Are Ron Paul’s Views Consistent With A Biblical Worldview?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:47 — 8.7MB)

“For it [governmental authority] is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).

There are now just four Republican presidential candidates remaining who are vying for their party’s nomination to run against President Obama in this fall’s general election.  Only one of them professes to be a born-again Christian of the Protestant kind — Ron Paul.  (Mitt Romney is a Mormon and Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich are Roman Catholics.)

If you’ve watched any of the Republican debates, Ron Paul doesn’t fit the modern Republican mold.  Not only does he look much older than the other candidates (Paul is 76), but his views, especially as they relate to foreign policy and personal liberties, are outside the Republican mainstream as well.

But should they be considered outside the biblical Christian mainstream?  While most “experts” say Ron Paul is “unelectable” and “out of step”, his blend of conservative and libertarian positions on the issues attracts many followers.  Even prominent pastor Voddie Baucham recently explained in a column why he is voting for Ron Paul.

In The Christian Worldview’s continuing series of analyzing various aspects of the presidential candidates (for example, we discussed Romney’s Mormonism in Nov. 2011), we’ll take a closer look this Saturday at some of the more controversial views of Ron Paul to see whether they are consistent with a biblical worldview for government.

Being a Light in a Culture of Darkness

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:22 — 8.6MB)

Guest: Vasko Kohlmayer, columnist, Washington Times

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

One would only need to compare an evening of network television today with the 1950’s to conclude that American culture has become more openly crude, immoral, and depraved.  There’s no doubt that sin was in existence back in the “good ol’ days”, but generally speaking, sin wasn’t applauded and goodness wasn’t scorned.

Yet that is exactly where America is today.  For example, an upstanding Christian man like Tim Tebow would have been almost universally praised as a role model 60 years ago, but now a vocal segment of the country tears him down.  Or how about the ABC sit-com, Modern Family, airing an episode this week where a two-year-old is portrayed as saying the f-word?  Do you think that would have gotten laughs a couple generations ago?

This Saturday on The Christian Worldview, Vasko Kohlmayer, Christian columnist for the Washington Times, will join us LIVE from Russia to discuss what becomes of a nation when it loves darkness rather than light and what Christians are called to be and do in that kind of culture.  Vasco was born and raised under communism and is now an American citizen living and working in Moscow.

Tim Tebow and the Worship of Darkness – Vasko Kohlmayer

How Much Should Christians “Wear Their Faith on Their Sleeves”?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:42 — 8.7MB)

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

It is impossible to deny that a 24-year-old football quarterback has sparked a national conversation.  Maybe “furor” or “mania” would be better words to describe it.  Not since Billy Graham has one Christian struck such a nerve in this country with his life, words, and works.

Discussion about Tim Tebow crops up everywhere.  He is polled as the most popular athlete in America.  Republican presidential candidates want his endorsement.  Nearly 50 million people watched him lead the Denver Broncos to a startling victory last Sunday over the Pittsburgh Steelers and most likely even more will tune in Saturday evening as the Broncos face the vaunted New England Patriots and their star quarterback, Tom Brady.  It really is “Tebow Time” in America.

One of the common questions people are asking is, “What is driving Tebow mania?”  Of course it has something to do with his “miraculous” football victories, but the way Tebow “wears his faith on his sleeve” also elicits huge reaction, both positive and negative.  He prays openly during games and thanks “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” in post-game interviews, win or lose.  His charitable foundation pays for sick children to attend his games and also builds hospitals and health care facilities in the Philippines and America.  Tim Tebow is unabashedly public with his faith in Christ.

The question we will discuss this Saturday on The Christian Worldview is “how much should Christians wear their faith on their sleeves?”  For example, Jesus says in Matthew 5 that Christians should be “salt and light” in this world and then in Matthew 6 says Christians should “pray in secret”.  So how public should we be with our faith?  Tune in this weekend to find out!

Additional Articles:
Tim Tebow’s Role Model
Poll Finds 43 Percent Of People Believe God Helps Tebow Win
Tebow: The man behind the mania
Tim Tebow takes time to meet families in crisis amid hoopla of playoffs

Have Compassion and Then Do What You Can

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:47 — 8.7MB)

Guest: Mark Hollingsworth, Compassion International

“Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” — Jesus (Luke 18:16).

