Social Justice Archives - Stand Up For The Truth Podcast

There are so many education-related issues to talk about from K-12 to the universities, but not enough time to cover them all adequately in just an hour. So for today’s education update, we’ll tackle some of the biggest overall stories that should inform and concern Christians.

TODAY’S GUEST:

Dr. Duke Pesta is an engaging speaker whose experiences as an educational reformer, university professor, high school teacher, and the administrator of Freedom Project Academy, an online classical school uniquely qualify him to address the current state of education in our country.

Dr. Pesta is also the host of the Dr. Duke Show and is one of America’s foremost authorities on the dangers of Common Core, having delivered more than 700 talks in 46 states. He has also testified about Common Core and educational reform before 20 state legislatures and participated in more than 5000 radio and television interviews.

Pesta received his M.A. in Renaissance literature from John Carroll University and his PhD in Shakespeare and Renaissance literature from Purdue University. He has taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels including courses on Shakespeare, Renaissance literature, the Bible, Russian literature, Christian Apologetics, and C.S. Lewis.

ARTICLES, VIDEOS, AND LINKS

Dr. Duke recently did a great interview with author, radio host and movie producer Sam Sorbo to discuss why kids are struggling so much in today’s public schools, why academic achievement means so little to colleges looking to diversify their campuses, and why parents seem to forget how big of an impact they have on their children’s lives.

SAT Provider Caught Selling Your Kids Data

 The College Board, the organization behind the SAT, has been illegally gathering and selling private student data to boost the already enormous salaries of its executives, according to an explosive civil-rights lawsuit filed last week. Over 5 million students apparently had their data sold.

Parents Defeat Planned Parenthood Sex Ed In Liberal Massachusetts – Dr. Duke video

Sex-ed Showdown: Parents Defeat Planned Parenthood in Blue Massachusetts  (Graphic descriptions)

Series: Socialist Destruction of Education

Here’s the interview David mentioned during today’s podcast:

Common Core Graduates Worst-Prepared In 15 Years

New study finds the first Common Core high school graduates are the worst-prepared for college in the last 15 years.

Top 5 Excuses When Radicals Corrupt Children

Social Justice Costing College Students $10 Billion A Year

The post Dr. Duke Pesta: Surprising, Under-Reported Education Issues appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

It’s hard to believe we’re in the final month of 2019. While some of us are saying, “thank God,” others are trying to figure out where the year went. Today, we’re going to look at key categories of end times signs that line up with Bible Prophecy and indicate we’re truly in the last days.

Signs are used to inform, direct and warn. They contain information that must be read, interpreted and understood. And as of late, those signs are pointing to a “convergence of events” about which today’s guest frequently refers. On the world stage, many such events are focused on a small, seemingly insignificant parcel of land in the Eastern Mediterranean about the size of New Jersey.

As we watch the pieces fall into place just as God has warned us, we must not face the future with fear or trepidation. We must be awake and aware, and spend our time sharing the truth of God’s Word with all who will hear it so that they too may rejoice in the comfort and assurance of salvation.

There is a spirit of rebellion permeating the hearts of billions around the globe. Rebellion against government, against authorities, against family and against God Himself. And while some rebellion is necessary when a government oversteps its bounds, the rebellion against the principles in which our Creator set forth for our own good are part of the dark, spiritual opposition that is dragging people from all walks, further away from the very God who created them;

TODAY’S GUEST

Our guest today is pastor and teacher, John Haller. John is known for his weekly prophecy updates, but he has also been a trial lawyer for almost 40 years, and lives in Columbus, Ohio. John served for 25 years on the board of a Christian college and seminary, then in 2013, John and his wife Pam helped start Fellowship Bible Chapel where he is an elder and pastor.

His prophecy updates are available on the FBC YouTube channel and cover Bible prophecy, discernment, apologetics and worldview issues.

