Today we talk with the Senior Editor of China News for The Epoch Times. She is originally from Wuhan and came to the United States to earn her PhD and is now a citizen. We talk about the Coronavirus, that originated in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province in China. Wuhan has a population of 11 Million people. Of concern to Dr. Cheng was the way in which critical information about this highly contagious virus was initially handled inside China. She says that the first time we heard about the virus was December 8th. Some people inside China started to post about the virus and they were arrested by the regime. Prior to the city being locked down on January 23, there was some 40,000 families gathered together in a "pot luck" party - some 5 days prior to the lock down. The Communist government did not communicate the terrible dangers to the Chinese citizens. As of this writing, well over 1000 people have been infected in Wuhan (and just under 10,000 worldwide). The numbers are growing so fast that you need to check a reliable news source like The Epoch Times to learn the latest. Dr. Cheng points out that some misinformed reports claimed that people were eating bats and became sick, but she being from the area, sets the record straight that people do not eat bats in Wuhan. And neither does the virus appear to be associated with seafood. A very rough estimate is that more likely, well over 100,000 people are infected. Initially the Communist government was claiming that human to human transmission was not a problem! This was an outright lie. The people in China are not allowed free speech like we have here in the states. One effort the Chinese government is working on is creating 100,000 beds in hospitals. This lends support to the 100,000 people infected estimate. Another fact that we don't talk much about in this interview is that the Wuhan Institute of Virology is in the area. This is China�s most advanced virus research laboratory, but until we know more about the real source of this virus, it would be too conspiratorial to make further judgments about cause and effect links to China's biowarfare program. Participants: Dr. Dana Cheng, Dan Elmendorf

Do you feel anxious when the term "Christendom" is used? Perhaps you imagine scenes of the Crusades or something. Well, be at ease. We are not talking about that here. Religious coercion is not our subject. Today we look at an article that first appeared in the Davenant Digests, written by one of their teaching fellows. The title was "What Should Christians Think About Christendom?" The article makes the point that all of reality is grounded in God and that all of history climaxes in Jesus Christ. The Apostle tells us that all of us live and move and have our being in Christ (Acts 17:28). We know that in the end, all of us will be called to give account to Christ (Hebrews 4:13). Paul tells us that we are to do all things for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). So, in a profoundly simple way, all of us as human beings are "of God." Its an obligation that applies to all men for all times. For more information about the Devenant Institute, see this link: https://davenantinstitute.org/ Participants: Dr. Joseph Minich, Dan Elmendorf

Today we interview the author of a new book, "Great Society - A New History," by Amity Shaes. The subject we look at is the Great Society and what are considered as the "best and the brightest" of the people below President Lyndon Johnson. We also talk about the 1960's and the relationship of General Electric to big government. Briefly touched upon is "The Great Table," composed of Big Labor (unions), Big Business, and the federal government. The assertion is that this great table ran our economy. We also explore the assertion of some, that there is little to no difference between taxation and the "tithe." Is our economy pure capitalism, or a "mixed economy?" Participants: Amity Shlaes, Dan Elmendorf

Today we talk with the senior producer and an on-air host and a columnist for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written a new book titled The Unstoppable Jesus Christ - How Your Faith Can Triumph in a World Gone Mad. In the book, our author deals with a variety of themes which intersect with the Christian faith, including Jesus Christ; Hollywood and the Media; the Bible; the Church; Christian-bashing; Christmas - �the Advent of controversy;� Christian History; Science; Islam; the Seven Deadly Sins; Apologetics, the Defense of the Faith; and Death. Participants: Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Dan Elmendorf

Socialism is all the rage, especially on university campuses and highschool classrooms. But is Socialism all that it's made out to be? What about places that have implemented the theory? Is there such a thing as human flourishing under full bore socialism- that is, in the real world? How about the track record for Venezuela? What if we went today to a person on the streets of Venezuela and talked with them at length? What would they tell us? Today we talk with a resident of Venezuela, Christian K. Caruzo. To read Christian's articles, visit this site: https://www.breitbart.com/author/christian-k-caruzo/

A choice quote from his recent article: "Remember, when socialism inevitably fails then it�s not �Real Socialism� anymore because their specific, one hundred percent pure and distilled brand of Socialism has never ever been tried." That's the false narrative we are being consistently fed by many in our media, universities and public schools.

Participants: Christian Caruzo, Dan Elmendorf

What do you make of this past year in terms of the intersection of culture with the Christian faith? We are seeing increasing secularism in our society, no question. But did you know that mankind is religious at core? There is even a profound religious nature to the current secularism of our age, and our guest talks about that. Is there idolatry in our land? Since the 1960's our nation has lost its "Christian consensus," as our guest mentions. Also, what about the impeachment hearings and how were these similar to the Kavanaugh hearings? What do you make of those? And finally, we need to prepare ourselves for the new year ahead. Is there one single thing that we need as a people, that will help get us back on track? Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf

Today we visit with Dr. Liam Goligher as we talk about the coming of Christ. The season of Advent continues and our guest notes that Advent looks backwards and forwards. Christ came to deal with sin in His first coming. He will also come again. Participants: Dr. Liam Goligher, Dan Elmendorf

Today we talk about the incarnation. Why do most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life? How are the three persons of the Godhead inextricably bound together in their actions? What about those who are not at all impressed and think this is a 2000 year old story that has no relevance? We also talk about the relationship of technology with our ability to think clearly. Join us for an honest exchange. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf

What is "free will?" Do we possess it? What characterizes our free will, if left to ourselves without the sovereign interaction of God? What does it mean that God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world? These difficult concepts and others are tackled today on A Plain Answer. Our guest in the past has taught core courses on systematic theology, apologetics, ethics and philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. Participants: Dr. John Frame, Dan Elmendorf

When we think about Christmas, we often think about the baby Jesus in the manger. But as wonderful as that is, there is much more involved in the birth of Christ. There were many events that providentially came together that made this just the right time - or as the Apostle Paul would write: "...In the fullness of time." We look at the scope of Divine Sovereignty, and the genealogies involved. We also talk about the difference between a bogus sovereignty and real sovereignty as it is found in God. Also, what about politics? How does that tie into the sovereignty of God in Christmas? This is an older interview and the link to the podcast mentioned on the air is no longer available.

Participants: T.M. Moore, Dan Elmendorf