It can be difficult for us in America to fully understand what physical and spiritual poverty is like in other nations around the world. Many if not most countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America have corrupt governments and pagan influences which often results in extreme poverty, food scarcity, and lack of health care, clean hygiene, education, and most especially, the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

So what does the Bible call Christians to do, even when these problems seem so overwhelming and so far away? Answer: Have compassion and do something.

This Saturday on The Christian Worldview, you will hear about the life-transforming ministry Compassion International is carrying out for impoverished children around the world. And you will be given the opportunity to get involved yourself by sponsoring an impoverished child or orphan to receive the physical and spiritual help they need.

When you do, you will be changing an impoverished child’s life for the better. And you know who else will change? You.

Behind the Scenes of The Christian Worldview

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:45 — 8.7MB)

This Saturday, you will get a behind the scenes tour of The Christian Worldview Radio Program.  First, the question I always ask first-time guests will be turned around on me: “What is your background and how did you become a follower of Jesus Christ?”  In other words, you’re going to find out a little more about the host!

From there, you will hear how topics are chosen each week and how the program goes from a studio in Minnesota into your car, living room, or iPod.  We are also going to leave some time for you to call or email us with questions about past programs from this year and suggestions for topics in the coming year.  Take advantage of that!

This will be our last LIVE broadcast of the year.  On the final two Saturdays of 2011 — December 23rd and 30th — we will be airing two of the most popular programs from this year.

So be sure to tune in this Saturday for a rare behind the scenes tour of The Christian Worldview.  And may each one of you have a joyous Christmas focused on Jesus Christ!

Year-End Letter

Our YEAR-END PRINT LETTER that was mailed out in early December is now available for you to read online.

JUST A REMINDER that donations to The Christian Worldview must be postmarked or received online on or before Friday, December 31st for the donation to be tax deductible for the 2011 tax year. As always, we are committed to operating The Christian Worldview as our financial condition allows and not presuming upon or pressuring listeners to meet certain budgetary “needs”. If you’d like to make a tax deductible gift, you can do so one of three ways:

• ONLINE: go to OvercomerFoundation.org (the name of the 501c3 non-profit for The Christian Worldview)
• PHONE: call us toll-free at 1-888-646-2233
• MAIL: send a check to The Christian Worldview Box 401 Tonka Bay, MN 55331

“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” I Peter 1:22-23

On behalf of our volunteer board and staff, thank you for supporting  The Christian Worldview Radio Program. We hope you have a meaningful Christmas and all of God’s best to you in 2012.

For His glory,

David Wheaton
Host, The Christian Worldview Radio Program

Support The Christian Worldview and Receive Our New Fleece Vest

Get our NEW fleece vest with your donation of $50 or more!

Just in, The Christian Worldview’s NEW fleece vest.  The perfect gift for those who strive to “Think Biblically and Live Accordingly!”  Featuring a cozy, mid-weight brown fleece complete with zipped outside pockets, top zipper cover, inside pockets, and waist draw-cord, this vest is sure to be a Christmas success!

Is There Jewish Christianity Today?

S. Lewis Johnson Message of the Week

Is There Jewish Christianity Today?
Dr. S. Lewis Johnson introduces a series on Paul’s writings concerning the fulfillment of God’s promises made in the Old Testament. Dr. Johnson gives an exposition of Paul’s explanation of how Jews after Christ’s ministry participate in the promises.

Scripture Reference: Romans 11:1-6

Click here to listen: Is There Jewish Christianity Today?

Transcript Excerpt:

Our subject for our next few sessions together is “The Apostle Paul and the Purpose of the Ages.”  And we’re turning to Romans chapter 11 and looking at this marvelous chapter in a series of our studies here in this particular radio class.  The subject for today as we look at Romans chapter 11, and verse 1 through verse 6, is “Is There Jewish Christianity Today?”

