Are your Children Influenced by the World or by Christ? | True Worldview Ep. 69

We’re Shaped by What We Hear

We’re shaped by what we hear -- by the things with which we fill our minds. People in the communication business know that very well. Their goal is to influence thinking and thereby behavior. We see it in advertising. Why is it that certain brands become popular and others do not? The answer is market saturation. 

Think about those with political or moral agendas. There’s no doubt that Americans in general think very differently about homosexuality than they did twenty years ago. The more one sees famous people embracing same-sex attraction or bi-sexuality; the more television shows that have homosexual characters; or the more same-sex love scenes one views whether graphic or not; the more desensitized we become and the more homosexuality is embraced as a normal orientation for some. 

We’re all more or less influenced depending how much we take in vs. how much we counteract such messaging by filling our minds with godly things. It’s inevitable.

Think About your Children

Think about your children. They are not isolated from the world’s propaganda. You’d be surprised how much they see, hear, and even talk about, depending upon their age, of course.  Yet, if your kids have friends, or go to school, or are involved in some kind of extracurricular activity, they’ve already been exposed to more than you can imagine, even if they’re only eight or nine years old. 

Their schoolmate shows them their dad’s magazine; their friend’s older brother smokes marijuana; the neighbor likes to talk about sexual things; they’ve heard about the latest Youtube video; and they’ve inadvertently come across objectionable material on the internet. If they’re just a little older, they or their friends are into Instagram, Snapchat, TicToc, and a host of other social media platforms of which parents are unaware. 

Don’t Assume your Kids are the Exception

You can’t assume your children are the exceptions when it comes to the world’s messaging. They might be great kids! They might be born again. But they’re exposed whether through radio, Spotify, teachers, coaches, or even kids at church. 

To assume such is to underestimate the reach and influence of the world, something God warns us about. It fails to take into account the reality of Satan and his sole mission: to seek those whom he may devour. And frankly, it’s to discount the flesh -- the fact that your children are sinners. They’re either dead in sin, or they must battle their flesh even as born-again believers. 

You don’t need to think less of them when you come to grips with the struggles they have. Every single one of us struggles with sin, including mature Christians. We might have learned to fight better, and we might have defeated certain temptations, but the flesh still wars against the Spirit. And there’s no way your kids have the experience or the tools that you have to fight that at this point in their lives.

What Can We Do?

Now, you can make sure they’re never exposed to objectionable things or people. You can keep them from the outside world. Or, you can cast off all restraint, and let them do whatever they want. After all, they’re responsible for the choices they make, right? But you know neither of those options is any option at all. 

You can do what most parents do. You can send your kids to church, say a little prayer at meal-time, and hope it all works out. But to do that is really only slightly better than throwing off all restraint. You’d be essentially burying your head in the sand. None of these options are viable. What can you do then?

God’s Answer: Fill their Minds with Truth

God’s answer is filling their minds with truth, constantly and regularly. It’s putting more of Him into them than the world puts into them. Our minds have to be renewed day by day by day by day. That’s why Paul says so more than once for example. “Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph. 4:23). You are to be “renewed in knowledge according” to the image of God (Col. 3:10). 

We’re told over and over again that it’s the word that God uses to save and sanctify (Rom. 1:16; 1 Thes. 2:13; Jas. 1:18; Jn. 17:17). We hide God’s word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him (Ps. 119:11). It’s the word of God that keeps us from stumbling (Ps. 119:165). I could go on. 

Perhaps the most comprehensive text with particular reference to children is in Deut. 6: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 

That’s what you can do. You can fill your children’s minds with truth when you’re at home, when you’re on the way to school, before you go to bed, when you get up, when you’re at the table, when things come up, in the midst of difficulty, on special occasions, and so much more. 

Fill their minds with God’s word and their minds will be renewed, that is, they’ll be made like new, and the things of the world will have little influence.

Love Yourself or Die to Self? Biblical View of Self-Worth and Self-Care

You’re Enough?

The concept of self-care seems normal, wise, and even biblically prescribed. We’re to exercise, eat right, be good stewards of our bodies -- after all, they’re temples of the Holy Spirit. Yet, our culture uses the term in a slightly different way. Though they’ll include things like exercise and eating right, self-care actually refers to doing something just for you. It’s the notion that you’re worth it; you’re enough; you’ve got it going on, and you should think so to the max. Take that “me time,” after all, you deserve it. And, if you don’t have that bubble bath just for you, then you sure can’t be expected to do whatever else you need to do.

Self-Focus?

The world puts a premium on self-focus. We can’t escape cultural virtues like self-esteem, self-promotion, self-worth, or self-assertiveness. But God’s word says something very different. A focus on self is actually sinful. We’re to die to self and focus on God and others. To the Romans, Paul says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom. 12:10-16). It seems that God’s opinion is radically different from the world’s when it comes to the issue of self. To the Philippians he says, “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:2-4). It seems that God’s ethic is radically different from the world’s. Paul goes on to tell us that we need the mind of Christ. He’s the One who humbled Himself and gave Himself for others in an ultimate way (Phil. 4:5-8). We need His mind.

Identity in Christ

Rather than a constant pat on the back, or affirmations that you’re enough, or aroma bubble baths every night, we need to overcome our preoccupation with self. The only way to do that is to find our identity in Christ. Whatever value we might have, it’s not inherent in us. It’s not owing to us in any way. It comes from God. I am what I am by the grace of God, period. When we get that figured out, we find our value, or better yet, our meaning, in Christ. That’s where it’s at. The antidote to a focus on self is simple: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:2-4).

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Rethinking Church and Mission | True Worldview Ep. 67

More on Prophecy: Piper, MacArthur, and 1 Cor 13 | True Worldview Ep. 66

The word of God, inscripturated, is our authority on all things, including the word of God, or prophecy, which is a word from God, or direct revelation from God. In Part 1, we looked at a couple of unbiblical views of prophecy. We turn here to two more.

The Reformed-Charismatic View

A number of persons who hold loosely to Reformed Theology have adopted a quasi-Charismatic view of prophecy. They would say that prophecy is a primary means of encouraging one another in the church. God might impress a message upon you that is meant for someone else. You have a general idea of what the message is, but you might not get all the details right. In fact, you might be completely wrong. You might misunderstand the message. Nevertheless, you are to give the message to build up another even if ultimately the message is not from God at all. This view is similar to Matt Chandler’s view outlined in Part 1, but without some of the more bizarre elements. The proponents of this view cite Agabus in Acts 21 who predicts Paul will be bound by the Jews and turned over to the Roman authorities. They say it didn’t happen the way Agabus prophesied, though it generally came to pass. In other words, his prophecy had errors in it, though the gist of it was true. 

As with the first two views highlighted in Part 1, this view does not line up with the biblical definition of prophecy. The biblical gift is a direct, accurate, and infallible word from God. There are no errors or misunderstandings when someone has the genuine gift of prophecy. The Reformed-Charismatic view is built on a stretched interpretation of the Agabus prophecy in Acts 21. It is clear in that account that the Jews are responsible for Paul being bound and turned over to the Roman authorities. There is nothing in error or inaccurate about the prophecy. Here is a case when otherwise careful exegetes are grasping at interpretive straws to support their preconceived notion of what prophecy is. We don’t impose our view of prophecy on the text of Scripture. Rather, we extract it from Scripture.

The Evangelical View

Then there’s the view that prophecy today is not direct revelation from God, but powerful preaching. That preaching might be against sin, or the state, or those in sin. It’s preaching that seemingly carries a weight of authority by virtue of the boldness of the preacher and the message he delivers. But even here, one has no right to redefine the biblical gift of prophecy. If it doesn’t fit the biblical definition, it might be powerful preaching, it might be a wonderful exposition of Scripture, but it’s not the biblical gift of prophecy.

Miracles & Revelation in Redemptive History

There were three primary periods in redemptive history when miracles occurred: the time of Moses and Aaron, representing the law; the time of Elijah and Elisha, representing the prophets; and the days of Jesus and the Apostles, pointing to the establishment of the New Covenant era. The miracles served to authenticate the claims of those who spoke for God as well as Jesus’ Messiahship. Along with healing, the gifts of prophecy, the word of knowledge, and tongues were sign gifts. We’ve also alluded to the fact that they were revelatory gifts. They were given in the first century that God’s New Covenant community might have a revelation by which to live under that covenant, just as Old Covenant Israel had received the Old Covenant revelation to guide their lives in that context. While we’re merely scratching the surface here, 1 Corinthians is instructive, as it not only tells us what purpose the revelatory gifts served, but also the fact that they would cease at some point during the church age.

