Dr. John Crotts explores the incredible truth about heaven and how it impacts your life today. Drawing insights from Romans 8 and other passages, he challenges you to see heaven as a physical, joyous reality with profound implications for your hope and purpose.
The Barna study explained pastors do want to seek opportunities to have a positive influence in people’s lives and upon the culture. Constitutional expert, lawyer, author, pastor, and founder of Liberty Counsel Mat Staver highlights in 60 seconds the important topics of the day that impact life, liberty, and family. To stay informed and get involved, visit LC.org.
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Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
ROMANS 6:8
Do you realize that many, many persons now take it for granted that it is possible to live for Christ without first having died with Christ?
This is a serious error and we dare not leave it unchallenged!
The victorious Christian has known two lives. The first was his life in Adam which was motivated by the carnal mind and can never please God in any way. It can never be converted; it can only die (Rom. 8:5–8).
The second life of the Christian is his new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1–14). To live a Christian life with the life of Adam is wholly impossible. Yet multitudes take for granted that it can be done and go on year after year in defeat. Worst of all, they accept this half-dead condition as normal!
Another aspect of this attitude is the effort of many to do spiritual work without spiritual power. David Brainerd once compared a man without the power of the Spirit of God trying to do spiritual work to a workman without fingers attempting to do manual labor. The figure is striking but it does not overstate the facts.
The Holy Spirit is not a luxury meant to make deluxe Christians, as an illuminated frontispiece and a leather binding makes a deluxe book. The Spirit is an imperative necessity. Only the Eternal Spirit can do eternal deeds!
Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2015). Evenings with Tozer: Daily Devotional Readings (p. 51). Moody Publishers.
Here, my soul! take an instruction, and a blessed one it is, when applied by the Holy Ghost, suited for God’s people in all ages of the Church, and in all generations. At all seasons, it is unbecoming in a believer in Jesus to have a mind hankering after things of the world, which the carnal seek; but the evil is increased in times of general calamity. Baruch, though the Lord’s servant, yet felt too much desire of the world’s ease. My soul, learn to avoid every thing which may lead to an attachment to things below; that when called upon to leave them, their hold may be too little to be felt. And in a day like the present, doth not thy Lord speak to thee in the same language as to the prophet: “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.” If I have been with Jesus, and given in my name to him, “what have I to do any more with idols?” It is remarkable, that after the Lord Jesus had instituted his holy supper, and put the cup into his disciples’ hands, he observed, “I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom;” hereby teaching us, that in the dedication of the soul to him, an exchange is then made of earth for heaven. And as from that hour Jesus’s cup was the cup of trembling, and of wormwood and the gall, so the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. And they that are Christ’s are said to have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts.
Hawker, R. (1845). The Poor Man’s Evening Portion (A New Edition, pp. 53–54). Thomas Wardle.
Edom’s princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their way—quite unknown to them—“The Lord was there”; and in his presence lay the special security of the chosen land. Whatever may be the machinations and devices of the enemies of God’s people, there is still the same effectual barrier to thwart their design. The saints are God’s heritage, and he is in the midst of them, and will protect his own. What comfort this assurance yields us in our troubles and spiritual conflicts! We are constantly opposed, and yet perpetually preserved! How often Satan shoots his arrows against our faith, but our faith defies the power of hell’s fiery darts; they are not only turned aside, but they are quenched upon its shield, for “the Lord is there.” Our good works are the subjects of Satan’s attacks. A saint never yet had a virtue or a grace which was not the target for hellish bullets: whether it was hope bright and sparkling, or love warm and fervent, or patience all-enduring, or zeal flaming like coals of fire, the old enemy of everything that is good has tried to destroy it. The only reason why anything virtuous or lovely survives in us is this, “the Lord is there.”
If the Lord be with us through life, we need not fear for our dying confidence; for when we come to die, we shall find that “the Lord is there”; where the billows are most tempestuous, and the water is most chill, we shall feel the bottom, and know that it is good: our feet shall stand upon the Rock of Ages when time is passing away. Beloved, from the first of a Christian’s life to the last, the only reason why he does not perish is because “the Lord is there.” When the God of everlasting love shall change and leave his elect to perish, then may the Church of God be destroyed; but not till then, because it is written, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, “The Lord is there.”
Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. Passmore & Alabaster.
EXODUS 24:1–15; 18
AND he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off.
2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
Even the most favoured under the law came not very near to God. Even when he said “Come up unto Jehovah” it was added, “but they shall not come nigh.” How different the gospel, for now, in Christ Jesus, we, who sometimes were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Jesus.
3 ¶ And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. (Their tongues went faster than their lives. Man is swift at promising, but lame in performing.)
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
6, 7 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. (The blood is the main thing in all communion with God. No road is open to us but the crimson one. Where the blood of Jesus falls peace comes, but apart from that we are unclean, and, consequently, unfit for communion with God. Dear friends, has the blood of Jesus ever been sprinkled upon you? Faith, like the bunch of hyssop, applies the blood: have you that faith?)
9, 10 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. (When the blood was on them, they could come near, and enjoy quiet fellowship, even to eating and drinking. What they saw is not described to us except in one point, they saw the azure pavement beneath the sacred feet. All our conceptions fall below the glory of our God, we see only the place of his footstool.)
12 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Moses enjoyed a higher degree of communion than any other man, and went up alone into the cloud. There are elect ones out of the elect to whom it is given to lie in their Masters bosom, and to walk in the light as he is in the light. To be highly favoured in this respect is honour and joy indeed.)
14, 15 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. (This was a sweet retreat for Moses, who would now for awhile forget the burden of the people.)
18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (O sweet stretch of intercourse with heaven. Six weeks with God! What a rest! Alas, Moses needed it, for the people were rebelling down below, and making trouble for their leader’s heart.)
Through the sacrificial blood,
Shed in honour of his law,
Chosen men drew near to God,
And his gracious glory saw.
Underneath his feet serene,
Sapphires, like a pavement, lay.
Bright as heaven itself is seen.
On a clear and cloudless day.
Heaven no frowning aspect wears;
Boldly we approach the throne:
Brighter grace to us appears
Than on Sinai’s Mount was shown.
Spurgeon, C. H. (1964). The Interpreter: Spurgeon’s Devotional Bible (p. 96). Baker Book House.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4
Leviticus 6:1 — As we tour through the legal code of Israel, we are entering Contract Law. If someone makes an agreement, but then reneges on it, it is not only a sin against his fellow man, but also against the LORD (see Leviticus 6:6). Sin affects man and God.
