Failure to Abandon Gnosticism: No 4

Failure to Abandon Gnosticism: No 4

Recently, I received an email from a woman who asked whether I could direct her to sources that refute Gnosticism. She wrote that a friend of hers “claims to be on an extraordinarily intense spiritual ‘pilgrimage’ of ‘really pressing in to know God intimately’—but this guy has in effect divorced himself from the material world and from all relationships (including his wife and 10 children) which h [...]

What About Maduro and Venezuela?

What About Maduro and Venezuela?

Gary offers his initial thoughts about the taking of Nicolas Maduro by American troops and the situation in Venezuela. Does the Bible forbid Christians from being involved in politics? It would be a hard case to prove since there are numerous books of the Bible that are filled with politics—from Joshua, Judges, and 1 and 2 Samuel to 1 and 2 Kings and the Old Testament Prophets. King David is confr [...]

Failure to Oppose the Call for a Sacred-Secular Divide: No. 3

Failure to Oppose the Call for a Sacred-Secular Divide: No. 3

Some (too many) Christians advocate a form of factual neutrality, under which some subjects—science, geography, politics, mathematics—can be taught without regard to religion, since “facts speak for themselves.” This is most evident in education, where a self-conscious sacred-secular divide is maintained and supported by Christians. Ninety percent of Christian parents send their children to govern [...]

Making Rich People Pay More

Making Rich People Pay More

Gary discusses recent comments from some leftists about “taxing rich people”—like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk—at a higher rate. The Bible is the standard for every aspect of life. It tells us a great deal about economics. And it tells us that God’s law alone is the standard of right and wrong, of justice and injustice. We might therefore expect that the Bible would have much to say [...]

Failing to Neutralize the Claim of Neutrality: No. 2

Failing to Neutralize the Claim of Neutrality: No. 2

According to a radio editorial some years ago, “a man’s religion and the strength of his conviction are his own personal matter” and therefore “religion should not interfere with politics.”[1] Regrettably, many churches during Hitler’s rise to power accepted the argument that religion and morality should be separated from politics based on the neutrality claim. “Religion was a private matter,” his [...]

Failures that Neutralize Christians: No. 1

Failures that Neutralize Christians: No. 1

What are some of the worldview concepts that Christians have failed to beat, and what steps must be taken to beat them and offer alternatives? 1. Failure to Identify and Challenge an Opponent’s Presuppositions and Their Intended or Unintended Consequences. “What’s it going to cost?” is the first thing a savvy shopper asks when purchasing an item, not only in the purchase price of a car or a house, [...]

The 34th Street Apologetic

The 34th Street Apologetic

Gary discusses the classic Christmas film, Miracle on 34th Street and many instances of how this film presents opportunities for thinking through worldviews and Christian apologetics. 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 beli [...]

Many More Merry Movies

Many More Merry Movies

Gary revisits one of his favorite topics: movies! Rick Welch invited Gary back to his Burros of Berea podcast a few weeks ago to discuss more Christmas films. Many Christians seem to believe that thinking is an act of unbelief. They do not even begin to understand how the Bible might apply, for example, to science, economics, politics, law, or education. They might have opinions about these topics [...]

Great Christmas Movies (Part Two)

Great Christmas Movies (Part Two)

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 [...]

You Can't Get Around Economic Laws

You Can't Get Around Economic Laws

Gary discusses different immutable aspects of monetary policy and economics. The modern world has debased its coinage. No nation’s mint issues silver coins as common coinage—only as collectibles. By the mid-1960’s, silver coins were replaced by central bank counterfeits. In 1965, most money was not coinage, as is true today. Most money was a combination of paper currency and bank checks. Printed c [...]

Is the Law of Christ a Substitute for the Law of God?

Is the Law of Christ a Substitute for the Law of God?