The Corinthian Church

The Corinthian church had a lot of problems, to say the least. One of those problems concerned those who had revelatory gifts. They were prideful, called themselves “spirituals,” and asserted their gifts were superior than those with ordinary gifts. Paul corrects them by saying that every gift is a manifestation of the Spirit at work in them, for He is the actual gift. He also tells them the Spirit’s work in them in particular ways is all of grace. 

Prophecy Ceased

As 1 Corinthians 13 unfolds, Paul says that love of the brethren is more important than the revelatory gifts (vv 1-2). Love will never cease, says Paul, but the revelatory gifts will (vv. 8-10). They will cease when the “perfect” comes. He’s not referring to the second coming of Christ. Keep in mind the context. Paul’s not talking about the coming of Christ. He’s talking about revelation from God, the unveiling of the “mystery.” That’s what he’s referring to in v. 2 when he refers to understanding all mysteries. The word mystery is a technical term in the New Testament that refers to something given in seminal form in the Old Testament, but now fully revealed in the New Testament. So the coming of the perfect is not the second of Christ, but the completion of the New Covenant revelation. The word translated “perfect” refers to the goal, realization, maturity, or completion of something. We have these gifts in part, that is, we receive God’s revelation piecemeal, but when the completed revelation comes, the revelatory gifts will be done away. They will no longer be necessary.

Paul gives a couple of illustrations to drive home the point he’s talking about the completed revelation of God. The revelation is brought to maturity, just as a human being is. Having the full picture of God’s word is like seeing someone face to face as opposed to looking at a face in a mirror. The mirrors of Paul’s day were more akin to tarnished silver. Again, Paul is not talking about seeing Jesus face to face. That is to read Jesus into the text. It’s an illustration. Paul is saying that he will know God’s word fully just as you can look at him and know him fully. 

Finally, in the very last verse of the chapter, Paul says, in contrast to the revelatory gifts that will vanish away, certain things will remain: namely faith, hope, and love. The contrast here is enlightening. Faith and hope won’t remain once Jesus comes, for those things are not necessary once we see him (Rom. 8:24; Heb. 11:1). But Paul says those things do remain. He means they remain now in the church age until Jesus comes. By way of contrast, the revelatory gifts will cease; they won’t remain until Jesus comes. As we’ve seen, they ceased with the completion of the New Covenant revelation. Hence, those gifts are not in operation today.

No doubt some will want to know how then we encourage one another? We do so with the word that God has already given us.

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What About the Gift of Prophecy? | True Worldview Ep. 65

I hear more and more talk about the gift of prophecy and how it serves a major function in authentic church life. We’re told that we’ll experience life in the Spirit in a greater way, and the church will more effectively build itself up in love. If that’s true, then that’s what I want. Yet, I wonder if Christians aren’t satisfied with biblical life in the Spirit consisting of heartfelt worship regardless of our emotional state, dealing with sin at the heart level, and engaging in plain ole encouragement of one another, among other things. I wonder if Christians are conditioned to want something more -- to seek the experience. We’re trained that way, especially in America, and we’re taught that way by an increasing number of pastors and pseudo church leaders.

What is the Gift of Prophecy?

What is the gift of prophecy? Biblically, prophecy is direct revelation from God. That’s it’s main feature. The bible is filled with prophets declaring, “Thus saith the Lord.” They had a word from God, and it was one-hundred percent accurate. And yes, while prophecy may be primarily described as forth-telling the word they had from God, it often had an element of foretelling the future. If the prophet declared anything contrary to Scripture already given, or made a prediction that did not come true, he was to be put to death (Deut. 13; 18).

The Charismatic View

Today, there are other views of prophecy. Of course, if they contradict the Scriptures, they’re false views. Broadly speaking, there’s the Charismatic view. Those holding this position assert they receive direct revelation from God, yet often that revelation contradicts Scripture. They might predict a financial windfall for someone, or a healing, but more often than not these things fail to come to pass. Many predict that Christ is coming again in a particular time-frame, something the bible clearly tells us no one knows. Further, they redefine the gift of tongues, a gift that also involves direct revelation from God. Tongues is just an old King James era word for known languages as defined in Acts 2. Charismatics claim the gift of tongues is an unintelligible heavenly language. When spoken to others it is prophetic. They also claim tongues is a private prayer language. Neither of these claims is biblical. The notion the gift of tongues refers to a heavenly or private prayer language flows from misinterpretations of certain verses in 1 Corinthians 13 and 14.

Matt Chandler’s View

Another view that’s gaining popularity is that put forth by Matt Chandler and others. It really falls into the Charismatic view, but has slight differences. He illustrated on one occasion by asking an audience to imagine he had a dream. By way of summary, in this dream he saw a pirate ship; it had a number of canons that were firing; a shark was chasing it; and a number of other things happened. He then asked the audience to imagine that this dream was a word from God that he was to give to a friend. Chandler said you don’t really know what the dream means, you might get some of it wrong, but nevertheless, you must go to your friend, and tell him about the dream. You don’t try to interpret it by surmising that Jesus is the shark for example. You simply go in obedience with the prophetic word. You might ask, “Does that mean anything to you?” It might not, he said. Even so, you'll be experiencing more of the Spirit, and those who engage this way will be edifying one another. 

The major problem with this view is two-fold. First, prophecy is not defined in the bible this way. If you don’t know whether the word came from God, whether you got it right, or even what it means, then it’s not biblical prophecy. Second, we’re not told in the bible to use the gift this way: taking dreams or impressions that make no sense to anyone and dispensing them to others. Christianity is not built upon random, nonsensical notions that pass through our heads. It’s built on truth. That’s one reason Paul says God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).

The Gift of Exhortation

The church edifies itself in love by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 3). Why not merely engage in the simple practice of encouraging one another with the Scriptures? For some, apparently, it’s not exciting enough.

Of course, there are other views of prophecy. And, there is the main question: is the gift of prophecy in operation today? We’ll turn to those issues in Part 2.

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5 Things You Can Do Everyday for a Happier Marriage | True Worldview Ep. 63

5 Things You Can Do Everyday for a Happier Marriage

It’s usually not a good idea to listen to the world’s advice on how to have a happier marriage. We’re told to buy gifts, spice things up, take trips, or other things along those lines. Gifts often lead to a “what have you done for me lately” attitude. Spice hardly works on something that’s rotten. And the problem with taking a trip is you bring yourselves along. These things don’t really fix relationship problems. But there are some habits you can develop that will serve to make your marriage happier.

Talk About the Things of God Together

First, talk about the things of God together. True happiness comes from knowing God, and you know Him better by spending time with Him. Talking about the things of God with your spouse serves to draw you closer together as you draw closer to Him, because He’s at work. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy theological study, though that might be for you. You could study the bible, use a devotional, talk about a Christian article, discuss a biblical worldview on something that’s going on, or discuss how God is working in your life. It could be any number of things. Just develop a habit of talking about God together.

Examine your Heart

Second, examine your heart on a regular basis. Your heart is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We’re called to examine our hearts for any number of reasons, not the least of which is we don’t truly know what’s in our hearts until we examine them through the lens of Scripture (Heb. 4:12). When you see sin in your heart, put it off, and replace it with a godly habit pattern. Paul talks about these things constantly. Put off lying, and put on truth-telling. Put off anger, and put on forgiveness. Put off stealing, and put on hard work. You get the idea. And, you do these things only through the renewing of your mind: by saturating your mind with the Scriptures (Col. 2; Col. 3; Eph. 3; Rom. 12).

Resolve Conflict Quickly

Third, resolve conflict quickly. One of the purposes of marriage is sanctification. It reveals the sin in our hearts. That’s why we examine them, and when sin comes out by way of conflict, we must resolve it. We do that by confessing our sin to God and to our spouse, and repenting. We say, “I was wrong,” and we commit to not sinning in that way again. It’s a constant battle, but that’s the battle! We also have to forgive. If your spouse repents, you forgive. That means you won’t allow the sin to come between you; it means you won’t dwell on it; it means you won’t gossip about it; and it means you won’t bring it up again, especially in a future argument. And, be the one to initiate the conflict resolution. Swallow your pride, and honor God and your spouse. You’ll avoid bitterness over time and have a happier marriage if you’ll get into the habit of resolving conflict – quickly!