Leviticus 7:26 — This command about not consuming blood is found in Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17, 17:10-12, 14, 19:26; Deuteronomy 12:16, 23, 25; 15:23; Ezekiel 33:25; Acts 15:20, 29, 21:25 … so, by the time Jesus says in John 6:53-56 that we are to drink His blood, the people are confused.
Mark 3:7 — Yesterday, Jesus performed a miracle in the synagogue, but today He withdraws to the lake. Notice that He has crowds from many, many miles around.
Psalm 37:4 — The Herbster Trio song “Delight Yourself in the Lord” is based on this verse.
Proverbs 10:4 — While the Bible talks much about care for the poor, it also teaches that becoming rich is a blessing for the diligent. Especially because it gives the ability to give (Ephesians 4:28).
Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.
The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down. (Psalm l46:8)
Am I bowed down? Then let me urge this word of grace before the Lord. It is His way, His custom, His promise, His delight, to raise up them that are bowed down. Is it a sense of sin and a consequent depression of spirit which distresses me? Then the work of Jesus is, in this case, made and provided to raise me up into rest. O Lord, raise me, for Thy mercy’s sake!
Is it a sad bereavement or a great fall in circumstances? Here again the Comforter has undertaken to console. What a mercy for us that one Person of the sacred Trinity should become the Comforter! This work will be well done since such a glorious One has made it His peculiar care.
Some are so bowed down that only Jesus can loose them from their infirmity, but He can, and He will, do it. He can raise us up to health, to hope, to happiness. He has often done so under former trials, and He is the same Savior and will repeat His deeds of lovingkindness. We who are today bowed down and sorrowful shalt yet be set on high, and those who now mock at us shall be greatly ashamed. What an honor to be raised up by the Lord! It is worthwhile to be bowed down that we may experience His upraising power.
What was the chief motivation for Adam and Eve’s behavior in the garden? What lies underneath and acts as the foundation for all sin? How can we apply this truth to our own lives to live differently?
To see more training videos with J. Warner Wallace, visit the YouTube playlist.
For more information about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity, please read Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. This book teaches readers ten principles of cold-case investigations and applies these strategies to investigate the claims of the gospel authors. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Cold-Case Christianity DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
The post An Important Lesson from the Garden of Eden (Video) first appeared on Cold Case Christianity.
In a world where the term “Christian” is often used loosely, many identify with it without truly understanding its depth. But Christianity is more than just a set of beliefs or moral guidelines—it’s a life-altering relationship with the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ. True Christianity calls for our whole hearts and lives, transforming everything about us.
In this video, we explore the heart of Christianity, uncovering its true meaning and what it means to follow Christ. Whether you’re curious, questioning, or seeking a deeper understanding, this is for you!
Source: Christianity 101: What Do Christians Really Believe?
In a world where “Christian” is often used loosely, many claim the name without understanding its true implications. True Christianity is far more than a cultural label or personal preference. It demands radical transformation and total allegiance to Christ. Few who profess Christ truly grasp what it means to take up their cross and follow Him—to abandon self-reliance and surrender fully to God. True Christianity is not about blending in with societal norms or cherry-picking values that feel good; it is a call to radical transformation, rooted in the Word of God.
Christianity is the most transformative faith in human history, rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. For many, “Christian” simply means they aren’t Buddhist, Muslim, or atheist. However, the difference between cultural Christianity and true Christian faith is stark. While many claim the name of Christ, their lives show little evidence of transformation or obedience to His Word. True Christianity demands more than lip service—it calls for a life wholly surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, as defined by Scripture.
It is not Roman Catholicism, which elevates tradition alongside Scripture. It is not Mormonism, which distorts the person and work of Christ. Nor is it Spiritualism, which denies the authority of God’s Word, replacing truth with subjective emotion. It is specific to what the Bible explains as a disciple of Christ. Moreover, prefix-laden terms like ‘gay Christian’ or ‘trans-Christian’ are incompatible with biblical truth. True followers of Christ submit every part of their identity to Him, abandoning all attempts to mold the gospel to fit personal desires or cultural trends.
At its core, Christianity is not merely a set of beliefs or moral guidelines but a life-altering relationship with the living God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is the story of God’s sovereign grace and redemptive plan for humanity, a story that leaves no room for self-defined spirituality or half-hearted allegiance. True Christianity demands the whole of our hearts and lives.
Christianity begins with God. The Bible opens with the declaration, “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1). This foundational truth underscores the centrality of God in all things. God’s sovereignty is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. He has complete authority over all creation, orchestrating every historical event for His purposes and glory. As Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.” Nothing happens outside His will, demonstrating His unmatched power and wisdom.
God is also infinitely holy. Isaiah 6:3 proclaims, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” His holiness sets Him apart from His creation, revealing a purity and perfection that demands reverence. This holiness underscores our need for redemption, as no one can stand before a holy God without being cleansed of sin.
Furthermore, God’s ultimate plan is to obtain glory from all His creation. Every aspect of the universe—from the smallest atom to the vast galaxies—exists to reflect His majesty. As Herman Bavinck explains in Reformed Dogmatics, “Everything exists to glorify God.” The heavens declare His glory (Psalm 19:1), and humanity is called to worship and magnify Him. Christianity, then, is the story of how God redeems fallen humanity and restores creation to fulfill this purpose.
Christianity begins and ends with God. He is the Author of creation and the finisher of redemption.
At the heart of Christianity is the acknowledgment of humanity’s greatest problem: sin. Sin is not just wrong actions but a condition of rebellion against God. As Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This truth underscores the universal nature of human sinfulness. Every thought, word, and deed of humanity is tainted by sin, leaving no one righteous (Romans 3:10). Jonathan Edwards, in Religious Affections, described sin as “a corruption that affects every part of our being, leaving us unable to reconcile ourselves to a holy God.” Sin is not just what we do; it is who we are without Christ.
This sin separates humanity from God and places us under His just judgment, making us deserving of eternal punishment. It is a dire reality affecting every aspect of human existence, from our thoughts to our actions. As R.C. Sproul famously stated in The Holiness of God, “Sin is cosmic treason against a holy God.” Yet this bleak reality sets the stage for the greatest act of love in history: God’s provision of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The good news of Christianity is that God provided the solution to humanity’s sin through Jesus Christ. Jesus, fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life, perfectly fulfilling the law of God that humanity could not. His perfect obedience demonstrated His worthiness as the spotless Lamb of God. Jesus willingly went to the cross, bearing the punishment for the sins of those who would believe in Him, taking upon Himself the wrath of God that we deserved. Through His death, He made atonement for sin, satisfying God’s justice.
