It’s Thursday, November 13th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I’m Adam McManus. ([email protected])

By Jonathan Clark

Russia bans three Baptist churches

Forum 18 reports that Russia continues to crack down on Protestant churches.

Russian courts banned three Baptist churches last month for not registering with the government. The congregations are part of the Council of Churches Baptist communities. The group has seen at least 10 of its churches banned.

These bans have increased over the last year. Authorities often accuse such churches of “unlawful missionary activity.” However, the Baptist churches continue to meet despite the prohibitions and potential fines.

When told not to teach in the name of Jesus, the Apostles said in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

European countries upset with Russia’s drones

European countries are investing in anti-drone systems as Russia continues to fly drones into their regions.

Russia is testing NATO borders, flying drones as far as Germany, Denmark, and Belgium.

Countries that border Russia, like Lithuania, are building public defense programs to prepare for any crisis.

Listen to comments made to CBN News by Vice President Tomas Godliauskas of Lithuania's National Defense.

GODLIAUSKAS: “We develop kind of a strategy, how we are preparing our citizens militarily and how we're preparing all the rest of the citizens to build the resilience of our population.”

UPS plane crashed in Kentucky, killing 3 aboard and 11 on ground

In the United States, a UPS flight tragically crashed in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday evening last week.

The plane crashed just after takeoff, leaving a trail of destruction through businesses and roads. The incident killed the three UPS crew members on board as well as 11 more people. 

UPS said in a statement, “Words can’t express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident. . . . We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community.”

Supreme Court to hear transgender sports case

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in cases involving transgender sports next year.

The cases come from Idaho and West Virginia. In 2020, Idaho became the first state to require people to compete in sports according to their biological sex. West Virginia passed a similar law in 2021. 

Lower courts blocked the laws. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the cases by next June.

Listen to comments made to CBN News by Jonathan Scruggs with Alliance Defending Freedom.

SCRUGGS: “Men are coming into women's sports and taking away podium slots and scholarships.

“Just in the West Virginia case alone, since the male athlete there started participating, he's taken away over 400 slots of women and displaced girls, 1,100 times.”

International Olympic Committee likely to ban transgenders

In a related story, BBC Sport reports the International Olympic Committee is likely to ban transgenders next year.

The decision would prohibit men, pretending to be women, from competing in women’s categories.

The ban would likely take effect before the 2028 Summer Olympics to be held in Los Angeles, California. 

13th county in America bans abortion

Dickens County, Texas is now the 13th county in the nation to outlaw abortion.

County leaders voted on Monday in favor of passing a Sanctuary County for the Unborn Ordinance.

Dickens County has a population of 1,725 people. And it is the eleventh county in Texas to outlaw abortion.

Augustine’s influence felt today

And finally, today is the birthday of Augustine of Hippo! 

The renowned Christian theologian was born on November 13, A.D. 354 in what is modern-day Algeria, Africa. 

Augustine’s early life was marred by prodigal living. His mother faithfully prayed for him for years before his eventual conversion in his 30s. This took place after he providentially encountered Romans 13:13-14. The verses say, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in … drunkenness … and sensuality. … But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” 

Augustine would go on to become Bishop of Hippo, a Roman province in North Africa. An able scholar, he turned his mind to the theological battles of his day, producing Christian classics like Confessions and The City of God. 

Augustine’s life and work would have a dominating influence on Western civilization. The Protestant Reformers, in particular, would quote him extensively in their efforts to reform the church over a thousand years later.

Close

And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, November 13th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I’m Adam McManus ([email protected]). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.