It’s Monday, May 2nd, A.D. 2022. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus.
By Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
China shuts down popular Christian website
The latest victim of the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing crackdown against Christianity in cyberspace is a well-known Christian website which has disappeared after serving believers for 21 years, reports The Christian Post.
The people behind the popular Christian website, “Jona Home,” have put a notice on the Home page, which reads, “Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on our site can no longer serve brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks to all for your company and support in the past 21 years!”
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
Russia raises nuclear tensions as Ukraine’s allies promise more arms
Last Tuesday, the United States rallied 40 nations to provide long-term military aid to Ukraine as Russia raised the specter of nuclear war if NATO members keep sending arms to the embattled country, reports the Los Angeles Times.
In an apparent response to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who said Monday that the U.S. wanted Russia permanently “weakened,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of escalating tensions.
Asked on Russian TV whether the current situation was comparable to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the U.S. and Russia to the brink of nuclear war in 1962, Lavrov said his country wants to avoid nuclear conflict, and then added: “The danger is serious, it’s real. It should not be underestimated. NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”
DeSantis rejects Biden’s disinformation board
On Friday, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis spoke out against the Biden administration’s proposed “disinformation board” run by the Department of Homeland Security.
Listen.
DeSANTIS: “I honestly thought this was a belated April Fool’s joke but they are actually going to create, in the Department of Homeland Security, a bureau of disinformation.
“It’s basically a Ministry of Truth. And what they want to do is they want to be able to put out false narratives without people being able to speak out and fight back. They want to be able to say things like Russia collusion and perpetuate hoaxes, and then have people like us be silenced.
“They want to be able to advocate for COVID lockdowns. They want to advocate for school closures, things that are not supported by the evidence. But then, when you speak out, they want to stifle dissent. And so, we reject this bureau in the state of Florida.” (applause)
GOP Congresswoman: Transgender agenda is “child abuse”
In an interview with Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News Saturday, Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller of Illinois denounced the left’s transgender agenda as “rebellion against God.” She also blasted the Biden administration for pushing it on young children, which she called “child abuse.”
MILLER: “You cannot change your gender. It’s a lie. And people that have gender identity problems, I sympathize with them. But why are we going to go along with, basically, the emperor’s new clothes and play along with this charade? I’m not going to do it.
“And even Mayo Clinic’s guidance talks about the long-term effects of taking these drugs. It affects growth spurts, bone growth, bone density and future fertility. I mean, they’re purposely preventing the child’s physical development, and I’m calling it child abuse.”
“You cannot change your gender. It’s a lie,” Miller “And people who have gender identity problems, I sympathize with them, but why are we going to go along with ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ and play along with this charade? I’m not going to do it. I mean, they’re purposely preventing the child’s physical development, and I’m calling it child abuse.”
Matthew 18:6 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
42% of pastors want to quit
And finally, stress, loneliness and politics are the top reasons for burnout among pastors and why many pastors are leaving the ministry, according to a new study from Barna Group.
The survey found that among 510 Protestant senior pastors, 42 percent said they were “seriously considering” leaving full-time ministry.
It is consistent with data from fall 2021 when Barna first reported on a sharp increase in pastoral burnout. And it confirms the growing number of pastors who are considering resignation—up 13 percentage points from 29 percent in January 2021.
Over half of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry (56%) say “the immense stress of the job” has factored into their thoughts on leaving.
Beyond these general stressors, two in five pastors (43%) say “I feel lonely and isolated,” while 38 percent name “current political divisions” as reasons they’ve considered stepping away.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, May 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2022. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.