Jesus’s burial signified the reality of His death, and His resurrection on the third day declared His victory over sin and death. His resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, providing believers with the assurance of eternal life and reconciliation with God. As 1 Corinthians 15:17 states, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” Through His life, death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus Christ offers forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal glory for all who place their faith in Him. Jesus Christ is not just the answer; He is the only answer to humanity’s greatest problem.
Christianity is not a solitary faith. It is lived out in the context of the Church, the body of Christ. The Church gathers regularly to glorify God through corporate worship, where the Word is preached, sacraments are observed, and prayers are lifted together. This assembly is not optional but essential for Christian growth. As Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, “Do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Beyond worship, the Church functions as a family of faith where believers support and encourage one another. The apostle Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ, where each member has a unique role, working together for the good of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The Church is not a building; it is a people called by God to proclaim His glory.
Christianity offers a glorious hope. Believers live with the assurance that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and that God will create a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). This eternal perspective shapes how Christians live today, providing strength and courage to endure trials, knowing that present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).
Heaven is not merely a place of rest but the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell with His people forever. Revelation 21:3-4 declares, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” Christianity is a faith that looks beyond the grave to the eternal glory of God.
Christianity is the good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ to redeem sinners and restore creation. It is a faith rooted in God’s grace, revealed in Scripture, and centered on Christ. As Charles Spurgeon once declared, “Christians are people who live by Christ, live in Christ, live for Christ, and live with Christ. He is their all.”
If you’re reading this and haven’t fully embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ, now is the time. Open the Bible, start with the Gospel of John, and see who Jesus is for yourself. For believers, let this be a call to action: live boldly, proclaim the gospel fearlessly, and let your life be a testament to the transforming power of Christ. Share this good news with others—it is the hope the world desperately needs.
Source: What is Christianity? A Clear Answer for a Confused World
Many people have different ideas about who goes to heaven, but the Bible offers a clear and distinct answer that contradicts popular opinion. We examine what the Bible says about sin, God’s holiness, and the necessity of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Discover why no one is “good enough” for heaven on their own merit and how faith in Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Learn how to receive God’s forgiveness, repent of sin, and begin a new life following Christ. In this video, Pastor Nelson answers your question: Who will go to heaven?
*** Source Article:
https://www.gotquestions.org/who-will-go-to-heaven.html
Hostage deal will ‘absolutely’ continue to 2nd phase, US envoy Witkoff affirms; Israel sends team to Cairo talks
After Israel had sent mixed signals regarding its intention to continue the hostage deal into its second phase, White House Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff declared Sunday that talks had already begun and affirmed that Phase 2 would begin despite the difficult negotiations.
In Jerusalem, Sec of State Rubio affirms US-Israeli ‘common strategy’ as Netanyahu threatens Hamas with ‘Gates of Hell’
Rubio calls President Trump ‘a man that speaks clearly and unambiguously’. The newly installed secretary affirmed the close partnership between the U.S. and Israel, affirming a “common strategy.”
War Expert: Risk that Europe Gets the Blame
European leaders have demanded a place at the negotiating table, but Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has said that European leaders should be “consulted” but not participate in the negotiations. The most important thing is that the US has simultaneously demanded that there should be no American troops to ensure a peace agreement, but it should be European.
Israel releases 369 terrorists with warning: “We won’t forgive, we won’t forget”
On Saturday, Israel released 369 Palestinian terrorists in exchange for three hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. 2023, 497 days ago. In the largest release to date, the prisoners were released wearing sweatshirts featuring a Star of David and the phrase “Never forgive, never forget” in Arabic.
International human rights lawyer: ‘It is absolutely legal for the US to take over Gaza’
US President Donald Trump’s plan for the US to take control of Gaza and allow its civilians to leave the area during the rebuilding process is “absolutely legal,” according to international human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky. Ostrovsky says those violating international human rights law are the ones insisting Gazan civilians must stay in Gaza.
IDF soldiers report that Hamas is planting explosives in the Gaza buffer zone
IDF soldiers stationed in the security zone around Gaza report observing Hamas infrastructure crews working in the area and planting explosives. Israeli journalist Almog Boker interviewed soldiers who said terrorists are taking advantage of their access to the zone to lay explosives intended for Israelis.
Netanyahu: ‘Trump and I know how and when the gates of hell will open’
The Prime Minister noted that in the past Israel had to put up with pressure from what he called “less friendly” administrations which pressured Israel to make dangerous concessions. “We stood up to it, and I stood up to it while cultivating the relationship with these people and with Democrats who, like us, believed that you need a strong Israel against our mutual enemies and to work for shared interests.”
Arab States to Reveal 5-Year Plan to Rebuild Gaza: No Hamas or Relocation
Arab countries will unveil their plan for the reconstruction of Gaza on February 27 in Cairo. This initiative, developed by the Palestinians and handed over to the Egyptians for implementation, will be presented to the leaders of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
List of alleged ‘collaborators’ with police spreads in Arab sector
A list of alleged “collaborators” with the Israel Police was circulated in Arab communities on Sunday, mainly in central Israel, accusing those named of aiding the police. The list was accompanied by calls to boycott them, refuse to pray or marry them — and even harm them. Some of the individuals named are innocent residents with no ties to crime or law enforcement.
FRIGHTENING: Morphine Found In Locker Of Sydney Nurse Who Said He Killed Israeli Patients
police discovered morphine in the personal locker of the Sydney nurse who claimed to have killed Israeli patients, Australian media reported. Ahmad Rashad Nadir allegedly asked a former colleague at Bankstown Hospital to empty his locker but the colleague felt uncomfortable and called the police. The police seized the morphine and it will now be part of an investigation into the hate video in which Nadir said that he killed Israeli patients.
“Let’s Do It”: Rand Paul Supports Fort Knox Physical Audit After ZeroHedge Suggestion Goes Viral
What we do know is that the last ‘audit’ of America’s gold stash was conducted on Sept. 23, 1974, when the US Treasury opened just one of its 15 vaults at Fort Knox so politicians and reporters could swarm the site for a two-hour photo-op with roughly 6% of the alleged amount held. Adding to the complete farce, none of the bars being passed around for the cameras were matched to a serial number, assayed or tested for purity, or even verified as US holdings – as foreign countries have previously stored their gold at Fort Knox as well.
Israel’s US envoy: Egypt’s Sissi is breaking peace deal, ‘playing both sides’ with Hamas
Israel’s envoy to the United States has accused Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi of violating the US-brokered peace deal between Jerusalem and Cairo, profiting from the desperation of Palestinians seeking to flee the Gaza Strip and duplicitously operating to benefit Hamas.