TOP TEN END TIMES SIGNS

Fellowship Bible Chapel on Facebook

ARTICLES

John Haller’s weekly Prophecy Update, December 1, 2019: “Hard to Describe”

Is Religious Liberty Truly In Peril? A Warning

Anti-Christian Bias, Unequal Outcomes in ‘Equality Act’

6 demographic trends shaping the U.S. and the world in 2019

In US, Netanyahu indictment seen as cross-Atlantic version of Trump saga

One False Move By Israel or Iran Will Lead to War

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Those who persist in their staunch opposition to all things Christ will be held fully accountable before a Holy God whose judgment will be swift and sure. As Christians, we weep for those who cannot see. But stand strong, brothers and sisters. It is always darkest before the dawn and when the Son breaks onto the scene, all darkness will be vanquished and order will return to this earth. Until that time, and as long as the Lord gives us breath, we will continue to be here to spread the truth found in His Word.

The post John Haller: Top End Times Signs Relating to Bible Prophecy appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

The kingdom of God will be the future time in history when Jesus Christ, the Last Adam, will return to planet earth victoriously, and after judging an ungodly world, He will set up His kingdom that will display God’s righteousness in every area of life. It’s at this time that Christ will put on display a godly culture and social structure within the world.

Since it’s important to address subtle deceptions in the church (and some not so subtle), we’re going a bit deeper today to tackle a teaching that affects what Christians believe about the kingdom of God. But many do not realize it. A few questions we’ll answer are: If the kingdom of Jesus Christ is coming soon, what do we do with our time here on earth in terms of working for the Lord’s purposes? And what exactly is ‘Kingdom Now’ theology?

Today’s guest writes:

“Understanding this overarching biblical theme of God’s clearly revealed and sovereign plan is essential not only for believers in Christ to make sense of the chaos in our world, but also for the church to know and fulfill its God-ordained role in this era of world history.”

Dr. Andy Woods became a Christian at the age of 16. He graduated with High Honors from the University of Redlands, CA., and obtained a Juris Doctorate (Whittier Law School, CA), practiced law, and in 1998, he began taking courses at Chafer and Talbot Theological Seminaries. He earned a Master of Theology degree and a Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary. 

Andy is the senior pastor at Sugar Land Bible Church in Texas, as well as author of several books including The Falling Away, Ever Reforming, and The Middle East Meltdown.

Most of us recall Jesus stating:

 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Are we currently living in God’s promised kingdom? Yes, say a plethora of professing evangelicals today. No, say the careful reading of the Bible and the biblical evidence marshaled by Dr. Andy Woods in THE COMING KINGDOM. The conclusions of this book are based on accurate interpretation of Scripture, which are then insightfully compared and contrasted with the various forms of contemporary evangelical teaching about the kingdom. Are you confused by conflicting views on the kingdom?

Do you long for something better than the current conditions you see in our world today? Then read THE COMING KINGDOM. This book shows convincingly from Scripture that the establishment of God’s theocratic kingdom on earth is still future and it will be vastly superior to the conditions we see in our world today. THE COMING KINGDOM clarifies for readers the biblical truth of God’s glorious kingdom, while exalting the coming King and edifying the soul of the reader with its constant appeal to God’s Word.

 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Acts 1:3

 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:20-21

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED

Ephesians 4:11-15, Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 2:14-15, John 12:31, Revelation 20:1-3, Mark 11:10

RESOURCES

Pompeo’s statement on Israeli settlements is a diplomatic turning point

President Trump’s extraordinary gesture of support for Israel and the rights of the Jewish people was evident in the historic statement. The US has rightly concluded that falsely calling settlements illegal is not helpful for peace.

Monday will long be remembered as a turning point in Middle East history. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement Monday that Israeli settlements are not illegal per se is the most significant shift in US Middle East policy in the past generation. Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital has been a matter of US law since 1996

Video series: The Coming Kingdom: Power Evangelism Pitfalls – Pastor Andy Woods

Please, Let’s Stop ‘Building the Kingdom’

What is Kingdom Now Teaching – God Questions

SERMON AUDIO! The Coming Kingdom (full series)

The post Pastor Andy Woods: What is ‘Kingdom Now’ Theology appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

On today’s Stand Up for the Truth, our focus is evangelism and the truth of  God’s Word. Why so many religions and denominations? Nearly one in five people worldwide identify with the Roman Catholic Church. Many are serious practitioners while others have no idea what their church’s teachings include. But it is a very popular religion that feeds the need many people have to rely on good works.

