It’s Tuesday, March 2nd, A.D. 2021. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Kevin Swanson
Belarus church evicted on February 17th
A Belarus pastor and his congregation were evicted from their building by the police on February 17th, reports Evangelical Focus.
The New Life Church in Minsk is one of the largest congregations in the capital city in this landlocked Eastern European country. The pastor said that a contributing reason for the ejection might have been the church’s opposition to unfair elections and the rising tyranny of the state of Belarus.
Burmese army has destroyed churches, raped women, killed civilians
Myanmar protests continue after a military coup shifted power in that country last month, according to International Christian Concern.
Recently, Aung San Suu Kyi, the ousted leader, faced charges in court this week for “illegally importing walkie talkies” and related charges, reports the BBC.
Also, ICC reports that the Christianized tribes of the Karen, the Chin, and the Kachin have been terrorized by the now-ruling Tatmadaw Burmese Army for decades. The Burmese army has “destroyed churches, abducted villagers, raped women, and killed innocent civilians,” according to the report.
Three times as many Japanese died of suicide compared to COVID
Approximately three times as many people died of suicide in Japan in 2020 as those who died of COVID-19.
While 7,500 died of COVID-19, almost 21,000 died of suicide, an overall year-over-year increase of 4% for the island nation. Women contributed mostly to the increase, according to the Japan Times. This represents about 1.5% of the total deaths in 2020.
Also, Japan’s population fell by 0.34% due to continuing low birth rates, a loss of 2.5 million people since the population peaked in 2009.
During the COVID year, the Japanese economy contracted 4.8%. And Japan’s public debt increased from 198% to 224% of the Gross Domestic Product just last year. That puts Japan as the highest debtor nation in the world, beating out Venezuela and Sudan.
Ephesians 2:12-13 speaks to the Japanese: “At that time, you were without Christ. . . having no hope and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, you, who once were far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
CA wants to fine retailers with separate boys’ and girls’ sections
The California Assembly has introduced a bill that would require retail stores to gender neutralize children’s clothing and toy departments. Retailers would be fined $1,000 if they had separate boys’ and girls’ sections, reports Christian Headlines.
Democratic Representative Evan Low, a self-professed homosexual, is the bill sponsor.
In addition, in 2018, Low sponsored another pro-homosexual bill which banned California State government travel to states which did not agree with California on homosexual issues. That law was enacted last July.
Trump blasts President Biden for pushing transgender agenda
Former President Donald Trump appeared at the C-PAC conference on the Lord’s Day, hinting at another presidential run in 2024.
He pointed out that the current president is “anti-jobs, anti-family, anti-borders, anti-energy, anti-women and anti-science.” And, Trump said, “in just one short month, we have gone from America first to America last.”
Trump took a swipe at the Equality Act just passed by the US House, pointing out the inequity of transgendered boys participating in girls’ sports teams.
TRUMP: “Joe Biden and the Democrats are even pushing policies that would destroy women’s sports. A lot of new records are being broken in women’s sports. I hate to say that ladies, but a lot of new records are being shattered. Young girls and women are incensed that they are now being forced to compete against those who are biological males.
“It’s not good for women, not good for women’s sports, which worked so long and so hard to get to where they are. The records that stood for years, even decades, are now being smashed with ease. Women’s sports, as we know it, will die. They’ll end.”
Johnson & Johnson releases COVID-19 vaccine
Johnson & Johnson has just released their own vaccine for the coronavirus. The company claims a 72% effectiveness for all strains, and 86% for severe cases of the virus.
Instead of relying on an mRNA injection, the pharmaceutical company used an adenovirus and replaced part of its gene with a coronavirus gene in order to generate the spike protein.
Also, the other m-RNA injections from Moderna and Pfizer require two shots, whereas the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires on a single dose.
Methodist Church splitting over homosexuality
Before any final decision has been made on the divisive issue of homosexuality within the denomination, the Methodist church is already fracturing.
According to the Wesleyan Covenant Association, the conservative Global Methodist Church has announced its plans to separate from the liberal United Methodist Church. It will be effective immediately following the next General Conference in 2022.
The new denomination will include churches in Africa, Europe, Eurasia, the Philippines, and the United States.
According to the 2019 General Conference vote, 53% of Methodists still opposed the homosexual lifestyle. That compares to 42% of Lutherans opposing homosexuality (by denominational preference), 32% of Presbyterians (by denominational preference), and 7% of American Episcopalians or Anglicans (by denominational preference), and 31% of Catholics (by popular surveys).
2 Corinthians 6:14,17 asks, “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial?. … Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’”
Voddie Baucham’s heart surgery was successful
And finally, Voddie Baucham, the dean of the seminary at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia, underwent heart surgery last week to correct a heart arrhythmia condition.
He released a video on Facebook over the weekend.
BAUCHAM: “I just wanted to let you know that the procedure that I underwent yesterday was very successful. Things were better than they expected. And I’m expected to make a full recovery. For now, things are incredibly hopeful.
“We have been amazed, Bridget and I both, and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support and prayers from people all over the world. I scared her the other day because I was sitting in the bed just, just weeping. I was reading comments from the GoFundMe, and I just I had to stop. I was just, I was overwhelmed. Thank you! It meant more than you could possibly know.
“The hope is that my heart will be able to repair and I’ll be able to get back to normal. God has been gracious. God has been kind.”
Please pray for the full recovery of Pastor Voddie Baucham.
He is the father of nine children and the author of several books including Expository Apologetics: Answering Objections with the Power of the Word and Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead Their Homes.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, March 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2021. 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.