Lighthouse Faith

The Presidential Election season has officially begun. And amidst the mudslinging and vitriol that are sure to be constant companions of the political discourse, one author would like us to take a different approach. Pastor Robert J. Morgan is bent on helping people remember the foundations of faith that made America. His new book is a biblical American history lesson, called, "100 Bible Verses That Made America". On this episode of Lighthouse Faith Podcast, Morgan explains that his reason for writing such a book, is to remind people that the Bible is woven in and through America's conception and birth, and throughout its life.Starting in the 16th century with the arrival to the New World of the Spanish Conquistadors, a missionary named Antonio de Montesinos, quotes Mathew 3:3 to those who would treat the native inhabitants cruelly, recognizing that they too are made in God's image. And in the prologue, reminds us that America's first president, George Washington, kissed the sacred Scriptures at his inauguration. There are 98 more defining moments in America's history where the Bible is quoted as a source strength, compassion, mercy and light. There's so much debate today about whether or not America is a Christian nation. But for Morgan, there is no debate that the Holy Bible formed the basis of our Republic's beliefs about freedom and liberty.

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The Iowa Caucus is February 3rd. It kicks off the official start of the 2020 Presidential election campaign season. While a field of Democratic candidates will try to convince American voters that they should replace the current White House occupant,  journalist and best-selling author Stephen E. Strang is making the case that Donald Trump is the best hope for people of faith, and especially Christians. In his new book, "God, Trump, and the 2020 Election," Strang lays out what is at stake for Christians if Trump loses; mainly that a Trump presidency is the strongest bulwark against a far-left liberalism infecting the Democratic party and fueling a radical agenda; an agenda that marginalizes people of faith. He also has some unconventional advice for the President; one, that he has an untapped constituency among African American voters. This group, once viewed as firmly in the Dem camp, Strang is convinced they could be a vital part of ensuring a Trump victory in November. Strang is not looking through rose-colored glasses. In this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, he says he knows that Trump is an imperfect man; but that God has frequently worked through imperfect leaders.

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Global tensions are once again giving way to talk of military conflicts and even war. No one wants that. But just like the years that led up to World War I, the great minds of the time believed humanity was far too civilized to engage in a long drawn out military engagement. They were wrong. The war lasted more than four years and left more than 20 million dead and at least that number wounded.  It tested the faith of millions of soldiers and civilians alike. Some lost their faith, others found a deeper more vital version than what they had been taught as children. Among those were two great Christian writers who had a tremendous influence on 20th century culture. Their works are still read today as well as watched because some of their greatest writings were made into major motion pictures. J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings." C.S. Lewis gave us "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," as well as a host of non-fiction books like "Mere Christianity." Now, Kings College Professor Joe Loconte is producing a film about Tolkien's and Lewis's lifelong friendship. It's based on his book, "A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War". Check out the trailer. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Loconte talks about the mythical stories these men created, about how their critics charged them with escapism for not facing the reality of war, but also, how they actually understood not just war but man's penchant for evil. Dragons, Witches and Hobbits, are not mere metaphors, but provide incredible insight into the human condition.

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For brain surgeon Dr. W. Lee Warren, the crossroads of science and faith is his greatest challenge. What his Christian faith tells him, that God can heal our diseases, and what his medical knowledge tells him about a fatal cancerous tumor, forces him to navigate a constant struggle. His greatest nemesis is the most common brain tumor in adults. It's called Gliobastoma Multiforme or GBM. And it's 100 percent fatal. After decades of research there has been no clue as to a cause. And yet, Dr. Warren must give patients some kind of hope that miracles do happen and they could kick this thing. But what he has learned in this struggle, is that he doesn't have all the answers. And humbly accepting that gives him strength that he can still be positive that God could intervene. After all, sometimes God heals miraculously, and sometimes God heals through the minds of medical professionals like himself. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, hear Dr. Warren explain why his book, called "I've Seen the End of You," is a message of hope, when faith and doubt are equal partners.   

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The New Year is full of hope and blessings abound. That is how Joel Osteen lives life to the fullest. It's not that he believes he is one of God's favorite people. Of course he certainly would be within his rights to believe it since he's credited as being the fuel and fire behind Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas becoming the largest Christian congregation in the country. Osteen believes we all have favored status with the Big Guy, but many of us stop our own blessings by failing to tap into our greatest resource, God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth. In this episode of Lighthouse Faith Podcast, Osteen talks about his new book, "The Power Of Favor: The Force That Will Take You Where You Can't Go On Your Own." He also talks about the miracles still happening today if we would only open our eyes to see them. And one event that could be construed as a miracle, his new found friendship with Superstar rapper Kanye West and West's faith conversion that paved the way for their collaboration at Lakewood last November, and their upcoming second act at famed Yankee Stadium in May. Osteen says, "I believe when you honor God, God can open doors that you would never you couldn't open. And I call it his favor, his blessing on your life." Start the New Year with a resolution to see the possibilities of miracles happening in your own life.