The problem is they miss the importance of the authority of Scripture, the true gospel, and justification by faith.

Today’s guest writes: People are unconcerned about “so great a salvation” because they do not know the reality of almighty God’s divine justice towards sin or the sinner’s helpless and hopeless condition. As the eternal Creator of everything, God is holy and requires perfect obedience to His Law. Man has broken God’s Law, and the consequence for his sin is death and separation from God. People need to know that man can do nothing to save himself and that divine justice must be satisfied. This is why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as a merciful Lord who purchased full atonement for all who will turn to Him in repentance and faith.”

Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel ministries, is a gifted evangelist and author of Contending for the Gospel and Preparing for Eternity. But for over 34 years, Mike was a devout Roman Catholic. That all changed in 1981 while attending an evangelical seminar when he realized the Bible is the supreme authority for knowing truth.

He exchanged his religion for a relationship with His all-sufficient Savior, preaches the gospel for a living, and hasn’t looked back. 

Gendron states: “The writer of Hebrews asks the question, “How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:3). Why are people so unconcerned about their eternal destiny? Are they too wrapped up in worldly pursuits to consider what our Creator has revealed through His Word?”

UNBIBLICAL TRADITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED TODAY

John 8:31-32, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:3, 4:12, 10:14, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 1:7, Luke 1:46-47, Mark 7:1-9

On Traditions

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” 9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. Mark 1:8-9

On Mary or a priest as mediator

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all; 1 Timothy 2:3-6

On assurance of salvation

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.1 John 5:12-13

On indulgences, purgatory

No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him—
8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever—Psalm 49:7-8

QUOTES BY MIKE GENDRON:

“Pope Francis has been successfully executing the Vatican’s well-defined strategy to create a one world religion. Now he is using his global influence and power to establish a one world government.”

“Let us sow the imperishable seed of God’s Word and pray it will find fertile soil in their hearts. As we engage lost people in conversations about “so great a salvation,” we must encourage them to believe the inspired Word of God instead of the words of uninspired men.”

“The authority of Scripture must be the leading principle when you witness, because Catholics have three authorities: they have the Word of God, their sacred tradition, and then the “infallible” teaching authority of the Church. We need to eliminate the second two and have them focus on Scripture alone. The second most important principle you’ve got to present to Catholics is Christ and all of His sufficiency. Jesus did everything necessary to save sinners completely and forever.”

NEW BOOK! Contending for the Gospel: For the glory of Christ and the sanctity of His Church

There is an urgent need to defend the exclusivity and purity of God’s Gospel against the agents of compromise. It is time for Christians to stand firm on the Gospel, because many are being “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph. 4:14).

We must contend earnestly for the faith for the glory and honor of our Savior, the sanctity of His Church, and the eternal destinies of those who are being misled.

ARTICLES

So Great a Salvation – Mike Gendron

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Pope Francis Proposes Adding “Ecological Sin” to Church Teachings

The Pope also highlighted environmental degradation and said the church was considering adding crimes against nature and the environment to the catechism—the official text of church doctrine and teachings.

“We have to introduce, we are thinking about it, in the catechism of the Catholic Church, the sin against ecology, the sin against our common home, because it’s a duty,” he said. Francis has been championed by climate activists for using his position to preach about the urgent need for humanity to recognize the dangers of human-caused global warming and calling on other world leaders—and the estimated 1.2 billion Catholics in the world—to act boldly to address the crisis.

Pope Francis Demands a One World Government

Uncommon Ground: Pope Francis, Muslim Imam Pushing One-World Religion?

Though there are some similarities, Islam is quite incompatible with the Bible as well as America, a society that values Judeo-Christian principles and religious freedom. Islam will accept no other religions, no competing economic or political views, and no legal system except Sharia Law which would outlaw Christianity.