The question of Israel’s place in the divine purpose has rarely been as relevant to life on this planet as it is today.  Standing at the critical center of the political and military uncertainties and anxieties of the nations is the Nation Israel.  Theologians of different persuasions recognize this fact.  Professor G. C. Berkouwer, one of the really notable Christian theologians of the twentieth century, in his book “The Return of Christ,” although denying in it that Israel the nation has an ethnic future, yet feels it necessary to explain why he must devote a chapter to the nation in his work.  He finds justification for discussing Israel and the future in two things, the renewed attention given to Israel on account of the tragic outbursts of anti-Semitism in our age and the rise of the Jewish state in the land of Palestine.

The issue of Israel rises constantly in our newspapers as they seek to report the life of the globe.  When President Reagan visits an un-denazified German cemetery in a state that is not now the state of Hitler, Hitlerism abounds in our world by another name, communism, the issue of Israel is again highlighted before the Western world as we reflect upon the demonic evil of the holocaust.

For the study of the divine purpose in Israel in the New Testament revelation, one must first and foremost consider Paul’s great chapters in his Epistle to the Romans.  It is in this letter alone that the apostle discusses thematically the future of Israel.  The discussion is found in Romans 9 through 11, and the reason for it is found in the subject matter of Romans 1 through 8.  While the entire epistle is an exposition of the gospel, chapters 1 through 8 form the doctrinal heart of the soteriology of Paul.

Read the full transcript here…

Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II – Galatians 3:38

S. Lewis Johnson Message of the Week

Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II
Dr. S. Lewis Johnson continues his discussion of feminism within evangelical thought by expounding the Apostle Paul’s teachings on the role of women in the early church.

Scripture Reference: Galatians 3:38

Click here to listen: Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part II

Transcript Excerpt:

Last week we started our series of studies on evangelical feminism and the Bible.  And I started out by making what I think is an important form in the form of a question.  And it was, what is the unique significance of our maleness and our femaleness?  And have we really forgotten that?  Or are we so exposed to thoughts that are characteristic of our society that we do not realize what the word of God has said from its beginning.  I suggested that a question that most of the feminists cannot answer is a simple question that a child, a girl or a man or boy may ask his parents, “Dad what does it mean to be a man and not a woman?”  Or “Dad what does it mean to be a woman and not a man.”  These are questions that the Scriptures have significant things to say about in the egalitarianism of the society of which we are a part now.  That’s largely lost.  And so often we know that in evangelicalism, the things that the world thinks about and bombards us with are soon the things that we see in the church of Jesus Christ.  They slip often unnoticed and it’s not until difficulties have arisen in the church of Christ that we realize that we have been subjected to influence from unchristian sources.  We don’t doubt at all that rationality may exist in differing view points, at least plausibility I should say.  It appeared to be rationality exists in many of the things with which our society is occupied.

…. you can read the full transcript here.

Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I: Genesis 1 – 3

S. Lewis Johnson Message of the Week

Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I
Dr. S. Lewis Johnson begins a six-part series on the issue of women’s equality in the evangelical faith community. Dr. Johnson uses the first message to outline God’s purposes in creating the woman as found in the Genesis account.

Scripture Reference: Genesis 1-3

Click here to listen: Evangelical Feminism and the Bible, part I

Transcript Excerpt:

Well the subject for this brief series that the elders have asked me to undertake is “Evangelical Feminism and the Bible.”  I need to clarify that.  It was not they who suggested the title.  I suggested the title, but they asked me if I would fill in for a few Wednesday nights.  And that’s the title, “Evangelical Feminism in the Bible.”  And what I would like to do is to this evening look at the foundational texts that have to do with feminism and then we’ll look at four of the problem passages in the New Testament.  But the Old Testament, Genesis chapter 1, 2, and 3 is the foundation for all scriptural thinking regarding the relationship between the sexes.  And so, there are several passages that we want to look at this evening.  And then we’ll look at the passages that are problems, that have caused a great deal of concern on the parts of many, such as Galatians 3:28; 1 Timothy chapter 2; 1 Corinthians chapter 11; and 1 Corinthians chapter 14.  All of them have some rather difficult passages.  And we’ll try to deal with them after we have looked this evening at Genesis chapter 1, 2, and 3.

…. you can read the full transcript here.

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