“Washington Recession Begins”: DC Active Home Listings Soar, Jobless Claims Spike As DOGE Drains Swamp
Bright MLS, one of the largest multiple listing services in the US, just recently cautioned real estate agents and industry professionals: A toxic mix of a “new Presidential administration and higher-than-expected mortgage rates contributed to a slow start to the 2025 housing market” across the Washington, DC, metro area, plus surrounding counties in Northern Virginia and Maryland. Now, the floodgates have opened—active listings are soaring, and jobless claims are spiking across the region, as the writing’s on the wall: an economic downturn is just ahead for the federal bureaucracy as ‘DC Swamp’ draining accelerates.
Iranian state cleric suggests Trump is the one-eyed Islamic Antichrist
A senior cleric appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader suggested in a sermon on Friday that US president Donald Trump was the one-eyed Islamic equivalent of the Antichrist prophesied to menace humanity around judgment day. “He is completely one-eyed, and this is a sign of the end times,” Seyyed Hassan Ameli told congregants in a sermon for Islamic Friday prayers according to the Tehran-based Didban News website.
Newsom Indicates He Will Veto Bill Blocking State Prisons From Working With ICE
If passed, Assembly Bill 15 (AB 15), introduced by Assembly Member Mike Gipson (D-District 65) who represents parts of south-central Los Angeles, would prevent the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) from cooperating with ICE. “The Governor has twice vetoed versions of this bill before,” Newsom’s office said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.
FBI’s latest declassified archive to unveil America’s darkest secrets: UFOs, Epstein connections and JFK’s alleged second shooter
A newly uncovered 2,400-page FBI archive may soon unveil America’s darkest secrets—ranging from the assassination of John F. Kennedy to revelations about UFOs and Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous connections. Appointed to lead this historic effort is Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. Luna, known for her hard-hitting stance on government transparency, vowed to reveal the suppressed truths behind not only the JFK assassination but also Epstein’s sex trafficking network and UFO sightings.
Europe & Zelensky Throw Tantrum After US Sidelines Them From Russia Peace Talks
Europe will not be included in peace talks for Ukraine, President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy said on Feb. 15 after sending a questionnaire to European capitals asking what they could offer in security guarantees for Kyiv.
Tenerife’s Teide Volcano Is Bubbling—Scientists Warn a Major Eruption Is Preparing
Strange tremors beneath Tenerife’s Teide volcano have scientists on edge. The ground is shifting, gases are escaping, and pressure is rising deep below the surface. Experts have been monitoring these changes for years, but something unusual is happening now.
House Republicans Drafting Impeachment Articles Against Activist Judges Blocking DOGE
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) said he is drafting articles of impeachment against Judge Paul Engelmayer of the Southern District of New York, who in a ruling last weekend temporarily restricted Musk and DOGE aides from accessing a Treasury Department payment system. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) is working on an impeachment resolution against Rhode Island District Judge John McConnell Jr. over his ruling halting the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding. “We will hold this judge and others who try to stop the will of the people and their elected leaders accountable.”
Eruption In “BleachBit,” “Wipe Hard Drive,” “Offshore Bank” Searches In DC Suggest Deep State Panic Mode
Internet search trends in the Washington, DC, metro area have been nothing short of stunning in recent weeks, reflecting what appears to be growing panic within the federal bureaucracy as President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) root out corruption in non-governmental organizations (NGO) and federal agencies. Earlier this week, internet search trends for “Criminal Defense Lawyer” and “RICO Laws” went viral on X, fueling speculation that Washington’s political elites were in panic mode. … more suspicious search trends have erupted among DC residents as DOGE efforts went into beast mode at the end of the week.
Flooding leads to levee failure in Tennessee; 8 deaths in Kentucky with high-water rescues continuing
A catastrophic and historic flooding event unfolded across portions of four states over the weekend, leading to a levee failure in Tennessee and leaving at least eight people, including a child, dead in Kentucky as a powerful storm system brought numerous threats to the eastern half of the U.S.
Extreme cold warnings issued for Minnesota
Extreme cold warnings and cold weather advisories have been issued for Minnesota from 01:00 to 11:00 local time (LT) on Monday, February 17, 2025, with wind chills expected to drop as low as -43 °C (-45 °F).
Tennessee and Kentucky experience significant flooding as winter storm sweeps across the Southeast
Tennessee and Kentucky experienced severe flooding on Saturday, February 15, 2025, as a powerful storm swept through the Southeast, delivering heavy rain and dangerous weather. The conditions triggered flash flood, tornado, and thunderstorm warnings across the region. At least one person died in Kentucky after his vehicle got stuck in floodwaters.
Thousands Of Christians Killed And Imprisoned For Their Faith In 2024, Report Reveals
In 2024, 4,476 Christians were murdered around the globe because of their beliefs. Another 4,744 were imprisoned. Over 7,670 churches and Christian properties were attacked, too. Those numbers are reported by Open Doors—a global ministry dedicated to serving persecuted believers—which has released its 2025 World Watch List. The annual report reveals the top 50 countries where Christians are most likely to face severe consequences for their faith, from the loss of homes and jobs to imprisonment and death.
Panic Is Here: Now They Are Killing Cats To Prevent The Spread Of H5N1
If we are seeing this much fear now, how bad will it be if H5N1 starts spreading from human to human on a widespread basis? Since the bird flu pandemic began in early 2022, over 148 million birds have been ordered to be euthanized in the United States alone. But killing all those birds didn’t stop the disease. Today, the bird flu pandemic is worse than ever. In recent months, H5N1 has really been spreading among our cattle herds, and the Los Angeles Times has reported on the “piles of dead cattle” in California. Needless to say, that is very bad news for our food supply. On top of everything else, now cats are being put down after getting infected. According to Reuters, two house cats in the state of Oregon Were Just Killed “After Testing Positive For Bird Flu”…
The Deagel Report Is Coming Closer to Reality as The Planned Destruction of The United States Is Right On Schedule
The CIA Front Group, Deagel, Projects Massive Death and Destruction to the U.S. and the UK. Most researchers know what the Deagel Report is. However, many do not know that it has been scrubbed from the internet. Fortunately, I correctly anticipated that this might happen as more of us discovered the report. I rarely offer projected dates when I connect the dots in order to predict futuristic events. However, I believe we are going to see a series of multiple attacks upon the United States, with each attack becoming more serious.
Depopulation by Inoculation
“It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Shot in the Arm or in the Head; Either Way, You’re Dead.” The following is a patent that is publicly available. In other words, the globalists are hiding in plain sight that they are deliberately attacking tens of millions of Americans through a program that could best be described as “depopulation by inoculation.”
