Wednesday, November 15th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Adam McManus
Rescue Workers Search for Survivors of Iran/Iraq Earthquake
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake which struck the Iran-Iraq border killed 530 people in Iran and injured 7,460 others, reports World Magazine.
Rescue workers continue to use heavy equipment to dig through the debris in search of survivors. Others used heavy blankets to carry bodies out of collapsed buildings.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions Says DOJ May Soon Investigate Hillary Clinton
US Attorney General Jeff Sessions told Congress yesterday that the Justice Department could soon appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton, a move repeatedly called for by President Donald Trump, reports Yahoo News.
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Sessions insisted the decision whether to investigate Trump’s former rival for the presidency was not political.
Many Alabama Evangelicals Say They Are More Likely to Support Roy Moore
After U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore didn’t deny dating teens when he was in his early 30’s but denied sexual misconduct charges, a large segment of Alabama evangelicals said they’re more likely to support him, reports The Christian Post.
Thirty-seven percent of self-identified evangelicals in Alabama now say they are “more likely” to support Moore in light of the allegations, whereas 28 percent say they are “less likely” to vote for him; to the remaining 34 percent, the allegations made “no difference,” according to a JMC Analytics poll.
Almost 73 percent of Republicans said that Moore should not withdraw from the race.
State law forbids the removal of Moore’s name this close to the December 12th special election, but the state party can petition to disqualify his candidacy. Should that happen, any votes for him would not count.
Roy Moore’s Brother Jerry Says the Sexual Misconduct Allegations Are Persecution
In a related story, Jerry Moore, the brother of Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore, has claimed that the allegations of sexual misconduct against the Alabama politician could be compared to the persecution suffered by Jesus Christ, reports The Christian Post.
Jerry Moore insisted that the accusations are not true, and revealed that the brothers are worried about what impact the controversy is going to have on their 91-year-old mother.
Jerry Moore further accused the Democratic Party of being behind the allegations, and said that the women coming forward are going to “have to answer to God for these false allegations.” He believes his brother “is being persecuted, in his own words, like Jesus Christ was.”
Roy Moore characterized the accusations against him as an attempt to “shut up Christian conservatives.”
Deadline reported on Sunday that at least six companies have decided to either pull their ads or distance themselves from Sean Hannity’s TV show because his coverage of the allegations against Roy Moore.
New Hampshire Legislature Attacks Homeschooling
About five years ago, lawmakers in New Hampshire approved a series of changes to improve their citizens’ access to homeschooling, but they now appear to be preparing to roll back those improvements, reports WorldNetDaily.com.
And it’s generated considerable controversy, since Democratic lawmaker Marjorie Porter, who is opposing homeschooling, called it “child abuse.”
According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, Republican Rep. William Marsh, whose four oldest children graduated from the family’s homeschool and went on to top-tier colleges, told Porter that he considered her comments equating homeschooling with child abuse as a personal affront.
Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Answers Ambiguously on Homosexual Marriage
Perhaps Hillsong New York City pastor Carl Lentz is more enamored with being a pastor to celebrities like Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber than serving Jesus Christ.
While Lentz said he backs the biblical definition of marriage as between one man and woman, nonetheless in a video interview he told HBO’s “Vice News,” that Marriage equality is a “non-issue, because the laws of the land in New York City [are that] gay people can get married.”
Lentz claims he’s getting hit from both sides of the debate, saying, “The Christian right thinks we’re too open; the super left thinks we’re not loud enough in our affirmation.”
Some conservatives, such as Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, have accused Lentz and Hillsong of trying to avoid dealing with controversial issues.
Mohler told The New York Times last month that “there isn’t a great deal of historical Christianity or explicit theological content in their worship. I think there is a determined effort on the part of these churches, to avoid dealing with hard theological questions that might offend people.”
Matthew 5:37 says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’”
Michael Savage Addresses Fundamental Life Questions in New Book
After seven New York Times bestsellers, conservative radio talk show host Michael Savage is posing the most fundamental questions of life in “God, Faith, and Reason.”
Savage said “God is not dead. Man is dead to God,” reports his own website www.MichaelSavage.com.
With chapter titles such as “Room with a View to Eternity” and “Lonesome Boy on Cold Sand” — a touching, self-revealing, first-person account — “God, Faith and Reason” is a collection of intriguing short stories and commentary that invite the reader inside Savage’s lifelong spiritual quest.
Savage said, “I’m not a holy guy. I’m not a holy roller. I’m not an evangelist. I’m not better than the next man. I’m just really talking about my odyssey.
“I’m still questioning myself and my existence. What’s it all about? I believe God wants us to question.”
The book came about, he said, “because I wanted to say thank you to the Creator.”
