What is the deepest problem in America? What needs to be done to bring peace to a globe riddled with strife, poverty and violence? These are some of the massive life-defining questions to which Christianity has answers. But Christianity is not alone in claiming insight into the struggles humanity faces and the solutions we desperately need. A host of other religions and worldviews compete for our attention and acceptance.
In this post, I want to focus on one sector that presents a vehicle for ideas, insights and solutions to the issues we face: the news media. By this broad title I am referring to talk radio, internet, television networks and hosts who report news and especially those who present opinions on current events.
Why am I focusing here? Because I watch Christians allow the media to shape the way they look at what is going on in America and the world. Many Christians spend hours each week listening to radio hosts break down a political policy and why they think it is good or bad, or talk television hosts, as they explain how a particular political candidate will get our nation back on track. Sounds good right?
Here is my word of caution. Beware of any worldview that presents anything other than human sinfulness as the ultimate problem and Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection as the ultimate solution. When was the last time you saw the Christian worldview on the most popular TV and radio networks or internet news platforms? The last time I saw it was when pro football player Benjamin Watson was mysteriously dropped mid-sentence when presenting Jesus as the solution to the underlying sin and pride as the cause of racism.
If you take the side of those in the mainstream news media, you will believe that what is ultimately wrong with America is the Democrats or the Republicans. Their ultimate solution to America’s problems is to get the right individuals elected and enact the appropriate policies. On a global scale, they may propose that we fight for more democratic forms of government.
As a Christian, we must recognize that it’s no different than a false religion when we place our trust in anything other than Christ as our solution. It’s an unbiblical, anti-Christian worldview. To say that only a particular group of people are the problem is to shift the blame for sin whichall of us, as humans, share (Rom. 3:23). To present anything other than Christ as the ultimate solution is, in essence, idolatry. It is to say that humanity itself can solve the greatest problems it faces.
Let me clarify something before I finish. I am not saying that political action, good candidates, and policies are not important or helpful. What I am saying is that there is a far deeper issue that humanity faces, beyond an opposing political party. Unless we solve this problem, which can only happen through Jesus Christ, all the sincerest efforts of humanity will be as futile as getting a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
God’s Word is clear here. The Christian does not automatically view things through the right lenses. Each of us needs to be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. Why? So that we will be able to discern God’s will and see things the way He sees them—with clarity. This will not happen if we spend more time watching the news and listening to talk radio than we spend in our Bibles and in prayer, carefully studying and applying God’s Word to our lives and pleading with God to give us wisdom.
So instead of letting your opinions be shaped by your favorite TV or talk radio show host, ask yourself, “What does the Bible say about this? How would Jesus have me to think and respond to this situation or event?” Search the Scriptures. Pray for your leaders. Immerse your mind continually in God’s Word. Allow it to shape your thinking. Compare the perspective you are gaining from the Bible with the perspectives coming from the news media. The more we do this in God’s strength, the more we will be able to accurately represent Jesus to our world that so urgently needs Him.
I am so happy I finally found your family blog. I became very angry when my mum died at 47 and I was literally left alone so I left God. Slowly but surely since watching your family Jessa, and mostly in the past two years, I have lead my own family to do a 360 turn and do as God wants us. It definitely has not been easy but I agree with you both 100%. I thought I was the only one who felt the same way about the world. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have found that I can''t even bring out the fact I am Christian at work without being ridiculed. When I need prayers, my "friends" will say 'i will wish well for you but I will not pray'. Being a NP, I can lose my job if I say I am antiabortion and have firmly been for nearly 25 yrs, and I have been raped so I know what those circumstances would be. I can comfortably say that I am also anti-gay and do not believe in transgenderism but that would get me dismissed from my job too. My ex-brother in law says he is gay, but I love him to death and would never treat anybody who is, nor transgender, but the media is extremely biased and has made anyone who effectively does not agree with them to be wicked, stupid and disgusting people. It is sad, and it is disheartening to see that people now feel this way. I firmly believe the world would be 100% better place if people still followed the Lord, attended church and read their bible regularly. I am so sorry for the length of my comments. I am just so happy and actually relieved to know I am not the only one who believes in the same things, as I sometimes feel like I am. I wish I had supporters such as yourselves in my friendship base. I am so blessed and fortunate to have spoken with Derick's mum Carol, who is such a lovely person, but I have not broached any of what you said with her, as, it's a pretty heavy conversation piece, which I am so glad you posted (have I said that enough?) I am very impressed with how well your church has taught God's word to you, I wish I was closer, so I could be as exceptionally educated too. (I am in Australia). God bless you all, Ben, Jessa, Spurgeon and little Henry, and may you all lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives xx
Matilda
03/10/2017 01:53 AM
Super intiomafrve writing; keep it up.
