Age Segregation versus Family Integration at Church

Podcast: Download (Duration: 59:49 — 10.3MB)

Guest: Austin Duncan, pastor of college ministry at Grace Community Church, LA

“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

On a typical Sunday morning for church-going families across America, Dad and Mom and their two teenage kids arrive at church at which point they all go their separate ways.

Dad and Mom head over to their “POT” (Parents-of-Teens) class to have coffee, hear some teaching on raising kids, and socialize with others in their same period-of-life demographic.

16-year-old son, Johnny, immediately disappears downstairs to “The Bunker”, a tricked-out teen cave complete with billiards table, video game consoles, and elevated bandstand with microphones, amps, lighting, and all the trimmings where he will “hang out” with other high schoolers and the YP (Youth Pastor).

13-year-old daughter daughter, Susie, waves good-bye and heads upstairs to “The Attic” where all the other 6th, 7th, and 8th graders assemble every Sunday morning with games and skits and short lessons about being a “tweener”.

It’s anyone’s guess whether the family will reconvene to attend the main worship service together, but if not, they will “meet by Door 2 at noon” to head home.

It is said that “Sunday morning is the most racially segregated time in America” but has it also become the most age segregated as well?  Austin Duncan, pastor of college ministry at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, will join us to talk about the pros and cons of age segregation at church and the growing movement called the “Family Integrated Church (FIC)”.

Highlights of the Shepherds’ Conference 2012

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:46 — 8.7MB)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Sure, there are plenty of discouraging indicators that the world and church are heading in the wrong direction but here’s one sign in the midst of it all that should encourage you: the Shepherds’ Conference, which is held annually at John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church in Los Angeles had its highest attendance ever last week!

That’s right, over 3300 men — pastors, elders, and laymen — from all over the world literally overflowed the church sanctuary to hear expository preaching by John MacArthur, Al Mohler, Steven Lawson, Phil Johnson, Voddie Baucham, and Tom Pennington.  In the midst of a darkening world, this is a very positive sign that God is still at work and motivating men to faithfully preach His Word.

I was one of those men fortunate to attend the Shepherds’ Conference last week and this Saturday on The Christian Worldview, I will share some highlights of the preaching, including the trustworthiness of the Word, the importance of the Holy Spirit, leadership in our homes, and much more.  Be sure to tune in!

Audio of Shepherds’ Conferences messages.

Giving The Gospel At Christmas (previously aired 12/18/2010)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 50:46 — 8.7MB)

Guest: Greg Gilbert, author, What Is the Gospel? (9Marks)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

This program was previously aired on 12/18/2010
“Gospel” is a word that is bandied about almost everywhere nowadays.  So much so that “the gospel” has taken on different meanings for different people while the real meaning found in Scripture has become unclear, even amongst Christians.

So what is the gospel?  Is it limited in scope to the “good news” that God has offered to reconcile condemned sinners to Himself?  Or does it have a much broader definition relating to good works that bring about social change and justice?  And what does it have to do with the Christian life once one is saved?

This Christmas season as you gather with family and friends, you may have the opportunity to talk with someone about the gospel.  How will you explain it?  Is there a simple way you can communicate the gospel so anyone can understand it?  What are the fundamental elements that need to be included so that you can give a faithful gospel message?

Greg Gilbert, author of the concise book, What Is the Gospel? (9Marks), joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to help us be crystal clear about what the gospel is, what it isn’t, and how we can better understand it ourselves so we can better communicate it to others.

Reversing Course for the “Backsliding” Soul

Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:45 — 5.5MB)

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

“Backsliders.”  It is a word not found in Scripture but it is commonly used to describe someone who professes to be a Christian but currently is “not living the Christian life.”

We all know examples of Christians who continue to practice sin for extended periods of time (think of King David or Lot).  Maybe we have been one of them ourselves.  Just last week we discussed the tragic life of Whitney Houston, who started her life in a church singing gospel songs and was a professing Christian, but then recently died after years of living in highly publicized sin.

So is prolonged “backsliding” an indication that a person wasn’t genuinely saved in the first place?  If so, how much time and what indicators would lead to that conclusion?  Or is a “backslider” a true believer who is being defeated by the flesh — as every believer sometimes is — and thus, their salvation is not in doubt?  And finally, what can we do to avoid “backsliding” in our own lives and to help others out of it?

I hope you’ll join us this Saturday on The Christian Worldview as we discuss this interesting and important topic.

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

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