Challenge One Another Spiritually

Fourth, challenge one another spiritually. This is not a time to pull out a laundry list of things you don’t like about your spouse and have at it. I’m talking about helping your spouse if they’re doing something that’s detrimental to them spiritually or is bringing reproach on Christ. Give each other permission to lovingly and helpfully challenge in this way. It’s not easy, no one really likes it, but it’s so beneficial!

Pray for One Another

Fifth, pray for one another. All of these things are an attempt to get God in on your marriage, and prayer is essential. God works through prayer. He hears, and He answers. He alone can change the heart. And, it’s hard to be mad at someone for whom you pray. It’s also hard to pray for your spouse without being convicted of your own sin.

Prioritize these things in your life. Make them habits. Do these five things every day, and your marriage will be happier.

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The Move to Abolish Homeschooling | True Worldview Ep. 59

Harvard Magazine is out with a stunning piece calling for the outlawing of homeschooling. “Elizabeth Bartholet, Wasserstein public interest professor of law and faculty director of the Law School’s Child Advocacy Program, sees risks for children—and society—in homeschooling, and recommends a presumptive ban on the practice. Homeschooling, she says, not only violates children’s right to a ‘meaningful education’ and their right to be protected from potential child abuse, but may keep them from contributing positively to a democratic society.”

Twisting Terms

Part of Bartholet’s concern is that homeschoolers don’t receive meaningful education, despite the fact that most homeschoolers score higher than public schoolers in all testing metrics. But what she means is that homeschoolers don’t get the kind of education she deems meaningful. They’re not able to be indoctrinated in the academy’s worldview.

She likens this lack of meaningful education to child abuse. She’s redefining child abuse and equating it with the teaching of a Christian worldview. But more than that, she implies that physical child abuse goes unchecked in homeschooling families, and we need teachers to play watchdog. Since when does the State play watchdog with no evidence of wrongdoing? Since when are we allowed to throw out baseless accusations in order to demonize an entire group with whom we disagree religiously or politically?

Of course, that’s why she says homeschoolers won’t be able to contribute positively to a democratic society. What she means is they won’t vote the way she deems appropriate because they won’t embrace progressivism.

A Multi-Front Attack

And here’s the reveal from the piece: “But surveys of homeschoolers show that a majority of such families (by some estimates, up to 90 percent) are driven by conservative Christian beliefs, and seek to remove their children from mainstream culture. Bartholet notes that some of these parents are ‘extreme religious ideologues who question science and promote female subservience and white supremacy.”

Bartholet is a true ideologue herself in that she wants to remove the natural, constitutional rights that all persons have to educate their children as they see fit. She declares herself and others like her to know better than the parents to whom God has entrusted children. This declaration is the heart of technocracy – the notion that certain persons in society know better than the masses and therefore have the right and responsibility to dictate public policy for all.

The means she uses to make her case are just as nefarious as her ideas. Not only does she redefine terms in an effort to alarm her readers and shape public opinion, she says that “if you look at the legal regime governing homeschooling, there are very few requirements that parents do anything.” Such is certainly not the case. While regulations differ from state to state, many are quite strenuous, and all homeschoolers must pass standardized tests to gain entry into college. The fact is that the vast majority of homeschoolers score high on those tests and excel at the college and graduate levels. They are well socialized and make tremendous contributions to society. But Bartholet takes a shot at homeschooling parents: “That means, effectively, that people can homeschool who’ve never gone to school themselves, who don’t read or write themselves.” She goes on to say that parents in some states can simply keep their kids at home without providing education at all. Yet, the reality is that most homeschooling parents teach their kids at home because they are very interested in their education. These parents are typically above average parents who care very deeply about the educational, and yes spiritual well-being of their children. We’re not talking about absentee dads and welfare moms when we talk about homeschool parents.

In addition to the baseless fearmongering in which she engages, the Harvard Professor cloaks her arguments in the garb of children’s rights. She asserts that children have the right to be exposed to “community values, social values, democratic values, ideas about nondiscrimination and tolerance of other people’s viewpoints.” Of course, they are. It goes without saying that Christians champion these things, while a new paradigm of intolerance rooted in woke culture seeks to redefine these values, such that they come to be used in completely different ways than what they actually mean.

A Totalitarian Move

Bartholet goes further. She tips her hat to the rights of parents to raise their children with the religious beliefs they hold, but than adds this: “But requiring children to attend schools outside the home for six or seven hours a day, she argues, does not unduly limit parents’ influence on a child’s views and ideas. ‘The issue is, do we think that parents should have 24/7, essentially authoritarian control over their children from ages zero to 18? I think that’s dangerous,’ Bartholet says. ‘I think it’s always dangerous to put powerful people in charge of the powerless, and to give the powerful ones total authority.’” Those comments are chilling. Further, their ironic nature is only surpassed by their hypocritical nature. She’s calling for authoritarian control over the nation’s children: your children. As she says, that’s dangerous, to say the least. We all know if you win the hearts of the children, you win the culture. That’s her goal with her “six or seven hours a day.” There’s little chance for parents to combat that level of indoctrination, and she knows that.

We’re at War

Bartholet is not alone. And make no mistake, she, if not Harvard as well, has launched a Pearl Harbor attack on homeschooling, Christianity, parental rights. She’s broadsided the Constitution as well. Her article is not an isolated opinion piece. She’s launched a very real war. Sound the alarm – it’s time to enlist.

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How Are The Children Doing? Coronavirus and Kids at Home | True Worldview Ep. 55

According to Gallup

Interesting: “Children may be benefiting from the stay-at-home orders many states have in place during the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. According to a Gallup poll, a large majority of children report ‘enjoyment” and “happiness’ while spending their days with their families.” On the one hand, it’s surprising we’d hear positive news concerning the benefits of homeschooling. On the other hand, its fits into the “go home and stay home, we’re all in this together” Orwellian narrative.

Massive Benefits

Of course, there are very real benefits to homeschooling. You fulfill your responsibility to train your own children; you wrest their minds from control of the State; you foster and maintain a better relationship with your children; you can spur creativity; you can teach them to think independently; you can take time to develop latent educational interests and aspirations that might not have been brought to the fore; and so much more. More importantly, you can teach them a biblical worldview in every aspect of their education and thereby demonstrate its comprehensive nature. You make them far more useful for the kingdom. And of utmost significance, while God is sovereign in the salvation of your children, your efforts are the most likely thing God will use to bring them to Himself. Statistically, 70% to 90% of children raised in church and public/private school walk away from Christ when they hit college. It’s also true that the same percentage of Christian homeschoolers do not. In fact, close to 90% of millennial graduates say they are very strong in terms of their faith commitment to Christ.

A Change is Gonna Come

An educational sea-change is coming in the aftermath of COVID-19. Many students at the university level will opt for online education which will drive tuition rates down and force numerous schools to scale back and as many others to close completely. At the primary level, an increasing number of non-Christian families have already opted for homeschooling. Some are driven by academic considerations while others are fearful in the aftermath of school shootings. The fear-factor of COVID-19 will drive many more to pull out of government as well as private schools.

Whenever governments manipulate crises there are always unintended consequences. The vast majority of those are negative and harmful to the people. In this case, it may be that more and more people learn to think independent of the State’s curriculum. When that happens, the population is harder to control. The willingness of the vast majority of Americans to accept the State’s Coronavirus narrative and the trampling of the hard-won and God-given freedoms we have is owing to government education. We can only pray that escape from that subtle tyranny is part of what God is doing in His grace. Not only will it be a boon for human flourishing, it may be a prelude to revival. That’s something for which we can pray as well.

Biblical Wisdom

There’s a reason God gives this instruction: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-9). It’s the underlying assumption of the proverbial truism: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Neither of these texts is talking about Sunday School.

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Are Plants Alive? Death, Adam, and Billions of Years | True Worldview Ep. 48

Are Plants Alive? Death, Adam, and Billions of Years

Too many Christians believe the universe is billions of years old despite also believing that God created it in six literal twenty-four-hour days. The billions of years part is the problem. They believe such because of “science” and what it says about the rock layers that must have taken millions or billions of years to form. The problem there is that there are fossils in those rock layers. If those layers took millions of years to form, there was death before Adam and the fall. Humans, according to evolutionists, didn’t arrive on the scene until close to two-hundred-thousand years ago. 

