Lighthouse Faith

With war raging in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, historian Rick Richman wants people to know the back story of how Israel came to be and why IDF soldiers know they're fighting for the very survival of the Jewish state. In his book, "And None Shall Make Them Afraid," Richman, a resident scholar at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, highlights the lives of eight individuals with different backgrounds and talents, that helped bring about the creation of Israel. From Viennese journalist Theodore Herzel, to a Supreme Court Justice, and even a Hollywood screenwriter. They became passionate about the creation of a Zionist state, as the world was becoming more and more radically antisemitic. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Richman talks about how the creation of modern day Israel actually begins in 1895 and that the Balfour Declaration in 1917 was a dream that became a reality through the work of Jews who realized their very existence was being threatened.

00:00:00-The Historical Context of Israel's Creation

00:18:04-The Balfour Declaration and Golda Meir

00:25:10-Challenges in Israeli Leadership With Golda Meir

00:36:01-Israel and Jewish Army Books

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Professor Al Fadi was born in Saudi Arabia and felt privileged to be born in the center of Islam. He believed the only sure way to get into heaven was through giving the ultimate gift to Allah–sacrificing his life in the “holy war” against nonbelievers, that Jews and Christians were infidels, and that Islam was the final revelation from God. But while a student in America he became a devout Christian and biblical scholar who now teaches at Arizona Christian University. Since the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, he has been schooling students at ACU about the conflict from his unique perspective. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Professor Fadi discusses why today's young adults are ignorant of the historical context of Israel, either political movements that created it 75 years ago or the thousands of years of history of the Jews. As a former Muslim, Fadi gives incredible knowledge about Islam; that the Koran, the holy book of Islam, says the "land" that is being fought over today, belongs to the Jews. Fadi also explains what Islam has to say about the other two Abrahamic faiths, and why when he was schooled in the real gospel of Jesus Christ he became a believer, who now prays for the conversion of Muslims. 

Chapters:

0:00:00-Journey From Islam to Christianity

0:08:18-The Israel-Palestine Conflict and Religious Claims

0:14:29-Understanding the Conflict

0:26:41-Religion's Role in Promoting Peaceful Coexistence

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There's a plague running rampant in Western society. But there's no vaccine, no shot you can take. But it's the infection causing so many other problems including crime, homelessnes, drug addiction, even suicide. The plague's name: fatherlessness. More poignantly, it's fatherhood abandonment. Men walking out on their children and the mothers who bore them, either through divorce or dysfunction. And what's the root cause? John Smithbaker says it's men's inability to forgive. Is it that simple, that forgiveness is the antidote? Forgiveness is the foundation of the Christian Gospel, Jesus dying on a cross to bridge the chasm between loving God and a sinful humanity. But forgiving in relationships is probably the most difficult for humanity to emulate. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Smithbaker, the founder of Fathers in the Field, talks about his book, "Man Enough to Forgive," and why he created his organization: "To help men recapture their divinely assigned roles of pastor, provider and protector in the home as well as the church."

Chapters:

0:00:00-The Impact of Fatherlessness in Society

0:12:32-The Lies and Consequences of Fatherlessness

0:19:06-Fighting Cultural and Economic Demands

0:30:38-Father Wounds and the Importance of Forgiveness and Masculinity

0:37:43-Healing 

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More than 200 times a second the question 'Is God Real?' is Googled. So best-selling author Lee Strobel decided to do the research and answer the question. He wasn't answering for himself since Strobel, a former atheist, is known for his best-selling book, "Case For Christ," as well as other books exploring the big questions surrounding Christianity about Heaven, Christmas and Easter. But for millions of people in this tech-saturated world, God, if there is One, seems distant at best. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Strobel talks about his new book, "Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life," and the very strong scientific evidence for the existence of God as well as the strong historical proof of the truth of Christianity.

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We are at a crucial time in America. And the waning of a biblical worldview among younger generations has had catastrophic consequences. The pro-Palestinian support on college campuses, in communities and in the halls of Congress is part of it. Back in 1858 at the close of the Illinois Republican State Convention, then senate candidate Abraham Lincoln quoted the words of Jesus when he warned that "A house divided against itself cannot stand," that America could not be made of half free and half slave states. It was a prophetic statement because in less than three years the American Civil War began. The clash nearly tore the republic apart. Not since before the Civil War has America been so deeply divided, so says Author and historian Os Guinness. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Guinness, the author and/or editor of more than thirty-five books, talks about one of his most recent writings on America's political, philosophical and religious divide... called, "The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai's Revolutionary Faith and The Future of Freedom. Guinness says there are two competing revolutions going on in the United States. One based on the ideals of the American Revolution of 1776, and the freedoms that come from Judeo-Christian faith handed down at Sinai. The other is based on the misguided ideals of the French Revolution of 1789; postmodernism, radical multi-culturalism, the sexual revolution, the cancel culture, critical race theory all stem from 1789 not 1776. Guinness says, "The distinct voice of the American Revolution largely comes from the Bible and the Book of Exodus and Deuteronomy." He warned also that support of Hamas is support for the extinction of the Jewish people. Says Guinness, "Hitler in 1941, in November invited the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem to Berlin, and together they swore to wipe out the Jews. And that radical link between Nazism and Islamism has been powerful ever since, and it was picked up by the Muslim Brotherhood. And of course, Hamas is the paramilitary wing of the Muslim Brotherhood."