UK government is regulating farmers off their land and will destroy centuries-old farming traditions
The UK government’s new policies, particularly the removal of the Agricultural Inheritance Tax exception, will lead to the demise of traditional family farms and the transfer of land ownership to large corporations, oligarchs, or the state.
I Just Had One of The Most Alarming Dreams of My Entire Life
In the dream, I heard a voice say that if Trump follows his usual pattern of making outrageous statements and threats with the Russians, it will backfire severely. This was said with a lot of force. That made sense to me because I have been warning my readers that it will take a great deal of diplomatic finesse to reach a peace agreement with the Russians.
Amir Avivi to Newsmax: IDF Working Toward Eradicating Hamas
Israel’s Netanyahu signals he’s moving ahead with Trump’s plan to move Palestinians from Gaza
Netanyahu to US Jewish leaders: Trump’s plan for Gaza is ‘the only plan I think can work’
Senior security official to media: Netanyahu working to prevent deal’s second phase
Trump envoy says there will ‘absolutely’ be stage 2 of ceasefire, as talks continue
Israel in ‘full cooperation’ with Trump, say Netanyahu, Rubio
Witkoff on hostages: ‘I promise we are not leaving anybody behind’
Hosting Rubio, Netanyahu says ‘gates of hell will surely open’ if all hostages not freed
Trump: I told Netanyahu to ‘do whatever you want’ on hostage release-ceasefire deal
500 days since Oct. 7: Hostages’ families call for nationwide fast, rallies
IDF completes all October 7 probes, will start presenting them next week
Some Israeli soldiers traveling abroad face action for alleged war crimes in Gaza
Florida university suspends fraternity for alleged antisemitic hazing ritual
US shipment of 2,000-lb bombs held up by Biden administration arrives in Israel
IDF strikes Hezbollah sites deep in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley as fragile truce holds
Lebanese Army Clashes With Hezbollah Supporters Over Blocked Iranian Flight
US Says Airstrike in Syria Kills Al Qaeda Affiliate Leader
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels breach second major city in Congo’s mineral-rich east
Zelensky: Will Never Accept A Deal Between US And Russia About Ukraine
Zelensky warns Ukraine won’t accept decisions made without them in peace talks
Ukraine not attending US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, government source tells BBC
European leaders to hold emergency summit on Ukraine as Trump peace push leaves them isolated
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer willing to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after war
Zelensky: ‘We Believe that Putin Will Wage War Against NATO’
Raskin: Trump’s ‘Attack’ on the Department of Justice ‘Could Be Impeachable’
House Republicans Drafting Impeachment Articles Against Activist Judges Blocking DOGE
US Gold Reserves From Fort Knox Stolen? Claims Surface Amid Potential DOGE Audit
Washington Post backs out of ‘Fire Elon Musk’ ad order
Associated Press Refuses to Use ‘Gulf of America’ Despite Updating Other Geographical, Ethnic Terms
“Hundreds of Thousands Will Die”: Scientists Warn of a Mega-Earthquake Threatening Europe
5.4 magnitude earthquake hits near San Juan, Peru
5.2 magnitude earthquake hits east of the Kuril Islands
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Shahrak-e Kuluri, Iran
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Neiafu, Tonga
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits southeast of the Loyalty Islands
Strong 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake In Delhi-NCR Sparks Meme Fest
Ruiz volcano in Colombia erupts to 20,000ft
Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 15,000ft
Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 15,000ft
Semeru volcano in Indonesia erupts to 15,000ft
Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala erupts to 14,000ft
Dukono volcano in Indonesia erupts to 12,000ft
At least 4 tornadoes hit Alabama overnight; storm surveys ongoing
At Least 9 Killed In Kentucky And Georgia As Floods, Severe Weather Slam South
Cold peace? Rare weather forecast for Israeli snow
Cold snap could see snowfall in Jerusalem this weekend, meteorological service says
Brazen Canadian ‘coyotes’ smuggling migrants across the northern border – even advertising on TikTok
Republican ‘Family Values’ Trolled Online Amid New Baby Musk Claims
Transgender Activists Angered After Stonewall National Monument Drops ‘T’ from LGBT
World’s ‘first openly gay imam’ shot dead in South Africa
Gay Muslim Leader Killed in Suspected Terror Attack in South Africa
‘It won’t end like Jurassic Park!’ The man who wants to bring the mammoth and dodo back to life
Suspected Ebola exposure at NYC urgent care as hazmat crews on scene
Ebola ruled out in NYC urgent care hazmat scare – may be norovirus instead
Measles Outbreak Rages in Texas with 48 Cases Identified
CDC ‘disease detectors’ among hundreds fired as Trump administration ramps up agency cuts
Company says it received conditional approval for bird flu vaccine from US Department of Agriculture
“From The Patriot Post (patriotpost.us)”.
“Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” —James Madison (1787)
Douglas Andrews, Thomas Gallatin, & Jordan Candler
For the Executive Summary archive, click here.
Follow Thomas Gallatin and Jordan Candler on X/Twitter.
Nate Jackson
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Europe recently, and on Friday, he addressed the Munich Security Conference regarding “our shared values,” a key one of which is free speech.
Anyone who’s paid attention to European politics in recent years knows that free speech is, at best, in decline. In the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and elsewhere, people can be arrested for speaking their minds if their opinions are what British author George Orwell once dubbed “thoughtcrime.”
“What I worry about,” Vance told his audience, “is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.” He spoke of having won the Cold War and the values that made the victory possible before lamenting that the Europeans have so thoroughly abandoned some of those values.
Unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, it’s sometimes not so clear what happened to some of the Cold War’s winners. I look to Brussels, where EU commissars warn citizens that they intend to shut down social media during times of civil unrest the moment they spot what they’ve judged to be, quote, “hateful content.” …
I look to Sweden, where two weeks ago the government convicted a Christian activist for participating in Koran burnings that resulted in his friend’s murder. As the judge in his case chillingly noted, Sweden’s laws to supposedly protect free expression do not, in fact, grant, and I’m quoting, “a free pass to do or say anything without risking offending the group that holds that belief.”
And perhaps most concerningly, I look to our very dear friends in the United Kingdom, where the backslide away from conscience rights has placed the basic liberties of religious Britons in particular in the crosshairs. A little over two years ago, the British government charged Adam Smith-Connor, a 51-year-old physiotherapist and an army veteran, with the heinous crime of standing 50 meters from an abortion clinic and silently praying for three minutes. …
This last October, just a few months ago, the Scottish government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called safe access zones, warning them that even private prayer within their own homes may amount to breaking the law. Naturally, the government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thoughtcrime. In Britain and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.
(Note: The author of the Scottish law called Vance’s characterization “nonsense and dangerous scaremongering.” Is it?)
