evidence is seemingly trumped by authority (34:45)
Apologetics as antidote to the atheistic ambush in educational institutions today (40:05)
The false conflict between science and religion (45:50)
Larry’s testimony as a “Road to Damascus” soteriological experience (50:30)
The effects of uncreated energy on our soul (57:55)
Apprehensive allowance for faithful mysteries to remain mysterious (1:10:30)
Why the Christian Research Institute changed their moniker to “because life and truth matter” (1:14:45)
Their passion for podcasts as a vehicle to think deeper and reignite the art of dialogue (1:20:05)

What if American culture isn’t collapsing because of crusading secularists? What if it’s failing because many leading Christians identify more with secular elites than with their fellow believers? Dr. John West joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss how he wrote Stockholm Syndrome Christianity as a warning to the body of Christ—a warning not to capitulate to the culture, but to transform the culture.To receive Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: Why America’s Christian Leaders Are Failing — and What We Can Do About It  for your partnering gift, please click here
https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-stockholm-syndrome-christianity-why-americas-christian-leaders-are-failing-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/

Topics discussed include: 

• What is Stockholm Syndrome Christianity? (5:00)
• Seattle Pacific University as an example of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity (7:45)
• How can parents be sure of where to send their kids to school?  (11:30)
• Andy Stanley says that the Old Testament is obsolete—is he right? (15:00)
• Is it necessary to call out Christian leaders by name? (24:10)
• The ongoing Battle for the Bible—from Robert Gundry to Mike Licona (26:50)
• Francis Collins and the problems with secularism influencing scientific inquiry (35:15)
• Can Neo-Darwinism and Christianity co-exist? (43:45)
• Is theistic evolution the worst of all possibilities for Christians? (47:30)
• How the evolutionary paradigm is foundational for many of the other problematic “-isms” (50:50)
• Sexual suicide—how the devaluation of marriage within churches came before the culture (55:50)
• Is Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy an example of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity? (1:00:50)
• The slippery slope for individuals (1:06:00)
• When is “anti-racism” actually racist? (1:06:30)
• How did Stockholm Syndrome Christians abandon religious liberty? (1:17:15)
• The importance of discernment when it comes to the entertainment we consume (1:31:30)
• The problems with simply “following the science” (1:34:20)
• The dangers of celebrity culture—even within the church (1:38:15)
• The problem with trying to please the wrong people (1:43:00)
• A story of standing for truth (1:46:45)
• The importance of Christian governance—people must support the mission of Christianity (1:55:50)
• A call to faithfulness as opposed to worldly success (2:01:25)
• What is the state of The Discovery Institute and the Intelligent Design movement? (2:05:55)

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

How can Christians engage meaningfully with history?
 
In an age underpinned by the idea that life is about self-invention and fulfilment, contemporary Western culture holds that the past has little to teach us. We live in an age that historian Sarah Irving-Stonebraker terms as the “Ahistoric Age,” in which we are profoundly disconnected from history.
 
In the attempt to appear relevant, the church often embraces this ahistoric worldview by jettisoning the historic ideas and practices of Christian formation. But this has unintended consequences, leaving Christians unmoored from history and losing the ability to grapple with its ethical complexities.
 
Sarah Irving-Stonebraker joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss what it means to be a priest of history and why it matters more than ever for Christians to maintain this critical conversation with the past.
To receive Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric Age for your partnering gift, please click here.  https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-priests-of-history-stewarding-the-past-in-an-ahistoric-age/

Topics discussed include: 

• What does it mean for Christians to be priests of history? (3:00)
•  What does it mean for our age to be ahistoric? (5:00)
• Is there any purpose in a post-truth age?  (8:35)
• The myth of progress—the secularization of ideas and progress in history (14:55)
• When did our modern ahistoric age begin? (18:30)
• Reducing history to ideology is a mistake because history is nuanced and complex (23:55)
• What is the purpose of a museum? The modern and political redefinition of what a museum is (27:30)
• What does the decline of history majors globally mean for civilization? (29:45)
• The five characteristics of an ahistoric age (32:00)
• What is digital tribalism? (36:30)
• What does it mean for the church to acculturate itself to the ahistoric age? (38:30)
• True Christianity is a way of life (46:00)
• The benefits of spiritual practice and disciplines (50:05)
• Doctrinal drift from orthodox Christian beliefs (53:00)
• Church is an embodied experience—what we do with our bodies matters (1:06:45)
• The value of historic Christian practices such as night vigils (1:08:50)
• The importance of maintaining a historical conversation with the past (1:13:25)
• The importance of history for Christians (1:16:30)
• Are we losing our literacy? The importance of reading in the digital age (1:22:45)
• How Sarah Irving-Stonebraker went converted from atheism to Christianity at Cambridge University (1:24:30)
• The importance of stories (1:38:30)
• Why is it important for Christians to be priests of history? (1:42:45)

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Does the West need a religious revival?
 
This was the subject of a debate hosted by The Free Press at the Paramount Theater in Austin Texas on February 27th. The debate pitted two religious advocates—Ayan Hirsi Ali and Ross Douthat—against two avowed atheists—Michael Shermer and Adam Carolla—in search of an answer. The scene of current affairs in the West was set by The Free Press as follows:
“The West has experienced a rapid erosion of our shared culture. Political polarization, loneliness, depression and addiction have surged, while marriage and birthrates have plummeted. There’s a crisis of meaning, and a growing chorus of intellectuals are pointing to secularism as the cause.
 