Nowhere in the Bible does God encourage joining with other religions. On the contrary, He warns against it, punished the people of Israel for allowing the slightest pagan influence in their camp, and teaches about being set apart.

EXTRAS

Pope Pius the Ninth said, “I alone, despite my unworthiness, am the successor to the apostles and Vicar of Christ. I alone have the mission to guide and direct the ship of Peter… (1870)

Vatican Council II – “This sacred synod teaches that the Church is necessary for salvation. Whoever, therefore, knowing the Catholic Church was made necessary by God through Jesus Christ, would refuse to enter her, or remain in her, cannot be saved.” (1960s)

“…For it is through the Catholic Church alone, which is the all-embracing means of salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.”

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Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7

The post Mike Gendron: The True Gospel, Tradition, and Catholic Church History appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

In our first segment we are joined by James Hirsen, a media analyst and best-selling author who discusses how much of corporate America is selling out to a radical left-wing agenda.

The post Don’t Buy the “Media Spin” About a “Kinder, Gentler” Socialism appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Mike and David are joined by Julaine Appling of Wisconsin family Action to discuss an exciting new initiative they have to help pastors get to know our government representatives, pray for them, and help them when controversial, difficult moral issues arise.

In our final segments we look at a few news items including a Christian organization that believes the social justice movement infiltrating the church is the greatest single threat to sharing the gospel, and more intolerance from liberals who claim they are all about tolerance. We also look at some Prosperity Gospel preachers who wear $40,000 watches; is it wrong and if not, where do you draw the line?

The post Shouldn’t the Church Influence Government? appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Our nation is seeing an infusion of radical progressive thought threatening the very foundation and future of our nation.  The Church in America is also witnessing a surge in hyper-liberalism leading many to question the fundamental and traditional teachings of the Apostles and early Church.  Is Progressive Christianity to be considered a part of Biblical Christianity?  Or is this movement a cancer threatening the true church? Is it, as its leaders claim, just a more compassionate and deeper understanding of God’s Word?  Or is it, as its critics claim, contradictory to God’s Word? 

Our guest today is author Dan Jensen.  He graduated from Bethany College with a BA in Social Science and a minor in Biblical/theological Studies.  He later earned his first master’s Degree in Systematic Theology from the University of Aberdeen.  He says “I am convinced that the church is on the precipice of a far greater controversy than took place during the early 20th century.  Dan was inspired to write his new book after many years of debating with Progressive Christians in many venues, and seeing the havoc that they are beginning to wreak.

The book is titled A False Kind of Christianity. 

Dan Jensen offers the conservative Evangelical community a no-nonsense assessment of the growing, aggressive progressive Christian movement. He provides his personal testimony, a short overview of the history behind the progressive Christian movement, a brief summary of its teachings, and clearly elucidates the fact progressive Christians possesses absolutely no biblical foundation. This movement must be countered by conservative Evangelicals.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” 2 Peter 2:1-2

Quoted: J. Gresham Machen said the chief modern rival of Christianity is liberalism, further stating:

“An examination of the teachings of liberalism will show that at every point the liberal movement is in opposition to the Christian message.”

ARTICLES

Limits of Progressive Christianity – Mark Tooley

The Liberal Agenda – R.C. Sproul

Where Did the Emergent Church ‘Emerge’ From?

Progressive Christians and Doctrines of Devils – Marsha West

3 Beliefs Some Progressive Christians and Atheists Share – Alisa Childers

The Contagious Cult of Liberalism – David Fiorazo

Redefining God: Paganism and Progressive Christianity – Carl Teichrib

The post The Deception and Dilemma of Progressive Christianity appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

It’s Friday! That means we hear from you about things the Christian community are concerned about. Comments and Questions discussed on today’s program:

We’d love to discuss your question on a future Q&A. Use the contact form below to send us yours!

