Friday, November 10th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Jonathan Clark
Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng Disappears After Re-Arrest
Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been missing following his re-arrest by state officers after he escaped house arrest in August, reports International Christian Concern.
After two of Zhisheng’s friends helped him escape, the Chinese authorities captured and tortured both of them, cruelly blinding one of them.
Please pray for Zhisheng as he has already suffered torture and years of imprisonment for his human rights work, and his treatment is expected to only get worse.
Psalm 20:1 says, “May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you.”
President Trump Visits China
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump visited Beijing yesterday on a state visit. Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Both agreed to work together for the denuclearization of North Korea. The two leaders also reportedly signed a $250 billion trade deal.
Trump was welcomed warmly and praised President Jinping. No mention though of China’s persecution of Christians.
Worldwide Orthodox Christian Population More Than Doubles in Past Century
Over the last century, the Orthodox Christian population around the world has more than doubled, but has only decreased as a percentage of the Christian population worldwide from 20 percent in 1910 to 12 percent in 2010, according to Pew Research.
Meanwhile, Protestants and Catholics have grown in percentage. And while Orthodox Christians are still located primarily in Europe, 77 percent currently, Protestants and Catholics have expanded enormously beyond the continent.
New Zealand Turns Away from God
As of 2013, 48.9 percent of New Zealand’s population identified with Christianity, down from 55.6 percent in 2006.
In October, the country swore in its 40th prime minister, 37-year-old agnostic Jacinda Ardern, the youngest woman to lead the country. Ardern did not place her hand on the Bible nor say “so help me God” in the ceremony.
And just recently, the new Speaker of the House adapted the prayer at the beginning of every session to no longer include the phrase “through Jesus Christ our Lord” at the end.
Proverbs 3:5-7 instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. . . In all your ways acknowledge Him. . . Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.”
Former Abortionist Gives Pro-Life Testimony to Congressional Committee
A former abortionist testified in front of a congressional committee last week on a bill to ban abortions at six weeks of pregnancy. Dr. Kathy Altman shared how she used to murder babies, but became a pro-life OB/GYN.
Altman said the unborn should be considered as persons.
“We know from a scientific standpoint that the baby in the womb is a human being, not just a blob of tissue. Birth changes nothing but the baby’s environment. What justification do we have to deny them personhood and human rights until after their birth?”
Altman described her previous practices as mass murder.
“I love to meet adults I have delivered but it’s always bittersweet because I’m reminded of all the people I won’t meet because I aborted them. It also reminds me that I am a mass murderer.”
Altman also condemned our culture of death.
“We have moved farther away from the idea that life is precious and closer to the utilitarian attitude that destroyed so many lives during the last century. More and more we are embracing a culture of death that only values the strong and healthy.”
Roy Moore Denies Claims of Sexual Misconduct
Alabama Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Roy Moore denied a recent claim of sexual misconduct by an Alabama woman named Leigh Corfman.
Corfman told the Washington Post the incident occurred in 1979 when she was 14.
The Moore campaign called the allegation “a desperate political attack by the National Democrat Party and the Washington Post on this campaign.”
Moore said, “We are in the midst of a spiritual battle with those who want to silence our message.”
Republican Senators Reveal New Tax Plan
U.S. Senate Republicans revealed a tax plan yesterday with key differences from the House of Representatives’ version.
Senators proposed seven tax brackets, eliminating state and local deductions for individuals, and cutting the corporate tax to 20 percent in 2019.
Also, Republican House leadership restored the adoption tax credit to their plan after pro-life groups protested its removal.
Special Report on Texas Pastor’s Perspective on Church Shooting After the Newscast
Following the largest church shooting in American history, stay tuned to hear the unique perspective of the pastor from another small Texan church. He’ll share his thoughts on security measures as well as offer his best theological answers to this troubling tragedy.
It’s all coming up after today’s newscast in my World View Special Report.
GoFundMe Page for Church Shooting Victims Raises over $1.3 Million
And finally, over $1.3 million has been raised through GoFundMe for the victims of Sunday’s church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Most of the funds have been raised for the Holcombe family who lost several generations of family members in the shooting, including Bryan Holcombe who was the guest pastor.
Bryan’s father, Joe Holcombe, said, “God will see us through. We’ll all be together soon.”
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Friday, November 10th 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.
Special Report: Pastor Advises Churches on Preparedness in Light of Sixth Commandment
Time now for a World View Special Report. I’m Adam McManus.
By Adam McManus
In light of the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas this past Sunday which took the lives of 27 and injured 20, Pastor Brett Becker of Quest Church in New Braunfels, Texas — which averages 60 attendees — had a unique take.
“Being a new church start from day one, a year and a half ago, we had plans in place for security measures, different things to protect our kids as well as the adults too. When I have responsible, mature Christians that I know have a concealed carry permit, I definitely encourage them to carry for the prevention of this exact kind of situation.”
Pastor Becker told The World View that the notion of preparedness comes directly from a fuller understanding of the Sixth Commandment.
“I’m a huge fan of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. In regard to the Sixth Commandment to not murder, it asks the question: ‘What is required in the Sixth Commandment?’ The answer: The Sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life and the life of others.’
“So I think equipping our people to handle emergency situations, including those who intend great evil, is a wise thing to prepare for.”
Pastor Becker cited two of his favorite theologians as he attempted to theologically explain to The World View the abhorrent violation of the sacred space, of the house of God in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
“My favorite theologian, R.C. Sproul, said that while evil is a problem for the Christian, it’s a greater problem for the atheist because how can you describe evil without making some type of reference to good and to God.
“We struggle with the presence of evil in the universe and a God who is all powerful and all good. Sometimes we don’t have all the answers in this life.
“The great preacher C.H. Spurgeon said in issues like this, ‘When we cannot trace God’s hand, we are simply to trust His heart.’ It’s a matter of trust and faith and we’ll get a fuller understanding of evil and how that interacts with God’s sovereignty on the other side, in heaven.”
Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.” May God Almighty be the rock for the victims and the families of the Sutherland Springs shooting.
This has been a World View Special Report. I’m Adam McManus.