Psalm 17:6-9 says, “I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior, of those who take refuge at Your right hand.”
49ers’ Player Marquise Goodwin Gives Tribute to Premature Son Who Died
And finally, the San Francisco 49ers’ win on Sunday was marked by a player’s heartbreaking tribute to his baby who died too soon, reports Life News.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who scored a touchdown from an 83-yard pass in one of the biggest plays of the game, honored his baby son with a skyward kiss and what appeared to be a moment kneeling in prayer in the end zone, Yahoo Sports reports.
After the game, Goodwin revealed that he and his wife, Morgan, lost their very premature baby son early Sunday morning due to pregnancy complications.
Morgan Goodwin posted a photo of their son’s tiny hand Sunday on Instagram to mark his early death. Marquise said he scored the touchdown Sunday for his son.
On Instagram, the football star wrote, “Although we are hurt, I am grateful for the experience and grateful that God blessed me with a wife as courageous and resilient as Morgan. The pain (physically, mentally, & emotionally) that she has endured is unbelievable. Please pray for the Goodwin family.”
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, November 15th in the year of our Lord 2017. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
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Sudanese Pastor Says the Christian Faith Remains Strong Despite Persecution
A Christian pastor in Sudan has said that despite the escalating severe persecution in the Islamic-majority country, including the killing and jailing of church leaders, the faith is “still alive” and strong there, reports The Christian Post.
One Baptist pastor identified only as James said, “We want people to know that in spite of the situations that we are going through, that Christianity and the Church in Sudan I think is still strong. What has happened has astonished us.”
The Rev. Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse relief organization, and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, of which Russell Moore is president, were among several notable groups who in June signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaking out against the treatment of believers.
The groups noted that government officials have been destroying churches and restricting freedom of worship all over Sudan.
Suicide Rises Alarmingly in Iran
Some Iranian citizens are so distraught by their day-to-day existence that they are taking their lives at alarming numbers, according to the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Increasingly, women, men, and youth overwhelmed by poverty, oppression, discrimination, and inequality, are lighting themselves on fire in a final act of public protest and desperation. Iranian state officials refer to it as an epidemic.
According to state media, suicide attempt among women has risen 66 percent over the past five years. The figure is 71 percent among men over the same period. The figures also show that suicide among women has increased over the past decade.
Venezuela Defaults on Its Debt
Venezuela, a nation spiraling into a humanitarian crisis, has missed a debt payment. It could soon face grim consequences, reports CNN Money.
The South American country defaulted on its debt, according to a statement issued Monday night by S&P Global Ratings. The agency said the 30-day grace period had expired for a payment that was due in October.
A debt default risks setting off a dangerous series of events that could exacerbate Venezuela’s food and medical shortages.
Court Allows Part of President Trump’s Immigration Restrictions to Take Effect
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed part of President Donald Trump’s latest immigration executive orders to take effect Monday, reports World Magazine.
For the moment, the 9th Circuit said the government could enforce the ban against those without bona fide U.S. connections from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea, and Venezuela.
President Trump and Advisors Draft Middle East Peace Plan
Seeking what he calls “the ultimate deal,” President Donald Trump and his advisors are drafting a Middle East peace plan to end the bitter land dispute between Israel and the Palestinians.
According to The New York Times, Mr. Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian peace plan is expected to address the status of Jerusalem and settlements in the West Bank.
President Trump assigned the peace plan effort to Jared Kushner, his Jewish son-in-law and senior advisor.
The last peace talks broke down in 2014.
New Republican Tax Bill Will Include Repeal of Obamacare Mandate
The proposed Republican tax reform bill will include the repeal of Obamacare’s individual mandate requiring most Americans to have some form of health insurance or pay a tax penalty, GOP leaders said yesterday, reports CNBC.
Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota told the Washington Post that there are 50 Republican senators willing to support the mandate-repealing tax reform bill. That would be enough to pass it, with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence.
Senator Mitch McConnell Hints That Jeff Sessions Should Run for His Old Senate Seat
Senate Majority Mitch McConnell has hinted that Attorney General Jeff Sessions should consider running for his old U.S. Senate seat from Alabama in light of Judge Roy Moore’s candidacy which has been rocked by a Washington Post story last Thursday claiming that Moore was sexually inappropriate with a 14-year-old when he was 32, reports the Washington Examiner.
The special election is slated for December 12th.
Government Has Paid $15 Million to Settle Sexual Harassment Suits Against Members of Congress
Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier of California informed NBC’s Chuck Todd yesterday that $15 million in taxpayer money had been paid out over the last 10-15 years to settle sexual harassment suits filed against members of Congress.
Earlier in the day, Speier testified in front of the House Administration Committee that two members of Congress, a Republican and a Democrat, have engaged in sexual harassment in the past.