Tracie Higgins
03/05/2017 01:20 PM
Spot on. God has been showing me this as I was getting caught up looking at the secular outlook of daily life and I had to stop and say wait. I need to look at what the Bible says and God himself for answers. Thank you and God Bless.
J.S Giles
02/22/2017 10:46 PM
AMEN!!! This is something I speak on often. Keep fighting for God's truth to be revealed so that the enemy's lies may be exposed. People need to keep their eyes and focus of Christ. The Author and Finisher of their lives. Peace be with you brother!
Mary Gibilisco
02/12/2017 03:09 AM
Thanks for sharing, I needed it.
Leah Maple
01/25/2017 12:46 AM
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! Since the election and inauguration I've been unsure of where I stand. I understand things like abortion is wrong Biblically but I also believe women should have a say and have free agency on what goes on with their body. I've been so stressed out about this topic and others. Your blog post made me realize that I need to stop looking to everyone else for a perspective and look to God and the scriptures for perspective. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts today. They really helped me. By the way, I am a huge fan of 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On. I have watched the show since I was a young teen and it helped me become the person I am today! Love your family! God Bless you guys!
Lindsey May
01/24/2017 11:25 PM
God is all goodness, all beauty, and all truth. All goodness, truth, and beauty in the world; God is its source. These three things are inseparable, and should almost be considered as one thing. If something is good, true, or beautiful (or all three) God is its instigator. It is such because God has willed it. We should recognize all these things wherever we find them because, being works of God, we should love them and applaud them.
Comments 1-7 of 7
Kym
04/08/2017 10:23 AM
I am so happy I finally found your family blog. I became very angry when my mum died at 47 and I was literally left alone so I left God.
Slowly but surely since watching your family Jessa, and mostly in the past two years, I have lead my own family to do a 360 turn and do as God wants us. It definitely has not been easy but I agree with you both 100%. I thought I was the only one who felt the same way about the world. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have found that I can''t even bring out the fact I am Christian at work without being ridiculed. When I need prayers, my "friends" will say 'i will wish well for you but I will not pray'.
Being a NP, I can lose my job if I say I am antiabortion and have firmly been for nearly 25 yrs, and I have been raped so I know what those circumstances would be.
I can comfortably say that I am also anti-gay and do not believe in transgenderism but that would get me dismissed from my job too. My ex-brother in law says he is gay, but I love him to death and would never treat anybody who is, nor transgender, but the media is extremely biased and has made anyone who effectively does not agree with them to be wicked, stupid and disgusting people.
It is sad, and it is disheartening to see that people now feel this way. I firmly believe the world would be 100% better place if people still followed the Lord, attended church and read their bible regularly.
I am so sorry for the length of my comments. I am just so happy and actually relieved to know I am not the only one who believes in the same things, as I sometimes feel like I am.
I wish I had supporters such as yourselves in my friendship base. I am so blessed and fortunate to have spoken with Derick's mum Carol, who is such a lovely person, but I have not broached any of what you said with her, as, it's a pretty heavy conversation piece, which I am so glad you posted (have I said that enough?)
I am very impressed with how well your church has taught God's word to you, I wish I was closer, so I could be as exceptionally educated too. (I am in Australia).
God bless you all, Ben, Jessa, Spurgeon and little Henry, and may you all lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives xx
Matilda
03/10/2017 01:53 AM
Super intiomafrve writing; keep it up.
Tracie Higgins
03/05/2017 01:20 PM
Spot on. God has been showing me this as I was getting caught up looking at the secular outlook of daily life and I had to stop and say wait. I need to look at what the Bible says and God himself for answers. Thank you and God Bless.
J.S Giles
02/22/2017 10:46 PM
AMEN!!! This is something I speak on often. Keep fighting for God's truth to be revealed so that the enemy's lies may be exposed. People need to keep their eyes and focus of Christ. The Author and Finisher of their lives. Peace be with you brother!
Mary Gibilisco
02/12/2017 03:09 AM
Thanks for sharing, I needed it.
Leah Maple
01/25/2017 12:46 AM
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! Since the election and inauguration I've been unsure of where I stand. I understand things like abortion is wrong Biblically but I also believe women should have a say and have free agency on what goes on with their body. I've been so stressed out about this topic and others. Your blog post made me realize that I need to stop looking to everyone else for a perspective and look to God and the scriptures for perspective.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts today. They really helped me.
By the way, I am a huge fan of 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On. I have watched the show since I was a young teen and it helped me become the person I am today! Love your family!
God Bless you guys!
Lindsey May
01/24/2017 11:25 PM
God is all goodness, all beauty, and all truth. All goodness, truth, and beauty in the world; God is its source. These three things are inseparable, and should almost be considered as one thing. If something is good, true, or beautiful (or all three) God is its instigator. It is such because God has willed it. We should recognize all these things wherever we find them because, being works of God, we should love them and applaud them.