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It is one of the most controversial books in the Holy Bible; some say its theological underpinnings are responsible for launching the Protestant Reformation, blaming the Jews for the problems in the world, and challenging the cultural conflicts of today's post-modern society. But right in the middle of the Apostle Paul's letter to the churches in Rome is the summation of Christianity, its power, its hope in a Spirit filled life, and the edict that nothing can separate us from God's love! On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, renowned New Testament scholar Dr. NT Wright unpacks his book on the eighth chapter of Romans, called "Into the Heart of Romans: A Deep Dive Into Paul's Greatest Letter". Paul wrote a great portion of the New Testament, and his letters to the early churches show their struggles and their triumphs. And they're much the same as they are for us today. Only now we have two-thousand years of post-Resurrection living to fall back on. The early Church had the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, and how to understand the Law. Wright sheds light on all of this and informs us about the conflict going on in Israel today, as the Jewish land is once again under siege from its adversaries. It's a call to lament, for the pain of history is a heavy weight that the entirety of the world must bear.

Chapters:

0:00:00-Biblical Narrative and the Middle East

0:11:29-Understanding Romans 8 and Its Importance

0:22:05-Led by Spirit, Embracing Old Testament

0:36:24-Romans' Impact on Paul's Letter

0:40:51-Fresh Readings of the Pauline corpus

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It's the part of Christianity that is not often talked about but is central to its doctrine embedded in the Gospel. Theologians call it eschatology, that which is "concerned with death, judgment and the destiny of our souls." But Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, and her daughter Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, simply call it, "Preparing to Meet Jesus." The Bible is very clear that no one really knows when the end of the world is, although Anne is certain that with all the wars and evil erupting over the globe, it is nearer than we think. However, thousands of people every day will see the end of their world. They will die: some old, some young, some suddenly and without warning, others will have time to prepare. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Anne and Rachel-Ruth talk about their new book, "Preparing to Meet Jesus," which is a "21-day Challenge to Move from Salvation to Transformation." It's a call to live each day to the fullest looking at the example of the Patriarch Abraham, as he sends out his servant to look for a wife for his son Isaac, who will be the grandfather of the twelve sons of Jacob, aka Israel. It is in the sought for qualities of a bride, that the authors see the same in those believers who are part of the Church, the Bride of Christ.

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Last March 27th, a tragedy of unimaginable proportions unfolded in Nashville, Tennessee, as a transgender gunman opened fire at The Covenant Christian School, killing three adults and three children. While news outlets brought the calamity to the world, counselors at Daystar Counseling Ministries, some three miles away, mobilized immediately, grabbing therapy pets and other tools to the reunification centers. Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling, was one of them. She spent the rest of the week helping parents and children navigate and go on with their lives in the aftermath of such evil. Goff understands that rare tragedies like what happened at Covenant are piled onto the already burdensome stresses of everyday life. And being a Christian-based counseling center, she offers the only hope, which is that found in Scripture. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Goff talks about what happened that day of the Nashville shooting, as well the rise in depression and stress in children's lives today. Divorce, death, bullying and more are all part and parcel of the reason for the 27% rise in anxiety among 3- to 17-year-olds. Hear some solutions as Goff explains how to become a worry-free parent.

Chapters:

00:00:00-Introduction

00:01:23-Counseling After School Shooting and Anxiety

00:06:11-Guidance for Grieving Parents

00:14:53-Understanding Childhood Anxiety and Resilience Development

00:17:46-Parental Anger and Anxiety

00:25:49-The Impact of Divorce on Children

00:37:46-Impact of TikTok on Mental Health

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Pastor Joel Penton discovered not too long ago a well-hidden law in the United States that allows children to be dismissed for one-hour during school for religious education. The only three stipulations: it must be off school property, it must be privately funded, and the child must have a parent's permission. Pastor Penton said, "No problem." He is the founder and CEO of Lifewise Academy, a non-profit created to teach the Bible to children during school hours. In less than five years, Lifewise is now operating in more than 300 schools and eleven states. And the numbers are growing. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Penton talks about what atheists' organizations don't want you to know, that God's Word can be a part of a child's daytime education. Public Schools by law are secular, but we're also a nation steeped in faith. So, in 1952 the Supreme Court ruled that public school students could be released during school hours to receive religious instruction as a means to providing that faith formation. Lifewise Academy is making it happen.

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A Duck blind is a camouflage hut that hunters use to hide from their intended targets. Until the popular TV reality show "Duck Dynasty" became popular, most folks probably didn't know the term. So, the new movie "The Blind," about the couple behind the dynasty, has a double meaning: Duck hunting, and the darkness we live in when sin is our master. The Blind is a raw and rough look at the love story of Kay and Phil Robertson, without whom there would be no Duck Dynasty. While faith overcoming hard times is certainly the major theme and the end result, the road to getting there is paved with alcoholism, abuse and separation. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Willie and Korie Robertson talk about why they produced the movie about their parents, and how difficult it was to watch the most painful parts of their family's lives. But it's what created a dynasty, the love that surpasses all understanding.

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