Is the most popular horror movie series in the world Christian or demonic? Christian news outlets are torn on the issue, and it is an critical question with many implications. A priest blessed the movie set of “The Nun” so there can’t be any demonic element to this horror flick. The argument bases the existence of good upon the existence of evil, and the existence of God upon the existence of the devil. But what is more fundamental — the fear of evil or the fear of God? What is the director/writer establishing in the story itself — the sovereignty of evil or the sovereignty of God? Are “Christians” capitulating to a manipulation of the devil in the Conjuring series? This is dangerous stuff. When severely compromised Christians who do not have a strong Christian worldview get involved in art, culture, and politic, they give way to the wrong worldview. . . and terrible things happen.

Here is the thrilling story of how God miraculously protected a young Christian man in Egypt through torture and crucifixion. Majed El Shafie tells the story of how he escaped Egypt on a jet ski after suffering persecution for his faith at the hands of the Egyptian police. His organization One Free World International recently rescued hundreds of girls (as young as nine years old) held as sex slaves by ISIS. It is the story of faith and courage in the face of sheer evil and fearful circumstances. It is a story that American Christians need to hear as they face their own persecutions.

Over the last ten years, the number of states that have banned spanking have more than tripled.  Some 60 nations have banned this biblical form of child discipline.  But why?  The psychologists have performed the studies, but the desired outputs in the studies do not correspond with a biblical definition of a good.  Biblical character definitions are far different than that definition used by humanists and permissive nanny statists. We will watch the character of nations unravel, but how do Christians proceed?  Should Christians stay out of nations that ban parenting and discipline?

We were a little excited when we discovered that 22 pastors were arrested in Portland, Oregon.  But, then we come to find out that they were arrested for all the wrong reasons. They weren’t calling sinners to repentance and announcing the promises of the Gospel. The social justice kick is getting more airplay in evangelical and reformed churches.  We do a quick review of The Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel, and Kevin Swanson explains why he signed it. 

Increasing numbers of “Red Letter” Christians are not liking anything but what Jesus said in the Bible.  But, do they really like what Jesus said?  These “Red Letter Christians” are wandering on to Christian campuses like Liberty University.  Students may attempt to subvert the Christian campuses by infiltrating organizations and the campus newspaper.  We take up the question of freedom of the press on college campuses.  Are newspapers neutral.  . . ever?   Conclusion: what we need on these campuses are revivals, not more left wing revolutions.

World Magazine presents three environments in which Christian leaders are more vulnerable to moral failure: Independent pastors, Mega-Church pastors, and conference speakers. Kevin Swanson recommends presbyteries and spiritual accountability as critical for all Christian leaders and conference speakers. He also recommends infamy over fame, for those who will by martyred for Christ.

Colleges turned sour in 1698, when Increase Mather failed to fight off the latitudinarians at Harvard College.  It’s been a long and hard road of declination. The progressivism is ten times worse than it was 20 years ago, and 1,000 times worse than it was in 1698.  So, what do Christians do now?  We present another creative solution for college on this edition of the program. Dr. Aaron Hebbard, who has worked in higher education for 15 years, presents the problem and the solutions on this edition of the program.

A new “scientific study” correlates creationist views and believe in conspiracy theories.  But, we’re a little skeptical about these scientific studies, and we’re not the only ones.  Skepticism concerning experts and institutions has gone mainstream now.  We take a look at “Flat Earth Theories” and other conspiracies.   The major trap to avoid is the fear of man. . . always a snare.  The same fear of man that trips up brilliant scientists in their arrogance will trip up those who conspiracists who are more fearing man than God. 

Good news!  The illegitimacy rate has dropped from 41% to 40% in America, and more millennials are staying “virgins.”  Wait a minute, though.   Abortifacient use is way up and men are only interested in the ultimate depersonalized sexuality.  The one ethic that is taught with nauseating consistency is “Your career is more important than bearing children.” But, what are the biblical principles/wisdom relating to getting married?  God’s Word tells young people to GET MARRIED!  Very few people have the gift of singleness, really. 

We look at the greatest social shifts of the last 40 years.  The cohabitation rate is through the ceiling.  The male-to-female ratio has dropped like a rock.  But, the greatest social shift is the academic decline in reading among high schoolers - a 75% decline in 25 years!   Only 2% of Sophomores are reading, and 16% of seniors would read a book. Readers are leaders.  And, Christians must be readers.   Our Christian children must not get stuck in mass-diversion, minimal attention span culture.  The flashing screens, the texting, the 14 second attention span isn’t going to work, especially if you are going to study God’s work and take it into your heart and mind.