The post Comments and Questions: No Topic Off Limits! appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

As American Christianity generally bends over backwards to be seen as “loving” to the world, we have seen secular culture extend its influence within the church.  From the social justice movement to the powerful LGBTQ lobby, we see more and more churches accommodating things of this world directly contradictory to the Bible.  And now, with another presidential election on the horizon we are seeing an enhanced push for the church to embrace something that is directly opposed to the Bible: Marxist Socialism.

Mike and David look at the growth of socialist ideals within professing Christianity and why this is ominous and dangerous to the church.

Is Marxism compatible with the Christian faith? from Got Questions

Marxism is, at heart, an atheistic philosophy with no room for belief in God.

The purported goal of Marxism is a government-run utopia in which the needs of each individual are always provided for. Ideally, the strong work hard, the inventive create technological marvels, the doctors heal, the artists delight the community with beauty, and anyone who is weak or poor or in need can draw on society’s combined resources as their needs demand. When this idealistic model is attempted in the real world, it is called “socialism,” “communism,” “statism,” “liberalism,” or “progressivism,” depending on the degree to which the model is explored and implemented.

Thus far, Marxism has never worked in real life—and, without exception, in the places where Marxism has been the governmental model, Christians have been persecuted. That’s because there’s a foundational difference between Marxism and Christianity, a deep divide that cannot be bridged. There are several aspects of Marxism, as a philosophy, that put it at odds with the Christian faith.

…When Frederick Engels heard that some Christians were using Acts 2 to promote socialism, he wrote against melding his philosophy with Christianity: “These good people are not the best Christians, although they style themselves so; because if they were, they would know the bible better, and find that, if some few passages of the bible may be favourable to Communism, the general spirit of its doctrines is, nevertheless, totally opposed to it.”

In short, the Bible promotes freedom and personal responsibility, and neither of those concepts lasts long under Marxism. There’s a reason why, in Marxist states such as Communist China and Vietnam and the old Soviet Union, Christians are always persecuted—the ideas espoused by Marxism are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ. The differences are irreconciliable.

The post Growing Acceptance of Marxism in Churches appeared first on Stand Up For The Truth Podcast.

Host of Dr. Duke Show at Freedom Project

Education update! Today’s guest is education reformer, Dr. Duke Pesta, the Director of FreedomProject Academy, Common Core expert, tenured professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and host of the Dr. Duke Show podcast. 

From Pre-K through graduate school, Dr. Duke’s one-of-a-kind podcast will keep you informed about the highly politicized world of modern education, alerting you to the dangers facing our republic from generations of undereducated, miseducated, and ideologically coerced students.

Some of the topics we discuss on today’s Stand Up for the Truth include a taxpayer funded “free” breakfast & lunch program in public schools, a liberal college bullying a local bakery, a Christian pastor under fire – from students – for mentioning his faith in a commencement address, Teen Vogue instructing 16-year olds on how to obtain an abortion without their parent’s permission, a new social media platform ant Twitter alternative (Parler.com) that will not censor Christian and conservative voices, AND, the probability that U.S. taxpayers will soon be on the hook for billions of dollars of unpaid student loans. 

Appleton graduation debate: Does religion have a place in commencement speeches?

APPLETON – A commencement speech in which a member of the Appleton school board referenced his Christian faith is sparking controversy and debate about what messages are appropriate in a public school setting.

In a letter sent to the school board and district administration Tuesday, a group of 29 Appleton North High School graduates and students took exception to the Rev. Alvin Dupree’s speech at the school’s commencement ceremony, which they complained was laden with “Christian themes.”

The students called on the district to keep the expression of religious beliefs separate from school district events in the future.

Church Hosts Summer Camp to Train Grade School Kids to Be Antifa Activists

Teen Vogue Column Instructs 16-Year-Old How to Obtain an Abortion Without Parental Permission

College Professor to Students: ‘Drop This Class if Free Speech Offends You’

Professor Duke Pesta, who teaches English at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and also hosts The College Fix’s Campus Roundup show, created a Statement of Purpose for his students, urging them to “please drop the class immediately” if they are triggered by opposing opinions or free speech.

Boston Group Wants to Hold ‘Straight Pride’ Parade, Left Rejects in Name of Tolerance!

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