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If you ask the average person about the Ukraine, their reference point will probably be the country that sparked the controversy over the impeachment hearings. But what most folks are unaware of is the global shakeup from Ukraine's Orthodox Church. And it may prove to be an even bigger deal historically. In this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Ukraine's Archbishop, the Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kiev, explains (through an interpreter) the religious quake of the church gaining its independence from the Russian Orthodox Church.There's politics aplenty in the landmark ruling called 'autocephaly', because religion and politics are so intertwined. Russia's president Vladimir Putin saw the Russian Orthodox Church as his 'soft power'. And what gave it great strength is the Ukraine Orthodox Church. Now that it's no longer under his power things are getting tense. Is there corruption in Ukraine? Absolutely. But first, the church has its hands full, keeping Russia from reclaiming them.

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A lot of Christmas Carol singing happens this time of year. And the old favorites like "O Come all Ye Faithful" and "Hark the Herald" are so well known we could probably sing them in our sleep. But these carols, while warming our hearts and bringing joy to the Christmas season, have far more theological weight and truths to them than meets the eye, or ear. Keith and Kristyn Getty, hymn writers and musicians extraordinaire, bring their sold out "Sing! An Irish Christmas" tour through New York City and stopped by to be my special guests on Lighthouse Faith podcast. You can also catch their performance on Fox and Friends this week. They're educating churches in the power of music and hymn singing as a way to increase the faithful's understanding of their beliefs. Through the incredible power of music, Hymns don't just sit on the tongue, they burrow their way into the far reaches of the minds. And Christmas Carols are hymns celebrating the birth of Jesus.

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The poem The Night Before Christmas', by Clement Clarke Moor, is one of the most read, most published and most memorized books of all Christmas literature. So say reports about its popularity. Although a runaway best seller, the children's narrative that talks of a visit from St. Nicholas, has little to do with explaining the birth of Jesus, which is what many Christians are quick to say is, the "reason for the season".  Enter journalist and theologian Dr. Thomas Williams, a former priest, but still a devout Catholic, who's written a religious version of the Night Before Christmas. It's called "The First Christmas". And it has all of the lilting and innocent narration of its more secular counterpart. It begins, "Long, long ago in a land we call holy... Was born a great King, In a manner most lowly."  However, Williams is not confined to writing Children's books. He's also hard at work covering the Vatican for Breitbart. And on this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, we talk about his not too hidden criticisms of Pope Francis. Here's a programming note: you might consider pairing this podcast with an earlier one with Austen Ivereigh, a much more pro Francis Vatican watcher. But stay tuned to the very end, when Dr. Williams reads from beginning to end, "The First Christmas." It may just become a Christmas classic.

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How much do we really know about the birth of Jesus? While today's Christmas celebrations are more about glitzy gifts and glamorous lights on evergreens, the real story of Christmas is gritty and even dangerous. And while most people are familiar with the main characters of the Christmas Story; Mary and Joseph, the Wise men and the angels. How many of us know about Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna, and Jesus's own surprising lineage which begins early in the Old Testament? On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, author Dan Darling sheds light on these unlikely characters who fill out the Christmas Story. Two things are very important about the biblical narrative: one is that everything within the story has a purpose, so these characters, even though they are not the most prominent, have a particular part to play in how we understand the story. And second,  lineage in the Bible is like today's equivalent of a resume. Who your ancestors and  relatives are, and what happened around your birth is tantamount to modern day networking, of helping others understand who you are and why it's important. Darling takes a deep dive into the people of the Christmas story and talks about his new book, "The Characters of Christmas."

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Can science prove humans have souls? Can it give us proof of life after death? And can science  peer into the meaning of life and of divinity? In short, are science and faith two parts of a whole? Neurologist Dr. Jay Lombard explores and explains  to me these concepts from his new book,  "The Mind of God: Neuroscience, Faith, and a Search for the Soul."  He says for far too long science and faith have operated as polar opposites, but that they actually need each.  For instance he says,  our souls are the immaterial, non-physical part of who we are, and scientists can indeed confirm its existence.

Dr. Lombard says, "We see the movement of the soul, meaning that we're able to actually assess the effects of things in the brain that are fluid through new technologies. So yes,  the answer is, we don't call it the soul, and in science we don't say, ' oh there's the soul there,' but we do understand that we can see the effects of emotion and non- physical experiences on the shape of our brains, absolutely. "

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