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Guest: Dr. George Barna, Director of Research, Cultural Research Center, Arizona Christian University

The Bible says that in the time of the judges in Israel, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). That is another way of saying the people were flagrantly breaking God’s laws and rationalizing their sin. Scripture is clear that all men and women are sinners by nature and by choice.

For example, Romans 3 says:“for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one” (Romans 3:9-12).

Considering all the hate, murder, lying, lusting, stealing, coveting, envying, immorality, blasphemy, oppression, and much more that marks our world, it may seem surprising that Americans don’t see themselves as sinners but as basically good, and thus, do what is right in their own eyes.

In a recent survey released by George Barna, Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, “only half of all American adults (52%) believe that everyone has sinned…and even among theologically-defined born-again Christians, one in four denies personal guilt of sin.” What’s more, “among self-identified Christians, 72% believe that people are “basically good at heart.”

This is troubling and egregious error, especially by those who profess to be part of the church. Today on the program, George Barna joins us to discuss the changing view of sin by Americans and Christians and what has led to it. We will also discuss why conviction over one’s sin is so important because it shows us our need for the only remedy.

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RELATED RESOURCES:

• Report #9: Research Identifies Common Sources of Confusion about Sin 
• Report #8: Millions of American Christians Deny Their Sinfulness 

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This program previously aired on November 11, 2023 following Hamas’ October 7 raid on Israel.
 
 GUEST: CHRIS KATULKA, Radio Host, Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

A “moral equivalency” is argumentation that attempts to make two opposing sides equal, when in reality one side is far more immoral than the other.

Example: Israel and Hamas. The Islamist group Hamas, based in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, barbarically slaughters 1400 civilians in the October 7 raid on Israel and immediately those who side with Palestinians make the moral equivalency that Israel is no better with their racist, oppressive, colonialist, genocidal, apartheid state.

A better moral equivalency to Hamas murdering non-combatants, including children, would be the American zealots who advocate for the “right” to kill pre-born children at any time and for any reason during pregnancy. In fact, the latter group has been much more effective from a death toll standpoint than the former. And the people of Ohio just voted for abortion to be a “right” in their state constitution.

In last week’s program, Chris Katulka of Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry clarified the disinformation (i.e. lies) that so many believe and espouse about Israel and the Jews, such as, they are occupying Palestinian land. Chris detailed the ancient history of Israel with God establishing for them a far larger area of land than their currently inhabit and how in 1948 they were unexpectedly granted a portion of their historic homeland to settle.

This week in part two of the interview, Chris will explain what is behind the widespread anti-semitism in the world, how Christians should obey God’s command to bless the descendants of Abraham and Sarah (the Jews) despite their current God- and Christ-rejection, and what these events mean for Biblical prophecy.

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Guest: Mark Spence, Evangelist and Senior VP, Living Waters

While he was imprisoned in Rome and shortly before being martyred, the apostle Paul, in some of his final words to his understudy pastor Timothy, exhorted him to “be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5).

After Christ rose rose from the grave and ascended to heaven, His followers couldn’t stop speaking the good news and saving message that “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Evangelism, explaining the good news of the gospel to others, is more than a command for the Christian—it should be a response of gratitude to God for personal salvation and an act of love toward others who need salvation more than anything. Think about this—Christians have the great privilege of being used by God as He redeems souls from destruction to glory!

But opening up our mouths with the gospel has its difficulties. We’re not quite sure how to transition a conversation from the temporal to the eternal. We’re concerned how unbelievers—or our family members—will respond. Or, we conclude that “evangelism is for those with the gift.”

Mark Spence is an evangelist with the ministry Living Waters, which “seeks to train the members of Christ’s Body in the principles of biblical evangelism and to provide them with practical tools to proclaim the gospel.” This past week, the Living Water team of Ray Comfort, Emeal Zwayne, Mark Spence and others were invited by Turning Point USA to do an open-air Q and A and gospel presentation on the California State Fullerton campus.

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We weren’t planning to spend a third straight week discussing Charlie Kirk and the issues surrounding his assassination, but after watching his memorial service this past Sunday, it became clear that there is more to consider.

The memorial service was something I’ve never seen. From the scale of the event (nearly 200,000 in attendance at two adjoining stadiums and an estimated viewing audience of 100M) to the notable attendees (President Trump and most of his cabinet) to above all, the proclamation of the gospel over and over again by many of the speakers.

The service was truly remarkable and worthy of our rejoicing.

TPUSA, the organization Charlie Kirk founded and led, has the video of the entire service on their YouTube page and I recommend you watch it. The first three-and-half-hours was a music concert as attendees filed in. The final four-and-a-half hours featured speaker after speaker.

The climactic message was not the final one given by President Trump but rather the penultimate by Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika. Considering the unimaginable grief of having her husband shot and killed in public 11 days earlier, considering the worldwide magnitude of the event, the content of her message and the manner in which she delivered it was one of the most impactful speeches I have ever seen. We’ll play some of her message in the final segment today.

