Did you know that John Lennon’s song “Imagine” was sung at Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral at Carter’s request? “Imagine” is an atheist anthem. Carter identified as a “born again Christian.” Here’s what Carter said about the song: Carter spoke more than once about his enthusiasm for the song. He delighted in the fact that “Imagine” had become a truly international anthem. “[I]n many countries around [...]
Gary mentions five encouraging signs that he has seen recently about the state of the culture. The Christian worldview does not reject this world or the things of this world as evil. All that God created is good (Gen. 1:31). All that we do should be evaluated in terms of God’s Word. “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. [...]
In this continuation of his first lecture, Gary points out that if the biblical God is not recognized in a culture, something else will always take His place. In debates on subjects where there are fundamental disagreements, several basic preliminaries must be established before a meaningful discussion can take place. The first principle is to establish the starting point for the ultimate authorit [...]
The rich often get a bum rap. Liberals are incensed when it’s suggested that “the rich” get any type of tax reduction even though the top 50% of wage earners pay 96% of all income taxes. Do you remember the 2016 presidential debate when the very rich Hillary Clinton attacked Donald Trump for not paying his “fair share” in taxes? Trump pointed out that Clinton and here rich friends used the same ta [...]
Gary continues his discussion about how we should respond to the grievance merchants in modern society. The biblical position is that there must always be judicial representation. Adam represented all of mankind before God in the fall. Jesus Christ represented all of mankind as well as His people before God in His death, resurrection, and ascension. There must always be representation. Moses repre [...]
It’s 2025 and we’re still here! While going through my library for a research project I’ve been working on, I came across Nicholas Guyatt’s 2007 book Have a Nice Doomsday: Why Millions of Americans are Looking Forward to the End of the World. This past weekend, I was given a book that claims it’s all coming to fruition in September of this year. The author is a premillennialist, so his view is opt [...]
A great way to start the new year! We must always begin with first principles in any debate. The Bible states a simple but fundamental fact: God’s government over all things is singular, absolute, without compromise, and without legitimate competitors. All earthly governments are delegated by God’s decree and limited. Contrary to the Declaration of Independence, it’s false to claim that “governmen [...]
Gary begins addressing the recent murder of the United Healthcare CEO and how to properly address grievances anyone may have with either an individual or a major social wrong. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 is a very important passage. It deals with a dead body found in a field. The victim has been murdered, but no one knows who committed it. The elders of the city closest to the field come out to participate [...]
Many people get bent out of shape when they see ‘Xmas’ or ‘X-Mas.’ They think it’s a way of removing Jesus Christ from Christmas. Removing Christ from Christmas happens in many direct ways, but X-Mas is not one of them. “Every year you see the signs and the bumper stickers saying, ‘Put Christ back into Christmas’ as a response to this substitution of the letter X for the name of Christ. [...]
Click here to listen to the podcast based on this article. In Luke 2:22-40, we are introduced to two individuals named Simeon and Anna. They were in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to “present him to the Lord.” We learn that Simeon and Anna were faithful believers expectantly awaiting the Messiah’s promised appearance. We are also told that Simeon was waiting for “the consol [...]
Gary continues speaking with Rick Welch of The Burros of Berea podcast about Christmas movies. These movies are not necessarily “Christian” in the sense that many modern Christians tend to think about such things. While they may lack a comprehensive Gospel message that leads viewers to the Cross, that misses the point of what makes something Christian or non-Christian. Christians should be able to [...]
Every Christmas liberals try to make the Christmas story about some needed Leftist government welfare program. Leftists have little regard for the Bible unless it can be used to scold Christians for judging righteously (Matt. 7:1-2; John 7:24) and supporting socialism based on voluntary giving (Acts 2:42-45; 4:32-35). In the same breath they refuse to acknowledge the Bible teaches that unborn babi [...]
Gary is interviewed by Rick Welch of The Burros of Berea podcast about old Christmas movies. Most evangelicals tend to think in “words.” This is certainly understandable because of the Protestant focus on the Bible as the sole authority (sola Scriptura) and the Lutheran concept of the “priesthood of all believers.” When this is applied to storytelling and film, this primary focus on word over imag [...]
Movie remakes can be hazardous. Few can compete with the originals. Several come to mind: Goodbye Mr. Chips, Mighty Joe Young, The Time Machine, Psycho, 12 Angry Men, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Miracle on 34th Street. There are exceptions: The Man Who Knew Too Much, Ben Hur, Tombstone (a remake of My Darling Clementine), and Ocean’s Eleven. In other cases, both the original and the remake are good: [...]
Christians must re-learn how to think biblically. Gary points the way forward in this talk given in McAllen, Texas a few years ago. Teachers of a false spirituality in the first-century church were “forbidding marriage” and advocating “abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Tim. 4:3–4). Decrees such as “Do not handle, do [...]
American Vision rarely asks for financial support. Donations go directly to projects while my salary comes from product sales. I can assure you that American Vision runs a very lean operation. I am the only employee. Any financial aid you can give at this time would be very much appreciated to keep American Vision operating at an optimal level. You can donate monthly or with a one-time gift either [...]
Gary discusses some of the common objections to how Christianity has influenced American civil government and sets the historical record straight. The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States… provides a treasure trove of information about the Christian foundations and essence of our history, civil government, and constitutional order. It provides long-obs [...]
Recently Louisiana got into the Ten Commandments debate and a judge stepped in to halt a new law that would require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles issued a lengthy ruling and order on Tuesday in the case of Darcy Roake et al. v. Cade Brumley et al. At issue is Louisiana’s House Bill 71, signed into law in June, whic [...]
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in the U.S. v. Skrmetti to Loving v. Virginia case regarding minors having access to medical treatments that would physically alter their birth sex. “American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Chase Strangio—a female who says she identifies as male” is arguing “that Tennessee’s law banning Frankensteinian medical experiments on kids violates federal law by di [...]
We rely on donations all-year-round, not just Giving Tuesday. But in the spirit of the new designation for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, we are asking for your financial help and to become part of the team here at American Vision. As Gary points out below, we run a slim operation at AV, keeping employees, equipment, and expenses to a minimum. This allows us to crank out a lot of material, but th [...]