Vance admitted that the U.S. has been little better in recent years, though he vowed that will change.
He concluded with an incredibly fundamental point about free societies: “What no democracy, American, German, or European, will survive is telling millions of voters that their thoughts and concerns, their aspirations, their pleas for relief are invalid or unworthy of even being considered. Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters.”
Germany is once again headed down the well-worn road of crushing political dissent with the power of the state. Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party — the left-wing National Socialist Workers Party — effectively banned all political opposition, silencing critics and functioning as the only party in the country for nearly 15 years. We all know how well that worked out.
Or do we? So-called mainstream German politicians are currently considering whether to ban the Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, which stands accused of being “far-right” and “anti-immigrant.” The merits (or lack thereof) of the AfD are not my point here, though the historically illiterate and deliberately deceitful left-wingers falsely characterize the Nazis as “far-right,” too, so there’s that.
In fact, that brings me back to America, where CBS anchor Margaret Brennan offered the ignorant and utterly reprehensible premise that free speech was at the root of the Holocaust.
While interviewing Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had traveled to Germany along with Vance for the conference, Brennan challenged him to explain Vance’s unvarnished championing of free speech, which was “irritating our allies.” Rubio replied by asking, “Why would our allies or anybody be irritated by free speech and by someone giving their opinion? We are, after all, democracies.”
He added some of the same thoughts Vance had communicated, but Brennan was unconvinced. “Well,” she huffed, “he was standing in a country where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide, and he met with the head of a political party that has far-right views and some historic ties to extreme groups.”
Rubio could hardly believe his ears. He politely but firmly rebuked Brennan, saying:
Free speech was not used to conduct a genocide. The genocide was conducted by an authoritarian Nazi regime that happened to also be genocidal because they hated Jews. … There was no free speech in Nazi Germany. There was none. There was also no opposition in Nazi Germany. They were the sole and only party that governed that country. So that’s not an accurate reflection of history.
Before Rubio could go much further in his accurate history lesson, Brennan suddenly ran out of time — the old media standby for what you do when your argument is getting obliterated.
Nevertheless, thanks to partisanship and our failed education system, millions of Americans either believe or roughly agree with Brennan’s misinformation. The solution to that, of course, is not to silence her but to correct her — exactly as Rubio did. And precisely as Vance told our European “friends” they should be doing.
Free speech isn’t easy, and, unfortunately, the truth does not always prevail. But the truth never prevails when free expression is squelched.
Follow Nate Jackson on X/Twitter.
For more of today’s columns, visit Right Opinion.
Dezinformatsiya
“[JD Vance] was standing in a country [Germany] where free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.” —CBS News’s Margaret Brennan
The BIG Lie
“Studies have consistently shown that immigrants commit less crimes, that sanctuary jurisdictions have seen no increase or lower crime rates. Now, unfortunately, the Trump administration has spread lies about the suggestion that our cities are harboring criminals.” —San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu
Fact-Check: False
“This Isn’t the Donald Trump America Elected.” —former Obama deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes
Village Idiot
“What does that mean when an unelected billionaire can waltz into our agencies and slash and burn the whole thing to the ground like a Taliban terrorist?” —Congressman Hank Johnson
Non Compos Mentis
“Our rules specify that when we have a nonbinary candidate or officer, the nonbinary individual is counted as neither male nor female, and the remaining six offices must be gender balanced.” —former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison
Friendly Fire
“I’ve been shocked by how undemocratic the Democratic Party can be.” —comedian Jon Stewart
Hot Air
“Climate change is turning Valentine’s Day bitter for chocolate lovers.” —NBC News headline
“Why Climate Change Sometimes Brings Major Winter Storms.” —TIME headline
For the Record
“‘Without evidence’ has become a favorite rhetorical jab from the Leftmedia for almost everything Donald Trump says. With that haughty insult, however, Leftmedia reporters are often simply confessing that they haven’t bothered to find any evidence for what Trump says.” —Nate Jackson
“Joe Biden not only defied the Supreme Court on student loans, he also defied the court on his COVID eviction ban. Somehow, the left never saw either one of those abuses as a ‘constitutional crisis.’” —Gary Bauer
“The fact the Left is so apoplectic over an audit should raise more concerns than the actual audit itself.” —Brian Mark Weber
“It is hilarious to hear leftists now referring to members of the Trump administration as unelected bureaucrats. It was their unelected bureaucrats who were running this country while a mentally incapacitated drooling idiot sat in the Oval Office.” —Allen West
“The courts may oppose certain moves by Trump and DOGE, but these are decisions of process, not policy. Eventually the president will be able to pare government spending, which is what the Democrats are really upset about — not the invented ‘constitutional crisis.’” —constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
“Where were the sanctimonious DOJ resignations when the Biden DOJ sicced the FBI on parents at school board meetings? Or when Biden pardoned his entire family?” —Senator Tom Cotton
Upright
“The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within. The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values — values shared with the United States of America.” —JD Vance
And Last…
“If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg’s scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.” —JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference
For more of today’s memes, visit the Memesters Union.
For more of today’s cartoons, visit the Cartoons archive.
“From The Patriot Post (patriotpost.us)”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree Hamas must be destroyed, and that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons; Hamas releases three more hostages, and Netanyahu again says the ‘gates of hell will be opened,’ if all the hostages aren’t released; Chris Mitchell talks about how all of the hostages can be released, and Hamas also be destroyed; will Israel try to get Arab countries to support Trump’s Gaza plan; how many more hostages will be released in Phase One of the ceasefire deal, and what Phase Two will be like, and Israel’s response to calls for a Palestinian state; a look at President Trump’s plan for an Iron Dome for America; dangerous storms and flooding strike several states; how a youth minister turned his life-long love of snowboarding into a global movement to share the Gospel; and more than 8,000 students attend a Unite US worship service at the University of Kentucky, more than 2,000 responding to the Gospel message.
Want more news from a Christian Perspective? Choose to support CBN: https://go.cbn.com/ugWBn
CBN News. Because Truth Matters™
Source: Rubio, Netanyahu: Hamas Must be Destroyed | CBN NewsWatch – February 17, 2025
•
NEWS: Marco Rubio meets with Netanyahu to discuss Hamas, hostages, and Gaza
•
FOCUS STORY: Jennie Allen witnesses what she calls a real-life miracle at the University of Kentucky
•
MAIN THING: The faith of America’s most notable presidents and how Trump’s assassination attempt changed his view on faith
•
LAST THING: Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
SHOW LINKS
• JESUS AND THE PROPHECIES OF CHRISTMAS : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jesus-and-the-prophecies-of-christmas/id1783607035
• NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454
• DC DEBRIEF POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/d-c-debrief/id1691121630
• CBN News YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CBNnewsonline
• CBN News https://www2.cbn.com/news
• Faithwire https://www.faithwire.com
Source: How Trump’s Faith Changed, Marco Rubio in Israel, Jennie Allen’s Miracle, Psalm 51:10
Many folks would know that back in 1973 in Stockholm, Sweden a bank robber took four people hostage. After six days in captivity, they ended up supporting their captor. This psychological condition is now sadly found in much of the Christian church – at least in the West.