Before we get to that, we’ll discuss the remarkable nature of this event and how God has truly worked something good and great through the assassination of Charlie Kirk. We’ll also discuss how transformative movements like this need secure boundaries lest they compromise the Word and misrepresent God.

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The horrific and heinous murder of Charlie Kirk, a young husband and father and conservative and Christian leader, has sent shock waves throughout the world. People are gathering all across our country and in other nations to remember this extraordinary young man.

Many on the left however, are revealing their hateful, unmerciful hearts, expressing their glee that Charlie Kirk was shot dead. We live in a wicked world.

As a follow up to last week’s program, we’ll discuss five observations on the murder of Charlie Kirk, from the motive of the murderer, to the celebration of those who hate Charlie, to a caution for Christians.

Later in the program, we’ll air part 2 of the interview with Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry, about Understanding Catholicism and Remembering the Reformation.

REMINDER: Mike Gendron will be speaking at Anchor Bible Church here in MN at the “Understand Catholicism Conference” 

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GUEST: TRAVIS ALLEN, pastor, Grace Church (Greeley, CO)

In our country today there is no shortage of violent acts that shock the senses. We did a recent program on the man who falsely believed he was a women who opened fire at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, killing two young children.

On the heels of that was a young Ukrainian immigrant minding her own business on a train in North Carolina only to have the man sitting behind, 14 times previously arrested, suddenly stand up and stab her to death. The video shakes one to the core.

And then on Wednesday of this week, Charlie Kirk, founder and president of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization on high school and college campuses, and perhaps the most influential conservative leader in the country other than President Trump, was assassinated by a sniper as he spoke at an event at Utah Valley University. Charlie Kirk was married and the father of two young children. He was just 31 years old.

Kirk was known for his sharp intellect, determination, leadership, and articulate, persuasive and bold debate style. At his events on college campuses, he would answer questions from everyone, even those vehemently opposed to his views.

Charlie Kirk was also known for being a forthright Christian who boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The killing of Kirk has been a collective gut punch to those on the right. But to some on the left, his death has been disturbingly celebrated.

This reveals not just a divide in our country but a dark and wicked deception that has hardened the hearts of too many. In a country with freedom of religion and speech in our Constitution, no one should be assassinated for viewpoints. But to the modern left, to disagree with them is to be a danger in need of silencing.

Charlie Kirk has been silenced from speaking in this life but he has no doubt inspired a generation to stand up for their Christian and conservative beliefs.

Travis Allen, pastor of Grace Church in Greeley, CO, joins us to discuss the several aspects of the murder of Charlie Kirk.

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GUEST: ROBERT KNIGHT, columnist, Washington Times

In late August, during the first week at Annunciation Catholic School here in Minneapolis, a young man who was so confused that he falsely believed he was a woman (what society incorrectly terms “transgender”), took multiple firearms to the school and started shooting. Sadly, two children were killed and 17 others injured, before the gunman killed himself.

While the media blamed “guns” for yet another school shooting, the reality is that this young man’s confusion about his gender, which was affirmed by his parents, use of marijuana, and focus on evil spirituality (in his manifesto was a drawing of the Satanic figure Baphomet).

Robert Knight, columnist for the Washington Times, joins us today to discuss his most recent article on this “trans” murder rampage and how this has become a trend.

Later in the program, Mike Gendron of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry, will join us to discuss Understanding Catholicism, Remembering the Reformation in light of a conference he will be speaking at Oct. 10-12 in Minnesota.

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• Mon, Sept 8 is the deadline to register to attend The Overcomer Foundation Cup Golf and Dinner Event at White Bear Yacht Club near St. Paul, MN. The event takes place on Mon, Sept 15. Space is still available for golfers. Non-golfers are invited to arrive between 4:30-5 to enjoy the beautiful setting, explore auction items, and attend the dinner and post-golf program from 5:30-7pm.

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GUEST: MATT MACARTHUR, eldest son of Pastor John MacArthur

There are several common terms for the ceremony that takes place after death—funeral, celebration of life, memorial service. You can tell a lot about the deceased by the manner and mood of their service. Some are focused on how accomplished and full of good works the person was. Others are about happy memories and photos. Still others are like a dirge, full of grief over the loss.

The Bible says, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep [dead], so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

To be sure, there should be grief over the loss of a loved one, for we will never see or speak to that person again in this life. Jesus Himself wept when seeing the family and friends of Lazarus lament over his death, not because they wouldn’t see him again (He was about to raise him from the grave) but because death is the ultimate enemy and reality of our sin-corrupted world.

But the passage above says believers shouldn’t “grieve as do the rest who have no hope” because of the promise that God will bring true believers into His presence in heaven to live for eternity, where there is no sin, pain, or death.

This is why for the believer the service following death should largely focus on the greatness of God and how He brings the believer into an infinitely better eternity. Instead of a memorializing or celebrating this life, it really should be a worship service of God for this life, and even more, the next.

