It’s Wednesday, October 19th, A.D. 2022. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Iranian Christian man, with Parkinson’s disease, in jail
Iranian authorities detained a Christian couple in Tehran’s Evin Prison back in August.
This month, Christian Solidarity International asks for prayer for Homayoun Zhaveh–who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease–and his wife, Sara Ahmadi. The two have been sentenced to years in prison for participating in a house church.
Christian converts in Iran are not recognized, and house churches are frequently raided as “illegal” groups. Dozens of Iranian Christians in recent years have received prison sentences of up to 15 years.
Iran is ranked ninth on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
China President Xi Jinping headed to third term
China’s Communist Party is meeting this week for their 20th National Congress.
President Xi Jinping is expected to get an unprecedented third term as the leader of the Communist Party and the head of China’s military forces.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is cracking down on American companies selling advanced semiconductors to China. The goal is to slow China’s technological and military development. Taiwan, South Korea, and the U.S. continue to outperform China in the manufacturing of high-end computer chips.
Million Mexicans march for life
Last weekend, over a million people marched across Mexico for the protection of human life.
Activists read a manifesto in Mexico City, calling for the life of every human being to be protected equally before and after birth.
Most of Mexico’s states still have protections for unborn babies, but the lawmakers are facing international pressure to legalize abortion on demand.
Update on Christian baker Jack Phillips
Colorado Christian baker Jack Phillips is back in court.
Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop is appealing a ruling from last year that found him guilty of discrimination. He had refused to bake a cake to celebrate someone pretending to be the opposite sex.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phillips in 2018 in a similar case. The case involved his refusal to bake a cake to celebrate homosexuality.
Alliance Defending Freedom continues to represent Phillips in his fight for religious freedom. You can support his defense through a link in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.
Psalm 14:4 asks, “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up My people as they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD?”
Poll: 76% of voters say education important
A new poll from Rasmussen found education is an important issue for U.S. voters.\
Seventy-seven percent of likely voters believe education issues will be important in this year’s congressional elections, and 45% believe it will be very important.
Sixty-eight percent of voters are worried that public schools are promoting controversial beliefs and attitudes with 49% saying they are very concerned. Last October, 76% of voters were concerned about what public schools were teaching.
Social Security recipients get 8.2% increase
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that prices rose by 8.2% last month on an annual basis.
In the face of surging inflation, Social Security recipients will get an 8.7% increase in their benefits next year. It’s the largest cost-of-living adjustment in 40 years.
A survey by the American Advisors Group found nearly a third of seniors say they are delaying retirement or are never planning to retire as consumer costs continue to rise.
The impact of Scripture
And finally, the American Bible Society released their latest findings from the 2022 State of the Bible report.
The study found 92% of Bible Users say the Bible has transformed their life. Even 38% of non-Bible Users say the same. Bible Users are defined as those who read the Bible at least three to four times a year on their own.
The report also found people who are “Scripture Engaged” were the most likely to strongly agree they can forgive others. “Scripture Engaged” individuals are impacted daily by the Bible and regularly read and engage with the Bible.
2 Peter 1:19 says, “We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, October 19th, 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). And here, to conclude the newscast, is my son, Honor, who turns 13 today and becomes a man. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.