Todd asked Speier if taxpayers have a right to know to know about these settlements.
The congresswoman said, “Well, I think you do have the right to know. But right now, under the system, you don’t have a right to know.”
Senator Rand Paul Says There Was No Justification for Attacking Him
In his first interview since being sucker-attacked 10 days ago by his Bowling Green, Kentucky neighbor Rene Boucher while doing yard work, Sen. Rand Paul said there was “no justification” for what happened, reports The Washington Examiner.
Struggling to breathe and talk, the result of six ribs being broken in the incident, Paul said that he knew of no motive that would have sparked his neighbor to hit him from behind.
“From my perspective, I’m not really too concerned about what someone’s motive is. I’m just concerned that I was attacked from the back and somebody broke six of my ribs and gave me a damaged lung where at least for now I have trouble speaking and breathing and now I’ve hurt for 10 days.”
Social media posts from Boucher show that he is aggressively anti-Trump and anti-Republican.
Conservative Archbishop Chosen for Key Post in Catholic Church
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops chose conservative Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City for a key post yesterday, signaling resistance to Pope Francis’s vision for the church among the Catholic hierarchy in the U.S., reports the Wall Street Journal.
In a vote of 96 to 82, Naumann defeated Cardinal Blase Cupich, of Chicago, who is seen as a liberal in the church and a close ally of the pope.
Like all the bishops, Archbishop Naumann and Cardinal Cupich are both strong opponents of abortion and euthanasia. Archbishop Naumann said that he would keep the committee focused on those two issues.
Cardinal Cupich, meanwhile, indicated that he would have broadened the committee’s focus to include other issues like the death penalty, health care, and poverty—a list more in line with the priorities of Pope Francis.
Pastor of Texas Church Targeted by Shooter Considers Demolishing the Building
Frank Pomeroy, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas which was sprayed with gunfire in a shooting rampage that killed 26 people is considering demolishing the building and putting a memorial garden in its place, reports Christian Today.
Using the white-steepled church which can hold about 75 people could be too emotionally painful. Pomeroy and his wife Sherri, who were was out of town that Sunday, lost their 14-year-old daughter Annabelle in the largest church shooting in American history.
ACLU and ADF Lawyers Debate over Homosexual Wedding Cakes
Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Alliance Defending Freedom squared off in a debate Monday night, offering the American public a sample of what to expect next month as the United States Supreme Court hears a Colorado Christian baker’s appeal seeking the right to refuse to bake wedding cakes for homosexuals, reports The Christian Post.
The Christian attorney pointed out that Jack Phillips, the Christian baker, also declines to bake other types of cakes that might violate his faith like Halloween cakes or cakes with anti-family themes.
The ACLU attorney reasoned that since Phillips offers custom wedding cakes to the public he should also be forced to offer custom wedding cakes to homosexual couples.
Church in Tennessee Loses Membership After Deciding to Conduct Homosexual Marriages
As a result of the decision by GracePointe Church in Franklin, Tennessee to conduct homosexual marriages, they have witnessed a dramatic decline in attendance and is now selling its campus and moving to a rented space.
Ever since Pastor Stan Mitchell announced its support of the perverted lifestyle choice in 2015, the church’s membership fell by half.
At its height, the church membership was around 2,000 people and attendance had been between 700 to 800 attendees. A recent visit counted about 240 attendees.
Museum of the Bible Opens This Friday
The highly anticipated Museum of the Bible is opening in Washington, DC this Friday, November 17.
Steve Green, President of Hobby Lobby, shared his vision with CBN News, saying, “We have the confidence that if we are true to pointing people to this book, true to the facts, that God will show up and He will impact people’s lives.”
It will feature re-creations of the Israelite Temple, towns where Jesus walked, and many other displays and interactive features.
Michael Savage Observes That Our Culture Has Lost Faith and Turned to Drugs
In God, Faith, and Reason, radio talk show host Michael Savage observes a culture that has gone from St. Christopher medals hanging from car mirrors to dream catchers and voodoo beads.
He said, “We’ve lost faith in every institution. We’ve lost faith in Trump. We’ve lost faith in politics in general. We’ve even lost faith in organized religion,” he said in the interview.
In the book, Savage illustrates Western culture’s general deadness to God in a chapter that delves into mankind’s two natures, the flesh and the spirit.
Savage writes: “If a person comes to them and says, ‘Oh Doctor, I have two feelings about it, two thoughts about everything,’ their only answer is, ‘All right, here’s medication.’”
He noted to MichaelSavage.com that “no society on earth has ever been as drugged as this one — ever — both illegal and legal.”
“It’s like a society of drugged zombies, all a manifestation of a spiritual poverty,” he said.
“You cannot fill every hole of the spirit with medicines.”