What kinds of persecution to Christians is taking place in this world? Which countries are at the top of the list in terms of severe persecution? We look at one of the early martyrs of the faith, namely Stephen in the book of Acts. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Dan Elmendorf

The US Constitution is an important document and was created in the Providence of God, but it is not on the same level as the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The Bible stands alone in terms of its verbal plenary inspiration. However that being established, the US Constitution is a marvelous document. If however we followed the constraints that are stipulated in the US Constitution, our government would look different than it presently does. We would have more freedoms as well as more personal responsibilities. We first talk about what happens to a land when God moves in revival and reformation. Our nation currently has a big problem with discerning between right and wrong. We desperately need another great awakening. We then look at what happens when we implement the US Constitution using its own words and constraints. Participants: Dr. Hans Vought, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

The unalienable rights are gifts of God and are part of being made in His image. We look at the US Constitution and how it basically "ties" the hands of the government so that they cannot violate the unalienable rights given to the people. We are concerned about a government which appears to be out of control as seen by the normal man on the street. The founding fathers if they saw our nation today would be appalled by the size and power of the Federal government. "That government is best which governs least" - Thomas Jefferson. Participants: Dr. Hans Vought, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

Has the Constitution always guided our country? Does the Constitution allow the Supreme Court to make law? Does the Constitution empower the President to make law? What about the field of education - does the Constitution give any power to the Federal Government in this area? The answers may surprise you. Finally, does the Constitution allow a president the power to take a nation into war? Participants: Dr. Hans Vought, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

We continue our discussion from last week. Are there limits to tolerance? The twin towers in Lower Manhattan were a symbol of American capitalism. They were destroyed, and nearly 3000 people were murdered. Technically, the mosque is allowed to be built on Ground Zero strictly on the basis of the first amendment - however there are other factors; factors relating both to wisdom, and to the notion of not offending others. It is clear that such a mosque being constructed on Ground Zero would not be reaching out as a unifying action. We study the case of Christian freedom as balanced with offending others, and encourage Muslim sympathizers to take a lesson from it. We review what has happened to Christian aid workers who go to Muslim countries - it is not a pretty picture. We close considering what is the best response to the Muslim in our land. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

Today our nation looks back nine years ago and thinks about one of the worse attacks on our soil in our nation's history. Nine years ago today, Muslim terrorists hijacked civilian planes and used them as tools of destruction on our people. Ground Zero is the area in lower Manhattan where the twin towers once stood - symbols of American capitalism. The terrorists struck at these as well as the governmental seat (Pentagon and would be Capital). Instead of honoring this hallowed ground, there are some who now want to build a mosque at Ground Zero. This offends many, many people. We discuss the limits of tolerance. We come to the general conclusion that tolerance has its limits in society if that "tolerance" is taken to extremes. Some extremes which would be unacceptable, would cause societal suicide and be unconstitutional. Tolerance cannot be promoted when it becomes antithetical to our whole way of life.

This is a follow-on discussion from last week. We talk about the environment and the Christian responsibility in caring for this earth. God gave His people dominion over the earth and it's animals. We discuss forest fires, global warming, the Hudson River - a variety of practical areas. We end our discussion with an explanation of the evangelical necessity of repentance and rebirth. Participants: Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

We look at the environment and "environmentalism" from a Biblical perspective. What is pantheism? How do we look at God's earth? Is it to be protected to the point of no development, and no experimentation? What is the difference between conservation and preservation? What about the worldview which says: "Leave only footprints, take only pictures?" Participants: Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

When President Obama addressed the victims of the Fort Hood shooting, he used the phrase Freedom of Worship, but not Freedom of Religion. We are concerned about the marginalization of religion and the privatization of it. We are concerned about breaking the cultural influence of Christianity upon American society. Even the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has noted this shift in phraseology, as noted in their 2010 annual report. They say this could well be viewed by human rights defenders as "having concrete policy implications." Participants: Dr. John Vance, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf

We take a look at the distinctions between Religious Freedom in America (as guaranteed by our Bill of Rights) and as carried out in our nation's history. We then compare that with a mere "Freedom of Worship." The current administration repeatedly uses the phrase freedom of worship in their general communique's and speeches - we find this troubling. Participants: Dr. John Vance, Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf