It’s Thursday, February 29th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Russian invasion continues to take toll on Ukrainian clergy
Last Saturday marked two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.
During the suffering of war, many are looking to churches for help, putting a great strain on clergy. Kenneth Nowakowski, a bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, told Aid to the Church in Need that clergy report “unimaginable suffering” in the last couple years.
He said they are starting a program called “Healing the Wounds of War” to equip church leaders to minister to those facing extreme loss. He said, “Our responsibility is to find out what help people need and do our best to help them.”
Fewer Brits and Welsh identify as Christian
Christian identification in England and Wales fell below 50% of the population in recent years for the first time.
However, the U.K. region of Northern Ireland tells a different story. The region is home to nearly two million people, making up about 3% of the U.K. population.
A new survey, found 80% of people in Northern Ireland identify as Christian with 50% as practicing Christians. Twenty-one percent describe themselves as Evangelical; 35% pray weekly; 23% attend church weekly; and 13% read the Bible weekly.
Trump beat Haley in Michigan primary
In the United States, Fox News reports that on February 27th, Donald Trump beat Nikki Haley in Michigan’s Republican primary, 68%-26%.
Trump said, “I can tell you this November cannot come fast enough. We have the worst president in history–the most incompetent and the most corrupt president, and we can’t let this continue. We’re going to make America great again, greater than ever before.”
Appearing on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News, Victor Davis Hanson, Professor Emeritus from California State University, analyzed both Biden’s downward spiral and Trump’s upward comeback.
HANSON: “I think we’re getting to a point of no return, Laura, with the corruption issue, the cognitive issue, and the unpopularity and disaster of his agenda. And now this defection within the Democratic Party, it’s more of a question of not if they’re going to try to remove [Biden], but when and how. And I don’t think they have the answers to either one. It’s really the most remarkable meltdown of a president we’ve seen in our modern era.
“And it’s juxtaposed with probably the greatest political recovery of Donald Trump since Richard Nixon in 1962. And Donald Trump, the more they tried to demonize and incarcerate him or use lawfare against him, the more popular he becomes.”
The persecution of a Christian businessman
A Christian businessman is facing a civil lawsuit for rescuing a child from an abusive situation.
Back in 2009, Phillip Zodhiates, along with two Mennonite pastors, helped Lisa Miller and her daughter, Isabella, flee the U.S. Miller had converted to Christianity, leaving a lesbian relationship. She then wanted to protect her daughter from the abusive and lesbian influence of her former partner. However, the courts awarded the partner custody.
For their parts in rescuing Miller and Isabella, Zodhiates and the two pastors faced years in prison. Zodhiates now faces a civil lawsuit as well. The trial is set for September 1st of this year. Please pray for him.
Mitch McConnell to step down from leadership this November
Mitch McConnell announced he will step down from his position as the Republican leader in the U.S. Senate this November. He still plans to finish his Senate term, ending in 2027, reports the Associated Press.
The Senate Minority Leader from Kentucky has served in the chamber for nearly 20 years. He is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.
McConnell turned 82 last week and described this time as the sunset of his work.
He articulated his fundamental political vision.
McCONNELL: “I believe more strongly than ever that America’s global leadership is essential to preserving the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan discussed. For as long as I am drawing breath on this Earth, I will defend American exceptionalism.”
30% of Americans believe that laws should reflect Christian values
The Public Religion Research Institute released a new survey on Christian nationalism in America.
The survey identified Christian nationalists as those who connected Christianity, American identity, and the U.S. government with statements like “laws should be based on Christian values” and “God has called Christians to exercise dominion over all areas of American society.”
The study found 10% of Americans completely agree with such statements; 20% mostly agree; 37% mostly disagree; and 30% completely disagree. Over the last two years, the proportion of those who reject Christian nationalism has slightly decreased, while the proportion of those who are just skeptical has increased.
Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”
114-year-old woman is oldest living American
And finally, a 114-year old Texas woman named Elizabeth Francis is now the oldest living American. This came after 116-year-old Edith “Edie” Ceccarelli died in Northern California last week.
Francis is also the fifth oldest living person in the world. She was born in Louisiana in 1909. She has one daughter, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
After Francis celebrated her 114th birthday last year, Ben Meyers with LongeviQuest said, “[She] is admired around the world, both for her longevity and her approach to life. Reaching this milestone was never an aspiration for her, merely a byproduct of how she lived her life every day, doing right by her loved ones and by God. We can all learn from her example.”
Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, February 29th 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.