Today we continue our celebration of Advent by looking at the missions work of William Carey. You may think, what does that have to do with Advent? Well, Advent celebrates the coming of Christ, both 2000 years ago, and yet future. This coming has had a profound affect upon our world. It has resulted in eternal salvation for God's elect, with a firm assurance of a future home in heaven. Further, it has transformed culture wherever it has made inroads. William Carey was used by God to help bring human flourishing to that part of India where he ministered. He was the proximate means that God used to translate the Bible into the people's language, preach the gospel, found many schools and help bring the status of women to be equal to that of men. They too, were made in the image of God. At this time however, the British empire frowned upon William Carey's missionary efforts - and yet in God's providence, Carey was able to work under the authority and protection of the Danish colony of Serampore; a great example of the doctrine of the lesser magistrate. Let us know if you are encouraged by this telling of God's works through His servant. Write us at [email protected]

Participants: Dr. Peter Hammond, Dan Elmendorf

Today we talk about the incarnation. Why do most Christians celebrate 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

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? For further study here is the link to the Colson Center and this Viewpoint series: http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/viewpoint

Participants: T.M. Moore, Dan Elmendorf

Does God care about your sexual failures? You may have an instinctual notion that what you are doing is sin, and yet it has such a strong hold in your life that you feel no power at all to change. At many times you have no desire to change, because what you are doing seems to be "fun." Today we talk with John Freeman who runs Harvest USA (see http://www.harvestusa.org/). Whether you are involved in a same-sex relation, or perhaps pornography, or maybe you are a pastor in a church with no one to talk with. This program is for you and is done with sensitivity and a caring tone. You are offered real hope and help. Participants: John Freeman, Dan Elmendorf

Does God care about your sexual failures? You may have an instinctual notion that what you are doing is sin, and yet it has such a strong hold in your life that you feel no power at all to change. At many times you have no desire to change, because what you are doing seems to be "fun." Today we talk with John Freeman who runs Harvest USA (see http://www.harvestusa.org/). Whether you are involved in a same-sex relation, or perhaps pornography, or maybe you are a pastor in a church with no one to talk with. This program is for you and is done with sensitivity and a caring tone. You are offered real hope and help. Participants: John Freeman, Dan Elmendorf

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for the Christian especially. We look back at the original Thanksgiving and its focus on thanking God. Our guest explains the two kinds of Puritans (separating and non-separating). The Pilgrims which came to New England in 1620 were Separatists. We take a look at the Indians, and especially Tisquantum ("Squanto"), who was of the Patuxet tribe. He spoke fluent English, and became an interpreter and guide to the Pilgrim settlers at Plymouth during their first winter. Squanto basically became the Pilgrim's liaison. God used Squanto to help them through the first year. Consider that one half of the population of the area had died, and yet they met to give thanks to God. Participants: Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

Today, we speak with Founder and National Spokesman of The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation. The group is a network of over 60 Christian theologians, natural scientists, economists, and other scholars educating for Biblical earth stewardship, economic development for the poor, and the proclamation and defense of the good news of salvation by God�s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ�s death and resurrection. We invite you to take a stroll through the countryside as we join Dr. Beisner as he walks outside and we casually ask him some questions. We first ask about the Dominion Mandate that is found in Genesis 1:28. How does that mandate intersect with all things environmental? What is meant by carbon emissions? Is it really carbon? We look at hurricanes and temperatures. We also ask him about children. The reason is, some folks push the idea that having many children is not good for the environment. But what does the biblical record teach? Have we seen a correspondence between human flourishing and a larger population? Late in our outside walk, we ask about power generation. It is a fact the electricity has brought many people out of poverty and the invention has blessed billions of people. There are various ways to generate electric power, but which of the methods are most frequently found? What about those technologies called renewable? Are they as effective as touted? For more information about this excellent group, we commend you to their website: https://cornwallalliance.org/ Participants: Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, Dan Elmendorf

Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) was Christian statesman and theologian. He also had a deeply devotional side to him. Christ saved him early in his adult life, and Kuyper would go on to write about creation, worldview, and sphere sovereignty, among other topics. He brought much value to the areas of education, philosophy, and political and cultural engagement. He was Prime Minister of the Netherlands between 1901 and 1905. Today we interview the author of the book "Contours of the Kuyperian Tradition - A Systematic Introduction." Is it right for the gospel to pervade all areas of life? We explore what is meant by grace restoring nature. Kuyper loved the writings of Calvin. So, what is meant when people say that Kuyper was a "Neo-Calvinist?" Participants: Dr. Craig Bartholomew, Dan Elmendorf

October 31 is the time we celebrate the Protestant Reformation. Last year was the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg by Martin Luther. Less than a year later, at the Heidelberg Disputation (April 26, 1518), Luther would defend his theses, but more, this would lead to him clarifying the pure gospel of Christ's death and resurrection as being the sole satisfaction for our sins.

Luther defended the doctrine of human depravity and the bondage of the will. Martin Bucer, the reformer of Strasbourg, heard Luther here and became an avid follower. For a list of the points of this disputation, see this reference: http://bookofconcord.org/heidelberg.php Participants: Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

What is your vision regarding your children and your children's children? Do you see yourself as bringing up these children in the Lord and then passing on to them the precepts of the Lord so that they can faithfully follow Christ and do even greater things in this world? What about the creation mandates? There is the "cultic" mandate pertaining to worship. There is the cultural mandate related to the work of forming creation, and there is the communal mandate regarding the work of filling creation. We talk also about the notion of "discipling" the nations that is part of the Great Commission. Our guest is pastor of Trinity Church (http://trinitychurchlongisland.com/ ) and to reach the church, the phone number is (631)629-4528. We also air this pastor's sermons often on the Tuesday edition of Proclamation, heard weeknights at 9:00 PM on Redeemer. Trinity Church meets at the Faith Lutheran Church at 231 Jackson Ave Syosset, NY 11791. Worship begins at 1:00pm followed by Bible School classes at 2:45pm. If you are a parent and find yourself working hard at training your children and praying for them - this discussion most certainly will be of encouragement to you. Your labors are not in vain in the Lord. Participants: Pastor Ben Miller, Dan Elmendorf