It’s New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Gunmen killed Columbian pastor and two family members
Armed gunmen killed a Protestant pastor and two of his family members in northern Colombia on Sunday.
The attackers killed Pastor Marlon Lora, his wife Yorley Rincon, and his daughter Ángela. His son Santiago was severely injured.
The family was having lunch after attending church. Pastor Lora led the Prince of Peace Villaparaguay Church and oversaw 35 urban and rural churches.
The South American country’s human rights office has warned of the rise of religious freedom violations against religious leaders. Such incidents rose 31% between January and September of last year.
Anna Lee Stangl with Christian Solidarity Worldwide said, “Despite the grave dangers faced by religious leaders, the Colombian government has stripped them of their status within the National Protection System. … We urge the government to … ensure protection for religious leaders, who remain at risk of violence and intimidation because of their role as peacemakers in their communities.”
In Matthew 5:9, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Brazilian government censors pro-life speech
Five lawmakers in Brazil are challenging their government before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The lawmakers accuse the government of censoring pro-life speech during the South American country’s 2022 election cycle.
Senator Eduardo Girão is one of the lawmakers in the case. He warned, “Brazil is facing a very serious censorship problem. While our constitution protects our rights to speak and express ourselves freely as citizens of Brazil, Brazilians throughout the country are afraid to share their beliefs for fear of persecution and punishment.”
World population hits 8 billion
The U.S. Census Bureau released a report on Monday, estimating the world’s population to reach 8.09 billion people.
That would be an increase of 71 million people during 2024, a growth rate of just under one percent.
India is the most populated country in the world followed by China and the United States.
The report estimates the U.S. population to be over 341 million today, an increase of 2.6 million people during 2024.
Trump strongly endorses House Speaker Mike Johnson to stay in leadership
President-elect Donald Trump supported Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson to continue his leadership role in Congress.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote, “Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement.”
The House of Representatives will vote on a speaker this Friday. However, not all Republicans support Johnson to continue in the position, citing too much cooperation with Democrats.
Free speech on college campus under attack in 2024
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression reports 2024 was the worst year on record for free speech on college campuses.
During 2023, there were over 150 attempts to cancel speech at colleges like disinviting speakers, canceling performances, and preventing the screening of films. This year, there were over 160 such attempts.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression also reports that 35% of faculty at major colleges self-censor their own speech. That’s up from about 9% in the 1950s.
8 encouraging trends in global Christianity for 2024
Lifeway Research shared their top 10 articles from last year. One of them was an article entitled, “8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024.”
The study noted Christianity is expected to continue growing, reaching 2.63 billion people last year. Groups with the fastest growth include Protestants, independents, Evangelicals, and Pentecostal/charismatics.
The fastest growing areas for Christianity are in the global south, like Asia and Africa.
Last year also continued the trend of more and more missionaries being sent and churches being planted than ever before.
Psalm 22:27 says, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.”
Bald eagle becomes official American national bird
And finally, the bald eagle officially became the national bird of the United States just last Tuesday.
The designation became official after President Joe Biden signed legislation passed by Congress.
The bald eagle has appeared on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. Congress designated the bird as the national emblem at the time.
Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, said, “For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn’t. But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving.”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes, “Bald eagles, like other eagles worldwide, had been seen by many as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations. And, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was indigenous only to North America.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1st, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or 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.