It’s Thursday, January 23rd, 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
Iran giving Christians longer prison sentences
Article 18 reports Iran is sentencing more Christians to longer sentences.
The Islamic regime sentenced 96 Christians to a combined 263 years in prison last year. That’s up from 22 Christians sentenced to 43.5 years in 2023.
Christians are also facing longer individual sentences. Some face up to 15 years all on account of their faith and religious activities. Article 18 said these cases are only the tip of the iceberg, noting that many go unreported.
Iran is ranked ninth on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Germany’s anti-Christian offenses almost doubled
Germany’s federal government reported there were 228 anti-Christian offenses last year, up from 135 cases in 2022.
The offenses included one homicide, 14 bodily injuries, 52 cases of damage to property, 22 cases of threats or coercion, and 29 cases of incitement of the people against Christians.
Trump ends Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs
In the United States, President Donald Trump issued an order Tuesday, entitled, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-based Opportunity.”
The order ends the federal government’s hiring practices based on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The administration also instructed agencies to close diversity, equity, and inclusion offices by 5 p.m. yesterday. Staffers of those offices were put on paid administrative leave.
Senator Hawley to Trump: Pardon the pro-lifers
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri called on President Trump to pardon the pro-life advocates imprisoned under the Biden administration.
On Tuesday, Hawley posted this on X: “I hope President Trump will shortly pardon the pro-life prisoners unjustly targeted & jailed by the Biden administration. They deserve to be free.”
Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany, former White House Press Secretary under Trump, also called for their release.
McENANY: “There are 21 pro-lifers that Biden put in prison, innocent individuals who sang about Jesus Christ in front of an abortion clinic in a hallway, not in the clinic. It was a peaceful protest. We played it on the show. Those individuals should be receiving pardons.
“We are a week ahead of the March for Life, and I hope that the Trump administration deeply considers these peaceful Christians in a peaceful protest who were persecuted by President Biden. They should be freed.”
Proverbs 17:15 says, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanks “my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
Marco Rubio was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State on Tuesday.
The Senate unanimously confirmed him Monday. Rubio had served 14 years in the chamber before becoming Secretary of State.
Rubio said the State Department would focus on making America stronger, safer, and more prosperous. After being sworn in, he gave thanks to God.
RUBIO: “I want to end by thanking Almighty God and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is truly the singular purpose of our lives. It’s the most important priority. It’s the only thing that will matter when we take our last breath on this Earth.
“But this is an extraordinary opportunity. It would not have been possible without God’s blessings. I’m honored, and I’m privileged, cognizant of the responsibility. And I want to thank President Trump for his confidence.
“We will work hard every second of the day to help him achieve the agenda the American people have given him to achieve. Thanks for being a part of this today. God bless all of you. Thank you.”
Winter storm hit the South
A major winter storm hit the South on Tuesday.
The storm brought record-breaking snowfall to parts of the Deep South, impacting a 1,500-mile span from the Texas Gulf Coast to Atlantic coast of the Carolinas. Even Florida and Alabama got historic snowfalls.
Psalm 147:16-17 says God “gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels; who can stand before His cold?”
FDA bans red food dye #3
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of food dye Red No. 3 last week.
The synthetic food dye can cause cancer in laboratory rats.
The dye is still used in thousands of products to give food a bright red color, including candy, cereals, cherries, and milkshakes.
Companies still have a couple years until they must stop using the food dye.
Barna: Americans abandon discipleship and mental issues escalate
And finally, Dr. George Barna released a new report on faith and cultural trends likely to emerge this year.
The report notes several key trends. First, the syncretism train will keep rolling as people abandon a Biblical worldview for a blend of philosophies. Second, discipleship drops off the radar as the act of biblical mentoring becomes more uncommon in churches. Third, mental health issues escalate as Americans face more fear, anxiety, and depression. And fourth, the family will continue to be a contested and maligned institution.
Dr. Barna noted, “In the end, it’s all about worldview. And for those who seek a worldview based on Truth, it’s all about pursuing the God of the Bible for the answers and connection we deeply desire.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, January 23rd, 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.