I attended the memorial service for pastor John MacArthur this past weekend at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, MacArthur went to heaven back on July 14 at age 86 after nearly three years of health problems.

Outside my parents, MacArthur has had the most important influence on my life, through his preaching and character. So my older brother and I traveled to the church, as we have done many times over the years for the Shepherds’ Conference, an annual convergence for men in ministry. Only this time, we wouldn’t be hearing MacArthur preach. We would be hearing others praise God for the grace and gifting he showered on MacArthur’s life and the eternal reward he is now receiving.

Scripture was read by MacArthur recorded from a past sermon. John Piper offered a personal reflection. Alistair Begg prayed. Joni Eareckson Tada sang and spoke. MacArthur’s two sons, Matt and Mark, offered personal perspectives. Sinclair Ferguson preached. Christ-exalting hymns were sung by the Gettys, soloists, choir, and congregation. It was two hours and forty-five minutes of worshiping God for the good work He did in the life and ministry of John MacArthur.

MacArthur’s eldest son Matt joins us today on the program. Matt and his wife have been married for 40 years and are the parents of three adult children and grandparents of seven. He works in the investment management business and also serves as the president of Grace to You. Matt will offer unique insight into his dad and what the family was aiming to accomplish in the service.

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• Watch John MacArthur's Memorial Service
• John MacArthur biography by Iain Murray

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GUEST: JOSH BARZON, author, graphic designer, and content creator
On X: @JoshuaBarzon

The claims of Scripture are far above and beyond any other book—inspired by God, without error, unchanging, unfailing. In a word, supernatural.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:20-21: “know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Or how about Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Put together, God directed the authors what He wanted to communicate and God’s Word powerfully accomplishes God’s desires in the human heart.

Now consider that the 66 books of the Bible were authored by 40 men over a span of 1500 years in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) on three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe). The original manuscripts written by these 40 authors no longer exist but thousands of full or partial copies of the original books do exist. Nearly 25,000 copies of the New Testament alone exist. Compare that to Homer’s Iliad with only 2000 copies. The existence of so many copies of Scripture allows them to be compared to each other to authenticate accuracy. In other words, more copies results in more certainty.

The Bible has also been translated from its original languages into hundreds of languages, with dozens of translations and paraphrases in the English language alone—King James Version, Geneva Bible, New American Standard, English Standard Version, New International Version, and on and on.

Taking all this into consideration, is the Bible we have in our English language today an accurate representation of what the authors of Scripture wrote or has there been significant loss of the text during its transmission from original manuscripts? And what about the many English versions—are they fully trustworthy to be considered the Word of God?

Josh Barzon has done much research on the transmission and translations of the Bible. He was born in the Middle East and now lives in America, working as a content creator, graphic designer, and author of The Forgotten Preface: Surprising Insights on the Translation Philosophy of the King James Translators.

He joins us to discuss the supernatural Scriptures and how God has preserved His Word precisely over the centuries so that can know when you read the Word of God, you can know you are hearing from the God of the Word.

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This program previously aired 07/23/2022

GUEST: ALEX NEWMAN, Journalist and Author, Crimes of the Educators

It’s axiomatic—the one who teaches children is the one who shapes their worldview, and thus, society at large.

The Bible assigns the teaching and training of children to parents. “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

But of course, God-rejecting man has a “better” idea—remove children from the (redefined) home to be indoctrinated by government “educators” for up to 40 hours each week from age four to 18. With a government that ignores the most important truth in life—God exists and has spoken in Scripture—how do you think that will turn out for the kids?

Turns out, just as planned. John Dewey (1859-1952), considered the “Father of the Modern American Public Education System” said: “There is no God and there is no soul. Hence, there are no needs for the props of traditional religion. With dogma and creed excluded, immutable truth is also dead and buried.”

In case you’re not convinced, Dr. Chester Pierce, Professor of Education and Psychology at Harvard University, said at the Childhood International Education Seminar in 1973:

“Every child who enters school at age 5 is mentally ill because he enters school with an allegiance toward our elected officials, our founding fathers, our institutions, the preservation of this form of government we have, patriotism, nationalism, sovereignty… All this proves that the children are sick, because a truly well individual is one who has rejected all those things and is what I would call the international child of the future.”

Mission accomplished. Taxpayer-funded, federal government-mandated public education has shaped generations of the “international child” with unsuspecting parents losing almost all influence. The moral confusion that reigns in our children and nation today shouldn’t be surprising.

International journalist Alex Newman joins us for a second week on The Christian Worldview to discuss what government education has become and what Christian parents should do. Alex is the author Crimes of the Educators: How Utopians Are Using Government Schools to Destroy America’s Children, CEO of Liberty Sentinel Media and a senior editor for The New American Magazine.

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• Indoctrinating Our Children to Death
  Alex Newman documents the untold history behind government education and its founders like nobody has ever done before.
  This resource was published after this program aired in 2022.
• Education Resources in MN