It’s Tuesday, January 2nd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Kevin Swanson
Vietnamese Christians hassled by Thai police
Vietnamese Christians already persecuted out of their country into Thailand have now been arrested by the Thai police.
International Christian Concern reports that an evangelist, Lù A Da, was arrested on December 7 in Bangkok. He is incarcerated at a local police station.
In addition, 11 Montagnard Christians, who were arrested in November, were kept in prison over Christmas — at an Immigration Detention Centre.
Japanese earthquake
An earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale hit the west coast of Japan’s big island of Honshu on New Year’s Day, reports CBS News.
After homes collapsed and officials issued tsunami warnings, coastal residents headed for higher ground. Six people were killed
That’s the most powerful earthquake that has hit Japan since 2015. Japan is usually in the top six nations experiencing the most earthquakes each year. Indonesia and Mexico are usually #1 and #2 on the list.
Why Ohio GOP Governor vetoed anti-transgender bill
Conservatives in America are grappling with why Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have disallowed puberty blockers for children, and banning boys, pretending to be girls, from playing on girls sports teams in public schools.
According to the Federalist Papers, it turns out Governor DeWine received $40,300 from the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Cincinnati Children’s, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and ProMedica Children’s Hospital for his election campaign. The president of Ohio Children’s Hospital Association, Nick Lashutka, had testified against the Republican bill in the House, the bill which the Governor subsequently vetoed.
To register your objection, send Governor DeWine an email through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Or send a letter to Governor Mike DeWine, 77 South High Street, 30th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
U.S. stock compared to global stocks
Are American stocks overvalued?
The NASDAQ stock index has hit an all-time high, closing Friday at 16,826. That’s up from 1,204 in 2009, a 14-fold increase.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed for the year 2023 at 37,690, up from 7,060 in 2009. That’s a 5-fold increase. Meanwhile, almost every other stock market in the world hasn’t come close to these valuations.
WolfStreet.com reports that the Chinese Shanghai composite is still where it was in 2009. Japan’s Nikkei is leveled off where the index stood in 1989. The UK FTSE Index is up about 50% since 2009. Spain’s IBEX index is still where it was sitting in 2009. Canada’s Index is up about 40% from 2008.
Economist predicts 2024 “biggest single crash year in our lifetimes”
Is the American industry really doing 20 to 100 times better than England, China, and Japan?
U.S. economist Harry Dent told Fox Business: “Since 2009, this has been a 100% artificial [economy], with unprecedented money printing and deficits; $27 trillion over 15 years, to be exact. … We’re in a dangerous state. 2024 is going to be the biggest single crash year we’ll see in our lifetimes.”
The economist forecasts an 86% crash in the S&P, a 92% crash in the NASDAQ, 96% for crypto, and significant deflation on housing prices.
But Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) Our Savior also said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Taylor Swift: Time’s Person of the Year
A pop music star turned out to be Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023.
Taylor Swift is the latest goddess of pop culture. Her 131-date “Eras” world tour is on track to be the highest-grossing concert tour of all time — estimated to top $1.4 billion.
Taylor Swift is known for her pro-homosexual songs such as “Welcome to New York” and “You Need to Calm Down,” as well as nihilistic themes found in “Anti-hero” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.”
Notable Christian leaders who died in 2023
And finally, let’s remember a number of notable Christian leaders who died in 2023.
They include Pastor Jack Hayford, George Verwer, Pastor Charles Stanley, Pastor Tim Keller, Christian Broadcaster Pat Robertson, and Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling.
In the words of Ecclesiastes, “Man also does not know his time. … Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 9:12, 12:13-14)
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, January 2nd in the year of our Lord 2024. 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.