Some theologians have tried to reconcile this irreconcilable conundrum by saying that there was in fact death before the fall: the death of plants and animals. When the bible says that death entered the world through Adam, it only refers to human death they say. But such is not the case.

Plants Are Not Alive

The bible is clear: there was no death before Adam and the fall whether human or animal, but plants did die before the fall. What about that? Answer: we often use language loosely when we ought to be more technical. We refer to plants as being alive and dying, but the bible doesn’t refer to them that way. Dr. Jonathan Sarfati points out that vertebrate animals are described by the Hebrew phrase nephesh chayyah which is translated living creature or in the case of humans as living soul. Plants are never referred to this way. In fact, they don’t die, they wither (Ps. 37:2). Further, the bible teaches that plants, herbs, fruit, etc. are given prior to the fall for humans and animals to eat. “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;’ and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good’” (Gen. 1:29-31). Note also that the beasts, birds, and creeping things are referred to as having life in them, not plants. Humans didn’t eat animals before the fall nor did animals eat humans or each other. They both ate plants as designed by God.

No Death Pre-Fall or Post-Consummation

Further, consider Isa. 11:6-9 and then 65:25: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. . . The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, says the Lord.” Now, Isaiah is talking about the final state. It’s a restoration of the conditions in Eden. It’s paradise restored. It’s what was before the fall and what will be after the consummation. Notice that predators and prey are reconciled and eat the same food – plants. The enmity between the serpent and his seed and the woman and her seed (Gen. 3:15) is removed. God’s holy mountain is Mt. Zion – the church, the kingdom, the restoration of all things – and there is no killing there. The point is that there is no death in the final state, and there was no death before the fall of Adam.

Prior to the fall, God declared that His creation was very good. He couldn’t have said such if there was violence, bloodshed, death, and misery. Those things are the result of sin entering the world through Adam.

The Issue of Authority

As Dr. Sarfati points out, the real issue is not one of interpretation, but one of authority. Is our authority ever-changing-science interpreted through the lens of atheistic assumptions; or is it God’s word? Science is something we should embrace and pursue. But when science and Scripture conflict, Scripture must trump science, not the other way around. We wouldn’t entertain the thought of an earth billions of years old if we weren’t bowing to science. The bible is straight forward on the issue of creation. 

There’s also a difference between observational science and historical science. Observational science can be tested over and over again in the here and now. We think of technology for example. But historical science seeks to determine the past by looking at thigs in the present. We draw conclusions based on our presuppositions. For example, when the atheist looks at the Grand Canyon, he assumes there is no God and concludes that it must have formed by erosion over millions of years. The Christian assumes that God is real, and therefore the canyon was formed by the global flood of Genesis 6. Neither has proved their case at that point. But they have come to different conclusions based on different assumptions. Both are engaging in historical science, and both are making faith claims, because neither was here when the Grand Canyon was formed. The evidence within the canyon itself points to the biblical explanation. But even prior to analyzing the evidence, we take it on faith that it was formed by the flood of Genesis 6. It couldn’t have been formed by erosion; the earth isn’t old enough for that to happen. The bible is our authority. Our job is to submit to it.

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Who Built the Hospitals Caring for China's Coronavirus Patients? | True Worldview Ep. 45

Coronavirus and China’s Hospitals

Everyone’s talking about Coronavirus, and rightly so. The number of those infected along with those who have died is only increasing. But let’s think about a particular issue at a worldview level. Gary Brumbelow asks, “Who built the hospitals treating China’s coronavirus patients?” The answer is that “hundreds of China’s hospitals were built by Christian missionaries.”

Hospitals Didn’t Come from Atheism

Brumbelow rightly points out that China’s hospitals didn’t come from the worldview of China’s atheistic, communist leaders who’ve been in power since the rise of Mao Zedong prior to the midway point of the last century. We needn’t be reminded of the millions he slaughtered in the “Great Leap Forward” or China’s long-term one to two-child policy imposition. As a worldview, atheism has a low view of human life. It’s only valued in terms of what it can do for the collective. Life is cheap and expendable. And on that worldview, there’s no reason to build hospitals as long as you have enough replacement parts. 

Hospitals Come from a Christian Worldview

It's the Christian worldview that values life. The world has co-opted Christian initiative including health-care, the university, stewardship of the environment, the arts, and so much more. How grievous then when Christians accept the status quo of our culture and fall in line like sheep. Our calling is to image God in the world in a multitude of ways. Hospitals, universities, environmentalism, and the arts are no longer driven by a biblical worldview and they have suffered in devastating ways. We must re-engage to preserve that which is good and create what is needed.

The Communists evicted the missionaries from China long ago. “Except for the government-sanctioned Three-Self Church, Christian congregations have been underground ever since.” Major hospitals founded by those missionaries are now run by the government and “party bosses are scrambling to deal with the Coronavirus. It’s a task made more difficult by years of atheistic influence.

We must be reminded that salvation is ultimate, but God cares about the here and now too. Part of our calling is to bring kingdom values and principles to bear on this world. Much of this world will burn up one day, but that which is done for the glory of Christ will remain. God cares about this world or He wouldn’t have given us the Dominion Mandate (Gen. 1:28). He wouldn’t have told us to do our work as unto Him. He wouldn’t have admonished us to be Good Samaritans.

Pray for the Church in China

And one last thing. You can start with the gospel and change one’s worldview. Or, you can talk about worldview and get to the gospel. I think Brumbelow has that in mind: “In the midst of the suffering and chaos brought on by the virus and exacerbated by atheistic lies, may China learn its long-lost Christian history, from the Tower of Babel dispersion to the present reality of Christian service and influence. May China’s people come to realize that Yahweh is more than merely a “western God.” May China’s church rise up in courage to serve their neighbors in the name of Jesus Christ in this hour of need.”

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Subtle Assertion | True Worldview Ep. 44

Subtle Assertion

The gospel is subversive. Not overtly so, and not in a political sense, but subversive nonetheless. Gathering for church every week is perhaps the most subversive thing we do. In so gathering apart from the world, we are declaring to the world that we are citizens of a different kingdom, and our allegiance is to a different King: Jesus. There’s a sense in which it’s subtly seditious. 

Jeffrey Barr points out that subtle sedition refers to certain encounters in the gospels that would not have directly opposed Rome and its authority but would have nevertheless communicated a political message to the Jews. That is not to say that Jesus is a political king. He plainly declared His kingdom is not of this world (Jn. 18:36). But Jesus does have authority over all things and asserts that reality both in bold and subtle ways. I actually prefer the term subtle assertion to subtle sedition. Jesus was not seditious or in rebellion against Rome. He was asserting His authority as Barr points out. With that subtle but significant shift I mind, let’s look at four examples.

Not Bread and Circuses

First, the Roman satirist Juvenal lamented the fact that Roman emperors maintained order, among other ways, by providing wheat and circus spectacles, i.e., “bread and circuses.” Revelation tells us that the dragon (Satan) is the power behind human government (Nero and the Roman Empire). When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness for forty days, in addition to the primary meaning of the text, Barr points out at one level, with stones to bread and the spectacle of diving off the pinnacle of the temple, Satan tempted Jesus to be a Messiah of bread and circuses. Satan then tempted Jesus to bow down to him in order to rule the world. The Jews would have recognized the reference to the Roman Empire in these temptations. Jesus rejects Satan and that earthly power. He’s not like them. Moreover, He alone is Lord, not Satan or Rome. Here is an example of subtle assertion. 

Treading on Caesar’s Sea

Second, in Matthew 14, Jesus feeds the 5000, then walks on the Sea of Galilee, and calms a storm. The Romans referred to the Sea of Galilee as the Sea of Tiberias after the infamous emperor. Barr notes that Jesus treads upon the emperor’s seas and demonstrates that even the emperor’s waters have no dominion over Him. Jesus is Lord, not Caesar.

Authority Over Rome

Third, when Jesus encounters the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5, the demon says, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” Jesus casts them into a herd of swine who are then driven into the sea and drowned. A Roman legion was about 6,000 soldiers. The demon Legion was a veiled reference to Rome, swine were unclean under Jewish law, and the symbol of the Roman legion was a boar. The Jews would have certainly made the connection between the event and Jesus asserting His authority over the occupiers of Judea.