Studies show that religious service attendance correlates with lower rates of depression, suicide and substance abuse. Religious individuals are also more likely to marry, stay married, and have children. For the first time in U.S. history, church membership among Americans has fallen below 50%. Less than a fifth of Western Europeans attend church regularly. In Sweden, over 75% of young people claim no religion at all.
 
So, is the decline of religion to blame for our social unraveling? Or are rapid technological changes, growing economic inequality, and other social disruptions the culprit? And would empowering religious institutions, which have historically abused their power to stifle scientific progress, fuel war, and discriminate against perceived enemies be a mistake?
 
In short, would a return to faith restore order, or simply revive old divisions?”
David Hanegraaff traveled to Austin, Texas to cover the event—you can find his review and response here. https://www.equip.org/articles/does-the-west-need-a-religious-revival-a-review-of-the-debate-by-the-free-press-and-foundation-for-individual-rights-and-expression/

He joins his father Hank Hanegraaff on this edition of Hank Unplugged to discuss the debate, his role at the Christian Research Institute and much more. 
 
Topics discussed include: 
The Free Press organized a debate about religion that was unique for our time—secularism was not regarded as the default, but forced to defend itself (2:15)
Who were the debate participants? (4:45)
Why is the perspective of Ayaan Hirsi Ali so important? (6:30)
Is a religious revival on the horizon? (8:00)
What are the detrimental impacts of secularization on society? (12:25)
Were the arguments made by the atheists—Adam Carolla and Michael Shermer—convincing?  (14:00)
New atheists, same old, tired arguments (16:50)
Richard Dawkins claims to be a cultural Christian (18:15)
The consequences of an unexamined life—worldviews matter (20:50)
The role of technology in our world today (25:50)
Why was this debate significant? (27:00)
The importance of localism (30:25)
The transformational nature of a Christianity lived out in practice (33:20)
What was it like growing up as the son of the Bible Answer Man? (37:05)
The legacy of Johannis Hanegraaff (40:00)
The importance of apologetics (42:30)
The sign of the cross (49:30)
The importance of being equally yoked (53:30)
Church and life are inextricably woven for Christians (55:15)
The detrimental impact of bad theology (58:25)
The joy of parenthood (1:02:20)
Meeting Jay Richards in Greece—a favorite Hank Unplugged guest (1:07:15)
Traveling to the monastic community at Mt. Athos (1:10:45)
The joy of having your children in the Church (1:14:45)
Why David Hanegraaff loves the Republic of Georgia—aggressive hospitality (1:20:00)
A boy named Grace—why? (1:23:20)
The importance of reading and the role books play on the Hank Unplugged podcast (1:26:00)

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Are you ready for Humans 2.0? Whether you like it or not—this is happening. From transhumanism to AI, science and technology are progressing at a pace unprecedented in human history and this rate of change can leave many people—Christians or otherwise—feeling disoriented. But these are not subjects that Christians can simply ignore—we must educate ourselves so that we understand what is at stake and are able to discern and advocate for or against based on the moral and ethical guidance of a Christian worldview.
 
Dr. Fuz Rana joins Hank Hanegraaff for a wide-ranging conversation that will undoubtedly “open a window to the new world of human enhancement technologies and transhumanism,” that will determine the future of humanity—Humans 2.0. 
 
To learn more about the book our guest Fazale “Fuz” Rana co-authored entitled, Humans 2.0: Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Perspectives on Transhumanism, please click here.  https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-humans-2-0-scientific-philosophical-and-theological-perspectives-on-transhumanism/
 
Topics discussed include: 

• Why do we gravitate towards superheroes? The relationship between superheroes, the transhumanist movement and theodicy (3:15)
• What is transhumanism? (5:00)
• The problem with the myth of progress (7:00)
• Transhumanism and transcendence (9:55)
• The importance of critical thinking and discernment regarding transhumanism and technology (11:40)
• What is gene editing? (13:15)
• Worldviews matter—understanding how different worldviews impact science and technology (18:30)
• Ethical intricacies of Neuralink and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology (21:05)
• The mind-body question (27:20)
• Technologically seeking immortality—is aging a disease to be cured? (29:30)
• Should humans “play god”? (37:30)
• The ethical complexity of stem cell research (39:30)
• Cloning technology today (45:30)
• Is gene editing essentially a version of eugenics? (47:30)
• How transhumanism demonstrates human exceptionalism (50:35)
• How language sets humans apart and remains a question evolutionist cannot answer (55:45)
• The impact of different worldviews on ethical and moral considerations we make in society regarding science and technology (59:25)
• What is meant by Humans 2.0? (1:04:45)
• Why Christians must involve themselves in discussions on emerging technologies (1:10:25)
• Post-human vs Superhuman (1:15:35)
• What is the relationship between AI and transhumanism? (1:19:15)
• How concerned should we be about the power of AI? (1:25:25)
• The repercussions for granting citizenship to robots (1:27:55)
• What is Artificial Womb Technology (AWT) and is it a good idea? (1:29:45)
• Transhumanism and the desire to transcend the limits that gender place on human potential (1:33:10)

• Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.
• Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.
• You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

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