Plenty of good books have been written over recent years looking at the cultural captivity of the churches, evangelicalism’s decline, and the rise of religious lefties embracing radical woke policies, pushing identity politics, running with faulty social justice narratives, and so on.
Several years ago I offered a list of 20 such books that we need to be aware of: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2021/09/24/20-top-books-examining-progressive-christianity-and-the-social-justice-movement/
And I wrote three pieces on the recent volume by Megan Basham, Shepherds for Sale:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/08/16/a-review-of-shepherds-for-sale-by-megan-basham/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/08/17/more-on-shepherds-for-sale/
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/08/18/big-eva-just-wants-to-be-loved/
Keep her in prayer as she recently revealed she is now dealing with cancer: https://charismanews.com/news/pray-conservative-journalist-megan-basham-reveals-heartbreaking-diagnosis/
One brand-new book that looks further at these matters is Stockholm Syndrome Christianity by John West (Discovery Institute Press, 2025). In it he reminds us that it is not just external threats that we must watch out for, but internal ones. The opening words of the book tell us what it is about:
Those of us who are Christians often regard atheists, agnostics, and secularists as the prime movers of America’s cultural collapse. Without question, they have helped spur our country’s descent into chaos, anger, loneliness, and despair. But we need to face an uncomfortable truth: Christians who aid, abet, and even encourage the rejection of historic Christian teachings are also playing a key role in our disintegration. (p. 13)
The book’s twelve chapters are divided into three main sections: Symptoms, Causes and Cures. In some ways the first section may have been the easiest to write – or at least do research for. Any discerning Christian with eyes wide open can see the many symptoms of a church that seems more intent on cozying up with the world than maintaining a distinct countercultural witness.
Many church leaders and pastors have found that running with the world’s agenda is simply easier and less costly. Instead of going against the secular stream, it is less taxing to simply flow with it. And the examples of this are legion. Chapter 3 on “Sexual Suicide” provides some obvious illustrations of this.
Whether embracing things like homosexual marriage or playing down the high and holy standards God has set for human sexuality, we see far too many Christians, pastors, churches and entire denominations succumbing to the values of the world on these issues.
West looks at the all-too-familiar stories of evangelicals going soft on sexual purity and churches embracing the latest worldly and immoral trends. The number of evangelical leaders who have embraced so much of the homosexual agenda is quite alarming indeed.
So too sexual activity in general. Just one stat: “According to a nationwide survey in 2019, half of all self-identified Christians now agree that ‘casual sex between consenting adults who are not in a committed relationship’ is sometimes or always acceptable. Even 36 percent of evangelical Christians say the same thing.” (p. 81)
After analysing some of the data on this, he says something quite important:
[I]t’s not primarily that sexual activity outside of marriage causes Christians to fall away from historic beliefs and active engagement with their churches. It’s that once they give up historic beliefs and active engagement, they are much more likely to act accordingly. In sum, the more intentional Christian communities are about discipling people through example, practice, and teaching, the more likely their members will live according to biblical standards in the area of sex as well as elsewhere. (p. 110)
Chapter 4 looks at the issue of racism and how so many church leaders and pastors jumped on board the social justice bandwagon. They bought hook, line and sinker the claims that effectively all whites are racists and all non-whites are victims. Never mind the role that white Christians played in working to eliminate slavery and join in various civil rights movements.
Some denominations basically abandoned the biblical gospel and replaced it with Marxist liberation theology. West documents cases of this, but also examines genuine Christian culpability in past racism. And he notes how so many religious leaders embraced Darwinian evolution which was clearly no friend of certain ‘less-favoured’ races. He writes:
Darwinism’s key contribution to racism was offering a seemingly plausible scientific rationale for racial inferiority. According to Darwin and his supporters, we should expect races to have unequal capacities because natural selection acting on different populations will evolve different traits for those populations based on their survival needs.
Darwin’s view unquestionably helped solidify and spread scientific racism in America and around the world. As evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould observed, “Biological arguments for racism may have been common before 1859 [when Darwin published his book On the Origin of the Species], but they increased by orders of magnitude following the acceptance of evolutionary theory.” (pp. 118-119)
But West actually penned an entire book on this matter back in 2007: Darwin Day in America. See my review of it here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2008/01/30/a-review-of-darwin-day-in-america-by-john-west/
Chapter 5 looks at the thorny issue of when believers must disobey government in order to serve God. Increasingly the secular state is persecuting Christians and Christian institutions for simply living out their faith in public. But the worry is, too many Christian leaders have gone along with all of this.
He looks at a number of quite concerning examples of this. For example, the pro-homosexual “Respect for Marriage Act” would not have been passed by Congress were it not for all the evangelical groups actually supporting it! These include the national Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today.
And the Covid wars certainly highlighted which side various churches were on. Says West:
[I]t was disturbing to see so many church leaders stand by silently in certain states when big box stores and casinos were allowed to operate more freely than houses of worship. Whatever you think of the long-term shutdown of in-person worship, if it was so critical for churches, it ought to have been equally critical for everyone else. The double standard should have at least provoked Christian leaders to raise some tough questions. Many of them didn’t, including many self-identified Christians in government. (p. 161)
The second main section of the book looks at various causes of this, including Christians giving more heed to things like the secular media, celebrities, and even sports stars than the Word of God. And then there is the problem of too many evangelical leaders wanting to be liked – by all the wrong people. Too many want the praises of the secular media and so on, and are willing to compromise and accommodate to get that praise.
We all want to be loved and accepted, but as West – and the Bible – remind us, getting the approval of the world usually means becoming an enemy of God. Our aim should be to please Him, and not get favourably quoted in the New York Times or the Guardian.