Render Unto God

Fourth, in Luke 20, Jesus is in the temple when Jewish religious leaders seek to trap Him and turn Him over to Rome that He might be executed. They ask Him whether He pays taxes. He turns the tables on them by asking them to present a denarius. They did. The coin bears the image of Caesar and refers to him as the son of the gods. They should not have had the coin; it was idolatry and a violation of the second commandment. They should not have profaned the temple by bringing it in. Jesus asks them who’s inscription is on the coin. They reply, “Caesar’s.” That’s when Jesus tells them to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and the things that are God’s unto God.” He’s not telling them that some things belong to Caesar, and some things belong to God. Such a meaning would not have shut their mouths and shot them through like His meaning actually did. He was saying that all things belong to God, and they were already sold out to Caesar. Again, He's asserting His authority over all things including Caesar.

Freedom and Citizenship

One of the points the New Testament makes is that the sons of God are ultimately free from earthly rulers (Matt. 17:26; 1 Pet. 2:16). Further, we’re to be concerned with reflecting God’s character and the good of others. We’re to be concerned for our witness. We’re to be good citizens so that when we’re accused by the world of doing evil, we’re actually being accused of being Christians and not breaking Caesar’s laws (1 Peter 2). It glorifies God and preserves our witness if we suffer for doing what’s right. There are times we may flee persecution (Matt. 10:23; Acts 9:23-25). If we’re born into slavery, we’re not to worry about it, but if we can be free, then we’re to use it for God’s glory (1 Cor. 7:2-23). The point is that we’re free, but we’re not to use our liberty for vice (1 Pet. 2:16). And, we’re good citizens unless that good citizenship conflicts with glorifying God.

Our Subtle Assertion

What might subtle assertion look like for us? Or what might the balance between being good citizens of heaven and being good citizens here look like? If going to church is subtle sedition, so is proclaiming and advancing God’s kingdom as the ultimate authority. Further, I stand for the national anthem out of respect for those around me, but I won’t put my hand over my heart even when asked to do so, nor will I pledge allegiance to the flag. If I’m asked to pray in public, even at a government function, I pray to Christ and not the benign, unknown god. I’m employed by the state as a high school swim coach. I do my job well. At the same time, I seek to point my swimmers to Jesus. What I’m doing in each of these cases is asserting Christ’s lordship.

Daniel was a good citizen: one of the best. But when Darias issued the decree that no one could pray to any god but him, Daniel prayed three times per day at his open window. Why did he pray out in the open? Why not simply pray in private? He was making a statement that Darias is not God. He was asserting God’s lordship. And God found him innocent of sin (Daniel 6).

Here’s something personal. I jaywalk on purpose. And whenever I do, I’m making a statement whether anyone gets it or not. On the one hand, the state will not come down on me for such a minor infraction, nor do people think I’m a troublemaker. My status as a good citizen remains intact (1 Peter 2). At the same time, in my heart, I’m treading on Caesar’s streets with impunity, because they really don’t belong to Caesar. They belong to God. It may not be walking on water, but it’s close enough.

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Education Crisis in American Schools: Training Teachers to Fail | True Worldview Ep. 43

Education Crisis in American Schools: Training Teachers to Fail

There’s a literacy crisis in American schools as reading scores plummet. Part of the problem lies in newly minted teaching methods. The prevailing mindset includes this piece of wisdom: “The worst thing a teacher can do when students ask questions is answer them…Students only want to write about what they’re interested in.” Teaching the basics of phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension is a thing of the past. When students struggle in reading, teachers are instructed to “. . . utilize shortcuts to ‘increase engagement’ like leveled reading, technology, audiobooks, and graphic novels.” 

The Intrusion of PC Culture into Education

The PC culture has intruded into education at all levels. To force students into so-called rigid models of learning or impose so-called dominant ideas upon them is anathema. It doesn’t matter that students are not learning, and are therefore relegated to a future filled with struggle and failure. A common sense approach in education basics is a must, but we won’t get it. 

The Stifling of Independent Thinking

No doubt that rigidity is not always good. Students need to be taught to think, to analyze, to extrapolate, and to forecast. Critical thinking is a must. So too is independent thinking. But that’s all the more reason we need effective teaching methods when it comes to reading and writing. And the only way to engage and develop thinking “muscles” is to broaden a student’s horizons and provide answers to their questions.

The Need for Right Assumptions

Of course, critical and independent thinking can’t be rooted in relativism if one is to be truly educated. It’s God’s world, and one must think through His lens in order to see things rightly whether the issue is related to ethics, science, math, history, literature, art, or whatever. We all analyze everything with our own assumptions – our own worldview. There is but one true worldview – God’s. All others are false.

Finally, it’s not inappropriate to point out the inefficiency and even oppression of government education. When education is removed from parents, so too is freedom. When education becomes a matter of prevailing, political opinion, education itself is removed. We’re just a country of useful idiots.

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Understanding the Times | True Worldview Ep. 42

Understanding the Times

Along side the high work of exegeting the Scriptures is the great task of exegeting the culture. A chief example is “the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chron. 12:32). Further, Paul was able to connect with the gatekeepers of Athens on Mars Hill and effectively share Christ by being aware of certain of their poets and philosophers (Acts 17). He was familiar with the prophets of the Cretans and was able to judge certain things about their character as a result (Titus 1:12-13). We should be committed to understanding the times.

Os Guinness observed, “American views today are weak, confused, and divided. On one side, many progressive liberals still think that we humans are essentially good and getting better and better. On the other side, many postmoderns actually think it is worse to judge evil than to do evil. And in the middle, many ordinary folk plaster life with rainbows and smile buttons and wander through life on the basis of sentiment and cliches.” His analysis is not comprehensive, but it’s certainly helpful.

The Progressives

Indeed, progressives think that humans are essentially good and getting better. The Anglican Priest who fought against the atrocities of Apartheid once declared, “The most important thing for me now is reminding people that they are good. We are all essentially good...Being good also explains why we are appalled by evil, by what is wrong...It might not appear to be the case, but the truth is that eventually goodness will prevail.”

Of course, we should ask why we’re appalled by evil. Being created in the image of God comes to mind. At the same time, in a fallen world, the image of God in man is marred, and we don’t all agree on what’s good and what’s evil. In a progressive culture, the definitions are always changing. Progressives think humans are becoming increasingly enlightened. Our culture now not only affirms the normalcy of homosexuality, for example, but it openly celebrates it. We recognize with revelry the first openly homosexual mayor of a city, draftee in the NFL, or candidate for President. It’s progressives who champion pre-pubescent genital mutilation in an effort to mainstream transgendersim. Polyamory is next in the dock. Indeed, our culture is now woke to the racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and a host of other ills inherent in being white. We are more enlightened than old white men who represent a darker time. How dare Michael Bloomberg and his ilk earn the obscene amount of money they do when others deserve it more despite their penchant for waiting on the next welfare check.

The Postmoderns

A second cultural cluster is the postmoderns who think it’s worse to judge evil than to do evil. In their rejection of objective authority; their placement of perception over what’s real; their assertion that nothing is really knowable; they’re willing to affirm anything as proper for the one who deems it proper. While there might not be any truth at all, there are things to affirm as truth for you and different things to affirm as truth for me. Thus, concepts of good and evil lose their meaning on such a worldview. There is no real basis for law, contracts, or personal property. Moreover, on such a worldview there is no basis for human rights, ethical farming, the fair treatment of animals, or a host of other goods being championed today. 

The Sentimentalists

And then we have the ordinary people in the middle who “plaster life with rainbows and smile buttons and wander through life on the basis of sentiment and cliches.” You don’t have to look long to find people willing to say things like all good people go to heaven; I know Mom’s looking down on me; if you can dream it, you can do it; trust the vibes you get, energy doesn’t lie; or any number of other empty platitudes designed to numb us to reality.

The Answer

Those three positions represent a good swath of our culture: a culture in trouble. But it’s a culture looking for truth, though their spiritual blindness keeps them from finding it. People need a reality check. If we’re good and getting better, how do the progressives explain the fact that humans propagate as much evil today as they did in the past? I wonder what the postmodern would say if someone put a gun to his head. Is morality really relative? And let’s ask the sentimentalist a few simple questions: how do you know Mom is looking down on you? What if she’s not? And what good does it do anyway?

