The Forgotten Translation

The Forgotten Translation

Tyrants have always feared God’s Word, especially when it is translated so the average person can read, understand, and apply it to every area of life. This is no less true today… The Geneva Bible is unique among all other Bibles. It was the first Bible to use chapters and numbered verses and became the most popular version of its time because of the extensive marginal notes. These notes, w [...]

Did God Really Say That?

Did God Really Say That?

Authority figures have been claiming to speak for God ever since the beginning in the Garden of Eden. There are mostly harmless misreadings of Scripture such as: the belief that the forbidden fruit was an apple (no fruit is specified), that Jonah was swallowed by a whale (it was “a great fish”), and that angels have wings (they don’t). These and other fables parade as facts only because we have he [...]

Against Public Monasticism

Against Public Monasticism

Guest article by Charles Jacobi A few weeks ago, I responded to a Christianity Today columnist who, using C.S. Lewis, argued household discipleship takes precedence over “participating in culture wars.” The columnist’s point was that Christian parents shouldn’t run for school board: public education is an “open system” influenced by its local environment, thus, Christians should forgo the politica [...]

The End Was Near

The End Was Near

Gary discusses yet another new book release claiming to help readers understand Matthew 24. Matthew 24:1–34 is a key prophetic passage, and its interpretation is one of the most hotly debated subjects in “end times” discussions. We must put aside our preconceived interpretations and let the Bible interpret the Bible. After all, this is the only acceptable approach to take when trying to understand [...]

Dispensationalism's Future Holocaust for the Jews

Dispensationalism's Future Holocaust for the Jews

Part Two of Gary’s discussion of a new book by David Jeremiah and the publishing history of (failed) prophecy books. Hal Lindsey and dispensationalists in general have a low regard for the Law of God, [1] similar to the views of the arch-heretic Marcion (second century A.D.). “Marcion stressed the radical nature of Christianity vis-a-vis Judaism. In his theology there existed a total d [...]

Second Verse Same as the First

Second Verse Same as the First

Gary discusses David Jeremiah’s new book, which is essentially repeating the same message about being “near to the end.” Christians have always had disagreements over theology. The letters of the apostles to the first-century churches were designed to clear up doctrinal confusion, error, and heresy. The letters are well-reasoned, and, of course, they are truthful. Scripture and h [...]

What Goes Around Comes Around

What Goes Around Comes Around

Gary discusses a new book by Eric Metaxas that makes the point that the social and political climate in America today resembles early 20th century Germany. “I will protect the German people, Hitler shouted. You take care of the church. You pastors should worry about getting people to heaven and leave this world to me.”[1] Adolf Hitler’s angry response was directed at Martin Niemöller, [...]

Christian Nationalism and the Battle of Words

Christian Nationalism and the Battle of Words

Gary discusses what it means to be a patriot and a Christian, and while the two are not mutually exclusive, they are also not the same thing. Biblical elements often dominated when it came to establishing a moral foundation for the fledgling nation and suspicions of centralized political power. For example, the first legislative act of Pennsylvania, passed at Chester December 7, 1682, announced th [...]

RAD: Rapture Anxiety Disorder

RAD: Rapture Anxiety Disorder

Gary discusses how failed prophecies take a toll on those who believe them. Hal Lindsey argued that Revelation was written in the form of an ancient code that needed a time machine to speed to the right prophetic era where the original symbols could be understood. “You might say,” Lindsey writes in There’s A New World Coming, “that [the apostle] John was put into a ‘divine time machine’ and transp [...]

Ian and Climate-Change End-Times

Ian and Climate-Change End-Times

Gary discusses climate change end-times “prophets” who sound just like religious end-times authors. Climate Armageddon is the new secular apocalypticism. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was nuclear destruction. That was always a possibility because the United States and the former Soviet Union had real nuclear weapons. Students were to “Duck and Cover” in case of a nuclear attack. Like this [...]