Some years ago I quoted from Mark Galli, the former editor of Christianity Today on this. I was pleased to see that West also ran with his wise words:
Elite evangelicalism … is too often “a form of cultural accommodation dressed as convictional religion.” These evangelicals want to appear respectable to the elite of American culture. . . I don’t know that evangelicals have been sufficiently self-reflective to admit their basic and personal insecurities. It’s just no fun being an outsider to mainstream culture. We all just want to be loved, and if not loved, at least liked and respected. Elite evangelicals are not just savvy evangelists but also a people striving for acceptance. (p. 221)
Francis Collins is a clear case in point about this sort of thing. West notes that when Collins first rose to fame in the scientific community, many were concerned about his Christianity. But they soon enough realised it would not be a threat at all. As West explains:
For more than twelve years, Collins served the secularists’ agenda at NIH [the National Institutes of Health] by providing cover for them to do what they wanted to do anyway. As documented earlier in this book, he championed embryonic stem cell research, the harvesting of baby parts from late term abortions for scientific research, the marginalization of Christian scientists who are sceptical of unguided Darwinian evolution, the embracing of the LGBTQIA+ movement, and most recently, the demonization in persecution of Christians who had conscience issues with the COVID vaccines. The sad reality is that it’s precisely because of Collin’s abandonment of biblical truth in these areas that he rose to the top of the NIH and then became acting science advisor in the Biden White House. Had Collins not become a Stockholm Syndrome Christian, he wouldn’t have been tolerated. (p. 222)
The final section of the book looks at what can be done. This includes recognising that we must beware of certain things, such as a Hollywood view of evil, syncretism, the misuse of language, the misuse of relationships, the misuse of guilt, and the muzzling of speech.
He offers practical steps that parents, teachers and pastors can take to ensure that we are protecting those we are called to serve and nurture. He reminds us that while there are too many laid back believers who do not seem to care about what is happening to the church and the world, there are other Christians who wrongly carry the weight of all this on their shoulders.
That too is wrong. We need to realise that God is sovereign, and he is still in charge. We can only seek to be faithful, and not successful. We must energetically work and pray, but we must leave the results to God. The closing words of the book are worth sharing here:
Make no mistake: God is at work in this world, and his outpost STS are far and wide. Just because the search algorithms of Google or the reporters of the New York Times or the anchors of CNN don’t want you to know what God is doing, doesn’t mean he isn’t doing it. Just because they don’t want you to know about the pockets of his Kingdom throughout our land doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
So take heart! Whatever happens to our culture, whatever happens to churches and institutions that abandoned the gospel, the kingdom of God is moving forward. It’s moving forward around the world. It’s moving forward right where you are. And you and I have the privilege of being part of that advancing kingdom. (p. 289)
[1773 words]
The post Stockholm Syndrome Christianity appeared first on CultureWatch.
I have the privilege of spending much of my life with young church leaders. As a seminary dean and missionary trainer, I hang out with people younger than I am. I’m the teacher, but I learn from the young generation as much as—if not more than—I teach them. Sometimes they teach me something new, as with technology and social media. In other cases, they simply remind me of something I’ve forgotten or have taken for granted. Here are some of those general reminders that I, and perhaps other older leaders, need to hear from young church leaders.
What other insights have you gained from young church leaders? What else do we need to hear?
Source: 11 Thoughts from Young Church Leaders We Need to Hear
MinistryWatch provides rankings that offer a valuable resource for those seeking to support faith-based organizations that embody Christ’s love and mission.
MinistryWatch, a trusted resource for evaluating the effectiveness and transparency of Christian organizations, has once again released its list of top ministries. These organizations have demonstrated exceptional impact, accountability, and stewardship of resources, earning recognition for their commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving communities around the world.
As ministries continue to navigate changing cultural landscapes and global challenges, the work highlighted by MinistryWatch showcases innovative solutions and unwavering faith in action.
MinistryWatch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability within the Christian community. By providing detailed financial reports, donor insights, and evaluations of ministry effectiveness, the platform helps believers make informed decisions about where to invest their time, resources, and prayers.
The organization’s rankings are based on various criteria, including financial efficiency, transparency, and impact. These evaluations aim to ensure that ministries remain faithful to their mission and responsibly manage donor contributions.
Here are some of the top ministries recognized by Ministry Watch for their outstanding work and dedication:
Compassion International continues to lead in child development and poverty alleviation efforts. With a mission to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name, the organization provides education, healthcare, and spiritual guidance to millions of children worldwide. Ministry Watch praised Compassion International for its financial transparency and life-changing programs.
RELATED: Compassion International is Tackling Global Poverty
Led by Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse is renowned for its disaster relief efforts and global outreach initiatives. From providing medical care in war-torn regions to distributing relief supplies during natural disasters, the ministry exemplifies what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Focused on discipleship and spiritual growth, The Navigators have impacted countless lives through Bible studies, mentorship, and outreach efforts. Ministry Watch highlighted the organization’s emphasis on personal transformation and its commitment to helping believers grow deeper in their relationship with God.
As one of the largest Christian humanitarian organizations, World Vision addresses issues such as hunger, clean water access, and child protection. Ministry Watch commended World Vision for its global reach and dedication to holistic community development.
Founded by the late Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship continues to bring hope and restoration to incarcerated individuals and their families. The ministry’s programs promote redemption, reconciliation, and reintegration into society, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.
MinistryWatch’s latest report reveals several key trends shaping the future of faith-based outreach:
MinistryWatch’s mission is to equip donors with the information they need to support ministries that align with their values and priorities. By evaluating organizations based on objective criteria, the platform empowers believers to make informed decisions.
The MinistryWatch website features detailed profiles of hundreds of ministries, offering insights into financial health, leadership structure, and program effectiveness. Donors can also access articles, podcasts, and reports that provide valuable perspectives on the state of Christian outreach.
As ministries continue to adapt and respond to global challenges, the need for prayerful and strategic support is more important than ever. MinistryWatch encourages believers to not only give financially but also pray for the leaders and teams working tirelessly to advance the Kingdom of God.
Whether it’s through supporting child sponsorship programs, disaster relief efforts, or discipleship initiatives, every contribution makes a difference. By partnering with ministries that prioritize transparency and impact, believers can play a vital role in fulfilling the Great Commission.
MinistryWatch’s rankings offer a valuable resource for those seeking to support faith-based organizations that embody Christ’s love and mission. As these top ministries continue to make a lasting impact, their stories serve as a testament to the power of faith, dedication, and responsible stewardship.
For those looking to make a difference, MinistryWatch provides a guiding light—helping donors invest wisely in ministries that are changing lives for God’s glory.
Source: Top Ministries Ranked by MinistryWatch: Who’s Making an Impact?
Presidents’ Day celebrates great leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But where will we find the Washingtons and Lincolns of today? Discover the world-changing importance of Christian statesmen, and Dr. Pacienza shares what he was thinking as he sat at the National Prayer Service in Washington after the inauguration of President Trump — on this week’s “Truths That Transform.” #Willi
Truth2Freedom's Blog 