We need to understand the times. When we do, we can take the roof off as Francis Schaeffer used to say. We can deconstruct the faulty worldviews that people cling to like lifelines in an effort to lovingly demonstrate those lifelines are tethered to nothing. We can set forth the true worldview, the biblical worldview, that actually makes sense out of our experience. And then we can proclaim the gospel that they might be delivered from their soul-destroying notions and come to know Christ, whom to know is life eternal.

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The Profanation of Our Culture: Clapbacks, Foul Language, and Immorality | True Worldview Ep. 39

The Profanation of Our Culture

Some Love to Hate Haters

Have you noticed that almost anything a celebrity says about anything passes for news these days? Lebron James commented on Kobe Bryant’s death. Shaquille O’Neal commented on Kobe’s death. King James commented again on Kobe and his death. Magic Johnson weighed in on Kobe’s tragic helicopter crash. Lebron said something else about Kobe and the crash. But it’s worse. Not only do we get those breaking stories, but anytime someone claps back, it’s a news story. No matter who said what, no matter how irrelevant, it’s a news flash. But it gets worse still. The clap back is usually hate-filled and foul. Never mind the irony of the PC culture cancelling haters. It’s lost on them; they love to hate haters.

Recently, Josh Brolin posted a revealing picture of his wife online. Someone commented: “Why show your wife’s body off on the internet? It’s not good, God wants her to cover her body and not expose her body.” Brolin’s comeback? “I just spoke to God and God asked me to please ask you to shut the ____ up and go take a shower.” Here we have a snapshot of what our culture has become. He could have replied thoughtfully, judiciously, or simply ignored the comment. Yet, his response was juvenile, blasphemous, vulgar, and abusive all at the same time.

When There’s No God, Anything Goes

When the Christian worldview goes, civility goes with it. Civility is rooted in the existence of God, a standard of right and wrong, and a resulting sense of decorum. Heretofore, it was an unspoken assumption that we’re civilized people dealing with the same. We’re people created in the image of God dealing with the same. But no more. Without God, we have no reason to be civil. We can act on impulse; feelings; hatred; and the like. And what’s more, we don’t have to limit our clap backs to mere words. When there is no God, there are no rules. Some have already figured that out.

Our culture has become profane. It wasn’t long ago that one would never find foul language in news items. Today, I can hardly read a news item without some of the worst profanity. It goes without saying the profane is everywhere. 

The Church is Not Immune

Sadly, it’s crept into the church. Major Christian leaders tout scatological language as having no consequence despite the fact that cultures do assign meanings to words. The notion that the Paul’s use of the word dung in Philippians is akin to the s____ word in our culture is as offensive as it is wrong. It might have been graphic, but not foul. Those are two different things. God may be more graphic than some of us in communicating certain realities. But, He’s not profane. Such is the exact opposite of His very nature.

Our culture is verbally abusive. I object to overusing concepts like abuse as it undermines the weightiness of genuine physical abuse. But if there is such a thing as verbal abuse, our culture has found it. Brolin is a mere copycat.

The Categorical Imperative

The rejection of God affects everything from salvation to civility; from ethics to manners; from words to invectives. That’s why it’s imperative we keep speaking: that we keep speaking the truth in love; the truth about everything. Because that’s what God is about. Let’s trade the profane for the praiseworthy, and maybe others will do the same.

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Conversational Evangelism | True Worldview Ep. 38

Conversational Evangelism

Christians want to see the relevance of the gospel to their everyday lives, and they want to demonstrate that relevance to their friends and co-workers. Primarily, they want to share their faith and do so smoothly and effectively. Here’s a little help.

Current Event

First, choose an issue that’s current and interesting. It could be a news item, a trend in our culture, the recent half-time show, or whatever. Just find something of interest to the person with whom you’re talking.

Authority Source

Second, raise the issue of one's source of authority. When the guy you’re talking to gives you an opinion not rooted in Scripture, you want to ask him a simple question: why do you believe that? You should be wise and sensitive, but ask the “why” question. Most persons are their own authority, and their feelings and opinions come from a hodge-podge of contradictory ideas they’ve picked up over the years. 

Persons can be challenged on at least two fronts here. Initially, you might point out that it makes no sense to hold opinions that contradict one another. Then, you might point out that unless one has a source of authority and recognizes what that authority is, one is by definition going to be inconsistent on many points. Inconsistency is intellectual foolishness.

Ultimate Questions

Third, now that the issue of authority is on the table, raise the issue of ultimate questions. All people, if they’re going to make sense out of life, must ask and answer at least four questions concerning ultimate reality. 1) Where do I come from? 2) Why am I here? 3) How do I live while I'm here? 4) What happens when I die?

Share Christian Worldview

Fourth, engage in worldview dialogue. On an evolutionary worldview, the view to which most persons in our culture subscribe, in answer to the four questions, we come from a random chance accident; if so, we have no reason for existence, and life has no meaning; since we’re an accident, and life has no meaning, it really makes no difference how we live; and when we die, that’s it, we simply cease to exist.

Those who hold to an evolutionary worldview who then try to inject meaning into their existence are being philosophically inconsistent. When one says, "I exist to better society," you respond by saying, "That's inconsistent on your worldview. Bettering society makes no difference and means nothing. It's survival of the fittest on your worldview." If persons try to inject meaning into life in anyway, all their answers will be whatever gives them meaning or an opinion as to what might give others meaning. And that’s relativism. On either worldview, evolution or relativism, nothing matters, but people don’t really believe that or live that way. 

In order to make sense out of what they do and why they do it, unbelievers actually appeal to a Christian worldview without realizing it. The Christian worldview is the only worldview that makes sense out of reality. Show a person who holds to an evolutionary worldview that he’s being inconsistent on his worldview and actually appealing to a Christian worldview to inject meaning into his life, and he’ll either get angry or begin to ask questions. That reaction, of course, is up to God. But you’ve at least initiated the conversation.

On the Christian worldview, life has meaning. We’re here because a wise and loving God created us. Our purpose is to glorify Him in all things. Therefore, we live in accordance with His will and ways that we might fulfill our purpose. His will and ways are revealed to us in the Scriptures. Best of all, when we die, we live with Him forever in perfect peace and joy. There is purpose to life and meaning to our existence. The things we do here carry forward into eternity. We’re more than mere matter in motion. 

Examine Current Event from Authority

Fifth, examine the issue under discussion from a Christian worldview by appealing to your authority: the Scriptures. No mere opinion will do. Ask ten people their opinion and you’ll get ten opinions. We need an authority that comes from outside of ourselves: God’s word.

Segue into the Gospel

Sixth, make a smooth transition to the gospel.

C-A-U-S-E-S

We can summarize our steps with the acronym C-A-U-S-E-S. This is important for two reasons. First, we have two great causes in mind: the glory of God and the good of others. Second, this acronym will guide us in our conversation so that we readily and easily accomplish our goal. The acronym stands for: Current Event; Authority Source; Ultimate Questions; Share Christian Worldview; Examine Current Event from Authority; Segue into the Gospel. May you intentionally guide people in conversation that you might guide them to Christ.

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Should We Use Transgender Names & Pronouns? | True Worldview Ep. 37

Should We Use Transgender Names & Pronouns?

Talk about hard conversations, at least for some. Say a friend or acquaintance tells you he’s now transgender. He was born male but will now identify as female. Do you refer to him as him or her? Do you use the new pronouns transgenders are demanding? Do you call this person by the name you’ve used since you met him, or do you use the female name now requested?

The question is a hard one. We don’t want to offend; we should accommodate where we can for the sake of the gospel; we don’t want to lose a friend; we don’t want to dishonor God. These issues and more make for tough slogging. We need some biblical wisdom.

We need to answer the question of whether to use transgender names or pronouns at two levels: the institutional and the personal. It’s not that we’re going to come to different conclusions. Truth is truth at any level, and so is falsehood. But we might take different routes to get to our destination at each of those respective levels.

The Institutional Level

We’ve already said that truth is truth. It’s also true that God is God. And the things God has done are the things God has done. And the definitions and rules that God has made are the definitions and rules that God has made. I’m saying it like that to make a point: we don’t have the right to change truth, deny God, altar reality, or change the definitions or rules God has made. It’s God’s universe, not ours. God created us male and female. There are no more genders according to the one who created us. And though many would make a distinction between biological sex and gender, God does not.