Thomas Ice and H. Wayne House (just two among many) maintain false divisions regarding the law. They want to make a radical distinction between the “law of God” and the “law of Christ” as if two law systems are operating in the Bible. Currently, God has made a new covenant with his people—the church—and we live under the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).[1] Indeed, there is a “new covenant” with si [...]

How Penn & Teller Can Help in the Evolution Debate

How Penn & Teller Can Help in the Evolution Debate

Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller are stage magicians. Their act is a mix of comedy, irreverence, and skill. They are also known for exposing quacks, frauds, paranormal beliefs, and claims of the supernatural in the tradition of Harry Houdini and James Randi in their show Penn & Teller: Bulls***t! They ventured into the realm of politics by taking on global warming, gun control, PETA, the War o [...]

Taylor Swift is a "Cisgender Racist?"

Taylor Swift is a "Cisgender Racist?"

Gary discusses several recent news events, including a crazy leftist relationship coach claiming Taylor Swift is showing her “tradwife” leanings by wanting to have children. A number of Christian leaders profess that the church’s job is only “to preach the gospel.” This seems to be the emphasis of Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson in their book Blinded by Might. Dobson, former board member of t [...]

North Korean Women and “Capitalist” Breast Implants

North Korean Women and “Capitalist” Breast Implants

Don’t ever say, “It will never happen here.” As bizarre as the following is, the rudiments of this new law are already operating in principle in the United States: North Korea has initiated a harsh crackdown on women suspected of having “capitalist” breast implants, labelling such cosmetic procedures as “un-socialist” and “bourgeois”, The Telegraph reported. The country’s security services are con [...]

The Ultimate Source for Morality and Everything Else

The Ultimate Source for Morality and Everything Else

The following is my response to someone from Australia on the topic of “free speech.” I pointed out that Australia does not have a provision in its Constitution for “freedom of speech.” SB: We have more freedom than the US. Look it up kid. Also, the Bible isn’t Western. It is an adopted Eastern religion. Hypocrites. GD: The Bible not being “western” is irrelevant. In addition, I’m not a “kid.” [...]

You Can't Outrun the Problems

You Can't Outrun the Problems

Gary discusses celebrities like Rosie O’Donnell, Robin Wright, and Ryan Gosling who have decided to move away from the United States for political reasons. Jesus told His early disciples that they would be “brought before governors and kings for His sake” (Matt. 10:18), and they were as the book of Acts makes clear. The apostle Paul declared, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor. [...]

A Great Cultural Shift

A Great Cultural Shift

Gary discusses recent news stories and responses to the Charlie Kirk assassination. The question of authority becomes extremely important and practical when we start dealing with life’s most basic issues. Everyday living requires that we make a multitude of decisions. How does one choose between two or more ethical opinions? Without a basis for authority, a standard of authority, the determination [...]

Making DeMands of DeMar

Making DeMands of DeMar

Please help us reach $10K in donations for a matching grant Gary recaps his recent trip to Moscow, Idaho and all of the various people he met while there. The modern church that refuses to take a stand against the evils of the day is good for nothing. In the gospels, Jesus explains it this way: “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? [...]

The Dominion Mandate and Christian Nationalism

The Dominion Mandate and Christian Nationalism

Please help us reach $10K in donations for a matching grant Discussions about “dominion” have taken a wild turn based on Christian Nationalism, a designation I do not like. Dominion theology is equated to ‘Christian Nationalism.’ Here’s one example: “With a burgeoning interest in the idea of Christian Nationalism, the Christian Church in America has seen a renewed interest in modified versions of [...]

Why Leftists Hate the Mention of ‘Thoughts and Prayers’

Why Leftists Hate the Mention of ‘Thoughts and Prayers’

Please help us reach $10K in donations for a matching grant When there’s a tragedy, you know what Democrats are going to say. “Guns are the problem,” and “thoughts and prayers” are not a solution. “Boston Globe columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr pinch-hit for MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart on Friday’s PBS News Hour and, during the discussion on the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis, [...]