Monday, August 21st, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Jonathan Clark
Scores of Nepalis Turning to Jesus
The World Christian Database shows that Nepal has one of the fastest growing Christian populations in the world.
The World View spoke to William Stark of International Christian Concern who has visited Nepal a number of times. He said that the Hindu caste system is the biggest reason that many of the poorest Nepalis are turning to Christ.
“You have to look at the social makeup of a place like Nepal. You have Hinduism as the dominant religion which includes the issue of the caste system. You have a society that’s built in tiers, where you have the Brahmans who live at the top of that social hierarchy that’s created in Hinduism. But then you also have the Dalits who exist in a place like Nepal. Unfortunately, even though discriminating on the basis of castes is technically illegal in Nepal, it’s still widely practiced.”
Stark said that the story of the unconditional love of Jesus for all peoples is what really touches these Nepalis.
“You have in Hinduism this idea that I’m born in this station of being untouchable and in order for me to do my duty in this lifetime I have to accept my position as the lowest in society and be ok with the fact that I’m going to be marginalized and discriminated against and there’s nothing I can do about it. So when you have the gospel come to a place where that’s your belief system, when a message comes to you and says, ‘No, you are loved by your Creator equally as everyone else,’ that is a radical message.”
John 3:17 says, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through Him, might be saved.”
Christianity In North Korea Blossoming
Meanwhile, Christianity in North Korea continues to grow despite being the worst for persecution. The U.S. State Department’s recent report on religious freedom worldwide called out North Korea for their violation of the “right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”
However, a defector from North Korea who is helping underground churches there recently told The Telegraph in an interview that respect and worship of Kim Jong-un and his family is decreasing while “the Christian church is also growing and deepening its roots.”
Christian Aid Launches Aid for Sierra Leone
Christian Aid launched an appeal last Friday for emergency donations to help the 3,000 families left homeless and devastated in Sierra Leone, West Africa by recent flooding and mudslides. Around 400 people have died as a result of the landslide, and 600 more are missing.
You can support the victims in Sierra Leone through Christian Aid here.
Britain’s School Students Exam Results Released
The 2017 exam results for Britain’s schools were released last week. Christian Today reports for the first time in six years the proportion of top A-level students increased. However, the results did see a decrease in A-level results for religious studies.
Life News Reports Rate of Abortion Has Reached Lowest Level Since 1973
Life News reports the rate of the murder of the unborn has reached its lowest level since Roe v. Wade in 1973 based on research by the the Guttmacher Institute.
The most recently recorded rate was 16.9 abortions per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44 compared to the 1981 record high of 29.3 per 1,000 women. Pregnancy help centers have increased to approximately 3,500 across the US, outnumbering abortion mills.
Paul G Allen Announces Finding USS Indianapolis In Philippine Sea
Microsoft billionaire Paul G. Allen announced last Friday his research vessel found the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea.
The Indianapolis famously delivered the crucial components of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, but was sunk shortly afterwards in July of 1945 by a Japanese submarine, causing 879 deaths, the greatest loss of life in U.S. Naval history.
Conservatives Call CNN out for Featuring ‘Hate Map.’
Conservatives decried CNN last week for featured a “hate map” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, putting conservative pro-family groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and the Family Research Council alongside other groups like the Aryan Nation and the Ku Klux Klan.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver stated, “I am shocked that CNN would publish such a false report on the heels of the Charlottesville tragedy. To lump peaceful Christian organizations, which condemn violence and racism, in with the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists is offensive.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds us, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings.”
Jerry Lewis Passes Away at 91 Years Old
“Laaaady!”
That was Jerry Lewis, reprising one of his signature expressions, on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Lewis, who was 91, died yesterday morning of natural causes in Las Vegas with his family by his side.
For decades, Jerry Lewis’ star had been as bright as any comedic force in America, reports The Los Angeles Times. His partnership with Dean Martin forged the hottest comedy team of an era, and his films were embraced by audiences raised on his manic, over-the-top, rubber-faced routines.
Then, as if by design, he shifted gears and poured his energy and time into philanthropy as host of the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, a charity event he hosted for 44 years, raising hundreds of millions.
Last year, after a 20 year absence, Lewis returned to the big screen in the dramatic film “Max Rose”.
In a promotional interview on Inside Edition, he fretted about the waning number of days he had before him.
“If you’re real to yourself, you recognize there’s not a lot of time left. I don’t like that part; I don’t like that part at all.”
Through tears, Lewis explained that his greatest fear was leaving behind his wife Sandee and their 24-year-old daughter, Danielle.
“I’m not going to hold them. I’m not going to love on ‘em. And then. . . I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t handle that.”
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
And that wisdom comes when we seek Christ’s forgiveness for our sins so that we may spend eternity with Him and our saved loved ones.
And that’s The World View in Five Minutes.