We’re also commanded by God to speak the truth in love. We must never be ugly or harsh. We must never make fun of someone’s confusion and sin. We must never think we’re better than anyone. We all are born confused, rebel sinners and deserve God’s wrath. Our knowledge and freedom regarding these issues, like our salvation, is by grace. So, we must speak in the love of Christ, but we must speak the truth. There is no love apart from truth. It’s not either or; it’s both and.

The inescapable conclusion then is that we can’t use female gender pronouns for biological males or male gender pronouns for biological females. We can’t use the new pronouns the LBGT community is demanding. I can’t comply when Sally, a biological female who now says she’s a male, asks me to call her Sam. If Sam is short for Samantha, that’s okay. She’s female and identifying as such. But if Sally wants to be called Sam so she can now identify as a male, that’s not okay. Her name is a denial of God and the way He’s made her. She’s in open rebellion against her Creator, and its my job to lovingly warn her.

So, if I’m speaking at a theology conference, talking on a podcast, or writing this article here, I’m direct. I’m saying what I’m saying without hesitation. I’m not being ugly; I’m simply writing for a general audience saying here’s the truth – walk in it. In those instances, I’m speaking at an institutional level.

The Individual Level

But if I’m speaking to someone face to face, I might approach the issue a little differently depending upon the circumstance. Here’s an example: I do a little swim coaching, and the mom of a former swimmer called me. She told me her daughter wanted to get back in the water and wondered if she could join the swim clinic I was running. And by the way, she’s transgender and wants to be called by her male name. I had spent some time with this family a few years earlier and tried to point them to Christ. I told her I would be happy for her daughter to swim with us. I was nothing but kind and enthusiastic. I didn’t act shocked when she told me of this development; I didn’t say I won’t call her a boy; I didn’t say I wouldn’t use her new male name. I didn’t say anything other than I would love to see them all again. But I had a plan and started praying. My intention was to re-establish the relationship and look for the right time to have a conversation about what was going on with her and point her to Christ. I would say something like you know how much I enjoy coaching you and hope you’ll be swimming with us for a long time. We’re going to be friends no matter what. My intention would be to make it absolutely clear that I was coming from a place of love when I broached the subject. I would tell her I couldn’t call her by her male name, and I would tell her why. That’s the individual level.

The Right Thing to Do

Now some would say unless you tell someone upfront, it’s compromise. That may be, but I do know that Jesus didn’t tell His disciples everything up front. He even said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (Jn. 16:12). Either approach seems to line up with Scripture. The real problem lies with those who simply acquiesce or those who intend to take my approach but never get to the gospel. Some will say they are accommodating when they are really trying to avoid conflict. Some intend to share Christ, but end up not doing so as time goes by. If you delay for the sake of the gospel, make sure you get to the gospel at some point. You then leave the results to God.

The Offense of the Cross

One more thing. Never forget that the Scripture says the gospel is offensive. The truth is offensive and often hurtful to rebel sinners. We must not offend by being unthoughtful in what we say, but the message itself will offend. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it. We must—for God’s glory and their good. Paul said if he were to compromise and preach circumcision to the Jews, because that’s what they believed, the offense of the cross would have been emptied of its power (Gal. 5:11). Speaking the truth in love may hurt someone, but it’s power! And, it’s the only thing that can save them. 

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It's Hard to Have Hard Conversations | True Worldview Ep. 36

It’s Hard to Have Hard Conversations

What do you do when a close friend tells you she’s decided to divorce her husband? Gal. 6:1 immediately comes to mind: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” If we see a fellow-believer in spiritual danger, ruining their witness for Christ, or otherwise overtaken in sin, it’s our responsibility to help them turn around. The idea is to rescue them from danger and restore them to usefulness in the kingdom.

Some Obstacles

But what if your friend is not a believer? On the one hand, it’s not our role to call out unbelievers on every sin (or even believers for that matter, Prov. 19:11). Christians are accused of being harsh and judgmental. We’re called haters. Much of the time those accusations are unfair and untrue. But if we point out sin in someone without the gospel, not only might we come across as unloving, we don’t really do much good. Unless God changes one’s heart through the gospel, we’re doing nothing more than substituting a false morality for genuine repentance.

Moreover, we know it’s hard for a Christian to accept proper rebuke, and we approach them when we need to with fear and trepidation. How much more difficult is it to confront an unbeliever? We have no idea they’ll accept what we have to say; we’re often fearful of losing a friend; and we actually are mindful of coming across as the sin police. The point is it’s hard to have hard conversations.

Some Considerations

On the other hand, there are times when something must be said, for God’s glory and their good. Love demands it. Let’s say you find out your unbelieving friend is sleeping with her boyfriend. You may not say something immediately, and you certainly don’t rebuke her on that and move on. But at some point, you have to say something. Why? It’s not that you merely want this unbeliever to quit sinning. As noted, that does no spiritual good (though there are other benefits to her ceasing from such activity). It’s not just that you consider this particular sin a bigger sin than certain others. It’s that you have a goal. Your goal is to talk to your friend that you might give her the gospel. You want her to have the greatest reality in all the universe: forgiveness of sin, life from the dead, and a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If your friend has decided to divorce her husband, you have to say something. The immediate benefit is worth any perceived risk. She’s about to do something that will prove to be disastrous for her life. She hasn’t thought about the consequences related to income, her children, family holidays, visitation, future relationship complications, and so much more. All she wants is relief from her present circumstances. You need to warn her. And, you need to do so in the context of the gospel that she might be saved.

Some Advice

Often times we think confronting others with their sin is unloving. We convince ourselves some are focused on the truth while we’re focused on love. We don’t want to offend because we’re loving. The reality is that there is no love apart from the truth. If you’re a doctor and your patient has cancer, its not loving to withhold that information, even though you know it’s going to hurt them deeply to hear it. You’re on a loving rescue mission. It’s a false distinction to separate truth from love. There are people who speak the truth without love. They’re harsh. But you can communicate truth in love, truth and love, at the same time. If we don’t say something because we don’t want to offend, we’re not focused on love, we’re focused on self. We’re focused on avoiding conflict. We’re focused on avoiding something unpleasant. That’s selfish, not loving.

So hard conversations are hard. But sometimes they’re necessary. Be committed to the truth, to love, to God’s glory, and to their good. Make sure you pray, exercise biblical wisdom, examine your heart, and be gentle as Paul says in Gal. 6:1. It’s interesting too that the word “restore” in Gal. 6:1 was used to set a broken bone. If you know Christ, you’re a spiritual doctor, and what you need to do is lovingly patch up your wounded friend. She’ll be grateful in the end.

Sign up free for "True Worldview News," a weekly e-mail newsletter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. Dr. Dean’s comments on selected stories along with editorials are included. The newsletter also features True Worldview, a twice-weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Dean and his daughter, Christi Johnson.

How to Share Christ with Your Friends | True Worldview Ep. 35

How to Share Christ with Your Friends

Telling your friends about Christ isn’t always easy. Maybe you know they don’t want to hear about your faith, or they consider themselves to be saved, though they don’t act like they are. It could be you’ve made a new friend, and they don’t yet know you’re a Christian, and they’re lifestyle suggests they’re not interested. For your part, maybe you don’t want to come across as judgmental or narrow-minded, or maybe you don’t want to offend anyone or risk losing a friend. For whatever the reason, you find it hard to share Christ.

Pray and Keep on Praying

The first thing you need to do is pray. That gets God in on what you’re trying to do. Prayer is too often the last resort. It should be our first resort. We can’t do anything apart from God. He’s the one who must open blind eyes and soften hardened hearts. You shouldn’t expect much success without prayer. But when you pray, make sure you pray in faith, and watch the openings God gives you. When it comes to sharing Christ with your friends, pray, and keep on praying.

Take Advantage of Easy Opportunities

It’s a little easier if someone is asking questions about the bible, religion, or ultimate issues. You have an open invitation to give them real answers connected to the gospel. Don’t hesitate. Don’t compromise. Don’t beat around the bush. Go ahead and give them what they need.

Look for Doors to Gently Push On

But what if they seem content? What if they have no questions? Sometimes things seem to be going well for certain individuals, and they’ve got it all together. The fact is that we live in a fallen world and no one’s life is perfect. Sometimes you have to look for doors to push on.

