Pushback with Dr. Jonny

Dr. Jonny’s wife, Amy, joins him on this podcast to tell a compelling story about their recent high school graduate, Lydia, and her journey of trust and perseverance. Lydia has had a heart for Africa since she was a little girl and is currently on a missions trip to Kenya. The process of getting to Kenya, however, was filled with unexpected hurdles, frustrations and seemingly overt opposition from the enemy. Although the enemy can be loud and intimidating, he can’t keep us from our destiny. With a bulldog mentality and a perseverant spirit we can face all kinds of trials and still find pure joy!

We are not helpless victims of the culture, but as Christians, we are commanded and equipped to set the culture. Christians often take the phrase, “in the world but not of this world,” as an excuse to disassociate from worldly culture. Dr. Jonny explains, however, that we are not of this world in order to be in the world in order to transform the culture! As ambassadors of heaven we are to demonstrate His ways (or culture), and His ways are higher than our ways.

A pandemic is defined as, “occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.” In light of the staggering statistics in our country and around the world, fatherlessness is a pandemic in every sense, and causes more harm and destruction than any virus ever could. Dr. Jonny not only describes the scope of the fatherlessness pandemic, but explains why fathers are so important to our culture.

In celebration of Father’s Day, Dr. Jonny received one question from each of his eight children.  He did not pre-read these questions, so his answers are spontaneous and from the heart. He also tries to guess which child wrote each question.

As swearing and cursing becomes more common in our culture, we might be tempted to call it normal. However, profanity is defined as “unholy” and ambassadors of heaven we are to be a demonstration of His holiness. By guarding our mouths, we set the culture for those around us. Dr. Jonny defends the pertinence and importance of this topic, because by avoiding vulgar language we set ourselves and our children into a place of influence and exceptionalism. 

The recency effect is when items found at the end of a list or that are learned most recently are recalled best. In our own lives, this effect can lead us to only focus on what is before us and we forget the key moments of our journey. Dr. Jonny illustrates overcoming this effect as he recalls historical moments, famous stories and personal testimony. Through intentionality, focus and repetition we can take a remote memory and maintain it as a recent one.

Much of our culture is national or group focused. This culture allows unprecedented anonymity and is void of personal accountability. To create real change in a culture we need to stand up individually and locally for what we believe in. Dr. Jonny explains that if we assume someone else will take responsibility or if we allow a “group-think” mentality, nothing will change. Whatever we take responsibility in, we have authority over, and each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

In the conclusion of this four part series, Dr. Jonny applies the strategies of 19th century reformer and abolitionist, William Wilburforce, to the modern day abortion issue. As the greatest civil rights crisis of our generation, this battle requires our persistence and determination without backing down or compromise. Dr. Jonny gives practical and inspirational strategies toward the, “saving of the soul of the nation.”

Before William Wilberforce ever petitioned for the abolition of the slave trade, his compatriots had begun working on the hearts and minds of the British people. They knew this was where the battle must begin! They focused on the cultural, societal and ideological mores that allowed slavery to exist in the first place. Dr. Jonny expounds on this strategy for our cultural issues today, especially the issue of abortion. He calls for reformation of morality, charity and compassion or as Wilberforce puts it, “to make goodness fashionable.” We are to inject our talents, influence and passion into the culture, the culture then, will shape politics.

The fifty year period preceding the start of the Victorian era is referred to as the, “Age of Wilburforce” and he has been called, “the greatest reformer in history.” How did William Wilburforce have the moral courage to bring about such radical change in his lifetime? Dr. Jonny performs an autopsy on the character of this man, that in turn, provides a strategy for all of us looking to defend life and to become a reformer in our lifetime.