What Jesus Didn't Mention...

What Jesus Didn't Mention...

Gary responds to an article about political commentator Joe Scarborough calling the “pro-life” movement a “heresy.” Tom Ehrich, an Episcopal minister and writer living in Durham, North Carolina, claims that the religious debate on the subject of abortion “is one best captured in shades of gray rather than . . . in black and white.”[1] Ehrich asks where God stands on the iss [...]

The Seduction of Statism

The Seduction of Statism

Guest article by Jason Mattera [see original post here] Remember the part of Jesus’ parable where, after seeing the beaten and half-dead traveler on the ground, the Good Samaritan rushes to find the nearest Roman official, urging him to impose an obligatory progressive income tax on the locals to bankroll the battered man’s recovery at the nearby inn? Me either. Must be in the other red-letter edi [...]

The Local Indicators in Matthew 24

The Local Indicators in Matthew 24

Gary discusses several claims in a recent book by an author who claims to be an atheist because of failed prophecies about the “end times.” There is a history of skeptics that turn to Bible prophecy and claim Jesus was wrong about the timing of His coming at “the end of the age” (Matt. 24:3) and the signs associated with it. Noted atheist Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) wrote [...]

Art and the Bible

Art and the Bible

Gary discusses art and worldview with Pastor Doug Giles and his several series of art to help change Christians’ perception of biblical persons and events. Interest in the occult emerges when the prevailing Christian worldview fails to impact people’s lives in concrete, life-transforming ways. When the Christian message becomes defeatist, retreatist, and exclusively otherworldly, the door is [...]

The Struggle for Power and Money

The Struggle for Power and Money

Gary concludes his interview with Chris Arnzen about abortion, racism, transgenderism, and so much more. The Bible shows that apologetics and worldviews in general deal with fundamental assumptions that guide reason and give meaning to facts. For example, the first verse of the Bible states without equivocation or defense, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The ne [...]

The Unraveling of Secularism

The Unraveling of Secularism

This is Part One of Gary’s recent interview by Chris Arnzen on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio. Defending the Christian worldview against unbelieving thought takes an understanding that every worldview has a centralized guiding principle that serves as its foundational operational assumption about the nature of reality. By going after the head, as Jael did to Sisera (Judges 4–5), as an unnamed woma [...]

Christian Nationalism and Dominion

Christian Nationalism and Dominion

Gary discusses several recent books and articles based on the topic of Christian Nationalism and “dominionism.” Question: Is it possible that the Bible teaches that the gospel will have worldwide success, that nations will be discipled, and that we will see the Word of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the sea before Jesus returns in glory to rapture His saints? (Isa. 11:9). [...]

Who is the Man of Sin?

Who is the Man of Sin?

Gary discusses the man of sin (or lawlessness) in 2 Thessalonians 2 with Pastor Joel Webbon. Many believe that 2 Thessalonians 2 describes the end times leading up to the rapture of the church, the revealing of antichrist, and the second coming. Tim LaHaye, a representative of this perspective, writes: “Second Thessalonians 2:1–12 contains the rapture, Tribulation, and Glorious Appearing all in on [...]

The Values of Old Movies

The Values of Old Movies

Gary discusses the value and values of classic films from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Dan Gilbert, writing in Hell Over Hollywood in 1942, stated that “Hollywood has a power to shape, to mold, to direct and control the life of America which exceeds that of any dictator.”[1] Like so many Christians today, Gilbert, who was the Chairman of the Christian Newspaper Men’s Committee to Investigate the M [...]

Progress or Defeat?

Progress or Defeat?

Gary concludes his interview with Pastor Joel Webbon regarding worldview and action. People ask why young people are leaving the church. In some cases, it’s because they don’t see any real-world relevance. Yes, when they die, they’ll go to heaven, but what do they do until then? God created the world and established its boundaries and rules for living in every area of life. The justice system we h [...]