What kind of doors? Let’s say your friend says she’s having a hard time with her boyfriend or husband. There’s a door. Don’t kick it in, but push on it gently. Find a way to give her some biblical wisdom, and cut a path to her greatest need: Christ and the gospel. Maybe your roommate tells you he’s done something he regrets. There’s a door. Perhaps someone has lost a loved one, or even a distant relative. That’s a natural moment to talk about eternal things. Any number of situations can be turned to opportunities. Someone’s had a bad date; another is frustrated at his failure in some regard; one is stressed about work; one is worried about the rent. You get the idea. 

Be a Sage

Whether in your place of work, your community, your coffee-shop group, or wherever, become known as the one who has solid advice and counsel. I’m not talking about being a know-it-all, talking too much, or being arrogant. I’m saying be the one to give a word fitly spoken (Prov. 25:11): saying the right thing at the right time. Know your bible, and know how practical it is. Know that it speaks to every life situation, not just the truncated gospel that we sometimes see in tracts. Take a course on biblical counseling. Take a course in theology. And then be ready. Be the one person that others know they can come to when they have a problem. If they know you love them, and if they know you have wisdom, they’ll come to you. And that makes it easier.

 Sign up free for "True Worldview News," a weekly e-mail newsletter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. Dr. Dean’s comments on selected stories along with editorials are included. The newsletter also features True Worldview, a twice-weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Dean and his daughter, Christi Johnson.

Practical Help for Bad Feelings | True Worldview Ep. 28

Practical Help for Bad Feelings

No one wants to be depressed or anxious or fearful or worried or even angry. The good news is that we don’t have to be. And yet, how not to be often eludes us. How can we overcome such feelings? Is there practical help for bad feelings?

Know That Faith is Active – So Act

Here’s something to chew on: our faith is not passive but active. When plagued with bad feelings, too often we think a little prayer will do the trick. We think God will snap His fingers, or whatever He does, and our anger, or fear, or lust will be gone. When that doesn’t happen, we wonder about God and even ourselves. The truth is that God is the one who gives us the power to do something about bad feelings and sinful thoughts or attitudes, but there’s something we have to do as well. God works it in but we have to work it out (Phil. 2:13). We have to fight. We have to actively flee sinful thoughts (1 Tim. 6:11), fight the fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), and put on the battel armor of God (Eph. 6:11). The language of Scripture is active. It goes on offense. It’s not passive.

Know You’re in a War – So Fight

Think about what Paul says in 2 Cor. 10:4-5: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Note first the language of battle: “weapons of our warfare.” Note second the active nature of what we must do: cast “down arguments.” Further, bring “every thought into captivity.” That’s not only an active phrase but a wartime phrase. We are to take enemy thoughts captive like enemy combatants. And then note thirdly that “every” thought is to be taken captive. God gives very real power to deal with whatever thoughts, feelings, emotions, or attitudes that assault us.

Know You Need Some Intel – So Analyze

So, what’s the practical help for bad feelings? How do I fight? Well, here’s an ABCD guide. Think about what’s going on in these terms: Affections (feelings), Behavior (actions), Cognition (thinking), and Desire (wants). And remember two things here. First, desire is the root cause. It’s what’s in your heart that drives the affections, behavior, and thinking. Second, be brutally honest with yourself; your heart is ugly. 

Now, think in terms of putting off the sinful ABCD’s and replacing them with God-glorifying ABCD’s. If I’m feeling (affections) anxious, angry, or worried, I need to fight to replace those affections (feelings) with peace, love, or rest. If my behaving badly in the form of laziness, cursing, or yelling, I need to replace those behaviors with diligence, edifying words, and gentle speech. If I’m thinking how could he do this to me, or I hate her, or I’m worthless, I need to think instead that I can be forgiving, I can love, and God loves me. If I crave control, attention, or things I don’t have, I need to replace those desires with a desire to consider others better than myself, a desire to exalt God and not me, and a contentment in God’s providence for my life. 

Practical help for bad feelings comes in the form of taking the word of God and analyzing what’s going on. What are my ABCD’s here? What should my ABCD’s here be? Then I actively seek to take every thought captive. I pray, make a decision, memorize Scripture, work on it, fight it, and seek to glorify God in all things. I set my mind on things above. I refuse to allow myself to wallow in these sinful and debilitating thoughts and feelings. When my sin punches me in the face, I punch back, only harder. I kill the deeds of the flesh, and when I do that, God gives me love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:16-26). 

Dealing with Heart Issues | True Worldview Ep. 27

Dealing with Heart Issues

There’s one thing we have to get right if we’re going to deal with heart issues. More on that momentarily.

Learn to Think Biblically

We face a variety of temptations every day and all day. It’s easy to ignore what we might call little sins like impatience, anger, frustration, pride, gossip, etc. But even the little sins are still sin, and they plague us.

At the same time, so often we think or act like certain sins are mere feelings, that they just happen, and that we have no control over them. I might feel unhappy, angry, or anxious, and I might feel as though I can’t help it. I might feel depressed, and I feel I can’t help it.

We think this way because the world thinks this way. The world tells us that depression is a psychological problem to be coped with in one way or another. Some will say you need some non-directive counsel in the form of understanding and affirmation. You might be given some coping techniques that may or may not make you feel better. Others will say you have a chemical imbalance in the brain and what you need is medication. You may have a chemical imbalance, you may not. They don’t know. But they do know that psychotropic medication doesn’t relieve depression symptoms in as many cases as it does, or that in countless instances it makes persons feel worse and is often a catalyst for suicide. Of course, if you’re on medication, don’t stop taking it without your doctor’s supervision. That could be deadly as well. Regardless, there’s something spiritual going on if you’re depressed.

Christ is the Answer

The truth is that we have two kinds of problems: spiritual or physiological. There is no third set of problems the world calls psychological. In fact, we get the word psychology from two Greek words put together. It literally means a word about the soul, or the study of the soul. Who better to deal with the soul than God? Psychological problems are spiritual problems and in the Scriptures we have everything we need to deal with those problems (2 Pet. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:16). And it’s that reality we have to get right if we’re going to deal with heart issues.

Understand the Real Problem

But what about overlap? Aren’t there things that affect our mood like hormones for example? Yes indeed. A woman’s hormones are out of balance after she’s given birth. A person with diabetes will have sugar and insulin issues. These are physiological dynamics that often affect the spiritual dynamic. We think of mood swings in postpartum mothers and diabetics. However, the anxiety or anger these individuals may experience are not caused by the hormonal issues. The anxiety or anger is already in their hearts. Postpartum conditions and diabetes are like a barking dog outside your window when you’re trying to sleep or a person screaming in your face. They don’t cause your irritation but only stir up the issues already in your heart. Remember, out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). 

Now, here’s the point. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22). Your postpartum state, your diabetes, or whatever you face cannot keep the Holy Spirit from bearing His fruit in you. The truth is that depression and anger are rooted in faulty thinking: sinful thinking. But the good news is that Christ came to deliver us from our sin. He came to enable us to overcome our sin. In Christ we can have peace and joy (Phil. 4:4; Jn. 16:33). 

Fight the Real Battle

You can deal with heart issues. It may not be easy. It may take time. It will take time. It will take effort. You’re in a spiritual battle, and the battlefield is your mind. You have to recognize that, and then you have to decide to fight the battle – long term. You have to constantly make a decision to stop thinking sinful thoughts and replace them with godly thoughts. You do that through the renewing of your mind (Col. 3:8-17). You meditate on God’s word, memorize it, and call it to mind when you are tempted in one way or another. You fight your flesh with God’s word. You fight your sinful inclinations with truth. Let me say it one more time; if you want to deal with heart issues you have to fight. And fight some more. But remember, the battle is the Lord’s and He will give victory (Eph. 6:10-20).

Helpful Chart for Dealing with Heart Issues

Easily make your own chart by remembering ABCD. Start on the left side and make your way to the bottom. Ask yourself what am I feeling, and write them in box A. Be brutally honest because the heart is messy. Next, examine your behaviors or actions, then your thinking, then your desires or wants. Once you’ve identified your root desires, move over to the right side and start at the bottom and write how you will replace your wrong desires with proper, biblical, godly desires. Then work your way back up to your affections or feelings.